Sir Anthony Hopkins is a beloved actor whose charisma and unique acting style shine through each one of his movies. Born at the end of 1937 in Wales, UK, Hopkins develops a taste for the craft of cinema in his early teenage years. He graduates from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and dedicates his whole life to a career in acting. His movies are watched, recognized, and loved by viewers from all over the world.
It’s a daunting task to decide which one of his movies is our favorite. However, we pulled ourselves together and put this list, consisting of seven movies with an IMDb 7+ rating – a testament to their quality and popularity. Truth be told, each one surprises and excites us a little bit more than the one before.
The Silence of the Lambs (8.6/10)
Our first pick is Silence of the Lambs, which viewers have rated 8.6/10 on IMDb. This is a movie that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime, although it does get better with multiple viewings.
The thriller tells the story of the elusive Buffalo Bill and an unlikely partnership between the FBI and the notorious maniac and cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter, aiming to catch him. Anthony Hopkins plays the legendary Dr. Lecter, starring opposite the stunning Jodie Foster, who slips into the role of Clarice Starling.
Hopkins’ character in Silence of the Lambs is scary, exciting, and disgusting to the audience all at the same time. Still, Sir Anthony leaves us speechless with his brilliant and immersive performance. To prepare for the role, the actor studies the biographies of famous serial killers, frequently visits prisons and even, attends court hearings to examine convicted criminals’ behavior. This is how Hannibal Lecter’s notorious “unblinking” stare was born.
Needless to say, Sir Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Silence of the Lambs.
The Elephant Man (8.1/10)
After the chilling story of Hannibal Lecter, we move on to another Hopkins classic – The Elephant Man, released in 1980. According to IMDb statistics, this movie has an 8.1 rating out of 10.
The story follows the heavily disfigured Merrick, who is harassed and bullied in the Victorian freak show because of his monstrous face. Fortunately, Dr. Frederick Treves enters Merrick’s life, manages to save him from the show, and takes him to a hospital. Although John Merrick’s deformation is incurable, Treves is highly persistent in his efforts to teach Merrick how to say a few easy sentences and even Psalm 23 later on. As Merrick shows gradual progress, Dr. Treves continues to show him great kindness. In this gem of a movie, Hopkins’ character reassures us that the goodness of the human heart meets no bounds, and having faith in it always pays off.
Thor: Ragnarok (7.9/10)
Our third pick is a modern one. It’s the Marvel superhero movie Thor: Ragnarok, released in 2017 and still holds a 7.9 IMDb rating as of now.
Thor: Ragnarok is the third movie, part of the MCU Thor franchise. In this one, Thor’s world is turned upside down when his cunning brother Loki takes over their home planet Asgard. Meanwhile, the mighty Hela flees her prison and seeks the throne of Asgard, as Thor himself is held captive on the other side of the universe. To escape and save his home from imminent destruction, Thor must win a deadly contest against his old ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk.
Here Anthony Hopkins plays Odin, King of Asgard, father to both Thor and Hela, and stepfather to Loki. His character is supporting but crucial to the development of the plot. In all honesty, even 10 minutes of screen time is more than enough for Sir Anthony Hopkins to dazzle us with his charming presence and unparalleled talent.
The Remains of the Day (7.8/10)
Our fourth pick takes us all the way back to the middle of the 20th century in conservative England. The Remains of the Day is a British-American drama based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. According to IMDb statistics, this movie has a 7.9 rating.
The plot examines, in great detail, the life and relationships in the English mansion Darlington Hall during the 1930s. We see how the story unfolds through the eyes of the butler and manager of the estate Mr. James Stevens and his right hand – the housekeeper Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson). The incredible acting perfectly paints the picture of the strict hierarchy in this conservative microcosmos of suffering and hidden desires.
Sir Anthony Hopkins takes the leading role of the loyal butler Stevens, for which he is nominated for an Academy Award. It’s worth mentioning that the chemistry between Hopkins and Emma Thompson is electrifying.
Dracula (7.4/10)
The next movie on our list is a definite favorite among horror buffs who appreciate quality movie-making. The story of the most notorious vampire in history is hard to forget.
Dracula, released in 1992, is based on the novel by Bram Stoker and still holds an IMDb rating of 7.4/10. The story takes us somewhere far away in the Carpathian Mountains, where count Dracula meets barrister Jonathan Harker. What follows in the castle of terror is a whirlwind of emotions for both the characters and the audience.
Anthony Hopkins portrays Prof. Abraham Van Helsing, famous for being a vampire hunter and Count Dracula’s mortal enemy. Sir Hopkins once again demonstrates finesse and impeccable acting performance in a supporting role.
Shadowlands (7.3/10)
Second, to last in our excellent list, rendering homage to Sir Anthony Hopkins, is the British drama Shadowlands. According to IMDb, it still holds a 7.3 rating.
Released in 1993, the movie follows the love story between the academic Jack Lewis and the Jewish-American poet Joy Davidman. It’s a story about reevaluating love only when things get tough. The two characters are so different in nature that their opposites attract in a way that opens another door to the other’s worldview. The genuine hurdle begins when Joy is diagnosed with cancer. This is when Jack’s true feelings come to the surface, and his world is turned upside down, watching the love of his life come to terms with impending death.
In this romantic drama, Anthony Hopkins is wholly immersed in the character of Jack Lewis, partnering with the lovely Debra Winger (Joy Davidman). Their undeniable on-screen chemistry helps this story come to life, leaving us excited, saddened, and longing for love.
Fracture (7.2/10)
Our last pick is the American thriller from 2007 Fracture. The story investigates a strange man called Ted Crawford, who mercilessly kills his wife and then patiently awaits his arrest. The prosecutor Willy Beachum has the crime weapon and a signed confession in his pocket, leaving him rest assured that the verdict will not be in Crawford’s favor. However, things quickly get complicated, and the case is dismissed. The responsibility now falls to Beachum to uncover the truth about Crawford’s heinous crime and figure out how he managed to get away with it.
Fracture has a 7.2/10 IMDb rating, starring Ryan Gosling as Willy Beachum and Sir Anthony Hopkins as Ted Crawford, which remains one of Hopkins’ best roles in a psycho-thriller.