The 40+ Best Chiwetel Ejiofor Movies
Ranker Film
Over 70 filmgoers have voted on the 40+ Best Chiwetel Ejiofor Movies. Current Top 3: American Gangster, Kinky Boots, Children of Men
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Vote for your favorite movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

List of the best Chiwetel Ejiofor movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Chiwetel Ejiofor's highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world. The order of these top Chiwetel Ejiofor movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Chiwetel Ejiofor movies will be at the top of the list. Chiwetel Ejiofor has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Chiwetel Ejiofor movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Chiwetel Ejiofor films to end the squabble once and for all.

If you think the best Chiwetel Ejiofor role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest Chiwetel Ejiofor performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies, but in most cases they go hand in hand.

List is made up of a variety of films, including G:MT – Greenwich Mean Time and Melinda and Melinda.

"This list answers the questions, "What are the best Chiwetel Ejiofor movies?" and "What are the greatest Chiwetel Ejiofor roles of all time?"

Steven Spielberg and Joss Whedon are among those who have directed Chiwetel Ejiofor at one point or another during their careers in the film industry. If you're a fan of Chiwetel Ejiofor, then check out our lists of the best Matthew McConaughey and Jim Broadbent movies as well.

Most divisive: Redbelt

Over 70 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 40+ Best Chiwetel Ejiofor Movies

Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor

Released : 2007

Directed by : Ridley Scott

American Gangster is a gritty crime drama that tells the real-life story of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a heroin kingpin from Manhattan. Lucas, an ordinary driver and bodyguard for Bumpy Johnson, builds his own drug empire after Johnson's death. In parallel, we encounter Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), an honest detective in a corrupt police force who makes it his mission to bring Lucas down. The movie, directed by Ridley Scott, masterfully intertwines these two narratives, offering an unflinching look at crime and corruption in 1970s America. It received two Oscar nominations for its authentic portrayal of this intense period in American history.

Joel Edgerton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sarah Jane Potts

Released : 2005

Directed by : Julian Jarrold

After his father's demise, Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) inherits the family business, a shoe factory in Northampton, England. He is not interested in shoes, and the factory is in such dire financial straits that he must lay off 15 employees. However a fortuitous encounter with a transvestite cabaret singer (Chiwetel Ejiofor) inspires Charlie to save the factory from closure by producing erotic footwear, much to the chagrin of the workers.

Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine

Released : 2006

Directed by : Alfonso Cuarón

In the dystopian genre film Children of Men, humanity grapples with infertility, a crisis threatening extinction. The protagonist, Theo Faron (Clive Owen), is a disillusioned bureaucrat who gets entangled in a mission to protect the world's only pregnant woman. Julian Taylor (Julianne Moore), an activist and Theo's ex-lover, leads this desperate quest for survival. The movie, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, won acclaim for its immersive storytelling and technical excellence, particularly its long-take action sequences. It offers a bleak yet poignant exploration of hope amid despair, challenging viewers to reflect on society's resilience in the face of impending doom.

Released : 2013

Directed by : Steve McQueen

12 Years a Slave, a gripping historical drama, follows the life of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York who is abducted and sold into slavery in the pre-Civil War United States. The film also features Michael Fassbender as plantation owner Edwin Epps, along with Benedict Cumberbatch and Paul Giamatti in supporting roles. Directed by Steve McQueen, this powerful narrative showcases Northup's struggle for survival and freedom. Garnering acclaim for its poignant storytelling, it won three Academy Awards including Best Picture. This movie provides an unflinching view of a dark chapter in American history.

5

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Aïssa Maïga, Joseph Marcell

Released : 2019

Directed by : Chiwetel Ejiofor

A 13-year-old boy is thrown out of the school he loves when his family can no longer afford the fees. He sneaks into the library and learns how to build a windmill to save his village from a famine.

Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk

Released : 2005

Directed by : Joss Whedon

Serenity is a 2005 space western film directed by Joss Whedon. The story follows the crew of the spaceship Serenity, led by Captain Malcolm Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion). They're on the run from an operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor) sent by the totalitarian Alliance to capture River Tam (Summer Glau), a psychic fugitive aboard their ship. As they delve into uncharted territories, secrets are revealed and loyalties tested. Notably, this film serves as a continuation of Whedon's short-lived 2002 Fox television series Firefly, with the same characters and setting. It won the Nebula Award for Best Script.