The best Ken Loach films
The top 3 according to 376 votes from people: Kes (1969) · I, Daniel Blake (2016) · The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006). (Updated Feb 18, 2024.)
From Kes to I, Daniel Blake: Ken Loach's films ranked by critics and fans, including both his Palme d'Or winners (Collider, MovieMeter, Ranker).
Top 13
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1
Kes (1969)
A Barnsley boy and his kestrel.
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2
I, Daniel Blake (2016)
A carpenter against the welfare system; Palme d'Or.
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3
The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)
Two brothers in the Irish War of Independence; Palme d'Or.
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4
Land and Freedom (1995)
A Liverpool volunteer in the Spanish Civil War.
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5
Sorry We Missed You (2019)
A delivery driver in the gig economy.
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6
Cathy Come Home (1966)
The TV play about homelessness that shook Britain.
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7
My Name Is Joe (1998)
A recovering alcoholic in Glasgow; Peter Mullan won Best Actor at Cannes.
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8
Sweet Sixteen (2002)
A Greenock teenager wants a home for his mother.
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9
Riff-Raff (1991)
Builders on a London site.
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10
Raining Stones (1993)
A broke father wants to buy his daughter a communion dress.
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11
Looking for Eric (2009)
A postman and the imaginary help of Eric Cantona.
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12
The Angels' Share (2012)
Young offenders and a rare whisky; Cannes Jury Prize.
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13
The Old Oak (2023)
A pub in a former mining village and Syrian refugees.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 13… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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14
Ladybird Ladybird (1994)
A mother fights social services for her children.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (8)
Riff-Raff needs subtitles even for British people haha but it's brilliant
Sweet Sixteen hits harder every time I rewatch it
Kes at the top is right. That ending still guts me.
The Angels' Share is the most fun Loach film, a heist with whisky
I, Daniel Blake should be required viewing for every politician
Couldn't agree more. The food bank scene is one of the hardest things I've ever watched.
Cathy Come Home changed British TV forever
Land and Freedom is my favourite, the debate scene in the village is incredible