Top 23 Ranked

Christopher Plummer's Best Movies

The Legendary Career of a Stage and Screen Titan

Explore the finest performances of Christopher Plummer, from his iconic role in The Sound of Music to his Oscar-winning turn in Beginners.

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About Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer

To look at the career of Christopher Plummer is to witness a masterclass in the art of the slow burn. Most actors reach their zenith in their youth and spend the following decades chasing that initial spark, but he possessed a rare, silver-tongued velocity that only seemed to sharpen as the years piled up. He moved with a feline grace and spoke with a voice like fine cognac poured over gravel, occupying a space in the cultural imagination that bridged the gap between Shakespearean gravitas and modern cinematic wit. While he famously spent years distancing himself from the sentimental shadow of Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music, his eventual embrace of that legacy mirrored his own professional evolution: a journey from a reluctant matinee idol to a towering elder statesman of the screen.

What made him so magnetic to audiences was his uncanny ability to project intelligence without arrogance. He could play a man of deep, terrifying secrets or a grandfather overflowing with hidden warmth, often within the same scene. In The Insider, he captured the calculated chill of Mike Wallace with surgical precision, showing us the machinery behind the persona. Yet, he was just as comfortable leaning into the high-concept grit of Twelve Monkeys or the archival malice of the wealthy elite in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. He didn't just inhabit roles; he interrogated them, stripping away the artifice to find the pulsing, human center underneath.

His late-career resurgence was nothing short of legendary. When most of his peers were settling into retirement, he was entering his most prolific and daring era. He finally secured his Academy Award for Beginners, delivering a performance of such profound, late-blooming joy that it redefined what a coming-out story could look like. He showed us that life doesn't end at eighty; it simply enters a more complicated, beautiful act. This vitality was on full display in Knives Out, where he served as the foundational mystery of the film, playing a patriarch whose presence was felt in every frame even after his character departed.

Whether he was squaring off against James T. Kirk as a Shakespeare-quoting Klingon in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country or portraying the tortured brilliance of Tolstoy in The Last Station, he brought a specific, high-wattage dignity to the work. He could be menacing in Inside Man or heartbreakingly romantic in Somewhere in Time, yet he never lost that signature twinkle in his eye that suggested he was in on the joke. He understood that acting was a noble pursuit, but he never let it become a stale one. By the time he lent his voice to the cranky adventurer in Up or faced down demons in Priest, he had solidified his status as a performer who transcended genre. Christopher Plummer was the rare artist who became more essential as he aged, proving that true talent doesn't fade, it merely refines itself into something permanent and indestructible.

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Based on the top picks in drafts on SnakeDrafts

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23
Christopher Plummer in The Silent Partner (1978)
The Silent Partner
1978

Toronto, Canada. A few days before Christmas, Miles Cullen, a bored teller working at a bank branch located in a shopping mall, accidentally learns that the place is about to be robbed when he finds a disconcerting note on one of the counters.

Drama
Thriller
1h 42m
Daryl Duke
Elliott Gould, Christopher Plummer, Susannah York, Céline Lomez
22
Christopher Plummer in The Exception (2017)
The Exception
2017

Nothing is as it seems in this riveting World War 2 thriller as a wary soldier goes to investigate a mysterious German monarch at his secluded mansion, leading him into a web of deceit and a dangerous love affair with a local Jewish woman.

War
Drama
1h 47m
David Leveaux
Lily James, Jai Courtney, Eddie Marsan, Christopher Plummer
21
Christopher Plummer in Remember (2015)
Remember
2015

With the aid of a fellow Auschwitz survivor and a hand-written letter, an elderly man with dementia goes in search of the person responsible for the death of his family.

Drama
Thriller
1h 34m
Atom Egoyan
Christopher Plummer, Bruno Ganz, Jürgen Prochnow, Heinz Lieven

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20
Christopher Plummer in Waterloo (1970)
Waterloo
1970

After defeating France and imprisoning Napoleon on Elba, ending two decades of war, Europe is shocked to find Napoleon has escaped and has caused the French Army to defect from the King back to him. The best of the British generals, the Duke of Wellington, beat Napolean's best generals in Spain and Portugal, but now must beat Napoleon himself with an Anglo Allied army.

History
Drama
2h 14m
Sergey Bondarchuk
Rod Steiger, Christopher Plummer, Orson Welles, Jack Hawkins
19
Christopher Plummer in All the Money in the World (2017)
All the Money in the World
2017

The story of the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother to convince his billionaire grandfather Jean Paul Getty to pay the ransom.

Crime
History
Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Christopher Plummer, Charlie Plummer
18
Christopher Plummer in Battle of Britain (1969)
Battle of Britain
1969

In 1940, the Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle against the might of the Luftwaffe for control of the skies over Britain, thus preventing an attempted Nazi invasion.

War
History
2h 12m
Guy Hamilton
Harry Andrews, Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Curd Jürgens
17
Christopher Plummer in The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
The Fall of the Roman Empire
1964

In the year 180 A.D. Germanic tribes are about to invade the Roman empire from the north. In the midst of this crisis ailing emperor Marcus Aurelius has to make a decision about his successor between his son Commodus, who is obsessed by power, and the loyal general Gaius Livius.

Drama
History
3h 8m
Anthony Mann
Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd, Alec Guinness, James Mason
16

A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.

Drama
History
3h 22m
15
Christopher Plummer in The Last Station (2009)
The Last Station
2009

A historical drama that illustrates Russian author Leo Tolstoy's struggle to balance fame and wealth with his commitment to a life devoid of material things. The Countess Sofya, wife and muse to Leo Tolstoy, uses every trick of seduction on her husband's loyal disciple, whom she believes was the person responsible for Tolstoy signing a new will that leaves his work and property to the Russian people.

Drama
Romance
1h 52m
Michael Hoffman
Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, Paul Giamatti, James McAvoy
14
Christopher Plummer in Dolores Claiborne (1995)
Dolores Claiborne
1995

Dolores Claiborne was accused of killing her abusive husband twenty years ago, but the court's findings were inconclusive and she was allowed to walk free. Now she has been accused of killing her employer, Vera Donovan, and this time there is a witness who can place her at the scene of the crime. Things look bad for Dolores when her daughter Selena, a successful Manhattan magazine writer, returns to cover the story.

Crime
Drama
2h 12m
Taylor Hackford
13
Christopher Plummer in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
1991

After years of war, the Federation and the Klingon empire find themselves on the brink of a peace summit when a Klingon ship is nearly destroyed by an apparent attack from the Enterprise. Both worlds brace for what may be their deadliest encounter.

Science Fiction
Action
1h 50m
Nicholas Meyer
William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
12
Christopher Plummer in Somewhere in Time (1980)
Somewhere in Time
1980

Young writer Richard Collier is met on the opening night of his first play by an old lady who begs him to "Come back to me". Mystified, he tries to find out about her, and learns that she is a famous stage actress from the early twentieth century. Becoming more and more obsessed with her, by self-hypnosis he manages to travel back in time—where he meets her.

Drama
Fantasy
1h 43m
Jeannot Szwarc
Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, Christopher Plummer, Teresa Wright
11

When an armed, masked gang enter a Manhattan bank, lock the doors and take hostages, the detective assigned to effect their release enters negotiations preoccupied with corruption charges he is facing.

Crime
Drama
10
Christopher Plummer in The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
The Man Who Would Be King
1975

Tired of life as soldiers, Peachy Carnehan and Danny Dravot travel to the isolated land of Kafiristan, where they are ultimately embraced by the people and revered as rulers. After a series of misunderstandings, the natives come to believe that Dravot is a god, but he and Carnehan can't keep up their deception forever.

Adventure
Drama
Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Saeed Jaffrey
Why it ranks

Plummer’s portrayal of Rudyard Kipling serves as the vital witness to this sprawling colonial adventure, imbuing the frame with a literary weight. He provides the necessary perspective that bridges the gap between grand myth-making and the harsh realities of empire.

9

In the year 2035, convict James Cole reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to discover the origin of a deadly virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population and forced the survivors into underground communities. But when Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990 instead of 1996, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital. There he meets psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly and the son of a famous virus expert who may hold the key to the Army of the 12 Monkeys; thought to be responsible for unleashing the killer disease.

Science Fiction
Thriller
Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Christopher Plummer
Why it ranks

Plummer brings a chillingly detached intellectualism to the role of Dr. Goines, embodying the cold logic of the scientific establishment. His performance adds a layer of high-stakes tension to the film’s chaotic, apocalyptic atmosphere.

8

Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist investigates the disappearance of a weary patriarch's niece from 40 years ago. He is aided by the pierced, tattooed, punk computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander. As they work together in the investigation, Blomkvist and Salander uncover immense corruption beyond anything they have ever imagined.

Thriller
Crime
Why it ranks

As the aging industrialist Henrik Vanger, Plummer exudes a weary, aristocratic desperation that sets the entire mystery in motion. He uses his limited screen time to establish a rich history of family trauma and moral exhaustion.

7
Christopher Plummer in Priest (2011)
Priest
2011

In an alternate world, humanity and vampires have warred for centuries. After the last Vampire War, the veteran Warrior Priest lives in obscurity with other humans inside one of the Church's walled cities. When the Priest's niece is kidnapped by vampires, the Priest breaks his vows to hunt them down. He is accompanied by the niece's boyfriend, who is a wasteland sheriff, and a former Warrior Priestess.

Action
Fantasy
1h 27m
Scott Stewart
Paul Bettany, Karl Urban, Lily Collins, Maggie Q
Why it ranks

Casting aside his usual warmth, Plummer leans into a cold, ecclesiastical austerity as the high-ranking Monsignor Orelas. He transforms a genre role into a chilling portrait of bureaucratic power and religious zealotry.

6

From the heights of notoriety to the depths of depravity, John Forbes Nash Jr. experiences it all. As a brilliant but socially awkward mathematician, he made a groundbreaking discovery early in his career and stands on the brink of international acclaim. But as the handsome and arrogant Nash accepts secret work in cryptography, he becomes entangled in a mysterious conspiracy. His life takes a nightmarish turn and he soon finds himself on a painful and harrowing journey of self-discovery.

Why it ranks

Plummer provides the essential grounded presence in this psychological drama, playing the watchful psychiatrist with a calm authority. His steady hand offers the necessary narrative ballast to stabilize the frantic brilliance of the film's central struggle.

5
Christopher Plummer in Up (2009)
Up
2009

Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life.

Animation
Comedy
1h 36m
Pete Docter
Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson
Why it ranks

Even behind an animated avatar, Plummer’s voice work radiates an adventurous spirit that slowly decays into obsessive menace. He elevates the film's antagonist through a sophisticated vocal performance that shifts seamlessly from charming mentor to a formidable threat.

4

A research chemist comes under personal and professional attack when he decides to appear in a 60 Minutes exposé on Big Tobacco.

Drama
Thriller
Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Christopher Plummer, Diane Venora
Why it ranks

Plummer delivers a lethal, razor-sharp interpretation of Mike Wallace, weaponizing the newsman's legendary ego and uncompromising gravitas. It remains a definitive example of his ability to inhabit real-world icons with intellectual ferocity rather than mere imitation.

3
Christopher Plummer in Beginners (2011)
Beginners
2011

Oliver meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna only months after his father Hal Fields has passed away. This new love floods Oliver with memories of his father, who, following the death of his wife of 44 years, came out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life – which included a younger boyfriend.

Drama
Romance
1h 44m
Mike Mills
Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Mélanie Laurent, Goran Višnjić
Why it ranks

In this late-career triumph, Plummer captures a delicate bloom of liberation as a man coming out in his final years. The performance is a masterclass in joyful vulnerability, earning him a long-overdue Oscar by balancing profound tenderness with an infectious zest for life.

2

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan's untimely death.

Comedy
Crime
2h 11m
Rian Johnson
Why it ranks

As the mischievous patriarch Harlan Thrombey, Plummer provides a vital spark of wit and moral clarity that haunts the film long after his character departs. He commands the screen with a playful intelligence, serving as the sophisticated heart of this modern whodunnit.

1
Christopher Plummer in The Sound of Music (1965)
The Sound of Music
1965

In the years before World War II, a tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey is hired as a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children and brings a new love of life and music into the home.

Drama
Family
2h 55m
Robert Wise
Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Charmian Carr
Why it ranks

Plummer anchors this musical epic with a rigid, steel-spined dignity that prevents the sweetness from curdling into sentimentality. His reluctant transition from a stoic patriarch to a defiant patriot solidified his status as a quintessential leading man of the silver screen.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts

Christopher Plummer is best known for his role as Captain von Trapp in the beloved musical classic The Sound of Music. This film highlights his ability to blend strength and sensitivity, becoming an enduring figure in cinema history.

Christopher Plummer won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Beginners. The film explores themes of love and self-discovery, with Plummer delivering a powerful and heartfelt performance.

In Knives Out, Christopher Plummer plays a wealthy and enigmatic family patriarch in a comedic murder mystery. This role is notable for its sharp wit and complexity, showcasing his versatility beyond dramatic roles.

Christopher Plummer lent his distinctive voice to the character Charles Muntz in the animated adventure Up. His performance adds a nuanced layer to the film's emotional and adventurous narrative.

Films such as The Insider and A Beautiful Mind feature Christopher Plummer in roles that delve into intense drama and psychological complexity. These movies often explore themes of truth, intellect, and moral ambiguity.

The Man Who Would Be King is a historical adventure film starring Christopher Plummer. It highlights his ability to lead in epic storytelling, blending drama with exploration and camaraderie.

Christopher Plummer appears in thrilling films like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Twelve Monkeys. In these movies, he adds depth and intrigue to complex narratives filled with suspense and mystery.
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