Want to know the best David Bowie movies? How about the worst David Bowie movies? Curious about David Bowie’s box office grosses or which David Bowie movie picked up the most Oscar® nominations? Need to know which David Bowie movie got the best reviews from critics and audiences and which got the worst reviews? Well you have come to the right place….because we have all of that information.
January 11, 2016 6:30 AM. “Why did you not tell me David Bowie died when we were on our walk last night and you were talking about him?” Those were the first words I heard from my wife as I woke up this morning. “He died?” I asked. “It is the top story right now on the internet” she said. Sadly David Bowie (1947-2016) died yesterday. Just last night I was telling my wife that I found it hard to believe that Elvis would have been 81 and that Bowie was 69 on January 8th (they shared birthdays). Only 12 years apart?….seems there should be about a 25-to-30-year difference in their ages….. not 12.
Anyway as the sun has come up and I have digested this bad news, I figured I would take a look at his movie career as a tribute to one of my favorite singers. Rest in peace….Mr. Bowie….you will be missed! David Bowie’s IMDb page shows 38 acting credits and 452 soundtrack credits from 1967-2016. This page ranks David Bowie movies from Best to Worst in six different sortable columns of information. Television shows, cameos, shorts, video games and movies not released in North America and many of his movies that barely made a dent at the box office were not included in the rankings. David Bowie in 1986’s Labyrinth
David Bowie Movies Ranked In Chronological Order With Ultimate Movie Rankings Score (1 to 5 UMR Tickets) *Best combo of box office, reviews and awards.
David Bowie Movies Can Be Ranked 6 Ways In This Table
The really cool thing about this table is that it is “user-sortable”. Rank the movies anyway you want.
Sort David Bowie movies by co-stars of his movies.
Sort David Bowie movies by adjusted domestic box office grosses using current movie ticket cost (in millions)
Sort David Bowie movies by domestic box office rank
Sort David Bowie movies how they were received by critics and audiences. 60% rating or higher should indicate a good movie.
Sort by how many Oscar® nominations each David Bowie movie received and how many Oscar® wins each David Bowie movie won.
Sort David Bowie movies by Ultimate Movie Rankings (UMR) Score. UMR Score puts box office, reviews and awards into a mathematical equation and gives each movie a score.
The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976) ….this has become a cult classic movie. Movie is pretty strange, a little slow and confusing….but Bowie creates a very memorable character as Thomas Jerome Newton.
The Hunger (1983)….as a teenager I loved this movie…..Bowie plays third fiddle to Susan Sarandon and Catherine Deneuve….got horrible reviews…but it is a guilty pleasure of mine. Into The Night (1985)….Bowie pops up every so often as a hit man in this movie….this might be my favorite Bowie movie character….I always thought his character would make a great lead character in a movie. Absolute Beginners (1986)….this movie which is about life in London in the late 1950s…. offers great music and a wonderful performance by Bowie. Labyrinth (1986)….Bowie was perfectly cast as Jareth the Goblin King….how this movie did not do better at the box office has always confused me…but it has gained a nice following over the last 30 years. His Goblin King used to really scare my 2nd oldest child. The Linguini Incident (1992)…this might be the best Bowie performance….I find the movie very funny and memorable….sadly people have not only not seen the movie….heck they have never even heard of the movie. Zoolander (2001)…..my kids love this movie…..Bowie plays Bowie….sadly it does not appear that he will be playing David Bowie in Zoolander 2. The Prestige (2006)….Bowie plays Nikola Tesla who helps Hugh Jackman try and top Christian Bale in one of my favorite Christopher Nolan movies. Easily the best dueling magicians movie ever made!
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Every day I check imdb not for the latest movies tv etc., but because I prefer to be alone if I can when I find out my favourite artists have died. I see that you did a Glenn Ford page as I have requested, but I had to check out this page first. I am a David Bowie music fan-not sure I’ve seen many on screen performances but for soundtrack credits I know him well.
I’ve written a lot about how I have seen few classic movies on the big screen. The same thing could be said about the number of favourite musicians I’ve seen in live concerts. I am happy to say that I did indeed attend a David Bowie concert in Vancouver with my father. Everyone was singing the lyrics with him, it was hard to hear him sometimes.
Around three years ago, a Canadian astronaut did a lot of medical tests on himself in space. He spent a long time in space and became well known for his communications with Earth and performing on the guitar. One of his performances was Major Tom and Bowie was honoured. It was quite poignant.
The movies I have seen with him onscreen are only three of them.
Hey Flora. Yep Mr. Ford is finally done. Bowie was icon….seems he reached almost everybody in one way or another. Glad you got to see him in concert….I bet it was fun and memorable….I heard he usually put on a great show. Cool story about the Canadian astronaut….it sounds very poignant. Thanks for checking out my Bowie tribute page.
Very sad news, did not expect to read about David Bowie’s death this morning.
Nice tribute to one of the legends of popular music Bruce. I think I must still have the singles to Starman and Life of Mars I bought back in the 70’s somewhere in the attic.
I’ve seen 8 of the 15 films you’ve listed. Watched Labyrinth a few months ago on blu-ray. I haven’t seen The Hunger in a long while. Movies I haven’t seen include Absolute Beginners, Merry Xmas Mr. Lawrence and Just a Gigolo.
His son Duncan Jones has become a pretty good director, I enjoyed both Moon and Source Code.
Hey Steve…..very shocking news….and I got it about 30 seconds after waking up. My tally is 10….Merry Xmas Mr. Lawrence is a strange movie….not thinking you are missing much there. I have been playing one of my Bowie CDs today….the kids seem confused about what CDs are….getting old. Duncan Jones has gotten off to a good start in his directing career….hope he keeps making Dad proud. Thanks for your Bowie thoughts.
Very Sad, RIP David Bowie you were Great !!!
I agree with you Sally P.
Hi, Bruce.
Every day I check imdb not for the latest movies tv etc., but because I prefer to be alone if I can when I find out my favourite artists have died. I see that you did a Glenn Ford page as I have requested, but I had to check out this page first. I am a David Bowie music fan-not sure I’ve seen many on screen performances but for soundtrack credits I know him well.
I’ve written a lot about how I have seen few classic movies on the big screen. The same thing could be said about the number of favourite musicians I’ve seen in live concerts. I am happy to say that I did indeed attend a David Bowie concert in Vancouver with my father. Everyone was singing the lyrics with him, it was hard to hear him sometimes.
Around three years ago, a Canadian astronaut did a lot of medical tests on himself in space. He spent a long time in space and became well known for his communications with Earth and performing on the guitar. One of his performances was Major Tom and Bowie was honoured. It was quite poignant.
The movies I have seen with him onscreen are only three of them.
Rest in peace Mr. Bowie,
Flora
Hey Flora. Yep Mr. Ford is finally done. Bowie was icon….seems he reached almost everybody in one way or another. Glad you got to see him in concert….I bet it was fun and memorable….I heard he usually put on a great show. Cool story about the Canadian astronaut….it sounds very poignant. Thanks for checking out my Bowie tribute page.
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence is my favorite.
He was an amazing talent. Rest in peace
Hey Moreno…glad you liked Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. I agree with you that he was an amazing talent.
Very sad news, did not expect to read about David Bowie’s death this morning.
Nice tribute to one of the legends of popular music Bruce. I think I must still have the singles to Starman and Life of Mars I bought back in the 70’s somewhere in the attic.
I’ve seen 8 of the 15 films you’ve listed. Watched Labyrinth a few months ago on blu-ray. I haven’t seen The Hunger in a long while. Movies I haven’t seen include Absolute Beginners, Merry Xmas Mr. Lawrence and Just a Gigolo.
His son Duncan Jones has become a pretty good director, I enjoyed both Moon and Source Code.
Rest in Peace, Ziggy Stardust.
Hey Steve…..very shocking news….and I got it about 30 seconds after waking up. My tally is 10….Merry Xmas Mr. Lawrence is a strange movie….not thinking you are missing much there. I have been playing one of my Bowie CDs today….the kids seem confused about what CDs are….getting old. Duncan Jones has gotten off to a good start in his directing career….hope he keeps making Dad proud. Thanks for your Bowie thoughts.
I got watch labyrinth soon….RIP David Bowie
No, Zoolander
Zoolander? At least pick out a movie he is in for more than 5 minutes.
Remember when he scared you in Labyrinth? You thought he was coming for you.