Back of the Net! Steve Coogan Film Roles – Ranked

As Steve Coogan turns 60, his career in British comedy and drama is celebrated with a ranking of his best big-screen performances. From his anarchic comic roles to nuanced dramatic turns, here’s a countdown of his most memorable films.

20. The Wind in the Willows (1996)

Coogan played Mole in this largely forgotten adaptation, joining the likes of Eric Idle and Terry Jones. His twitchy, earnest turn was a charming addition to an ensemble cast.

19. Night at the Museum films (2006–2014)

As miniature Roman general Octavius, Coogan made a small but memorable impact alongside Robin Williams and Owen Wilson, delivering his lines with comic heart.

18. Hamlet 2 (2008)

A quirky high-school comedy, Coogan gave it his all as a drama teacher staging a bizarre sequel to Hamlet, but the film flopped critically and commercially.

17. Tropic Thunder (2008)

Coogan played British director Damien Cockburn in Ben Stiller’s star-studded satire, though his character exited early, feeling slightly out of place in the bombastic ensemble.

16. The Penguin Lessons (2024)

As a melancholy schoolteacher in Argentina who rescues a penguin, Coogan’s dignified performance saves the sentimental drama from over-sentimentality.

15. The Parole Officer (2001)

Coogan’s mild-mannered probation officer leads a comically implausible heist, making this caper a light, if uneven, romp.

14. Marie Antoinette (2006)

A straight role as the Austrian ambassador, Coogan handles Sofia Coppola’s period drama with understated poise, marking his first fully serious on-screen performance.

13. Mindhorn (2016)

A brief but sparkling cameo as Pete Easterman, an arrogant TV actor, showcases Coogan’s flair for meta-comedy and character quirks.

12. Northern Soul (2014)

Set in 1970s Lancashire, Coogan plays a sharp-tongued teacher amid a nostalgic evocation of the dance movement, blending humor and authenticity.

11. Ruby Sparks (2012)

Coogan’s sly turn as cynical author Langdon Tharp stands out among a talented ensemble in this inventive romantic fantasy.

10. Greed (2019)

Coogan excels as Sir Richard McCreadie, a grotesque retail mogul in Michael Winterbottom’s satire, delivering humor and biting social commentary.

9. In the Loop (2009)

A minor but memorable role in Armando Iannucci’s political satire, Coogan’s fiery constituent adds levity and tension in equal measure.

8. The Look of Love (2013)

Coogan portrays Paul Raymond with nuance, capturing the contradictions of the Soho mogul’s hedonistic life.

7. Stan & Ollie (2018)

A tender homage to Laurel and Hardy, Coogan’s portrayal of Stan Laurel blends physical comedy and heartfelt pathos alongside John C. Reilly.

6. Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)

Playing himself, Coogan revels in self-parody, creating a deliciously awkward vignette with Alfred Molina.

5. What Maisie Knew (2012)

Coogan shines as art dealer Beale, balancing subtle comedy and tension opposite Julianne Moore in a modern-day adaptation of Henry James.

4. A Cock and Bull Story (2005)

A meta-comedy classic, Coogan plays himself in a chaotic film-within-a-film, teasing the audience with brilliant improvisation alongside Rob Brydon.

3. Philomena (2013)

Coogan delivers a restrained, Oscar-nominated performance as journalist Martin Sixsmith, allowing Judi Dench to shine while grounding the story with humanity.

2. Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013)

Despite mixed reviews, Coogan’s big-screen Alan Partridge delivers comedy gold, from Roachford singalongs to a climactic pier standoff.

1. 24 Hour Party People (2002)

As Tony Wilson, Coogan perfectly captures the chaotic energy of Manchester’s music scene. His performance anchors Winterbottom’s irreverent, fourth-wall-breaking film and cements his place as a versatile actor capable of both humor and gravitas.

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