The Ultimate Lily James Movie Guide: 7 Must-Watch Films And Her Explosive 2025 Lineup

Lily James has cemented her status as one of Hollywood's most versatile and captivating leading ladies, moving seamlessly from period dramas to high-octane thrillers and biographical roles that demand total transformation. As of December 2025, her career trajectory is accelerating with a slate of major, highly-anticipated projects set for release, making her one of the most bankable stars in the industry.

The English actress, born Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson, has skillfully built a filmography that showcases incredible range—from the innocence of a Disney princess to the raw, complex vulnerability of a pop culture icon. Her upcoming films, including the biographical drama *Swiped* and the crime thriller *Relay*, promise to define the next phase of her already illustrious career, captivating both critics and global audiences.

Lily James: Full Biography and Career Milestones

Lily James, born Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson, is an English actress whose career has been marked by a masterful balance of stage, television, and film work. She is recognized globally for her ability to inhabit complex, often iconic, female characters.

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• Full Name: Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson
• Date of Birth: April 5, 1989
• Place of Birth: Esher, Surrey, England
• Education: Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (graduated 2010)
• Family Connection: She is the granddaughter of American actress Helen Horton, who famously voiced the Mother in Ridley Scott's *Alien* (1979).
• Career Launch: Her breakthrough came with the recurring role of Lady Rose MacClare in the globally popular television series *Downton Abbey* (2012–2015).
• Major Awards Recognition: Nominated for a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award for her transformative portrayal of Pamela Anderson in the limited series *Pam & Tommy* (2022).
• Key Genre Versatility: Excels in period pieces (*Cinderella*, *The Exception*, *Rebecca*), musicals (*Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again*), and contemporary thrillers (*Baby Driver*, *Relay*).

The 7 Essential Lily James Movies and TV Performances

To truly appreciate Lily James's career, one must look beyond the box office numbers and focus on the roles that challenged her and defined her dramatic capabilities. These seven performances are essential viewing for any fan or film enthusiast, demonstrating her journey from a breakout star to a powerhouse actress.

1. Pam & Tommy (2022) - The Unrecognizable Transformation

While a limited series, this role is arguably the most critically defining of James’s career so far. Playing the iconic model and actress Pamela Anderson, James underwent a grueling four-hour daily makeup and prosthetics process to achieve the look.

Her performance was hailed for capturing Anderson’s nuanced vulnerability, going beyond mere mimicry to explore the devastating impact of the leaked sex tape on her life and career. This commitment earned her high praise and her first Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, showcasing her dedication to the Method approach.

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2. Cinderella (2015) - The Global Fairy Tale Icon

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, James’s turn as Ella in the live-action Disney adaptation of *Cinderella* solidified her place as a global star. The film was a massive commercial success, grossing over $542 million worldwide. James brought a genuine kindness, courage, and inner strength to the classic character, making her interpretation feel both classic and modern. The film’s success established her as a leading lady capable of anchoring a major studio production.

3. Baby Driver (2017) - The Romantic Anchor

In Edgar Wright's stylish, music-driven action thriller, James played Debora, the sweet diner waitress who becomes the love interest of the titular getaway driver, Baby (Ansel Elgort). Her role was the emotional heart of the film, providing a sense of normalcy and hope amidst the chaos and crime. *Baby Driver* was critically acclaimed for its originality and kinetic energy, with James’s performance providing a necessary grounded counterpoint to the high-octane action.

4. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) - The Musical Dynamo

Stepping into the role of a young Donna Sheridan (Meryl Streep’s character), James carried the sequel with infectious energy and impressive vocal talent. Set across the beautiful Greek island of Kalokairi, the film acts as both a prequel and a sequel, exploring Donna’s adventurous past. James’s performance was praised for capturing the youthful exuberance and free-spirited nature of the character, making the film a joyous, global box office hit.

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5. The Dig (2021) - The Historical Ensemble Piece

Set just before World War II, *The Dig* tells the true story of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo. James plays Peggy Piggott, a young archaeologist whose professional skills are initially overlooked by her husband and male colleagues. The film offered James a chance to shine in a quieter, more restrained role, portraying a woman struggling for recognition in a male-dominated field while uncovering a monumental piece of English history.

6. Yesterday (2019) - The Supportive Best Friend

Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Richard Curtis, *Yesterday* is a charming musical fantasy about a struggling musician who wakes up after a global blackout to find he is the only person who remembers The Beatles. James plays Ellie Appleton, the protagonist’s fiercely loyal and supportive best friend and manager. Her performance provided the film with its emotional core, grounding the fantastical premise in a relatable story of unrequited love and friendship.

7. Darkest Hour (2017) - The Historical Witness

In this Academy Award-winning historical drama, James played Elizabeth Layton, the personal secretary to Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman). Her role was crucial as the audience’s window into the private life and immense pressure faced by the British Prime Minister during the early days of World War II. Working alongside Oldman’s transformative performance, James provided a subtle, yet powerful, portrayal of a young woman witnessing history unfold.

Lily James's Explosive 2025 and 2026 Movie Lineup: The Next Chapter

Lily James is not slowing down. Her upcoming slate is packed with high-profile projects that will see her take on some of her most complex roles yet, confirming her status as a major cinematic force. The following films are set to be the biggest highlights of her next two years on screen.

The Biographical Powerhouse: Swiped (2025)

The most anticipated film on her schedule is the biographical drama *Swiped*, where James takes on the role of Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder and former CEO of the dating app Bumble. The film, directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg, explores the provocative, real-life story of the tech mogul who co-founded Tinder before leaving to create the female-focused dating platform. Scheduled for a September 19, 2025 release, the film co-stars Dan Stevens, Clea DuVall, and Myha'la Herrold, and is expected to be a major awards contender.

The High-Stakes Thriller: Relay (2025)

James dives deep into the crime thriller genre with *Relay*, a highly-anticipated film that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2024 and is slated for a 2025 release. In *Relay*, she plays Sarah Grant, a whistleblower who requires the protection of an elusive professional "fixer" named Ash, played by Riz Ahmed. The plot centers on a corporate conspiracy involving a toxic genetically manipulated grain, putting Sarah in extreme danger from powerful conglomerates. This film promises a return to the tense, high-stakes atmosphere last seen in *Baby Driver*.

The 1950s Roman Drama: Finally Dawn (Finalmente l'alba) (2025)

Taking a dramatic turn, James stars in *Finally Dawn* (Italian title: *Finalmente l'alba*), a post-war drama set in the glamorous "Hollywood on the Tiber" era of 1950s Rome. Directed by Saverio Costanzo, the film follows a young Roman woman, played by Rebecca Antonaci, who is thrust into an intense, long night with a group of American movie stars after an audition. James plays a key role alongside Joe Keery and Rachel Sennott. The film explores the glitz and shadows of the emerging Italian film industry.

Future Projects and Genre Expansion

Beyond 2025, James is already attached to several other major projects, demonstrating her continuous effort to expand her topical authority across genres. These include the action-adventure sequel *Cliffhanger* (2026), the voice role in the animated film *The Angry Birds Movie 3* (2026), and the crime drama *Peggy Jo* (TBA), based on the true story of a female bank robber. This diverse filmography ensures that Lily James will remain a central figure in cinema for years to come, consistently delivering unique and compelling performances.