Alan Cumming’s 15 Best Movies Ranked

When looking at what Alan Cumming has been in, there are great films covering many genres. More often than not, he shows how he can turn into almost any character in any role, one of cinema’s true chameleons. He is an award-winning actor as well, earning an Emmy Award and BAFTA Award while also picking up a Tony Award for his work on the stage. He has been acting on television since 1984, in movies since 1986, and on the stage since 1988. Along the way, he has become a cult favorite for several of his roles.

However, Cumming has not just enjoyed roles in indie movies and art house fare. He has appeared in two of the biggest franchises in the world, with a role in the James Bond franchise (Goldeneye) and the Marvel Universe with a role as Nightcrawler in X-Men 2. On top of that, he has appeared in comedies, dramas, action movies, rom-coms, and even a satire based inside the world of Archie. Through it all, Cumming gives great performances in every role he takes, regardless of the size and status of the movie in which he appears.

15

Burlesque (2010)

Alan Cumming Gets To Sing In This Musical

Burlesque - Poster

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Burlesque

PG-13

Burlesque is a musical drama directed by Steve Antin, featuring Christina Aguilera as Ali, a woman pursuing her dreams in Los Angeles. She finds a job at the Burlesque Lounge, where she aspires to perform and play a role in restoring the theater’s former grandeur.

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Release Date

November 23, 2010

Director

Steve Antin

Cast

Cher
, Christina Aguilera
, Eric Dane
, Cam Gigandet
, Julianne Hough
, Alan Cumming
, Peter Gallagher
, Kristen Bell
, Stanley Tucci
, Dianna Agron
, Glynn Turman
, David Walton
, Terrence J
, Chelsea Traille
, Tanee McCall
, JaQuel Knight
, Allison Kyler
, Tyne Stecklein
, Paula Van Oppen
, Isabella Hofmann
, James Brolin
, Stephen Lee
, Denise Faye

Runtime

119 Minutes

Main Genre

Drama

Expand

In 2010, Christina Aguilera got her first lead role, headlining a musical film called Burlesque. The movie also co-starred Cher, and the two singers were able to carry their part of the musical with great aplomb. However, there were a lot of problems with the film, mostly concerning the story and the plot not quite hitting all the right notes. It ended up a box office disappointment, although it did earn three Golden Glove nominations (winning for the song “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me.”

As for Alan Cumming, he played Alexis, the Burlesque Lounge’s doorman. While it was a small role, he did get a chance to perform a song for the soundtrack, although it was cut from the film and is only part of the DVD/Blu-ray special features). Cumming sang “That’s Life” in the film, his only song from the entire movie. However, seeing Cumming as the doorman was a treat, working alongside Cher and Aguilera.

14

Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)

Cumming Plays A Former Geek Turned Successful Businessperson

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion - Poster - Mira Sorvino & Lisa Kudrow

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10/10

Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion

R

Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion is a 1997 comedy film directed by David Mirkin. Starring Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow, it follows two quirky best friends who reinvent their lives in a bid to impress former classmates at their high school reunion. The film explores themes of friendship and societal expectations with a humorous and light-hearted tone.

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Release Date

April 25, 1997

Director

David Mirkin

Cast

Mira Sorvino
, Lisa Kudrow
, Janeane Garofalo
, Alan Cumming
, Julia Campbell
, Mia Cottet
, Kristin Bauer
, Elaine Hendrix

Runtime

92 Minutes

Main Genre

Comedy

In 1997, Alan Cumming took on a role in a wonderful comedy movie called Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. The highly underrated movie received a lot of critical praise when it came out, although fans mostly ignored it while it was in theaters. Despite that, it picked up a sizable audience on home video and has since become a cult classic. Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino star as Romy and Michelle, two 28-year-old women who head to their high school reunion with a score to settle.

He plays a major part in the movie, helping Romy and Michelle exact their revenge and finally have a happy moment.

Bullied as teens, they want to prove to everyone they have made it (even though they are both struggling and don’t have successful jobs). However, while there, they meet up with a former nerd from high school who has become a successful inventor and businessperson named Sandy Frink (played by Alan Cumming). He plays a major part in the movie, helping Romy and Michelle exact their revenge and finally have a happy moment. The film received a television series and even a stage play.

13

GoldenEye (1995)

Cumming Plays A Villainous Russian Computer Programmer

Goldeneye movie poster

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8.5/10

PG-13

The seventeenth installment in Eon Productions’ James Bond movie franchise, Goldeneye marks Pierce Brosnan’s first time playing MI6 agent James Bond. Goldeneye follows 007 as he works to prevent a former fellow agent from using a satellite weapon to attack London in order to cause a global financial crisis. Also stars Sean Bean, Famke Janssen, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Cumming, and Judi Dench.

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Release Date

November 16, 1995

Director

Martin Campbell

Cast

Pierce Brosnan
, Sean Bean
, Izabella Scorupco
, Famke Janssen
, Joe Don Baker
, Judi Dench

Runtime

130 minutes

In this Pierce Brosnan-led James Bond flick, the iconic spy battles Sean Bean’s rogue ex-MI6 agent in a race to prevent him from causing a worldwide financial meltdown. In Goldeneye, Alan Cumming plays Boris Grishenko, a Russian computer programmer working for Bean’s villain. He also has an iconic death overshadowing even Bean’s death, by being frozen solid in liquid nitrogen.

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The film became a fixture in the cultural canon, so much so that Cumming still receives shouts of his catchphrase, “I am invincible” from fans. This was a very rare pure villain role for Cumming, and since it was in a James Bond movie, it remains memorable for many reasons. It also helps that this was the highlight of the Pierce Brosnan era of Bond movies and remains one of the best of the franchise before Daniel Craig rebooted it.

12

Josie And The Pussycats (2001)

Cumming Plays A Manipulative Music Producer

Josie and the Pussycats - Poster

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Josie And The Pussycats

PG-13

Josie and the Pussycats follows the journey of Josie, Melody, and Val, small-town musicians who achieve stardom with their rock band. As fame and fortune come their way, they uncover a scheme by industry executives attempting to manipulate America’s youth, forcing the band to find a way to clear their names.

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Release Date

April 6, 2001

Director

Harry Elfont
, Deborah Kaplan

Cast

Rachael Leigh Cook
, Rosario Dawson
, Tara Reid
, Alan Cumming
, Parker Posey
, Gabriel Mann
, Paulo Costanzo
, Missi Pyle
, Alexander Martin
, Donald Faison
, Seth Green
, Breckin Meyer
, JR Bourne
, Tom Butler
, Carson Daly
, Aries Spears
, Faedragh Carpenter

Runtime

98 minutes

Main Genre

Comedy

Expand

Josie and the Pussycats was an underrated movie that was a critical and commercial flop when it came out. However, it ended up reevaluated years later and has become a cult classic. Based on the characters from the Archie Comics world, the movie is based on a girl band that hits it big and Cumming plays a manipulative promoter who recruits and manages young bands for MegaRecords. He plays mostly an antagonistic role, but he is so over the top that he makes it work perfectly when he gets what is coming to him.

The movie is funny and plays better when people realize it is a satire of consumerism and pop-culture success. A cult classic, the film has received much better reviews in recent years, and the reappraisal of the film has helped place it squarely in the realm of cult classics. Both Alan Cumming and Parker Posey are brilliant in their villain roles, and when looked at through the lens of satire, there might not have been better choices to play those parts.

11

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Cumming Plays A Hotel Clerk In The Kubrick Movie

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22

6.9/10

R

Eyes Wide Shut is a 1999 drama mystery directed by Stanley Kubrick centering on a Manhattan doctor who goes to unexpected lengths to please his wife after she admits she was unsatisfied and almost had an affair a year earlier. Eyes Wide Shut stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as husband and wife.

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Release Date

July 16, 1999

Director

Stanley Kubrick

Cast

Marie Richardson
, Todd Field
, Sydney Pollack
, Nicole Kidman
, Tom Cruise

Runtime

159 minutes

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Stanley Kubrick was still working on the final touches of his final film at the time of his passing. Eyes Wide Shut is an erotic psychological thriller starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. When his wife admits that she has fantasized about another man, Dr. Bill Hartford is transfixed by the idea of getting revenge, eventually ending up at a mysterious mansion for a secret group’s bizarre meeting.

Cumming joins a great list of supporting actors alongside Sydney Pollack, Todd Field, Leelee Sobieski, and Thomas Gibson.

Cumming was selected by Kubrick to play a hotel desk clerk in a fleeting yet attention-grabbing role. The movie was polarizing at best as many fans could not get past Kidman and Cruise in the lead roles since they were married at the time. However, it has also become a positively reviewed movie, considering it was Kubrick’s final directed effort before his death. Cumming joins a great list of supporting actors alongside Sydney Pollack, Todd Field, Leelee Sobieski, and Thomas Gibson.

10

My Old School (2022)

Alan Cumming Plays The Real-Life Brandon Lee

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My Old School is a 2022 documentary/drama about sixteen-year-old Brandon Lee and his time at Bearsden Academy in 1993 in Glasgow, Scotland. Brandon’s enrollment at the school starts a fuss, as his name and appearance cause curiosity amongst the student body, as he arrived months after the passing of actor Brandon Lee. However, the most unique thing about him is that Brandon carries a secret that will eventually uproot the entire Bearsden community.

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Release Date

July 22, 2022

Director

Jono McLeod

Cast

Clare Grogan
, Alan Cumming
, Lulu

Runtime

115 minutes

Cumming appeared in the documentary My Old School, telling the story of Brandon Lee, who enrolled in Bearsden Academy in Glasgow aged 30, disguised as a 16-year-old student. The documentary shows his time at school and the fallout after his unmasking. It is told through interviews, archive footage, and recreations. The real Brandon Lee refused to take part.

Cumming, who attended drama school in Glasgow, lip-syncs the audio of his interviews as a stand-in for the subject. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and continued a festival run before being picked up by Magnolia Pictures. It garnered positive reviews, with comparisons to the fictional Drew Barrymore movie Never Been Kissed (1999). Critics loved the film, awarding it a 93% fresh rating and praising Cumming’s performance above all else.

9

Emma (1996)

Cumming Plays Reverend Elton In The Adaptation

01121570_poster_w780-1.jpg

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Emma

RomanceComedyDrama

Emma is a film adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel featuring Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma Woodhouse, a charming and meddlesome young woman. Set in early 19th-century England, the story follows Emma’s attempts to orchestrate romantic matches for others, while remaining oblivious to her own heart and relationship with Mr. Knightley.

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Release Date

August 2, 1996

Runtime

121 minutes

While Amy Heckerling directed a modern retelling a year earlier with Clueless (1995), Jane Austen’s Emma received a historically accurate Regency-era adaptation. Gwyneth Paltrow is the vivacious gossip who plays matchmaker to her pals and accidentally falls in love. Alan Cumming is Reverend Elton, a rich suitor enchanted with Emma. He plays the character as uppity and ostentatious. He joins an impressive cast that includes Ewan McGregor, Jeremy Northam, Toni Colette, and more.

The film was well received by critics at the time, often noting Paltrow’s charming performance. Critics also praised the film for sticking close to the novel, which includes the banter and dialogue between characters, something that Alan Cumming was able to master. The movie has an 84% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design while winning for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score.

8

Any Day Now (2012)

Cumming Plays A Gay Man Fighting A Biased System

0131365_poster_w780.jpg

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Any Day Now

R
Drama

Any Day Now, set in the late 1970s, follows a gay couple who take in a mentally handicapped teenager after he is abandoned. As authorities challenge this unconventional family arrangement, the couple faces a legal battle to adopt the child.

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Release Date

December 14, 2012

Director

Travis Fine

Cast

Alan Cumming
, Garret Dillahunt
, Isaac Leyva
, Frances Fisher
, Gregg Henry
, jamie anne allman
, Chris Mulkey
, Don Franklin
, Kelli Williams
, Alan Rachins
, Mindy Sterling
, Doug Spearman
, Randy Roberts
, Miracle Laurie
, Michael Nouri
, Jeffrey Pierce
, Louis Lombardi
, Ezra Buzzington
, Kamala Lopez
, Edward James Gage

Runtime

97 minutes

Expand

Any Day Now follows a gay couple who attempt to take custody of a vulnerable teenager but are forced to fight a biased justice system. The movie features an actor with Down syndrome, Isaac Leyva, as the couple’s son. Cumming plays Rudy, a drag performer and musician, highlighting his great talent for cabaret. This puts them into a harsh court battle with the boy’s biological mother in the California family law courts. The movie has a shocking and tragic ending, showing how the court system was broken in this case.

On release, the film received many accolades, gaining a GLAAD Media Award for Best Film In Limited Release. Critics praised casting an actor with Down syndrome to play a character with Down syndrome and a gay man to play a gay man in the film. It also has a 78% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and while its limited release ensured it would not make much at the box office, it was praised and remembered for its nuanced storytelling and harsh indictment of parental rights.

7

X2: X-Men United (2003)

Cumming Plays The Iconic X-Men Nightcrawler

X2 X-Men United Poster

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7.2/10

PG-13

X2: X-Men United is the follow-up film to Fox’s 2000 X-Men starring Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, and Patrick Stewart. The film features the introduction of Colonel William Stryker (Brian Cox) as he kidnaps Charles Xavier, which leads the X-Men to team up with Magneto. Most of the cast from the original film returned for the sequel, along with the introduction of Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler.

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Release Date

May 2, 2003

Director

Bryan Singer

Cast

Hugh Jackman
, Ian McKellen
, Patrick Stewart
, Anna Paquin
, Famke Janssen
, Halle Berry
, James Marsden
, Brian Cox
, Alan Cumming
, Rebecca Romijn

Runtime

134 Minutes

Distributor(s)

20th Century

In one of Cumming’s most mainstream roles, he plays Nightcrawler in the first sequel of the X-Men franchise. Wolverine, Storm, Cyclops, Rogue, and Jean Gray are forced to partner with Magneto to beat the evil William Stryker. Cummings bursts into the franchise in the striking opening scene, where he invades the White House, bouncing off the walls and kicking more than a few Secret Service members in the face. He becomes an ally of the X-Men in what is regarded by many as the best X-Men film.

2:14

Nightcrawler wears a disguise in the opening of X-Men 2

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While he wasn’t in the first movie and only had a small role in the third, Nightcrawler was hugely important in the second movie, and Alan Cumming was brilliant in his role as an ostracized mutant treated like a monster yet always holding onto his strong sense of faith and guilt. Cumming is easily the best new mutant added to the cast of the movies following the success of the first one, and he is someone who deserved more screen time than he received in future movies.

6

Battle Of The Sexes (2017)

Cumming Plays Fashion Designer Cuthbert “Ted” Tinling

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PG-13
BiographyComedyDocumentaryHistorySport

Battle of the Sexes is a sports drama directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The film stars Emma Stone as Billie Jean King and Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs, chronicling the famous 1973 tennis match between the two. 

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Release Date

September 22, 2017

Director

Jonathan Dayton
, Valerie Faris

Cast

Andrea Riseborough
, Elisabeth Shue
, Martha MacIsaac
, Steve Carell
, Sarah Silverman
, Alan Cumming
, Eric Christian Olsen
, Natalie Morales
, Emma Stone
, Austin Stowell

Runtime

121 minutes

Battle Of The Sexes is a biographical sports film concerning the lead-up to one of the world’s most famous tennis matches; when former world No.1 Bobby Riggs bet he could beat any woman. The title roles are played by Steve Carell and Emma Stone as Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, with Cumming playing real-life fashion designer Cuthbert “Ted” Tinling. Tinling was an openly gay tennis icon, designing Billie Jean King’s outfit for the historic match.

Although he was famously bald, in this adaptation, Cumming plays him with a full head of gray hair. Overall, the film was praised as a solid dramedy for lining up parallels to current issues, such as highlighting the gender pay gap. While Carell and Stone received all of the awards recognition after the movie’s release, Cumming deserves praise for his role as the openly gay icon who helped ensure that no one forgot what Billie Jean King looked like heading into the big match.

5

Titus (1999)

Cumming Plays Saturninus, The Son Of The Roman Emperor

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10/10

Titus

R

Titus is a Shakespearean tragedy film directed by Julie Taymor and based on the play Titus Andronicus. Starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange, the film unfolds the violent and vengeful acts between Roman general Titus Andronicus and Tamora, Queen of the Goths. Set in a stylized, anachronistic version of ancient Rome, the narrative explores themes of revenge, power, and legacy through a series of brutal, dramatic confrontations.

Release Date

December 24, 1999

Director

Julie Taymor

Cast

Anthony Hopkins
, Jessica Lange
, Osheen Jones
, Dario D’Ambrosi
, Raz Degan
, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
, Matthew Rhys
, Harry Lennix

Runtime

162 Minutes

Main Genre

Drama

One of the best Alan Cumming movies, Titus is a retelling of William Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy, Titus Andronicus, about the unraveling of a Roman general. Anthony Hopkins plays the title role in the directorial debut of Julie Taymor. Titus sacrifices the son of the Romans’ great enemy, the Queen of the Goths, and she sets out for brutal retribution. Alan Cumming plays the deceased Roman Emperor’s son, Saturninus.

In the story, he is spurned by his attempts at claiming Lavinia (Laura Fraser) as his new bride. As a result, he forsakes the Andronicus family and turns instead to Tamora (Jessica Lange) as his new bride. The film received mixed reviews but has since gained a cult following. It did receive an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design. Cumming received praise for his “flamboyant performance,” with one critic calling him a “fascist Pee-wee Herman” (via Lithub).

4

Spy Kids (2001)

The Villain Of The First Movie

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Spy Kids

PG

Spy Kids, directed by Robert Rodriguez, follows siblings Carmen and Juni as they discover their seemingly ordinary parents are retired secret agents. When their parents are forced back into espionage due to the disappearance of former colleagues, the children unexpectedly join the family’s adventurous mission.

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Release Date

April 4, 2001

Director

Robert Rodriguez

Cast

Alexa PenaVega
, Daryl Sabara
, Antonio Banderas
, Carla Gugino
, Alan Cumming
, Tony Shalhoub
, Teri Hatcher
, Cheech Marin

Runtime

88 Minutes

In 2001, Robert Rodriguez proved he could move from his action-packed adult movies to kid-fare with the Spy Kids franchise. The movie ended up becoming so successful that it spawned a franchise that included sequels, a TV show, and more. In the first movie, Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino played a married couple with kids who were also spies – a job that they hid from their children. When a villain kidnaps the parents, though, it is up to the kids to find a way to get them back using the spy gadgets left behind.

For a villain, Cumming was over-the-top and fabulous in his performance and helped carry the movie to great heights.

Alan Cumming plays Fegan Floop, a children’s television host who is also a criminal mastermind. Having Cumming play the villain against a group of kids coming to stop him was a perfect choice, only beaten in a later sequel when Sylvester Stallone took on the bad guy role. For a villain, Cumming was over-the-top and fabulous in his performance and helped carry the movie to great heights. In 2024, the Library of Congress added the film to the National Film Registry.

3

The Anniversary Party (2001)

Cumming & Jennifer Jason Leigh Co-Direct & Star In This Movie

01377073_poster_w780.jpg

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The Anniversary Party

R
ComedyDrama

The Anniversary Party (2001): This film follows American actress Sally Nash and British novelist Joe Therrian as they host a gathering to celebrate their reconciliation and six-year marriage. As friends and neighbors join the festivities, the influence of Ecstasy leads to revelations that strain their relationships.

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Release Date

June 9, 2001

Director

Alan Cumming

Cast

Alan Cumming
, Jennifer Jason Leigh
, John Benjamin Hickey
, Parker Posey
, Phoebe Cates
, Kevin Kline
, Owen Kline
, Greta Kline
, Denis O’Hare
, Mina Badie
, Jane Adams
, John C. Reilly
, Jennifer Beals
, Matt Malloy
, Mary Lynn Rajskub
, Michael Panes
, Gwyneth Paltrow
, Blair Tefkin
, Karen Kilgariff
, Molly Bryant
, Michael G. Carroll
, Craig Chester
, Christopher Lawrence
, Jessica Queller
, JR Reed

Runtime

115 minutes

Expand

Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh teamed up in 2001 to co-direct and star in the movie, The Anniversary Party. This was also the last role that Phoebe Cates took on before she retired from acting. Cumming and Leigh star as a Hollywood couple who celebrate their wedding anniversary after reconciling following a period of separation. However, when they take some ecstasy, everything falls apart once again.

The movie won the National Board of Review Award for Excellence in Filmmaking for Cumming and Leigh. The fact that the two co-directed and starred in the film was impressive by itself. However, critics praised it for the way they handled the ensemble cast around them, with credit going to a screenplay that ensured that everyone got a chance to show their importance to the stories. Cumming and Leigh have huge emotional moments, and they carry the movie to greatness.

2

Sweet Land (2005)

The Role Of Frandsen Was Written For Cumming

Alan Cumming as Frandsen smiling in Sweet Land

Sweet Land is an American independent romance film featuring Elizabeth Reaser as a German woman who travels to Minnesota for an arranged marriage with Olaf, a Norweigan man. It is set in 1920 and is one tale of the millions of immigrants that formed the USA as citizens know it today. The role he plays, Frandsen (a friend of Olaf), was written specifically for Cumming, as he was an early supporter of the film and helped get the project off the ground.

The connection shines through, as Sweet Land ended up being one of the best Alan Cumming movies. The film was produced on a modest budget of $1 million, funded by the director himself, and was very well received upon release. It ended up winning the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature at its 2007 ceremony. While most praise went to the cinematography and direction, Cumming and the other actors held their own with great performances all around.

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Nicholas Nickleby (2002)

Cumming Plays A Member Of The Theatre Company

Nicholas Nickleby (2002) - Poster

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Nicholas Nickleby

PG

Nicholas Nickleby (2002) is a period drama film that follows the journey of Nicholas, a young man who must navigate numerous challenges and injustices to support his family after the death of his father. Set in 19th century England, the film captures the struggles and resilience of its characters, drawing on themes of compassion and determination against adversity.

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Release Date

December 27, 2002

Director

Douglas McGrath

Cast

Charlie Hunnam
, Nathan Lane
, Jim Broadbent
, Christopher Plummer
, Jamie Bell
, Anne Hathaway
, Alan Cumming
, Timothy Spall
, Romola Garai
, Andrew Havill
, Stella Gonet
, Hugh Mitchell
, Tom Courtenay
, Juliet Stevenson
, Lucy Davis
, Kevin McKidd
, Edward Fox
, Nicholas Rowe
, Angus Wright
, Barry Humphries
, Eileen Walsh
, Mark Wells
, Daisy Haggard
, Phil Davis
, Gerard Horan
, William Ash
, Sophie Thompson
, David Bradley
, Edward Hogg
, Roger Ashton-Griffiths
, Angela Curran
, Bruce Cook

Runtime

132 minutes

Main Genre

Drama

Distributor(s)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
, United Artists

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This adaptation of Charles Dickens’s third novel concerns a young man on a mission to save his family from his cold-hearted uncle after being sent to a boarding school due to his father’s death, and it’s easily the best Alan Cumming movie. Despite this heavy premise, it’s a jolly and mischievous ride. The film garnered similar reviews to Emma, namely the script being a respectful adaptation of its source material and featuring an excellent ensemble cast.

This cast includes Cumming as Mr. Folair, a member of the Crummles Theatre Company – always dressed in traditional Scottish garb. For their work, the actors received an award from the National Board of Review for Best Acting Ensemble. This was a movie that turned Charlie Hunnam into a star and helped introduce Anne Hathaway to a bigger audience, but Alan Cumming was never better than he was in this film, proving he elevates everything he appears in.