15 Best Daniel Radcliffe Movies in 2026

Daniel Radcliffe is one of the finest actors of our time, and over the years, he has done a variety of films. Of course, we all know him as Harry Potter, but there are several other movies that feature the excellence of Daniel’s acting. With that in mind, here are some of the best movies of Daniel Radcliffe that should definitely be on your watch list in 2026.

Best Daniel Radcliffe Movies Overview

Here’s the overview of the necessary details of the top 10 Daniel Radcliffe movies on the list.

Movie Name	Synopsis
Victor Frankenstein	Release Date: November 25, 2015 Director: Paul McGuigan IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.0 | 37% Streaming Platform: Disney+
Guns Akimbo	Release Date: March 6, 2020 Director: Jason Lei Howden IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.3/37% Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Now You See Me 2	Release Date: June 10, 2016 (United States) Director: Jon M. Chu IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.4/34% Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate Play
Horns	Release Date: October 3, 2014 Director: Alexandre Aja IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.5/49% Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
The Lost City	Release Date: March 25, 2022 Director: Aaron Nee, Adam Nee IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.1/ 83% Streaming Platform: Paramount+
Kill Your Darlings	Release Date: October 16, 2013 Director: John Krokidas IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.4/ 66% Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Jungle	Release Date: November 9, 2017 Director: Greg McLean IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.7/ 62% Streaming Platform: Netflix
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story	Release Date: November 4, 2022 Director: Eric Appel IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.9/85% Streaming Platform: The Roku Channel
Swiss Army Man	Release Date: June 24, 2016 Director: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: IMDb – 6.9/ 78% Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Harry Potter Film Series	Release Date: November 16, 2001 – July 15, 2011 Director: Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, David Yates IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 7.6/90% Streaming Platform: HBO Max / Peacock

Best 3 Daniel Radcliffe Films I Would Recommend

Daniel Radcliffe is one of my favourite actors, and in this section, I have mentioned the movies that I would want you to add to your watchlist.

Harry Potter Film Series

This is undoubtedly Daniel Radcliffe’s starrer film that you have to watch, if you haven’t already. I grew up watching this series, so it definitely holds a special place in my heart. Initially, it just takes you to the magical world of Hogwarts, and as we go deeper, we realize how much darkness it holds within. It is a timeless classic film series that never grows old, even though we age. It is one of my comfort series that has emotional depth, a deep story, and everything that makes it worth watching.

Horns

Horns is a film that involves supernatural elements and psychological drama. The thing that drew me towards this is that, despite being uncomfortable at times, the films have the ability to provoke thoughts. For someone who is looking for an interesting dark-toned film that gets weird sometimes but doesn’t keep up to maintain the emotional elements, Horns is a perfect watch for you.

Victor Frankenstein

Victor Frankenstein is a story that is really close to my heart. And this is a film that takes a different route, that doesn’t disappoint. It doesn’t solely focus on Victor or the monster, but it brings a character to the center, who takes the storytelling to the next level. It’s Igor, who enters Victor’s life as an assistant and helps him with his dream project. The film mainly revolves around these two as they deal with some crucial things.

Best Movies of Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe has worked in several movies. While I have listed out my favorite movies of the actor above, there is more to the list. Check out the details of best Daniel Radcliffe movies out there below.

Victor Frankenstein

• Genre: Science Fiction, Horror
• Release Date: November 25, 2015
• Director: Paul McGuigan
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, Jessica Brown Findlay, Andrew Scott, Charles Dance
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6/26%

There have been several adaptations of the classic horror novel by Mary Shelley, with the most distinguished being Victor Frankenstein, of course. Well, the movie couldn’t impress many fans because it was a retelling of a popular story that fans didn’t realize they needed. Daniel Radcliffe portrays Igor, the loyal and enthusiastic assistant of Victor Frankenstein. The film is entirely told from Igor’s perspective, which eventually acquaints us with how Igor transforms from a hunchback clown at the circus to an ally of the genius Victor Frankenstein.

Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy did a marvellous job and did everything possible to make the film a success. However, it was the dull direction, an uneven story, and the unimpressive final act that led to the movie’s downfall at the box office.

Guns Akimbo

• Genre: Comedy-Drama
• Release Date: September 9, 2019
• Director: Jason Lei Howden
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Samara Weaving, Ned Dennehy, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Grant Bowler
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3/53%

Like other Daniel Radcliffe movies on the list, Guns Akimbo is another weird yet interesting story that features Daniel in the lead role. It basically revolves around a live-streaming death game where chosen criminals from around the world hunt down each other to win the game. Well, an online banter makes Daniel’s character a target, and guns are glued to both his hands. Now, he must not only survive until the end of the day, but he must also learn to kill. 

Honestly, it’s a bizarre concept, but that’s what makes it interesting. Daniel is fun to watch in Guns Akimbo, and while it’s not the most artistic film out there, it’s certainly an enjoyable one to watch. 

Now You See Me 2

• Genre: Heist
• Release Date: November 25, 2015
• Director: Paul McGuigan
• Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe, Lizzy Caplan, Jay Chou, Sanaa Lathan, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman
• IMDb: 6.4/34%

Daniel Radcliffe joined the star-studded cast of Now You See Me as Walter in the sequel. Even though the film was an entertainer, those who watched it to see if it matched the level of the first one were totally disappointed. The tricks in Now You See Me 2 were decent enough to keep the fans hooked, but we can’t say it surpassed the standard created by the first one or even reached that height.

The tech magnet Walter kidnaps the Four Horsemen, now led by Mark Ruffalo’s Dylan Rhodes, and blackmails them to commit the most challenging heist of their lives.

Horns

• Genre: Horror
• Release Date: October 6, 2014
• Director: Alexandre Aja
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Max Minghella, Joe Anderson, Juno Temple, Kelli Garner, James Remar, Kathleen Quinlan, Heather Graham, David Morse
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.4/41%

Horns is one of the films with the most unique plotlines. Daniel Radcliffe stars in the film as Ignatius “Ig” Perrish, whom society shuns after he becomes the prime suspect in his girlfriend’s murder. Despite trying harder to convince everyone of his innocence, no one really listens to him. One day, two horns sprout from the two sides of his forehead, and guess what, these aren’t any random horns. Instead, they give him the power to make anyone confess their darkest sins.

Several fans called it ‘weird yet mesmerizing.’ Daniel Radcliffe and every actor in the film gave their 100% and blessed the industry with this masterpiece. However, the film was released when social media wasn’t a mainstream platform to talk about films and TV Shows, so the movie couldn’t get the attention and reviews that it deserved.

The Lost City

• Genre: Action-Adventure, Comedy
• Release Date: March 25, 2022
• Director: Aaron Nee, Adam Nee
• Cast: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brad Pitt
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.4/41%

Again, here comes an intriguing Daniel Radcliffe film that is a must-watch for everyone who enjoys action-packed yet humorous storylines. Radcliffe plays the role of the rich villain, Abigail Fairfax, who kidnaps the popular novelist and forces her to help him locate a treasure that is hidden on a remote island.

The story isn’t over the top, but it still feels refreshing when watched for the first time. Despite the average filmmaking and predictable romance sequences, The Lost City is a one-time watch that certainly provides the viewer with some of the best laughs ever.

Kill Your Darlings

• Genre: Biographical Drama
• Release Date: October 16, 2013
• Director: John Krokidas
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan, Ben Foster, Michael C. Hall, Jack Huston, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Elizabeth Olsen
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.4/77%

Kill Your Darlings featured a stellar cast and a perfect narrative that no one expected from a dark-themed film. Moreover, it was all about the Beat Generation, and I must say that the experiment indeed ended well. It’s a rather complicated story to tell on the screen, but the incredible direction from John Krokidas and spectacular performances from the cast made the film get positive reviews from fans and critics alike.

The movie tackles some difficult topics, like a group of boys rejecting traditional values to step into a modern world. Daniel portrays the famous writer and poet Allen Ginsberg in the film, and once you watch the film, you’ll agree that no one else could have done a better job in this role.

Jungle

• Genre: Survival
• Release Date: November 9, 2017
• Director: Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Alex Russell, Thomas Kretschmann, Yasmin Kassim, Joel Jackson, Jacek Koman
• IMDb: 6.7/70%

Jungle is one of the most unique movies that Daniel Radcliffe took part in, and I must say that this experimental role worked really well for the actor. In Jungle, Daniel takes on the role of an Israeli adventurer, Yossi Ghinsberg, who goes deep into the Amazon Rainforest. During his journey, Yossi comes across several challenges, and he must do everything in his power to survive the dark and harsh side of nature.

Jungle is a beautiful tale of survival, and as expected, Daniel is as graceful as ever in the film. This film is a testament that the Harry Potter actor has the ability to take on and do justice to diverse and unique roles.

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

• Genre: Biographical, Musical
• Release Date: November 4, 2022
• Director: Eric Appel
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn Wilson, Toby Huss, Julianne Nicholson
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.8/84%

Wait, are you confused seeing the biographical genre? If you wonder if this is a serious biography, I would say you are surely in for the biggest surprise. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story makes one laugh with the insane comedy, and one thing you should note is that it makes fun of all the musicals and biopics ever made. Also, the film will force you to say that no one else could have played Alfred “Weird Al” Yankovic better than Daniel Radcliffe.

The story revolves around Al and allows us to watch his journey from a nobody to a music star. We also get to witness his love affairs and other aspects of his life.

Swiss Army Man

• Genre: Comedy-Drama
• Release Date: June 24, 2016
• Director: Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan
• Cast: Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.9/73%

The industry is full of several unnecessary reimagination projects and remakes; that’s where Swiss Army Man stands out in the crowd. You can call it ‘different’, but I am fairly certain that when you start watching it, you won’t be able to leave the room until the climax of the film. Swiss Army Man sees Daniel Radcliffe at his best as he portrays a half-dead character, which must have been a very challenging role for the actor.

The story follows Hank, a man who is lost on an Island, but after encountering a half-dead man named Manny, he gets motivated to get back home. Radcliffe and Paul Dano left no stone unturned to show what actual versatility looks like. The film was distributed in global theatres by A24, one of the leading independent entertainment companies in the world. (Read our list consisting of the Best A24 movies here.)

Harry Potter Film Series

• Genre: Fantasy-Adventure
• Release Date: 16 November 2001
• Director: Chris Columbus (1–2), Alfonso Cuarón (3), Mike Newell (4), David Yates (5–8)
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Alan Rickman, Dame Maggie Smith, Richard Harris

Daniel Radcliffe rose to fame from the portrayal of the long-running character, ‘The Boy Who Lived in Harry Potter.’ The pint-sized boy made a name for himself after appearing in the first film of the Harry Potter series. In fact, fans didn’t recognize him by his original name; instead, whenever the actor appeared on screen, everyone used to say, ‘Hey, that’s Harry Potter.’ So, the film series eventually became a defining part of Radcliffe’s identity.

Harry Potter tells a story about the boy who lost his parents to death at the hands of Lord Voldemort. He was raised by his abusive maternal aunt and her husband. However, at the age of 11, he enters Hogwarts, the school of Wizardry and Witchcraft, and his life starts changing thereafter.

Merrily We Roll Along

• Genre: Musical, Drama
• Release Date: December 5, 2025
• Director: Maria Friedman
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7.5/95%

Merrily We Roll Along is the latest film Daniel Radcliffe has appeared in. Telling the reverse story of the classic 1981 musical by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, it shows the world how dreams of the young artists rot with time, and how friendships are lost when life and money get in the way.

The story follows three friends: Charley Kringas, Mary Flynn, and Franklin Shepard. At the start of the film, we see their fractured relationship, but then we are taken back to the time when the trio had each other’s backs no matter what. Daniel Radcliffe portrayed Charley and made the world witness his true potential as an actor.

Imperium

• Genre: Crime, Thriller
• Release Date: August 19, 2016
• Director: Daniel Ragussis
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Toni Collette, Tracy Letts, Sam Trammell
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.6 / 85%

Imperium is a movie that shows what true fear looks like. It is a serious film that revolves around Nate Foster, an FBI agent who goes undercover to reach the core of the terrorists. He is scared himself, but that doesn’t stop him from going ahead with the mission. This FBI agent is portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, and, to be honest, no words are enough to describe how good his acting is here. In fact, this film clearly hints that Radcliffe can handle serious roles with ease.

Escape from Pretoria

• Genre: Thriller, Drama
• Release Date: March 6, 2020
• Director: Francis Annan
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Daniel Webber, Ian Hart
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.8 / 66%

Based on the 2003 book Inside Out: Escape from Pretoria Prison, the film featured Daniel Radcliffe as Tim Jenkin, a South African anti-apartheid activist and former political prisoner, who is known for pulling off one of the most challenging prison escapes ever. Radcliffee was incredible in this; he was very natural and expressed most of the emotions, specifically fear, through his reactions. However, unfortunately, Tim Jenkin still remains one of the underrated performances of our Harry Potter.

The film is set in the apartheid era in 1978, and revolves around two young activists, Tom Jenkin and Stephen Lee, who are sentenced to spend long years behind bars for spreading anti-apartheid flyers. However, Tim doesn’t give up and starts planning their escape. So, the movie is basically all about the duo’s struggle to break free from the prison.

The Woman in Black

• Genre: Horror, Thriller
• Release Date: February 10, 2012
• Director: James Watkins
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.4 / 66%

The Woman in Black is a horror film that sees Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer, who is deeply sad after his wife dies during childbirth, giving him the responsibility to raise their son. Four years later, his life changes when his firm sends him to sort out the legal documents of sort out the papers of a dead woman, Alice Drablow, the deceased owner of a huge property in the marshland estate.

Daniel Radcliffe’s character is lonely and deeply sad, but he can’t take his job forgranted though. Well, the actor leaves no stone unturned to make every viewer feel sorry for Arthur Kipps with his natural and mature acting.

My Boy Jack

• Genre: Drama, War
• Release Date: November 5, 2007
• Director: Brian Kirk
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Kim Cattrall, David Haig, Carey Mulligan
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.8 / 71%

My Boy Jack is a tragic tale that follows Jack Kipling, the son of the famous English writer, Rudyard Kipling. Jack only has one ambition, that is make his father proud. So, he wants to participate in the fight against the Germans during World War I. His poor eyesight prevents him from qualifying for the medical examinations. So, his father used all his connections and secured his son’s position as Second Lieutenant in the Irish Guards. However, that doesn’t turn out to be a good choice.

Daniel Radcliffe is exceptionally good as Jack Kipling. When you realize that the character is moving towards something bad, Daniel’s acting makes you care about him even more.

That’s it; these are some of the best films of Daniel Radcliffe that you should definitely watch, especially if you are a fan of the Harry Potter series. Of course, there are several other movies that could have been on this list, but I wanted to give you the very best.