For over threescore years Maggie Smith has graced the stage and screen with both thought-provoking and delightful performances. She has starred in everything from menses pieces to fantasy blockbusters, getting five Oscar nominations over a 40-year span of time. Her bold and honest personality has a timeless quality that plays well in any setting.

Smith's characters are often both comedic and symbolic of important causes. She is one of the few women to win the 'triple crown' of acting awards: Oscar, Emmy, and Tony awards. Dame Maggie Smith proves that women can proceed up with the men regardless of their age. Even at 87, the extra has 2 films scheduled for release in the next year. Meanwhile, here are the best movies and Tv set shows for a well-deserved Maggie Smith marathon.

nine Hook (Honorable Mention)

Maggie Smith plays Granny Wendy in Hook
TriStar Pictures

Maggie Smith'southward function in the Steven Spielberg blockbuster Hook is very brief; she just cameos as an older Wendy for an ephemeral moment, just all information technology takes is her presence on screen to add together to the magical setting of the film. Her conviction brings out the passion in the other characters, and proves that her persona, however brief, tin drag whatever moving-picture show. She provides important background for Peter'southward character, who later decides to abound up.

viii The Secret Garden

Mrs. Medlock attempts to keep order in The Secret Garden
Warner Bros.

In this accommodation of the classic novel The Underground Garden , Maggie Smith plays head housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock. The story follows a immature orphan, Mary Lennox, staying in her uncle's home. Both Mary and her cousin are spoiled, entitled, and stubborn. As the housekeeper tries to maintain club in the home, Smith'due south functioning perfectly contrasts the children'southward unruly stubbornness, matching them at every plough. Smith makes Mrs. Medlock's rigid but controlled personality conceivable, and she pushes the younger actors in the motion picture to be their best.

7 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

A group of friends attends a celebration in India
20th Century Play a trick on

Many people just retire to warm parts of the country like Florida or Arizona, just this group decides to retire to a more exotic location. When a luxurious hotel in India subverts expectations, this group of retirees embarks on an take chances very dissimilar from what they expected. Smith brings her usual witty humor to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. She once again brings humanity and subtle kindness to even the harshest and prickliest graphic symbol, and is a true highlight.

six Othello

Desdemona and Othello mid conversation
Warner Bros.

Maggie Smith showed her theatrical range early in her career on phase, and brought it to this 1965 adaptation of Othello ; she plays Desdemona, ane of the virtually iconic parts for women in all history. Shakespearean language tin be difficult to deliver with emotion and smooth pacing, but Smith seems to take fiddling difficulty with the part. The archetype Shakespearean tragedy features Smith in a soft and gentle part that departs from her usual mode. Her part in the film is largely overshadowed by Laurence Oliver's controversial use of black face to play Othello (which is obviously problematic, but has been defended in interesting means), but she gives a valuable contribution nevertheless. Her soft but powerful performance contrasts perfectly with Olivier'south dramatic and emotional one. She was fifty-fifty nominated for her first Academy Award for this picture show.

five Quartet

Maggie Smith and Tom Courtney stop during their walk through the gardens in Quartet
Momentum Pictures

Maggie Smith stars as a quondam singer in the heartwarming flick directed by player Dustin Hoffman, Quartet . Musician Jean Horton feels out of place and judgmental of her neighbors after moving into a retirement domicile. When the retirement home becomes endangered, Jean is persuaded to put on a final performance with other retired musicians in the home to save the center from collapsing. There are many romances that preach well-nigh condign open to dearest, but Smith takes this theme to a new level. Her performance shows off the inner resentment and understandable defensiveness of an older woman (who has her life taken away and transplanted to a retirement dwelling) perfectly, simply is just as convincing as the finale'southward brilliant and generous performer.

four The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

Maggie Smith argues with her co-worker in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
20th Century Fox

Maggie Smith won her first Academy Award for best actress in The Prime number of Miss Jean Brodie . Loosely based on the true story of Christina Kay, the film follows schoolhouse teacher Jean Brodie, along with her most accomplished students. Even when she was younger, Smith played passionate female characters who were unafraid to fight for their beliefs. Her functioning here brings out both the wisdom of a schoolhouse instructor, and the tender-heartedness of a mother.

3 The Harry Potter Franchise

Harry Potter Maggie Smith
Warner Bros. Pictures

In the fantasy globe of the Harry Potter movies, Maggie Smith might find herself in a setting unlike any of her other films, merely she plays her character with the same strength and appetite as usual. Most people by no are aware that Harry Potter follows the schooling and training of the titular young wizard. Smith Plays the Gryffindor head of house, Professor McGonagall. She is simultaneously 1 of Harry'due south toughest teachers, and one of his virtually understanding. She is a stickler for rules, merely ever seems to bend them for the greater skillful. Along with Richard Harris' portrayal of Dumbledore, Smith plays one of the warmest and most beloved adults in the franchise.

ii Lady in The Van

Lady in the Van
Sony Pictures Releasing

In Lady in the Van , Maggie Smith stars as Miss Shepherd, an elderly homeless woman with an understandable chip on her shoulder. When Shepherd parks (and lives in) her van in Alan Bennett'due south driveway, trouble ensues, every bit the neighborhood tries to help and go rid of her. Almost everyone is frustrated past Shepherd's presumptuous and demanding mental attitude, yet Smith's performance somehow makes the grapheme endearing and lovable. Smith gives the character depth and a surprising likability that leaves audiences reflecting on sociopolitical topics with a nifty sense of empathy. She's absolutely fabulous hither.

1 Downton Abbey

Maggie Smith sits at a house party in Downton Abbey
Focus Features

Maggie Smith plays the family's calculating grandmother in Downton Abbey , which follows the story of all the members of an English language estate during the early on parts of the 20th century. Despite her crumbling perspectives, Violet's (or Granny's) experiences and ambition allow her to maintain influence in the family'south diplomacy. She also provides perspective to assistance bring audiences into the time period. Downton Abbey simply would not be the aforementioned without Smith's witty one-liners and brandish of intellectual forcefulness, in turn making her arguably the about beloved character in the testify. It's no wonder they gave her grapheme a bigger office in the upcoming movie: Downton Abbey: A New Era.