From the MCU’s Spider-Man to smaller drama roles, Tom Holland is one of Hollywood’s most popular actors, but which of his movies is the best?

Looking back at Tom Holland and his growing filmography, he has come a long way since he began his career on stage. From playing the character of Billy Elliot in London’s West End, Holland eventually transitioned to the big screen, gaining global recognition for his portrayal of Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, his early roles weren’t exactly the usual route for a young performer on the rise. Rather than line his credits with charming romantic comedies or taking a prominent supporting part in a horror movie, Holland’s resume revealed a preference for historical narratives.

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In his films, Tom Holland played a cabin boy stranded at sea, a monk, and the personal secretary of Thomas Edison. In each of these performances, Holland proves crucial even though his character tends to be removed from the center of the story. It wouldn’t be until 2017, with the massive success of Spider-Man: Homecoming, that Holland became consistently regarded as a leading man. Now, as he’s preparing to enter the next phase of his career, where his popularity is utilized to help elevate the visibility of a project, Holland has a chance to really show what he is capable of on the big screen.

21Dolittle (2020)

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Dolittle was troubled from the jump. The movie went through 21 days of reshoots in the aftermath of poor test screenings. Several writers were recruited to steer the project in the right direction, including Seth Rogen, but none of it helped to refine the final result. It’s almost universally agreed that Dolittle is the worst Tom Holland movie, despite having had the recipe to be one of the best.

Dolittle was panned for everything from its pacing to its storyline. It also has the dubious distinction of having one of the most widely-mocked endings in recent memory. In spite of Robert Downey Jr.’s star power, and an imminently recognizable voice cast that features Tom Holland as a lurcher, Dolittle only made $251 million on a $175 million budget (viaBox Office Mojo).

20In the Heart of the Sea (2015)

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Centered on the sinking of an American whaling ship in 1820, In the Heart of the Sea permits the cast only a few defining traits to work with: Chris Hemsworth wants to be captain of the ship. Benjamin Walker worries that he’s not cut out to be captain. As for Cillian Murphy, his character is largely focused on staying sober.

Tom Holland gets nothing at all, even though the movie ostensibly unfolds from his perspective. This bare-bones approach seems to be no accident, as director Ron Howard is more interested in filling up his feature with an array of epic action sequences.

19Chaos Walking (2021)

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Tom Holland was cast in Chaos Walking months after his head-turning cameo in Captain America: Civil War. Perhaps because they failed to anticipate the actor’s massive popularity with audiences or because Chaos Walking had a myriad of problems on its way to the big screen, this young adult dystopian adaptation commits the mistake of turning its charismatic leads into generic ciphers.

Holland and his co-star Daisy Ridley play main characters that could have been embodied by just about anyone for what little specificity and interior life they’re given. They’re there to shepherd the plot from one place to the next. Out of all of Holland’s leading roles, this one might just be the least essential, which is why despite an interesting premise and quality co-star in Daisy Ridley, it’s far from the best Tom Holland movie.

18How I Live Now (2013)

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How I Live Now has one thing going for it: it’s a lot more brutal than other adaptations of young adult novels which were released around the same time. The story follows Daisy (Saoirse Ronan), an American girl sent to the English countryside to stay with relatives right as the world descends into an all-out war. This is depicted unflinchingly. In one scene, a young boy is shot in the head. His gushing wound is visible as he crawls to his death. The film loses ground in its decision to use these unimaginable atrocities as a backdrop to the love story between Daisy and her distant cousin Eddie (George MacKay).

The romance is never convincing, but it ends up being the focus of How I Live Now regardless. Tom Holland, in the role of Daisy’s cousin Isaac, looks to be set up as one of the leads given that he’s featured prominently in the movie’s opening moments. But by the halfway mark, the narrative amounts to little more than a variation on Twilight with a dystopian flavor. It’s a shame because the adaptation could have been much more interesting.

17Edge of Winter (2016)

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A divorced dad is eager to bond with his two boys, but his efforts lead to a nightmarish scenario in this snowy thriller from director Rob Connolly. Although an admirable amount of running time is devoted to examining the clash of personalities between the father and his older son (Tom Holland), Edge of Winter suffered from many pacing issues.

Despite how Joel Kinnaman leaves an impression with his performance as the father, Edge of Winter is too slow for too long. Slow-burn When the terror begins to set in, at around the hour mark, it provides only a brief jolt. Overall, the movie doesn’t do enough and doesn’t go far enough to stand out from other, similar thrillers.

16Uncharted (2022)

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Uncharted had a lot going against it from the start. First, it was based on a very popular video game franchise, but neither Tom Holland nor Mark Wahlberg fit the characters they signed on to play. This turned many fans of the games against the movie, but then the actual story ended up seeing Holland’s Nathan Drake and Sully Sullivan go from one plot point to the next in search of treasure just as in the games.

While it was filled with plenty of nods and references to the original Naughty Dog games, Uncharted wasn’t quite the success many had hoped it would be. The movie did feature a fun turn from Antonio Banderas as the villain, but in the end, there wasn’t enough substance to carry it as a movie – much less as a franchise starter that the filmmakers hoped they had based on the Uncharted post-credit scene.

15Cherry (2021)

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In reviews for Cherry, the adaptation of Nico Walker’s novel was described as a departure for Tom Holland. That’s certainly true in terms of its subject — but, in a broader sense, it’s one among a long line of young and seemingly meek protagonists who are in over their heads. Holland’s movie is an ambitious project, and Holland himself was poised to prove his depth as a young actor. Unfortunately, the film did not live up to its premise and marketing, and Cherry received negative movie reviews.

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, in their first post-MCU project, Cherry tells the story of an Army veteran who suffers from PTSD and resorts to robbing banks to support his drug addiction. It’s heavy stuff; however, it’s also heavily stylized to its detriment. Filling the screen with visual flourishes and other digressions, the directing duo unintentionally distracts from the lead actor’s performance and distances the viewer from what might otherwise be an emotionally harrowing drama. It’s an interesting misfire, potentially worth seeking out for that reason.

14The Current War: Director’s Cut (2017)

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Tom Holland plays Samuel Insull, the personal secretary to Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch), and he serves the purpose of acting as Edison’s sounding board as well as the inventor’s conscious. The Current War dramatizes the 19th-century competition between Edison and George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon) over which of their electric delivery systems would be used across the United States.

Given the amount of talent on-screen, in addition to the memorable visual flourishes from director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, the film is quite gripping to watch in parts. On the whole, however, it follows the expected patterns of a typical Hollywood biopic and indulges in the genre’s tendency to treat female characters as ancillary to the men that surround them. The Current War’s journey to audiences, which was derailed by the sexual assault allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein, might be more noteworthy than the film itself.

13Pilgrimage (2017)

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Pilgrimage allows director Brendan Muldowney to juxtapose the beautiful landscapes of Ireland and Belgium, where the drama was filmed, with scenes of appalling violence. The story is set in medieval times, chronicling a group of Catholic monks as they embark on the perilous mission of transporting a holy relic to Rome. Raising worthwhile questions about the dangers of religious zealotry and the pointlessness of the importance so often attached to symbols, Pilgrimage is much stronger in its second half than its first.

But, still, it falls short of deeply examining the characters and the world they inhabit. Tom Holland, who plays a young monk, is a prime example of this. He receives top billing and is featured plenty albeit mostly in silent reaction shots where he functions as a surrogate for the audience. Jon Bernthal fares better as a warrior with a mysterious past, bringing a distinct intensity to the role.

12Spies in Disguise (2019)

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For a family-friendly animated comedy, Spies in Disguise has a lot on its mind. The movie touches on the CIA’s checkered history, which has ruined lives, and it has some ideas about how to improve the agency’s track record as well. Of course, being a family-friendly comedy, these threads are explored in a way that allows the Spies in Disguise characters voiced by Tom Holland and Will Smith to have plenty of heightened adventures.

At its best, such as in the opening scene, the story plays out like a genuine spy thriller sprinkled in with a bit of humor. More often though, Spies in Disguise is just a decently entertaining romp bolstered by the likability of its two leads. While this animated adventure aimed at young audiences would always struggle to reach the top spot on any best Tom Holland movie list, it’s nonetheless a fun adventure for viewers of all ages, and will definitely keep children entertained.

11Locke (2014)

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Locke shouldn’t work as well as it does. It certainly shouldn’t be as nerve-wracking as it so frequently is. The movie takes place over the course of a single car ride, with the camera zeroed in on one person’s face from nearly start to finish. These are hardly the dependable ingredients of a tense drama. And yet. The story focuses on Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy), a successful construction manager who receives a crucial phone call right as he’s about to turn his attention to the biggest task of his career. Hardy is at his best, playing a family man that’s slowly but surely unraveling and fighting to keep his cool with every word he utters.

The actor conveys a whole range of emotions with little more than slight shifts in his expression and mild alterations of his tone. What might have been a failed minimalist exercise ends up being a tremendously moving collaboration between Hardy and writer-director Steven Knight. Locke is helped along by a talented voice cast that includes Olivia Colman, Andrew Scott, and, while not exactly a Venom/Spider-Man crossover, at least not yet, Tom Holland voices Ivan’s younger son.

10Onward (2020)

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Onward highlights all the elements which have made Pixar a dominant force in the realm of animation. It’s set in a unique world, with the plot unfurling in the form of an inventive and occasionally dangerous adventure. And it reaches its final act on a deeply poignant, immensely relatable note. However, the world of Onward isn’t as fully-realized as some of Pixar’s best movies.

Likewise, the adventure isn’t as inventive as other movies by the studio. But when it comes to poignancy, the animated film thrives. The quest by the two brothers, voiced by Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, to spend just one day with their dad is a powerful driving force. It helps, as well, that the movie’s conclusion is unexpected and tremendously powerful.

9Avengers: Endgame (2019)

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It’s hard to overstate how satisfying Avengers: Endgame was. The movie unfolds patiently, showing the ramifications of Thanos’ victory at the end of Avengers: Infinity War. It doesn’t hurry to fan service or neat resolutions which makes those moments, when they finally do happen, all the more impactful. It honors the history of the franchise and the heroes audiences have grown to love.

Endgame even finds a way to retrospectively improve Thor: The Dark World, adding depth and meaning to a disappointing sequel. Far more cathartic and far better than it has any right to be given the numerous storylines at play, not to mention all that complicated time travel, Endgame is an example of what Marvel can do when it’s firing on all cylinders. Still, because Tom Holland only shows up intermittently near the end of Avengers: Endgame, it can’t stack up to his best MCU performances.

8Captain America: Civil War

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The third installment in the Captain America trilogy often feels like an unofficial Avengers sequel. That’s partly because it features so many familiar faces, but it’s also due to the fact that the film leads to a bevy of significant developments for the MCU. It’s with this film that the bad blood between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers takes hold, causing a rift that wouldn’t be mended for years.

Besides being a solid addition to the MCU in its own right, Civil War significantly broadened the Avengers roster. It’s in Civil War that Chadwick Boseman debuts as Black Panther, familiarizing global audiences with his immense talent. It’s also in Civil War that fans meet Tom Holland in the role of Peter Parker, delivering both a pitch-perfect take on the character and an all-time great MCU cameo.

7Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

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Avengers: Infinity War never quite manages to facilitate all the heroes in the movie, with several big names popping up for what are essentially extended cameos. But where Infinity War excels is in the decision to position the villainous Thanos as a protagonist. For much of the film, viewers are watching his quest to retrieve all six Infinity Stones. By the closing minutes of the movie, however, the perspective cleverly shifts and all that’s left is a sinking feeling of dread and hopelessness brought on by the fact that Thanos has achieved his goals.

That sinking feeling, that hopelessness, is tremendously expressed by Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr., in the scene where Spider-Man slowly turns to dust in Iron Man’s arms. It’s a testament to the chemistry between the two actors that the moment hits as hard as it does, especially when the relationship between Peter and Tony had only been developed in a dozen or so scenes that are spread across three different movies. It’s also a testament to how Holland has a knack for generating empathy.

6The Devil All The Time (2020)

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There is intrigue to be found in The Devil All the Time. The adaptation of Donald Ray Pollock’s novel weaves together different timelines and introduces different characters to inform the seedy small town that Arvin Russell (Tom Holland) is a part of. At its best, at its most lively, the attention of The Devil All the Time tends to be devoted to either Holland or his co-star Robert Pattinson.

The film peaks when Pattinson, in the role of a duplicitous preacher, is confronted by Arvin, and the two actors square off all too briefly. Holland is still the hero of the story, unabashedly. But this time, it might only be because he’s surrounded by such terrible individuals. The Devil All the Time is one of the best Tom Holland movies outside the MCU, and a thoroughly recommended watch for anyone wondering where to start with his non-Peter Parker roles.

5Spider-Man: Far From Home

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The sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming functions sort of like a season premiere for the MCU, following the messy and exhilarating season finale that was Endgame. Not only does Spider-Man: Far From Home have to address the seismic events of the movie that preceded it, but it also has to simultaneously push the narrative forward. The strain shows, with the sequel initially being a little less vibrant and a little less quick on its feet than Homecoming. It’s tempting to say that the movie mirrors the mood of Peter Parke after the death of Iron Man.

Far From Home really takes off when Jake Gyllenhaal is revealed to be the antagonist of the movie. Gyllenhaal’s weird charisma as Mysterio offers Far From Home the boost it needs. Hero and villain do battle in one of Marvel’s more inventive fight scenes. The movie also gives Peter the opportunity to grieve the loss of Tony and gives Holland a chance to show off his acting chops in a moving scene with Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan. There’s plenty to like about the movie once it starts swinging, including an expanded role for Zendaya, and Spider-Man: Far From Home‘s post-credits scenes are among Marvel’s best ever.

4The Lost City of Z (2016)

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Holland’s character in The Lost City of Z, Jack Fawcett, initially appears to be irreconcilably furious with his father. When audiences are first introduced to Jack, in a tense and uncomfortable scene, he’s indignant that his dad cares more about discovering proof of a purportedly hidden ancient city than his own family. By the end of the film, however, Jack is right alongside Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) on his dangerous trips to the Amazon. It’s tragic that Jack felt that this was the only way to truly connect with his father.

Based on the novel by David Grann, which focused on Percy Fawcett’s true story, director James Gray doesn’t seek to create a strictly faithful adaptation. His objective is to use the flawed protagonist of Percy to examine matters such as obsession and hypocrisy. Hunnam and Holland are excellent, as are their co-stars Sienna Miller and Robert Pattinson. The Lost City of Z is expertly crafted and filled with visual splendor, but it’s Gray’s ability to convey duality that leaves the most lasting impact.

3Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

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The most satisfying stretch of Spider-Man: No Way Home is a development that has been relatively undermentioned in the midst of all the speculation and spoilers. At one point, rather than fight villains like the returning Otto Octavius and Norman Osborn, or even send them back to their universe where they’re likely to die, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker takes a compassionate approach that leans into his intellect: he uses his brains to try and cure them of the life-changing accidents which have caused them to become so villainous in the first place. The rogues are surprised by this kindness, but MJ isn’t. She tells them it’s just the sort of person that Peter is.

Peter’s journey from a kind and naive kid to a hardened and jaded hero could have been an entire film on its own, especially when Holland gives his all to selling the emotional transformation. But, in Spider-Man: No Way Home, the story has to share space with several others — including extended cameos from familiar faces, a set-up for the Doctor Strange sequel, and the usual amount of action scenes expected from Marvel. The result is that the charmingly low stakes of Spider-Man: Homecoming and, to an extent, Spider-Man: Far From Home, are largely absent in favor of an encroaching multiverse.

2The Impossible (2012)

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The Impossible forces its viewers and its cast to imagine themselves in the wake of a natural disaster. Based on the experience of a real family during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, J. A. Bayona’s riveting drama focuses not only on the family’s struggle to survive: It also chronicles the sense of displacement and uncertainty that sets in once the earth-shattering waves have passed. It’s hardly a surprise that Ewan McGregor, and especially Naomi Watts, deliver tremendous performances.

But in his first live-action role, shooting emotionally and physically taxing scenes at the age of 14, Tom Holland is a revelation. He more than holds his own against Watts, showcasing the combination of vulnerability and resilience which would earn heaps of praise and carry on to other projects. It was even speculated when The Impossible was released that Holland could earn an Oscar nomination for his performance in the film.

1Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

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By the end of Spider-Man: Homecoming, the view of Tom Holland as the best live-action iteration of Spider-Man was already taking hold. It’s less about what Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield did wrong than what Holland did differently. Peter has no qualms about accepting Great Responsibility. At least in Homecoming, the character can’t run away from his life in high school fast enough. But rather than ignore Peter’s daily life, Homecoming enhances it better than any Spider-Man movie up to that point. Peter’s school, his classmates, and his teachers, all get decently sketched out.

It’s fair to say that the best moments in Homecoming have nothing to do with saving the world or building the universe. It’s just a really solid teen comedy that wears its influences on its sleeve. Then again, there are many great moments in Homecoming. From the uniformly terrific cast, none more so than an extremely intimidating Michael Keaton as Vulture, to the humor and the mood-setting soundtrack. None of it works without Holland, though. His take on Peter is awkward and filled with wide-eyed exuberance. But he’s also quick-witted and ceaselessly kind.

This is typified when he makes the decision to rescue Vulture, even though the villain left him for dead. Another memorable scene of Peter trapped under a pile of rubble, summoning every bit of his strength but also revealing that he’s still only a scared kid, is quintessential Spider-Man performed to perfection. No other movie comes close to encapsulating all the different factors that have helped Tom Holland become one of the most sought-after young actors working in Hollywood today.