The best Cillian Murphy movies
The top 3 according to 30 votes from people: Oppenheimer (2023) · 28 Days Later (2002) · Dunkirk (2017). (Updated Dec 21, 2025.)
From Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later to his Oscar for Oppenheimer, with plenty of Christopher Nolan in between: the Cillian Murphy films ranked highest by /Film, The Manual, Collider and Next Film Frame.
Top 12
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1
Oppenheimer (2023)
Christopher Nolan; Murphy won the Oscar for best actor as J. Robert Oppenheimer.
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2
28 Days Later (2002)
Danny Boyle's zombie film and his breakthrough role.
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3
Dunkirk (2017)
Nolan's evacuation film; Murphy plays a shell-shocked soldier.
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4
The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)
Ken Loach's Palme d'Or winner about the Irish War of Independence.
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5
Sunshine (2007)
Danny Boyle sends a crew to reignite the dying sun.
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6
Red Eye (2005)
Wes Craven's thriller on a night flight, with Rachel McAdams.
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7
Anthropoid (2016)
The plot to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich in Prague.
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8
The Party (2017)
Sally Potter's black-and-white chamber comedy.
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9
Inception (2010)
Nolan's dream heist; Murphy is the heir whose mind is targeted.
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10
Batman Begins (2005)
Nolan's Batman origin story, with Murphy as Scarecrow.
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11
A Quiet Place Part II (2020)
John Krasinski's sequel; Murphy is the grieving survivor Emmett.
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12
The Dark Knight (2008)
Scarecrow's brief return in Nolan's Batman sequel.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 12… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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13
Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)
Vermeer's household, with Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (2)
The Wind That Shakes the Barley deserves way more attention, it's his best performance before Oppenheimer
28 Days Later is still my favourite of his. That empty London opening is unforgettable