James McArdle
ActingAbout James McArdle
James McArdle is a Scottish actor from Glasgow. Having worked as a child actor in films, he trained at RADA, graduating in 2010. In his graduation year he appeared in Macbeth at The Globe and starred in the summer smash hit Spur of the Moment by Anya Reiss at the Royal Court Theatre in London. He then played in plays such as A Month in the Country by Ivan Turgenev, Chariots of Fire by Mike Bartlett and Platonov for which he won the Ian Charleson Award. On screens, he is known for movies such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), '71 (2014) and Salting the Battlefield (2014).
James McArdle Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of James McArdle reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 17 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of James McArdle's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 53% of James McArdle's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains National Theatre Live: Angels In America — Part Two: Perestroika, which stands out as a key performance.
Best James McArdle Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from James McArdle's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie James McArdle has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | National Theatre Live: Bacchae | Pentheus | Flop | Similar → |
| 2025 | Four Mothers | Edward | Hit | Similar → |
| 2021 | The Tragedy of Macbeth | Macbeth | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | Ammonite | Roderick Murchison | Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | Scott and Laura | Scott | Flop | Similar → |
| 2018 | Mary Queen of Scots | James, Earl of Moray | Hit | Similar → |
| 2017 | National Theatre Live: Angels In America — Part Two: Perestroika | Louis Ironson/The Angel Australia | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2017 | National Theatre Live: Angels In America — Part One: Millennium Approaches | Louis Ironson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2016 | On the Road | Joe | Flop | Similar → |
| 2016 | The Chamber | Parks | Flop | Similar → |
| 2015 | Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Niv Lek | Hit | Similar → |
| 2014 | Salting the Battlefield | Ted Finch | Average | Similar → |
| 2012 | Private Peaceful | Lt. Buckland | Hit | Similar → |
| 2012 | Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story | Toby | Flop | Similar → |
| 2011 | Page Eight | Ted Finch | Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Recycled | - | Flop | Similar → |
| N/A | Custom of the Country | - | Flop | Similar → |
James McArdle - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of James McArdle?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James McArdle is "National Theatre Live: Angels In America — Part Two: Perestroika" with a rating of 8.1/10.
How many movies has James McArdle acted in?
James McArdle has been featured in at least 17 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by James McArdle?
Other notable films include "National Theatre Live: Angels In America — Part One: Millennium Approaches", "The Tragedy of Macbeth", and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens".