Sort by IMDb Rating - Highest Rated Movies and TV Shows With Ian McKellen
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1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Special Extended Edition Scenes (2002 Video)
PG-13 | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Extended scenes from 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Peter Corrigan, Lori Dungey, Norman Forsey, Thomas McGinty
Votes: 1,067
2.
Playing Shakespeare (1982)
Episode:
The Two Traditions
(1982)
50 min | Documentary
Contrasting Shakespeare's elevated language with modern naturalistic speech.
Director: Peter Walker | Stars: John Barton, Mike Gwilym, Sheila Hancock, Lisa Harrow
Votes: 10
3. Playing Shakespeare (1982)
Documentary
John Barton holds a master class in how to play Shakespeare, using members of the RSC doing scenes, sonnets, and commentary as prime examples.
Stars: John Barton, David Suchet, Lisa Harrow, Alan Howard
Votes: 223
4.
The South Bank Show (1978– )
Episode:
Sir Ian McKellen
(2004)
Documentary
Star: Ian McKellen
Votes: 30
5.
Reunited Apart (2020– )
Episode:
One Zoom to Rule Them All
(2020)
Talk-Show
It's the Return of the KINGS - Josh gathers the Fellowship and then some, to go on a very important mission. - quest. - thing.
Director: James B. Merryman | Stars: Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd
Votes: 50
6.
Playing Shakespeare (1982)
Episode:
Using the Verse
(1982)
49 min | Documentary
John Barton and company examine blank verse. Its strengths and particularities are discussed in great detail. Members of the cast try out various readings.
Director: John Carlaw | Stars: John Barton, Sinéad Cusack, Sheila Hancock, Lisa Harrow
Votes: 8
7.
Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993–2009)
Episode:
Ian McKellen/Petra Nemcova/The Stills
(2003)
TV-14 | 57 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show
Conan shows Christmas party photos of himself, Max, and Joel. Later, Santa Claus stops by with a gift for Conan: Ketchup packets and carpet samples. Ian McKellen and Petra Nemcova are interviewed; The Stills performs.
Director: Allan Kartun | Stars: Conan O'Brien, Ian McKellen, Petra Nemcova, The Stills
Votes: 30
8.
Playing Shakespeare (1982)
Episode:
Poetry and Hidden Poetry
(1982)
53 min | Documentary
The bard's unparalleled poetry is celebrated and examined in its glory.
Director: John Carlaw | Stars: Peggy Ashcroft, John Barton, Lisa Harrow, Alan Howard
Votes: 7
9.
The Graham Norton Show (2007– )
Episode:
Hugh Jackman/Sir Patrick Stewart/Sir Ian McKellen/James Blunt
(2017)
TV-14 | 48 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show
Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart discuss their upcoming X-Men movie Logan (2017); Ian McKellen talks about his role in the upcoming Disney live-action remake Beauty and the Beast (2017); ... See full summary »
Director: Steve Smith | Stars: Graham Norton, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart
Votes: 89
10. The London Programme (1975–2008)
60 min | News
London Regional Current Affairs programme. Some weeks political, some weeks cultural. Greg Dyke was the Deputy Editor.
Stars: Trevor Phillips, Godfrey Hodgson, John Taylor, Andrew Phillips
Votes: 54
11.
Churchill (2003–2004)
Episode:
The Lion's Roar
(2004)
Documentary, Biography, History
Director: Lucy Carter | Stars: Ian McKellen, Graham Walker, Blake Woodruff, John Baddeley
Votes: 34
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
PG-13 | 201 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom
Votes: 1,977,792 | Gross: $377.85M
13. Sir Peter Hall Remembered (2017 TV Movie)
60 min | Documentary, Biography
Director: Sally Norris | Stars: Jeremy Irons, Peter Hall, Alan Ayckbourn, Janet Baker
Votes: 32
14. Premio Donostia a Ian McKellen (2009 TV Special)
25 min | Short
Premio Donostia translates to The Donostia Award. It is an honorific award given every year to either one, two or several actors and occasionally to directors. It is awarded during the San ... See full summary »
Director: Carlos Rodríguez | Stars: Saffron Burrows, Pilar López de Ayala, Samira Makhmalbaf, Ian McKellen
Votes: 60
15.
David Copperfield (1966)
Episode:
Domestic Tangles
(1966)
Drama
In which the Copperfields entertain and something turns up at last for Mr. Micawber.
Director: Joan Craft | Stars: Ian McKellen, George Benson, John Falconer, Clive Francis
Votes: 7
16.
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors (2014– )
Episode:
Episode #3.1
(2015)
56 min | Talk-Show
Cate Blanchett and Ian McKellen, Will Smith and Benicio Del Toro, Brie Larson and Joel Edgerton, Amy Schumer and Lily Tomlin.
Director: Rob Schroeder | Stars: Elizabeth Banks, Cate Blanchett, Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston
Votes: 12
17. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
PG-13 | 178 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean
Votes: 2,005,693 | Gross: $315.54M
18.
Churchill (2003–2004)
Episode:
The Last Prize
(2003)
Documentary, Biography, History
Director: Lucy Carter | Stars: Ian McKellen, Graham Walker, John Baddeley, Anthony Montague Browne
Votes: 22
19.
Vicious (2013–2016)
Episode:
Wedding
(2015)
TV-MA | 22 min | Comedy
The wedding day brings the whole group together but as always, it doesn't go to plan.
Director: Ed Bye | Stars: Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, Frances de la Tour, Iwan Rheon
Votes: 245
20.
Shakespeare Uncovered (2012– )
Episode:
King Lear with Christopher Plummer
(2015)
TV-PG | 52 min | Documentary
Christopher Plummer discusses William Shakespeare's King Lear with Jonathan Miller, Ian McKellen and Simmon Russell Beale.
Stars: Christopher Plummer, Gwen Adshead, Jonathan Bate, Simon Russell Beale
Votes: 19
21.
Who Do You Think You Are? (2004– )
Episode:
Sir Ian McKellen
(2017)
58 min | Documentary, Biography, History
The actor and civil-rights activist delves into his family history and discovers one of his ancestors was a Victorian political activist, another was linked to the theatre. He learns his family have a link to an ancient landmark.
Director: Leo Burley | Stars: Ian McKellen, Cherie Lunghi, Anne Featherstone, Keith Hanley
Votes: 74
22. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
PG-13 | 179 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom
Votes: 1,782,602 | Gross: $342.55M
23. Great Canal Journeys (2014– )
Documentary
Timothy West and Prunella Scales travel across canals in both Britain and Europe.
Stars: Timothy West, Prunella Scales, Samuel West, Sheila Hancock
Votes: 418
24. Troldspejlet (1989– )
25 min | News
Jakob Stegelmann reviews upcoming movies, video and DVD releases, video games, comic books, and role-playing games.
Stars: Jakob Stegelmann, Tore Bahnson, Christopher Hedegaard Andersen, Anna Sofie Gjerluf Mikkelsen
Votes: 433
25. Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare (1982 TV Special)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary
Ian McKellen, alone on stage, with no props or scenery, performs monologues from Shakespeare and discusses some of his plays.
Director: Kirk Browning | Star: Ian McKellen
Votes: 124
26. George Ezra: Listen to the Man (2014 Music Video)
4 min | Comedy, Music
Music video for George Ezra's "Listen to the Man"
Director: Rob Brandon | Stars: George Ezra, Ian McKellen
Votes: 52
27. The Academy Part 2: First Impressions (2009 Video)
Comedy
Director: Peter Hinton | Stars: Rebecca Alexander, Anoushka Arden, Frances Barber, Tori Butler-Hart
Votes: 19
28.
Great Canal Journeys (2014– )
Episode:
London Ring
(2015)
Documentary
Timothy West and Prunella Scales have lived all their married life in London, but have never explored the canals on their doorstep. In this episode, they journey along the London Ring, as ... See full summary »
Director: Mike Taylor | Stars: Timothy West, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Melody Lang
Votes: 12
29. The Simpsons (1989– )
TV-14 | 22 min | Animation, Comedy
The satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.
Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner
Votes: 435,539
30. The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth (2004 Video Game)
T | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
You play the events of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, both with the Fellowship of the Ring and the larger War of the Ring.
Director: Richard Taylor | Stars: Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen
Votes: 2,094
31. BBC Show of the Week (1965–1975)
60 min | Music
Stars: The Irving Davies Dancers, The Mike Sammes Singers, The George Mitchell Singers, Keith Michell
Votes: 18
32. Great West End Theatres (2012– )
65 min | Documentary, History
Directed by Marc Sinden and produced by Jo Gilbert, Great West End Theatres is an enjoyable, informed and informative stroll around London's famed Theatreland in the company of the ... See full summary »
Stars: Donald Sinden, Marc Sinden, Steven Berkoff, Martin Shaw
Votes: 18
33.
HBO First Look (1992– )
Episode:
Down the Loo... The Making of 'Flushed Away'
(2006)
Documentary, Short
Stars: David Bowers, Sam Fell, Hugh Jackman, David James
Votes: 28
34.
Churchill (2003–2004)
Episode:
Destiny
(2004)
Documentary, Biography, History
Director: Lucy Carter | Stars: Ian McKellen, Graham Walker, Blake Woodruff, John Baddeley
Votes: 22
35.
Great British Theatre (2021)
Episode:
Ian McKellen on Stage
(2021)
Drama
Ian McKellen performs extracts from his most iconic performances, including Shakespeare's King Lear and Tolkien's Gandalf from Lord of the Rings. Filmed live in London's West End by the National Theatre.
Star: Ian McKellen
Votes: 25
36.
The London Programme (1975–2008)
Episode:
Saving the Rose Theatre
(1989)
News
Director: Nick Metcalfe | Stars: Trevor Phillips, Peggy Ashcroft, Tony Banks, Martin Biddle
Votes: 47
37. Doctor Who (2005–2022)
TV-PG | 45 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
The further adventures in time and space of the alien adventurer known as the Doctor and his companions from planet Earth.
Stars: Jodie Whittaker, Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, Matt Smith
Votes: 246,369
38. Inside the Actors Studio (1994– )
TV-PG | 65 min | Talk-Show
Famous actors, directors and writers reminisce about their careers and the philosophy behind their craft.
Stars: James Lipton, Ellen Burstyn, Elena Kobylina, Bradley Cooper
Votes: 5,465
39. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Extended Edition Scenes (2014 Video)
PG-13 | 25 min | Short, Action, Adventure
Extended scenes from 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Richard Armitage, John Callen, Martin Freeman, Stephen Hunter
Votes: 566
40. An Evening with Lily Savage (1996 TV Special)
60 min | Comedy, Documentary
Director: Brian Klein | Stars: Paul O'Grady, Christopher Biggins, Martin Clunes, Elizabeth Dawn
Votes: 47
41. Cubism: Pet Shop Boys in Concert - Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City (2007 Video)
114 min | Music
Director: David Barnard | Stars: Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe, Sylvia Mason-James, Nick Clow
Votes: 70
42. Peter Tatchell: Just Who Does He Think He Is? (2004)
60 min | Documentary
Profile of the gay UK activist Peter Tatchell with interviews by Sir Ian McKellen, Ivan Massow and Michael Cashman.
Director: Max Barber | Stars: Stephen Bourne, Michael Cashman, Ivan Massow, Ian McKellen
Votes: 28
43.
BBC Play of the Month (1965–1983)
Episode:
Hedda Gabler
(1972)
Drama
Hedda Gabler is a beautiful woman married to the solid and respectable academic George Tesman. Then an old flame, the dreamer Eilert Lovborg, turns up on the scene with tragic results.
Director: Waris Hussein | Stars: Janet Suzman, Ian McKellen, Tom Bell, Jane Asher
Votes: 59
44. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992)
TV-14 | 105 min | Comedy, Talk-Show
Host Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.
Stars: Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Doc Severinsen, Skitch Henderson
Votes: 4,239
45. The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (2013 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
With the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who (1963) approaching, former Doctors Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy try to sneak onto the set of the anniversary special.
Director: Peter Davison | Stars: Sean Pertwee, Olivia Colman, Peter Davison, Louis Davison
Votes: 2,062
46. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - Extended Edition Scenes (2015 Video)
R | 13 min | Short, Action, Adventure
Extended scenes from 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies'.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Cate Blanchett, Martin Freeman, William Kircher, Ian McKellen
Votes: 814
47. The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II - The Rise of the Witch-king (2006 Video Game)
T | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
After the death of Isildur and subsequent disappearance of the One Ring, the Witch-king of Angmar plans to attack the Dunedain kingdom of Arnor and take control of the north.
Director: Jill Eckhart | Stars: Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen
Votes: 1,652
48. Shakespeare Uncovered (2012– )
55 min | Documentary
Various actors discuss Shakespeare plays. Each episode is presented by one actor and, in most cases, the actor discusses one play. However, some episodes cover more than one play. For ... See full summary »
Stars: Simon Russell Beale, Ethan Hawke, Harriet Walter, Vanessa Redgrave
Votes: 274
49. Surviving Friendly Fire (1997)
60 min | Documentary
In the early 90's seventy youth from a Hollywood homeless shelter started a theatre project encouraging them to tell their stories.. The youth ran the gamut of racial, cultural and sexual ... See full summary »
Director: Todd William Nelson | Star: Ian McKellen
Votes: 26
50.
Vicious (2013–2016)
Episode:
Anniversary
(2013)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Freddie and Stuart are having a party to celebrate their 49th anniversary. Ash accidentally invites Stuart's mother Mildred, who doesn't know her son is gay.
Director: Ed Bye | Stars: Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, Frances de la Tour, Iwan Rheon
Votes: 290