The original version of this article was written by Jess Bacon and published in 2024.
From big-budget blockbusters to small-screen cult hits, Henry Cavill has played an integral role in some of the biggest film and TV franchises of the last two decades. The actor was quick to catch the attention of viewers and critics with a few of his notable early roles, but after landing the role of a lifetime as Superman in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) in 2013, his career trajectory skyrocketed.
Many fans had hoped that Cavill would reprise that role when the rebranded DCU was announced in early 2023, but co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran decided to steer the universe in a new direction, understandably casting the younger David Corenswet in Cavill’s place.
With the red cape now finally hung up, at least for the time being, it feels like the right time to check back over the actor’s remarkable career so far and round up his ten best roles. We’ve ranked them here in ascending order, based more on his performances more than on the movies themselves. Read on to find out a little bit more about them, and use the guide below to find out where to stream them on platforms like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Prime Video and elsewhere.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2022)
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the kind of movie where the story around its production and release are almost as interesting as the movie itself—so whether you’re interested in that extended narrative or are simply a fan of Snyder’s most expressive work, like Watchmen or 300, it’s really a fascinating watch.
The elaborate plot centres on the awakening of a new enemy and Batman’s race to form a team to defend the earth against this powerful foe, a task that will include raising Cavill’s Superman from the dead — at which point the actor rises to the occasion.
Enola Holmes (2020)
With his incredible looks and stocky build, Cavill has often been cast in leading men roles, but some of his best work has come as a supporting player. This includes his performance as the infamous detective Sherlock Holmes in Netflix’s Enola Holmes (and its sequel) — a delightful period romp that fans of mystery-solving capers like Sherlock Holmes (naturally) and Knives Out will love.
Dressed in pleasingly period-appropriate suits, Cavill appears as the gently-nagging but ultimately loving and supportive brother to the young and precocious crime-solver — who, of course, is played by Millie Bobby Brown from Stranger Things.
The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
Before he became a Hollywood leading man, Cavill started out in British television and small budget movies. His breakout role came in the historical adventure film The Count of Monte Cristo—a big screen retelling of Alexandre Dumas’s classic revenge story that fans of period epics like Gladiator and Robin Hood will likely appreciate.
Though just 18-years-old at the time of shooting and appearing in a relatively minor role, Cavill catches the eye as Albert — the honourable son of Fernand Mondego (Guy Pierce), the story’s chief betrayer and antagonist.
Immortals (2011)
After doing his time with TV and supporting parts, Cavill landed his first leading action role in 2011’s Immortals, Tarsem Singh’s epic (if rather loose) big screen adaptation of ancient Greek mythology — namely the tale of the Minotaur. If you liked Snyder’s 300 or Clash of the Titans, or simply can't wait for The Odyssey to come out, this is very much in a similar wheelhouse.
Cavill stars as Theseus, the mythical hero tasked with stopping the mad king Hyperion before he finds the bow of Epirus.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
No movie fell afoul of superhero fatigue quite like Cavill’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, an overblown but undeniably stylish and grandiose followup to Man of Steel in which Cavill actually gives a quite thoughtful performance—and if you can get past the Martha of it all, and have a few spare hours to spend on the Ultimate Edition, there’s actually a lot here to appreciate.
The plot follows Batman’s misguided attempts to put Superman in his place after being enraged by the (admittedly gratuitous) collateral damage of his fight with Zod at the climax of Man of Steel. Give it a chance — even Jesse Eisenberg’s performance is better than you remember.
The Tudors (2007)
Somewhat thanks to the success of Monte Cristo, Cavill landed a recurring role in The Tudors , a show that followed the power struggles in the royal family during the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII. This is a great watch for anyone who likes their period dramas extra steamy — think shows like The Borgias or The White Princess and you'll know what we mean.
Cavill plays Charles Brandon, the brother-in-law and closest friend of Jonathan Rhys Meyers’s promiscuous and vicious king.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
Along with playing the Man of Tomorrow, Cavill has also appeared in a wide range of espionage thrillers such as The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Argylle and, best of all, The Man From U.N.C.L.E — and if you’ve ever wondered what it would've been like to see him play 007, this is probably the closest we'll ever get.
Based on a 1960s TV show that was originally inspired by Ian Flemming’s favourite MI5 seducer, the plot follows a CIA agent (Cavill) and a KGB agent (Armie Hammer) who have to learn to get along in order to stop a nuclear war.
Man of Steel (2013)
In 2013, Cavill confirmed his spot as one of the biggest movie stars of the 21st Century by donning Superman's iconic blue and red suit in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, one of the most serious and operatic superhero origin stories of all time — and if you’re into that approach, typical of Snyder’s movies but also Christopher Nolan’s Batman, then this is likely one you will enjoy.
Snyder’s story takes us all the way from Kal-El’s birth on Krypton to his pyrrhic showdown with General Zod on earth — and while I can’t say I agree with all the choices Snyder made in this movie, I cannot deny the strength and dedication of Cavill’s remarkable performance.
The Witcher (2019)
Cavill’s time as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher has undeniably proved to be his best and most consistent TV role. For three series now, Cavill had been at the forefront of the medieval fantasy series and has poured all of his adoration and knowledge of the books into his performance — and if you’re a fan of author Andrzej Sapkowski’s work, or of similar fantasy epics like Game of Thrones, this might be the show for you.
Though the actor recently passed the mantle to Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth, his dedication and passion for the franchise remains an integral part of the series’ success.
Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
For all of Cavill’s clear love for and dedication to playing fan favourite roles like Superman and The Witcher, no movie or TV show has made quite as perfect use of his talents (which is to say, his monolithic build and dangerous good looks) as Cristopher McQuarrie did with Mission: Impossible - Fallout — which is, I don't think I'm alone in saying, possibly the best action movie of the last ten years.
This is a role that allowed Cavill to sport a cheeky moustache, go toe-to-toe with Tom Cruise, and punch down literal walls in an unassuming Parisian bathroom — all of which are reasons why this performance is a 10/10.
