Karen Gillan Reveals Her Top Five All-Time Favorite Movies
Karen Gillan recently shared her five favorite movies of all time, giving fans a glimpse into the films that have influenced her and captured her imagination.
The actress, known for roles in Doctor Who and Guardians of the Galaxy, revealed her picks in an interview with The Guardian, highlighting both horror classics and nostalgic favorites.
At the top of her list is Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining. Gillan described herself as a “huge horror fan” and praised Jack Nicholson’s performance, saying, “It was just incredible. I just love that movie so much, and it’s my favourite on-screen performance of all time. I think that he’s absolutely incredible. I’m ready to play a role like that.”
The Shining is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever made, earning praise for its intense atmosphere, striking visuals, and Nicholson’s iconic performance.
Gillan’s admiration for Kubrick extends to her second choice, A Clockwork Orange from 1971, adapted from Anthony Burgess’ novel. She said, “I just think it’s just visually an absolute masterpiece. Again, the central performance is incredible. I just love these performances that you get with these lead actors that are so on the brink of madness. They’re violent, they’re unpredictable and scary, and I just love that sequence where it’s operatic in A Clockwork Orange, when they’re beating each other up, and it’s the classical music.”
The film, often considered controversial for its graphic depictions of violence, is praised for its bold style, thought-provoking themes, and Malcolm McDowell’s unforgettable performance.
Moving away from intense cinema, Gillan included 1995’s Jumanji, directed by Joe Johnston. She called it “so cheesy” but added, “That was always one of my favourite films of all time. It’s just pure nostalgia. I think I’m right in that age bracket where it’s like a classic to anyone who’s around my age, and anyone who’s outside of that, it doesn’t seem like it’s so much of a classic to them.”
While critics initially gave mixed reviews, Jumanji became a beloved family adventure over the years and remains a nostalgic favorite for many who grew up in the 1990s.
Gillan returned to darker films for her fourth pick, Michael Haneke’s The Piano Teacher from 2001. She explained, “I just think it’s a really, really interesting character study; again, disturbing. And her last frame of acting in that movie — not actually the last frame; the last frame is her [Isabella Hupert] walking, but the one before that is the best piece of acting I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
The film, which earned Isabella Huppert the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, is widely acclaimed for its psychological depth, uncomfortable intensity, and unflinching portrayal of complex human emotions.
Finally, Gillan included Haneke’s 2007 psychological thriller Funny Games. Known for its disturbing take on violence and media, the film received critical attention for challenging audiences with its unconventional storytelling. Gillan did not elaborate much, but her choice reflects her interest in bold, thought-provoking cinema.
- The Shining (Stanley Kubrick, 1980)
- A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick, 1971)
- Jumanji (Joe Johnston, 1995)
- The Piano Teacher (Michael Haneke, 2001)
- Funny Games (Michael Haneke, 2007)
Karen Gillan’s five favorite films reflect a mix of horror, psychological drama, and nostalgic entertainment, showing her wide-ranging taste and appreciation for performances that push boundaries. Her picks highlight both classic directors like Stanley Kubrick and modern auteurs like Michael Haneke, films celebrated for their style, acting, and cultural impact.
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