List Rules Vote for your favorite movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.
List of the best Michael Shannon movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Michael Shannon's highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world. The order of these top Michael Shannon movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Michael Shannon movies will be at the top of the list. Michael Shannon has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Michael Shannon movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Michael Shannon films to end the squabble once and for all.
If you think the best Michael Shannon role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest Michael Shannon performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies, but in most cases they go hand in hand.
Items here include everything from Take Shelter to Man of Steel.
"This list answers the questions, "What are the best Michael Shannon movies?" and "What are the greatest Michael Shannon roles of all time?"
Michael Bay and Joel Schumacher have both worked with Michael Shannon over the years, as have plenty of other well-known directors.
list ordered by
1
49 7
Take ShelterJessica Chastain, Michael Shannon, Katy Mixon Take Shelter is a 2011 American drama-thriller film written and directed by Jeff Nichols and starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain. Plagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, a young ...more
2
47 8
The IcemanJames Franco, Winona Ryder, Chris Evans The Iceman is an American crime thriller film based on the true story of longtime notorious hitman Richard Kuklinski. Released in 2013 at the Venice Film Festival, the film was directed by Ariel ...more
3
24 8
BugAshley Judd, Michael Shannon, Harry Connick Bug is a 2006 American psychological horror film directed by William Friedkin. It stars Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon and Harry Connick, Jr.. The screenplay by Tracy Letts is based on his 1996 ...more
4
21 8
My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?Willem Dafoe, Dave Bautista, Chloë Sevigny My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? is a 2009 film directed by Werner Herzog and produced by David Lynch, inspired by the story of murderer Mark Yavorsky. Herzog describes the film as "a ...more
5
12 2
Shotgun StoriesMichael Shannon, Natalie Canerday, Michael Abbott Jr. Shotgun Stories is a 2007 drama film about a feud between two sets of half-brothers following the death of their father in rural Arkansas. The film was written and directed by Jeff Nichols, and ...more
6
26 15
8 MileEminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy 8 Mile is a 2002 American hip-hop biopic film written by Scott Silver, directed by Curtis Hanson, and starring Eminem, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, Michael Shannon and Kim Basinger. The film ...more
7
20 10
Groundhog DayBill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Michael Shannon Groundhog Day is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott. It was written by Ramis and Danny Rubin, based on a story ...more
8
19 10
Revolutionary RoadLeonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates Revolutionary Road is a 2008 American-British drama film, based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Richard Yates, directed by Sam Mendes. This is the second collaboration between Leonardo ...more
9
10 2
The Shape of WaterSally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins The Shape of Water is a 2017 American fantasy romance film directed by Guillermo del Toro. Lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of silence and isolation until she discovers a secret ...more
10
30 21
Man of SteelHenry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon Man of Steel is a 2013 superhero film directed by Zack Snyder, based on the DC Comics character. Clark Kent (Henry Cavill), one of the last of an extinguished race disguised as an unremarkable ...more
11
14 7
MudReese Witherspoon, Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Paulson Mud is a 2012 American drama film directed by Jeff Nichols and starring Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, and Reese Witherspoon. The film competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film
12
9 3
Before the Devil Knows You're DeadMarisa Tomei, Ethan Hawke, Philip Seymour Hoffman Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is a 2007 crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet, his last feature film before his death in 2011. The film was written by Kelly Masterson, and stars Philip ...more
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New OrleansNicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer After Katrina, police sergeant Terence McDonagh rescues a prisoner, hurts his back in the process and earns a promotion to lieutenant plus an addiction to cocaine and painkillers. Six months ...more
14
7 3
The RunawaysKristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Tatum O'Neal The Runaways is a 2010 American drama film about the 1970s all-girl rock band of the same name written and directed by Floria Sigismondi. It is based on the book Neon Angel: A Memoir of a ...more
15
6 4
Jesus' SonJack Black, Holly Hunter, Dennis Hopper Jesus' Son is a 1999 drama film that was adapted from a collection of short stories of the same name by Denis Johnson. It stars Billy Crudup, Samantha Morton, Holly Hunter, Dennis Hopper, Denis ...more
16
5 3
The Missing PersonMichael Shannon, Amy Ryan, Merritt Wever The Missing Person is a 2008 comedy-drama mystery film written and directed by American independent filmmaker Noah Buschel and starring Michael Shannon and Amy Ryan. It was first released at the ...more
17
4 2
Dead BirdsMichael Shannon, Isaiah Washington, Henry Thomas Dead Birds is a 2004 American horror film directed by Alex Turner.
World Trade CenterNicolas Cage, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello World Trade Center is a 2006 disaster drama film directed by Oliver Stone and based on the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. It stars Nicolas Cage, Maria Bello, Michael ...more
19
9 8
Premium RushJoseph Gordon-Levitt, Jamie Chung, Dania Ramirez Premium Rush is a 2012 American action-thriller film directed by David Koepp and written by Koepp and John Kamps. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon, Dania Ramirez and Jamie ...more
20
9 8
Vanilla SkyCameron Diaz, Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz Vanilla Sky is a 2001 American science fiction thriller film directed, written, and co-produced by Cameron Crowe. It is an English-language remake of Alejandro Amenábar's 1997 Spanish ...more
21
7 6
Cecil B. DementedMaggie Gyllenhaal, Melanie Griffith, Alicia Witt Cecil B. Demented is a 2000 American black comedy film written and directed by John Waters. The film stars Melanie Griffith as a snobby A-list Hollywood actress who is kidnapped by a band of ...more
22
3 2
WaterIdina Menzel, Michael Shannon, Larry Pine Water is a 2004 crime fiction film written and directed by Jennifer Houlton.
ReturnMichael Shannon, Linda Cardellini, John Slattery Return is a 2011 independent film about an American reservist, wife and mother returning home from her tour of duty in the Middle East. The film was written and directed by Liza Johnson, and ...more
24
3 2
Herbert WhiteMichael Shannon "In this film based on the poem by the same name, a man struggles with his inner demons while trying to live a normal family life." Quoting the description from the 2010 Sundance Film
25
13 14
Pearl HarborKate Beckinsale, Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck Pearl Harbor is a 2001 American war film with romance and action elements directed by Michael Bay, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and written by Randall Wallace. It features an ensemble cast, ...more
26
2 2
Midnight SpecialKirsten Dunst, Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton Midnight Special is an upcoming American science fiction film written and directed by Jeff Nichols. The film stars Adam Driver, Michael Shannon, Kirsten Dunst, and Joel Edgerton. It is Nichols' ...more
27
5 6
High CrimesMorgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Amanda Peet High Crimes is a 2002 American thriller film directed by Carl Franklin and starring Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman, reunited from the 1997 film Kiss the Girls. The screenplay by Yuri Zeltser and ...more
Lucky YouRobert Downey Jr., Drew Barrymore, Robert Duvall Lucky You is a 2007 drama film directed by Curtis Hanson and starring Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, and Robert Duvall. The film was shot on location in Las Vegas. The screenplay was by Hanson and ...more
29
4 5
The WoodsmanKevin Bacon, Mos Def, Kyra Sedgwick The Woodsman is a 2004 drama film directed and co-written by Nicole Kassell, based on Fechter's play of the same name. The movie stars Kevin Bacon as a convicted child molester who must adjust ...more
30
2 3
New Port SouthMelissa George, Michael Shannon, Gabriel Mann New Port South is a 2001 drama film. The film is set in the fictional town of New Port, near Chicago. It stars Will Estes Todd Field, and Blake Shields, was written by James Hughes and directed ...more
31
1 2
The Broken TowerJames Franco, Michael Shannon, Dave Franco The Broken Tower is a 2011 American black-and-white student film directed, written, produced, edited by and starring James Franco. The film was made by Franco as his Masters thesis for his MFA ...more
32
8 10
Bad Boys IIMegan Fox, Will Smith, Dan Marino Bad Boys II is a 2003 American action-comedy film directed by Michael Bay, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and starring Martin Lawrence and Will Smith. The film is a sequel to the 1995 film Bad ...more
PottersvilleMichael Shannon, Judy Greer, Thomas Lennon ottersville is a 2017 American comedy film directed by Seth Henrikson. During an inebriated romp through town in a makeshift gorilla costume, a beloved local businessman (Michael Shannon) is ...more
34
0 1
The Night BeforeJoseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie The Night Before is a 2015 American Christmas comedy film directed by Jonathan Levine. In New York City for their annual tradition of Christmas Eve debauchery, three lifelong best friends set ...more
35
0 1
12 StrongChris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña 12 Strong (also known as 12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers) is a 2018 American war drama film directed by Nicolai Fuglsig. Following the September 11 attacks, Task ...more
36
0 1
Poor BoyLou Taylor Pucci, Dov Tiefenbach, Pat Healy Poor Boy is a 2016 American Western drama film directed by Robert Scott Wildes. In an attempt to leave their lot behind for good, misfit brothers Romeo Romeo (Lou Taylor Pucci) and Samson Griggs ...more
37
0 1
Salt and FireMichael Shannon, Veronica Ferres, Gael García Bernal Salt and Fire is a 2016 internationally co-produced thriller film directed by Werner Herzog. A scientist (Veronica Ferres) blames the head (Michael Shannon) of a large company for an ecological ...more
LovingJoel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Nick Kroll Loving is a 2016 historical drama film written and directed by Jeff Nichols. It features Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga as Richard and Mildred Loving, the plaintiffs in the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court ...more
39
0 1
The Current WarBenedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult The Current War is a 2017 American biographical historical film directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. The dramatic story of the cutthroat race between electricity titans Thomas Edison (Benedict ...more
40
0 1
Elvis & NixonKevin Spacey, Michael Shannon, Alex Pettyfer Elvis & Nixon is a 2016 American comedy-drama film directed by Liza Johnson. The untold true story behind the meeting between Elvis Presley (Michael Shannon), the King of Rock 'n Roll, and ...more
41
0 1
Frank & LolaImogen Poots, Michael Shannon, Justin Long Frank & Lola is a 2016 noir love story directed by Matthew Ross. Frank, a Las Vegas chef (Michael Shannon), falls in love with a mysterious young woman named Lola (Imogen Poots). Consumed by ...more
42
0 1
Nocturnal AnimalsAmy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon Nocturnal Animals is a 2016 American neo-noir psychological thriller film directed by Tom Ford, based on the 1993 novel Tony and Susan by Austin Wright. A divorced art gallery owner (Amy Adams) ...more
43
3 5
The GreatestPierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon, Carey Mulligan The Greatest is a 2009 American drama film written and directed by Shana Feste in her directorial debut, and starring Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon, Carey Mulligan, and Michael Shannon.
44
3 5
BlackbirdGillian Jacobs, Michael Shannon, Anthony Rapp Blackbird is a 2007 drama film written and directed by Adam Rapp.
45
1 3
NightwatchPierce Brosnan, Michael Shannon, Alexandra Paul Pierce Brosnan plays a United Nations espionage expert who leads an elite team out to recover a stolen Rembrandt masterpiece in this action sequel based on Alistair MacLean's novel Night Watch. ...more
46
1 3
Machine Gun PreacherGerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Shannon Machine Gun Preacher is a 2011 action biopic film about Sam Childers, a former gang biker turned preacher and defender of African orphans. The movie was based on Childers' book Another Man's ...more
47
7 11
Kangaroo JackChristopher Walken, Estella Warren, Michael Shannon Kangaroo Jack is a 2003 American buddy-action movie from Warner Bros. Pictures, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, starring Jerry O'Connell, Anthony Anderson, Christopher Walken, Estella Warren and ...more
48
3 7
Jonah HexMegan Fox, Michael Fassbender, John Malkovich Jonah Hex is a 2010 American post-Civil War science fiction Western film loosely based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the film is directed by ...more
49
2 6
13Mickey Rourke, 50 Cent, Emmanuelle Chriqui 13 is a 2010 American remake of the 2005 Georgian-French film 13 Tzameti. The film, directed by Géla Babluani, stars Sam Riley, Ray Winstone, 50 Cent, Mickey Rourke and Jason Statham.
50
0 5
Grand Theft ParsonsChristina Applegate, Michael Shannon, Johnny Knoxville Grand Theft Parsons is a 2003 film based on the true story of country rock musician Gram Parsons, who died of an overdose in 1973. Parsons and his road manager, Phil Kaufman, made a pact in life ...more
