Idris Elba is the star of,Beast, which comes out on August 11 and follows Elba as the head of a grieving family stalked by a furious lion in a game reserve. Later on August 26, Mad Max creator George Miller is back with Three Thousand Years of Longing, a modern fantasy tale in which Tilda Swinton plays a lonely British woman who unleashes an ancient djinn, portrayed by Idris Elba, who offers her three wishes.
One of the most talented working contemporary actors, Elba has been actively taking part in a range of exciting projects from MCU movies to real-life crime dramas. Famous for his bad-tempered, intimidating roles, he also knows how to play a sweet guy every once in a while. To his fans' joy, this year's August is all his.
RockNRolla (2008) - 3.34
Stream On Hoopla
All of Guy Ritchie's distinctive trademarks can be found in RockNRolla, from the balance between crime and action to the range of complex characters that constantly come and go from each other's lives. When a skilled Russian mobster sets up a massive real estate scam that generates millions of pounds, several underground criminals set off across London for their share of the fortune.
Idris Elba plays the partner of One-Two, the small-time leader of a gang who prepares his team for a risky plan of grabbing their slice of money, giving life to an energetic, thrilling story filled with corruption, violence, and rock and roll delivered in stylish fashion.
Molly's Game (2017) - 3.53
Stream On Netflix
Renowned screenwriter and Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin made his directorial debut in 2017 with the real-life story of Molly Bloom, a former Olympic hopeful who becomes the hostess of the world's most exclusive poker club and FBI target.
Adapting true stories to the screen is Sorkin's specialty but what really gets the movie in motion are its performances. Jessica Chastain stars as the fierce and nuanced Molly and Idris Elba plays Charlie Jaffey, a high-profile lawyer who agrees to help Molly after learning her true intentions. He plays a vital role as the key to a successful deal, using the power of words and etiquette to give the game a new course.
The Harder They Fall (2021) - 3.55
Stream On Netflix
Netflix's The Harder They Fall gathers a bunch of brave characters bonded by a common goal: to take down the ruthless Rufus Buck, a crime boss who is fresh out of prison. The major antagonist is fiercely played by Idris Elba, a powerful villain who seemingly has all the odds on his side. His witticisms contrasted with a merciless genius make him as engaging as he is terrifying.
Playing with conventional western tropes and adding contemporary elements that fit beautifully in the energetic narrative, with the soundtrack truly standing out, The Harder They Fall offers a remarkable ensemble cast and takes advantage of inventive editing techniques to conceive a unique cinematic experience for Western fans.
The Suicide Squad (2021) - 3.64
Stream On HBO Max
Idris Elba was a life-saving addition to The Suicide Squad and the film takes the supervillain group to a whole new level. In the hands of James Gunn, also responsible for the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, the over-the-top levels of violence and hints of dark humor worked perfectly well with the tone of the new movie.
Elba is Bloodsport, one of the best DCEU heroes without superpowers. Taking the lead of the team after a mission gone wrong, his sharp wit and bad temper disguise a compassionate man ready to sacrifice himself for what he thinks is the right thing. These characteristics make him more of an anti-hero than a villain, different from the rest of the Suicide Squad.
American Gangster (2007) - 3.68
Stream On Peacock
For his epic crime drama, Ridley Scott gathered some of the most prominent actors in the film industry, committed to delivering an in-depth look into the rise and fall of real-life drug lord Frank Lucas, portrayed by Denzel Washington. The movie also adds fictional elements to keep the story going in thrilling motion.
Tango, played by Idris Elba, is a vital character in the scene that best showcases Frank Lucas' merciless genius, as he shoots Tango in plain daylight with hundreds of witnesses around. American Gangster does an amazing job of mixing real-life events with fiction, offering one of the wildest final 30 minutes of any crime drama sustained by sturdy build-up.
Zootopia (2016) - 3.72
Stream On Disney+
While viewers can't really see Idris Elba in Zootopia, they can hear him every time the sturdy big buffalo Chief Bogo is onscreen. Bad-tempered and intimidating characters seem to be Elba's specialty, which makes him perfect for the role, but Chief Bogo is much more than that; he's also a reasonable, honorable man who leads the Zootopia Police Department.
Disney's Zootopia offers plenty of hilarious quotes and an engaging crime story told in a lighthearted style, which makes it hard to believe it's still overlooked by many Disney fans. The film follows a rookie bunny cop and a sarcastic fox who join forces to uncover a conspiracy in their city of anthropomorphic animals.
Sometimes In April (2005) - 3.75
Stream On HBO Max
Probably the most valuable hidden gem in Elba's career, Sometimes In April provides an intimate look into the lives of two brothers, divided by marriage and fate during the 100 terrifying days of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Starring Idris Elba as Augustin Muganza, the horrors of the genocide that killed over a million people in a matter of days is unraveled through his heartbreaking eyes. On the other political line of the conflict, there's his brother Honoré, a radio personality that takes advantage of his influence in the community to protect them.
Beasts Of No Nation (2015) - 3.82
Stream On Netflix
In a lot of ways, Beasts Of No Nation was a huge surprise since it was Netflix's first original movie, leaving everyone astonished at the film's quality and showing how streaming services were here to stay. Counting on groundbreaking performances, the movie tells the powerful story of Agu, a child soldier fighting in the civil war of an unnamed African country.
Idris Elba plays the cruel commandant of Agu's battalion, a terrible cold-hearted man who explores children in every way possible. He represents a constant threat to Agu and his companions, an unreliable leader who fights for nothing as the children lay adrift in a nation that doesn't look out for them.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017) - 3.88
Stream On Disney+
Idris Elba plays Heimdall in Thor: Ragnarok, a key character responsible for protecting the gates of Asgard. His transportation powers and loyalty to Asgard make Heimdall one of the most beloved characters in the Thor franchise.
Ragnarok is well-known as one of the most vibrant and energetic MCU entries to this day, providing a welcome mix of comedy and action that has all to do with Thor's nature. In the film, an imprisoned Thor must race against time in order to prevent Ragnarok, a catastrophic event prophesized to destroy Asgard once and for all.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) - 4.00
Stream On Disney+
2018's Avengers: Infinity War is the most brutal movie in the MCU, dropping fans' jaws right in the very beginning; in an intense confrontation against Thanos, Thor ends up losing both his brother Loki and the beloved gatekeeper of Asgard Heimdall, played by Idris Elba. The scene is important to showcase Thanos's strength and how the fate of the Avengers relies on Thor gathering his power in time.
As each Avenger fights their way through galaxies in a desperate attempt to stop Thanos for good, the movie sets up the stage for one of the most heartbreaking endings of the past years. Infinity War's impressive Letterboxd rating reflects the fans' will to see villains triumph sometimes, as it creates a bigger impact on the overall story.