On November 21, 2025, Ian McKellen is currently ranked #1,096 among the most popular actors online with 3,954 daily Wikipedia pageviews. Recent work in The Christophers may be contributing to his current popularity. The most popular works Ian McKellen has appeared in include The Simpsons (TV) and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (movie).
Ian McKellen Popularity History
Wikipedia popularity rank over the last 30 days
| Date | Rank | Pageviews |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 20, 2025 | #1,096 | 3,954 |
| Nov 19, 2025 | #954 | 4,315 |
| Nov 18, 2025 | #884 | 4,655 |
| Nov 17, 2025 | #1,016 | 4,573 |
| Nov 16, 2025 | #1,069 | 5,156 |
| Nov 15, 2025 | #814 | 5,781 |
| Nov 14, 2025 | #1,065 | 4,330 |
Top TV Shows - Ian McKellen
Ranked by engagement score
- 1

The Simpsons
Popularity:#16TV ShowIan McKellen (voice) • 1 epThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening. It follows the Simpson family, a working-class family in the town of Springfield. The show is known for its satirical portrayal of American culture, society, and family life. With its iconic characters and long-running success, The Simpsons has become one of the most influential and beloved television shows of all time.19.5High - 2

Family Guy
Popularity:#46TV ShowDr. Cecil Pritchfield (voice) • 1 epFamily Guy is an animated sitcom that revolves around the dysfunctional Griffin family. Set in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island, the show follows the everyday lives of Peter Griffin, his wife Lois, their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie, and their talking anthropomorphic dog Brian. With its irreverent humor and satirical take on American culture, Family Guy has become known for its cutaway gags and pop culture references. The show tackles a wide range of topics and often pushes the boundaries of comedy, making it a favorite among fans of animated adult comedy.9.8Moderate - 3

Saturday Night Live
Popularity:#103TV ShowSelf - Host • 1 epSaturday Night Live (SNL) is a live sketch comedy and variety show that has been a staple of American television since its debut in 1975. The show features a talented ensemble cast who perform a series of comedic sketches, musical performances, and celebrity impressions. SNL is known for its satirical commentary on current events and pop culture, often pushing the boundaries of social and political humor. With a new episode airing every Saturday night, SNL has become a cultural phenomenon and has launched the careers of numerous comedy legends.5.5Moderate - 4

Sesame Street
Popularity:#249TV ShowSelf • 1 epSesame Street is a pioneering American children's television program renowned for its unique approach to educating young viewers. The show features a diverse cast of characters, both human and puppet (Muppets), who engage children through a variety of segments incorporating humor, animation, and music to convey lessons in literacy, numeracy, and social skills.2.7Low - 5

Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Popularity:#252TV ShowSelf • 1 epJimmy Kimmel Live! is a nightly American talk show that blends comedy, celebrity interviews, and live musical performances. Hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel, the show airs on ABC and is known for its humorous take on current events and popular culture.2.7Low - 6

Late Night with Seth Meyers
Popularity:#285TV ShowSelf • 1 epLate Night with Seth Meyers is an American late-night talk show hosted by comedian Seth Meyers. The show premiered on NBC in 2014 and follows the popular late-night format, featuring celebrity interviews, live music performances, and comedy sketches. Meyers brings his unique comedy style and witty banter to the show, keeping audiences entertained with his insightful monologues and clever observations on current events and pop culture. With its combination of humor, satire, and engaging interviews, Late Night with Seth Meyers has become a staple in late-night television.2.4Low - 7

Real Time with Bill Maher
Popularity:#299TV ShowSelf • 2 epReal Time with Bill Maher is a talk show that airs weekly on HBO. The show is hosted by comedian and political commentator Bill Maher, who invites a panel of guests from various fields to discuss current events and political issues. Maher's unique and often controversial style of commentary has made the show a popular platform for heated debates and thought-provoking discussions. With a blend of comedy, interviews, and political analysis, Real Time with Bill Maher offers an entertaining and insightful look at the week's news headlines and cultural topics.2.2Low - 8

The Graham Norton Show
Popularity:#352TV ShowSelf • 8 epThe Graham Norton Show is a British television comedy talk show hosted by Irish comedian Graham Norton. Featured on BBC One, the program showcases a variety of celebrity guests who join Norton each week to discuss current news and share humorous insights. The show is well-known for its vibrant host, engaging interviews, humorous monologues, and occasional performances by musical guests.1.9Low - 9

The Graham Norton Show
Popularity:#352TV ShowSelf - Guest • 3 epThe Graham Norton Show is a British television comedy talk show hosted by Irish comedian Graham Norton. Featured on BBC One, the program showcases a variety of celebrity guests who join Norton each week to discuss current news and share humorous insights. The show is well-known for its vibrant host, engaging interviews, humorous monologues, and occasional performances by musical guests.1.9Low - 10

The Graham Norton Show
Popularity:#352TV ShowSelf (archive footage) • 1 epThe Graham Norton Show is a British television comedy talk show hosted by Irish comedian Graham Norton. Featured on BBC One, the program showcases a variety of celebrity guests who join Norton each week to discuss current news and share humorous insights. The show is well-known for its vibrant host, engaging interviews, humorous monologues, and occasional performances by musical guests.1.9Low - 11

ted
Popularity:#775TV ShowNarrator (voice) • 2 epTed is an American comedy series that takes viewers back to 1993, exploring the unconventional friendship between Ted, a sentient teddy bear, and a young John Bennett. The series portrays their life in a working-class Boston neighborhood, where Ted's influence often tests the limits of their family dynamics.0.8Low - 12

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Popularity:#925TV ShowSelf - Guest • 1 epWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen is a late-night talk show that delves into pop culture with a particular focus on reality television. The show features interviews with celebrities and personalities from various Bravo reality series, fostering a casual and interactive atmosphere where guests participate in games and answer viewer questions.0.6Low - 13

Who Do You Think You Are?
Popularity:#1,361TV ShowSelf • 1 epWho Do You Think You Are? is a genealogy documentary series that explores the family histories of well-known individuals. Each episode follows a celebrity as they embark on a journey to uncover their ancestry and discover surprising and sometimes heartwarming stories. Through expert research, historical records, and DNA analysis, the show reveals the hidden secrets and connections that shape the celebrities' identities and provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of their ancestors. Who Do You Think You Are? offers a captivating and informative exploration of personal history and genealogical detective work.0.3Low - 14

The View
Popularity:#1,847TV ShowSelf - Guest • 2 epThe View is an American daytime talk show airing on ABC that features a diverse panel of female co-hosts. These co-hosts engage in discussions on current sociopolitical issues, entertainment, and hot topics of the day, in addition to conducting interviews with celebrities and public figures. The show is known for its multi-generational lineup and varying perspectives.0.1Low
Top Movies - Ian McKellen
Ranked by engagement score
- 1

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Popularity:#344MovieGandalfThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a 2001 epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson, based on the first volume of The Lord of the Rings novel by J. R. R. Tolkien. It follows the journey of Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship as they strive to destroy the One Ring and prevent the Dark Lord Sauron from returning to power.0.9Low - 2

Gods and Monsters
Popularity:#586MovieJames WhaleGods and Monsters is a 1998 period drama film that follows the partly fictionalized last days of legendary film director James Whale, known for classics such as Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. The story delves into Whale's complex relationship with his gardener, Clayton Boone.0.7Low - 3

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Popularity:#639MovieGandalfThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a 2003 epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson. It is the final installment in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, based on the third volume of the novel by J. R. R. Tolkien. The film follows Aragorn, Gandalf, and the fellowship as they fight to save Gondor from Sauron's forces, while Frodo and Sam continue their journey to destroy the One Ring in Mordor.0.6Low - 4

X-Men: Days of Future Past
Popularity:#751MovieMagnetoX-Men: Days of Future Past is a superhero film where characters from the X-Men series fight to preserve their species by altering the past. The narrative intertwines two time periods, featuring both the original and younger versions of the characters who must work together in a critical battle to reshape history and secure a safe future.0.6Low - 5

Beauty and the Beast
Popularity:#968MovieCogsworthBeauty and the Beast is a 2017 American musical romantic fantasy film directed by Bill Condon. It is a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1991 animated classic, retelling the tale of a cursed prince transformed into a beast and the intelligent young woman, Belle, who becomes the key to lifting his curse.0.5Low - 6

The Da Vinci Code
Popularity:#984MovieSir Leigh TeabingThe Da Vinci Code is a 2006 American mystery thriller film directed by Ron Howard, based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Dan Brown. The story revolves around a murder investigation at the Louvre Museum, leading to the revelation of a religious mystery spanning 2,000 years and involving the secrets of a clandestine society.0.5Low - 7

Stardust
Popularity:#1,033MovieNarrator (voice)Stardust is a 2007 romantic fantasy adventure film based on Neil Gaiman's novel of the same name. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the movie follows a young man named Tristan who ventures into a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star for his beloved. As he embarks on this perilous quest, he discovers surprising truths about himself and encounters a cast of enchanting characters.0.5Low - 8

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Popularity:#1,176MovieGandalfThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a 2002 epic fantasy adventure film and the second instalment in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It follows Frodo and Sam's quest to destroy the One Ring, along with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli's mission to rescue Merry and Pippin from the orcs. Meanwhile, the malevolent wizard Saruman schemes at Orthanc Tower in Isengard.0.4Low - 9

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Popularity:#1,307MovieGandalfThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a 2012 epic high fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson. It is the first installment in The Hobbit trilogy, serving as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The story follows Bilbo Baggins as he joins the wizard Gandalf and a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim their mountain home from the dragon Smaug.0.4Low - 10

X-Men: The Last Stand
Popularity:#1,493MovieEric Lehnsherr / MagnetoX-Men: The Last Stand is a 2006 superhero film based on the X-Men comic books. It revolves around the discovery of a mutant cure and the ensuing conflict between the X-Men, led by Professor Xavier, and the Brotherhood, a group of powerful mutants led by Magneto.0.3Low - 11

Last Action Hero
Popularity:#1,517MovieDeathLast Action Hero is a 1993 American fantasy action comedy film that satirizes the action genre through parodies and clichés. The movie follows a young boy magically transported into the universe of his favorite action hero, Jack Slater, and together they must prevent a ruthless assassin from bringing chaos to the real world.0.3Low - 12

Cats
Popularity:#1,520MovieGus, the Theatre CatCats is a musical fantasy film directed by Tom Hooper. Based on the stage musical of the same name by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the film follows a tribe of cats called the Jellicles who gather for their annual Jellicle Ball. The movie features an ensemble cast including Jennifer Hudson, James Corden, Judi Dench, and Taylor Swift. With its captivating choreography and memorable songs, Cats brings to life a unique world filled with feline characters and explores themes of acceptance and identity.0.3Low - 13

The Wolverine
Popularity:#1,582MovieErik Lehnsherr / Magneto (uncredited)The Wolverine is a 2013 superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Wolverine. It is the sixth installment in the X-Men film series, following the story of Logan as he travels to Japan and confronts his inner struggles while facing dangerous adversaries.0.3Low - 14

X2
Popularity:#1,639MovieEric Lehnsherr / MagnetoX2 (also known as X2: X-Men United) is a 2003 American superhero film directed by Bryan Singer, featuring an ensemble cast including Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, and Halle Berry. The plot revolves around Professor Xavier and the X-Men team facing anti-mutant sentiment led by Colonel William Stryker, and their alliance with Magneto and Mystique to counter Stryker's genocidal plan.0.3Low - 15

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Popularity:#1,641MovieGandalfThe Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is a 2013 epic high fantasy adventure film and the second installment in The Hobbit trilogy. It follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, the dwarves, and Gandalf as they seek to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug after successfully escaping the Misty Mountains.0.3Low - 16

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Popularity:#1,683MovieGandalf the GreyThe Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is a cinematic conclusion to Bilbo Baggins's adventures in Middle-Earth, focusing on the defense of Erebor's treasure following Smaug's devastation of Laketown. Major factions including the men of Laketown, elves of Mirkwood, and a daunting orc army led by Azog converge on the Lonely Mountain, compelled by various claims and the dark aspirations of Sauron. The narrative underscores an unlikely alliance between dwarves, elves, and men, with Bilbo at the center of these monumental events.0.3Low - 17

The Golden Compass
Popularity:#1,813MovieIorek Byrnison (voice)The Golden Compass is a 2007 fantasy adventure film based on the novel Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. It follows the story of Lyra Belacqua, an orphan who embarks on a mystical journey to the far North after discovering a life-changing secret.0.3Low - 18

Flushed Away
Popularity:#1,891MovieThe Toad (voice)Flushed Away is a 2006 animated adventure comedy film about a London high-society mouse who is flushed down the toilet by a common sewer rat. It follows the madcap adventure of Roddy as he encounters the resourceful Rita, the rodent-hating Toad, and his faithful thugs, Spike and Whitey, deep in the sewer bowels of Ratropolis.0.3Low - 19

Apt Pupil
Popularity:#2,644MovieKurt DussanderApt Pupil is a 1998 American psychological thriller film based on the novella by Stephen King, directed by Bryan Singer. It stars Ian McKellen and Brad Renfro and portrays the unsettling relationship between a high school student and a fugitive Nazi war criminal.0.2Low - 20

The Good Liar
Popularity:#2,686MovieRoy CourtnayThe Good Liar is a gripping crime thriller film directed by Bill Condon and written by Jeffrey Hatcher. Released in 2019, it follows the story of Roy Courtnay, an aging British con artist, who targets Betty McLeish, a wealthy widow. As Roy and Betty grow closer, his plan to swindle her out of her fortune becomes more complex and dangerous. With stellar performances by Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren, this suspenseful film explores the intricate dynamics of deception and betrayal.0.2Low - 21

The Keep
Popularity:#3,533MovieDr. Theodore CuzaThe Keep is a 1983 supernatural horror film directed by Michael Mann, featuring a group of Nazi soldiers who disturb a malevolent force in an ancient fortress during World War II.0.1Low - 22

Six Degrees of Separation
Popularity:#3,673MovieGeoffrey0.1Low - 23

The Christophers
Popularity:#3,915MovieJulian SklarThe Christophers is a black comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh and portrays a story about the estranged children of a renowned artist who orchestrate a plan to hire a forger. The aim is to complete their deceased father's unfinished artworks for profit.0.1Low - 24

And the Band Played On
Popularity:#3,989MovieBill Kraus0.1Low - 25

The Shadow
Popularity:#4,101MovieDr. Reinhardt Lane0.1Low - 26

Doogal
Popularity:#4,570MovieZebedee (voice)Doogal is a 2005 computer-animated adventure fantasy film featuring Doogal, an endearing dog who embarks on a mission to save the world. It is based on the original stop motion television series The Magic Roundabout.0.1Low - 27

Richard III
Popularity:#4,638MovieRichard IIIRichard III is a 1995 British-American period drama film based on William Shakespeare's play, reimagined in a setting inspired by 1930s Britain. It follows the story of Richard, a power-hungry fascist aiming to seize the throne amidst civil war and political turmoil.0.1Low - 28

Scandal
Popularity:#4,886MovieJohn ProfumoScandal is a 1989 British historical drama film based on the Profumo affair, directed by Michael Caton-Jones. It stars Joanne Whalley as Christine Keeler and John Hurt as Stephen Ward, central figures in the scandal.0.1Low - 29

I'll Do Anything
Popularity:#5,472MovieJohn Earl McAlpineI'll Do Anything is a 1994 American comedy-drama film that satirizes the film industry while exploring complex relationships. The story follows a struggling actor who becomes the sole guardian of his daughter, leading to a series of challenges and emotional dilemmas.0.1Low - 30

Swept from the Sea
Popularity:#5,575MovieDr. James KennedySwept from the Sea is a 1997 drama film based on Joseph Conrad's short story 'Amy Foster'. The movie portrays the doomed love affair between a Russian emigree, Yanko Goorall, and a servant named Amy Foster in 19th-century England.0.1Low - 31

Rasputin
Popularity:#5,996MovieTsar Nicholas IIRasputin is a 1996 biographical historical drama television film depicting the last four years of Grigori Rasputin's life as a healer to Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia.0.0Low - 32

Restoration
Popularity:#6,255MovieWill GatesRestoration is a 1995 historical drama film featuring Robert Downey Jr. as a 17th-century medical student navigating through the intrigues of King Charles II's court.0.0Low - 33

Plenty
Popularity:#6,958MovieSir Andrew CharlesonPlenty is a 1985 drama film directed by Fred Schepisi, based on David Hare's play, portraying the life of a former French resistance fighter disillusioned with her post-war existence.0.0Low - 34

Jack & Sarah
Popularity:#7,032MovieWilliamJack & Sarah is a 1995 romantic comedy film featuring Richard E. Grant, Samantha Mathis, and Judi Dench, directed by Tim Sullivan.0.0Low - 35

The Ballad of Little Jo
Popularity:#7,720MoviePercy Corcoran0.0Low







