Michael Shannon - Actor Profile

Michael Shannon

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
9.0 Highest Rated
Born: Aug 7, 1974
Birth Place: Lexington, Kentucky, USA

About Michael Shannon

Michael Corbett Shannon (born August 7, 1974) is an American actor, producer, musician, and theatre director. He has been nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his roles in the Sam Mendes period drama Revolutionary Road (2008) and the Tom Ford psychological thriller Nocturnal Animals (2016). He earned Screen Actors Guild Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for his role in 99 Homes (2014), and a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for the Broadway revival of Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night (2016). Shannon made his film debut in 1993 with Groundhog Day and received widespread attention for his performance in 8 Mile (2002). He is known for his on-screen versatility, performing in both comedies and dramas such as Pearl Harbor (2001), Bad Boys II (2003), Bug (2006), Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007), Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009), The Iceman (2012), Premium Rush (2012), The Night Before (2015), The Shape of Water (2017) and Knives Out (2019). He played Superman's Kryptonian adversary General Zod in Man of Steel (2013) and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), and is set to reprise the role in The Flash (2022). Shannon is a frequent collaborator of Jeff Nichols, appearing in all of his films: Shotgun Stories (2007), Take Shelter (2011), Mud (2012), Midnight Special, and Loving (both 2016). He is also known for his role as Nelson Van Alden in the HBO period drama series Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014), for which he was nominated for three Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2021, he had a main role in the Hulu drama miniseries Nine Perfect Strangers.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Michael Shannon reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Michael Shannon's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 74% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Michael Shannon remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Water, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Michael Shannon Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Michael Shannon's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Michael Shannon.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Nuremberg Justice Robert H. Jackson Hit Similar →
2024 A Different Man Michael Shannon Hit Similar →
2024 The Bikeriders Zipco Hit Similar →
2023 The Flash General Zod Hit Similar →
2022 Bullet Train White Death Hit Similar →
2021 Heart of Champions Jack Murphy Hit Similar →
2019 Knives Out Walt Thrombey Super Hit Similar →
2019 The Investigation: A Search for the Truth in Ten Acts Don McGahn Super Hit Similar →
2018 Friedkin Uncut Self Hit Similar →
2018 What They Had Nick Hit Similar →
2018 Long Way Back Home Stanton Average Similar →
2018 The Current War George Westinghouse Hit Similar →
2018 12 Strong Hal Spencer Average Similar →
2017 The Shape of Water Richard Strickland Hit Similar →
2017 Bob Dylan - Trouble No More Self Average Similar →
2016 Nocturnal Animals Bobby Andes Hit Similar →
2016 Loving Grey Villet Hit Similar →
2016 Midnight Special Roy Tomlin Average Similar →
2015 Freeheld Dane Wells Hit Similar →
2015 99 Homes Rick Carver Hit Similar →
2013 Man of Steel General Zod Hit Similar →
2013 Mud Galen Hit Similar →
2013 Michael Shannon Reads the Insane Delta Gamma Sorority Letter - Super Hit Similar →
2012 The Iceman Richard Kuklinski Hit Similar →
2012 Premium Rush Bobby Monday Average Similar →
2011 Take Shelter Curtis LaForche Hit Similar →
2011 Machine Gun Preacher Donnie Hit Similar →
2011 Return Mike Average Similar →
2010 The Runaways Kim Fowley Hit Similar →
2010 Herbert White Herbert White Hit Similar →
2009 13 Scarier Movie Moments Self Super Hit Similar →
2009 Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans Mundt Average Similar →
2009 The Greatest Jordan Walker Average Similar →
2008 Revolutionary Road John Givings Hit Similar →
2007 Shotgun Stories Son Hayes Hit Similar →
2007 Before the Devil Knows You're Dead Dex Hit Similar →
2006 World Trade Center Dave Karnes Average Similar →
2004 The Woodsman Rosen Hit Similar →
2004 Water Bobby Matherson Super Hit Similar →
2004 Criminal Gene Average Similar →
2004 Zamboni Man Walt Hit Similar →
2003 Bad Boys II Floyd Poteet Hit Similar →
2002 8 Mile Greg Buehl Hit Similar →
2002 High Crimes Troy Abbott Average Similar →
2001 Vanilla Sky Aaron Hit Similar →
2001 Pearl Harbor Gooz Wood Hit Similar →
2000 Tigerland Sgt. Filmore Hit Similar →
2000 Cecil B. Demented Petie Average Similar →
2000 Jesus' Son Dundun Average Similar →
1993 Groundhog Day Fred Super Hit Similar →

Michael Shannon - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Michael Shannon?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Michael Shannon is "Water" with a rating of 9.0/10.

How many movies has Michael Shannon acted in?

Michael Shannon has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Michael Shannon?

Other notable films include "13 Scarier Movie Moments", "Michael Shannon Reads the Insane Delta Gamma Sorority Letter", and "Knives Out".