List compiled by Eddie on 17/05/2024

It took him some time to get going with early rolls at the start of the 2000’s in hit HBO series Band of Brothers, Black Hawk Down and Star Trek: Nemesis followed by a long stretch of lowly projects before 2008’s cult surprise Bronson arrived, superstar Hollywood actor Tom Hardy has made up for lost time over the past decade or so with key roles in a number of standout cinematic offerings. 

A unique and sometimes divisive presence, Hardy’s on screen and off screen personas and personality doesn’t resonate with everyone but it’s hard to deny the talent that Hardy is with the standout performer making huge marks in some of the eras most renowned and unique features. 

Below is a list of some of Hardy’s best work, not based off Hardy’s performances themselves rather the films as a whole, this list would change rather significantly if you were to debate Hardy’s best individual turns. 

Someone that remains one of the most unique and exciting actors working today, here’s hoping there’s many years left of Hardy operating at the top of his game. 

Happy reading, see you at the movies! 

10. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) 

Hardy plays – Ricki Tarr

Playing a key supporting role in Tomas Alfredson’s critically lauded and star-studded adaptation of John le Carré’s famed novel, Hardy’s turn as Ricki Tarr was a key reason why Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was such a successful big screen version of this UK based thriller. 

9. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) 

Hardy plays – Bane

There’s no doubt that issues exist with Christopher Nolan’s final say on the capped crusader but this bombastic and high-reaching epic still provides more bang for buck than most other comic book blockbusters and Hardy’s turn as the lumbering and powerful Bane is a memorable one even if his mask mumbling can grate at certain times.  

8. Black Hawk Down (2001) 

Hardy plays – Twombly 

A small part in a huge ensemble, Hardy’s early career moment in Ridley Scott’s war thriller is a memorable one in what remains one of Scott’s most well-rounded films of the modern era. Released just a year after the juggernaut that was Scott’s Gladiator, it’s incredible to think the legendary director managed to direct two such quality films virtually back to back. 

7. Locke (2013) 

Hardy plays – Ivan Locke 

If there were ever question marks about Hardy’s acting ability I feel like his one man show Locke is an argument ender of the highest order. A masterfully made film set entirely in the confines of Hardy’s Ivan Locke’s car, Steven Knight’s incredibly gripping feature is a unique and engaging affair that deserves to still find its much larger audience these many years on.  

Read my review HERE

6. Bronson (2008) 

Hardy plays – Charles Bronson 

After years of plying away with not a huge amount of success, Hardy found his career entering into the fast lane with his lead turn in instant cult-classic Bronson. A partnership with divisive director Nicolas Winding Refn, Bronson tells the unbelievable true life tale of Britain’s “most notorious prisoner” Charles Bronson in an entirely bizarre yet wonderful way. In amongst all the craziness is Hardy’s turn that remains one of the most captivating of the modern era.  

Read my review HERE

5. Dunkirk (2017) 

Hardy plays – Farrier 

Trust Christopher Nolan to bring the World War 2 tale of Dunkirk to screens in an entirely unpredictable way. A pulse-pounding visceral experience that is unlike any war film you’d seen before or since, Dunkirk may not have been the film some wanted it to be but its an incredible feat of filmmaking and vision and it’s A-list cast all deliver the goods around the many set-pieces and visual feasts on offer. 

Read my review HERE

4. The Revenant (2015) 

Hardy plays – John Fitzgerald 

The Oscar winning The Revenant has wins all across the board with famed director Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s haunting western a high-reaching epic that takes no easy routes. Around all the wonders is a brilliant Hardy turn who created one of the modern era’s most detestable villains with John Fitzgerald. 

Read my review HERE

3. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) 

Hardy plays – Max Rockatansky 

Shame on anyone for questioning the ability of Australian director George Miller who triumphantly returned to the world and characters he helped create back in the 70’s with his box office/award winning smash Mad Max: Fury Road. A cinematic spectacle that is hard to beat, Fury Road is an assault on the senses and one of the most purely enjoyable action films of all time. 

Read my review HERE

2. Inception (2010) 

Hardy plays – Eames 

There’s not many filmmakers that can combine spectacle with smarts the way in which Christopher Nolan can with his box office smash Inception no exception. Having an absolute blast going all out exploring the world of dreams and our subconscious, Inception is a heist film with a difference sprinkled with some James Bond for good measure creating a cinematic experience that few films could rival.  

Read my review HERE

1. Warrior (2011) 

Hardy plays – Tommy Conlon 

On face value Gavin O’Connor’s sporting drama is yet another stereotypical family/underdog type scenario but the greatest achievement Warrior makes is becoming the film you never expected it to be resulting in a powerful and incendiary drama that just so happens to include sport as its backdrop. Featuring stunning work from Hardy and fellow leading man Joel Edgerton and a career best turn from Nick Nolte, Warrior is a memorable piece of filmmaking that has deservedly found its audience after an initially lacklustre early run in 2011.  

Read my review HERE

What are your favourite Tom Hardy films? Let me know in the comments below!