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Eric Sykes

Eric Sykes

Actor, writer and director · Died July 4, 2012, aged 89 · Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK

'Eric Sykes' started as a radio scriptwriter but he soon found he could perform as well as write. The slight handicap of being very hard of hearing doesn't interfere with his wonderful comic timing. The spectacles he wears have no lenses but contain a bone conducting hearing aid.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 4, 1923
Died
July 4, 2012 (aged 89)
From
Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK
Works as
Actor, writer and director
Titles
19 on MovieCove · 60 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 64 days to Oct 27Down 25% in 30 days

What are Eric Sykes' films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 27th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
25%
Bonds
21%
Society
21%
Morality
17%
Survival
12%
Ideas
4%
Community3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 5 · Serious 1 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 2 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 1 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
4
Joyful
2
Tense
2
Warm
2
Dread
1
Other
7

How their films linger

Feel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous1
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Eric Sykes' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 19 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (5).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Eric Sykes' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

60 credits, 19 with a MovieCove page; 12 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire(2005)

    as Frank Bryce

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • New Tricks(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Three Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Ferapont

  • The Others(2001)

    as Mr. Edmund Tuttle

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • One Foot in the Grave: Visiting Uncle Dick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Uncle Dick

  • Gormenghast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mollocks

  • Mavis and the Mermaid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Skip

  • TeleTubbies: Musical Playtime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • dinnerladies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim

  • The Heaven and Earth Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Teletubbies(1997)

    Show as Additional Voice

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • The Big Freeze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director · Writer · as Mr Blick, the plumber

  • Splitting Heirs(1993)

    as Jobson the Doorman

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Tommy Cooper - The Magic Touch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Heartbeat(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr Drinkwater

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • The Nineteenth Hole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 7 episodes · as The Secretary

  • Poirot(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr Fullerton

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Mr. H Is Late (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director · Writer · Actor

  • The Return of Sherlock Holmes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Horace Harker

  • Absolute Beginners(1986)

    as Arcade Attendant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Alice in Wonderland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Mad Hatter (voice)

  • Alice in Wonderland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 5 episodes · as Mad Hatter

  • Royal Variety Performance 1984(1984)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Sherlock Holmes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Horace Harker

  • Gabrielle and the Doodleman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Genie

  • It's Your Move (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director · Writer · as Head Removal Man

  • The Boys in Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Chief Constable

  • Eric Sykes: One of the Great Troupers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Writer · as Self

  • If You Go Down in the Woods Today(1981)

    Director · Writer · as Mr. Pangbourne

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Rhubarb Rhubarb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Director · Writer · Actor

  • The Plank (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director · Writer · as Taller Workman

  • Charley's Aunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Writer · as Brassett

  • Theater of Blood(1973)

    as Sergeant Dogge

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Last of the Summer Wine(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Doggy

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Sykes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 68 episodes · Script · Writer · as Eric Sykes

  • The Alf Garnett Saga(1972)

    as Eric Sykes

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Rhubarb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Writer · as Insp. Rhubarb

  • Curry and Chips (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies(1969)

    as Perkins

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Shalako(1968)

    as Mako

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Plank (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Smaller Workman

  • The Spy with a Cold Nose(1966)

    as Wrigley

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • The Liquidator(1965)

    as Griffen

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Rotten to the Core (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as William Hunt

  • Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes(1965)

    as Courtney

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • One Way Pendulum(1965)

    as Mr. Groomkirby

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Bargee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as The Mariner

  • Heavens Above! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Harry Smith

  • Kill or Cure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Rumbelow

  • Village of Daughters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Herbert Harris

  • Very Important Person (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Sports Officer Willoughby

  • Roamin' Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show Creator

  • Watch Your Stern (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Civilian electrician #2

  • Sykes and a... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 67 episodes · Writer · Actor

  • Tommy the Toreador (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Martin

  • Hancock's Half Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Charley Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Brother-in-Law

  • The Tony Hancock Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Orders Are Orders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Additional Dialogue · as Pvt. Waterhouse

Career shape

Star power in the 90th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 59 titles from 1954 to 2005; peak year 1968.

Biggest box office

The Others (2001)

$210M worldwide

Highest rated

The Others (2001)

Midcredits 96th

Film career

19542005

Peak 1968 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1963Screen debut· Heavens Above!
  • 2001Career best· The Others

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting57 of 59: 45 only acting, 12 with another role · typical Midcredits score49thDirecting8 of 59: 0 only directing, 8 with another roleWriting12 of 59: 1 only writing, 11 with another roleProducing1 of 59: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew3 of 59: 1 only other crew, 2 with another role

59 titles, 12 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 11 of them.

By decade

1950s6 · 6 acting · 1 crew1960s17 · 16 acting · 3 crew1970s7 · 7 acting · 4 crew1980s15 · 14 acting · 5 crew1990s7 · 7 acting · 1 crew2000s7 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 9 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Eric Sykes' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 36th percentile, the median of all 14; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 36th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

30thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 19 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th2
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 19 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Royal Variety Performance 1984 (1984)

93rd percentile spread · 19% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Eric Sykes' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 34 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Eric Sykes work with?

People who share at least 2 of Eric Sykes' MovieCove titles; Glyn Houston shares the most, 2.