Karl Urban's 10 Best Movies And TV Shows

Some outstanding productions featuring Karl Urban span various genres such as science fiction, comic book adaptations, horror, and others. Hailing from New Zealand, Urban kick-started his career in genre television, appearing in the local series “Xena: Warrior Princess.” His performance caught the attention of many, paving the way for a move to Hollywood where he secured his first big screen role in the horror film “Ghost Ship” by Dark Castle Entertainment. This marked the beginning of a journey that has seen him attain significant success in both blockbuster franchises and popular streaming series.

In my humble opinion as a movie enthusiast, I must acknowledge the significant role Karl Urban played in the epic Lord of the Rings Trilogy, portraying Éomer. This iconic part catapulted him into stardom. Subsequently, he diversified his portfolio by featuring in video game adaptations like ‘Doom’, delving into hard sci-fi with ‘The Chronicles of Riddick’, joining grand franchises such as ‘Star Trek’, and even gracing the screen in comic book movies like ‘Thor: Ragnarök’. Moreover, Urban has cemented his status as a small-screen legend by playing Billy Butcher in Amazon Prime Video’s ‘The Boys’. Although he may not have garnered awards, Urban’s consistent performances have earned him a loyal fanbase, solidifying his position as a genre favorite.

10. The Chronicles Of Riddick (2004)

Siberius Vaako

2004 saw David Twohy and Vin Diesel delivering the sequel to the beloved horror film, “Pitch Black”. Yet, unlike its predecessor, this sequel, titled “Chronicles of Riddick“, veered away from straight-up horror into the realm of science fiction. In the original “Pitch Black”, Diesel’s character, Riddick, underwent eye transplants granting him night vision, aiding his battles against monstrous beings that surfaced during the darkest hours. In “Chronicles of Riddick“, we find Riddick still eluding capture by bounty hunters and making his way to a planet in order to safeguard it from fanatical extremists.

In the movie, Karl Urban portrays Commander Vaako, a devoted commander aligned with fanatical religious figures tasked with tracking down and eliminating Riddick. He unwaveringly obeys Lord Marshal (Colm Feore), showing extreme dedication to carrying out his orders and hunting Riddick. However, his character takes on a more substantial role due to the influence of his wife, portrayed by Thandiwe Newton, who disagrees with Marshal’s beliefs and encourages her husband to assist Riddick in neutralizing the cosmic threat. Despite receiving negative criticism for its complex lore, it remains a commendable sci-fi production.

9. Ghost Ship (2002)

Munder

In the early 2000s, Dark Castle was a studio known for producing low-budget horror films. Following two sequels to popular horror movies (House on Haunted Hill and Thirteen Ghosts), the studio gained traction, paving the way for its first original horror production titled Ghost Ship. Interestingly,

The film centers around an eerie ocean liner found adrift in the Bering Sea by a salvage team. The ensemble was strong, featuring Gabriel Byrne and Julianna Marguiles as the main characters. Interestingly, this film marked Karl Urban’s debut in Hollywood, where he portrayed Munder, one of the ill-fated members of the salvage crew. Despite unfavorable critical reception, it managed to be a well-executed low-budget horror flick with plenty of grisly deaths and an unsettling ambiance.

8. Almost Human (2013-2014)

John Kennex

Prior to his portrayal of Billy Butcher in The Boys, Karl Urban demonstrated his ability as a lead actor on television in the 2013 Fox sci-fi series Almost Human. In this Bad Robot production, Urban plays John Kennex, a police detective who is forced to work alongside an android detective named Dorian (Michael Ealy). The partnership is strained due to John’s suspicion of androids, as one had left him in the past and he thought there was no hope for salvation. However, Dorian exhibits more human-like thoughts than other androids.

The show ran for just one season, comprising thirteen episodes. The majority of these episodes followed a weekly mystery format. Yet, there was also a larger narrative focusing on Dorian’s programming, societal attitudes towards synthetic beings and genetically modified humans, and Dorian himself. Regrettably, the series was discontinued due to insufficient audience viewership, combined with its high production cost, which proved financially challenging. Despite this, the show received favorable reviews and even earned an Emmy Award nomination.

7. Red (2010)

William Cooper

In the spy film “Red”, Karl Urban assumed the character of a reluctant adversary, William Cooper – a contemporary CIA black ops operative. This movie stood out as it featured mature actors as the primary protagonists, with Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren portraying veteran black ops agents who had been marked for termination by the U.S. government to conceal past war crimes committed by the nation. Urban’s Cooper was dispatched to spearhead the mission aimed at eliminating Willis’s Frank Moses, an order given by a corrupt CIA superior.

In his part as an employee of the U.S. government, Urban excels at obeying commands, given that’s his duty. Yet, throughout the film, he gradually becomes aware that the orders he receives may not be entirely above board, and might eventually find himself in a predicament similar to Frank’s, who wished for peace and solitude. The movie Red, which was nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category, also spawned a sequel, although Urban chose not to reprise his role.

6. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

Kirill

In one of the century’s top-grossing spy movie series, Karl Urban made an appearance in “The Bourne Supremacy.” Directed by Paul Greengrass, this film was the second installment, where Matt Damon’s character, Jason Bourne, who was still grappling with amnesia, sought to elude detection in India. In this movie, Bourne is falsely accused of murder, prompting the CIA to dispatch black ops agents on a mission to locate him. In the role of Kirill, a Russian Federal Security Service Agent responsible for the murders and Bourne’s framing, was Karl Urban.

In this movie, Kirill is portrayed as the primary antagonist, facing off against Jason Bourne. His act of killing Franka Potente’s character Marie, who was a love interest from the initial film, makes him one of Jason Bourne’s most detestable adversaries. Paul Greengrass, in his debut with the franchise, elevated the Bourne series, with the subsequent installment becoming an even more explosive and superior action movie. Unfortunately, David Strathairn, who played Kirill, was not part of The Bourne Ultimatum.

5. Dredd (2012)

Judge Dredd

As a dedicated movie buff, I’ve got to say that Judge Dredd is one of the most enduring indie comic book franchises ever. This hard-hitting character made his debut in the groundbreaking 1977 comic book series, 2000 AD, and it’s still going strong today with over 2,400 issues under its belt! The story revolves around me, Judge Dredd – a law enforcer in a grim future where I serve as judge, jury, and executioner for any suspects that cross my path. The 1990s movie starring Sylvester Stallone didn’t quite hit the mark, but Karl Urban breathed new life into the character in 2012, earning rave reviews!

The movie didn’t do well at the box office for a couple of reasons: People might have been turned off by the less-than-favorable reception of the initial Stallone film, and it may have suffered from comparisons to the highly successful action flick The Raid, which came out the year before. However, critics appreciated the movie, giving it an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and they particularly liked how Urban revitalized the beloved comic book antihero in a film that lived up to the character’s reputation.

4. Star Trek (2009)

Leonard McCoy

In 2009, J.J. Abrams revitalized the Star Trek universe by producing a film that established a fresh narrative thread, merging with tales from the initial series. In this revamped saga, Chris Pine assumed the role of Captain James T. Kirk, Zachary Quinto took on Spock, and Karl Urban portrayed Dr. McCoy – the trio who epitomized Star Trek: The Original Series. This debut film served as a prequel, providing an opportunity for Kirk and his companions to attend the Federation Academy before their more familiar adventures.

As a devoted cinephile, I can confidently say that the initial film I was involved with was an unprecedented triumph, grossing a staggering $385 million on a humble budget of just $150 million. The audience’s response was nothing short of ecstatic, as evidenced by its 94% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Not one to rest on its laurels, this cinematic marvel spawned two sequels, with the original cast graciously reprising their roles for each installment. The film also garnered four Oscar nominations, taking home the coveted award for Best Makeup. Although I didn’t receive any award nods for my performance, the movie did secure the SAG Award for Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture, a testament to the unparalleled dedication and skill of our stunt team.

3. Thor: Ragnarök (2017)

Skurge The Executioner

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe film “Thor: Ragnarok”, Karl Urban made a single appearance. During the storyline, Thor discovers that Loki had been masquerading as Odin in Asgard. This revelation caused tension between the brothers, but they set their differences aside to protect their home from the vengeful Hela, who resurfaced after Odin’s demise. Among the fallen in Hela’s wrath were the Warriors Three, and later, she ordered Skurge, the executioner, to join her ranks as a lieutenant.

In the film “Thor: Ragnarok,” Karl Urban portrayed Skurge, a character who held an intriguing position for the gods. Initially serving as Hela’s antagonist, Skurge was a devoted Asgardian striving to survive amidst adversity. Eventually, he made a selfless choice, prioritizing his homeland and people over personal survival, resulting in a heroic demise. This film marked the premiere of a highly praised standalone “Thor” movie, serving as an engaging prelude to the ensuing battle against Thanos.

2. The Boys (2019-Present)

Billy Butcher

To numerous fans, Karl Urban is synonymous with Billy Butcher. In the year 2019, Urban assumed a principal role in the Amazon Prime Video series adapted from the comic book series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson titled “The Boys”. Under showrunner Eric Kripke (known for “Supernatural”), Urban portrays Billy Butcher, the head of The Boys, a team composed of former CIA-backed black ops agents. Their mission is to take down corrupt superheroes, who make up almost the entire superhero population in this world. He is the only one with the ability to safeguard the world from the lethally powerful Homelander.

As a die-hard fan of cinema, I’ve been eagerly following “The Boys” since it debuted four seasons ago, comprising of 32 captivating episodes. The storyline is set to conclude in the year 2026 with an upcoming fifth season. This series has garnered a tremendous amount of critical acclaim for its unique approach to storytelling, even as it deviates from the original comic books. Critics have showered praise on each season, with seasons two, three, and four all securing over 90% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. This beloved series has also earned itself eight Primetime Emmy nominations and has already given birth to two spinoffs.

1. The Lord of The Rings (2002-2003)

Éomer

In one of his most prominent roles, Karl Urban is frequently overshadowed by an extensive ensemble cast in a film he graced. This film happens to be “The Lord of the Rings,” where Urban made his entrance as Éomer in “The Two Towers” and reprised his role in “The Return of the King.” Notably, Éomer was the commander of the Rohan cavalry, a significant military force that battled against Mordor. He left an indelible impression on audiences with his helmet design inspired by the renowned Sutton Hoo helmets from Anglo-Saxon culture.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at Peter Jackson’s epic “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, where an impressive ensemble cast graced our screens. However, among the myriad characters, Karl Urban’s portrayal of Éomer stands out. His visual impact and the pivotal role of the Riders of Rohan in the narrative make his performance truly memorable. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Karl Urban was part of the third installment, “Return of the King,” which swept the Academy Awards with a historic 11 wins, including all Oscars for which it was nominated.

2025-04-22 23:10

Karl Urban’s 10 Best Movies And TV Shows