4.The Cabin in the Woods
One thing Hemsworth is going to do is take the lead and steal the show. So, it’s no surprise that he ended up purposefully typecast as the stereotypical jock and group leader in the Drew Goddard dark comedy horror movie The Cabin in the Woods. This movie is all-around good fun, but what makes it a special entry on this list is that it’s an early showcase of Hemsworth’s comedic delivery that shines in later films like Thor: Ragnarok.
5.Extraction
This political action thriller penned by the Russo Brothers centers around Hemsworth playing a dangerous mercenary who somehow maintains a heart of gold while protecting a teen with a large bounty on his head. Extraction is a high-octane, adrenaline junkie’s dream movie. Between the sweeping kicks, gun fights, and tightly choreographed punches it’s clear that Hemsworth is in his peak Jean-Claude Van Damme era. This film also required some phenomenal stunt work from Hemsworth on and off-screen. Director Sam Hargrave told Men’s Health that Hemsworth managed to hold his breath for nearly 3-minutes during the filming of a cliff diving stunt. Hemsworth also shared his intense workout regimen on Instagram to show how he altered his Thor bod. With such hard work and dedication put into this, it’s no wonder there’s a sequel on the way. You can check out our list of the best action movies on Netflix for more like this.
6.Bad Times at the El Royale
In another collaboration with director-writer Drew Goddard, Hemsworth shows off his talents to be both funny, dramatically over-the-top, and unhinged. Here he plays a handsome, southern cult leader named Billy Lee, who wanders into the El Royale motel to cause psychological mischief and dastardly mayhem. In one of the most chilling and best scenes in the movie, Billy ties up the other El Royale guests, then treats himself to a creepy solo dance to “Hush” by Deep Purple while sporting a half-opened rumpled shirt, disheveled hair, and a plate of pie in hand.
It’s interesting to note that aside from Star Trek, the beginning of his career also saw him play smaller roles in horror films like A Perfect Getaway and the aforementioned The Cabin in the Woods, so it shouldn’t be surprising that he’s good at playing off-kilter characters despite having so few of those roles. Give us a more spooky villain, Hemsworth, dang it!
7.Thor: Ragnarok
No Chris Hemsworth movie list is complete without including his adventures as the hammer-wielding God and Earth’s Strongest Avenger, Thor Odinson. The first two films in his solo franchise cast Thor as the slightly too self-serious and selfish Prince of Asgard. Though the character was well-received in the Avengers franchise, most moviegoers were less receptive after the critical panning of Thor: Dark World. However, when director Takia Waititi stepped in to direct the third installment, the Thor franchise got a second chance at life. Under the direction of the delightfully wacky Waititi, Hemsworth was allowed to express a wider range of emotions and utilize his knack for great comedic timing. Even though Ragnarok marked Hemsworth’s sixth appearance as the boisterous hero, his fresh new take and demeanor have made the movies more fun than ever.
