The 10 Best Benedict Cumberbatch Movies, Ranked By Metacritic

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch made his acting debut in a TV movie from 2002 titled Fields of Gold. While he spent much of the early 2000s working in England, he had numerous breakthroughs into Hollywood with projects like The Hobbit trilogy or Star Trek Into Darkness. Although many Americans probably know him as Sherlock Holmes from BBC’s Sherlock.

However, what Cumberbatch is currently known for is playing Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. First appearing in 2016’s Doctor Strange, Cumberbatch has now played the role of the Sorcerer Supreme in six movies and one TV show–with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness being the latest release.

Going through his career, Cumberbatch has appeared in so many movies from wacky comedies to very serious period dramas. And looking at some critic reviews of his work at GameSpot sister-site Metacritic, we figured out what his top 10 movies are ranked. Check them all out below.

10. Doctor Strange (2016)

Score: 72

Cumberbatch’s first dive into the MCU, he plays the titular Doctor Strange, a surgeon whose hands are hurt after a car crash, and he finds himself deep within the world of magic.

9. War Horse (2011)

Score: 72

Directed by Steven Spielberg, War Horse is about the friendship of a young man who is called to war and his horse, who is also called to war. Cumberbatch plays Major Stewart in the movie.

8. Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Score: 72

The second movie in the new Star Trek franchise, the films follows the crew of the Enterprise as they try to capture a “one-man weapon of mass destruction.” Cumberbatch plays John Harrison/Khan.

7. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Score: 74

Popping up briefly as Doctor Strange, Thor: Ragnarok follows Thor and Loki as the end of the world is coming to Asgard as their long-lost sister, Hela, has taken over.

6. 1917 (2019)

Score: 78

Cumberbatch plays Colonel MacKenzie in this Sam Mendes movie. It follows a group of soldiers running across the front lines in order to deliver a message to another battalion.

5. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Score: 78

Avengers: Endgames follows what’s left of the heroes of the MCU as they look for a way to stop Thanos. Cumerbatch once again plays Doctor Strange.

4. Atonement (2007)

Score: 85

Playing the smaller role of Paul Marshall in the movie, Atonement is about a young girl accusing her older sister’s lover of a crime, and what happens to him afterward.

3. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Score: 85

Cumberbatch appears as Peter Guillam in this movie. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy takes place during the Cold War where a Soviet Agent has infiltrated MI6.

2. The Power of the Dog (2021)

Score: 89

Cumberbatch stars as Phil Burbank, a cowboy in 1925. His brother brings home a new wife and her son, and they become tormented by Phil.

1. 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Score: 96

Prior to the Civil War, this film follows a free black man named Solomon Northup living in New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Cumberbatch plays William Ford in the movie.

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