In the world of cinema, Tom Holland has captivated audiences with his acting not only as the iconic Spider-Man of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but also in many other films that show his talent and versatility as an actor. If you dig into the realm of Tom Holland’s top-rated non-MCU movies based on ratings, you’ll find a treasure trove of cinematic gems that highlight Tom Holland’s ability to bring characters to life beyond the superhero world. From gripping dramas to thrilling adventures, Tom Holland’s filmography outside of the MCU presents a diverse and fascinating display of his acting abilities. Here are the top-rated non-MCU movies that cemented Tom Holland’s reputation as a rising star in the movie world.
1. The Impossible (2012) – IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Impossible is a powerful and moving film that tells the true story of one family’s fight to survive during the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Director: J.A. Bayona Starring Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, and Tom Holland, this film is a fascinating and moving story of survival, family bonds, and human kindness.
The film focuses on Maria (Watts), Henry (McGregor), and their three sons who are vacationing in Thailand. The family is torn apart and Maria and her eldest son Lucas (Holland) must fight to survive and find the rest of their family.
“The Impossible” received critical acclaim for its direction, acting, and storytelling. It was particularly praised for its impressive special effects and realistic depiction of the effects of a tsunami. Watts and Holland’s performances were also highly praised, with Watts receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
The film’s themes are particularly poignant: survival, family, and human kindness. This story highlights the strength of the human spirit and the power of love and loyalty in the face of adversity. The film also emphasizes the importance of community and the role of strangers helping each other in times of crisis. “The Impossible” is a must-see for anyone who appreciates strong storytelling and captivating performances. The film’s emotional message and heartwarming story make it a standout in the disaster genre. Whether you’re a fan of true stories, family drama, or just looking for an uplifting movie, The Impossible is a great choice.
2. The Devil All the Time (2020) – IMDb rating: 7.1/10
The Devil All the Time (2020) is a crime drama directed by Antonio Campos and based on the novel of the same name by Donald Ray Pollock. Set in a post-war frontier town, the film tells the story of a young man named Irvin Russell, played by Tom Holland, who struggles to protect those he loves. The film features a star-studded cast, including Bill Skarsgard, Riley Keough, Jason Clarke, Sebastian Stan, and Robert Pattinson.
The film explores themes of violence, loss, and religion by weaving together the stories of different characters who are connected in some way. The storyline involves Colonel Willard Russell, obsessed with the horrors of war and seeking solace in religion, and Roy, a preacher who uses his charisma and faith to manipulate and control those around him. “The Devil All the Time” is a slow-paced film with a running time of 138 minutes, featuring graphic violence and gory scenes. However, this film stands out for its focus on religion, examining how blind faith in religious extremism can lead to dark and sinful paths. The film does not shy away from depicting the dangers of religious manipulation and the consequences of extreme exercise of religious beliefs.
The technical aspects of the film are impressive, with Lol Crowley’s sustained cinematography and sweet music by Danny Bensi and Sander Juliens further enhancing the overall experience. The acting of the cast was also noteworthy, with Tom Holland giving a great performance as Irvin Russell. However, the movie’s running time still feels too long, and some of the storylines don’t contribute to the story or the main character’s arc. Despite these shortcomings, The Devil All the Time is a well-made, thought-provoking film that is sure to stir up controversy and debate.
In summary, The Devil All the Time is a slow-burn, dark and violent film that explores themes of violence, loss, and religion. With impressive technical aspects and excellent performances, this film is a must-see for crime fiction fans and anyone who loves exploring the dark side of human nature.
3. Cherry (2021) – IMDb rating: 6.6/10
Cherry (2021) is a film that follows the tumultuous journey of a young man named Cherry, played by Tom Holland, as he overcomes a series of life-changing events that lead him down a path to drug addiction and crime. Based on Nico Walker’s semi-autobiographical novel, the film is a raw and unrelenting look at the challenges faced by people grappling with trauma, addiction and the consequences of their choices.
“Cherry” follows Cherry, a college dropout who became a military doctor and battles post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from Iraq. The film intricately depicts the complexities of Cherry’s relationships, especially with his true love Emily, played by Ciara Bravo. As Cherry’s life spirals out of control, the story unfolds with moments of confusion, despair, and painful reflection. Tom Holland’s performance in Cherry is a standout element of the film and shows his versatility as an actor. He thoroughly delved into the role of Cherry and captivated the audience by depicting the character’s descent into drug addiction and criminal activity with raw intensity. Holland’s portrayal of Cherry’s inner conflicts, emotional turmoil, and physical changes are both fascinating and harrowing, and his approach to the role has won him critical acclaim.
The film’s cinematography and unique narrative approach contribute to the overall impact of “Cherry.” Directors Joe and Anthony Russo, known for their work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, bring a distinctive visual style to the film, capturing the gritty realism of Cherry’s world with a combination of gritty aesthetics and haunting cinematography. The narrative structure, at times chaotic, reflects Cherry’s inner turmoil and the fragmentation of his experiences. Cherry is a film that tackles difficult topics with unflinching honesty, highlighting the harsh realities of addiction, trauma, and the effects of war. The film received mixed reviews, with some praising its strong acting and unique storytelling and others criticizing the changes in tempo and tone, but it’s a compelling depiction of one man’s journey through darkness and redemption. There is no denying that this is a certain kind of exploration.
Overall, “Cherry” is a testament to Tom Holland’s acting ability and the Russo brothers’ directorial vision, providing a thought-provoking and emotionally moving cinematic experience that stays with viewers long after the credits have finished.
4. Uncharted (2022) – IMDb rating: 6.5/10
Uncharted is a 2022 action-adventure film directed by Ruben Fleischer and based on the popular video game series of the same name. The film stars Tom Holland as treasure hunter Nathan Drake, who teams up with veteran adventurer Victor “Sully” Sullivan, played by Mark Wahlberg, to search for Ferdinand Magellan’s lost riches. Along the way, they are pursued by unscrupulous treasure hunters, including Moncada, played by Antonio Banderas, and Braddock, played by Tati Gabriel.
The film received mixed reviews from critics. Many praised the action sequences and the chemistry between Holland and Wahlberg, but criticized the thinly written plot and lack of character development. However, audiences generally liked the film, praising its entertaining and exciting adventure sequences and solid adaptation of the game. One of the film’s standout elements is the chemistry between Holland and Wahlberg, who bring a natural, playful energy to their roles as mentor and mentee. The action sequences, especially the plane scene where Nate falls out of the plane and has to jump over a flying box, are also well implemented and exciting to watch.
However, the film’s plot has been criticized for being too long and lacking substance. There has been some criticism that the villain is underdeveloped and doesn’t have much of a “villain” feel to it. The dialogue is also inconsistent, and some scenes seem forced and unnatural.
Despite these criticisms, Uncharted is still a fun and entertaining adventure film, and well worth a watch for fans of gaming and classic adventure films. This film’s solid cast, exciting action sequences, and nostalgic nods to classic adventure films make it a worthy addition to the genre.
When it comes to ratings, “Uncharted” has a rating of 6.5/10 on IMDb based on over 100,000 user reviews. Additionally, the film has a critic score of 40% and an audience score of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating that although there are mixed reviews from critics, it has received a more positive response from audiences. I understand.
Overall, “Uncharted” is a fun and exciting adventure movie that is well worth a watch for fans of gaming and classic adventure movies. Although the plot is thin and the villains are underdeveloped, the chemistry between the main characters and exciting action sequences make it a solid adaptation of the game and a worthy addition to the genre.
5. In the Heart of the Sea (2015) – IMDb rating: 6.9/10
“In the Heart of the Sea” is a movie directed by Ron Howard and released in 2015. The movie is based on Nathaniel Philbrick’s non-fiction book “In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex.” The story revolves around the real-life incident that partly inspired Herman Melville’s novel “Moby-Dick” – the 1820 destruction of a whaling ship called Essex by a giant sperm whale.
The movie is set in 1820, where a young Herman Melville (played by Ben Whishaw) meets an old Thomas Nickerson (played by Brendan Gleeson), the last survivor of the Essex. Melville is looking for the story of his life, and Nickerson is the only one who can tell it. The movie switches between Herman, old Thomas, and the fateful years around 1820, where we meet Mr. Owen Chase, First Mate and of lower birth, and the new Captain of the freshly refitted whaling ship Essex, Mr. George Pollard. The ground has been laid for an interesting conflict between those two.
The movie is a survival story about a group of shipwreck survivors (led by an unqualified rich-boy captain, played by Benjamin Walker, and Chris Hemsworth’s macho and resentful first mate) dying of hunger and thirst in lifeboats. It’s also a story of corporate ethics, where the whaling company urges survivors to lie about what happened, for fear that insurance carriers won’t cover them if they hear that a whale is capable of destroying a huge ship.
The movie received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the movie for its old-fashioned spectacle, thoughtful storytelling, and visual panache. However, others criticized it for its lack of depth, epic sweep, and unconvincing filler between surges of effects work. The movie’s setting and action sequences were generally well-received, but the characters and their development were criticized for being underdeveloped and uninteresting.
Overall, “In the Heart of the Sea” is a reasonably made, quite well-played movie that could have been much, much more. It’s a movie that tries to be many things at once, but ultimately fails to deliver on its promise. However, it’s not a waste of time, and the last 15 to 20 minutes are a kind of compensation for the first one hour 20 minutes. The movie’s setting, action sequences, and visuals are its strongest points, while the characters and their development are its weakest.
6. Onward (2020) – IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Onward (2020) is a heartwarming and magical adventure about two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, who embark on a journey to spend one more day with their late father. Set in a world where magic has been replaced by modern technology, the film explores themes such as love, loss, and the importance of family.
Directed by Dan Scanlon, Onward is a beautifully animated film starring a talented voice cast including Tom Holland as Ian Lightfoot and Chris Pratt as Barry Lightfoot. The plot of the film revolves around the brothers’ mission to bring their father back to life for a day using a magic wand and a rare Phoenix gem. Along the way, they encounter various magical creatures and face numerous challenges that test their courage and determination. “Onward” was praised by critics for its storytelling, humor, and emotional depth. The film’s themes of loss and grief resonated with audiences, with many praising its ability to tackle these difficult themes in a relatable and uplifting way. The film’s animation was also highly praised. Critics praised the attention to detail and creative use of color and light.
The film’s box office revenue was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many theaters closing just weeks after its release. Despite this, onward was a moderate success for Pixar, grossing over $141 million worldwide. In summary, onward is a heartwarming, magical adventure that explores themes of love, loss, and the importance of family. With a talented voice cast, beautiful animation, and emotional depth, this film is a worthy addition to Pixar’s impressive filmography.
Tom Holland is an exceptional young actor who has showcased his talent in various non-MCU movies, including The Impossible, Onward, and The Devil All the Time. In The Impossible, he delivered a standout performance, with critics praising his ability to portray the emotional depth of his character. His co-stars and director also had high praise for his performance, with Naomi Watts stating that he has an “incredible emotional instrument” and is a “beyond gifted actor.”
In Onward, Holland once again demonstrated his versatility as an actor, lending his voice to the character of Ian Lightfoot. The film received critical acclaim for its storytelling, humor, and emotional depth, with reviewers praising the chemistry between Holland and his co-star Chris Pratt. The film’s animation was also highly praised, with critics noting its attention to detail and creative use of color and light.
In The Devil All the Time, Holland is set to play the role of Arvin Russell, a violent man despite being raised with the best ideals. The film is based on the best-selling book by Donald Ray Pollock and is set to be released next year.
Overall, Tom Holland’s acting prowess is evident in his non-MCU roles, where he has showcased his ability to deliver emotional and compelling performances. His talent and versatility have earned him critical acclaim and a growing fan base, making him one of the most promising young actors in the industry today.