2026 will see Tom Hiddleston return to his most famous role as Loki Laufeyson in Avengers: Doomsday (2026). Hiddleston gained widespread recognition for his role as Loki, becoming a fan favorite and early staple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s been so popular that the MCU has granted his character immense power and a propensity for cheating death.
However, Loki is far from Hiddleston’s only notable role. From playing a refined secret agent to portraying an accountant with a talent for dancing, Hiddleston dazzles with his convincing, grounded, and quietly emotional performances across a wide range of genres. Use our guide to read about the 10 best Tom Hiddleston performances, ranked to the best based on the quality of the film and performance, available to watch on Prime Video, Disney+, and more!
10. High-Rise (2016)
High-Rise is a sci-fi thriller that follows Dr. Robert Laing (Hiddleston), who moves into a high-rise building where residents are divided by social class and are incentivized by its many amenities to remain isolated from the rest of the world. Hiddleston plays Laing well, capturing his character’s slow descent into madness as class warfare and chaos break out in the high-rise. Meanwhile, the film is an interesting dystopian thriller that reminds me a lot of Snowpiercer (2013) through its claustrophobic environment and exploration of class divisions and the downsides of capitalism.
High-Rise gets even grittier than Snowpiercer, as conditions in the building reach a near-apocalyptic level of deterioration. At times, it felt almost a little too eager to get into the gritty apocalypse, rushing the narrative a bit. Although the movie has big ideas, it struggles with pacing, and the slightly messy plot means it takes 10th on this list.
9. Thor (2011)
Thor marked Hiddleston’s breakthrough role as Loki, a mischievous god who secretly plots against his brother, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), following Thor’s banishment to Earth. Although Loki is the villain, Hiddleston plays him so well that it’s hard not to empathize with him. While he excellently captures the trickster side of Loki, he also adds a vulnerability to him, demonstrating how, at times, he’s really just a boy who wants his father’s approval.
Thor is a refreshing MCU movie that blends superhero action with a bit of Norse mythology. Bringing the gods into the MCU is a momentous occasion, and the film delivers on the excitement and glamour. However, given it’s one of the earliest MCU works, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the recent movies and is more of a straightforward origin story that doesn’t tap wholly into Loki’s potential.
8. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War sees the Avengers rally to stop Thanos (Josh Brolin) from completing his collection of the Infinity Stones and wiping out half of the population. Hiddleston reprises his role as Loki in the movie, although it’s quite short-lived. Even so, he delivers one of the movie's most emotional moments and chooses the heroic route despite all his previous schemes.
I especially love how it brings his redemption story from Thor: Ragnarok (2017) full circle. There weren’t any tricks up his sleeve this time, which is both devastating and touching. Meanwhile, his final shocking moments align quite well with the spectacle and twists of Avengers: Infinity War. If Hiddleston’s role were just a little more prominent, the film would rank higher on this list.
7. Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Kong: Skull Island marks the first Kong movie in the MonsterVerse. In the film, Bill Randa (John Goodman) leads a research expedition to Kong Island, where the team encounters an enormous ape. Hiddleston stars in the film as James Conrad, a veteran who serves as the team’s hunter-tracker. It’s a great performance in which his character exudes a military background, but is also deeply attuned to nature. He’s tough and stringent, while also capturing those softer moments where Conrad really resonates with Kong.
Kong: Skull Island is a fun Kong movie. The monster design is fantastic, resulting in numerous breathtaking moments when the sheer scale of that giant ape blows you away. Between the excellent design, strong performances, and adrenaline rush-inducing action, Kong: Skull Island is a great addition to the MonsterVerse.
6. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok follows Thor and Loki, who must unite when their long-lost sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett), returns to unleash her fury on Asgard. Hiddleston and Hemsworth are at their best in Thor: Ragnarok, which gives them the space to work with their excellent chemistry and comedic timing. Their dynamic in the film makes for excellent humor, but also some surprisingly emotional moments that will resonate with anyone who has tense, seemingly irreparable family differences.
Thor: Ragnarok is easily the best Thor movie, giving it a bit of an upgrade over previous entries with more action, eye-catching visuals, and an excellent soundtrack. It’s the kind of film that’s so stylish and vibrant it feels exhilarating at times. Although it’s not one of Hiddleston’s most serious roles, Thor: Ragnarok marks his most fun movie.
5. Crimson Peak (2015)
Crimson Peak tells the story of Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), an aspiring author who travels to her new husband Thomas Sharpe’s (Hiddleston) and his sister’s (Jessica Chastain) family home, but soon begins experiencing supernatural phenomena in the isolated mansion. As a period Gothic horror movie directed by Guillermo del Toro, Crimson Peak provides the perfect environment for Hiddleston to shine. He has those refined mannerisms and charm that make him so well-suited for period dramas.
Hiddleston plays Sharpe quite well, leaning a little more into his antagonistic, mysterious side. Crimson Peak is also a gorgeous work of Gothic horror, featuring dazzling costumes, set designs, and cinematography that wholly transport you into a hauntingly beautiful world. Although the story is fairly simple, the film's beauty elevates it as one of del Toro’s best works.
4. Archipelago (2011)
Archipelago follows a wealthy family whose trip to the island of Tresco brings long-buried resentments and family dysfunction to the surface. Hiddleston stars in the film as Edward, whose upcoming trip to Africa prompts his mother, Patricia (Kate Fahy), and sister, Cynthia (Lydia Leonard), to organize a farewell trip. It’s one of his more vulnerable roles as he’s a man uncertain of his future and whose doubts are only exacerbated by his combative family.
As a whole, Archipelago is a highly underrated but rewarding experience. The film plays out like a slow-burning, moving family tragedy, delving into the problems money can’t solve and the complexities of family friction. The only reason it doesn’t rank higher on this list is that not everyone will enjoy the talk-heavy, slow-burning nature of the film, though it’s certain to resonate with fans of twisted family sagas.
3. Loki (2021-2023)
Loki centers on a variant of Loki (Hiddleston) whose time-traveling shenanigans catch the attention of the Time Variance Authority, sending the God of Mischief on a transformative journey to restore the sacred timeline. Hiddleston returns to his most recognizable role in Loki and finally gets the chance to shine in his own solo project. His excellent performance adds further depth to the character, capturing his tragic-heroic side.
The series gives Loki his redemption arc and allows him to pursue his “glorious purpose” in a less villainous way. The intriguing time travel premise and deep dive into the multiverse further elevate Loki, giving it a nice balance of sci-fi, drama, and superhero action. Hiddleston carries the show in the most satisfying chapters in Loki’s story.
2. The Life of Chuck (2025)
The Life of Chuck delves into the life of Chuck Krantz, tracking his journey from a young boy with a love of dance (Benjamin Pajak) to a 39-year-old accountant (Hiddleston) who seems tied to the end of the world. Hiddleston’s role as the adult Chuck is quite small, but wholly mesmerizing. He radiates life and kindness as he breaks into dance in the middle of the street, makes friends with strangers, and interacts with his wife and son.
It’s both one of his simplest and most complex roles. He may be just an accountant, but his beautiful performance captures the significance of every life. The Life of Chuck is a deeply moving and mesmerizing portrait of life and the universe each individual contains. The brevity of his role is the only thing keeping The Life of Chuck from being Hiddleston’s best movie.
1. The Night Manager (2016-present)
The Night Manager follows the adventures of Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston), a veteran and secret agent who poses as a hotel manager to spy on arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie). Pine is a role Hiddleston was truly born to play, as he excels at refined, intellectual, and somewhat mysterious characters. He plays Pine to perfection, establishing him as an intriguing secret agent who rivals James Bond with his polite disposition and suave mannerisms.
In addition to Hiddleston’s incredible performance as Pine, The Night Manager is an excellent adaptation of John le Carré’s book of the same name. It has the thrills, action, twists, and exhilaration of any secret-agent story, but often sets itself apart with its grounded, more realistic approach to the genre. Fans of captivating spy stories like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) and The Killing (2011) won’t want to miss The Night Manager, which stands as Hiddleston’s best work.
