Nicholas Hoult's 10 Best Movies & TV Shows

Published Sep 22, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT Zach Moser has been writing for ScreenRant since 2022, covering movies, classic TV, and streaming TV. His areas of expertise cover a wide range of genres with a particular interest in horror and drama, and the conversations around the TV and film industry. When he's not covering the latest film releases or chronicling the latest season of a new show, he's writing humor pieces for McSweeney's Internet Tendency, Slackjaw, and Points In Case or working on short stories and his second novel. Nicholas Hoult has worked in television and film since he was a young boy, and the performances he's given and the roles he's taken on have only improved over the years. Born in Berkshire, England, in 1989, Hoult got his start at the age of seven, appearing in Intimate Relations and in an episode of Casualty. He hasn't stopped since, and Hoult has appeared in either a movie or a TV show nearly every year. Hoult's career has taken a winding, unexpected road. The early part consisted of traditional, young leading man roles; later, he moved into more blockbuster fare, and lately, he's settled into antagonistic characters. A true chameleon, it can be hard to guess what Hoult will do next. 10 About A Boy (2002) Marcus Brewer About a Boy was the second film role of Hoult's career, and his first starring one. The comedy-drama is an adaptation of Nick Hornby's 1998 novel, and stars Hugh Grant as Will Freeman. Will is a carefree bachelor who discovers a single-parent support group filled with available women of his own age. Interested in pursuing someone there, Will is introduced to Fiona Brewer (Toni Collette) and her awkward young son, Marcus (Hoult). Will ends up using Marcus as his pretend son to continue going to the group, while the fatherless Marcus appreciates the attention. It's a tear-jerking, heartwarming story without any overly sentimental moments. Hoult is perfect as the precocious young Marcus, who simply can't find a good way to fit in. 9 The Favourite (2018) Robert Harley, 1st Earl Of Oxford And Earl Mortimer Credit: MovieStillsDB The Favourite is the seventh film from Yorgos Lanthimos and arguably his best. Unlike most of the films he's known for, like Bugonia, Poor Things, and The Lobster, there are no fantastical or science fiction elements to The Favourite. It's a period comedy drama, but one replete with Lanthimos' absurdist humor and satirical eye. Centered on the court of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) in 1705 England, The Favourite is a film dominated and led by women; men are inconsequential for the most part. However, Hoult makes brilliant use of his few moments on screen. Hilarious and bitingly quick, he shows his talent for dry comedy and the "I'm smarter than you" affect, which has served him so well. 8 Nosferatu (2024) Thomas Hutter Via MovieStillsDB Nicholas Hoult co-stars in Nosferatu as Thomas Hutter, and while the film ends up being more focused on the relationship between Count Orlock (Bill Skarsgård) and Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), Thomas is the audience surrogate for the beginning of the film. As he steadily moves behind Ellen in importance, he remains critical to the themes. Hoult's expression of mounting terror in Castle Orlock provides a dread to the film that sticks with the audience through the entire movie, even as we move toward the climax. Thomas is a very human character. He's a bit cowardly but capable of bravery in extreme circumstances, loving and understanding, but also jealous and bitter, and Hoult gives the character all his necessary dimensions. 7 Juror No. 2 (2024) Justin Kemp Clint Eastwood's 40th film, and the movie he claims is the last he'll ever direct, is Juror #2, a legal thriller starring Nicholas Hoult in a rare role: an everyman character. Not a sniveling coward, not a period-piece satire, not a heavily made-up superhero, Justin Kemp is a journalist and recovering alcoholic from Savannah, Georgia. Justin is called in as a juror for a high-profile murder case, where a man is accused of killing his girlfriend. As more details are revealed, Justin begins to suspect that he is in fact at fault for the woman's death. It's a uniquely told film, and Hoult being difficult to read is perfect for the character, who we are both suspicious of and worried for. Tyler Ledford Credit: MovieStillsDB The Menu does not have the cultural staying power of some of the other films on this list, but it's an immensely satisfying, funny, dark satire and great send-up of our current food culture. Small in its setting and scope, The Menu is filled with many delightful performances, with particular praise going to Hoult. Hoult is so great at hiding his characters' true intentions, which is crucial for his role as Tyler. He's either awkward and shy, or totally self-centered and ingratiating. On rewatch, it becomes obvious to which side of that spectrum he leans. It's a funny, creepy performance. We all know someone like Tyler. 5 Skins (2007-2013) Tony Stonem Credit: MovieStillsDB Before there was Euphoria, there was Skins. The seven-season British series follows the lives of teens in Bristol, England, taking an honest look at the troubling problems youths must contend with, from dysfunctional families to substance abuse issues and beyond. Hoult stars as Tony Stonem in the first two seasons. Tony is a popular and gifted young man, but he harbors a cruel streak, manipulating his friends and family and attempting to control others. However, after being hit by a bus at the end of season 1, season 2 sees Tony losing much of his confidence and struggling to rehabilitate. It's a moving performance by Hoult, and he connects two separate readings of the characters so that they don't seem like different people. 4 A Single Man (2009) Kenny Potter Credit: Everett Collection Hoult co-stars as Kenny Potter alongside Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, and Matthew Goode in A Single Man, a romantic drama based on Christopher Isherwood's 1964 novel, set around the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. George Falconer (Firth) is a gay, middle-aged professor suffering from severe depression after the untimely death of his partner. Taking place over one day, George mourns the life he lost, struggles to connect with an old friend, and strikes up what could be a romance with one of his students, Kenny. It's a surprising film, beautifully appointed, and this performance is the one that announced Hoult as a serious actor. His character is not written much beyond his sexuality and relationship to George, but Hoult imbues Kenny with strength and charisma that keeps you wondering about his place in the story all film long. 3 Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021) Patrick Blackwell Credit: MovieStillsDB The apex of "evil Hoult", Those Who Wish Me Dead, is Taylor Sheridan's action thriller film from 2021 starring Angeline Jolie as a smokejumper in Montana. Hoult plays Patrick Blackwell, the supposed name of one-half of an assassin duo who are contracted to murder a district attorney and those close to him. Their rampage leads to a young boy, Connor (Finn Little), who has taken refuge with Hannah (Jolie), and so begins the violent hunt at the center of the film. Hoult is wonderfully cast in the role, and steals whichever scene he appears in. Patrick is a young, eager man, and his excitement at the prospect of murder is alarming to watch, and his eventual comeuppance is all the more satisfying for it. 2 The Great (2020-2023) Peter III Of Russia/Yemelyan Pugachev MovieStillsDB The Great is one of the great period comedies, great stories, great streaming-era TV shows, and great pair of performances. Hoult co-stars with Elle Fanning as Emperor Peter III and Catherine the Great in the absurdist historical fiction series based on the troubled union of the Russian monarchs. Forsaking historical accuracy for a bracingly honest depiction of an angry marriage, The Great is hilarious, weird, and unsettling at times. Hoult is doing some of his best work here, bringing his performance from The Favourite to the main stage, and earning a Golden Globe nomination as he does so. 1 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) Nux Nicholas Hoult's quote in Mad Max: Fury Road splits one of the greatest movie trailers of the 21st century between its operatic, tragic side and its insane, exuberant side. "Oh what a day! What a lovely day!" Nux says as "Dies irae" begins playing, cars flip over one another, and a sand hurricane bears down on a convoy. Hoult's performance in Mad Max: Fury Road manages to stand out among the spectacle. It's funny and odd, and you can count on only one hand the number of actors who could play a bleached, brainwashed, gear-head and still form the emotional core of the film. Nux asks the audience to witness him, and we end up witnessing Nicholas Hoult too.