With his chiseled frame, hunky build, and unexpected comic timing, Chris Hemsworth has become everyone’s favorite Chris in Hollywood. Since breaking out as Thor, the God of Thunder, the Australian hunk has carved out an impressive resume in Hollywood, ranging from action to drama. Today, we’ll take a look at Chris Hemsworth's Greatest Movies.
7. Thor (2011)
In his MCU debut, Hemsworth is Thor, the Norse god of thunder, cast out of Asgard by his father Odin for reckless behavior. Stranded on Earth without his powers, he learns humility and the value of true leadership. Meanwhile, his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) schemes to seize the throne of Asgard. Thor must prove himself worthy to wield the all-powerful hammer Mjolnir and return to save his realm.
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In the early days of the MCU, no one really knew Thor as a comic book figure. He is the mighty Norse god from ancient mythology, for crying out loud. And so, the fish-out-of-water storyline he was put in was a delightful surprise. The film has the Joss Whedon-esque comedy that sets the tone for the entire MCU, but it is also juxtaposed by elements of mystique and grandeur, courtesy of Shakespeare's consummate director, Kenneth Branagh. There is a fine balance that’s truly magical between the two (which the latter films never got), making it a worthy foundation for the franchise we’ve come to love later on. Thor also introduced what is still one of the best villains in the entire thirty-something film series.
6. Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
Hemsworth teams up with Kristen Stewart in an updated take on the classic fairytale. Snow White (Stewart) escapes from the clutches of the evil Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron), who seeks immortality by consuming her heart. A rugged Huntsman (Hemsworth), sent to capture Snow White, ends up protecting and training her. Together, they rally an army to fight against the Queen's tyranny.
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Born in the post-Alice in Wonderland fairytale revisionist era, the film’s gritty tone and heavy actions offer something fresh to the oft-repeated story. Hemsworth is right at home as a burly fighter in a fantasy setting who falls in love with the fair princess and helps her overthrow her tyrannical stepmother. Stylish and loaded with interesting takes, this is a notable adaptation that doesn’t just adapt for the sake of things.
5. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Chris Hemsworth's Greatest Movies
With Taika Waititi at the helm, the Thor franchise reinvents itself with a brand new quirk and revamped sensibility. A battle-weary Thor finds himself imprisoned on the distant planet Sakaar, forced into gladiatorial combat against his former ally, the Hulk. Meanwhile, his sister Hela returns to Asgard, aiming to unleash chaos and fulfill her dark legacy. Thor must escape, reunite with old allies, and prevent the prophesied destruction of Asgard—Ragnarok. In doing so, he embraces his destiny beyond the hammer.
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It is the third film in the Thor series, but follows after a whole other thread of storylines involving the God of Thunder. The film follows Thor after he saved Earth for the nth time, shortly after Avengers: Age of Ultron. With the intricate web of Marvel storylines to juggle, it is remarkable how Thor: Ragnarok is able to exist in its own world and tells its own story of belonging and the true meaning of worthiness. Taika’s zesty humor is a vast departure from the tone of the first two films. Within the larger MCU context, though, his take works wonderfully. In his hands, Thor becomes a cool, quippy superhero, shedding some of his earlier overwrought tendencies.
4. The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
In his directorial debut, offbeat writer-director Drew Goddard puts a wild spin on the classic teen slasher pic. A group of friends vacation at a remote cabin, only to be hunted down by horrific creatures. Behind the scenes, a secret organization manipulates events to fulfill an ancient ritual. As the truth unravels, the survivors question their reality and the morality of the system controlling them.
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Not many will tell you about this crazy little film, but you totally should know it. Pre-fame Hemsworth gamely steps into a deadly cabin along with some friends, not knowing they’re about to become lab rabbits for a mad experiment. The premise alone sounds wackily entertaining, but you are not prepared for the actual execution.
3. Extraction (2020)
Chris Hemsworth's Greatest Movies
In the Netflix hit, Hemsworth plays Tyler Rake, a black-market mercenary hired to rescue the kidnapped son of a drug lord. As the mission unfolds in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Rake faces relentless enemies and a city on lockdown. Battling his own haunted past, he forges a bond with the boy he’s protecting.
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In his directorial debut, stunt coordinator Sam Hargrave puts his years of expertise into a breathlessly thrilling and high-octane stunt-filled actioner. Naturally, Hemsworth is a no-brainer choice for the lead role, bringing gravitas and physical prowess to the limit in this nonstop shoot-and-brawl fest.
2. Rush (2013)
"Rush" chronicles the intense rivalry between Formula 1 drivers James Hunt (Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) in the 1970s. Hunt is charismatic and reckless, while Lauda is precise and calculated. Their competition reached a peak during the 1976 season, marked by triumph, tragedy, and Lauda's near-fatal crash. A fascinating autobiographical account of a legendary rivalry, this Ron Howard feature depicts their contrasting personalities and mutual respect.
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In a rare dramatic role, Hemsworth takes on the role of a legendary bad boy of racing against Bruhl’s understated portrayal of Lauda. The two share a great rapport as rivals, two very opposite characters sharing a common passion for their sport. The film itself is sleek and propulsive, featuring some of the best racing scenes shot for films.
1. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Chris Hemsworth's Greatest Movies
The Avengers and their allies unite to stop Thanos, a powerful warlord seeking all six Infinity Stones to wipe out half of all life. When Thanos proves too unstoppable for these superheroes to tackle, they must put everything on the line and set aside some personal beef before the Titan gets his wish.
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Part 1 of The Infinity Saga’s culmination is a triumphant feat of storytelling. It takes on the laborious task of combining threads from a staggering twenty-plus films and manages to tell a coherent, profound, and highly propulsive actioner with such a satisfying finale. Not only that, having achieved such an impossible task, it is “merely” setting up an even bigger showdown for Avengers: Endgame.
That concludes our countdown of Chris Hemsworth’s greatest movies. Feel like we missed something? Sound off in the comments below!
