With hitting theaters on August 5, 2022, Michael Shannon adds another highly anticipated project to his long and impressive resume. Starting in theater alongside Tracy Letts, Shannon has since gone on to work alongside directors Guillermo Del Toro, Sam Mendes, and frequent collaborator, Jeff Nichols.
From blockbusters to scrappy independent films, Shannon's ability to fully embody each role has made him one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. Looking at his more than 100 acting credits, these are Shannon's finest works, according to IMDb.
Take Shelter (2011) - 7.3
Against the backdrop of LaGrange, Ohio, Take Shelter follows Curtis LaForche (Shannon), a father who struggles to determine whether his apocalyptic visions are signs of what's to come in the future or symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia.
In his second collaboration with director Jeff Nichols, Shannon created a tense powerhouse performance that further proved his abilities as a leading man in independent films. Opposite co-star Jessica Chastain, Shannon's performance displays how disaster movies can create be frightening without relying heavily on special effects.
Revolutionary Road (2008) - 7.3
Set in a Connecticut suburb during the 1950s, Revolutionary Road tells the story of a young couple who struggles to balance their relationship, career ambitions, and their kids. Shannon plays John Givings Jr., the son of the couple's neighbors who lives in a psychiatric ward.
Led by Leonardo DiCaprio in one of his most tragic roles, the film was a hit on the awards circuit, with Shannon being singled out for his small but vital role as the blunt, deranged voice of truth regarding the couple's troubles. For his efforts, Shannon received his first Oscar nomination for Best ing Actor.
The Shape Of Water (2017) - 7.3
In Cold War Era Baltimore, The Shape Of Water depicts the increasingly romantic relationship between a mute janitor and an amphibious creature she discovers while working in a top-secret research facility. Shannon plays Colonel Richard Strickland, the man in charge of capturing the creature.
One of Guillermo Del Toro's most rewatchable movies, the film highlights Shannon's capacity for playing villains with nuanced motives. In addition to winning Best Picture at the Oscars the year of its release, Shannon's co-stars Sally Hawkins, Richard Jenkins, and Octavia Spencer were nominated as well.
The Little Drummer Girl (2018) - 7.4
Based on the John le Carré novel of the same name, The Little Drummer Girl begins with a young English actress recruited by Mossad to infiltrate a Palestinian terrorist cell. Shannon plays Martin Kurtz, the head of the Israeli spy operation that recruits her.
The BBC mini-series caters to Shannon's strengths, giving him the freedom to create a slightly uneasy character whose strong backbone allows him to carry out the high-stakes mission. Opposite Shannon in this psychological thriller is Alexander Skarsgård and Florence Pugh in one of her first leading roles.
Mud (2012) - 7.4
Along the Mississippi River, Mud focuses on two teenagers who discover a fugitive hiding on an island and agree to help him evade those looking for him. In his third collaboration with Jeff Nichols, Shannon plays the small but pivotal role of Galen, a river-diving hick and one of the teenager's uncles.
Starring Matthew McConaughey in one of his best roles, Mud's characters are quiet and complex, and Shannon is not an exception. His rough-around-the-edges portrayal provides insight into the lives of the two boys, in addition to painting a larger picture of rural Arkansas.
Nocturnal Animals (2016) - 7.5
A neo-noir thriller, Nocturnal Animals charts the emotional spiral of an art gallery owner as she reads her ex-husband's novel and begins to suspect it's connected to their relationship. Shannon plays Bobby Andes, the detective in the novel assigned to solve the Hastings murder case.
In a movie chock-full of off-beat characters, Shannon stands out as a dry, no-nonsense law enforcement officer with nothing left to lose. To that point, after a long and successful awards campaign, Nocturnal Animals' sole Oscar nomination went to Michael Shannon for his dedicated performance.
Waco (2018) - 7.9
Based on the real-life standoff between the FBI/ATF and the Branch Davidians, Waco depicts the events from a handful of different viewpoints on both sides of the ime. Leading the FBI's strategy to de-escalate the situation, Shannon plays negotiator Gary Noesner.
Alongside Taylor Kitsch who played David Koresh, Shannon effortlessly captured the stakes of the situation as it escalated into the carnage immortalized by American newspapers. By tactfully humanizing the attempts to reach a peaceful solution, Shannon reveals how close the situation was to being avoided.
Knives Out (2019) - 7.9
On a wealthy Massachusetts estate, Knives Out tracks a detective's investigation into the death of a wealthy patriarch, of which all his family are potential suspects. An ensemble murder mystery, Shannon appears as Walt Thrombey, the youngest son who was fired by his father shortly before his death.
Opposite Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, and Ana de Armas, in one of her best movies, Shannon more than holds his own as the spoiled heir looking to profit off of his father's legacy. Balancing the demands of the character with the intricate script, Shannon's secondary antagonist blends perfectly into the world of the Thrombeys.
Groundhog Day (1993) - 8.1
Set in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania during the annual tradition, Groundhog Day revolves around cynical weatherman Phil Connors who gets caught in a time loop and is forced to live the same day over and over again. While initially using this situation to his advantage, Phil gradually begins to help others.
In his first film role at the age of 19, Shannon plays Fred, a newlywed who thanks Phil for convincing his wife Debbie to go through with it. Though only in one scene, Shannon adds to the sweet and comedic ending of the film by helping Phil persuade Rita of his overnight transformation.
Boardwalk Empire (2010 - 2014) - 8.6
Immersed in Atlantic City during the Prohibition Era, Boardwalk Empire is centered around Nucky Thompson, the corrupt county treasurer who moonlights as a bootlegger and interacts with gangsters running outfits from New York and Chicago.
Shannon plays Nelson Van Alden, a strait-laced prohibition agent after Thompson who begins as the show's main antagonist before evolving into a more corrupt and morally questionable character. Throughout the show's five seasons, Shannon's transformative role stood out as one of the best in the Emmy-winning series.
