My Favourite Tom Hardy Movies of All-Time

Not many actors in Hollywood have built a legacy as extraordinary as Tom Hardy. Since the 2000’s, Hardy has become a great actor. Whether it’s road warriors, fur traders or comic-book villains, Hardy has played many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies that 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. The Revenant

Individuals with a strong drive to survive disasters have always inspired me. At an early age, my family faced a grim bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. Truth be told, I was only five years old when loud bombs struck my household. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. I felt grateful towards my parents that put their lives on the line to ensure my survival. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured individuals with a strong commitment to survive disaster as powerfully as “The Revenant”. Ever since its release in 2015, Tom Hardy’s movie has stood the test of time as a masterpiece about survival. With the greatest film of his career, Hardy embodies a fur trapper with a strong drive to survive a hopeless situation causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and menacing in his most memorable role. Hardy has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with generous personalities. With “The Revenant”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a despicable villain without humanity. Working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio who is also amazing, Hardy creates a villainous fur trader that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which John Fitzgerald plans out a mischievous murder choking Hugh Glass without his frontiersman being aware is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Revenant” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about survival which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies set during the 18th Century, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 10 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about revenant fur traders with a strong drive to survive seeking revenge for the murder of families causing resentment, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor with commitment that has become an icon in entertainment.

2. Warrior

As far as I can remember, I’ve always shared a strong bond with my brother. During my childhood, my brother loved playing the game of soccer in our neighbourhood. Born with a strong physique of a warrior, my brother enjoyed playing soccer every week. After he left for university, I missed a brother that shaped my identity. As someone treasuring joyous memories of a brother that sought to become a sports player, I loved “Warrior”. Released in 2011, Tom Hardy’s movie captured the broken bonds between wrestling brothers. In the most emotional role of his career, Hardy embodies an MMA fighter whose bond with his estranged brother faces despair. Hardy has always been one of those actors with an ability to convey strong emotions by his expressions, and his strengths are evident in “Warrior”. For instance, the ending scene in which Tommy and Brendan reconcile mending their bond after a tense MMA fight finds the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Warrior” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about the strong bonds between brothers that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Mixed Martial Arts fighting to appreciate it. A beautiful portrait of the bonds between brothers in wrestling that deteriorate, it’s a strong reminder of an actor whose timeless movies audiences appreciate.

3. Inception

Dreams are complex psychological states that fascinate my mother. At an early age, I bonded with a mother that was fascinated with dreams causing damage. She would love sharing her vivid dreams with my family which she remembered clearly. Her dreams were often joyous events without a doubt that she would always love to talk about. As someone that has always been fascinated with the emotion of dreams, I adored “Inception”. Ever since its release in 2010, Tom Hardy’s movie has stood the test of time as a science-fiction classic. With the most thought-provoking role of his career, Hardy embodies a thief that’s skilled at infiltrating dreams causing despair. Hardy has always been one of those actors with a sharp sense of humour, and his talents are evident in “Inception”. For instance, the scene in which Eames is first recruited by Cobb on a tense mission to perform Inception is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Inception” a science-fiction masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about dreams which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Cobb’s desire to make his dreams come true, it’s a strong reminder of a commemorated actor whose movies audiences value.

4. The Dark Knight Rises

Batman is a celebrated superhero that my cousin has always appreciated. Several years ago, I formed a bond with a cousin that loved the superhero. I remember my cousin was a huge comic-book fan that adored caped crusader. He would speak fondly about a superhero that shaped his identity. As someone treasuring memories of a cousin that loved a hero full of surprises, I adored “The Dark Knight Rises”. Released in 2012, Tom Hardy’s movie brought Batman’s journey towards a satisfying conclusion. In the most villainous role of his career, Hardy embodies a vengeful terrorist evoking fear. Despite the fact that his face is his hidden by a mask throughout the movie, Hardy conveys strong emotions through his powerful voice. For instance, the opening scene in which Bane is first introduced crashing a plane is one of the most best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Dark Knight Rises” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message about terrorism which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking conclusion to a franchise about superheroes facing challenges that are back-breaking, it’s a brilliant reminder of a great actor whose timeless movies are worth celebrating.

5. Dunkirk

The Battle of Dunkirk is a tragic war in history that shaped my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed bonds 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, Tom Hardy’s movie recreated a tragic battle in British history. In the most subtle role of his career, Hardy embodies a dedicated pilot that flys dangerous planes during WWII warfare. Hardy has always had an aptitude for conveying emotions by eye movements, and his strengths are evident in “Dunkirk”. For instance, the scene in which Farrier engages in a tense dogfight during warfare is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Dunkirk” a great war movie is balance. Unlike most war movies, it finds the perfect balance between storytelling and spectacle. 90 years following the Battle of Dunkirk, it’s a commemorated reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable movies through hard work.

6. Mad Max Fury Road

Mad Max is a magnificent franchise that has earned a huge following. Following its introductions by George Miller in the 1980’s, the commemorated franchise about mad emperors has earned worldwide recognition. In 2015, Tom Hardy was bestowed the honour of bringing the franchise back to the big-screen in his movie “Mad Max: Fury Road”. In the most silent role of his career, Hardy embodies a breathtaking road warrior embarking on a journey in a doomed wasteland facing despair. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his talent for communicating emotions through expressions rather than words. A magnificent reboot of a commemorated franchise about emperors that are mad, it’s a marvellous reminder of a great actor whose unforgettable movies always leave audiences glad.

7. Locke

It’s challenging to make an entertaining movie that’s set in a confined setting. Confined spaces often pose certain challenges for actors that are demanding. Shooting a movie entirely in a confined location for actors requires a certain degree of dedication. However, in 2013 Tom Hardy pulled it off maintaining a strong lock on the attention of audiences when he made his movie “Locke”. In the most claustrophobic role of his career, Hardy embodies a man trapped in a confined car that’s destined to face despair. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his flair for playing anxious characters in stressful situations. As precious as Locke’s car, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actor that has raised a high bar through making unforgettable movies about conflicted characters that have gone far.

8. Lawless

Prohibition is a painful time in American history when people suffered from alcohol addiction. During the 1930’s, bootlegging gangs fought over alcohol production. These gangs built a lasting legacy by fighting over booze people were drinking. In 2012, Tom Hardy captured the dark time when alcohol was lawless in his movie “Lawless”. In the most solemn role of his career, Hardy embodies an alcoholic bootlegger that suffers from severe addiction causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor the opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing characters under pressure. Drawing from his personal experiences, Hardy created a powerful portrait of a drug addict. A larger-than-life portrait of a dark time when alcohol was lawless, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with timeless appeal whose movies audiences consider to be flawless.

9. Bronson

When it comes to notorious criminals in British history that deserve recognition, it’s worth discussing Charles Bronson. In 1974, Bronson was sentenced to several years of life imprisonment for committed armed robberies. A rebellious criminal, Bronson built a reputation for engaging in a grim lifestyle that was dangerous. In 2008, Tom Hardy did an excellent job of portraying the criminal with a dangerous reputation in his film “Bronson”. In the most physically demanding role of his career, Hardy transformed into a real criminal with a physique evoking fear. It’s a role that gave Hardy the chance to showcase his aptitude for playing real-life figures with commitment. Nearly 40 years after Charles Bronson was given a life sentence, it’s a strong reminder of an actor with experience whose timeless movies attract a huge audience.

10. Venom

Few supervillains in comic-book history have achieved the stardom of Venom. Since his introductions during the 1980’s, Venom is a frightening villain that has achieved a humongous following. In 2018, Tom Hardy did an extraordinary job of portraying the iconic supervillain in his movie “Venom”. In the most venomous role of his career, Hardy embodies a villain born with powers that are dangerous. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his flair for playing menacing villains that evoke fear. Although “Venom” is far from a perfect comic-book movie, Hardy remains the main highlight of the film. As strong as the powers of Venom, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actor that has achieved great stardom whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to pursue dreams of film criticism.