Idris Elba’s 10 Best Movies And TV Shows

Idris Elba’s best movies and TV shows highlight the amazing career of this charismatic and commanding actor who has appeared in iconic projects on the big and small screen. Born in London, England, Elba started his acting career in the mid-1990s but it was not until landing his role as Stringer Bell in the acclaimed crime series The Wire that his career took off, leading to a number of Hollywood projects as well as his leading role in the BBC thriller Luther.

Elba has shown his talents for playing the likable hero, the intimidating villain, and has even shown off his comedic skills at times. He has worked for directors like Ridley Scott and Guillermo Del Toro and has shared the screen with stars like Denzel Washington and Kate Winslet. However, the best movies and television shows that truly showcase his talents suggest that Elba still has a long and exciting career ahead.

10

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (2024)

As Knuckles

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Official Poster

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113

9.1/10

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

PG
ActionAdventureComedy

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the sequel to the 2022 comedy-adventure movie that featured the Blue Blur and his companions on an adventure to stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world. The new film sees the new antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog, arriving to cause trouble for the newly formed trio of heroes, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, as they adjust to their earthly lives.

Release Date

December 20, 2024

Runtime

109 Minutes

Cast

Ben Schwartz
, Colleen O’Shaughnessey
, Idris Elba
, Keanu Reeves
, Tika Sumpter
, Lee Majdoub
, James Marsden
, Jim Carrey

Director

Jeff Fowler

The latest entry in Idris Elba’s career is also one of his best. This might surprise a lot of people, but Sonic the Hedgehog 3 elevated the beloved video game adaptation franchise to another level. The movie sees the return of Sonic and his friends as they once again team up in order to fight a new threat in the form of the formidable Shadow (voiced by Keanu Reeves). Elba returns to voice Knuckles, now a full-fledged ally of Sonic.

The movie continues to embrace the humor and fun that helped the previous two movies work so well, with Elba getting to embrace his comedic side more in this installment. However, Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s shocking Rotten Tomatoes score can be attributed to the effectiveness of the new villain as well as Jim Carrey’s continued comedic brilliance as Robotnik.

9

The Harder They Fall (2021)

As Rufus Buck

EN-US_THTF_Main_Payoff_Vertical_27x40_RGB_PRE

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The Harder They Fall

R
WesternDramaAction

After Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is released from prison, Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) brings his gang back together to defeat his enemy. Starring alongside Majors and Elba in The Harder They Fall are Zazie Beetz, Edi Gathegi, R.J. Cyler, Regina King, and LaKeith Stanfield. The Western was released in select theaters on October 22, 2021, and released on Netflix on November 3, 2021.

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Release Date

November 3, 2021

Runtime

139 Minutes

Cast

Jonathan Majors
, Idris Elba
, Delroy Lindo
, Danielle Deadwyler
, Regina King
, Edi Gathegi
, r.j. cyler
, Damon Wayans Jr.
, Zazie Beetz
, Deon Cole
, LaKeith Stanfield

Director

Jeymes Samuel

Idris Elba stepped into the Western genre followed by a star-studded cast in The Harder They Fall. Jonathan Majors stars as Nat Love, an outlaw who rounds up his old posse while also forming some shaky new alliances when he learns that his old enemy, Rufus Buck (Elba), has been released from prison. It puts the two men on a collision course where their shared past comes to light.

Elba gives Buck layered qualities while never forgetting that he is a ruthless killer.

The movie is an exciting and vibrant entry into the Western genre, infusing it with new style and fun that makes it a standout among the more recent genre offerings. It also features an incredible cast that includes Regina King, Lakeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz, and Delroy Lindo. However, it is Elba who steals the show with his imposing performance as the movie’s villain. Elba gives Buck layered qualities while never forgetting that he is a ruthless killer.

8

Molly’s Game (2017)

As Charlie Jaffey

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8/10

Molly’s Game

R
DramaBiography

With a screenplay and direction from Aaron Sorkin, 2017’s Molly’s Game is a Crime, Drama, and Biography film starring Jessica Chastain, Kevin Costner, and Idris Elba. The film follows a woman who’s running an underground Poker empire that caters to the rich and famous as it’s exposed by the FBI.

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Release Date

December 25, 2017

Runtime

140minutes

Cast

Idris Elba
, Michael Cera
, Jessica Chastain
, Bill Camp
, Kevin Costner
, Jeremy Strong
, Chris O’Dowd

Director

Aaron Sorkin

While Idris Elba’s filmography is filled with big and bold genre movies, it is also nice to see him play a more grounded human character, such as in Molly’s Game. The directorial debut of renowned screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, Molly’s Game is based on a true story about Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain), a former champion skier who ventured into the world of underground poker games, where she was eventually arrested for running a poker club filled with famous faces and handling millions of dollars.

Elba co-stars in the movie as Charlie Jaffey, the lawyer who takes on Molly’s case after her arrest. Not surprisingly, given Sorkin’s work in the past, Molly’s Game is an engrossing, sharp, and entertaining ride through this exciting work. Chastain gives one of her best performances, while she is also joined by a strong supporting cast, including Elba, Kevin Costner, Jeremy Strong, and Michael Cera.

7

Beasts Of No Nation (2015)

As Commandant

beasts of no nation poster

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Beasts of No Nation

DramaDocumentaryWar

Beasts of No Nation is a war drama that was released exclusively on Netflix in 2015. The film centers on a young boy named Agu, who is forced to become a child soldier in a Civil War in an unspecified African country. The film is based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Uzodinma Iweala.

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Release Date

September 11, 2015

Runtime

133 minutes

Cast

Abraham Attah
, Emmanuel Affadzi
, Ricky Adelayitor
, Andrew Adote
, Vera Nyarkoah Antwi
, Ama Abebrese

Director

Cary Fukunaga

Idris Elba is an incredibly charismatic and likable presence on screen, so it is a testament to his talents that he is also able to create vile and disturbing characters. Beasts of No Nation is a harrowing and brutal movie based on a true story that follows a young boy in an unnamed African country who is captured by a band of rebels and forced to become a child soldier. Elba gives a haunting performance as the commander of this child army who uses the young men for whatever he pleases.

He is the highlight of this film, which does not hold back from showing the horrors of this real-life issue boys face in these countries.

Elba gives one of his best performances, showing the formidable nature of the man, his charisma that makes the young men follow him, and his instability as his power begins to slip away. He is the highlight of this film, which does not hold back from showing the horrors of this real-life issue boys face in these countries.

6

The Jungle Book (2016)

As Shere Khan

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8.3/10

The Jungle Book

PG
AdventureDramaFantasy

Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book brings the original Rudyard Kipling story to life, telling the story of Mowgli the Man-Cub (Neel Sethi) as he is cared for by the animals of the jungle. Raised by wolves and taught to hunt by the panther Bagheera (Ben Kingsley), Mowgli also befriends the carefree bear, Baloo (Bill Murray). However, the tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) wants to kill Mowgli, forcing him to assess whether or not the jungle is a safe place for a human.

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Release Date

April 15, 2016

Runtime

106 Minutes

Cast

Idris Elba
, Ralph Ineson
, Giancarlo Esposito
, Lupita Nyong’o
, Christopher Walken
, Scarlett Johansson
, Emjay Anthony
, Neel Sethi
, Bill Murray
, Ben Kingsley
, Hannah Tointon

Director

Jon Favreau

Idris Elba has done a lot of voice work in his career, but The Jungle Book also gave him the opportunity to embrace his villainous side, which he does so well. The Jungle Book served as one of the first live-action Disney remakes and is still considered one of the best. It retells the story of the young man-cub Mowgli, who is raised in the jungle by wolves and among the other animals, only to be told he must return to the land of humans when the tiger Shere Khan comes hunting for him.

The photorealistic animals used for the movie are impressive, with a star-studded voice cast to bring them to life, including Bill Murray, Christopher Walken, and Scarlett Johansson. However, Elba gives the most memorable performance, combining charisma and chilling brutality as Shere Khan.

5

The Suicide Squad (2021)

As Bloodsport

The-Suicide-Squad-Movie-Poster-1

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29

8/10

The Suicide Squad

R
ActionAdventureComedyScience Fiction

James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad acts as a soft reboot for David Ayer’s 2016 Suicide Squad. Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) is again recruiting a group of superheroes for a dangerous mission, this time pairing Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) with Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), Savant (Michael Rooker), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone), Blackguard (Pete Davidson), and Javelin (Flula Borg).

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Release Date

August 5, 2021

Runtime

132 minutes

Cast

Margot Robbie
, Viola Davis
, Idris Elba
, John Cena
, Joel Kinnaman
, Michael Rooker

Director

James Gunn

While Idris Elba’s collaborations with Marvel are perhaps more well-known, he was given more to do in this DC movie. The Suicide Squad served as James Gunn’s entry into the world of DC as he brought the story of a band of misfit supervillains to the big screen. The film sees the bad guys, including Harley Quinn, Peacemaker, and King Shark, assembled by Amanda Waller to take down a scientific experiment on a secret island.

Elba leads the cast as Bloodsport, an assassin who becomes the reluctant leader of this ragtag team, learning a bit of heroism along the way. Gunn’s irreverent humor, outcast characters, and skewed view of the superhero world is the perfect fit for The Suicide Squad, with the movie feeling like a direct precursor to Creature Commandos. However, also like Gunn’s other work, it contains a surprising amount of heart.

4

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

As Heimdall

Thor Ragnarok Australia Poster

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14

7.8/10

Thor: Ragnarok

PG-13
SuperheroActionAdventureSci-FiFantasyComedy

Thor: Ragnarok is the third Thor solo film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the first directed by Taika Waititi. In the sequel, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself stranded on Sakaar, ruled by the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). Soon he teams with Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to return to Asgard and defeat his sister Hela.

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Release Date

November 3, 2017

Runtime

130 Minutes

Cast

Chris Hemsworth
, Tessa Thompson
, Tom Hiddleston
, Mark Ruffalo
, Jeff Goldblum
, Cate Blanchett
, Idris Elba
, Karl Urban

Director

Taika Waititi

While Idris Elba had been a part of the Thor franchise from the beginning, it wasn’t until Thor: Ragnarok that these movies really showed their potential. The dour and strangely serious tone of the first two movies was replaced by Taika Waititi’s much more comedic and zany approach in this story of Thor’s cosmic journey to return to Asgard and save it from his evil sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett).

Elba returns as Heimdall, getting to play around with the character more than ever as the Asgardian warrior stays behind in the kingdom, fighting to protect its people. Waititi’s new approach infused Thor: Ragnarok with some much-needed energy while also making for one of the funniest MCU movies to date. It also gave Chris Hemsworth the opportunity to really have fun with the God of Thunder and turn him into one of the most popular MCU heroes.

3

Zootopia (2016)

As Chief Bogo

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8/10

8.3/10

Zootopia

PG
AnimationAdventureActionFamily

Disney’s Zootopia takes place in the titular city, a place where anthropomorphic animals peacefully coexist. Following Officer Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a rabbit,  as she strikes up an unlikely partnership with a con artist fox (Jason Bateman). Working together, the pair discover a criminal conspiracy that involves the disappearance of predators, and follow it all the way to the heart of the city.

Release Date

March 4, 2016

Runtime

108 Minutes

Cast

Octavia Spencer
, Bonnie Hunt
, Maurice LaMarche
, Idris Elba
, John DiMaggio
, Jason Bateman
, Alan Tudyk
, Nate Torrence
, Katie Lowes
, Ginnifer Goodwin
, Tommy Chong
, Shakira
, J. K. Simmons
, Jenny Slate
, Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister

Director

Jared Bush
, Rich Moore
, Byron Howard

Expand

In another voice acting role for Disney, Idris Elba once again leaned into his imposing persona. Zootopia is a clever and inventive adventure that imagines a world inhabited by anamorphic animals. It follows the story of a young heroic rabbit with dreams of becoming a police officer in the big city. However, when she forms a reluctant partnership with a smooth-talking con artist fox, they discover a conspiracy at the height of power in the city.

It remains to be seen if Elba will return for the upcoming Zootopia 2.

Elba has a memorable supporting role as Chief Bogo, an African buffalo who serves as the gruff, no-nonsense police chief. Zootopia is a vibrantly animated adventure for the whole family, filled with fun songs and a great sense of humor. However, it is also a great mystery that has an underlying message about acceptance and looking past stereotypes. It remains to be seen if Elba will return for the upcoming Zootopia 2.

2

Luther (2010-2019)

As John Luther

Luther TV Series Poster

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8/10

Luther

TV-MA
Drama

Modern-day Sherlock Holmes John Luther, played by Idris Elba, uses his brilliant detective skills to solve murder cases with the unlikely help of murderer Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson). The BBC crime thriller aired for five seasons and continued with the 2023 feature film Luther: The Fallen Sun.

Release Date

May 4, 2010

Cast

Idris Elba
, Ruth Wilson
, Steven Mackintosh
, Indira Varma
, Paul McGann
, Saskia Reeves
, Warren Brown
, Dermot Crowley
, Nikki Amuka-Bird
, Aimee-Ffion Edwards

Seasons

5

Showrunner

Neil Cross

While there is another television role that marks his best project, it is hard to deny that John Luther is Idris Elba’s most iconic role to date. Luther is a British crime series that stars Elba in the main role as DCI John Luther, a determined cop who is also known for not being afraid to push the boundaries of law in order to get his suspects. As he takes on cases of brutality and ruthless murders in London, he must also keep himself out of prison.

Elba makes for a fascinating lead character, with the show making Luther an easy character to root for while also not hiding his many flaws.

The show is a dark and twisted crime series that does not hold back on the grimness of the crimes it depicts. However, Elba makes for a fascinating lead character, with the show making Luther an easy character to root for while also not hiding his many flaws.

1

The Wire (2002-2004)

As Stringer Bell

The Wire TV Series poster

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10/10

10/10

The Wire

Drama

The Wire is an American crime drama starring Dominic West and Lance Reddick. The show follows Detective James ‘Jimmy’ McNulty as he tackles the drug scene in Baltimore, Maryland. The HBO series was praised throughout its run, even winning two Primetime Emmy Awards. The Wire aired on HBO between 2002 and 2008 for a total of 60 episodes.

Release Date

June 2, 2002

Cast

Lance Reddick
, Michael B. Jordan
, Idris Elba
, Dominic West
, Wood Harris

Seasons

5

Showrunner

David Simon

Idris Elba introduced himself to most people with his role in HBO’s crime series The Wire. Considered by many to be one of the best television series of all time, The Wire takes a look at the war on drugs in the streets of Baltimore through the perspectives of various aspects of the city, the flawed police investigating the crimes, and the complicated criminals at the center.

Elba has a standout role in the series as Stringer Bell, the loyal and intelligent second-in-command to drug kingpin Avon Barksdale. Stringer epitomized the show’s nuanced look at the realities of this world as he was a ruthless criminal who was also seeking to be something more. The show is a gritty and engrossing crime saga with its reputation and acclaim only growing in the years since it ended.

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