Danny Boyle movies ranked showcases the remarkable breadth of this director’s career, offering a look at each of his films as fans anticipate the release of his newest project, ’28 Years Later,’ arriving in theaters June 20. From his early cult classics to his Oscar-winning work and beyond, Boyle’s filmography spans a range of genres and tones, each with its own distinct vision, cast, and cultural impact.
Danny Boyle’s Impact on Modern Cinema
Regarded as one of the most influential British filmmakers in recent decades, Danny Boyle burst onto the international scene with the raw drama ‘Trainspotting’ in 1996. He went on to direct a series of notable films, including the apocalyptic horror ’28 Days Later,’ the surreal fable ‘Millions,’ and the fact-based survival tale ‘127 Hours.’ His collaboration with screenwriter Alex Garland on films like ’28 Days Later’ and now ’28 Years Later’ has produced some of the most memorable movies in contemporary cinema. Boyle’s Oscar win for directing ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ further solidified his reputation as a master storyteller capable of handling both critical darlings and box-office hits.
A Comprehensive Ranking of All Danny Boyle Films
With the anticipation building for ’28 Years Later,’ this list ranks every Danny Boyle film, evaluating stories, performances, and staying power. Each entry captures the central themes and key performances that earned Boyle his status as a groundbreaking director.
14. Millions (2004)
Set during a period of national transition as the UK was moving towards the Euro, ‘Millions’ follows two young brothers who stumble upon stolen money in the wake of their mother‘s death. While the film addresses weighty themes around grief, innocence, and ethics, it adopts a whimsical and moralistic tone uncommon in Boyle’s work. Alex Etel plays one of the boys, torn by the challenge of choosing between doing good and yielding to temptation. Boyle injects a sense of wonder but doesn’t shy away from probing whether true goodness is achievable in difficult circumstances, making for a unique, heartfelt addition to his filmography.
13. The Beach (2000)
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Richard, ‘The Beach’ is set in Thailand and centers on a young traveler obsessed with finding a rumored island paradise depicted on a mysterious map. The promise of an untouched utopia pulls Richard into an adventure that soon darkens into obsession, violence, and disillusionment. The story explores themes of escapism, the cost of paradise, and the effects of idealism gone wrong, allowing DiCaprio to navigate a psychological landscape far removed from traditional adventure narratives. The picturesque setting is appealing, but it is the film’s undercurrent of danger and desire that stands out.
“Somewhere on this planet it must exist.”
—Unattributed
12. A Life Less Ordinary (1997)
In this quirky romance-fantasy hybrid, two angels (played by Holly Hunter and Delroy Lindo) are tasked with ensuring a successful romantic connection on Earth. Their targets, Celine (Cameron Diaz) and Robert (Ewan McGregor), become involved after a botched kidnapping, unintentionally orchestrated by fate—and supernatural interference. The movie’s madcap plot features shootouts, wild chases, and Boyle’s blend of sharp wit with irreverent storytelling. Boyle, working closely with ensemble players like McGregor and Diaz, explores themes of love, destiny, and personal risk in a world where nothing goes according to plan.
“Did they fall in love or were they pushed?”
—Unattributed
11. Shallow Grave (1995)
Boyle’s first feature, ‘Shallow Grave,’ stars Christopher Eccleston, Kerry Fox, and Ewan McGregor as flatmates who discover their new roommate dead alongside a suitcase full of cash. The trio’s decision to keep the money sets off a darkly comic chain reaction of paranoia, violence, and betrayal. This suspenseful thriller, set in Edinburgh, is notable for its claustrophobic tension and cynical humor, establishing Boyle’s ability to twist conventional morality tales. Through deteriorating friendships and the corrosive effect of sudden wealth, the film makes the audience question the value—and danger—of loyalty in extreme circumstances.
“What’s a little murder among friends?”
—Unattributed
10. T2 Trainspotting (2017)
Two decades after the original, Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) returns to Scotland, reuniting with his old friends Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), Spud (Ewan Bremner), and Begbie (Robert Carlyle). The sequel cleverly addresses the ravages of time, addiction, regret, and nostalgia, picking up old threads of passion and pain from the first film. Boyle and the core cast delve into the bittersweet realities faced by those who survived youth’s chaos, blending dark humor and raw emotion. The film’s exploration of whether the past can truly be escaped is at the heart of its appeal to longtime fans.
“Face your past. Choose your future.”
—Unattributed
9. 127 Hours (2011)
Based on the harrowing survival story of Aron Ralston (James Franco), who becomes trapped by a boulder in a remote Utah canyon, ‘127 Hours’ is an intimate depiction of willpower and ingenuity. The film unfolds in an isolated setting where Ralston, cut off from any hope of rescue, is forced to make a life-or-death decision. Boyle’s kinetic direction and Franco’s powerful performance focus on endurance, resourcefulness, and the human instinct to survive. The film balances discomfort and inspiration, highlighting the extraordinary measures one can take when facing the end alone.
“There is no force more powerful than the will to live.”
—Unattributed
8. Yesterday (2019)
Himesh Patel stars as Jack, a struggling musician who wakes up in a reality where no one remembers The Beatles except himself. Seizing this bizarre opportunity, he rises to fame by recreating the lost songs for a world newly discovering their magic. Boyle uses the conceit to explore what it means to be original, the burden of fame, and the value of creative authenticity. Beneath its playful premise, the film asks what happens when genius is remembered only by those who never created it. Patel’s charm brings warmth and relatability to this whimsical tale of music and memory.
“Everyone in the world has forgotten The Beatles. Everyone except Jack…”
—Unattributed
7. Trance (2013)
Vincent Cassel, James McAvoy, and Rosario Dawson star in this psychological thriller about a stolen painting and a gang’s attempt to recover it through hypnosis. In ‘Trance,’ Boyle layers reality, memory, and suggestion, constantly forcing the viewer to question which events are genuine. Complex relationships and shifting allegiances take center stage, with Dawson’s hypnotherapist manipulating both the criminals and the victims. The film’s theme revolves around the fragility of perception, the unreliability of memory, and how trauma shapes our decisions—and realities.
6. 28 Years Later (2025)
Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland reunite for the highly anticipated return to the world infested by the rage virus. Set nearly three decades after the original outbreak, survivors have established isolated communities enforced by strict quarantines, including a group living on an island accessed by a single causeway. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Jamie, who, along with his son Spike (Alfie Williams), ventures onto the mainland, confronting dangers both from the infected and other survivors. Boyle’s vision here explores how not only society but human nature mutates under extreme, long-term threats—raising the stakes from previous installments.
“In 28 days it began. In 28 weeks it spread. In 28 years it evolved.”
—Unattributed
5. Sunshine (2007)
In this tense and visually arresting science fiction film, Chris Evans leads a team of astronauts on a desperate mission to reignite the dying Sun. Set fifty years in the future, humanity’s last hope lies with the crew’s technical skill and psychological resilience as they face both cosmic and interpersonal challenges. Boyle’s direction brings a sense of wonder, dread, and sacrifice to the astronauts’ journey. With its existential stakes and haunting imagery, ‘Sunshine’ explores both scientific curiosity and humanity’s drive for survival, at whatever cost.
“If the sun dies, so do we.”
—Unattributed
4. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Dev Patel stars as Jamal, a teenager from the slums of Mumbai accused of cheating on India’s biggest game show. Through flashbacks, the audience witnesses his tumultuous upbringing, revealing how lived experiences, rather than luck, have prepared him for every quiz answer. The film not only interrogates fate and resilience but also offers a moving portrait of hope and first love. Anil Kapoor delivers a memorable performance as the game show host, and Boyle’s dynamic visual style won him the Academy Award for Best Director. The film left an indelible mark by blending exuberance with harsh reality.
“What does it take to find a lost love?”
—Unattributed
3. Steve Jobs (2015)
Michael Fassbender takes center stage as the visionary and complicated Apple co-founder, following Steve Jobs before, during, and after three major product launches. The movie, structured around pivotal moments, peels back the layers to explore behind-the-scenes drama at the heart of technological revolution. Boyle, in collaboration with screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, crafts an intense character study that captures genius, ambition, and the cost of leadership—asking whether it’s possible to be both great and good in an industry driven by disruption.
“Can a great man be a good man?”
—Unattributed
2. 28 Days Later (2003)
Starring Cillian Murphy, ’28 Days Later’ rewrote the rules for zombie films with its fast-moving infected, bleak landscape, and social commentary on contagion and collapse. After a deadly virus escapes a British research lab, a handful of London survivors must band together to evade those driven to homicidal fury. Boyle’s vision heightened tension and brought urgency to a genre that had turned stale, while tapping into fears of biological disaster and societal breakdown. Its influence can be seen in countless films and television series that followed.
1. Trainspotting (1996)
This breakthrough drama set in Edinburgh introduced Ewan McGregor as Mark Renton, chronicling a circle of friends swept up in heroin addiction and criminal escapades. The film became iconic for its kinetic energy, black comedy, and brutally honest depiction of addiction’s consequences. Featuring unforgettable performances from Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, and Ewan Bremner as Sick Boy, Begbie, and Spud, the movie examines the struggle between self-destruction and the longing for escape. Danny Boyle’s directorial style, combined with a pulsating soundtrack and striking visuals, established ‘Trainspotting’ as a landmark of 1990s cinema, cementing his reputation as a daring visionary.
The Lasting Legacy of Danny Boyle’s Filmography
With each film, Danny Boyle has proven himself a director unafraid to explore new genres, complex characters, and dramatic moral questions. The diversity from cult classics to mainstream success, along with lasting performances from actors like Ewan McGregor, James Franco, and Dev Patel, showcase his ongoing relevance. As ’28 Years Later’ approaches release, Boyle’s influence continues to shape modern filmmaking, sparking both conversation and anticipation among audiences eager to see what he will tackle next.
