Sir Anthony Hopkins is considered to be one of the greatest living actors. His pure natural talent, combined with his relentless commitment to every role he steps into, is what makes the actor so unforgettable. Hopkins has reached a certain level of respect and acclaim in the world of cinema that people will go and see films just because the Welsh actor is in it.
Over the years, the now 86-year-old actor has gotten the chance to play some truly iconic parts, with his most famous being the character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, a role that earned him his first Academy Award win. Since then, Hopkins has made appearances in big franchises, such as the MCU, Mission: Impossible, and Transformers, and critically acclaimed dramas, including 2020’s The Father, which won him his second Academy Award for Best Actor. More recently, he appeared in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire, the biographical drama One Life, and the drama Freud’s Last Session. With over 90 movie credits to his name, here’s a look at some of the best films Anthony Hopkins has starred in.
Update January 2, 2024: In honor of Hopkins appearing in three major films released at the end of 2023; this article has been updated with even more great performances by Anthony Hopkins, including where each title is streaming.
13 Meet Joe Black (1998)
Meet Joe Black is a film that has been rather unfairly treated over the years. In it, Brad Pitt plays the human embodiment of Death, who calls upon the guidance of wealthy media mogul Bill Parrish (Hopkins) to teach him what it’s like to be human. Bill is just about to turn 65 and, in return for helping him, Death grants Bill extra days of life. However, things become complicated when Death falls for Bill’s daughter, Susan (Claire Forlani). The second adaptation of the Italian play La morte in vacanza by Alberto Casella, Meet Joe Black was directed by Martin Best of Beverley Hills Cop and Midnight Run fame.
What Makes It Great
Upon its release in 1998, the film received generally mixed reviews from critics. However, it’s come to be looked at more fondly in recent years. And with good reason, because there’s a lot to like about this unique fantasy romance. There’s some strong cinematography, thought-provoking dialogue, and a solid central premise. Additionally, the film’s incredible opening scene is enough to make up for it’s overly long runtime and notable pacing issues. Furthermore, from Hopkins’ perspective, it’s nothing short of excellent, with the legendary actor elevating the piece with a performance full of depth, nuance, and gravitas. Ultimately, Meet Joe Black is a film with many flaws, but Hopkins certainly isn’t one of them. Stream on Hulu
12 Red Dragon (2002)
Red Dragon
- Release Date
- September 29, 2002
- Rating
- R
The 2002 psychological thriller Red Dragon sees Hopkins return for the third time to the character that brought him worldwide recognition: Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Hopkins first played the role of the cannibalistic serial killer in 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs, an adaptation of Thomas Harris’ novel of the same name. Based on Harris’ earlier novel of the same name, Red Dragon is a prequel that revolves around retired FBI agent Will Graham (Edward Norton), who calls upon the skills of Dr. Hannibal Lecter to help him catch another serial killer, the so-called “Tooth Fairy” (Ralph Fiennes). The film also co-stars Emily Watson, Harvey Keitel, and Philip Seymour-Hoffman.
What Makes It Great
Every Hannibal Lecter-oriented film that has come out since The Silence of the Lambs has paled in comparison. Nevertheless, Red Dragon comes the closest in terms of capturing the magic of the 1991 film. It’s not as tight or as original as The Silence of the Lambs, but the film is still a stylish and horrific watch that’s full of suspense and edge-of-the-seat moments. Ironically, one of the biggest criticisms of the prequel film has garnered over the years, certainly among fans of the series, is the perceived small amount of screen time given to Hopkins. And they have a point. Whenever the actor’s on the screen, he’s a delight to watch, so much so that the momentum can die away whenever the focus isn’t on Hannibal. That being said, Red Dragon is, overall, an intelligent and thrilling prequel that’s full of clever twists and dark surprises. Stream on Starz
11 Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Over the course of three films, Hopkins played the role of Thor’s father, Odin, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the first two Thor movies received a generally so-so response, 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok was considered a game-changer that completely rejuvenated the series. In it, the superheroic Norse god Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself without his hammer, his hair, or his fellow Avengers when he becomes trapped on the planet Sakaar. With his sister Hela (Cate Blanchett) threatening to subject the kingdom as Asgard to destruction in the form of Ragnarök, the God of Thunder must find a way home in order to stop her before it’s too late.
What Makes It Great
Full of bright colors, zany gags, and original action, Ragnarok is head and shoulders above the dreary and dull Shakespearean-like dramas that were the first two Thor films. With acclaimed director Taika Waititi at the helm, it’s a non-stop thrill ride that’s big on both humor and heart. As far as Hopkins is concerned, the actor only has a small role in this one, which amounts to little more than a cameo. However, his role here is crucial for informing the main character’s emotional story arc, and Hopkins manages to make the most of what little screen time he has, delivering an emotional and surprisingly profound performance. It’s by no means the film Hopkins is most associated with, but it’s definitely a solid and enjoyable watch. Stream on Disney+
10 Amistad (1997)
Amistad
- Release Date
- December 10, 1997
- Rating
- R
Hopkins’ status as a well sought-after actor means he has had the fortune of working with a number of top directors. Arguably, the most well-known of them all is Steven Spielberg. The pair collaborated on the 1997 historical drama Amistad, a dramatization of events that took place onboard the Spanish slave ship, La Amistad in 1839, which saw a revolt by the vessel’s Mende captives, leading to a lengthy legal battle. Hopkins plays the role of John Quincy Adams, who represents the slaves before the Supreme Court, arguing that they are now legally free. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman, and Anna Paquin.
What Makes It Great
Often overlooked when it comes to lists of Spielberg’s best films, Amistad may be more heavy-handed than some of the director’s other historical dramas, but it certainly doesn’t lack poignancy or heart. Spielberg is a master storyteller, and here, as much as ever, he crafts a mature and sensitive drama full of nuance and pathos. The film is aided by a talented and committed cast, all of whom play their parts with precision. Despite being surrounded by other well-known names, Hopkins manages to stand out, with his delivery of Adams’ passionate final speech being the film’s biggest highlight. Educational and sincere, without being preachy, Amistad is a historical drama that deserves more recognition. Stream on Prime Video
9 Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
There have been countless film adaptations of Bram Stoker’s famous Dracula novel over the years, but for many, 1992’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula is the definitive one. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film stars Gary Oldman as the world’s most famous vampire, who arrives in England with the intention of bringing terror to a foreign land. However, he soon falls for Mina Murray (Winona Ryder), the wife of his solicitor Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves), and finds himself making enemies with local vampire expert Professor Abraham Van Helsing (Hopkins). After gaining positive reviews and doing well at the box office, Bram Stoker’s Dracula went on to be nominated for four Oscars.
What Makes It Great
Bram Stoker’s Dracula visual style, production, and direction make up for some of the more questionable casting decisions in the film, like Reeves and Ryder being very out of place. On top of that, the performances of Oldman and Hopkins, are good fun to watch, with each putting a fresh yet familiar take on well-known characters. Hopkins, in particular, gives a committed, slightly comedic, and mildly comedic performance as Van Helsing that is nothing less than engaging. It may have its faults, but Bram Stoker’s Dracula is an entertaining and visually stunning feast for the senses. Stream on The Criterion Channel
8 The Mask of Zorro (1998)
Throughout his career, Hopkins has dabbled in a range of genres and a mixture of low-budget indie films and big-budget crowd-pleasers. Prior to his turns in the MCU and the Transformers series, Hopkins made his action debut in 1998’s The Mask of Zorro. Based on the fictional character of the same name, the film stars Antonio Banderas as a young thief who comes under the mentorship of an aging swashbuckling vigilante (Hopkins) and soon takes on the mantle of Zorro. Meanwhile, fellow Welsh performer Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Hopkins’ character’s daughter, Elena, for whom Zorro develops feelings. Directed by two-time Bond director Martin Campbell, The Mask of Zorro was both a critical and commercial success when it hit theaters in the summer of 1998.
What Makes It Great
Full of heroic action and swashbuckling excitement, The Mask of Zorro is a throwback to the classic serial films of the early 20th century. Banderas is the perfect action star and, in Zorro, he creates a truly iconic action movie character that could give Indiana Jones a run for his money. Additionally, Hopkins, who had mostly stuck to dramatic roles until this point, shows off his range and imbues the older Zorro with a wise yet world-weary nature that excellently compliments Banderas’s fire-cracker energy. The Mask of Zorro is a well-directed action-adventure that’s brimming with interesting characters and creatively staged fight sequences. Stream on Paramount+
7 The World’s Fastest Indian (2005)
Anthony Hopkins is known for starring in dark dramas and period pieces, but The World’s Fastest Indian is one of the actor’s more lighthearted movie roles. Based on a true story, the 2005 biographical sports film sees Hopkins playing Burt Munro, the man who set the world record for land speed using a modified classic 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle. Directed by New Zealand filmmaker Roger Donaldson, the film also stars Diane Ladd and Paul Rodriguez.
What Makes It Great
Likely the least-known entry on this list, The World’s Fastest Indian is an underrated gem that deserves more recognition. Despite being simple in premise – after all, it’s essentially about a man attempting to go very fast – the film is surprisingly touching and incredibly feel-good. Additionally, from start to finish, it’s never anything less than enjoyable, with Hopkins’ magnetic performance helping to take the viewer along for the ride. Some will argue that the actor’s attempt at a New Zealand accent (or lack of it) is distracting, but anyone who can look beyond this small detail will be able to see an engaging and highly charismatic central performance that holds together a truly enjoyable sports biopic. Stream on Prime Video
6 One Life (2023)
The most recent addition to Hopkins’ lengthy filmography, One Life is a biographical drama that depicts the life and work of Nicholas Winton, a humanitarian who helped to rescue hundreds of Jewish children from being murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. Told in flashbacks, Hopkins plays an older Winton, looking back on his life. Johnny Flynn portrays a younger version of the character, while Helena Bonham-Carter, Jonathan Pryce, and Lena Olin also star.
What Makes It Great
The real-life story that inspired the film is so unbelievable and awe-inspiring that it almost feels like no film could possibly do it justice. Fortunately, for the most part, One Life manages to pull it off. With no clever tricks or flashy gimmicks, the film is constructed in a straightforward manner that allows the story to speak for itself. It doesn’t try too hard to wring tears out of its audience, nor does it sensationalize its source material. It simply lets the narrative unfold. That doesn’t mean to say that it’s not a highly emotive piece of drama because it most definitely is. Here, Hopkins offers a characteristically superb, if not unchallenging, turn as a man who deserves all the recognition he’s been given and more.
5 The Elephant Man (1980)
In 1980, Anthony Hopkins starred alongside John Hurt in the historical drama The Elephant Man. Directed by David Lynch, the film tells the true story of John Merrick (Hurt), a man living in Victorian England who suffers from a rare congenital disorder that has resulted in his face being heavily disfigured. After being mistreated and abused his whole life, Merrick finds friendship and compassion in Dr. Fredric Treves (Hopkins), looks beyond Merrick’s appearance to see an intelligent and kind soul. The Elephant Man was nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Actor for Hurt, as well as Best Director, and Best Picture.
What Makes It Great
Both heart-wrenching and compassionate, The Elephant Man is a challenging yet rewarding watch that, despite coming near the start of Lynch’s career, is also surprisingly well-crafted. The director’s decision to shoot the entire film in black-and-white not only gives it an eerie quality, but also allows for some stunning cinematography. However, it’s the performances of the two leads that have led the film to be considered one of the best biopics of all time. Although Hopkins might be slightly overshadowed by Hurt, he still manages to leave a lasting impression with his thoughtful and layered performance as Treves. Overall, The Elephant Man is a haunting yet beautifully moving tale of acceptance and looking beyond another’s physical appearance. Stream on Prime Video
4 The Two Popes (2019)
Fernando Meirelles’ The Two Popes was one of the most acclaimed and talked-about films of 2019. Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins star as Pope Francis and Pope Benedict, respectively, in this drama/comedy about two Popes with contrasting views who attempt to come together and pave a future for the Catholic Church. The Netflix original film received an 89% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and earned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor (for Pryce), Best Supporting Actor (for Hopkins), and Best Adapted Screenplay.
What Makes It Great
The Two Popes is simple, small-scale, and almost play-like in its setup, with action and melodrama put aside in favor of thought-provoking themes and dialogue-heavy scenes. On paper, it should be a boring film, but in reality, it’s a fiendishly clever and utterly charming piece of drama. The success of a two-hander is always dictated by the strength of the lead performances, and, fortunately, in the case of The Two Popes, both Pryce and Hopkins deliver performances that are up there among the very best of their respective careers. The chemistry between the two, alone, is why this delightful examination of faith and friendship is worth watching. Stream on Netflix
3 The Remains of the Day (1993)
Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson are two of the most highly acclaimed British actors still working today. It’s hardly a surprise then that when the pair joined forces in 1993’s The Remains of the Day, it led to some truly fantastic cinema. The romantic drama, which is based on the novel of the same name by Kazuo Ishiguro, tells the story of a head butler named Stevens (Hopkins) who takes his role at Darlington House very seriously. His principles are challenged, however, with the arrival of a new housekeeper called Sally (Thompson), for whom he develops feelings. The Remains of the Day went on to be nominated for a total of eight Academy Awards, including Best Actor (for Hopkins), Best Actress (for Thompson), and Best Picture.
What Makes It Great
The Remains of the Day was directed by James Ivory, and the whole film is soaked in the acclaimed filmmaker’s trademark style. It’s intimate, subtle, and full of depth, with the biggest of emotions being portrayed with the smallest of looks or the simplest of shots. Furthermore, it’s a film that’s built on the foundation of a beautifully rich script and brought to life by some clever direction and excellent performances. Like many other examples of the actor’s work, Hopkins’ portrayal of Stevens is understated yet touching and brimming with all kinds of complex and confused emotions. Moreover, his scenes with Thompson are simply wonderful, with the pair giving a masterclass in how to do a forbidden love story. Stream on Paramount+
2 The Father (2021)
The Father
A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages. As he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality. Starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Coleman.
- Release Date
- February 26, 2021
- Rating
- PG-13
At the grand old age of 83, Hopkins became the oldest recipient of the Best Actor Oscar when he won the award for the second time in 2021 for his work in The Father. Hopkins plays Anthony, a man suffering from dementia who refuses to accept help or even confront the effect the illness is having on him. Olivia Colman plays Anthony’s daughter Anne, who does all she can to help her father but also finds it difficult to see the man she once knew slowly fade away. The film was directed and co-written by Florian Zeller and acts as an adaptation of Zeller’s own 2012 play, Le Père.
What Makes It Great
Unlike any other film, The Father manages to give the viewer both a visceral sense of the confusion and terror a person suffering from dementia experiences, as well as the heartbreaking impact the illness has on family members. Zeller handles the difficult subject matter in a sensitive and empathetic way that guarantees to leave an emotional mark on anyone who watches. The film wouldn’t work half as well, however, without Hopkins’ stunning performance. It’s from his confused perspective that we, the viewer, journey through the story, and Hopkins, the professional that he is, guides us through it with ease. He completely loses himself in the character and, in doing so, pulls of a tour de force performance while making it look effortless. The Father is a heart-wrenching yet beautiful film that’s a must-see. Rent on AppleTV+
1 Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Was it ever going to be anything else? The best film in Hopkins’s long and distinguished career is still his most famous, Silence of the Lambs. Often referred to as one of the greatest movies ever made, the film follows young FBI cadet Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), who, while hunting a serial killer by the name of “Buffalo Bill” (Ted Levine), turns to the cannibalistic serial killer and psychiatrist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins) for help. A critical and commercial success upon its release in theater in 1991, The Silence of the Lambs went on to win five Academy Awards; Best Actor (for Hopkins), Best Actress (for Foster), Best Director (for Jonathan Demme), Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
What Makes It Great
Dark, twisted, and unsettling, The Silence of the Lambs is an intelligent horror film that’s full of clever twists and disturbing moments. What separates it from other more traditional horror films is its emphasis on the psychological and its study of man’s ability to commit the most heinous of crimes. It’s an example of a film where each element of its production works together perfectly to create a truly brilliant whole. From the direction to the script, from the cinematography to the soundtrack, every element is beautifully and thoughtfully crafted. However, it’s the scenes between Foster and Hopkins that get people excited about this film. The pair play off each other incredibly well, with both conveying the complex and nuanced nature of their characters’ relationship and both delivering career-best performances in the process. As previously mentioned, there have been a number of attempts to expand the series and improve the 1991 film. Ultimately, none of them have ever come close to capturing the magic and sheer storytelling brilliance of The Silence of the Lambs. Stream on Max
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
