Cillian Murphy’s Greatest Movies Ranked

Few actors in Hollywood are as beloved as Cillian Murphy. Since the 1990’s, Murphy has become an icon. Whether it’s historical inventors, soldiers or comic-book villains, Murphy has portrayed several characters. Given the number of commemorated movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Oppenheimer

Bombings are intense incidents that shaped my personality. At an early age, my family faced trauma when we experienced bomb blasts causing emotional damage. In 2003, my family endured bomb blasts that caused insomnia in Saudi Arabia. Truth be told, I was only five years old. Through a miracle, my family managed to survive the worst disaster in the world imaginable. However, the catastrophic aftermath of bombings stayed with me forever. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t recover from bombings in which my family almost died. As someone haunted by memories of bomb blast disasters that changed my life forever, I loved “Oppenheimer”. Released in 2023, Cillian Murphy’s Oscar-winning blockbuster celebrated an innovator that designed bombs changing the world forever. In the greatest role of his career, Cillian Murphy embodied a historical innovator that designed an atomic bomb to prevent WWII warfare. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Murphy has always excelled communicating emotions through his expressions, and “Oppenheimer” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the sequence in which Oppenheimer is haunted by sounds of bombs as he delivers a monologue to crowds is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Oppenheimer” Cillian Murphy’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message regarding trauma which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after Oppenheimer manufactured a groundbreaking bomb that changed the world forever, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated actor that has made memorable movies which audiences treasure.

2. Inception

Dreams have always fascinated my mother. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a mother that was fascinated with dreams causing damage. She would often love sharing her dreams with my family which she remembered clearly. Sometimes, her dreams were joyous events about which she came to care. However, she also had vivid nightmares that caused her to face fears. Few science-fiction films I’ve ever seen have depicted dreams as powerfully as “Inception”. Released in 2010, Cillian Murphy’s film has stood the test of time as a science-fiction masterpiece. In the most complex role of his career, Murphy embodies a businessman facing a mission involving dreams causing despair. Murphy has always excelled at playing guilty characters, and “Inception” showcased his strengths as a performer. It’s a role that gave Murphy chances to showcase vulnerability he hadn’t shown in his career before. For instance, the scene in which Robert Fischer breaks down in tears seeing his father on his deathbed during a dream showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Inception” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about dreams resonating with everyone. As powerful as Cobb’s desires to make dreams come true, it’s a strong reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to entertain making movies that audiences value.

3. Batman Begins

Batman is a beloved superhero that shaped my brother’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a brother that was a huge fan of the beloved superhero. A comic-book nerd, he always spoke fondly about a superhero that made him feel heard. My brother’s lifelong love of Batman first began when he watched “Batman Begins”. Released in 2005, Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster did an extraordinary job of introducing the caped crusader on the big-screen. One of the main reasons why the film is considered a comic-book classic today is because of its villain. As the Scarecrow, Cillian Murphy did an excellent job bringing to life an iconic comic-book villain created years ago. In the most villainous role of his career, Murphy embodies a dangerous psychopath that murders innocent civilians using gas that’s poisonous. Murphy has spent most of his career playing heroic characters. With “Batman Begins”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a psychopathic villain. For instance, the scene in which Scarecrow first meets Batman in the streets of Gotham City showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Batman Begins” a comic-book classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about loss which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking beginning of a franchise about a superhero, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose memorable movies have give audiences dreams to follow.

4. The Dark Knight

The Joker is a legendary comic-book villain that my aunt has always loved dearly. At an early age, I developed a strong bond with an aunt that was a huge fan of a villain causing damage. I remember an aunt that was a huge fan of the Joker. She grew up to embrace an iconic comic-book villain that always left a lasting smile on her face. As someone treasuring bright memories of an aunt that loved the Joker, I adored “The Dark Knight”. Released in 2008, Christopher Nolan’s Batman sequel did an excellent job of bringing an iconic supervillain to the big-screen. Reprising the role of Scarecrow, Cillian Murphy once again created a formidable foe. Murphy has always been one of those actors with abilities to steal the show in supporting roles, and “The Dark Knight” showcased his strengths. For instance, the scene in which Scarecrow terrorizes Batman with the assistance of his gang showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “The Dark Knight” a masterpiece is its humanity. It turns the caped crusader into a relatable hero that anyone can easily identify with. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking comic-book film about clownish villains superheroes fight, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to excite whose memorable movies fulfill movie-goers’ appetite.

5. Dunkirk

The Battle of Dunkirk is a tragic war in history that shaped my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed a bond with a grandpa that recounted stories of a war causing damage. I remember my grandfather would tell me stories about a disaster that changed his life forever. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather recounting stories about the Battle of Dunkirk, I adored “Dunkirk”. Released in 2017, Cillian Murphy’s movie recreated a tragic battle in history that changed the world drastically. In the most emotionally draining role of his career, Murphy embodies a traumatized soldier facing despair. Murphy has always excelled at portraying anxiety-ridden characters under intense pressure, and “Dunkirk” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which the shivering soldier recounts stories about warfare on the boat is a highlight of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Dunkirk” one of Cillian Murphy’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about war which would resonate with everyone. A dazzling depiction of a commemorated battle in history that proved devastating, it’s a magnificent reminder of an actor whose movies are worth celebrating.

6. 28 Days Later

Over the past decade, the zombie movie genre has faced a decline in quality. With their cartoonish characters, over-the-top action and lacklustre special effects, most zombie movies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has faced destructive disaster, it’s worth discussing “28 Days Later”. Released in 2002, Cillian Murphy’s movie did an excellent job of reviving the zombie genre from a realistic point-of-view. In the most heroic role of his career, Murphy embodies a survivor facing fear struggling to cope with a zombie apocalypse causing despair. It’s a role that gave Murphy a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing characters facing situations of terror. A dazzling depiction of a dangerous zombie disaster occurring over 28 days, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose memorable movies have always earned praise.

7. The Wind that Shakes the Barley

Ireland is a misunderstood country that’s rarely depicted accurately in movies. Hollywood has often struggled to accomplish the tough task of depicting people that are Irish. In an industry that has rarely portrayed Ireland accurately, it’s worth praising “The Wind that Shakes the Barley”. Released in 2006, Cillian Murphy’s movie did an excellent job of depicting the Irish Civil War. In the most tragic role of his career, Murphy embodies a man torn apart from his brother by a war causing despair. It’s a role that gave Murphy an opportunity to honour his home country as a native citizen that grew up in Ireland. Murphy showcased emotional vulnerability audiences in one of his first roles. An informative portrait of an intense war fought by the Irish, it’s an incredible reminder about an actor whose movies audiences cherish.

8. A Quiet Place: Part Two

Few film franchises about tensions silent families face are as beloved as “A Quiet Place”. Launched in 2018, John Krasinski’s franchise achieved fame for depicting silent families on the big-screen. In 2021, Cillian Murphy was give a chance to participate in the quietly powerful sequel “A Quiet Place: Part Two”. In the most silent role of his career, Murphy embodies a survivor struggling to survive an apocalypse causing despair. Murphy has always excelled at conveying emotions through strong expressions without speaking, “A Quiet Place: Part Two” showcased his strengths as an actor. Despite minimal dialogue, Murphy conveys meaningful emotions through his expressions. A powerful portrait of families that face tensions surviving in a quiet place, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose commemorated movies audiences embrace.

9. Breakfast on Pluto

Transgender communities are rarely depicted in movies. Hollywood long held a tradition of ignoring the stories of men that seek to transform into women. A sensitive subject matter, the stories of transgender people are rarely depicted in movies in an authentic manner. However, in 2005 Cillian Murphy capture hardships that transgender people go through in his film “Breakfast on Pluto”. In the riskiest role of his career, Murphy embodies a transgender woman that faces despair. It isn’t easy for straight actors to portray transgender people accurately but Murphy succeeded tremendously. It’s a role that gave the actor the opportunity to step out of his comfort zone by playing a complex transgender. A touching portrait of the transgender community, it’s a tremendous reminder of an actor that thrives making movies that are risky.

10. The Dark Knight Rises

It isn’t easy to bring a beloved franchise to a satisfying conclusion. Most film franchises start off on a high note with significant promise to begin with. However, few stick the landing creating a satisfying ending. That being said, “The Dark Knight Rises” is an exception. Released in 2012, Christopher Nolan’s film brought the beloved franchise to a satisfying conclusion. In his final role as Scarecrow, Murphy encapsulated Batman’s foe. Despite limited screen time, Murphy managed to leave a strong impression. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing villains. As powerful as Batman’s desire to defeat Bane, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to entertain whose movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love for filmmaking from which I have much to gain.