Here is a comprehensive ranking of every movie featuring New Zealand actor Karl Urban, ranked from worst to best. Urban has earned himself a reputation throughout his career as a representative of nerd culture, featuring in a slew of the most successful and well-respected fantasy/science fiction movie franchises in history. He has appeared in 30 films in the last 30 years and shows no signs of slowing any time soon.
Karl-Heinz Urban was born on June 7th, 1972 in Wellington, New Zealand. His mother worked for Wellington’s Film Facilities, instilling a love of New Zealand cinema in him from an early age. Urban accepted his first professional acting role at the age of eight, speaking a single line of dialogue in the New Zealand television series Pioneer Woman. He attended Wellington College from 1986-1990 and enrolled at Victoria University of Wellington, dropping out after his first year to pursue a career in acting.
Urban would go on to appear in a number of New Zealand films and television shows before landing his breakout roles in Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. He accepted his first international role in the 2002 film Ghost Ship and has since become one of Hollywood’s most reliable faces. His unique charm and demeanor make him a delight to watch, and his genuine enjoyment of and commitment to the projects on which he works inform his characters in a way that is seldom seen amongst his contemporaries.
30. Bent (2018)
Bent is an American crime thriller based on the 2009 novel Deadly Codes by Joseph O’Donnell. After his release from prison, a disgraced former cop sets out to find the person responsible for his wrongful incarceration, uncovering a dangerous government conspiracy in his quest for justice. Urban stars as Danny Gallagher, with supporting performances from Andy Garcia and America’s Got Talent’s Sofia Vergara. Bent relies heavily on half-baked action sequences and cliched tropes, making the project feel underdeveloped and unoriginal.
29. And Soon The Darkness (2010)
And Soon the Darkness (also known as Prisioneras de la oscuridad) is an American-Argentine mystery thriller based on the 1970 British film of the same name. An American cyclist abroad in Argentina enlists the help of an ex-pat to track down their respective abducted companions. Urban stars alongside Odette Annable and Amber Heard in one of the most cliched and underwhelming horror-adjacent films in their respective careers.
28. Doom (2005)
Doom is a science fiction horror film based loosely around the legendary video game franchise by the same name. A squadron of Marines are sent on a rescue mission to a research facility on Mars where they encounter a host of hellish, demon-like creatures. Despite the film’s not-unsubstantial star power including Urban, Rosamund Pike, and Dwayne Johnson (billed then as “The Rock”), Doom was relatively poorly received by audiences for failing to do justice to the source material beyond a handful of surface-level references.
27. Hangman (2017)
Hangman is an American crime thriller directed by Johnny Martin, who directed the Nicolas Cage thriller Vengeance that same year. A retired homicide detective is brought back into the fold by his former partner to aid in the investigation of a series of murders inspired by the children’s game Hangman. Urban portrays ex-FBI agent Will Ruiney, appearing alongside Al Pacino as retired detective Ray Archer. The film was largely panned by critics for its somewhat ridiculous premise, earning just over $100,000 during its limited run.
26. Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (2013)
Walking with Dinosaurs 3D is an animated/live-action movie from Mulan director Barry Cook. A paleontologist brings his young niece and nephew on a fossil hunt where they encounter a talking bird who tells them a story set 70 million years in the past. The scenery and animation in the film make for an immersive prehistoric experience, which is substantially undercut by the underdeveloped and unnecessary plot.
25. The Truth About Demons (2000)
The Truth About Demons (originally The Irrefutable Truth About Demons) is a New Zealand horror film written and directed by Glenn Standring in his feature film debut. An anthropology professor is tormented by a demonic cult following the mysterious death of his brother. Urban stars as Professor Harry Ballard, offering an above-average performance in a slightly below-average amateur horror film.
24. Pathfinder (2007)
Pathfinder (also known as Pathfinder: Legend of the Ghost Warrior) is a Viking/Norse mythology epic loosely based on the 1987 Norwegian film Ofelaš, which was itself based on an old Sámi legend. A Viking boy is adopted by the Wampanoag tribe after surviving a shipwreck, despite a cautionary legend warning that death will follow closely behind. Pathfinder was poorly received due to a lack of character development and story structure, earning $30.8 million globally against its $45 million budget.
23. Ghost Ship (2002)
Ghost Ship is a supernatural horror film by 13 Ghosts director Steve Beck. A boat salvage crew discovers the deserted remains of a passenger liner thought to be lost for more than 40 years, but the vessel quickly reveals itself to be far less empty than it appears. Ghost Ship features an ensemble cast including Urban, Julianna Margulies, and Gabriel Byrne, and while the film enjoyed moderate financial success, the story’s weak foundation and lack of suspense make it a rather forgettable installment in Karl Urban’s horror movie career.
22. Batman: Death In The Family (2020)
Batman: Death in the Family is an animated interactive short film based on the DC storyline by the same name, serving as a spiritual successor to 2010’s Batman: Under the Red Hood. The viewer is presented with a series of choices that impact the outcome of Jason Todd’s story following his suspension from the role of Robin. The film boasts an impressive cast of popular voice actors, including Grey Griffin, John DiMaggio, and Uncharted’s Nolan North. The film’s format is new and interesting in some regards, but the bulk of the story had been covered to some degree in Batman: Under the Red Hood, adding little to the overall narrative beyond a handful of different potential outcomes.
21. Acts Of Vengeance (2017)
Acts of Vengeance is an action thriller by Ninja director Isaac Florentine. A smooth-talking and successful defense attorney transforms his life after the murder of his wife and daughter, taking on a Stoic vow of silence until their killers are brought to justice. Urban appears opposite Antonio Banderas, their respective intensity and physicality bringing life to an otherwise somewhat underwhelming script.
20. Priest (2011)
Priest is an action horror film loosely based on the 1998 Korean comic of the same name by Hung Min-woo. In a society ravaged by interspecific war, a legendary warrior priest sets out to rescue his niece from a rabid pack of vampires. Urban appears alongside a star-studded cast including Christopher Plummer, Lily Collins, and True Blood actor Stephen Moyer. Priest’s story is rather derivative of its contemporaries, but the film is redeemed by a unique and stylish visual aesthetic.
19. Via Satellite (1998)
Via Satellite is a New Zealand comedy written and directed by Bohemian Rhapsody screenwriter Anthony McCarten. As Carol Dunn’s family gathers back home to watch her compete in the Olympics while being filmed for broadcast, they begin to uncover difficult truths about the dynamics of their dysfunctional family. Urban stars opposite Danielle Cormack, with whom he would go on to appear in Xena: Warrior Princess.
18. The Loft (2014)
The Loft is a remake of the 2008 Belgian erotic thriller Loft, both of which were directed by Erik Van Looy. Five men who share a penthouse in which to carry on extramarital affairs have their lives thrown into disarray after they uncover the corpse of an unknown woman. Urban appears with an ensemble cast including Eric Stonestreet, Wentworth Miller, and X-Men’s James Marsden. The film was a financial failure due to its sleazy premise and unlikeable characters, earning $11 million against its $14 million budget.
17. Heaven (1998)
Heaven is an erotic crime thriller based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Chad Taylor. A struggling architect in the throes of an ugly divorce takes a job redesigning a strip club where he meets a precognitive performer with violent visions of his future. Urban appears alongside Richard Schiff and Martin Donovan in this dark and surreal blend of neo-noir drama and grounded mysticism.
16. Riddick (2013)
Riddick (also known as Riddick: Rule the Dark) is the third installment in the Riddick series following 2000’s Pitch Black and 2004’s The Chronicles of Riddick. Riddick is stranded on an arid alien planet populated by lethal predators, forcing him to work in tandem with a group of begrudging mercenaries to make his escape. Urban reprises his role as Vaako, with Vin Diesel again appearing as the eponymous Riddick. Riddick is perhaps the most stripped-back film in the franchise, making it a worthy installment for fans of the series while also being somewhat unapproachable for the yet uninitiated.
15. The Price Of Milk (2000)
The Price of Milk is a New Zealand romantic fantasy film written and directed by Harry Sinclair, who is best known for playing Isildur in The Lord of the Rings. A rural dairy farmer becomes betrothed to his beloved who begins causing intentional conflict for fear that the spark in their relationship will otherwise fizzle out. The film is unique and whimsical, showcasing a much different side of Urban than has been seen in most of his projects since.
14. Chunuk Bair (1992)
Chunuk Bair is a New Zealand World War I movie based on the 1982 stage play Once on Chunuk Bair by Maurice Shadbolt. The story follows the Wellington Regiment, part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force present at Gallipoli during World War 1. From August 7-19, 1915, British forces mounted an offensive on the Ottoman peak of Chunuk Bair, ultimately failing in their attempt at the cost of more than 12,000 allied lives. Urban makes his first film appearance in Chunuk Bair, appearing in the film briefly as a Wellington soldier.
13. The Chronicles Of Riddick (2004)
The Chronicles of Riddick is a sequel to the 2000 film Pitch Black, both films written and directed by David Twohy. On the run following the events of the previous film, Riddick is persuaded to participate in a galactic conflict against a warrior army bent on annihilating all human life. Urban portrays Commander Vaako, a Necromonger soldier tasked with hunting down Riddick. Despite being the highest-grossing film in the Riddick series, The Chronicles of Riddick was also the most expensive to produce with a price tag of over $100 million, making it technically the franchise’s least-profitable installment to date.
12. Pete’s Dragon (2016)
Pete’s Dragon is a live-action remake of Disney’s classic 1977 fantasy adventure film by the same name. A woodcarver has regaled local children with tales of a mysterious dragon living in the woods for many years, a story that his daughter discovers may be grounded in reality after an encounter with a forest-dwelling orphan who claims to live with a dragon. Urban is among a bevy of celebrities to appear in the film’s cast including Wes Bentley, Robert Redford, and Jurassic World’s Bryce Dallas Howard. The remake removes the musical aspect from the original film, but it is replaced with an updated and expanded sense of whimsy and adventure that justifies its existence.
11. Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Star Trek Beyond is the thirteenth overall film in the Star Trek franchise and the third installment in the rebooted series. The USS Enterprise is destroyed on the edge of the known universe, stranding its crew on an uncharted planet as they face down a new alien threat with a well-earned hatred of the Federation and everything for which it stands. Despite being a worthwhile Star Trek installment in its own right, Star Trek Beyond is the first of the rebooted films to not be directed by J.J. Abrams, making it feel somewhat disconnected from the rest of the franchise.
10. RED (2010)
RED is an action comedy film loosely based on the 2003 comic mini-series of the same name. After surviving an assault from a squad of hitmen, a retired CIA agent reassembles his old team to uncover the conspiracy that threatens their lives. Urban plays Agent William Cooper, a CIA operative tasked with tracking down the group of protagonists. RED makes excellent use of a generation of celebrities in a way that had seldom been seen previously, drawing attention to Hollywood’s ageist tendencies.
9. The Sea Beast (2022)
The Sea Beast is an animated fantasy adventure film written and directed by Big Hero 6’s Chris Williams. A crew of sailors embarks on a high-stakes mission to slay a notorious sea monster accompanied by a young stowaway who changes their perception of the creatures they’d been bred to hunt. Urban leads The Sea Beast’s voice cast as Jacob Holland, the adopted son of a famous ship captain determined to earn his place. The story is a touching and well-executed reminder of the lasting effects of prejudice, though it is thematically quite similar to the 2010 Dreamworks film How to Train Your Dragon.
8. Out Of The Blue (2006)
Out of the Blue is a New Zealand crime drama based on the Aramoana massacre, a real-life shooting spree that occurred in the small township northeast of Dunedin. On November 13th, 1990, local resident David Gray murdered 13 people following a verbal dispute with his neighbor. Urban portrays Constable Nick Harvey, one of the first-responders called to the scene of Gray’s murders. Out of the Blue was a success both narratively and financially, earning over $1 million at the New Zealand box office and making it one of the top 10 highest grossing local films at the time of its release.
7. Dredd (2012)
Dredd (unrelated to Sylvester Stallone’s 1995 film Judge Dredd) is a futuristic action thriller based on the 1977 2000 AD comic strip Judge Dredd created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra. Joseph Dredd (played by Urban), the most feared of Mega City One’s lawmen dubbed “judges,” is sent with a psychic companion to bring order to a block of apartments and bring down its resident drug lord, Ma-Ma (played by Lena Heady). Although the film performed somewhat poorly at the box office, critics and fans of the character largely enjoyed Dredd due to its characteristic grittiness and deadpan humor.
6. Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Star Trek Into Darkness is a sequel to 2009’s Star Trek broadly inspired by the 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. A mysterious warlord attacks Starfleet command, sending Kirk and the Enterprise on a mission to capture their enemy and prevent a war between the Federation and the Klingons. Star Trek Into Darkness is the most commercially successful movie in Star Trek’s history, bringing in over $467 million globally and earning an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects.
5. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Bourne Supremacy is the second film in the Bourne Trilogy, which gets its name from the 1986 Robert Ludlum novel, though the two plots differ greatly. Bourne is quietly living in India when his girlfriend is assassinated and he is framed for stealing CIA money, forcing Bourne to prove his innocence while evading persecution on all sides. Urban plays Kirill, a Russian agent conspiring against Bourne. Despite its differences from The Bourne Supremacy book, the film was a commercial success, bringing in nearly $80 million more than its predecessor, 2002’s The Bourne Identity.
4. Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek is the first film in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot series and the eleventh film in the overall Star Trek franchise. A novice crew aboard the USS Enterprise sets off on their maiden voyage, bringing them unknowingly into the path of a Romulus commander bent on vengeance. Urban plays ship medic Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy, starring opposite Chris Pine, Zachary Quinta, and Simon Pegg. Star Trek redefined the aesthetic of the franchise, becoming the first film in Star Trek’s history to earn an Oscar with its win for Best Makeup.
3. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok is the third film in the Thor series and the seventeenth film in the MCU timeline. When Thor is imprisoned and forced into a gladiatorial contest of might, he must race against time to make his escape and prevent Asgard from being destroyed by his vengeful sister, the Norse Goddess of Death Hela. Urban plays Skurge, Lord of the Bifrost under Loki while disguised as Odin and personal executioner of Hela. Thor: Ragnarok is perhaps the most outwardly funny movie in the MCU, setting the stage for the gut-wrenching ending of Avengers: Infinity War the following year.
2. The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is the second film in Peter Jackson’s trilogy based on the legendary works of J.R.R. Tolkien. After the death of Gandalf and the betrayal of Boromir, Sam and Frodo split off from the remaining Fellowship members as they make their way to Mt. Doom shadowed by a mysterious and menacing creature. Urban makes his first appearance as Éomer, nephew to Théoden and exiled Chief Marshal of the Riddermark. The film grossed over $947 million worldwide and was nominated for six Academy Awards, ultimately winning two for Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects.
1. The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the third and final installment in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Aragorn and the armies of Middle Earth defend Minas Tirith against Sauron’s forces as Sam and Frodo approach Mordor to complete their quest and destroy The One Ring. Karl Urban again appears as Éomer, rallying thousands of men to battle alongside Aragorn and the Fellowship. The film earned over $1.1 billion worldwide, won an Academy Award in each of the 11 categories in which it was nominated (tying it with Ben-Hur and Titanic for the most Oscars won by a single film) and is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made.