Willow: 10 Warwick Davis Movies Ranked By IMDb | Pretty Reel

Reprising his starring role on the TV series Willow, veteran actor Warwick Davis once again gets a chance to shine in a starring role. Fans of popular franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter are familiar with Davis’ work, and his prolific resume is full of excellent films.

From career-defining roles like Return of the Jedi to comedic twists and turns like Leprechaun, Davis is much more than the elaborate costumes he often dons in his movies. Although his work is instantly recognizable, some of Davis’ films have achieved high scores on IMDb.

Leprechaun (1993) – 4.8

Hollywood wasn’t a friendly place for petite actors in the 80s and 90s, but Warwick Davis made a successful career breaking stereotypes and claiming roles like his own. Leprechaun is the story of a group of people who are suddenly tormented by an ancient creature who is looking for his stolen pot of gold.

Sharing the screen with future star Jennifer Aniston, Davis is excellent as the Celtic monster of folklore, and he brings silly joy to the horror icon. Although the film was never meant to be a masterpiece, it’s actually Davis’ performance that keeps it from turning into trash cinema altogether.

Get Santa (2014) – 6.3

Best known as an underrated gem, Get Santa was the UK’s answer to many over-the-top American holiday films. After destroying his sleigh and getting arrested, Santa tasks a father and son duo with finding his reindeer and helping him get home so Christmas isn’t ruined.

The goofy tone of the movie fits the cast perfectly, and Davis’ turn as the hardened criminal Sally is another side of the actor that fans haven’t seen before. Subverting the expectations of smaller performers, Davis is not one of Santa’s little helpers, but rather a brutal convict who helps him escape. While not as popular as other holiday staples, Get Santa definitely subverts classic Santa Claus tropes.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) – 6.5

Once again staking his claim in a massive fantasy franchise, Davis’ appearance in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian was yet another feather in his cap. A year after the events of the first film, the Pevensie children are brought back to Narnia to help a prince claim his rightful throne from the evil king who holds it.

Going a bit against type, Davis plays the evil Nikabrik who plans to trick Prince Caspian at every turn. His performance was one of the film’s highlights and he helped salvage what was an overall disappointing outing compared to the first film. Fans may have been shocked to see Davis in a more serious villainous role, but he proved there was no role he couldn’t play.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) – 6.6

Rewriting the story of one of Disney’s most powerful villains was a clever idea in the first movie, and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil aimed to turn things into a franchise. A few years after the first film, Maleficent battles a power-hungry queen and the negative perceptions that have turned her into a villain in people’s minds.

With Angelina Jolie’s stunning performance as the anchor, Mistress of Evil was more or less the same but not as exciting as the first outing. Davis briefly appears as Lickspittle, a pixie who works for Queen Ingrith against her will, and he’s almost unrecognizable under a pile of makeup. Even so, Davis’ performance draws eyes to him whenever he’s on screen, and he pushes his way through the restrictive apparatus.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005) – 6.7

Douglas Adams’ hilarious novel The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy had already been adapted, but the 2005 film was the first real attempt to give the story the budget it deserved. Rescued from the total destruction of Earth, a mild-mannered man sets out on a journey across the galaxy in search of answers to life’s toughest questions.

While the movie wasn’t a perfect adaptation, it did a great job of condensing Adams’ ideas into a more manageable product, and the jokes still landed with high frequency. Although he didn’t have a speaking role, Warwick Davis played the character of Marvin, and his physical mannerisms are what really brought the depressed robot to life.

Willow (1988) – 7.2

It was in Star Wars that Davis made his mark in the industry, but it was his starring role in the movie Willow that made him a household name. The fate of the world is placed in the hands of a simple farmer when he is tasked with protecting a young princess from the evil queen who aims to destroy her.

Ranked among the best films directed by Ron Howard, Willow largely slipped under the radar in the ’80s, but has since become a cult classic. When given more screen time, Davis showed he was much more than a character actor, and his versatility in Willow is what helped him land future starring roles.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) – 7.6

From the start, it was obvious that the Harry Potter franchise was going to be something special, and The Sorcerer’s Stone was as auspicious a start as a series could hope for. Living with his abusive aunt and uncle, a young boy is suddenly taken to a school of witchcraft and wizardry after learning he has magical skills.

Featuring all the magic and wonder fans of the books have come to expect, the first film in the franchise was a massive hit and set the tone for the next seven films. Warwick Davis fulfills a triple role in the film, but he is best remembered as Professor Flitwick, Professor of Charms, and Head of Ravenclaw House. With little screen time, Davis plays the temperamental professor with all the explosive energy the movie demands.

Radius (2004) – 7.7

The Oscar-winning film Ray is best known as one of the best musical biopics of all time, and it was the performances that helped it succeed. The film chronicles the life of musician Ray Charles as he tries to make it big while dealing with the obstacles the mid-twentieth century has thrown his way.

Ray isn’t the kind of film moviegoers expected Warwick Davis to see, but he still puts on a solid performance as Oberon, the nightclub owner. While the part might seem inconsequential, it was further proof that Davis could do more than just wear a stuffy costume, and it was her talents that landed her the gig.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011) – 8.1

Returning to complete the epic franchise, Warwick Davis stepped into another iconic Harry Potter role and played a completely different character of Professor Flitwick. With Hogwarts in ruins and evil unleashed, Harry and his allies must band together to launch one last attack on Voldemort.

The banking dwarf Flitwick was gruff and rude, and Davis got a second chance to bring him to life both in person and with his voice. Unlike the generally friendly roles that Davis is known for, the veteran actor had the opportunity to try something else for a change, and it was one of the film’s strongest performances.

Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) – 8.2

Although it was the role that started his career, Davis’ iconic turn as Wicket is still what he is best known for. Concluding the epic trilogy, Luke Skywalker must join his fellow Rebels in an attempt to bring down the Empire’s second Death Star and finish off Darth Vader for good.

The cute and cuddly Wicket made some fans roll their eyes in the ’80s, but the Ewoks became an established part of Star Wars thanks to Warwick Davis. Showing that he could work with any given material, Wicket is a lively and robust character, and Davis shines through the restrictive costume.