Colin Firth's best movies ranked

It's likely we all remember the first time we witnessed the magic of Academy Award winner Colin Firth on-screen. Whether we fell in love with the British star in the TV miniseries "Pride and Prejudice" or started jonesing for him while watching "Bridget Jones's Diary," it's impossible to not be mesmerized by his talent and dashing good looks. In honor of Colin's newest movie, "Kingsman: The Golden Circle," hitting theaters on Sept. 22, 2017, Wonderwall.com dug through the archives to find some of his best movies and ranked them from great to pure excellence (because he just doesn't make bad films). While we couldn't possibly include them all, we've made sure his most popular films are on the list. Keep reading to find which of Colin's many amazing movies made it to our No. 1 spot…

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No. 27: "The Accidental Husband"

"The Accidental Husband" is a love story, but one that sadly leaves Colin Firth single. Starring Uma Thurman and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, this 2008 rom-com is all about a love doctor who gives bad relationship advice and a heartbroken man who wants to get his (humorous) revenge. The twist? The two end up falling in love, even though the doc is already engaged to her perfect match — played by Colin Firth. For obvious reasons, this was last on our list.

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No. 26: "What a Girl Wants"

Okay, maybe (and just maybe) the 2003 movie "What a Girl Wants" isn't Colin Firth's greatest work, but who didn't love him as Lord Henry Dashwood? When a young lady named Daphne (played by Amanda Bynes) shows up in his life in the midst of his run for political office and announces she's his daughter, he welcomes her with open arms. We love this film because in it, Colin is the rich, royal dad we always wish we had.

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No. 25: "Love Actually"

We know we're going to get hell for this, but "Love Actually" from 2003 just wasn't Colin Firth's best movie role ever. (Sorry not sorry.) We're not monsters, so we'll admit there's something romantic and magical about the Christmas-themed comedy, but there just wasn't enough Colin for our liking in the multi-faceted storyline. But did our hearts break into a million pieces when Colin's character, Jamie, walked in on his girlfriend having an affair with his brother? Yes, a million times over.

No. 24: "The Importance of Being Earnest"

Based on the book of the same name from playwright Oscar Wilde, 2002's "The Importance of Being Earnest" was a funny period romance that was full of manners, intrigue and a fake guy named Earnest. We loved the comedic interplay between Colin Firth and co-star Rupert Everett so much so that even though the pair were positively scandalous, we'd gladly watch the movie all over again.

No. 23: "The English Patient"

Make no mistake, "The English Patient" was one of the dopest movies from 1996 and beyond. While we only put it at No. 23 on our list, we definitely think Colin Firth shined as jealous, hurt husband Geoffrey who was so wounded by his wife's affair that he crashed his plane, killing himself and leaving his wife with grave injuries. This was an incredible movie, but Colin wasn't the star and for that, it has to hang toward the back of the line.

No. 22: "Hope Springs"

Another one of Colin Firth's movies from 2003 (man, he had a busy year) was "Hope Springs" — a romantic comedy co-starring Minnie Driver and Heather Graham. We love this movie for the obvious reasons — Colin's character (also named Colin) heals from a painful breakup, finds new love with a beautiful, kind woman and, in a surprising twist, also discovers he has a backbone.

No. 21: "Shakespeare in Love"

The beauty of a movie like "Shakespeare in Love" is that even though it was made in 1998, it's as amazing to watch today as it was nearly two decades ago. Strong acting from all the cast, including Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow and yes, our dear Colin Firth, made this tangled love story set in 1593 one that was impossible to forget. Even though Colin played the terrible Lord Wessex, who was betrothed to the woman Shakespeare loved, we still couldn't look away. That, friends, is true talent.

No. 20: "Nanny McPhee"

The real question is who didn't want to jump through the movie screen and give Colin Firth's character, Mr. Brown, a giant bosom-y hug in the 2005 film "Nanny McPhee"? As a recently widowed father of seven children, we couldn't help but feel all the feelings for Mr. Brown and want to take his heartache away. With a little bit of magic, the governess known as Nanny McPhee (played by Emma Thompson) helped bring his household back to order and gave Mr. Brown the renewed hope he needed to move forward in his life.

No. 19: "Where the Truth Lies"

In Colin Firth's 2005 thriller "Where the Truth Lies" co-starring Kevin Bacon and Alison Lohman (shown), he plays a deviant former showbiz star hiding a big secret. While we definitely prefer Colin in romantic comedies or as the hero in a drama, it's clear even when he's playing the bad guy, he's so, so good.

No. 18: "Bridget Jones's Baby"

Of all the "Bridget Jones" movies, this was our least favorite. While "Bridget Jones's Baby," starring Colin Firth, Renee Zellweger and Patrick Dempsey, was funny and enjoyable, it lost some of the same charm the earlier films captured. Mainly, we were just mad that Mark Darcy (Colin's character) had the nerve to marry another woman and put poor Bridget through the hell of being alone while pregnant after he'd promised her before that he would always love her. We don't forget, Mark Darcy. Just remember that.

No. 17: "The Last Legion"

Tying together the fall of the Roman Empire and the legend of Excalibur is no easy feat, yet that's exactly what the 2007 film "The Last Legion" starring Colin Firth and Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai does. We love the rich history incorporated into this fictional film as much as we love the scenes that place handsome Colin in battle, fighting to save the young emperor. We're still trying to work out how Merlin was actually Ambrosinus and Romulus was Pendragon (or was that the other way around?), but what's most important is that we get to see Colin play Aurelius, a brave and skilled swordsman, legionnaire and hunky hero.

No. 16: "Then She Found Me"

Yes, this movie (directed by and starring Helen Hunt) does have a few similar themes to "Bridget Jones's Baby" (namely, we've got a middle-aged woman pregnant by one man and in love with another), but the emotional nuance and growth of the characters in "Then She Found Me" is so much richer than "BJB" that it took the lead. Colin Firth shines as the romantic interest with a heart of gold, even if it means sharing the woman he loves with a prickly soon-to-be ex-husband, played by Matthew Broderick.

No. 15: "Gambit"

Colin Firth proves his comedy game is on-point in the 2012 movie "Gambit." Co-starring Cameron Diaz and the late Alan Rickman, this hilarious film about the world of art, a fake painting and a plot to make millions captures every mistreated employee's fantasy of getting back at their jerk of a boss.

No. 14: "Genius"

Although the 2016 film "Genius" was widely panned by critics, we enjoyed the intense dynamic between Jude Law as the enigmatic (and often mercurial) writer Thomas Wolfe and Colin Firth as his editor, Maxwell Perkins. The film might be dramatic and, at times, even obnoxious, but there were moments of beauty (like when Thomas dedicated his novel to Maxwell, or brought him to a saucy blues club to unwind) that make this movie a work of art.

No. 13: "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"

A movie about international spies, covert operations, double agents and murder, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" offers a fast-paced glimpse at the world of MI6. While fans may need to rewatch this 2011 film several times just to figure out what exactly happened, they'll never get tired of seeing Colin Firth as a secret Russian operative playing a deadly game of espionage.

No. 12: "The Railway Man"

We can hardly write about "The Railway Man" without crying our eyes out. This 2014 film starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman is so emotional, so raw and so powerful, if you haven't seen it, you're missing out on a good, solid cry. Based on the true story of a man captured by Japanese soldiers in World War II who returns many years later to confront one of the men who viciously tortured him, this is a movie about suffering, war and, ultimately, the power of redemption and forgiveness.

No. 11: "Mamma Mia!"

One of the most exuberant, fun films to hit the big screen in decades was 2008's "Mamma Mia!" co-starring Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgard. The movie musical focuses on one young woman who is intent on knowing who her biological father is before her wedding day so that he can walk her down the aisle. Instead of one man, she gets three and her mom gets a new lease on love.

No. 10: "A Christmas Carol"

We couldn't leave out the 2009 holiday classic "A Christmas Carol." based on the novel by Charles Dickens. Colin Firth lends his voice to the character Fred, Ebenezer Scrooge's jubilant nephew who has a heart of gold. Whenever we want some warm and fuzzies, we just watch this heartwarming film with a mug of hot cocoa and call it a night.

No. 9: "Before I Go to Sleep"

Gah! You just don't know who to trust in the 2014 thriller "Before I Go to Sleep" starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth. When Christine (played by Nicole) wakes up each morning, she has no memory of her life and has to rely on husband Ben (Colin) to show her photographs and videos of their life together. Only things aren't what they seem and Christine soon learns her happy marriage may be something far darker.

No. 8: "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason"

In the 2004 comedy "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," we get all the drama and hilarity we expect from our dear bumbling Bridget, played by Renee Zellweger. While things couldn't be better for Bridget and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), her fear that he's having an affair, compounded by her new boss's relentless pursuit of her affections, creates chaos in Bridget's life. Oh, and somehow B-dog ends up in a Thai prison. What ultimately matters is that Mark, no matter how hurt by Bridget's antics, will always be there to rescue his lady love and make us swoon all over again.

No. 7: "Devil's Knot"

Based on the book by the same name, the 2013 film "Devil's Knot" is the true story of the murders of three young boys in West Memphis, Tennessee, which led to the arrests of three teenagers deemed satanic killers. Colin Firth starred as attorney Ron Lax, a man determined to find out what really happened to the victims and save the young men he believes were falsely accused of their murder.

No. 6: "A Single Man"

One of the most provocative and stunning movies Colin Firth has ever made is "A Single Man." Directed by fashion designer Tom Ford (who also appeared in the movie and is seen in this picture), the 2009 film follows a college professor named George (played by Colin) who is so devastated following the loss of his lover, Jim, that he decides to take his own life. However, as his day unfolds and he encounters others, he realizes his life might be worth living after all. Colin's breathtaking performance earned him an Academy Award nomination the following year.

No. 5: "Magic in the Moonlight"

There is no end to the enchantment in "Magic in the Moonlight" starring Colin Firth as a skeptic and debunker of the supernatural and Emma Stone as a psychic medium he's been sent to prove is a fraud. Directed by Woody Allen, the 2014 film is both whimsical and playful (as would be expected) but smart and romantic too. You can't help but be a believer of the magic of love after watching this lighthearted comedy.

No. 4: "Girl with the Pearl Earring"

Forbidden love is so sweet in the 2004 film "Girl with a Pearl Earring" starring Colin Firth as painter Johannes Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson as his dutiful (yet beautiful) maid, Griet. While passion is the inspiration for this film about art, beauty and unrequited desire, it's the awakening both Johannes and Griet have while spending time in his studio that captured our hearts and landed the movie in our No. 4 spot.

No. 3: "Bridget Jones's Diary"

You just can't beat the original, which is why the 2001 film "Bridget Jones's Diary" made it to the No. 3 spot on our list. Starring Renee Zellweger as Bridget and Colin Firth as the humble barrister Mark Darcy, the plot is ripe with bad choices, hilarious observations and second chances. We'll never get tired of Bridget realizing she loves Mark or of Mark's ugly Christmas sweaters.

No. 2: "Kingsman: The Secret Service"

We're not blowing smoke up your chimney when we tell you that "Kingsman: The Secret Service" is one of the best Colin Firth movies ever made. It's witty, hilarious, full of action and just enough danger to keep us on the edge of our seats. Co-starring Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Caine, Taron Egerton and more, this spy adventure is one we'll gladly own on DVD (and, like, no one buys DVDs anymore, which is saying a lot). Thankfully, on Sept. 22, 2017, the sequel "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" arrives on the big screen, giving us a much needed dose of perfect gentlemen who are also perfect spies.

No. 1: "The King's Speech"

There can only be one No. 1 and for us, no Colin Firth movie was bolder, more beautifully constructed or more emotionally satisfying than the 2010 biographical drama "The King's Speech." While a story about a King's problem stuttering might not sound entertaining, the masterful acting by Colin as the struggling royal and the strange but effective tactics his speech therapist (played by Geoffrey Rush) uses to help him during one of the most pivotal times in British history is, hands down, a movie you have to watch and will want to see again because, wow, it is so incredibly good. The film won numerous awards including a best actor Oscar for Colin.