6 2
Age 50

HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON

Age 87

#2

Current Rank

#41

#1

Peak Rank

#3

19

Years Ranked

43

9

Years in Top 10

6

20.4

Average Rank

28.2

35

Theatrical Releases

42

Avengers: Endgame $858.4 Million

Biggest Hit

Beauty and the Beast $504.0 Million

$5.4 Billion

Career Domestic
Box Office

$3.9 Billion

COMMUNITY VOTE

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Career Comparison Summary AI-generated historical comparison. Click to expand.

Note: Films released during the selected year influence the following year's rankings.

As of the selected ranking year, Benedict Cumberbatch and Ian McKellen form a comparison shaped more by career pattern than by any single credit. Selected-year rank is the clearest ranking-side separator, with Benedict Cumberbatch holding the stronger position in this snapshot.

The category score gives Benedict Cumberbatch the broader edge, though the result remains a comparison of career outcomes rather than personal popularity. Taken together, the comparison suggests leans toward Benedict Cumberbatch while still showing distinct strengths on each side.

CAREER RANKING HISTORY

Benedict Cumberbatch Ian McKellen

FILMOGRAPHY COMPARISON

Ian McKellen

42 theatrical releases • $3.9 Billion Domestic

Year Movie Domestic Box Office Domestic BO
2026 The Christophers $1.8 Million
2024 The Critic $449,020
2019 Cats $27.2 Million
2019 The Good Liar $17.2 Million
2019 All Is True $1.2 Million