Sir Patrick Stewart is one of the most respected British actors. Born in 1940, Stewart has been acting for decades and portrayed many memorable characters. He’s well-known among fantasy and sci-fi fans especially for the following two franchises: Star Trek, where he played Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and the X-Men film series, in which he portrayed Charles Xavier aka Professor X.
However, his film, TV and theatre career is much richer and filled with dozens of amazing performances so it would be impossible to pick the best one. Even so, let’s take a look at Patrick Stewart’s 10 best movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
X2: X-Men United (85%)
The 2003 superhero flick is the second film in the X-Men film franchise. Even though many fans considered it to be weaker than the first film, X-Men (from 2000), it still garnered highly positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, and as of the date of writing this list, it has the rating of 85 percent.
Patrick Stewart reprised the part of Professor X in the sequel alongside other highly respected actors, such as Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman or Brian Cox. In an interview, Stewart expressed that it’s highly important to approach the source material (the comics) seriously, which also shows in his performance in this film.
Disneynature Earth (86%)
Unlike the X-Men film franchise, this 2009 documentary film will probably be unknown to many casual moviegoers. As its title suggests, the film focuses on discovering planet Earth, home to all people and animals and a place that still holds many mysteries.
The 99 minutes long film gained a positive rating of 86 percent on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics and 82 percent from the audience. Patrick Stewart lent his voice to the film and narrated it for the British audience, while James Earl Jones did the narration for the American film market. It’s important to mention that Sir Patrick Stewart often does voice work, thanks to his powerful voice.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (88%)
The eight best-rated film of Patrick Stewart’s filmography on Rotten Tomatoes is this brilliant animated film that got a rating of 88 percent. The legendary director Hayao Miyazaki created the 1985 film and while it’s not one of his most famous films, it still deserves the viewer’s attention.
In the film, brave princess Nausicaa fights planes, tanks and people who threaten her home. Thanks to its main heroine, the film sends out a message about the importance of nature, harmony, and communication. The film was dubbed into English in the 2000s and Patrick Stewart voiced the part of Lord Yupa in the film alongside Shia LaBeouf, Uma Thurman, and others.
The Kid Who Would Be King (89%)
Let’s move from the mid-1980s to the present time. Last year, a new fantasy film The Kid Who Would Be King came out. The film offers a new outlook on the Arthurian legend and focuses on the story of a young boy Alex who comes across the legendary sword Excalibur - a moment that changes his life forever.
Under the guidance of the powerful sorcerer Merlin, Alex has to defeat the dangerous witch Morgana. Patrick Stewart plays Merlin in this film and the part fits him perfectly, as he portrays a mentor anybody would like to have by his side. The film got a rating of 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
X-Men: Days of Future Past (90%)
Another X-Men film on this list premiered in 2014 and it captured the struggle of Wolverine who travels through time in order to stop a looming catastrophe from happening. Viewers, in general, enjoyed the film, as the rating of 90 percent from critics and 91 percent from the audience can attest.
Besides action scenes, the film also doesn’t forget its heroes which allows for more than one emotionally charged and intense moment. Patrick Stewart plays Professor X in the film alongside James McAvoy, who portrayed Charles Xavier’s younger version. This film is the only occasion when the two of them met, which makes it a must-watch for any superhero fan.
Green Room (91%)
Even though you might know him primarily from his two big franchises, Patrick Stewart doesn’t avoid taking on smaller, but fun roles. Such as the one in this 2016 horror film where Stewart plays against his usual type and portrays a diabolical club owner who fights against a music band that witnessed something it wasn’t supposed to.
The film isn’t short of violence, gore, and wonderfully cynical humor. It worked for the critics who gave it a rating of 91 percent while the audience rated the film at 75 percent. Stewart is obviously enjoying playing in this film so if you want to see the face of his you haven’t seen before, Green Room might interest you.
Star Trek: First Contact (93%)
This list wouldn’t be complete without at least one Star Trek film. After all, it was Star Trek who first made Patrick Stewart a familiar face to many sci-fi fans. Stewart played Captain Picard in four Star Trek films and is currently reprising the part in the new TV show Star Trek: Picard.
Many viewers then consider the 1996 film Star Trek: First Contact the best Star Trek film ever made. The Enterprise crew travels back in time in the film, back to the 21st century and fights against the Borg who are planning to change history and interrupt the first contact between humans and the Vulcans.
Logan (93%)
Similarly to Star Trek: First Contact, many people consider Logan the best X-Men film ever created. Inspired by a dark and unforgiving comic book Old Man Logan, the film shows older Wolverine living a lonely life in a cruel world. His only friend is the aging Professor X who can no longer properly control his powers.
Both Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart give perfect performances in the film, so the rating of 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes seems more than justified. The film is depressing, violent, and sad, but also offers a glimmer of hope, and feels much more realistic than most superhero movies.
L.A. Story (94%)
The last less known film on this list is a 1991 comedy written by the legendary comedian Steve Martin. Martin also plays the leading part of a weatherman who has very little to report in the city of Los Angeles and so he finds other, slightly crazy ways of entertaining himself.
According to the Rotten Tomatoes critics, the film doesn’t have a strong narrative but is so funny and freeing that it’s worth watching. The critics rated it at 94 percent while the audience gave it 75 percent. And as for Patrick Stewart’s part in the film, it’s a smaller one, but still surprising and you certainly won’t miss it.
Hamlet (100%)
Last but certainly not least, the best rated Patrick Stewart film is the 2009 adaptation of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Stewart often plays in films inspired by classical literature and stories, but this adaptation, in particular, gained a lot of praise from both critics and the audience.
The critics rated it at whopping 100 percent and the audience gave it a rating of 91 percent. Patrick Stewart plays Claudius in the film, Hamlet’s father, who’s murdered and whose ghost then appears to Hamlet, which starts a whole series of unfortunate events. Stewart gives a memorable performance alongside David Tennant who played the titular part of Hamlet.
