6 Best Tom Courtenay Movies

By Vlad Zakh · March 2, 2026

Tom Courtenay became a defining face of the British New Wave, his sensitive, working-class characters capturing the era’s restless disillusionment. The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner and Billy Liar are the New Wave titles, King and Country defends a shell-shocked soldier facing execution, Doctor Zhivago brings him to the Russian Revolution, The Dresser keeps an egotistical star functioning, and 45 Years upends a long marriage with a shocking discovery.

45 Years (2015)

TMDB ★ 7.1

Tom Courtenay's character is at the heart of this drama about a long marriage, upended days before its anniversary by a secret from his past.

Directed by Andrew Haigh · 1h 35m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now · Rent: JustWatch TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube · Buy: Google Play Movies, YouTube

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Dresser (1983)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A devoted dresser struggles to keep his declining, egotistical star actor on his feet through one gruelling night.

Directed by Peter Yates · 1h 58m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Doctor Zhivago (1965)

TMDB ★ 7.9

A physician and poet's life and loves are shattered by the chaos of the Russian Revolution.

Directed by David Lean · 3h 20m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

King and Country (1964)

TMDB ★ 7.5

A British officer defends a shell-shocked soldier facing execution for desertion during the First World War.

Directed by Joseph Losey · 1h 25m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, FlixFling, Cineverse Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, FlixFling

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Billy Liar (1963)

TMDB ★ 7.5

A compulsive fantasist and undertaker's clerk dreams of a bigger life beyond his dull job.

Directed by John Schlesinger · 1h 38m

Where to watch

Stream: STUDIOCANAL PRESENTS Apple TV Channel, Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel · Rent: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, BFI Player, YouTube · Buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, YouTube

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)

TMDB ★ 7.5

Tom Courtenay plays a rebellious young offender whose talent for running becomes a weapon against the system.

Directed by Tony Richardson · 1h 44m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or 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.

6 Best Tom Courtenay Movies

45 Years (2015)

The Dresser (1983)

Doctor Zhivago (1965)

King and Country (1964)

Billy Liar (1963)

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)

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