James Corden's 10 Best Movies And TV Shows

Despite being popularly recognized for hosting late-night programs and award ceremonies in America, James Corden has shown versatility by playing various roles in some of his finest movies and television series. In fact, Corden began his career in the UK as a young actor in film and TV productions much earlier than when he later moved to Hollywood, where he gained prominence in numerous projects and became one of the most recognized figures on late-night talk shows.

Despite having a diverse range of acting roles, Corden truly shines in comedies, often playing the role of comic relief. There’s an authentic warmth about him that makes him perfect for characters like the supportive friend or the one who brings humor to any situation, allowing more dramatic characters to carry the emotional weight. Many of his standout roles showcase this comedic talent and his musical abilities as well.

10. All Or Nothing (2002)

James Corden As Rory

One of James Corden’s earliest film appearances was in “All Or Nothing,” which is also one of his most critically acclaimed films as rated by Rotten Tomatoes.

The film unfolds in contemporary London, focusing on the lives of three working-class families. Although their tales intertwine somewhat – with two mothers sharing a workplace and a young girl from one family having feelings for a boy from another – they largely lead independent lives. This work provides a glimpse into the authentic experiences of those struggling financially in the core of England.

In the film, Corden portrays a teenage boy who belongs to one of the families. He’s unemployed, unmotivated, and lacks future prospects. He also endures bullying from the neighborhood boys. The movie is skillfully performed and filmed; however, it falls short compared to Corden’s top performances as the narrative often centers around his weight rather than his character development. It is important to note that an actor of Corden’s caliber should not be typecast based on physical appearance.

9. Ocean’s Eight (2018)

James Corden As John Frazier

While Ocean’s 8 didn’t match the commercial success of Ocean’s 11, it brought a new, invigorating twist to the Ocean’s series. The film saw Sandra Bullock stepping into the role as Danny Ocean’s sister, planning her own heist. She gathered an all-female crew to pull off the daring feat of stealing some of the world’s most valuable jewels at the Met Gala. This was a clever move aimed at settling scores with an ex who had previously sentenced her to prison.

In the movie, Corden assumes a dual role as a detective from the insurance firm, acting both as a supporting character and an adversary. His task is to uncover the truth behind the stolen necklace when the fraudulent replacement is found. Throughout the film, Corden portrays his character as meticulous and astute, having prior knowledge of the Ocean family members. He instinctively suspects Bullock’s Debbie of masterminding the intricate heist but struggles to decipher the details of her plan.

This part is an excellent fit for Corden since it sets him opposite the finely-tuned acting skills of Sandra Bullock. There’s plenty of enjoyment to be derived from their shared scenes.

8. Trolls (2016)

James Corden As Biggie

The animated film “Trolls” draws inspiration from the beloved troll dolls of the ’80s and ’90s, while also serving as a musical that incorporates popular tunes to narrate the heartwarming tale of these charming characters.

In a place far away, the Trolls of the tale have managed to evade their usual predators, the Bergens – creatures who usually feast on them. Excited about their newfound freedom, Princess Poppy (Anna Kendrick) organizes a grand celebration. Unfortunately, this joyous event attracts the Bergens once more, putting everyone in peril again. With her characteristic optimism, Poppy finds herself joining forces with Branch (Justin Timberlake), a troll who’s more on the pessimistic side, to save the day.

In this movie, Corden voices Biggie, a jovial giant troll who’s always friendly towards those he encounters. His energetic personality makes him an ideal fit for such a character, as shown by his return to the role across multiple series installments.

7. Doctor Who (2010-2011)

James Corden As Craig

It appears that, given its long-standing status as a British icon, many actors working within the UK’s movie industry might have made an appearance in at least one episode of Doctor Who. Interestingly, James Corden is among those who have featured in two episodes.

The show, centered around a time-traveling extraterrestrial character named the Doctor, has gone through multiple transformations of this lead figure and various travel partners throughout its run. Unlike some companions who join the Doctor for a full season or more, Corden’s Craig is along for just a short journey.

In the series, Corden portrays a roommate of the Doctor while on Earth. At first, their relationship is strained, but Corden skillfully conveys Craig’s envy of the Doctor towards his friends. Moreover, despite being featured in just two episodes, he effectively develops Craig’s character, demonstrating growth from suspicion to trust and affection, giving the impression that Craig is not just a passing character but an integral part of the storyline.

6. The History Boys (2006)

James Corden As Timms

In 2004, James Corden took on the character of Timms in the stage production of “The History Boys.” The play subsequently appeared on stages in Australia, New Zealand, China, and the United States’ Broadway. He returned to the role when the story was transformed into a movie in 2006.

The narrative focuses on a group of pupils aiming for admission into Oxford or Cambridge University. It bears resemblance to films like “Dead Poets Society“, where the plot revolves around the students’ intellectual and personal development during their crucial years. In this tale, the students start pondering whether the measures they take to secure a place in school are truly worth the effort.

Corden’s Timms character is known for being the class down. He’s always quick with a comeback or a joke, and his energetic personality stands out more than most. This role is one of his best performances in his career, as shown by him frequently reprising it.

Or:

The Timms character played by Corden is the class jester, constantly cracking jokes and full of energy. This character is one of the best roles he’s ever played, as seen by him returning to this role multiple times throughout his career.

5. The Late Late Show (2015-2023)

James Corden As Himself

Despite facing accusations that his talk show interviews are overly scripted or insincere, sparking criticism towards him, James Corden nonetheless played a significant role in rejuvenating late-night television upon taking over as host of The Late Late Show.

On his late-night talk show, Corden offers a distinctive twist by incorporating more musical performances than typical shows of this kind. Notably, he collaborates with guests to swiftly recreate Broadway productions and engages in “Carpool Karaoke” as an innovative interview format, where they sing along to popular tunes during a casual car ride. This combination creates an enjoyable atmosphere for both lively conversations and musical entertainment.

What sets it apart is its distinctiveness, a quality that led to Apple TV and CBS agreeing on a deal to produce an entire series based on this idea. However, James Corden won’t serve as the host for that show.

4. Starter For 10 (2006)

James Corden As Tone

Despite having a smaller role in “Starter for 10”, this film is James Corden’s most critically acclaimed movie according to Rotten Tomatoes, boasting an impressive 90% rating. On Metacritic, it also scores favorably at 69 points. In “Starter for 10”, Corden reunites with his friend Dominic Cooper on screen, having previously worked together in “The History Boys”.

The film features James McAvoy portraying a driven college student from a humble background, who boasts an impressive memory for trivial facts. Eager to join the university quiz squad, he experiences numerous stumbles both with his contemporaries and the team. Eventually, he forms connections with new companions and finds himself smitten by a young woman.

In the film, Cooper and Corden portray McAvoy’s friends dating back to before his college years. They have an opportunity to showcase a slightly rugged and overall entertaining dynamic that stands out from the rest of the cast. Their performances significantly contribute to making the movie feel more lively.

3. Into The Woods (2014)

James Corden As The Baker

Despite being exceptionally skilled and an ardent admirer of musicals, James Corden has encountered limited success with the musical adaptations he’s been involved in. His performances in “Prom” were met with criticism, “Cats” was universally panned, and the adaptation of “Cinderella,” which he produced, didn’t perform as well as anticipated. However, amidst these less successful endeavors, “Into The Woods” stands out as one of his most impressive musical adaptations and is considered one of his best films to date.

Into The Woods transforms the stage musical by the same title, albeit with some abridged narratives to accommodate the film’s runtime. This magical musical intertwines familiar fairy tale characters into a fresh tale. James Corden takes on the role of the Baker, sharing the screen with Emily Blunt as his discontented wife.

In the musical, Corden’s character may not be particularly endearing, but that’s part of his role, and he does an exceptional job of embodying his character within the magical storyline, bringing the Baker to vivid life. The film earned three Oscar nominations and three Golden Globe nods.

2. Begin Again (2013)

James Corden As Steve

In a non-musical film like “Begin Again,” effectively using music as a central theme can pose challenges. However, this movie skillfully achieves it by telling a story about the passion for and creation of music rather than being a musical itself. It’s an underappreciated gem, beautifully framed on screen.

The film showcases Keira Knightley as Gretta, a timid songwriter reluctant to perform. Fortunately, she possesses an ardent friend (Corden) who recognizes her talent and pushes her onto the stage at the perfect moment, catching the attention of a record producer. This individual is fascinated by Gretta’s potential and plans to create an innovative concept album with her – recording in various outdoor locations throughout New York City. Despite being challenging for sound engineers, this movie effectively conveys the tale of sharing art as the artist envisions it.

In the film, Corden plays a lively character who is both a musician and Gretta’s closest friend. Unlike Gretta, who can be soft-spoken, Corden is anything but reserved. Here, he takes on an exuberant role, motivating Gretta to pursue her aspirations and even assisting her in leaving a fiery musical message for her boyfriend. This part offers him a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate his musical skills and comedic flair.

1. Gavin & Stacey (2007-2010, 2019, 2024)

James Corden As Neil “Smithy” Smith

James Corden truly poured his heart into the creation of “Gavin & Stacey.” Not only was he a significant part of the show’s main cast, but he also played a crucial role in its conception, penning scripts, and overseeing production. His dedication didn’t end with the series finale, as he reprised his character, Smithy, in various special episodes that followed.

This British sitcom delves into the lives of its main characters and their families, starting from their initial encounter, and chronicles the evolution of their relationship. At first, their stories run parallel, but over time, various aspects of their lives intertwine. Hailing from distinct regions in England, they come from contrasting family backgrounds and have unique best friends, which creates much humor as their separate worlds collide.

In Gavin & Stacey, Smithy serves as the title character’s best buddy. Similarly, Ruth Jones, who collaborates with Corden on writing and producing, portrays Stacey’s friend. The dynamic between Smithy (Corden) and Nessa (Jones) offers a captivating contrast in their roles. Notably, Smithy contributes significantly to the show’s humor as one of its most beloved characters. However, despite frequently finding himself romantically entangled with Nessa, he harbors an unusual dislike for her.

Smithy stands out as one of James Corden’s most brilliant character performances, significantly enhancing Gavin & Stacey as the top project of his career thus far. It might be due to the fact that Corden had a significant role in creating it that he seamlessly fits into the show.

2025-04-28 04:11

James Corden’s 10 Best Movies And TV Shows