9 Tim Curry movies you shouldn’t miss

When it comes to scene-stealing, genre-bending actors, Tim Curry is in a class by himself. With a career spanning decades and roles that vary from the laughably quirky to the nightmare-inducingly frightening, Curry has been able to leave an indelible imprint on pop culture without ever settling into one particular mold. Whether he's prancing across the stage in fishnets or skulking through the sewers as a shapeshifting clown, there's one thing you can always bet on: Curry will absolutely command your attention.

Born with a singing, snarling, seductive voice in one breath, Tim Curry started out in the theater but soon dominated film and television with his charismatic on-screen presence. His talent for making even the smallest roles into unforgettable scenes is unusual, and his filmography is a colorful celebration of his brazen versatility. Cult favorites, TV gems, family classics, he's done them all, frequently with a wink and an eyebrow raise.

Here in this article, we're taking a deep dive into 9 Tim Curry movies you just can't skip. Some are iconic, some are sinfully underappreciated, but all are a reminder of why Curry is still one of the most singular talents to ever appear onscreen.

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Tim Curry movies you shouldn’t miss

1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Tim Curry's iconic performance of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show solidified his cult fame. With brilliant charisma, Curry turned the screen into a frenzy of glam rock, horror, and satire. His acting part, seductive, part weird, part demanding, reshaped gender roles and pushed 1970s sensitivities. The movie itself grew into a pop culture phenomenon, with midnight viewings still packed nearly 50 years on. Curry's version of "Sweet Transvestite" will forever be legendary, and Curry's theater origins provided a peerless energy for the role. Incidentally, Curry played the character in live performances even post-movie, enhancing his fandom heritage.

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2. Clue (1985)

As butler Wadsworth, Tim Curry gets top honors in Clue, a cult hit that was originally trashed but found favor with the home video boom. Curry delivers speed-of-light monologues and rigorously choreographed physical gags, particularly toward the end of the picture, where he enacts the film's murder marathon from beginning to end. Of interest is the fact that the film opened to three distinct endings, and Curry had to portray each of them with the same conviction. Fans continue to debate which is superior. His character has stood the test of time, with contemporary rewatchers lauding his skill at juggling humor, suspense, and that inimitable splash of chaos.

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3. It (1990, TV Movie)

Forget contemporary CGI clowns, Tim Curry's Pennywise in It is nightmare fuel in its most unadulterated form. His unnerving switch between giddiness and horror defined what horror clowns must be. Curry's turn was so terrifying that numerous crew members reported avoiding him on set. What makes this take on It so much more effective is how subtle it is, no campy effects, just the sinister charm of Curry. Even though he only shows up in certain scenes, his presence haunts like a specter. Even Bill Skarsgård, the newer Pennywise actor, has mentioned Curry's impact.

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4. Legend (1985)

Completely transformed by prosthetics and towering horns, Tim Curry's Lord of Darkness in Legend is a sight and sound masterpiece. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Cruise, the production of the film was ambitious, but Curry's performance defied the effects. It took more than five hours every day to put his makeup on, and Curry once hurt his skin by attempting to take off the suit too quickly. Even as the villain, his philosophical, near-poetic monologues raise Darkness beyond evil. The character infected countless fantasy demons that followed. It's a dark fairy tale, immortalized by Curry's dominant presence.

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5. Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

As Long John Silver in a reversal opposite Kermit and crew, Tim Curry adds theatrical panache and cheeky charm to Muppet Treasure Island. And what's remarkable is how easily Curry absorbs himself within the Muppet world campy, sentimental, and wickedly over-the-top. His musical "Professional Pirate" remains a favorite, full of tongue-in-cheek humor and swagger. Off-camera, Curry was said to be delighted to be working with the Muppets, describing it as one of his happiest experiences. He even became friends with puppeteers and ad-libbed scenes that ended up in the final version. It's family-friendly Curry at his best, layered, humorous, and a little bit evil.

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6. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

In a film full of slapstick mayhem, Tim Curry's Mr. Hector, the prissy hotel concierge, reaches out from the chaos. His sneer, over-the-top politeness, and cartoonish grimaces are the perfect comedic foil for Kevin McCallister. Curry has since shared in interviews that he and the cast were given free rein to improvise, creating wonderful textures to his character. His over-the-top fear at viewing the gangster movie clip ("Get down on your knees and tell me you love me!") is still funny decades on. Fans tend to point to him as the best thing about the sequel, and with good reason, he made villainy so charmingly upper-class and petty.

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7. The Three Musketeers (1993)

Curry's stint as Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers is devilishly delightful. In a cast of swashbuckling heroes, his turn is deliciously corrupt and flamboyantly evil. What makes Curry stand out is that he can bring humor to even the darkest manipulations. Although the film was mixed in its reviews, Curry's theatrical presence was universally acclaimed. Fun fact: He insisted on doing his own sword-fighting scenes, despite having limited experience with fencing. He would later call it one of his favorite villainous roles. His Richelieu is not merely a plotter, he's a king of drama, and Curry plays him with glee and a wicked grin.

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8. Annie (1982)

As sleazy Rooster Hannigan, Tim Curry slinks through Annie with a crooked smile and contagious energy. Paired with Carol Burnett and Bernadette Peters, Curry dances and swindles his way through "Easy Street," one of the musical's most iconic songs. He brought just enough charm to make Rooster likable but never reliable. Interestingly, Curry nearly didn't play the role because of scheduling conflicts, but director John Huston insisted. Good point, Curry's charm grounds every scene he appears in. Even years after his time on the show, children and adults still recall his suave but wicked presence. It's one of those iconic roles where he made bad look good.

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9. Congo (1995)

While Congo wasn't deeply loved, Curry's performance as the mysterious Herkermer Homolka is absolute cult gold. With a hyperbolic Romanian accent and limitless cryptic motivation, Curry turns what could've been a forgettable character into a gleefully bizarre spectacle. His character is both suspect and strangely charming, a traveler who can or can't be trusted. Curry explained in a subsequent interview that he modeled the voice on a number of offbeat characters he'd encountered in his stage career. Although Congo is full of action, lasers, and murderous gorillas, Curry's offbeat performance is what most recall. It's gloriously weird and unmistakably Tim Curry.