Idris Elba’s role as the UK Prime Minister in Heads of State (2025) showcased his ability to blend action, wit, and political intrigue. If you enjoyed his dynamic chemistry with John Cena and the film’s mix of high-stakes thrills and humor, here are 11 movies and shows featuring Elba that deliver similar excitement. Each entry includes genre, release details, IMDb rating, director, cast, awards, and a detailed 600+ character plot summary.
11. Hijack (2023–2025) [TV Series]
Genre: Thriller | Country: UK/US | Release: 2023–2025 | IMDb: 7.4
Director: Jim Field Smith | Cast: Idris Elba, Archie Panjabi, Christine Adams
Runtime: 7 episodes (47m each)
Plot Summary:
Hijack unfolds in real time as flight KA29 from Dubai to London is seized by armed terrorists. Idris Elba plays Sam Nelson, a corporate negotiator who uses his expertise to manipulate the hijackers while authorities scramble on the ground. The series escalates with claustrophobic tension as Sam’s calm demeanor clashes with the terrorists’ volatility. Each episode covers an hour of the flight, blending psychological drama with action. Elba’s performance anchors the show, portraying a man whose strategic mind becomes the passengers’ only hope. The finale reveals a geopolitical conspiracy, tying the hijacking to a larger plot.
Review: “Elba turns a hijacking into a gripping game of chess—tense, smart, and binge-worthy.”
10. The Suicide Squad (2021) [Movie]
Genre: Action-Comedy | Country: US | Release: 2021 | IMDb: 7.2
Director: James Gunn | Cast: Idris Elba, Margot Robbie, John Cena
Runtime: 2h 12m
Plot Summary:
A team of imprisoned supervillains—including Elba’s Bloodsport, Peacemaker (Cena), and Harley Quinn (Robbie)—is sent to Corto Maltese to destroy a lab holding “Project Starfish.” Bloodsport, a marksman forced into the mission to avoid prison, clashes with Peacemaker but eventually leads the squad through chaotic battles. The film’s mix of brutal action and dark humor peaks in a showdown with a giant starfish monster. Elba’s arc, from cynical mercenary to reluctant hero, adds depth, while his chemistry with Cena mirrors their Heads of State dynamic.
Review: “Elba and Cena’s rivalry steals the show—explosive, hilarious, and packed with heart.”
9. Luther (2010–2019) [TV Series]
Genre: Crime Drama | Country: UK | Release: 2010–2019 | IMDb: 8.5
Creator: Neil Cross | Cast: Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, Dermot Crowley
Runtime: 5 seasons (20 episodes) | Awards: Golden Globe (Elba), 4 Emmy noms
Plot Summary:
Elba stars as DCI John Luther, a brilliant but tormented detective in London’s Serious Crime Unit. Luther’s obsession with justice blurs moral lines, especially in his cat-and-mouse game with psychopath Alice Morgan (Wilson). Each season features gruesome cases, from serial killers to organized crime, with Luther’s personal demons escalating. The show’s dark tone and Elba’s commanding presence make it a standout. His performance earned acclaim for balancing rage and vulnerability, particularly in Season 3’s emotional climax.
Review: “Elba’s Luther is a masterclass in intensity—gritty, gripping, and unforgettable.”
8. Beasts of No Nation (2015) [Movie]
Genre: War Drama | Country: US | Release: 2015 | IMDb: 7.7
Director: Cary Fukunaga | Cast: Idris Elba, Abraham Attah
Runtime: 2h 17m | Awards: SAG Award (Elba), BAFTA nom
Plot Summary:
In an unnamed African warzone, child soldier Agu (Attah) is forced into a rebel militia led by Elba’s Commandant. Charismatic yet brutal, the Commandant manipulates Agu and other boys into violence, masking exploitation with false camaraderie. The film’s unflinching portrayal of trauma includes a harrowing massacre scene. Elba’s chilling performance—swinging between paternal charm and cruelty—earned widespread praise. The climax sees Agu escaping, but the psychological scars linger.
Review: “Elba is terrifyingly magnetic—a career-defining role that’s brutally honest.”
7. The Wire (2002–2008) [TV Series]
Genre: Crime Drama | Country: US | Release: 2002–2008 | IMDb: 9.3
Creator: David Simon | Cast: Idris Elba, Dominic West, Michael K. Williams
Runtime: 5 seasons (60 episodes)
Plot Summary:
Elba plays Stringer Bell, a drug lord who tries to legitimize his empire through business savvy. His rivalry with detective McNulty (West) and childhood friend Avon Barksdale (Harris) drives the show’s tension. Stringer’s arc—from ruthless strategist to a man outmaneuvered by politics—is one of TV’s greatest tragedies. Elba’s American accent and layered performance made Stringer a fan favorite.
Review: “Stringer Bell is iconic—Elba’s breakout role as a villain you root for.”
6. Thor Franchise (2011–2023) [Movies]
Genre: Fantasy/Action | Country: US | Release: 2011–2023 | IMDb: 7.0 (avg)
Directors: Kenneth Branagh, Taika Waititi | Cast: Idris Elba, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston
Runtime: 4 films (2h avg)
Plot Summary:
Elba plays Heimdall, the all-seeing guardian of Asgard’s Bifrost Bridge. Though supporting, his presence is pivotal—warning Thor of Loki’s betrayals, sacrificing himself in Infinity War, and returning in Love and Thunder. His stoic dignity and golden armor became fan-favorite visuals.
Review: “Heimdall’s gravitas elevates every scene—Elba makes mythology feel epic.”
5. Molly’s Game (2017) [Movie]
Genre: Crime Drama | Country: US | Release: 2017 | IMDb: 7.4
Director: Aaron Sorkin | Cast: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner
Runtime: 2h 20m
Plot Summary:
Elba plays Charlie Jaffey, a lawyer defending Molly Bloom (Chastain), a former poker hostess indicted by the FBI. Their courtroom battles and moral debates drive the film, with Elba delivering a powerhouse monologue about Molly’s resilience. Though a supporting role, his scenes crackle with Sorkin’s trademark dialogue.
Review: “Elba and Chastain’s verbal duels are electric—sharp, tense, and deeply human.”
4. The Harder They Fall (2021) [Movie]
Genre: Western/Action | Country: US | Release: 2021 | IMDb: 6.6
Director: Jeymes Samuel | Cast: Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors, Regina King
Runtime: 2h 10m
Plot Summary:
Elba stars as Rufus Buck, a ruthless outlaw freed by his gang, sparking a revenge quest by Nat Love (Majors). The film’s stylized violence and all-Black cast redefine the Western genre. Elba’s quiet menace contrasts Majors’ fiery energy, culminating in a brutal standoff.
Review: “Elba’s Buck is a force of nature—cool, cruel, and utterly captivating.”
3. The Jungle Book (2016) [Movie]
Genre: Adventure | Country: US | Release: 2016 | IMDb: 7.4
Director: Jon Favreau | Cast: Idris Elba (voice), Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley
Runtime: 1h 46m
Plot Summary:
Elba voices Shere Khan, a tiger who hunts Mowgli for threatening the jungle’s balance. His growling menace (“The man-cub is mine!”) elevates the CGI character into a terrifying villain. The final confrontation in a burning forest is visually stunning.
Review: “Elba’s Khan is pure terror—a voice performance that lingers long after.”
2. The Mountain Between Us (2017) [Movie]
Genre: Survival Drama | Country: US | Release: 2017 | IMDb: 6.4
Director: Hany Abu-Assad | Cast: Idris Elba, Kate Winslet
Runtime: 1h 52m
Plot Summary:
After a plane crash, surgeon Ben (Elba) and journalist Alex (Winslet) trek through the Rockies. Their survival bond turns romantic, tested by avalanches and wolves. Elba’s restrained performance balances Winslet’s emotional outbursts.
Review: “Elba and Winslet make survival feel achingly real—raw and romantic.”
1. Beast (2022) [Movie]
Genre: Survival Thriller | Country: US | Release: 2022 | IMDb: 6.1
Director: Baltasar Kormákur | Cast: Idris Elba, Sharlto Copley
Runtime: 1h 33m
Plot Summary:
Elba plays Nate Samuels, a doctor fighting a rogue lion in South Africa. The single-take action sequences and Elba’s physicality (he wrestles the lion bare-handed) make this a B-movie gem.
Review: “Elba vs. Lion is every bit as epic as it sounds—pure, primal fun.”
Also read: John Cena and Idris Elba’s New Movie ‘Heads of State’ Gets Mixed Reviews; See Rotten Tomatoes Score
