Matt Smith is experiencing a surge in popularity thanks to his starring role in House of the Dragon, which has had a record-breaking viewership since its premiere. The Game of Thrones prequel is far from Smith’s first venture into the mainstream eye, as he remains known best for playing the Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who, among other performances.

It’s interesting to see how Smith’s career trajectory has worked as far as critical reception is concerned, with his Rotten Tomatoes scores reflecting Smith’s body of work. This includes science fiction shows like Doctor Who to dark biopics such as Charlie Says, and it’s worth looking into the Rotten Tomatoes' ratings to determine which of Smith’s credits reviewers loved the most.

Mapplethorpe (2018) - 40%

Mapplethorpe is a biopic about the titular photographer, detailing his career from start to finish until his death at a young age. Matt Smith appeared in the title role, playing the main character through his ups and downs as he became a notorious photographer for his bold images.

Mapplethorpe didn’t receive the best reviews, as reviewers felt the tone was uneven, and the film wasn’t sure if Mapplethorpe was supposed to be a tragic figure or not. Still, Matt Smith’s performance was appreciated for doing his best to make the film an enjoyable viewing experience.

Pride And Prejudice And Zombies (2016) - 46%

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a horror comedy that twists the classic novel’s story into one where zombies threaten the main cast. Matt Smith appeared as a suitor for protagonist Elizabeth, whose appearance causes many problems for her.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies received a fairly mixed response for its wacky premise and so-so action sequences. However, the film’s humor was seen as a plus point, with Smith also getting in on it with his part meant to portray just how awkward the time period’s dialogue can be through a modern lens.

Charlie Says (2018) - 59%

Matt Smith took the bold role of Charles Manson in Charlie Says, which is a biographical drama about the effect Manson had on his cult. The film depicts Manson’s influence as he progressively turns his admirers into killers, with the impact of his actions clear to see.

Charlie Says was praised for taking a dramatic approach to material surrounding Charles Manson. But critics were also unimpressed by the lack of diversity in the script since most of the film is about Manson preaching to his followers. Smith was noted for his commitment to the role and for transforming himself for the film.

The Forgiven (2021) - 67%

The Forgiven is about a western couple in Morocco who accidentally engage in a hit-and-run of a youngster. Their subsequent attempts to sweep the incident under the rig lead to the breakdown of their marriage, along with having to deal with the fallout from their actions.

Matt Smith appeared as the couple’s corrupted friend who tempts them further into their darkest vices. The Forgiven was praised for the compelling performances of the cast but criticized for not building on the theme of western privilege the characters used to avoid justice and focusing too much on their debauchery.

Last Night In Soho (2021) - 76%

Last Night in Soho is a dream-based horror movie worth giving nightmares to those who have difficulty stomaching this genre. It follows a young woman who somehow travels to the ‘60s and befriends another woman before realizing that she might be having unexplained visions.

Matt Smith appeared as the unsympathetic boyfriend of Anya Taylor-Joy’s character who is responsible for entrapping his girlfriend in a terrible ploy. Last Night in Soho was well-received for its gorgeous visuals and intriguing premise, with some negative reception toward the sudden shift in tone in the finale that doesn’t align with the rest of the film.

Official Secrets (2019) - 82%

Keira Knightley leads Official Secrets, which is based on the true story of Katherine Gun as she blew the whistle on the illegal NSA operation that sanctioned the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Matt Smith appears as journalist Martin Bright, who helps Gun expose the operation.

Official Secrets was lauded for shedding light on the truth behind the catastrophic invasion, with particular praise for Knightley’s performance. Smith was also noted for providing good support for the lead actress along with Ralph Fiennes, as Official Secrets was generally deemed to be a gripping drama.

House Of The Dragon (2022-) - 85%

Games of Thrones is known as a TV show that is remarkable at world-building, with the series now expanded thanks to the prequel House of the Dragon. Smith leads the cast as Prince Daemon Targaryen, with the story looking into the power struggle surrounding the Targaryen bloodline.

House of the Dragon has instantly received unanimous acclaim for its production values, complex storylines, and powerful performances. Smith has been making waves for his charismatic, against-type performance as Daemon, credited as standing out among the cast in a show that has regained the fanbase the controversial Game of Thrones finale had lost.

The Crown (2016-) - 90%

Matt Smith gained his next mainstream notoriety after Doctor Who with The Crown, as the actor appeared as the young Prince Philip. Smith was praised for making all the sad moments in The Crown feel authentic, with his pairing with Claire Foy’s Queen Elizabeth II lauded for its chemistry.

The Crown moves through different decades in Elizabeth II’s monarchy, which meant that Smith was only around for the first two seasons before moving on from the role. But the actor remains one of the reasons why The Crown took off in popularity, as critics continue to give him positive nods.

Doctor Who (1963-) - 90%

Matt Smith’s version of the titular hero is considered among the very best Doctors in Doctor Who history, as his incarnation brought great amounts of youthful energy. The Eleventh Doctor’s time in the time-traveling series saw him deal with the possibility of his impending death, in addition to his association with the likes of Amy Pond, River Song, and Clara Oswald.

Doctor Who has remained well-received over the six decades it’s been available for viewers, with each Doctor considered unique in their own way. Smith was praised for making the Eleventh Doctor very likable, eccentric, and dark when the time called for it. Doctor Who also served as the springboard for Matt Smith’s success.

His House (2020) - 100%

His House slipped under the radar upon release despite receiving universal acclaim for breaking the horror formula. The film is about a Sudanese couple seeking asylum and living in a worn-down house that they discover is showing them the guilty actions they’ve committed in the past.

Matt Smith has a supporting role as the couple’s caseworker, whose part is to illustrate how outsiders will find the protagonists’ horrors hard to believe. His House earned critics' appreciation for how the film delicately portrays the family's trauma and paranoia. Many viewers were able to sympathize with them as a result, especially since it’s a disturbing representation of PTSD in horror form.

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