Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the greatest actors of our generation. Of course, several fans know the actor for portraying Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and his remarkable performance in the Sherlock Holmes TV series. But this isn’t all. Benedict has a huge filmography with several well-known titles under his name. If you’ve taken to his acting skills, here are some of the best movies and TV shows starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
1. Avengers: Infinity War
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 8.4/85%
- Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
- Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldaña, Josh Brolin, Chris Pratt
- Runtime: 149 minutes
With its large-scale production, ambitious action sequences, and a large cast consisting of some of the most celebrated heroes, Infinity War has carved its name as one of the best superhero films of all time. When Benedict Cumberbatch was introduced to us as Doctor Strange for the first time, we were introduced to his arrogant persona. Since then, he portrayed the same character in many Marvel movies, including Doctor Strange and Spider-Man: No Way Home, but none of the films solidified his character the way Infinity War did. Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange showed us his selfless side, which added a compelling emotional weight to his character arc in Infinity War.
Avengers: Infinity War was indeed a special film that brought all the beloved superheroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Doctor Strange, and more, together to fight a common enemy. Also, the egotistical clash between Iron Man and Doctor Strange was one of the best moments of the entire film.
2. The Imitation Game
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 8/90%
- Release Date: November 14, 2014
- Director: Morten Tyldum
- Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Charles Dance, Mark Strong
- Runtime: 115 minutes
The Imitation Game is one of the best films Benedict Cumberbatch has appeared in to date. In the film, he portrays the role of Alan Turing, a brilliant but disturbed mathematician tasked with breaking the code of the Nazi Enigma machine. The Imitation Game earned the actor an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, and critics praised him for his portrayal of Alan Turing. Be it the emotional fragility or his intellectual personality, Cumberbatch gave his 100% to the character and made him an unforgettable one.
Besides Cumberbatch’s Alan Turing, the film also blesses the industry with a solid supporting cast list, which consists of Keira Knightley as Joan Clarke, Matthew Goode as Hugh Alexander, and more.
3. Doctor Strange
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 7.5/89%
- Release Date: November 4, 2016
- Director: Scott Derrickson
- Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, Scott Adkins, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton
- Runtime: 115 minutes
Now, this is a film that presents Benedict Cumberbatch in a completely different light from any of his previous roles. We are introduced to fresh takes on magic and many more intriguing concepts surrounding time and the multiverse in the Doctor Strange movie.
It also shows the transformation of the arrogant neurosurgeon, Doctor Stephen Strange, into a selfless superhero after he loses his ability to operate after an accident. Moreover, Doctor Strange proves to be a significantly more compelling MCU title compared to the other projects, thanks to the incredible visual effects it features.
4. The Power of The Dog
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 6.8/94%
- Release Date: November 4, 2016
- Director: Jane Campion
- Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee
- Runtime: 126 minutes
If you’re a Benedict Cumbatch fan but still haven’t yet watched The Power of the Dog, you are definitely missing out on something huge. The film is a slow burn that gets intriguing by the second half, so you need to stick to it until then, otherwise you’ll surely miss the details and will end up disliking it. The Power of the Dog received several nominations with critics praising it for literally everything; be it the soundscore, the direction, the performances, and whatnot.
Benedict Cumberbatch serves as the pivotal core of the story. The way he portrays the disturbed Phil Burbank, a complex and domineering Montana rancher, shows his potency as one of the finest actors the industry has blessed us with.
5. 12 Years a Slave
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 6.8/94%
- Release Date: November 8, 2013
- Director: Steve McQueen
- Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong’o, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Alfre Woodard
- Runtime: 134 minutes
12 Years a Slave took the industry by storm in 2013, with fans and critics alike beginning to regard it as the best film of the year. The film had a lasting impact on the audience and garnered numerous accolades for its outstanding performances, story, and direction. Revolving around a black man who, after being abducted, is sold into enslavement, the film sheds light on everything that an enslaved person had to go through, particularly during the pre-Civil War period in the United States.
Benedict Cumberbatch doesn’t appear in the titular role this time; instead, he plays the role of William Ford, a plantation owner, who buys Solomon Northup, the main protagonist. But does that mean you shouldn’t watch the movie? Certainly not. Even though Benedict is not in the leading role, his performance in the film is truly extraordinary.
6. To the Ends Of the Earth
- IMDb: 7.1
- Release Date: July 6, 2005- July 20, 2005
- Director: David Attwood
- Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Sam Neill, Jared Harris
- Episode Count: 3
Based on William Golding’s sea trilogy, To the Ends of the Earth sees Benedict Cumberbatch as a naive yet arrogant aristocrat who embarks on a challenging journey that transforms him into a humble person. The three-episode television series is a character-driven and thought-provoking period drama that won millions of hearts upon its official release.
Critics praised it heavily for the exceptional screenplay, direction, and Benedict Cumberbatch’s powerful performance, which eventually earned him an award for Best Actor at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival.
7. Eric
- IMDb/ Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 6.9/73%
- Release Date: May 30, 2024
- Director: Abi Morgan
- Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Gaby Hoffmann, McKinley Belcher III
- Episode Count: 6
Eric revolves around a man named Vincent Anderson, who is a genius when it comes to operating puppets. When his son goes missing one day, he decides to bring a blue-colored monster to life, which his son had designed. He starts believing that it’s the only way he can reunite with his son Edgar. In Eric, Cumberbatch plays the role of a disturbing and complex character, which bagged mixed reviews, mostly positive from worldwide fans and critics alike.
8. Sherlock
- IMDb/ Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 6.9/73%
- Release Date: July 25, 2010- January 15, 2017
- Director: Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat
- Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman
- Episode Count: 4 Seasons + 1 Special; 13 Episodes
In Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch plays the role of the electrifying detective, Sherlock Holmes. However, unlike the other versions, this Sherlock is a mix of Crime and Comedy that resonates more with the modern audience.
With his impeccable detective skills, Sherlock must navigate every case that comes his way. However, not without the help of his companion, Dr John Watson. The role earned Benedict Cumberbatch several awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor.
9. Good Omens
- IMDb/ Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 6.9/73%
- Release Date: May 31, 2019- Present
- Director: Neil Gaiman
- Starring: Michael Sheen, David Tennant, Sam Taylor Buck, Jon Hamm
- Episode Count: 2 Seasons; 12 Episodes
Good Omens sees Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice actor of Satan, the king of hell. It is a fantasy comedy television show that revolves around a demon named Crowley and an angel named Aziraphale, who must do whatever it takes to prevent Armageddon from happening, as it would eventually end their friendship. The television series gained widespread praise for the comic timing and the chemistry between the main duo.
10. Patrick Melrose
- IMDb/ Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 8/90%
- Release Date: May 12, 2018- June 9, 2018
- Director: Edward Berger
- Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hugo Weaving
- Episode Count: 5
The television series again features Benedict Cumberbatch as a troubled character whose present and future are put at stake as he is unable to move on from the trauma that he faced in his childhood.
Critics called the role Cumberbatch’s one of the best to date. Besides him, it was the stellar supporting cast that contributed heavily to the TV series’s success. It’s hard to talk about this miniseries without spoiling too much of the story, but let’s just say that Benedict’s performance shines bright in this one. The arrogant and confident man from the outside, but a troubled and anxious person from the inside – honestly, no one could have portrayed such a character better than Benedict Cumberbatch.
