Reprising his titular role in the TV series Willow, veteran character actor Warwick Davis once again gets a chance to shine in a lead role. Fans of popular franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter are well aware of Davis' work, and his prolific resume is stuffed with a host of excellent films.
From career-defining roles like in Return of the Jedi to spooky comedic turns like in Leprechaun, Davis is so much more than the elaborate costumes he often dons in his films. Though his body of work is instantly recognizable, some of Davis' films earned high scores on IMDb.
Leprechaun (1993) - 4.8
Hollywood was not a friendly place for actors of a smaller stature in the '80s and '90s, but Warwick Davis made a successful career by breaking down stereotypes and claiming roles as his own. Leprechaun is the story of a group of people who are suddenly tormented by an ancient creature who is on the hunt for his stolen pot of gold.
Sharing the screen with future star Jennifer Aniston, Davis is excellent as the Celtic monster of folklore, and he brings a silly glee to the horror icon. Though the film was never meant to be a masterpiece, it is actually Davis' performance that saves it from totally devolving into trash cinema.
Get Santa (2014) - 6.3
Mostly remembered as an underrated gem, Get Santa was the UK's answer to many of the over-the-top American holiday flicks. After wrecking his sleigh and getting arrested, Santa Claus tasks a father and son duo with finding his reindeer and helping him get back home so that Christmas won't be ruined.
The movie's goofy tone is matched perfectly by the cast, and Davis' turn as the hardened criminal Sally is another side of the actor that fans hadn't seen yet. Subverting expectations of smaller performers, Davis isn't one of Santa's little helpers but is instead a rough-and-tumble convict who helps him escape. While it isn't as popular as other holiday staples, Get Santa definitely subverts the classic Santa Claus tropes.
The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) - 6.5
Once again staking his claim in a massive fantasy franchise, Davis' appearance in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian was yet another feather in his cap. A year after the events of the first film, the Pevensie children are taken back to Narnia to help a prince claim his rightful throne from the evil king who holds it.
Going against type a bit, Davis plays the evil Nikabrik who schemes to trick Prince Caspian at every turn. His performance was one of the film's highlights, and he helped save what was an overall underwhelming outing compared to the first film. Fans may have been shocked to see Davis in a more serious villain role, but he proved there was no part he couldn't play.
Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil (2019) - 6.6
Rewriting the history of one of Disney's most powerful villains was a clever idea in the first film, and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil aimed to turn things into a franchise. A few years after the first film, Maleficent battles against a power-hungry queen and the negative perceptions that have turned her into a villain in the minds of the people.
With Angelina Jolie's stunning performance as an anchor, Mistress of Evil was more of the same but wasn't quite as exciting as the first outing. Davis briefly appears as Lickspittle, a pixie who works for Queen Ingrith against his will, and he is nearly unrecognizable under a heap of makeup. Even so, Davis' performance draws eyes to him whenever he is on the screen, and he acts his way through the restrictive appliances.
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy (2005) - 6.7
Douglas Adams' hilarious novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy had been adapted before, but the 2005 film was the first real attempt to give the story the budget it deserved. Saved from earth's total destruction, a mild-mannered man goes on a journey across the galaxy in search of answers to life's toughest questions.
While the film wasn't a perfect adaptation, it did an excellent job of condensing Adams' ideas down to a more manageable product, and the jokes still landed with a high frequency. Though he wasn't in a speaking role, Warwick Davis played the character of Marvin, and his physical mannerisms are what actually brought the depressed robot to life.
Willow (1988) - 7.2
Star Wars was where Davis first made his mark on the industry, but it was his leading role in the film Willow that made him a household name. The fate of the world is put in the hands of a simple farmer when he is tasked with protecting an infant princess from the evil queen who aims to destroy her.
Ranking highly among the best films directed by Ron Howard, Willow largely slipped under the radar in the '80s, but has since become a cult classic. When given more screen time, Davis showed he was so much more than a character actor, and his versatility in Willow is what helped him land future starring roles.
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - 7.6
From the outset, it was obvious that the Harry Potter franchise was going to be something special, and The Sorcerer's Stone was as auspicious a debut as a series could hope for. Living with his abusive aunt and uncle, a young boy is suddenly whisked away to a school for witchcraft and wizardry after learning he possesses magical skills.
Introducing all the magic and wonder that fans of the books had come to expect, the first film in the franchise was a massive success and set the tone for the next seven films. Warwick Davis pulls triple duty in the flick, but is most remembered as Professor Flitwick, the charms teacher and head of the Ravenclaw house. Not given much screen time, Davis plays the finicky professor with all the bombastic energy that the movie demands.
Ray (2004) - 7.7
The Oscar-winning film Ray is most remembered as one of the best music biopics of all time, and it is the performances that helped it succeed. The movie chronicles the life of musician Ray Charles as he attempts to make it big while dealing with the barriers that the mid-20th century put in his way.
Ray is not the sort of film that moviegoers were expecting to see Warwick Davis, but he nevertheless turns in a strong performance as Oberon the nightclub owner. While the part might seem inconsequential, it was further proof that Davis could do so much more than wear a stuffy costume, and it was his talents that landed him the gig.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011) - 8.1
Returning to finish off the epic franchise, Warwick Davis stepped into another iconic Harry Potter role and played a character that was completely different from Professor Flitwick. With Hogwarts in shambles and evil running amok, Harry and his allies must band together to make one last attack on Voldemort.
The banking dwarf Flitwick was gruff and rude, and Davis got a second chance to bring him to life both in person and with his voice. Unlike the usually friendly roles that Davis is known for, the veteran actor was given an opportunity to try something else for a change, and his was one of the strongest performances in the movie.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi (1983) - 8.2
Though it was the role that started his career, Davis' iconic turn as Wicket is still what he is best known for. Concluding the epic trilogy, Luke Skywalker must join his fellow rebels in attempting to bring down the Empire's second death star, and finish off Darth Vader for good.
The cute and cuddly Wicket had some fans rolling their eyes in the '80s, but the Ewoks have become an established part of Star Wars thanks to Warwick Davis. Showing he could work with any material given, Wicket is a lively and robust character, and Davis shines through the restrictive costume.