Top 10 Idris Elba Performances: Movies And TV Shows Ranked

Idris Elba is a remarkably talented actor, and his work in both movies and television proves it. He’s been in some of the most highly praised TV dramas of all time, and also played a memorable role in a hugely popular comedy series.

Idris Elba has had an incredibly diverse movie career. He’s voiced characters in big animated hits, been in several films that made over a billion dollars worldwide, and acted in a wide range of genres – from Westerns and superhero movies to biographical dramas. Because of this variety, it’s hard to pick out his single best performance.

Molly’s Game (2017)

The movie Molly’s Game is a fascinating true story. It doesn’t focus on a famous actor or musician, but on Molly Bloom, a former Olympic-class skier who created a high-stakes, illegal poker game popular with celebrities. This eventually led to an FBI investigation.

Aaron Sorkin’s first time directing, Molly’s Game, stars Jessica Chastain as Molly, a performance that earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Critics generally loved the film, giving it an 82% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Idris Elba plays a key supporting role as Molly’s lawyer, Charlie Jaffey. He and Jessica Chastain have several powerful scenes together, and critics particularly praised Elba’s performance.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (2024)

Idris Elba first appeared in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies in 2022, voicing the character Knuckles. While his role was significant in the second film, the movie wasn’t as critically acclaimed as the third Sonic the Hedgehog film.

With this role, Idris Elba finally got to play a central hero throughout the entire movie. His rich, deep voice perfectly suits Knuckles’ serious and stoic personality, making him a great fit as part of the main team. Elba’s performance creates a natural and effective dynamic with Sonic and Tails.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 built on the story of the series, and introduced a new key villain: Shadow the Hedgehog. The movie was successful, despite Knuckles having less screen time. If you enjoyed Idris Elba’s portrayal of Knuckles, you can find more of his adventures in the Paramount+ series dedicated to the character.

The Jungle Book (2016)

Over the years, Disney has often tried to remake its classic animated films with a more realistic look. Their version of The Jungle Book was labeled “live action,” but it mostly featured characters created with computer-generated imagery (CGI).

This updated version of The Jungle Book retells the classic story, but with some added scenes, making it a bit longer. Critics loved it, giving it higher ratings than the original animated film and awarding it the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

Idris Elba consistently delivers strong voice acting performances, and his portrayal of Shere Khan—the intimidating tiger determined to hunt down Mowgli—is no exception. His deep, commanding voice is perfectly suited to bring this fearsome villain to life.

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Idris Elba was one of the first actors to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, first appearing as Heimdall in the 2011 film Thor. He continued to play the character in multiple sequels, including several hugely successful Avengers movies. He had the most substantial role in Thor: Ragnarok.

Many fans consider Thor: Ragnarok the strongest film in the Thor series, thanks to director Taika Waititi’s inventive approach to the main character and his addition of humor. However, Heimdall continued to be portrayed as a more serious figure throughout the movie.

He had more opportunities to be a brave hero, consistently stepping in to defend and rescue the people of Asgard. However, because he’s not a central character, even a fantastic film like Thor: Ragnarok can’t reach the top of Idris Elba’s best movies.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

It’s debatable whether Thor: Ragnarok or The Suicide Squad is the stronger movie, but one thing is clear: Idris Elba has a much more significant role in The Suicide Squad. He essentially shares the lead with Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn.

In The Suicide Squad, Idris Elba stars as Robert DuBois, whose alias is Bloodsport. He wears a high-tech suit that lets him transform everyday objects into weapons. Despite his tough exterior, Bloodsport is the emotional center of the film, driven by his desire to protect his daughter.

The 2016 Suicide Squad movie wasn’t well-received, but the sequel was a big improvement. Directed by James Gunn, it’s become one of the most enjoyable superhero films of recent years. We’re hoping to see more of Idris Elba as Bloodsport in future installments.

Beasts Of No Nation (2015)

When people talk about Netflix’s best original movies, Beasts of No Nation is often overlooked. This film was a turning point for Netflix, as it was their first original movie and proved they were committed to creating high-quality content.

Although Beasts of No Nation didn’t become a massive streaming success, it received excellent reviews and helped put the platform on the map. The film tells the story of a boy forced to become a child soldier during an African civil war.

Idris Elba plays Commandant, the head of the group that rescues the child soldier, in a critically acclaimed performance. He’s received numerous awards for this role, including SAG and Film Spirit Awards for Best Supporting Actor, and was also nominated for a BAFTA and Golden Globe.

The Harder They Fall (2021)

Released on Netflix, The Harder They Fall is a standout Western from the 2020s that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. What makes it special is its entirely Black cast and the direction of Jeymes Samuel, who’s better known as a musician.

Idris Elba is known for playing heroes, but in The Harder They Fall, he takes on the role of the villain. He plays Rufus Buck, a character inspired by a real outlaw who lived in the American West during the 1800s. The movie was well-received by critics, earning an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Idris Elba is excellent as Rufus Buck, but the whole cast truly shines. Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, Regina King, Jonathan Majors, Lakeith Stanfield, and Danielle Deadwyler are just a few of the actors who give incredibly strong performances.

Luther (2010-2019)

Idris Elba is best known for playing John Luther in the BBC One series of the same name. Although the show ran for five seasons, it only had 20 episodes total, letting its compelling story develop over roughly ten years.

I’m really captivated by Luther. It centers around DCI John Luther, a detective who’s brilliant but definitely troubled. He gets completely absorbed in the horrific cases he investigates, and honestly, he can be pretty intense, even crossing the line sometimes. Plus, there’s this incredibly complex and twisted connection he has with a murderer, Alice Morgan – Ruth Wilson is fantastic in the role, and their dynamic is just mesmerizing.

Idris Elba delivers a compelling performance as John Luther across all five seasons of the show. He received nominations for major awards, including the Primetime Emmys and Golden Globes, for his work. Elba later returned to the role in a spin-off movie released in 2023.

Zootopia (2016)

Idris Elba has been in several movies that have earned over a billion dollars at the box office. He voiced a key character in the animated film Zootopia, in addition to his role in Avengers: Infinity War. Zootopia is set in a unique world populated by animals with human characteristics, and tells the story of a rabbit police officer who teams up with a sly fox.

Idris Elba provides the voice for Chief Bogo, a buffalo and the head of the Zootopia Police Department. Like many of his roles, Elba’s deep voice makes the character sound powerful and intimidating. Bogo is a strong, skeptical leader who doesn’t immediately believe in the main character.

As you’d expect, Chief Bogo is eventually shown to be mistaken about Judy, and he realizes she’s a strong addition to the team. Idris Elba’s voice performance perfectly captures this shift in his character, demonstrating his range as an actor. He reprises the role in the follow-up movie as well.

The Wire (2002-2004)

Many people consider The Wire to be the best TV show ever made. This HBO drama takes place in Baltimore and offers a realistic look at the city’s drug trade, showing it from the perspectives of both the police and the criminals involved.

Idris Elba portrays Stringer Bell, a crucial figure in Avon Barksdale’s drug organization. Barksdale, played by Wood Harris, handled the violence, while Bell managed the business side of things. Together, they formed a clever, formidable, and highly effective partnership.

Many critics loved how realistic The Wire was, largely because creator David Simon had worked as a journalist in Baltimore and drew from his firsthand knowledge of the city’s drug trade. While some feel the show didn’t receive enough recognition from awards shows like the Emmys, it’s still widely considered one of the greatest TV series ever made.

2026-01-31 19:34