Eddie Izzard Movies Ranked From Worst to Best
From Masterful Character Work to Brilliant Voice Acting
Explore Eddie Izzard's most iconic film roles, featuring blockbuster comedies, historical dramas, and critically acclaimed ensemble performances.
About Eddie Izzard
Eddie Izzard exists in a state of perpetual motion, a polymath who treats the stage, the screen, and the open road as one singular laboratory for human curiosity. Long before the world began grappling with the nuances of gender identity in the mainstream, this self-described action transvestite was storming the comedy circuit in heels and eyeliner, wielding a brand of surrealist wit that felt less like a stand-up routine and more like a fever dream through history. The cultural explosion of Dress to Kill in 1999 proved that Izzard was more than just a vanguard for personal expression; the special revealed a mind capable of weaving together the origins of Stonehenge, the logistics of a Death Star canteen, and the absurdity of French grammar into a cohesive tapestry of genius.
The transition into cinema was never about playing it safe. In the glitter-soaked landscape of Velvet Goldmine, Izzard brought a grounded, gritty energy to the glam-rock excess, while Shadow of the Vampire allowed for a dive into the macabre. There is a specific kind of intellectual dexterity required to jump from the campy bravery of Mystery Men to the high-stakes tension of Valkyrie, yet the transition feels seamless every time. Directors often tap into that inherent charisma to ground ensemble pieces, evidenced by the slick, scene-stealing turns as Roman Nagel in Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen. These roles capitalize on a natural gift for playing the smartest person in the room, someone who possesses secrets the rest of us are only beginning to grasp.
Audiences gravitate toward this work because it feels rooted in an authentic, restless pursuit of truth. Whether providing the voice for Reepicheep in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian or taking on the grandeur of the British monarchy in Victoria and Abdul, Izzard brings a soulful precision to the craft. There is a refusal to be pinned down by a single genre, moving effortlessly from the psychedelic musical backdrop of Across the Universe to the quiet, disciplined world of Boychoir or the sleek commercial appeal of Cars 2. Even in more recent projects like The High Note, there is a lingering sense of that foundational punk-rock spirit, an insistence that one can be both high-brow and hilariously accessible.
Beyond the credits and the awards, the legacy is tied to an exhausting level of ambition. This is someone who runs dozens of marathons for charity and then performs a solo Shakespeare play or a Dickens adaptation with the same marathon-level stamina. The impact on the industry is profound because it serves as a blueprint for artistic freedom. By refusing to compromise on identity while maintaining a work ethic that would break a lesser performer, Izzard has carved out a space where the bizarre meets the sophisticated. It is a career built on the idea that the world is a massive, complicated, and funny place, and the only way to inhabit it is to keep moving forward, preferably in a great pair of boots.
Mystery Men
1999When Champion City's hero Captain Amazing is kidnapped by the recently paroled supervillain Casanova Frankenstein, a trio of average, everyday superheroes -- Mr. Furious, the Shoveler and the Blue Raja -- assemble a new super team to save him.
Cars 2
2011Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race. But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.
Boychoir
2015A troubled and angry 11-year-old orphan from a small Texas town, ends up at a Boy Choir school after the death of his single mother. Completely out of his element, he finds himself in a battle of wills with a demanding Choir Master who recognises a unique talent in this young boy as he pushes him to discover his creative heart and soul in music.
The High Note
2020Set in the dazzling world of the LA music scene comes the story of Grace Davis, a superstar whose talent, and ego, have reached unbelievable heights. Maggie is Grace’s overworked personal assistant who’s stuck running errands, but still aspires to her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. When Grace’s manager presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change their lives forever.
Izzard offers a weary, charming insight into the isolation of a music industry veteran. This understated contribution highlights her late-career shift toward warmer, more grounded character studies.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
2008One year after their incredible adventures in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan Pevensie return to Narnia to aid a young prince whose life has been threatened by the evil King Miraz. Now, with the help of a colorful cast of new characters, including Trufflehunter the badger and Nikabrik the dwarf, the Pevensie clan embarks on an incredible quest to ensure that Narnia is returned to its rightful heir.
Providing the voice for the valiant mouse Reepicheep, Izzard crafts a portrait of chivalry and courage through vocal performance alone. She manages to imbue a digital character with more soul and dignity than many live actors achieve in a lifetime.
Across the Universe
2007When young dockworker Jude leaves Liverpool to find his estranged father in the United States, he is swept up by the waves of change that are re-shaping the nation. Jude falls in love with Lucy, who joins the growing anti-war movement. As the body count in Vietnam rises, political tensions at home spiral out of control and the star-crossed lovers find themselves in a psychedelic world gone mad.
As Mr. Kite, Izzard fully leans into the psychedelic theatricality of the Beatles' mythos. It is a brief but kaleidoscopic turn that utilizes her natural flair for the bizarre and the rhythmic.
Ocean's Twelve
2004Despite pulling off one of the biggest heists in Las Vegas history and splitting the $160 million take, each of the infamous Ocean's crew have tried to go straight, lay low and live a legit life ... but that's proven to be a challenge. Casino owner Terry Benedict demands that Danny Ocean return the money, plus millions more in interest. Unable to come up the cash, the crew is forced to come together to pull off another series of heists, this time in Rome, Paris, and Amsterdam – but a Europol agent is hot on their heels.
Izzard’s introduction as the world’s greatest technical thief brought a sharp, eccentric sophistication to the heist crew. She managed to carve out a distinct identity in a crowded room of A-list stars through sheer conversational charisma.
Ocean's Thirteen
2007Danny Ocean's team of criminals are back and composing a plan more personal than ever. When ruthless casino owner Willy Bank doublecrosses Reuben Tishkoff, causing a heart attack, Danny Ocean vows that he and his team will do anything to bring down Willy Bank along with everything he's got. Even if it means asking for help from an enemy.
Returning as Roman Nagel, Izzard provides the high-tech intellectual backbone to the ensemble’s swagger. Her ability to spit out complex technobabble with smug authority makes her an indispensable part of the franchise's sleek machinery.
Victoria & Abdul
2017Queen Victoria strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim.
Playing the petulant and frustrated Bertie, Izzard captures the stifled rage of a perpetual heir apparent. She avoids caricature, instead opting for a nuanced portrayal of royal entitlement and colonial insecurity.
Shadow of the Vampire
2000Director F.W. Murnau makes a Faustian pact with a vampire to get him to star in his 1922 film "Nosferatu."
Izzard brings a frantic, jittery energy to the role of a silent film actor caught in a supernatural production. Her performance adds a necessary layer of human panic to the film’s eerie, meta-cinematic atmosphere.
Valkyrie
2008Wounded in Africa during World War II, Nazi Col. Claus von Stauffenberg returns to his native Germany and joins the Resistance in a daring plan to create a shadow government and assassinate Adolf Hitler. When events unfold so that he becomes a central player, he finds himself tasked with both leading the coup and personally killing the Führer.
Displaying a surprising capacity for stiff-collared tension, Izzard sheds her whimsical persona to play General Erich Fellgiebel. It is a masterclass in subtlety that demonstrated her range within the high-stakes environment of a prestige historical thriller.
Velvet Goldmine
1998Almost a decade since larger-than-life glam-rock enigma Brian Slade disappeared from public eye, an investigative journalist is on assignment to uncover the truth behind his former idol.
As the cynical Jerry Devine, Izzard anchors the flamboyant glam rock spectacle with a grounded, predatory pragmatism. This role proved she could seamlessly transition into stylized cinema while holding her own against a cast of intense dramatic heavyweights.
Eddie Izzard: Dress to Kill
1999Eddie Izzard takes her show to San Francisco to give a brief history of pagan and Christian religions, the building of Stonehenge, the birth of the Church of England and of Western empires, and the need for a European dream.
This career defining special captures Izzard at the peak of her surrealist powers, blending high brow history with absurdist wit. It remains the definitive blueprint for her brand of intellectual, gender-nonconforming comedy that reshaped the stand-up landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts
- Eddie Izzard's filmography spans a diverse range of genres including comedy, drama, thriller, historical, fantasy, and musical films. This variation showcases his versatility as an actor, from surrealist comedy in "Dress to Kill" to historical drama in "Valkyrie" and fantasy in "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian."
- In "Valkyrie," Eddie Izzard takes part in a serious historical thriller based on real events, contrasting with his more comedic or fantastical roles. This film highlights his ability to perform in dramatic and intense narratives beyond his typical comedic roots.
- Eddie Izzard lends his voice to the animated family adventure "Cars 2." This role demonstrates his versatility, appealing to younger audiences through animation while maintaining his unique performance style.
- Eddie Izzard appears in both "Ocean's Twelve" and "Ocean's Thirteen," which are crime thriller ensemble films. His recurring role in these popular heist movies underscores his fit for sophisticated, stylish cinematic ensembles.
- In "Mystery Men," Eddie Izzard's surreal and quirky comedic style shines through in a superhero parody that blends fantasy with comedy. This film aligns well with his knack for offbeat humor and eclectic characters.
- Yes, films like "Velvet Goldmine" and "Across the Universe" showcase Eddie Izzard's foray into musical dramas. These movies emphasize his presence in stylized, musically driven narratives that enrich his diverse portfolio.
- "Victoria & Abdul" features Eddie Izzard in a historical drama centered around British royal history. His role contributes to the film's exploration of cross-cultural friendship and historical nuance.
- Yes, Eddie Izzard appears in the drama-horror film "Shadow of the Vampire" and the thriller elements of "Valkyrie." These films illustrate his ability to perform in darker, more intense genres beyond comedy and drama.
