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Tom Holland has become one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood, enchanting fans with a blend of charisma, vulnerability, and physicality. He is best known for playing Spider-Man within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but his filmography is far more diverse than superhero territory. From sweeping dramas to animated escapades, Tom’s body of work reveals an actor who is eager to grow, experiment, and take on storytelling in its most courageous forms.
This editorial ranks the best 12 Holland’s movies according to critical success, cultural relevance, box office, and depth of performance by him. For cinephiles and cinema lovers—be they casual moviegoers or serious cinephiles—this is your go-to guide to Tom’s best work to date.
1. Spider-Man: No Way Home — Tom’s biggest box office and emotional triumph
Holland redefines the superhero narrative with emotional vulnerability
In Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), he delivers a career-defining performance that blends youthful idealism with mature emotional weight. This multiverse epic brought together three generations of Spider-Men, featuring Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, while maintaining a focus on Tom’s Peter Parker.
Grossing over $1.9 billion globally, the film not only solidified his box office dominance but also earned critical praise for its emotional core. His portrayal of grief, sacrifice, and solitude in the final act—especially the wrenching goodbye with MJ—cements the film as his most iconic to date.
“This was the most personal Peter Parker I’ve ever played,” Tom told GQ. “He’s no longer a boy by the end of the film.”
2. The Impossible — Tom’s unforgettable debut in a harrowing disaster drama
Holland’s early brilliance shines in a true story of survival
Tom’s breakout role in The Impossible (2012), directed by J.A. Bayona, showcased a raw talent few child actors possess. As Lucas, the eldest son of a family separated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Tom embodied courage and fear with stunning realism.
Starring alongside Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor, Tom delivered a performance that was widely considered Oscar-worthy. The film grossed $198 million worldwide and established Tom as a prodigy to watch.
Variety called his performance “remarkable for its maturity and emotional resonance.”
3. Spider-Man: Homecoming — Tom’s reinvention of a cinematic icon
Holland brings youthful exuberance and modern relevance to the MCU
In 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, Holland redefined Peter Parker by presenting a believable teenager balancing school and superhero duties. His dynamic with Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark added layers of mentorship and generational conflict.
The film earned $880 million globally and received acclaim for its fresh tone. Holland’s portrayal was praised for injecting Spider-Man with levity and sincerity, qualities that resonated with a new generation of fans.
“He’s the most accurate Spider-Man we’ve had,” said IGN in its review.
4. Onward — Tom’s animated emotional tour de force
Holland’s voice work explores grief, growth, and brotherhood
In Pixar’s Onward (2020), Tom voices Ian Lightfoot, a teenage elf on a magical journey to reconnect with his deceased father. Starring opposite Chris Pratt, Tom imbues Ian with a blend of anxiety, hope, and determination that elevates the film’s emotional weight.
Despite being released at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film grossed $141 million and became a streaming favorite. Critics praised Tom’s vocal performance for its warmth and authenticity.
“He brought a quiet soulfulness to Ian that surprised even us,” director Dan Scanlon shared with Collider.
5. Cherry — Tom’s boldest artistic risk as a troubled war veteran
Holland transforms for a harrowing exploration of addiction and trauma
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Cherry (2021) saw Holland in his most radical role transformation. Based on Nico Walker’s semi-autobiographical novel, the film follows a former soldier suffering from PTSD who turns to crime to support his opioid addiction.
Though reception was mixed, Holland’s performance was universally praised for its intensity and commitment. His emaciated appearance and emotionally fractured portrayal marked a clear departure from his blockbuster image.
“This was the hardest role I’ve ever taken,” Tom told The Los Angeles Times. “It challenged me physically and emotionally every day.”
6. Avengers: Infinity War — Tom delivers the MCU’s most heartbreaking moment
Holland’s improvised scene becomes a Marvel milestone
Despite limited screen time, Tom made a monumental impact in Avengers: Infinity War (2018). His improvised final line—”I don’t feel so good, Mr. Stark”—became a pop culture phenomenon and demonstrated his skill in heightening the emotional stakes of a blockbuster.
The film earned over $2 billion and was lauded for balancing massive scale with character-driven drama. Holland’s exit scene was one of the most talked-about moments, underlining his emotional resonance within the franchise.
7. The Devil All the Time — Tom explores darkness in a Southern Gothic thriller
Holland breaks type with a brooding performance in a morally bleak landscape
In Netflix’s The Devil All the Time (2020), Tom plays Arvin Russell, a young man haunted by generational trauma and compelled to take justice into his own hands.
The film, adapted from Donald Ray Pollock’s novel, was a moody, violent exploration of faith and corruption. Holland’s performance was central to grounding the film’s sprawling narrative and moral ambiguity.
“Tom Holland is chillingly effective,” wrote The Guardian, praising his restraint and intensity.
8. Spider-Man: Far From Home — Tom navigates grief in a post-Avengers world
Holland Peter Parker evolves in a world without Tony Stark
Far From Home (2019) continues Peter’s journey as he copes with the death of Tony Stark. Set across Europe, the film balances teen romance with geopolitical intrigue, thanks to Jake Gyllenhaal’s enigmatic Mysterio.
The movie grossed over $1.1 billion and marked a turning point in Holland’s character development, showcasing a more mature, world-weary Peter.
9. Uncharted — Tom’s leap into action-adventure territory
Holland carries a blockbuster franchise with charm and grit
Based on the popular video game series, Uncharted (2022) saw him take on the role of treasure hunter Nathan Drake. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, the film blends globetrotting stunts with comedic banter.
While the film received mixed reviews, Holland’s performance was a standout, and the movie grossed over $400 million. It proved his box office draw outside the MCU.
“Tom’s energy and humor are what made Nathan Drake believable,” said Fleischer.
10. Locke & Key (Short) — Tom’s hidden gem in indie horror
An early glimpse at Holland’s dramatic instincts
Before his mainstream success, Tom appeared in a short adaptation of Joe Hill’s Locke & Key. Though the project didn’t become a full series at the time, it showcased Holland’s talent for atmospheric drama and suspense.
It’s a lesser-known entry in his resume but offers valuable insight into his early potential.
11. How I Live Now — Tom’s supporting role in a dystopian tale
A quiet yet affecting performance alongside Saoirse Ronan
In How I Live Now (2013), Tom plays Isaac, a farm boy surviving in a war-torn future England. Though not a lead, his presence adds emotional gravity to the film. The project remains a cult favorite among fans of British dystopian cinema.
12. In the Heart of the Sea — Tom faces nature’s fury in a nautical epic
A physically grueling role that tested Holland’s endurance
Ron Howard’s In the Heart of the Sea (2015) retells the real-life tragedy that inspired Moby-Dick. Holland, playing a young sailor, underwent significant weight loss and intensive training to portray the hardship endured at sea.
Though the film underperformed commercially, Holland’s commitment was evident and earned praise from critics.
Tom’s cinematic evolution: More than a superhero, a storyteller
Tom Holland’s career is an interesting case study in contemporary stardom. Anything but typecast by his breakout role as Spider-Man, The has been making daring decisions, pairing tentpole franchises with emotionally complex dramas. His trajectory as a performer shows a singular artistic adaptability: he can headline billion-dollar blockbusters while leading indie movies that explore addiction, trauma, and family ties.
His success comes from his innate sense of storytelling. Whether playing a sensitive teen in Pixar’s Onward or a troubled war veteran in Cherry, he adds emotional authenticity to every shot. Directors such as the Russo Brothers and J.A. Bayona have lauded his dedication to character over spectacle, and his performances have garnered awards across genre.
Looking ahead, Tom is set to play Fred Astaire in an upcoming biopic—a part which will test his physicality as well as on-screen charisma. He has also indicated interest in going back on stage, his acting beginnings, where he finds himself comfortable to perform.
Tom Holland is not anymore merely a face of superhero movies. He’s becoming a generational talent—one characterized by range, risk, and a relentless search for authenticity. These 12 films don’t just chart his accomplishments; they document the trajectory of an artist perpetually on the rise.