Henry Cavill's movies and TV shows aren't all about Superman. Although he became well known worldwide for playing the role of the Man of Steel in several Warner films, the actor has a vast career, with many different titles that can also be enjoyed by audiences beyond fans of DC Comics.
Are you curious to learn more about the artist's career? Follow along as today's article is designed especially for you who want to find out about Henry Cavill's best films and TV shows! In it, you'll find nine of the Superman actor's best works, as well as some interesting facts about them and Cavill's role in them. Is your favorite film by the artist among those selected in this list?
Justice League (2017)
Despite a poor initial reception, Justice League stands out among Henry Cavill's films and TV shows. In his third turn as Superman, he acts alongside big stars such as Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Ben Affleck (Batman) and Ezra Miller (Flash). The extended version, directed by Zack Snyder, was much more acclaimed, receiving an 8 rating on IMDb and 71% approval on Rotten Tomatoes.
In the modern era, DC Comics' most iconic heroes unite to face the villainous Stepwolf, played by CiarƔn Hinds. However, he is only a servant of Darkseid, an even greater threat that could emerge if the franchise continues. With a budget of US$ 300 million, Justice League grossed around US$ 661.3 million, establishing itself as one of Henry Cavill's greatest successes.
The Witcher (2019)
The series tells the saga of a wizard who hunts monsters in a medieval setting full of fantasy. He also has to deal with philosophical questions about his place in the world where he lives, since ordinary humans can be even crueler than the creatures he hunts. On IMDb the series has a high acceptance rating of 8.1 points and on Tomatoes the critics gave it 81%. The series currently has three seasons out of five planned.
Man of Steel (2013)
Another extremely important title for the actor's career among Henry Cavill's films and TV shows is 2013's Man of Steel. This was the first film to feature the actor playing Superman and was also responsible for restarting the hero's entire chronology in theaters, adding modern special effects to one of the oldest and most beloved characters in the history of comic books and hero movies, all under the direction of Zack Snyder.
This movie recounts Superman's origin, from the destruction of his planet to his confrontation with General Zod, who threatens the Earth. With a 7.1 rating on IMDb and 56% on Rotten Tomatoes, it was met with mixed reviews, but audiences gave it 76%, and its box office hit US$ 500 million, securing its place among Henry Cavill's best films and TV shows.
Enola Holmes (2020)
Another iconic character in the history of cinema is the detective Sherlock Holmes and the actor has already had the opportunity to play him in the Enola Holmes franchise, exclusive to Netflix. This is one of Henry Cavill's most iconic films and TV shows and in it we can also see the performance of Millie Bobby Brown, the actress who played Eleven in Stranger Things and here plays the protagonist.
Enola is the younger sister of renowned detective Sherlock Holmes and her goal is to become a successful investigator like her brother. However, the society in which she lives is very sexist and she will have to overcome many barriers to achieve her dream. Two films have been released so far, with the first having a 6.6 rating on IMDb and a critical approval of 91% on Tomatoes against 71% given by the public.
Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018)
Another famous movie franchise that is among Henry Cavill's most iconic films and TV shows is Mission Impossible. The actor makes his appearance in the sixth film in the saga starring Tom Cruise and is already given a leading role, acting alongside big names in the film industry such as Cruise himself. The story has been well received by audiences, with 88% of approval from Tomatoes and 98% from critics, as well as a 7.7 rating on IMDb.
In this chapter of the franchise, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) teams up with August Walker (Henry Cavill) to recover stolen plutonium and prevent a nuclear meltdown, after prioritizing saving his friends. The film was a box office success, grossing US$ 791 million globally, on a budget of US$ 180 million.
Tudors (2007)
The Tudors has been one of the most watched and popular series for years and is also one of Henry Cavill's best films and TV shows. Here he plays Charles Brandon, best friend of King Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and husband of his sister, Mary Tudor (Sarah Lee Bolger). The series scored an 8.1 rating on IMDb, with 69% from critics on Tomatoes and 80% from audiences.
King Henry VIII was a real figure in British history, having reigned over forty years in the country. In the series, the producers retrace the early years of his reign in a fictionalized way, but based on historical events. Cavill manages to show off his acting talent very well during his appearances in the series, stealing the limelight almost every time he enters the scene.
Stardust - The Mystery of the Star (2007)
Stardust - The Mystery of the Star is another great movie that makes it onto the list of Henry Cavill's best films and TV shows. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Neil Gaimann, the same author as Sandman, and scored 7.6 on IMDb, with 77% and 86% approval ratings on Tomatoes from critics and audiences respectively.
His role is small here, playing the character Humphrey, a rival of the protagonist played by actor Charlie Cox. The story is set in a fantastical place where a young boy makes a promise to a shooting star and then has to set off on a journey full of dangers and adventures to catch it and then protect it.
Immortals (2011)
There's also room for Greek mythology among Henry Cavill's best films and TV shows. In 2011, the actor starred in Immortals, playing the role of Theseus in this epic classic. The film is very important in the actor's career as it was one of the first to give him a starring role, where he would have room to show all his talent. At the box office, the film did very well, grossing US$ 226 million on a budget of US$ 75 million.
The story of Immortals is set in Ancient Greece, where King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) seeks to conquer a form capable of destroying the world. To stop this plan, Zeus (Luke Evans) summons Theseus to lead an army and confront Hyperion. The film, which balances action with the mysticism of Greek mythology, achieved a rating of 6 on IMDb and received a 49% from critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
Relentless Escape (2012)
Here, Cavill arrives to show that he can also give his all in plots involving action, suspense and theft. It stands out among Henry Cavill's best films and TV shows not because of the reception of the feature as a whole, which isn't the best, but because of the actor's delivery in his role and how much he draws attention in each of the scenes in which he appears.
The story follows Will Shaw (Henry Cavill), a Wall Street manager whose father (Bruce Willis) helps him deal with the kidnapping of his family in Spain, which involves a network of conspiracies. With a mixed reception, the film grossed US$ 25.4 million against a budget of US$ 20 million, with a 4.9 rating on IMDb and 4% critical approval on Rotten Tomatoes.
These were the most relevant works among the films and TV shows of Henry Cavill so far. If you know a lot about the actor's career and want to suggest a new title that wasn't on this list, feel free to share your opinion in the comments! It means a lot to us! Also check out our article on the best Tom Holland movies!
Questions that might interest you
What challenges did Henry Cavill face when preparing for his more physical roles?
Henry Cavill overcame physical challenges in his preparation, relying on trainer Mark Twight, famous for his work on "300", for his role as Superman. The training took place at Gym Jones, a place where discomfort is intentional. In addition, he chose not to use stuntmen, as shown in the series "The Witcher".
Has Henry Cavill ever collaborated with big-name directors?
Yes, Henry Cavill has worked alongside several renowned directorslike Zack Snyder in the films in which he played Superman.
