7 Best Peter O'Toole Movies

By Vlad Zakh · January 10, 2026

Peter O’Toole announced himself with one of cinema’s great star-making performances and spent the decades after proving he was just as gifted at comedy and quiet character work. Lawrence of Arabia made his name, Becket and The Lion in Winter followed. My Favorite Year has a young writer minding a washed-up movie star, The Stunt Man stumbles onto a set where the director may want him dead, The Ruling Class makes an earl who believes he’s Jesus, and Venus befriends a troubled young woman.

Venus (2006)

TMDB ★ 6.9

Peter O'Toole plays an ageing actor who forms an unlikely, complicated friendship with his friend's troubled young grandniece.

Directed by Roger Michell · 1h 35m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

My Favorite Year (1982)

TMDB ★ 7.3

A young writer is tasked with keeping a washed-up, alcoholic movie star sober for a live TV appearance, with Peter O'Toole in the lead.

Directed by Richard Benjamin · 1h 32m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Stunt Man (1980)

TMDB ★ 7.3

A fugitive on the run takes a job as a stuntman, unsure whether his director is trying to help him or get him killed.

Directed by Richard Rush · 2h 11m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium, Britbox Apple TV channel, Night Flight Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Peacock Premium Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Ruling Class (1972)

TMDB ★ 7.4

Arthur Lowe features in this satire about a mentally unstable English earl who believes he is Jesus Christ and inherits his family's title.

Directed by Peter Medak · 2h 34m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, Britbox Apple TV channel, HBO Max, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Lion in Winter (1968)

TMDB ★ 8.0

Peter O'Toole plays King Henry II, who schemes viciously with his estranged wife over which of their sons will inherit the throne.

Directed by Anthony Harvey · 2h 14m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, BFI Player Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Becket (1964)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A king appoints his best friend Archbishop of Canterbury, setting up a devastating clash of loyalty and faith.

Directed by Peter Glenville · 2h 28m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

IMDb ★ 8.3 RT 93% Metacritic 100

A British officer unites Arab tribes to fight the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

Directed by David Lean · 3h 48m · Rated PG

Won 7 Oscars31 wins & 14 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

7 Best Peter O'Toole Movies

Venus (2006)

My Favorite Year (1982)

The Stunt Man (1980)

The Ruling Class (1972)

The Lion in Winter (1968)

Becket (1964)

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

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