As we all know, Superman has flown into theaters and is doing wonders at the Box Office. While David Corenswet pulls off an amazing performance as the Man of Steel, Nicholas Hoult gives an equally ecstatic performance as his nemesis, Lex Luthor. Now, there is a chance that some of you might not be familiar with his previous works, and if it’s true, here is a list of the 10 best Nicholas Hoult movies you should check out.
10. Renfield (2023)
- Release Date: April 14, 2023
- Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Nicolas Cage, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Brandon Scott Jones, Camille Chen
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/58%
- Director: Chris McKay
A rather new addition to Nicholas Hoult’s catalogue, Renfield gives us a wildly entertaining take on the Dracula mythos, with a generous splash of blood, humor, and chaos. Hoult stars as Renfield, the eternally exhausted servant of Dracula, who finally decides he’s done fetching bodies and mopping up after his boss. But breaking free from centuries of toxic vampiric codependency is not as easy as it sounds.
Enter Nicolas Cage as Dracula in full gothic glory and over-the-top presence. What follows is a fast-paced, gory, and surprisingly heartfelt ride as Renfield tries to reclaim his life. If you’re craving a vampire movie that blends old-school horror with modern absurdity and just enough soul, Renfield is absolutely worth sinking your teeth into.
9. Tolkien (2019)
- Release Date: May 10, 2019
- Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins, Derek Jacobi, Anthony Boyle, Colm Meaney, Kallum Tolkien, Tom Glynn-Carney, Patrick Gibson, Harry Gilby, Laura Donnelly
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/51%
- Director: Dome Karukoski
If you’re into fiction writing, chances are you’ve already been swept away by The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings. Whether you’ve read the books, watched the movies, or both, Middle-earth probably feels like a second home by now. But while you may know the lore of the Shire, Mordor, and beyond like the back of your hand, how well do you know the mind that created it all?
Tolkien dives into the life of J.R.R. Tolkien, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, if we’re being formal, and explores the experiences that shaped the father of modern fantasy. From the trenches of World War I to the bonds of friendship, love, and language, the film paints a compelling picture of how his personal journey became the foundation for some of the greatest literary works of our time. If you’re a fan of the world he built, this biopic adds a whole new layer to appreciating the genius behind it.
8. True History Of The Kelly Gang (2019)
- Release Date: January 9, 2020
- Cast: George MacKay, Russell Crowe, Essie Davis, Nicholas Hoult, Charlie Hunnam, Orlando Schwerdt, Thomasin McKenzie, Earl Cave
- IMDb Rating: 6/80%
- Director: Justin Kurzel
True History of the Kelly Gang dives into the chaotic life of Ned Kelly, a young boy from an immigrant family who, through a mix of circumstance and rebellion, spirals into a life of crime. What follows is the rise of a full-fledged bushranger leading a gang, all while being hunted down by a relentless lawman, played by none other than Nicholas Hoult. Gritty and unapologetically raw, this Nicholas Hoult movie is less about glorifying an outlaw and more about tearing into the myth with style.
7. About a Boy (2002)
- Release Date: April 26, 2002
- Cast: Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, Rachel Weisz, Natalia Tena, Victoria Smurfit, Augustus Prew, Isabel Brook, Nicholas Hutchison, Annabelle Apsion
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/93%
- Director: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
If watching comedy-dramas is your thing, About a Boy is bound to hit all the right notes. The film brings us the story of Will Freeman, played by Hugh Grant, a charming yet emotionally detached rich guy living off the royalties of a hit Christmas jingle. With no job, no commitments, and a lifestyle revolving around leisure, Will comes up with a questionable plan to meet single women by pretending to be a single father. That’s how he ends up attending single-parent support groups, and that’s exactly where his life takes a hilarious and unexpectedly heartfelt turn.
Enter Marcus, a 12-year-old boy played by a young Nicholas Hoult, whose quirky behavior and troubled home life make him an easy target for school bullies. The two form an unusual friendship. Will teaches Marcus how to be more socially accepted, while Marcus slowly nudges Will into understanding what it means to be a grown-up. The movie balances humor with some genuinely emotional moments, and it’s this back-and-forth mentorship that gives About a Boy its unique charm. It’s awkward, funny, and quietly touching, making it one of the must-watch Nicholas Hoult movies if you’re in the mood for something that makes you laugh while sneaking in a few life lessons.
6. The Banker (2020)
- Release Date: March 2, 2020
- Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Nicholas Hoult, Nia Long, Jessie T. Usher, Taylor Black, Colm Meaney, Paul Ben-Victor, Gregory Alan Williams.
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/78%
- Director: George Nolfi
The Banker is another hidden gem in Nicholas Hoult’s filmography, one where he may not be the leading man, but still plays a pivotal role in a story that packs both power and relevance. Based on true events, the movie follows two visionary African-American entrepreneurs, Bernard Garrett (Anthony Mackie) and Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson), who are determined to break into the world of real estate and banking in the 1960s. But in a deeply racist America, their ambitions are constantly blocked by the color of their skin.
To fight back against this systemic discrimination, they come up with a bold plan, hire a young white man named Matt Steiner, played by Nicholas Hoult, to pose as the face of their growing empire. Hoult delivers a solid performance as Matt, who not only acts as a front but eventually learns the business from the ground up, adding depth to the story. The film plays out like a smart social thriller, balancing racial commentary with moments of sharp wit and inspiring resilience. The Banker is a compelling watch that sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of history, making it not just entertaining but important.
5. X-Men: First Class (2011)
- Release Date: May 25, 2011
- Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, Nicholas Hoult, Jennifer Lawrence, January Jones, Zoë Kravitz, Rose Byrne, Lucas Till, Caleb Landry Jones, Edi Gathegi, Jason Flemyng
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/86%
- Director: Matthew Vaughn
Nicholas Hoult caught the attention of superhero fanatics with his role in X-Men: First Class, where he played Hank McCoy, a brilliant scientist and one of Professor X’s most trusted allies among the X-Men. At first, Hank appears as a mild-mannered genius trying to hide his mutation, but in a desperate attempt to rid himself of his mutant traits, he injects a self-developed serum. However, it completely backfired and amplified his mutation instead of suppressing it, transforming him into the blue-furred, sharp-clawed powerhouse we all recognize as Beast, one of the most powerful X-Men characters.
This shift marked a defining moment in both the film and Hoult’s career, demonstrating his ability to bring heart and intellect to a character trapped between two worlds. Although the rebooted X-Men universe didn’t last as long as many hoped, Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Beast left a lasting impression across multiple X-Men films from First Class to Days of Future Past and Apocalypse.
4. A Single Man (2009)
- Release Date: December 11, 2009
- Cast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Tom Ford, Matthew Goode, Ginnifer Goodwin, Paulette Lamori, Jon Kortajarena, Lee Pace
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/86%
- Director: Tom Ford
A Single Man places Nicholas Hoult shoulder to shoulder with icons like Colin Firth (who earned an Oscar nomination for his role) and director-turned-filmmaker Tom Ford, who made his directorial debut with this film. Set in the 1960s, the movie follows George Falconer, an English professor devastated by the loss of his partner, Jim. Drenched in emotional weight, the film captures George’s final day, during which he plans to end his life. Hoult plays Kenny, one of George’s students, a curious, emotionally perceptive young man who starts to crack open George’s emotional shell through conversations and compassion.
Nicholas Hoult’s performance is subtle yet deeply affecting, offering a glimmer of light in George’s dark world. His chemistry with Firth doesn’t just serve the story; it elevates the experience. A Single Man isn’t just a visual treat thanks to Tom Ford’s signature aesthetic; it’s a movie that lingers long after the credits roll, and Hoult’s presence adds a youthful depth to a narrative about mortality and rediscovery.
3. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
- Release Date: May 23, 2014
- Cast: Bryan Singer, James McAvoy, Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, Patrick Stewart, Jennifer Lawrence, Ian McKellen, Evan Peters, Nicholas Hoult, Elliot Page, Peter Dinklage, James Marsden, Anna Paquin, Fan Bingbing, Josh Helman, Halle Berry, Shawn Ashmore, Omar Sy, Famke Janssen
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/90%
- Director: Bryan Singer
X-Men: Days of Future Past brings Nicholas Hoult back as Hank McCoy, both in his human form and as the blue-furred Beast. And honestly, it was great to see him get more screen time outside the makeup. This time-travel rollercoaster has Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman, sent back to the ’70s to prevent the creation of the Sentinels, deadly mutant-hunting machines that have ravaged the future. To do that, Logan teams up with a younger, more broken Charles Xavier and convinces the past version of the X-Men to change history before it’s too late.
The movie nails the balance between old and new timelines, seamlessly blending the cast of First Class with the original X-Men. Nicholas Hoult gets to flex a bit more in this movie, reminding us why he’s such a fan favorite.
2. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
- Release Date: May 15, 2015
- Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Zoë Kravitz, Courtney Eaton, Riley Keough, Nathan Jones, Megan Gale, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Abbey Lee, Quentin Kenihan, Josh Helman, Richard Carter
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/97%
- Director: George Miller
One of Nicholas Hoult’s most appreciated and offbeat performances comes in Mad Max: Fury Road, where he plays the War Boy named Nux. Initially, Nux is a devoted follower of Immortan Joe, proudly serving in his army and living under the cult-like grip of The Citadel.
But what makes his character arc truly stand out is how deeply human it becomes. After a failed mission and the tragic death of Angharad, for which he feels partly responsible, Nux begins to question everything he believed in. What starts as a deranged ride turns into a redemptive journey as he switches sides, ultimately joining Max and Furiosa in their rebellion.
1. Juror #2 (2024)
- Release Date: November 1, 2024
- Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Zoey Deutch, Toni Collette, Gabriel Basso, Francesca Eastwood, Leslie Bibb, Chris Messina, Kiefer Sutherland, Amy Aquino, J. K. Simmons, Drew Scheid, Cedric Yarbrough, Hedy Nasser
- IMDb Rating: 7/93%
- Director: Clint Eastwood
Juror #2, if not the best, is easily one of the most intriguing performances Nicholas Hoult has ever delivered. In this Clint Eastwood-directed thriller, Hoult plays Justin Kemp, a seemingly ordinary man selected to serve as a juror on a high-profile murder case. But as the courtroom drama unfolds, Justin begins to suspect something terrifying: the man on trial might actually be innocent, and he himself could be connected to the victim’s death.
What follows is a tense, psychological spiral as Justin wrestles with a moral crossroads: should he let an innocent person take the fall, or risk exposing his own secret? Nicholas Hoult pulls off the role with a gripping sense of internal conflict, making Juror #2 a slow-burning thriller that keeps you glued till the final verdict. If you enjoy layered suspense with a conscience-bending twist, this one’s worth adding to your watchlist.
