10 Underrated Films by Ewan McGregor You Must See

Ewan McGregor has built a career that stretches from cult breakthroughs to global franchises. Viewers know him from hits like ‘Trainspotting’, ‘Moulin Rouge’, and ‘Star Wars’, yet his filmography also includes quieter projects that showcase surprising range across thrillers, romances, and true stories. These films often paired him with acclaimed directors and distinctive writers and placed him in locations that shaped each story in memorable ways.

This list focuses on feature films that did not always get wide attention yet reward a closer look. You will find adaptations of major novels, portraits of real figures whose choices changed institutions, and bold original scripts. Each entry highlights what the film covers, who made it, where it was shot, and who joined McGregor on screen, so you can pick what to watch next with confidence.

‘Young Adam’ (2003)

Set along the waterways between Glasgow and Edinburgh, this adaptation of Alexander Trocchi’s novel follows a drifter who works on a barge and discovers a body in the river. Ewan McGregor plays Joe, whose past relationships and choices unfold through shifting timelines that connect the discovery to earlier events. The cast includes Tilda Swinton, Emily Mortimer, and Peter Mullan, whose characters intersect with Joe on and off the water.

The film was directed by David Mackenzie and was shot on Scottish canals and in and around Glasgow. Production emphasized period detail from postwar Scotland and used working barges and canal locks to stage key sequences. The story structure moves between present investigation and earlier episodes, aligning with the source material’s approach to memory and consequence.

‘Rogue Trader’ (1999)

This biographical drama depicts the rise and fall of Nick Leeson, the derivatives trader whose unauthorized positions led to the collapse of Barings Bank. Ewan McGregor portrays Leeson from his start in back office work to his time running a trading operation abroad, with the narrative tracking how hidden losses accumulated. Anna Friel appears as Lisa Leeson, and supporting roles cover colleagues, managers, and regulators connected to the firm.

James Dearden wrote and directed the film, adapting Leeson’s book with Edward Whitley under the same title. Production shot across the United Kingdom and Southeast Asia to represent trading floors, bank offices, and exchanges such as SIMEX. Scenes detail how futures and options positions were recorded, netted, and concealed through error accounts, giving a procedural look at the mechanics behind the crisis.

‘Stay’ (2005)

Set in New York, this psychological drama centers on a psychiatrist named Sam Foster, played by Ewan McGregor, who attempts to help a student patient in acute distress. The story weaves Sam’s work with the patient played by Ryan Gosling and Sam’s home life with Naomi Watts’s character, with narrative turns that blur clinical sessions and everyday scenes. Visual motifs and repeated locations build a pattern that ties characters together.

Marc Forster directed the film from an original screenplay by David Benioff. Filming took place in New York City and New Jersey, using bridges, tunnels, and city streets for staging. The production coordinates costume, editing, and camera movement to signal shifts in perspective, and the score underscores transitions between therapy, campus settings, and the city environment.

‘Perfect Sense’ (2011)

This Glasgow set story follows an epidemic that removes human senses in stages, starting with smell and progressing through taste, hearing, and sight. Ewan McGregor plays a chef named Michael whose restaurant faces immediate operational challenges as each sensory loss changes how staff and guests interact. Eva Green plays Susan, an epidemiologist tracking symptoms and patterns of spread while forming a connection with Michael.

David Mackenzie directed the film, which was shot on location around Glasgow, including residential neighborhoods and commercial districts. The narrative documents how kitchens, hospitals, and supply chains adapt as sense by sense disruptions escalate. Production design adjusts menus, signage, and work routines to reflect real world responses across food service and healthcare as conditions evolve.

‘I Love You Phillip Morris’ (2009)

Based on the nonfiction book by Steve McVicker, this film tells the story of Steven Jay Russell, a con artist and escape artist, and his relationship with Phillip Morris. Ewan McGregor plays Phillip opposite Jim Carrey’s Russell, with the plot tracing their meeting, separation, and repeated attempts to reconnect through audacious schemes. The script covers identity changes, financial fraud, and institutional responses to repeated escapes.

The film was written and directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa and shot largely in Louisiana, including New Orleans. It premiered at Sundance and later reached wider audiences through international distribution and home release. Wardrobe, makeup, and production design support multiple assumed identities, while the narrative follows court records and reported incidents from McVicker’s account.

‘Last Days in the Desert’ (2015)

This drama follows a holy man near the end of a long fast who meets a family living on the edge of a desert. Ewan McGregor plays both the holy man and a tempter figure, creating a dialogue of choices as he observes a father, mother, and son facing decisions about livelihood and independence. The story centers on a brief stay with the family and the conversations that arise around work, faith, and leaving home.

Rodrigo García wrote and directed the film, which was photographed by Emmanuel Lubezki in Anza Borrego Desert State Park in California. The production relied on natural light and minimal sets to create open space around the characters. The score and sound design emphasize wind and distance, and the film premiered at Sundance before continuing to festivals and limited theatrical runs.

‘Our Kind of Traitor’ (2016)

Adapted from John le Carré’s novel, this espionage thriller introduces a British couple who meet a Russian money launderer on holiday and are asked to deliver information to authorities. Ewan McGregor plays Perry Makepeace, whose involvement draws attention from British intelligence figures played by Damian Lewis and from criminal networks. Stellan Skarsgård and Naomie Harris appear in key roles that link Perry to both sides of the conflict.

Susanna White directed the film from a screenplay by Hossein Amini. Production traveled across multiple countries, including locations in the United Kingdom, Morocco, and Switzerland, to stage meetings, handoffs, and safe houses. The story uses banks, galleries, and alpine rail lines as settings for exchanges, and costume choices mark shifting roles as civilian witnesses become operational participants.

‘Incendiary’ (2008)

Set in London, this adaptation of Chris Cleave’s novel follows a young mother whose family is lost in a bombing and whose life intersects with a journalist and a counterterrorism officer. Ewan McGregor plays Jasper Black, whose reporting and personal involvement bring him into the investigation and private aftermath. Michelle Williams leads the cast, with supporting roles mapping the official response and neighborhood impact.

Sharon Maguire directed the film, using London streets, flats, and stadium areas to anchor the story in everyday places. The screenplay retains the book’s focus on personal correspondence and public statements, and the production uses news footage style elements to show media coverage. Interior scenes track the administrative side of policing and reporting, with attention to briefings and evidence handling.

‘Miss Potter’ (2006)

This biographical film profiles author and illustrator Beatrix Potter, from the early stages of her career to the success of her books and art. Ewan McGregor plays Norman Warne, the publisher who works with Potters manuscripts and guides them into print. Renée Zellweger stars as Potter, and the film covers the creation and reception of stories such as ‘Peter Rabbit’ within the publishing world.

Chris Noonan directed the film, which shot in the Lake District and London to depict homes, shops, and countryside that shaped Potter’s work. Animation and visual effects bring illustrated characters to life within select sequences. Costumes, props, and printing room sets reflect period publishing practices, and the production includes scenes of merchandising and conservation efforts connected to Potters legacy.

‘Son of a Gun’ (2014)

This Australian crime film pairs a young inmate with a veteran robber after a chance meeting in prison leads to a planned escape. Ewan McGregor plays Brendan Lynch, whose crew recruits the newcomer played by Brenton Thwaites for a gold heist. Alicia Vikander appears in a central role that links the crew to outside contacts, and the plot follows planning, execution, and aftermath across multiple safe houses.

Julius Avery wrote and directed the film, with production based in Western Australia. Locations include Perth and Kalgoorlie, where the story stages armored transport movements and mine site elements. The film uses practical stunts and vehicle work for chase sequences, and the soundtrack mixes licensed tracks with an original score to set pace across prison, city, and outback settings.

‘Jane Got a Gun’ (2015)

This Western follows Jane Hammond as she prepares to defend her home against an outlaw gang called the Bishop Boys. Ewan McGregor plays John Bishop, whose pursuit forces Jane to seek help from former fiancé Dan Frost played by Joel Edgerton while Natalie Portman leads as Jane. The plot tracks preparations, shifting alliances, and the confrontation that brings the gang to the Hammond homestead, with Noah Emmerich and Boyd Holbrook in supporting roles.

The film was directed by Gavin O’Connor and was shot in New Mexico locations around Santa Fe and Galisteo to capture open country and frontier settlements. The screenplay began with Brian Duffield and included later work by Anthony Tambakis and Joel Edgerton, and the production went through director and cast changes before principal photography. Distribution included a theatrical release followed by home formats, with marketing focused on the standoff setup and the central trio of characters.

Share your own picks for overlooked Ewan McGregor films in the comments so everyone can compare watchlists.