Happy Birthday Daniel Radcliffe: Exploring The Actor’s 10 Best Roles Beyond Harry Potter As He Turns 35

1. Alfred Matthew Yankovic in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Despite his impressive acting roles following Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe’s portrayal of the titular musician Al Yankovic in “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” is undeniably his largest, most amusing, and quirkiest project yet.

The most amusing part of “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” is Daniel Radcliffe’s performance, which takes the film to new heights. Radcliffe’s acting earned him an Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actor category and a 2023 Critics Choice Award for Best Actor.

2. Walter Mabry in Now You See Me 2

Radcliffe’s character, Walter Mabry, is a wealthy and quirky individual with a confessed lack of empathy towards others. He’s on a mission to locate a mysterious gadget that grants its user the ability to hack into any computer system globally.

In a lighter and more engaging vein than the original Now You See Me 2 might ask viewers to suspend their disbelief a few extra times. However, the delight Radcliffe brings to life in his over-the-top role is well worth any mental effort required.

3. Yossi Ghinsberg in Jungle

The Amazon rainforest tale of a man who got lost in 1981 and lived unassisted for three weeks, encountering harrowing experiences with nature, could be described as the dramatic portrayal of a true event.

The story of Yossi Ghinsberg’s survival from long ago is already very engaging, but Radcliffe’s exceptional acting makes it even more captivating. He seamlessly takes on such a challenging role, leaving us amazed as he portrays Yossi’s determination to overcome numerous hardships and cling to life while staying true to his character.

4. Arthur Kipps in The Woman In Black 

The Woman in Black is a delightfully spooky film filled with classic Gothic elements. It represented Daniel Radcliffe’s initial significant role following the Potter series, as he endeavored to establish a new identity for himself.

The experience ranged from being eerily reminiscent of a spooky haunted house to having an unsettling encounter with a very disturbing ghost, as well as a strong desire for revenge. In the early parts, this production evoked thoughts of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Ultimately, it created an intriguing story that is sure to send shivers down your spine.

5. Iggy in Horns

In 2013’s film “Horns,” Daniel Radcliffe made his post-“Harry Potter” acting debut, portraying Ignatius “Iggy” Perrish. Iggy is a man grappling with the belief that his small rural community suspects him of murdering his lover, all while grieving her loss. One unusual morning, horns sprouted from Iggy’s forehead.

Through Daniel Radcliffe’s convincing acting, even the most far-fetched concept, such as his character having horns, becomes believable for the audience. We look past the absurdity and focus on Radcliffe’s portrayal of a man determined to prove his innocence and seek vengeance against his girlfriend’s murderer.

6. Abigail Fairfax in The Lost City

In The Lost City, Daniel Radcliffe deviates from his usual heroic roles and takes on the part of the antagonist. This is an unexpected change for the actor. In this film, helmed by directors Aaron and Adam Nee, Sandra Bullock portrays Loretta Sage, a cover model, while Channing Tatum plays her fictional counterpart. When Loretta gets kidnapped in real life by Daniel Radcliffe, who is an obsessive fan and a wealthy billionaire, she finds herself teaming up with him to locate the ancient treasure depicted in one of her books.

In a surprising turn, Daniel Radcliffe delivers a compelling portrayal of a film’s antagonist as Abigail Fairfax. Despite eliciting some of the most chuckles in the production, Radcliffe’s villainous role is infused with a more humorous undertone.

7. Nate in Imperium

In the film “Imperium,” Radcliffe portrays the role of a young FBI agent named Nate. Eagered to prevent a impending terrorist act, he chooses to embed himself covertly within a white supremacist organization.

In “Imperium,” Daniel Radcliffe delivers another captivating performance, full of suspense and excitement, albeit in an unconventional way. His talent and determination were put to the test as he convincingly mastered an American accent for the role.

8. Tim Jenkin in Escape From Pretoria

The film tells the story of Tim Jenkin (Radcliffe) and Stephen Lee (Daniel Webber), two men who faced charges from the South African authorities in 1979 for their involvement in opposing the apartheid regime through organized resistance. The movie is based on real-life occurrences that are both shocking and authentic.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve had the pleasure of watching an intriguing movie where Daniel Radcliffe truly shines. In this production, I was blown away by his ability to tackle complex roles in biopics. During his time at Pretoria Prison, he masterfully brought to life the emotions and determination of the real-life hero, Tim Jenkin. It was an awe-inspiring experience to witness Radcliffe’s portrayal of Jenkin’s despair and unyielding resolve in the face of adversity.

9. Manny in Swiss Army Man

Since its release in 2016, Swiss Army Man is considered one of Daniel Radcliffe’s best acting projects. In this film, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Radcliffe delivers a comically engaging performance that significantly contributes to the movie’s success. Moreover, he skillfully portrays the emotional depth of Swiss Army Man, resulting in a critically acclaimed production.

10. Wallace in What If

At the film “What If,” Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan portray two unexpectedly encounters young adults named Wallace and Chantry. This 2013 production, helmed by Michael Dowse, also featured acting talents like Adam Driver, Megan Park, Mackenzie Davis, and Rafe Spall in its cast.

After the magical world of Harry Potter took over my beloved Radcliffe’s life, I longed to see him explore new realms. He bravely tackled diverse roles outside of Hogwarts, dipping his toes in genres far removed from fantasy. Yet, nothing compared to the audacity of embodying an ordinary adult, potentially even a romantic lead, on the silver screen.