Whether you love to hate him for playing villains so convincingly, or purely love him for the action, intensity, and unforgettable voices he brings to his performances, there’s no denying that Tom Hardy is one of the most dedicated actors out there. His latest film, Havoc, is already turning heads on Netflix for its jaw-dropping six-minute long, brutally choreographed action sequence.
If you have already seen Havoc and are hungry for more of Hardy’s raw energy and gripping performances, you’re in luck. Since beginning his film career in 2001, he hasn’t taken a single year off. That adds up to nearly 24 years of non-stop work with over 65 movies and TV shows to his name. Watching all of them would take a serious commitment, so to help narrow it down, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best Tom Hardy movies and TV shows.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Only someone with Hardy’s raw intensity and screen presence could step into the iconic role of Max Rockatansky (previously played by Mel Gibson) and make it entirely his own. Mad Max: Fury Road breathes new life into the legendary Mad Max franchise. Max teams up with Furiosa, a fierce new rebel played by Charlize Theron. Together, the duo go up against Immortan Joe, a ruthless tyrant who controls the desert wasteland by monopolizing water, the most basic necessity for survival. Driven by their own personal motives, the duo set out on a chaotic and explosive journey across the desert.
With minimal dialogue, Hardy delivers a masterclass in physical acting, with his movements and expressions doing all the work for him. Not only is Mad Max: Fury Road one of Hardy’s best career performances, it’s also widely regarded as one of the best action movies of all time, a visually stunning, action-first film that won six Oscars at the 88th Academy Awards.
Inception (2010)
Christopher Nolan is known for working with a trusted inner circle of actors to bring his complex narratives to life. Inception is no different. This mind-bending and cerebral masterpiece features several of Nolan’s frequent collaborators, including Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Michael Caine. But for Tom Hardy, this film marked his first time working with Nolan. Although Hardy had been steadily building his career throughout the 2000s, it was his role as the charming and confident Eames that helped make him a household name.
Eames plays a crucial role in the dream heists, and Hardy’s charismatic, scene-stealing presence, combined with his dry wit and tactical sharpness, made him stand out among the ensemble cast. This role also marked the beginning of a long-standing and successful collaboration between Tom Hardy and Christopher Nolan.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
It’s no easy feat to take on a villainous role in a franchise as iconic as Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, especially after Heath Ledger’s Academy Award-winning performance as the Joker. But Tom Hardy has never been one to shy away from a challenge. In The Dark Knight Rises, Hardy delivers a chilling performance as Bane, a menacing new villain who threatens the very survival of Gotham City.
With his face covered by a mask, Hardy relies on his sheer presence, hauntingly chilling voice (which became one of the most memorable aspects of the movie), and body language to deliver one of the greatest villainous performances in superhero history.
Peaky Blinders (2013)
With its gripping narrative, complex characters, and moody setting, Peaky Blinders is one of those addictive shows that pulls you in and keeps you hooked till the very end. Set in post-World War I Birmingham, this dark and brooding crime drama traces the rise and reign of Britain’s most notorious crime empire, led by Tommy Shelby.
Although Tom Hardy plays a supporting role, his performance as Alfred "Alfie" Solomons stands out as one of the most fan-loved characters in the series. Alfie is a charismatic, unpredictable Jewish gangster and bootlegger who runs a distillery in Camden Town. He shifts between being an ally and a foe to Tommy Shelby, depending on his own personal agendas, and his wild-card presence is what makes him so crucial and beloved in the series.
Legend (2015)
If you're a fan of crime dramas and Tom Hardy, Legend is worth checking out. Tom Hardy takes on the role of the notorious Kray brothers, who infamously stirred chaos and bloodshed through the streets of London in the '60, forming one of the most feared gangster organizations known as "The Firm."
While the film overall has received generally mixed reviews, Tom Hardy is reason enough to watch it. His distinctive portrayal of both twins, who possess such dual personalities, showcases his versatility and range as an actor. Legend is one of the standout performances of his career.
Venom (2018)
From DC’s masked monster to Marvel’s morally grey symbiote, Tom Hardy is one of the few actors with a visa to both multiverses. The Venom trilogy serves as an extended origin arc for one of Spider-Man’s most iconic villains.
Hardy’s wild and unhinged portrayal of the parasite, along with the conviction he brings to the internal struggle between Eddie Brock, a career-driven journalist, and Venom, the perpetually hungry alien entity, carries the entire franchise on his shoulders. Venom’s devilish and instantly recognizable voice shares resemblance with the bizarre and exaggerated energy of Jim Carrey in The Mask.
Dunkirk (2017)
Christopher Nolan’s war epic Dunkirk is quietly brutal yet gut-wrenching nonetheless. The film truly transports the audience to the battleground of WWII, with masterful visuals, Hans Zimmer’s haunting score, and Nolan’s perfectly cast team of actors who capture the grief, trauma, and shell-shocked state of the Allied soldiers as they struggle to escape under unforgiving enemy pressure. While Dunkirk is a visual masterpiece and widely regarded as one of the best war movies of recent times, it’s also the account of 500,000 soldiers attempting to evacuate an inescapable battleground, with multiple storylines playing out in parallel throughout the film.
Amidst all of them, one that truly stands out is that of RAF pilot Farrier, played by Tom Hardy. He’s a sky warrior tasked with protecting the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk. Despite having very little dialogue and wearing a mask for most of the film, Hardy conveys a calm and focused heroism through nothing but his eyes.
Locke (2013)
Whether it’s mastering accents, acting with his face fully covered, or taking on unconventional roles, it’s well established by now that Tom Hardy embraces every opportunity to push himself as an actor and convincingly bring a character to life, no matter the limitations. Locke is one such film, where Hardy challenges himself to hold the audience’s attention through phone conversations while driving from one city to another.
In the film, he plays a construction manager who accidentally impregnates a woman after committing adultery and must now travel to another city to be there for the birth of his illegitimate child. The entire narrative of how his work and personal life both fall apart unfolds through 36 calls he receives along the way, and Hardy plays it so convincingly that you’ll feel like you’re a fly on the wall, listening to something deeply personal and painful.
The Take (2009)
One of the most intense roles Tom Hardy took on in his early career was the role of Freddie Jackson in the 2009 British mini-series The Take. Based on Martina Cole’s novel, the four-episode series follows Freddie, an ex-convict who quickly falls back into a life of crime and violence after being released from prison.
The story traces his attempts to climb the underworld ladder with the help of his level-headed cousin Jimmy, all while ignoring the toll his choices take on his family and marriage. Hardy’s unhinged and ruthless portrayal of Freddie earned him significant praise and recognition early in his career.
Wuthering Heights (2009)
A young Tom Hardy stars opposite Charlotte Riley in the TV adaptation of Emily Brontë’s age-old classic Wuthering Heights. This miniseries is one of the most popular adaptations of the novel and is well received by both critics and fans for remaining faithful to the original story and for the strong performances by Hardy and Riley.
Hardy takes on the role of Heathcliff, an orphaned boy who falls in love with the daughter of the family that fosters him into adulthood. When social class, wealth, and family tensions come between them, Heathcliff transforms into a bitter, scorned lover. With his brooding intensity, Hardy convincingly captures Heathcliff’s dark, vengeful nature.
Where To Watch The Best Tom Hardy Movies And TV Shows Online
To discover more about TV shows and movies currently streaming in India, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!
