10 Underrated Tom Hollander Movies You Must See

Tom Hollander has built a film career packed with sharp supporting turns and perfectly judged leads across period pieces, political satire, and action thrillers. He often shows up in projects that make smart use of ensemble casts, careful world building, and distinctive music and design choices, which means there is always something concrete to notice about how these films are put together.

This list focuses on ten features that highlight the range of roles he has taken on, from historical figures to animated villains. You will find production details, character specifics, and useful context about how each film was made and released, so you can pick what to watch next without guesswork.

‘In the Loop’ (2009)

Tom Hollander plays Simon Foster, a government minister who becomes entangled in transatlantic maneuvering over a potential conflict, with scenes set in London and Washington. The film was directed by Armando Iannucci and serves as a cinematic companion to the TV series ‘The Thick of It’, featuring much of the same creative team and cast. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, with extensive improvisation built on a tightly outlined script.

Production took place in the United Kingdom and the United States, using real government corridors and repurposed offices to convey an authentic political environment. The cast includes Peter Capaldi, Gina McKee, and James Gandolfini, and the dialogue was captured with multiple cameras to keep the overlapping exchanges natural and fast.

‘Hanna’ (2011)

Tom Hollander portrays Isaacs, a relentless operative who pursues the titular character across Europe. The film was directed by Joe Wright, with a propulsive original score by The Chemical Brothers that was composed in close collaboration with the editing process to sync rhythm and action. Key sequences were filmed at Spreepark in Berlin and in Moroccan locations to capture distinct visual textures.

The production trained its lead actors extensively in movement and combat, tying fight choreography to location design so that chase scenes flowed through real spaces rather than sets. The film was released worldwide by a major studio, and its soundtrack album was issued alongside the theatrical rollout to underline the music’s role in the storytelling.

‘The Invisible Woman’ (2013)

Tom Hollander plays novelist Wilkie Collins in a story centered on the relationship between Charles Dickens and Nelly Ternan. Ralph Fiennes directed and starred, and the screenplay by Abi Morgan adapts Claire Tomalin’s biography while focusing tightly on rehearsals, stagecraft, and the social realities of literary fame. The production earned an Academy Award nomination for costume design, with meticulous work on fabrics and silhouettes.

Filming took place in British seaside towns and period interiors that doubled for theaters and private homes, with careful attention to gaslight color and texture in the cinematography. Felicity Jones plays Nelly Ternan, and the film integrates theatrical scenes from Dickens’s performances to anchor the private narrative in public spectacle.

‘A Good Year’ (2006)

Tom Hollander appears as Charlie Willis, a London colleague who helps establish the protagonist’s finance world before the story shifts to France. The film was directed by Ridley Scott and adapted from Peter Mayle’s novel, with vineyard locations in the Luberon and shooting at Château la Canorgue providing the production’s central setting. The narrative contrasts urban trading floors with rural winemaking practices to frame the character journey.

Production design emphasized practical, working vineyards, with harvesting, cellar equipment, and local markets used on camera to ground the setting. The cast includes Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard, and the soundtrack mixes contemporary tracks with French standards to connect city and countryside scenes.

‘The King’s Man’ (2021)

Tom Hollander undertakes a triple role as King George V, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and Tsar Nicholas II, which underscores the story’s focus on royal cousins and geopolitical tension. Matthew Vaughn directed this prequel to the ‘Kingsman’ series, charting the origin of an independent intelligence agency during a global conflict. The film blends fictional conspirators with historical backdrops and choreographed action sequences shaped by the franchise’s stylized fight grammar.

Production spanned large United Kingdom stages and European exteriors, with costume builds that differentiate the three monarchs through uniform details and grooming. The release schedule shifted several times due to global circumstances before reaching theaters and streaming services, and the ensemble includes Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, and Djimon Hounsou.

‘Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle’ (2018)

Tom Hollander provides the voice of Tabaqui, a jackal who serves as a cunning scout for the tiger Shere Khan. Andy Serkis directed using extensive performance capture, with actors delivering both voice and physical references to drive digital character animation. The production centers Rohan Chand as Mowgli, and features Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, and Benedict Cumberbatch among the animal roles.

Warner Bros. developed the film before Netflix acquired distribution, leading to a global streaming release with a limited theatrical component. The Imaginarium’s workflow captured facial nuance and body movement together, which allowed animators to retain specific actor choices in the final creature performances.

‘Pride & Prejudice’ (2005)

Tom Hollander plays Mr. Collins, a clergyman whose arrival complicates family plans and social expectations. Joe Wright directed this adaptation of the Jane Austen novel, working with Working Title and Focus Features to secure heritage locations, including stately homes and landscaped gardens that stand in for the story’s estates. The film received multiple Academy Award nominations, including recognition for lead performance and design categories.

Location work included interior and exterior shoots at houses such as Chatsworth and Groombridge Place, with art direction adjusting period decor to show wealth and status across families. Dario Marianelli composed the score, recorded with solo piano and chamber ensembles to mirror the intimacy of the setting.

‘The Boat That Rocked’ (2009)

Tom Hollander plays Quentin, the owner of a pirate radio station broadcasting from a ship in the North Sea. Richard Curtis wrote and directed, and the film was released under the alternate title ‘Pirate Radio’ in North America. The production uses a large ensemble cast, including Philip Seymour Hoffman and Bill Nighy, and integrates a soundtrack drawn from contemporary rock and pop to mirror offshore playlists.

Sets recreated cramped studio spaces and cabins aboard the vessel, with period equipment sourced and restored for on camera use. The film’s production schedule balanced water tank shoots with open sea footage, and the sound team blended live performance elements with licensed tracks to maintain continuity across scenes.

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (2018)

Tom Hollander portrays Jim Beach, the lawyer who becomes Queen’s manager during a major phase of the band’s career. The film charts the formation of the group, recording sessions, and the build to a high profile charity concert, with Rami Malek starring as Freddie Mercury. It won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Actor, and became one of the highest grossing musical biopics worldwide.

Production rebuilt concert stages with precise measurements taken from archival references, and sound design combined isolated vocal stems with newly recorded material to match performance lip sync. Bryan Singer is credited as director, with additional work completed by Dexter Fletcher, and the release included a home edition that features a full concert recreation as a special feature.

‘Tulip Fever’ (2017)

Tom Hollander plays Dr. Sorgh, a physician drawn into a scheme connected to a hidden relationship during the period of tulip speculation in Amsterdam. Justin Chadwick directed, adapting Deborah Moggach’s novel, with Alicia Vikander and Dane DeHaan in the central roles. The production focuses on trade, art, and merchant households, showing how the tulip market integrates with daily life and studio practice.

Filming used historic Dutch interiors and purpose built sets for markets and canals, along with painterly lighting that references Dutch Golden Age canvases. The release followed a complicated path with date changes and reshoots, and the supporting cast includes Judi Dench, Christoph Waltz, and Cara Delevingne.

Share your favorite Tom Hollander performances from these films in the comments and tell everyone which one you plan to watch next.