HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
#3
#1
#3
#1
21
11
1
2
38.2
35.1
21
23
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King $377.0 Million
Chicago $170.7 Million
$1.5 Billion
Box Office
$944.7 Million
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CAREER RANKING HISTORY
FILMOGRAPHY COMPARISON
Ian McKellen
21 theatrical releases • $1.5 Billion Domestic
| Year | Movie | Domestic Box Office Domestic BO |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | X2: X-Men United | $214.9 Million |
| 2003 | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | $377.0 Million |
| 2002 | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers | $339.8 Million |
| 2001 | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring | $313.4 Million |
| 2000 | X-Men | $157.3 Million |
Renee Zellweger
23 theatrical releases • $944.7 Million Domestic
| Year | Movie | Domestic Box Office Domestic BO |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Shark Tale | $160.9 Million |
| 2004 | Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason | $40.2 Million |
| 2003 | Down With Love | $20.3 Million |
| 2003 | Cold Mountain | $95.6 Million |
| 2002 | White Oleander | $16.4 Million |
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, Ian McKellen and Renee Zellweger form a comparison shaped more by career pattern than by any single credit. The biggest-hit category sharpens the box office contrast, especially because Ian McKellen's leading film creates the stronger single-release benchmark.
The category score gives Renee Zellweger the broader edge, though the result remains a comparison of career outcomes rather than personal popularity. Taken together, the comparison suggests leans toward Renee Zellweger while still showing distinct strengths on each side.