Today, the entertainment world pauses to remember the late, great Sir Christopher Lee, who would have celebrated his 104th birthday. Before he even stepped onto a film set, Lee had already lived a life worthy of a blockbuster, serving as an intelligence officer during World War II and reportedly hunting down Nazi war criminals. When he eventually turned to acting, his imposing 6’5″ frame, piercing gaze, and booming, operatic baritone made him one of the most hypnotic and commanding screen presences in history.
Over a staggering career spanning nearly seven decades and over 250 film credits, he became the definitive face of cinematic villainy, yet he always infused his antagonists with profound intelligence and Shakespearean dignity. Oh, and he also released multiple symphonic heavy metal albums in his late eighties—because he was simply that legendary.
To properly celebrate his birthday and honor his unmatched legacy, here are five must-see movies that perfectly capture the brilliance of Sir Christopher Lee.
1. Dracula in Horror of Dracula (1958)
It is impossible to discuss Lee’s legacy without starting with the role that made him an international horror icon. While Bela Lugosi originated the cinematic Count, Lee completely revolutionized him for Hammer Films. He transformed Dracula from a slow-moving, theatrical aristocrat into a genuinely terrifying, bloodthirsty predator. With his towering height and blood-red eyes, his explosive physical performance set the gold standard for every vampire adaptation that followed.
2. Lord Summerisle in The Wicker Man (1973)
Widely considered to be his personal favorite role, Lee delivered an absolute masterclass in charismatic, unsettling authority in this legendary folk-horror masterpiece. Playing the charming and deeply devout leader of an isolated Scottish island’s pagan cult, he is completely mesmerizing. He intentionally played Lord Summerisle not as a traditional, mustache-twirling villain, but as a warm, fiercely intelligent man entirely convinced of his own righteous (and ultimately horrifying) beliefs.
3. Francisco Scaramanga in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
As the step-cousin of James Bond creator Ian Fleming, it was only a matter of time before Lee officially entered the 007 universe. Going toe-to-toe with Roger Moore, he played the world’s most expensive and deadly assassin, Francisco Scaramanga. Lee brought a chilling, mirror-image sophistication to the character, treating Bond less like a sworn enemy and more like a respected equal in a deadly gentleman’s game. He easily ranks among the franchise’s greatest and most memorable antagonists.
4. Saruman the White in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001–2003)
As the only member of Peter Jackson’s massive ensemble cast to have actually met J.R.R. Tolkien in real life, Lee was practically destined to travel to Middle-earth. Originally hoping to play Gandalf, he was instead cast as the corrupted wizard Saruman, bringing unmatched gravitas and theatrical weight to the sweeping fantasy epic. His thunderous voice and imposing arrogance made him a terrifying intellectual threat to the Fellowship, introducing his genius to an entirely new generation of fans.
5. Count Dooku in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) & Revenge of the Sith (2005)
George Lucas needed an antagonist capable of replacing the visceral, physical threat of Darth Maul with political cunning and elegant superiority—and Christopher Lee delivered flawlessly. Playing a disillusioned Jedi Master turned Sith Lord, he brought a refined, aristocratic edge to the chaotic galactic conflict. Watching an octogenarian Lee effortlessly wield a curved-hilt lightsaber and hold his own against Yoda remains one of the absolute coolest, most iconic moments of the prequel trilogy.
