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

Prometheus

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

1000pts

2

28 Weeks Later

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

957pts

3

American Gangster

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

957pts

4

Beasts of No Nation

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

888pts

5

Concrete Cowboy

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

837pts

6

The Dark Tower

2017 fantasy adaptation casting Elba as the heroic Gunslinger Roland.

777pts

7

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

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

777pts

8

Pacific Rim

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

777pts

9

Hobbs & Shaw

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

777pts

10

RocknRolla

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

706pts

11

Molly's Game

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

706pts

12

No Good Deed

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

706pts

13

The Harder They Fall

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

621pts

14

Zootopia

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

621pts

15

Thor

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

518pts

16

The Suicide Squad

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

518pts