The 16 Best Idris Elba Movies

Brutal war dramas, blockbuster spectacle, animated hits, and stylish crime capers show off his range. Which is his finest? Cast your vote!

1

American Gangster

Ridley Scott's 2007 crime epic where Elba plays a Harlem rival to Denzel Washington's kingpin.

1000pts

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2

28 Weeks Later

2007 post-apocalyptic horror sequel in which Elba plays a military commander.

667pts

3

Pacific Rim

Guillermo del Toro's 2013 spectacle in which Elba commands humanity's giant-robot defense.

577pts

4

Prometheus

Ridley Scott's 2012 sci-fi where Elba captains a deep-space expedition ship.

577pts

5

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

2013 biopic in which Elba portrays Nelson Mandela across decades of struggle and triumph.

577pts

6

The Dark Tower

2017 fantasy adaptation casting Elba as the heroic Gunslinger Roland.

500pts

7

Concrete Cowboy

2020 drama featuring Elba as an estranged father in Philadelphia's urban horse-riding culture.

500pts

8

RocknRolla

Guy Ritchie's 2008 London crime caper with Elba among an ensemble of gangsters.

500pts

9

Beasts of No Nation

Cary Fukunaga's harrowing 2015 war drama featuring Elba's award-winning turn as a rebel commandant.

409pts

10

Thor

Marvel's 2011 superhero film featuring Elba as the all-seeing Asgardian guardian Heimdall.

409pts

11

Molly's Game

Aaron Sorkin's 2017 drama with Elba as the defense attorney to Jessica Chastain's poker host.

409pts

12

The Suicide Squad

James Gunn's 2021 reboot starring Elba as the lethal sharpshooter Bloodsport.

300pts

13

The Harder They Fall

2021 stylish Western on Netflix with Elba as a feared outlaw leader.

300pts

14

Zootopia

Disney's 2016 animated hit featuring Elba as the gruff buffalo police chief Bogo.

300pts

15

Hobbs & Shaw

2019 Fast & Furious spin-off where Elba plays the cybernetically enhanced villain Brixton.

300pts

16

No Good Deed

2014 thriller in which Elba plays a menacing escaped convict terrorizing a family.

300pts