Idris Elba first caught citizenry ’s attention with his function as the business sector - minded yet still - deadly felonious Stringer Bell on the awing HBO seriesThe Wire . Since then , Elba ’s star has been steadily on the rise with more and more in high spirits - visibility projects that show off his reach and charisma as an actor .

Whether playing the sub or the baddie , the atomic number 82 , or a support role , Elba is always an interesting actor to watch over . There are no doubt even heavy projects in his future , but we also have a lot of acclaimed body of work from him to savor in good order now . Here are Idris Elba ’s best picture , according to Rotten Tomatoes .

update on August 18th , 2022 by Colin McCormick : Idris Elba continues to be one of the toilsome working doer in Hollywood with two novel moving-picture show to close out the summer . With the animal - tone-beginning adventureBeastand George Miller ’s phantasy movieThree Thousand Years of Longing , these raw projects show the incredible variety Elba has with his work . And buff can check out some more of his most clap projects after checker out his latest drive .

Star Wars Stormtrooper

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (2022) - 69%

Elba has taken on a bit of vocalisation role throughout his life history with the latest being the video plot sequelSonic the Hedgehog 2 . The motion picture finds Sonic teaming up with his fresh protagonist Tails to save the day when Dr. Robotnik returns with his own new ally , Knuckles ( Elba ) .

Though the sequel did n’t quite retake the surprising charm of the first motion-picture show , many critic found it to be a fairly fun family adventure . Elba was also seen as a howling young addition to the franchise as the iconic transonic character .

28 Weeks Later (2007) - 72%

Given how Brobdingnagian of a star Elba is now , it is fun find those early projects in which he play a lowly plunk for role.28 calendar week Lateris the repulsion sequel to28 Days Laterwhich begins with the world being more or less restored following the eruption . Elba plays the commanding officer of a protected residential area that soon hail apart as the virus diffuse through the mass .

While many critic preferred the small and more gripping original movie , they found this subsequence to be a desirable follow - up . It hand over thrills and holy terror while also featuring a strong mould , including Jeremy Renner and Rose Byrne .

Pacific Rim (2013) - 72%

In 2013 , Idris Elba appear in the Guillermo Del Toro moviePacific Rim . In the film , Elba was Marshal Stacker Pentecost , the dominate policeman in the Pan Pacific Defense Corps . He is a former Jaeger buffer who is dying of radiation syndrome poisoning but sets out to bring back one of his respectable pilot when he teach of a room to possibly finally terminate the war with the Kaiju monsters attacking the cities around the world .

The film was a success , reach over $ 400 million worldwide and spawn a sequel in whichStar Warsactor John Boyega plays the son of Elba ’s character . Elba became the film ’s most noted character due in heavy part to a memorably epic speech he delivers near the terminal .

Prometheus (2012) - 73%

Elba has been a part of some huge franchises over the eld , and he was even lucky enough to fall in one of the most darling sci - fi series of all time inPrometheus . Ridley Scottreturned to theAlienuniversefor this prequel that followed a group of scientists who travel to a distant alien planet to acquire the secret of mankind ’s origination .

The motion-picture show did n’t quite answer all the questions fan might have expected and some of the characters made dismaying dazed conclusion . However , critic called this an challenging epos from Scott that explored interesting theme and have a stellar public presentation from Michael Fassbender .

Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015) - 76%

Heimdall was best known for his role in the Thor movies , the golden - robe protector of Asgard standing at the entrance and seeing all . His role inAvengers : Age of Ultronwas little , but he appear nevertheless in a scene that was an authoritative bit in Thor ’s journeying in that movie .

In the scene that Idris Elba appears in asone of Thor ’s best friendsHeimdall . In a vision , Thor has a imagination , and Heimdall declare that it is Thor that will ruin Asgard , a open foreshadowing of Thor ’s decision inThor : Ragnarok .

Second Coming (2014) - 77%

In 2014 , Idris Elba headlined a British drama movie calledSecond Coming . A first - sentence director direct the moving picture . Longtime playwright debbie tucker green ( she spell out her name in all scurvy event letters ) , won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer , Director , or Producer .

In the cinema , a married couple who are no longer intimate become concerned when the married woman becomes pregnant . The film was a festival darling , debut at the Toronto International Film Festival before stick a limited release in the United States .

Thor (2011) - 77%

Elba join the still make new MCU in the very first soloThorfilm . The flick introduced the human beings to Chris Hemsworth , who played the God of Thunder , an self-important Asgardian warrior who is strip of his powers and direct to Earth to prove he is desirable to be king . Elba toy the all - seeing doorman of Asgard , Heimdall .

The moving-picture show is not usually considered top - tier Marvel , but critics found a lot to recommend in the fun superhero heroic . Director Kenneth Branagh managed to mesh the phantasy macrocosm with the Earth - recoil adventures efficaciously , and Hemsworth proved to be a natural superstar bring wit , appeal , and strength to the office .

Concrete Cowboy (2020) - 80%

The modern westernConcrete Cowboytells a unique father - son fib with Elba give a terrific grounded performance . Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin plays a young boy sent to live with his estranged father ( Elba ) for the summer and is introduce to a community of Black city cowboys .

critic were impressed with the movie ’s fascinating geographic expedition of a little - known part of American culture . It was also praised as a classic and uplifting story of a father and Logos , portrayed toppingly by the two master histrion .

American Gangster (2007) - 80%

Before he was get under one’s skin conduct man roles of his own , Elba was still giving memorable turn in small part . American Gangsterstars Denzel Washington as tangible - aliveness drug kingpin Frank Lucas who command much of the heroin trade in New York City in the 1070s . Elba plays a rival gangster to Lucas .

Director Ridley Scott handles the sweeping offense story toppingly , hooking us to Lucas ' lift to power . Washington deliver another commanding performance that helps to carry the engrossing and violent saga .

Molly’s Game (2017) - 82%

Many actors would love a prospect to play with Aaron Sorkin ’s dialog on the expectant silver screen . Elba got that chance with Sorkin ’s directorial debutMolly ’s Game , which tells the truthful story of Molly Bloom ( Chastain ) , a former Olympic athlete who makes a new name for herself by host high - stake fire hook games . Elba recreate a attorney representing Bloom .

Sorkin once again craft a compelling and entertaining script while also proving himself a skilled director . Chastain is excellent in the complex lead persona , while the film itself describe you into this interesting world filled with sense of humour and peril .

A closeup of Nathan Fillion as John Nolan from the Rookie season 7

Anna Silk as Bo from the TV show Lost Girl

Split image of the Idris Elba characters from The Harder They Fall, Pacific Rim and Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Knuckles grabbing Sonic by the throat in Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Idris Elba in military fatigues in 28 Weeks Later

Idris Elba in close-up wearing a 4-star general’s uniform in Pacific Rim

Idris Elba as Janek in Prometheus

Heimdall holding onto Thor’s head in Avengers Age of Ultron

Idris Elba in Second Coming

Idris Elba’s Heimdall looks to the side in his helmet in Thor

Idris Elba on horseback in Concrete Cowboy

Ridley Scott Idris Elba Shot American Gangster

Molly and her attorney together in court in Molly’s Game.

Idris Elba

Thor: Ragnarok