Cary Elwes movies and TV shows: 10 must-watch roles from The Princess Bride star

Deeya
Still from The Princess Bride (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from The Princess Bride (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Fans must definitely check out some of the best-watched Cary Elwes movies and TV shows. The veteran actor is known for his performances in The Princess Bride, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Hot Shots!, and other movies. The English actor has also appeared in shows like The X-Files, Stranger Things, and Knuckles. Cary Elwes is known for his comedic timing, as well as his ability to take on dramatic and horror roles. Therefore, here are 10 of his must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.


The Princess Bride, Stranger Things, and other watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows

1. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Directed by Guy Ritchie and based on the 2014 book by Damien Lewis, this action comedy and war movie features Henry Cavill, Cary Elwes, and others. The movie offers a fictionalized version of the role that Winston Churchill played in Operation Postmaster, along with his Special Operations Executive organization. It is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows as the movie is entertaining and compelling and the veteran actor delivers superbly, even if he is in a supporting role. The actor’s role is important as he plays brigadier Gubbins, who along with Ian Fleming (Freddie Fox), were the only two military officials who knew about Churchill’s plan to destroy the fueling depot by sanctioning a special forces unit. While the movie takes a lot of creative liberties, it is an interesting retelling. Elwes plays a distinguished role and gives witty delivery. Therefore, it is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows.


2. Saw

Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Starring Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, and others, this horror movie is directed by James Wan and is one of the most popular horror movies from the 2000s. The film is about the mysterious “Jigsaw Killer”, who brutally inflicts physical pain upon the victims he kidnaps, so that he can test their will to live. On the other hand, the story also focuses on two of his latest victims, Dr. Lawrence (Elwes) and Adam (Whannell), who find themselves handcuffed inside a rotten bathroom and must kill the other to save themselves. It is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows as the actor proves that he can take on horror roles as well and plays gray characters. The movie was a breakout hit and Elwes delivers one of his most gruesome yet raw performances as he struggles to save his life. The film is tense throughout and is one of the best Cary Elwes movies and TV shows.


3. Days of Thunder

Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Directed by Tony Scott and starring Tom Cruise, Cary Elwes, and others, this sports action and drama movie was successful at the box office and was noted for its racing sequences and soundtrack. It is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows as revolves around Cole Trickle (Cruise), who is a talented NASCAR racer. However, he lands up in hospital due to his unconventional racing style on the track. On the other hand, he must also deal with a fellow competitor, who wants to create problems for Cole and his career. Elwes plays the role of the competitor Russ, who is now a rival to Cole. The veteran actor gives a charismatic and thrilling performance as the villain and brings the perfect amount of revenge and malice to his character, making him unlikeable. The film combines romance, action, and rivalry, to create a classic 90s movie. Therefore, it is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows.


4. The Princess Bride

Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Starring Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, and others, this fantasy adventure and comedy movie is directed by Rob Reiner and is based on the 1973 novel by William Goldman. The movie is presented as a story-within-a-story as a grandfather reads a book to his sick grandson about a farmhand Westley (Elwes), who must rescue his love Princess Buttercup (Wright), from Prince Humperdinck. The film is one of the most popular movies of Elwes and became a critical and commercial hit over the years, even though it didn’t fare that well when it was released. It is one of the best Cary Elwes movies and TV shows and is an essential watch for the lovers of the actor. The film has iconic dialogues and scenes and legendary performances was Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, and others. Elwes brings the charm of a hero to the role and gives a sincere performance, which would ultimately become his most iconic role. Full of laughter and whimsical magic, this is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows.


5. The Crush

Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Directed by Alan Shapiro and starring Cary Elwes, Alicia Silverstone, and others, this psychological thriller is the film debut of Silverstone. The movie is about a writer Nick Eliot (Elwes), who secures a job at a magazine and lodges in a guest house. He comes across the owners’ 14-year-old daughter Adrian (Silverstone), who becomes infatuated with him and begins to stalk him and destroy his career and relationships. While critics gave mixed reviews about the movie, it was a hit at the box office and is now considered a cult classic. It is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows and its premise is elevated by the performances of both Elwes and Silverstone. The actor embodies the role of his character and brings a certain sense of naivety and horror, as he realizes too late that Adrian is obsessed with him. The film has some clichés, but it is an entertaining watch and is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows.


6. Stranger Things

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Created by The Duffer Brothers and starring Winona Ryder, Millie Bobby Brown, and others, this sci-fi, mystery, and horror series is one of the most popular shows in present times. The series is set in the 1980s and features a group of residents in the fictional town of Hawkins in Indiana, who must deal with supernatural occurrences and deadly other-dimensional monsters, when an illegal scientific experiment turns into a disaster. It is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows, even though the actor has a supporting role. The show is packed with entertainment and top-notch performances and is known for its soundtrack and nostalgic feel. Elwes played the role of Mayor Larry Kline in the third season of the show and gave a hilarious and menacing performance as his character was a corrupt politician. The actor showcases his acting versatility as he easily blends into the television role and is able to play an enigmatic villain, whom everyone detests. It is, therefore, one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows.


7. The Unholy

Still from the movie (Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Still from the movie (Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Directed by Evan Spiliotopoulos and based on the 1983 novel by James Herbert, this supernatural horror movie features Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Cary Elwes, and others. The movie is about a journalist (Morgan), who investigates a New England town after he witnesses a series of divine miracles. However, he quickly finds out that the miracles are actually evil in nature. While the movie received negative reviews from the critics, it was a modest box-office success. It is one of the recent projects of Elwes and is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows. The actor plays the role of Bishop Gyles, who is the spiritual anchor of the town and even though he cares about others, he does not want the town’s secrets to be revealed. The actor gives a dedicated performance as the Bishop and he brings a certain concern yet evasion to the character, which elevates the complexity of his role. It is, therefore, one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows.


8. Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Starring Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis, and others, this adventure comedy movie is directed by Mel Brooks and is a parody of the Robin Hood story. While the movie received mixed reviews from critics, it was a box office success and is one of the most memorable roles by Cary Elwes. The actor is at his comedic best and therefore, it is one of the best Cary Elwes movies and TV shows. The movie has many hilarious moments and regularly parodies other pop culture media based on the Robin Hood story. Elwes plays the titular hero, who has escaped prison and must now take on an evil Prince, who has taken his family estate. The movie has many one-liners and is full of clever comedy. It is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows and is an essential watch for fans of the veteran actor.


9. Glory

Still from the movie (Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Still from the movie (Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Starring Cary Elwes, Denzel Washington, and others, this epic historical and war drama movie is directed by Edward Zwick and revolves around the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. It is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows. The movie was a critical and commercial success and received many award nominations and even won them. The film is about the soldiers of the 54th Regiment, and focuses on the formation of the Regiment to their heroic actions at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. The movie has themes of race and class, as the Regiment was the first all-African-American regiment in the US Army. Elwes plays the role of Major Cabot Forbes and gives a dedicated and thrilling performance. The actor proves that he can take on serious and dramatic roles as well and deliver them with a lot of weight and depth. It is one of the must-watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows.


10. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and starring Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, and others, this period comedy and drama series is set in the 1950s and 1960s and was a critical and commercial hit. The show is about a New York housewife Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Brosnahan), whose life turns upside-down when her husband wants the marriage to end due to his declining comedy career. However, Midge takes up the stand-up comedy career herself and excels at it. The show is path-breaking and has themes of women empowerment, gender, class, and breaking of stereotypes. It is one of the must-watch watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows as the actor had a supporting role in the third season of the show. The actor plays the role of Gavin Hawk, who is a famous stage actor and whom Susie seeks out to be a co-star with Sophie in a play. The actor brings the drama and theatrics that are needed of the role and delivers a delightful performance. Therefore, it is one of the must-watch watch Cary Elwes movies and TV shows.

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Edited by Deeya