Not many actors in Hollywood catch the interest of audiences like Benedict Cumberbatch. Since the 1990’s, Cumberbatch has become an icon. Whether it’s innovators, slave owners or legendary detectives, Cumberbatch has portrayed several characters. Given the number of movies he has made, making a list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Imitation Game
Alan Turing is a legendary mathematician that my grandfather has always found inspiring. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a great grandfather that considered Alan Turing to be a hero. At an early age, I formed a powerful bond with a grandfather that was fascinated with a great innovator that had courage. He would often tell many strong stories about an iconic mathematician that had shaped his identity. As someone treasuring fond memories of a great grandfather that loved a mathematician achieving fame, I adored “The Imitation Game”. Released in 2014, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of bringing Alan Turing’s life to the big-screen. In the greatest role of his career, Cumberbatch embodies an eccentric innovator that designed a machine to prevent WWII warfare. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. It’s challenging to portray an iconic innovator in history, but Cumberbatch succeeded. Working alongside Keira Knightley who is also amazing, Cumberbatch created a portrait of a genius that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Alan Turing finally gets his computer to work breaking the Nazi Enigma Code is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Imitation Game” Benedict Cumberbatch’s best movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with WWII history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. The film delivers a bold message about the value of dreams which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 80 years after Alan Turing constructed a groundbreaking machine stopping a war that was terrifying, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actor whose movies are worth celebrating.
2. 12 Years a Slave
Slavery is a sensitive subject that shaped my friend’s identity. Years ago, I formed long-lasting relationships with a friend taking great interest in slavery. He made great effort to educate people about the slave trade. He believed movies were an art form which could never capture a historical tragedy that tore lives apart. Few films I’ve seen have captured the slave trade as powerfully as “12 Years a Slave”. Ever since its release in 2013, Benedict Cumberbatch’s movie has stood the test of time as a masterpiece. In the most complex role of his career, Benedict Cumberbatch embodies a slave owner treating his slaves in ways that are fair. Cumberbatch has always excelled at conveying emotions through body language, and his talents are evident in “12 Years a Slave”. For instance, the scene in which Ford offers a violin to Solomon as a reward for his hard work is one of the most memorable moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “12 Years a Slave” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about slavery, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A spectacular portrait of slavery in American history that caused lives of slaves to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose timeless movies audiences appreciate.
3. Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is an iconic comic-book character that fascinated my teacher. I remember forming long-lasting bonds with an English teacher that was a big fan of the magical sorcerer. He would always love to tell stories about a strange sorcerer that cast a magical spell. In 2016, Benedict Cumberbatch honoured the strange sorcerer in his movie “Doctor Strange”. In the most magical role of his career, Cumberbatch embodied a wise sorcerer embarking on a perilous journey causing despair. With “Doctor Strange”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by making his first comic-book movie. Working alongside Tilda Swinton who is also outstanding, Cumberbatch honoured an iconic sorcerer that’s spellbinding. For instance, the scene in which Mordo is first introduced seeking to prepare Stephen Strange to become a sorcerer is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Doctor Strange” a comic-book classic is its broad appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies targeted to comic-book fans only, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. As strong as Strange’s desire to become a sorcerer, it’s a spectacular reminder about a great actor that has made great movies in his bold career which audiences commonly treasure.
4. The Power of the Dog
Bullying has a negative impact on people’s well-being. At an early age, I often faced severe bullying that caused damage. During high school, I was often picked on by bullies which were cruel. No matter how hard I tried, I could never stand up against bullies that pushed me aside. Few movies I have seen have captured bullying as powerfully as “The Power of the Dog”. Released in 2021, Benedict Cumberbatch’s western offered a powerful depiction of consequences faced by cowboy ranchers that bully. In the most unlikeable role of his career, Cumberbatch embodies an aggressive cowboy rancher with a tendency to bully people evoking fear. Cumberbatch has spent most of his career playing heroic characters with sympathetic personalities. With “The Power of the Dog”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by portraying an unlikeable bully. For instance, the scene in which Phil bullies the new kid on his ranch Peter is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Power of the Dog” a great movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most westerns, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about bullying which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of painful consequences of bullying causing lives of cattle ranchers to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder about an actor whose unforgettable movies audiences consider to be extremely undeniably special.
5. Star Trek: Into Darkness
Star Trek is a spectacular science-fiction franchise that shaped my teacher’s identity. Years ago, I formed a strong bond with a teacher that loved a series about galaxies. A huge fan of Star Trek, he would always love to discuss a franchise about galaxies that aliens that trek. Through his love for Star Trek, my teacher inspired me to make my film criticism dreams come true. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that loved a franchise about galaxies with darkness, I adored “Star Trek: Into Darkness”. Released in 2013, Benedict Cumberbatch’s movie celebrated the iconic science-fiction series. In the most villainous role of his career, Cumberbatch embodies a terrorist that evokes fear. Cumberbatch excels using his voice to portray characters with authority, and “Star Trek: Into Darkness” showcased his strengths. Working alongside Simon Pegg who is also outstanding, Cumberbatch created a Star Trek movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Khan reveals his identity to members of the Starfleet is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Star Trek: Into Darkness” a great Star Trek film is its appeal. The film tackles relatable themes everyone would relate to regardless of whether they are fans of Star Trek. A spectacular tribute towards a larger-than-life science-fiction franchise shrouded in darkness, it’s a sensational reminder about a commemorated actor that has become a celebrated icon in entertainment business.
6. 1917
Over the past decade, the war movie genre has declined in quality. With their loud battle sequences, poor storytelling and cartoonish characters, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. However, “1917” is an exception. Released in 2019, Benedict Cumberbatch’s movie did an extraordinary job of recreating the battle of 1917 in World War I. In the most commanding role of his career, Cumberbatch embodies a war general issuing orders in warfare. Despite his limited screen-time, Cumberbatch leaves a strong impression in the role. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his commemorated aptitude for playing powerful characters with authority. A breathtaking recreation of the battle of 1917, it’s a brilliant reminder about an actor whose movies always deserve to be seen on the theatrical big-screen.
7. Atonement
Few books ever written about sisters that experience resentment are as celebrated as Atonement. Since its publication in 2001, Ian McEwan’s book has become a classic. In 2007, Benedict Cumberbatch honoured the book about sisters facing resentment in his movie “Atonement”. In the most aristocratic role of his career, Cumberbatch portrayed a businessman facing a doomed love affair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Keira Knightley who is also amazing, Cumberbatch honoured a beloved book about sisters that’s inspiring. As strong as Robbie’s love for Cecilia, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with undeniable charisma that has manufactured unforgettable movies which always attract audiences towards Cinema.
8. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Benedict Cumberbatch has always been one of those actors with a powerful voice. Ever since his career began years ago, Cumberbatch has always excelled at using his voice to create characters that are compelling. Cumberbatch’s aptitude for using his voice to create strong characters is evident in “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”. Released in 2012, Peter Jackson’s LOTR blockbuster found the actor playing a dragon posing danger. In the most frightening role of his career, Cumberbatch embodies a menacing dragon that evokes fear. As Smaug, Cumberbatch did an excellent job of reimagining a commemorated dragon through his voice. As strong as Bilbo’s desire to defeat a dangerous dragon experiencing desolation, it’s a dazzling reminder about an actor whose movies are definitely worthy of tremendous celebration.
9. The Mauritanian
When it comes to shocking cases of wrongful conviction in American history, it’s worth discussing Mohamedou Ould Slahi. A Mauritania native, Slahi spent 14 years in Guantanamo Bay without charges of crime. Not only did Slahi’s mistreatment violate constitutional rights, but it exposed the CIA’s wrongdoings. In 2021, Benedict Cumberbatch captured Slahi’s wrongful conviction in his film “The Mauritanian”. In the most methodical role of his career, Cumberbatch embodies a Colonel that discovers wrongful conviction causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing characters in positions of power. Nearly 30 years after a prisoner was wrongfully convicted in Guantanamo Bay, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor whose memorable movies are worth celebrating absolutely today.
10. Zoolander 2
Benedict Cumberbatch hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Zoolander 2” falls into the latter category. Released in 2016, Ben Stiller’s comedy was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Cumberbatch portrayed a transgender fashion-designer facing despair. Cumberbatch brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Zoolander 2” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Cumberbatch’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Zoolander’s love for fashion, it’s a dazzling reminder about an actor with strong dedication that has manufactured unforgettable movies in his career which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.
The Film Buff 