Welsh actor, director, and producer, Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins has been a prominent figure in Hollywood. Ever since his entrance into the film industry in 1965, Hopkins has acted in almost 88 movies, and more are yet to come. Like a chameleon, the actor has breathed to life various characters from a cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal Lector, to the father of Thor, Odin. 

All in all, Hopkins has received various accolades to date. With 63 wins and 114 nominations, he has received awards like Oscars, BAFTA, Primetime Emmy, and Golden Globes, among others. Queen Elizabeth II has also knighted him in 1993 for his services in the field of arts.

The following is a rundown of what we regard as his finest works. 

  1. The Bounty (1984)

The Bounty is a British historical drama about the mutiny that took place in HMS Bounty, a British Royal Navy vessel. The movie retells the incident that happened in April 1789, where Hopkins plays the role of Lieutenant William Bligh alongside Mel Gibson. 

Hopkins in The Bounty. (Source: YouTube)

2. Shadowlands (1993)

Shadowlands is a British biographical drama that portrays the romantic relationship between writer C. S. Lewis and poet Joy Davidman. Hopkins played the role of Lewis, whereas Debra Winger played the role of his romantic interest, Davidman.

The actor was highly praised for his portrayal of the academic for which he earned several accolades. 

Hopkins in Shadowlands. (Source: YouTube)

3. The Remains of the Day (1993)

Adapted from a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro of the same name, Hopkins played the role of James Stevens as a loyal and dedicated butler to his master, Lord Darlington.

The movie was critically acclaimed, and the actor earned nominations for the Academy Awards and Golden Globes for the category of Best Actor. He won the BAFTA for the same category for his role in this movie. 

Hopkins in The Remains of the Day. (Source: YouTube)

4. Nixon (1995)

Nixon is yet another historical and biographical drama by Hopkins who illustrated the life of former U.S. President Richard Nixon and the notorious Watergate scandal.

The actor was nominated for the prestigious Academy Awards for his portrayal of the rise and fall of President Nixon. 

Hopkins in Nixon. (Source: YouTube)

5. Hannibal (2001)

One of the best performances Hopkins ever gave was as Hannibal Lecter. Hopkins reprised the role of the cannibalistic serial killer from The Silence of the Lamb (1991).

He later reprised the role for the prequel Red Dragon (2002) as well.

Hopkins in Hannibal. (Source: YouTube)

6. Thor (2011)

In this Marvel Cinematic Universe origin story, Hopkins portrays the role of the King of Norse Gods, father of Thor, and adoptive father of Loki — Odin.

He reprised his role as Odin in Thor: The Dark World (2013) and Thor: Ragnarok (2017).

Hopkins in Thor. (Source: YouTube)

7. Hitchcock (2012)

Hitchcock is yet another biographical drama by Hopkins who illustrated the life of brilliant director Alfred Hitchcock.

The movie revolves around Hitchcock and his strained relationship with his wife Alma Reville during the filming of Psycho — one of the best psychological thriller movies of all times. 

Hopkins in Hitchcock. (Source: YouTube)

8. Westworld (2016-2018)

Hopkins played the role of Dr. Robert Ford in season one and two of the critically acclaimed dystopian TV Series, Westworld. 

Hopkins in Westworld. (Source: YouTube)

9. The Two Popes (2019)

Hopkins portrayed Pope Benedict XVI in this biographical drama alongside Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Both the actors were nominated for Academy awards - Hopkins for Best Supporting Actor and Pryce for Best Actor. 

Hopkins in The Two Popes. (Source: YouTube)

10. The Father (2020)

The role of Anthony in The Father is perhaps in one of the best performances by Hopkins to date after Hannibal Lecter. Hopkins portrays an old man battling dementia for which he has won 5 awards to date. 

He has also been nominated for the Academy Awards, 2021 in the category of Best Actor. The results of the Academy Awards are yet to be announced. 

Hopkins in The Father. (Source: YouTube)