Cillian Murphy is an Irish actor known for his captivating and brilliant performance in various film and television projects. Starring in several critically acclaimed films such as Inception, 28 Days Later, and A Quiet Place Part II. Furthermore, his role as the London-based gang leader Thomas Shelby in the British TV series Peaky Blinders has helped him reach a new theater of fame due to his phenomenal performance.
Even though he has been relatively under the radar in mainstream projects, Cillian Murphy’s best films highlight his ability to manifest his characters with perfection earning him a special place in everyone’s favorite actor list.
Updated on October 17, 2023, by Hannah Saab:
Topping Rotten Tomatoes’ ranking of Cillian Murphy’s best movies is the most recent box office hit, Oppenheimer. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer exceeded box office expectations as viewers from around the world flocked to cinemas to watch the epic biopic (partly fueled by the “Barbenheimer” craze). How does Murphy’s latest film compare to his other roles?
15 ‘On the Edge’ (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 63%
Serving as John Carney’s solo directorial debut, On the Edge is a dramedy that depicts serious mental health conditions among young individuals, one of whom is Murphy’s character, Jonathan Breech. The film portrays Jonathan’s experiences in a Dublin mental health facility following a suicide attempt.
The 2001 movie’s core relies on the new connections Jonathan makes that unexpectedly provide him with fresh perspectives about life and living. Murphy plays the challenging role by lending it vulnerability and a deep despair that gradually turns into hope. While far from perfect, the lesser-known movie is still worth watching for the actor’s fans.
14 ‘The Delinquent Season’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 67%
The Delinquent Season is an Irish romantic drama that shows two messy relationships, one of which involves Jim (Murphy). Directed by Mark O’Rowe, the 2018 film follows Jim’s emotionally charged story as his extramarital affair comes to light, bringing with it some consequences not just for his marriage, but for his other personal relationships.
Murphy delivers an emotional performance as a man dealing with his mistakes, leading the character-driven movie with ease. The Delinquent Season may be a more understated entry in Cillian Murphy’s filmography, but it’s one that highlights the actor’s versatility and talent for intimate character studies.
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13 ‘Free Fire’ (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 70%
Director Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire is a darkly comedic crime thriller starring A-listers like Armie Hammer, Brie Larson, and Cillian Murphy. In a grimy warehouse sometime in the 1970s, Murphy plays the role of Chris, who finds himself in the middle of a chaotic arms deal gone wrong alongside his group – of course, a violent shootout ensues.
Murphy stands out in the ensemble cast with his steely character, whose frustration only mounts as the situation gets worse. Adding complexity to the chaos of the 2016 movie, Murphy was perfectly cast as the resourceful, if not somewhat predictable character.
Watch on Kanopy
12 ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ (2003)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 73%
Girl with a Pearl Earring revolves around the story of a young woman, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), who becomes a muse to the famed Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). In the movie, Murphy plays the role of Pieter, a butcher’s son who is in love with Griet and jealous of her relationship with Vermeer.
The film highlights Murphy’s ability as a talented and versatile actor as he portrays his underlying love for Griet and his jealousy of her love with Vermeer. It is a must-watch for those who enjoy breathtaking cinematography and insightful portrayal of human complexities. Girl with a Pearl Earring is an underrated romance movie based on a novel of the same name by Tracy Chevalier.
Watch on Tubi
11 ‘Intermission’ (2003)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 74%
Intermission is a crime-comedy film directed by John Crowley. The film features Cillian Murphy as John, a young man who undergoes a drastic change after being dumped by his girlfriend. As a result, he goes down a dark path and tries to win back the love of his girlfriend while also being caught up in an investigation into a series of crimes by the police.
Intermission delves into the complexities of relationships, the struggles of coping with loss, and the repercussions of our choices, leading to an unforeseen and gripping conclusion. The film received acclaim for its usage of dark and witty humor, sharp writing, and Murphy’s portrayal of John.
10 ‘Sunshine’ (2007)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 76%
A science-fiction thriller by Danny Boyle, Sunshine is known for its stunning visual effects, strong performances, and strong story plot. In the film, a group of astronauts embark on a mission to reignite the dying sun and save humanity from extinction. Murphy plays the role of Robert Capa, a physicist responsible for launching a nuclear payload that will reignite the sun.
Murphy’s role expertly employs the complexity of a person battling inner turmoil and carrying a huge responsibility on their shoulders. His performance as Capa adds a layer of depth and humanity to the already gripping storyline, making it a must-watch for science-fiction and thriller fans alike.
9 ‘Red Eye’ (2005)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 79%
The 2005 thriller movie, Red Eye, directed by Wes Craven, tells the story of Lisa Reisbert (Rachel McAdams), who finds herself trapped on a red-eye flight with an assassin named Jackson Rippner (Cillian Murphy). Jackson threatens to harm Lisa’s father if she doesn’t help him in carrying out the assassination plot.
Follow Lisa as she tries to thwart Jackson’s plan and save her father. Cillian delivers an exemplary performance in the film by portraying the inner turmoil hidden beneath the layers of complexity in his character. A must-watch if someone is a Cillian Murphy fan.
Watch on Paramount+
8 ‘The Party’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 82%
The Party follows the story of a politician, Janet (Kristen Scott Thomas), who is hosting a party on her appointment as a minister. Tom (Cillian Murphy), Janet’s husband, houses a secret that could potentially derail her big party and expose the nature of their relationship altogether. As the party progresses, Tom’s secrets come to light one by one, which adds to the already snarky-humor tone of the movie.
Directed by Sally Potter, critics praise The Party for its witty writing and the ability of Cillian Murphy to instill varying emotions with practical ease within his role as Tom. It shows off his innate ability to dominate any role he takes.
Watch on Kanopy
7 ‘Batman Begins’ (2005)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 85%
Directed by Christopher Nolan, Batman Begins sees Murphy playing the anti-hero’s notorious enemy Scarecrow. Although the movie centers around Batman (Christian Bale) and Ra’s Al Ghul (Liam Neeson) facing off against each other, Murphy’s role as the secondary villain was significant enough to cement him as a prominent figure in the movie.
He truly made an excellent scarecrow, trying to fake stoicism and feeding on other people’s fears until he’s given a taste of his own medicine. His performance as Scarecrow was noteworthy and speaks volumes of his talent as an actor.
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6 ‘Inception’ (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 87%
Inception is a 2010 science-fiction thriller directed by Christopher Nolan. It follows the story of Dom Cobb (Leonardo Di Caprio) and his group, infiltrating and planting an idea into the mind of Robert Fischer through a process called “inception.” Seen as an overwhelmed heir to a business empire at first glance, Fischer proves to be quite an adversary for them as the process progresses throughout the film.
Inception takes a different approach toward lucid dreaming, which makes for quite a spectacle on the big screen. Murphy’s performance in the film as the abysmal and complex adversary made many viewers hail him as one of the best actors of his generation.
5 ’28 Days Later’ (2002)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 87%
In 28 Days Later, Cillian Murphy plays the role of a bicycle courier named Jim, who wakes up from a coma to find that a virus has turned the majority of humans into rage-filled zombies. While trying to navigate this harsher world, he stumbles upon a group of survivors. The group then watches the complete breakdown of human society and confronts the horrors of the virus firsthand.
28 Days Later was directed by Danny Boyle and has been praised for its innovative approach to the zombie genre, atmospheric cinematography, and the performances of the actors. A worthwhile watch for anyone interested in the best zombie movies!
4 ‘The Wind That Shakes the Barley’ (2006)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 90%
The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a historical war/drama film directed by Ken Loach. The film shows Ireland during the early 1920s and the relationship between two brothers, Damien O’Donovan (Cillian Murphy) and Teddy O’Donovan (Padraic Delaney), who find themselves on opposing sides during the Irish War of Independence.
Cillian does a phenomenal job of portraying Damien’s turmoil as he struggles to reconcile his political convictions and personal sacrifices, leading him to become highly radicalized and eventually make a tragic decision. The film also won a Palme d’Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival for its incredible storytelling and powerful message.
3 ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 91%
Directed by John Krasinski, A Quiet Place Part II is the second edition of a sci-fi series about barbaric and sound-sensitive creatures that have taken over the world. Murphy plays the role of Emmett, a survivor who is on his own since these creatures took over. He meets the Abbott family, whom he has a past connection with. He agrees to help find them a place to settle in.
Follow Murphy as he employs his brilliant performing skills on the big screen and does justice to his name as a versatile actor. His illustrious emotional output as a character who is nuanced with the world brings more depth to his character.
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2 ‘Dunkirk’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%
A historical war thriller by Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk depicts the titular evacuation of World War II, which sees thousands of troops rescued by naval and civilian vessels. Murphy plays a minor but crucial role as one of the evacuees, credited simply as “Shivering Soldier” in the unflinching war film, which describes his part perfectly. As the lone survivor atop a capsized ship, he’s rescued by a private boat headed towards the beach to save more soldiers, which the soldier is vehemently against.
The soldier’s reaction to the captain’s decision to sail back towards the beaches of Dunkirk is spine-chilling, as Murphy’s performance captures the horrors the character has been exposed to (and does not want to be subject to again). Viewers don’t have to know exactly what led to his dramatic survival shivering on top of that vessel, as his violent response to the idea of going back says it all.
1 ‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%
The latest box office hit from Nolan sees both his and Murphy’s best work to date. Murphy plays the role of the historical figure, J. Robert Oppenheimer, a theoretical physicist who eventually leads the Manhattan Project. The epic film chronicles his life and work, including his struggles in the academe, his path to earning his reputation as the “father of the atom bomb,” and the eventual political mess that would haunt the rest of his days.
Murphy delivers an incredible performance that captures the complicated and controversial figure who had to grapple with the consequences of his pursuit of scientific discovery. The film depicts and introduces Oppenheimer to a wider audience as a brooding, brilliant, outspoken, but flawed individual (a multifaceted character that Murphy was perfectly suited to portray).
