Lights, camera, Cillian Murphy magic! When we watch the short clips from Cillian Murphy movies and shows, we get a magical feeling that tells us to watch them all in an instant. Hold on to your seats, fellow cinephiles, because we’re about to embark on a thrilling cinematic journey that’s as enigmatic as the man himself – Cillian Murphy and a huge trail of Cillian Murphy’s Movies and shows.

Picture this: a mesmerizing blend of intensity, charm, and that hypnotic gaze that could make even the most stoic statue blush. Of course, we have a refreshed memory in 2023 because we have witnessed his enthralling character on the field in Peaky Blinders and the most recent Netflix release – Quiet Place 2. Today we’re diving into the enthralling universe of the chameleon actor who can switch characters faster than you can say “Peaky Blinders” or “Intermission”!

Now, imagine this – Cillian Murphy donning the shoes of the brilliant physicist, Julius Robert Oppenheimer, in none other than Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending masterpiece, aptly titled ‘Oppenheimer’. A role that adds yet another layer to Murphy’s already eclectic repertoire. We’re talking about a man who can portray a post-apocalyptic survivor (’28 Days Later’), an enigmatic crime lord (‘Peaky Blinders’), and even a villainous mastermind (‘Inception’) with such finesse that you’d think he has a PhD in multi-dimensional character transformations.

But hey, don’t just take my word for it. If you found yourself captivated by Murphy’s enigmatic portrayal of Oppenheimer, you’re in for a treat. Our mission, dear peeps, is to explore the reel wonders that Cillian Murphy has gifted us over the years. From heart-pounding thrillers to soul-stirring dramas, this blog is your golden ticket to discovering 10 of the most captivating Cillian Murphy movies and TV shows that will leave you shouting, “Encore! Encore!” So, grab that popcorn, get cozy, and let’s uncover the cinematic gems that make us adore Murphy more than ever.

Find out why, after ‘Oppenheimer’, Cillian Murphy’s name is forever etched in the stars of Hollywood’s galaxy!

Best Cillian Murphy TV Shows

1. Peaky Blinders

Rotten Tomatoes: 93%

IMDB: 8.8

Release Year: 2013

Director: Otto Bathurst, Tom Harper, Colm McCarthy, Tim Mielants, David Caffrey, Anthony Byrne

Genre: Period Piece, Crime, Drama

Peaky Blinders is a brilliant British crime drama series set in post-World War I Birmingham. Cillian Murphy gives a tour-de-force performance as Tommy Shelby, the ruthless leader of the Peaky Blinders gang. Oppenheimer actor, Cillian Murphy perfectly captures the character’s complex inner turmoil, making him one of the most compelling and memorable antiheroes on television.

What’s So Special?

Murphy’s physical transformation into Tommy Shelby is remarkable. So how did he make it special? He transformed himself by losing weight, growing a mustache, and adopting a Birmingham accent, which is quite typical for an Irish.

Murphy vehemently conveys Tommy’s intelligence, cunning, and ruthlessness with equal measure while bringing a lot of depth to the character. He does a great job of showing his vulnerability and humanity.

Overall, Cillian Murphy gives a performance for the ages in Peaky Blinders. He is one of the main reasons why the show is so successful.

2. The Way We Live Now

Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

IMDB: 7.6

Release Year: 2001

Director: David Yates

Genre: Drama

The Way We Live Now is a 2001 British television adaptation of Anthony Trollope’s novel (in 1875) of the same name. The series follows the lives of several characters in London during the 1870s, as they are swept up in the financial speculation of the time.

What’s So Special?

Cillian Murphy plays Paul Montague, a young man who is drawn into the world of high finance. Though in the novel, Montague was older and more experienced, this TV piece brings his character oppositely.

But we can say that Murphy’s performance in this British TV series is technically proficient.

Best Cillian Murphy Movies

1. The Wind That Shakes The Barley (2006)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

IMDB: 7.5

Release Year: 2006

Director: Ken Loach

Genre: War, Drama

The Wind That Shakes The Barley is a 2006 historical drama film set during the Irish War of Independence. The film is very close to Oppenheimer actor- Cillian Murphy’s heart.

The film follows the story of two brothers who fight for Irish independence, but eventually find themselves on opposing sides of the civil war. Another war related movie by Dunkirk actor – Cillian Murphy, this film is for sure to give you goosebumps with its enthralling tale and captivating emotional stances.

What’s So Special?

Cillian Murphy plays Damien, one of the brothers. Murphy gives a powerful performance, capturing the character’s idealism, passion, and ultimately, his disillusionment.

Murphy is completely believable as Damien. He conveys the character’s youthful idealism and his growing sense of disillusionment with great skill.

Murphy’s performance is also physically demanding. He is often seen fighting and running, and he does so with a natural athleticism.

Overall, Murphy gives a tour-de-force performance in The Wind That Shakes The Barley. It is one of the best performances of his career.

2. Breakfast on Pluto (2005)

Rotten Tomatoes: 58%

IMDB: 7.2

Release Year: 2005

Director: Neil Jordan

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Breakfast On Pluto is a 2005 comedy-drama film about a young transgender person named Kitten who leaves their small Irish town in search of their mother in London. The film is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant coming-of-age story, and Cillian Murphy gives a remarkable performance as ‘Kitten’.

What’s So Special?

Murphy captures the character’s vulnerability, determination, and sense of humor with great skill. He also does a great job of portraying the challenges that Kitten faces as a transgender person in the 1960s. He brings a lot of humor to the role, even in the most difficult moments.

If you’re a fan of Cillian Murphy or coming-of-age stories, then I highly recommend checking out Breakfast On Pluto.

3. Disco Pigs (2001)

Rotten Tomatoes: 20%

IMDB: 6.5

Release Year: 2001

Director: Kirsten Sheridan

Genre: Romance, Drama

Disco Pigs is a 2001 Irish coming-of-age film about two childhood friends, Pig and Runt, who grow up in a small town in Ireland. The film is a dark and disturbing look at the power of friendship and the brutality of adolescence.

What’s So Special?

Cillian Murphy plays ‘Pig’, a volatile and unpredictable young man. Murphy gives a raw and powerful performance, capturing the character’s inner turmoil and his destructive relationship with Runt. The conveying of Pig’s anger and volatility has been done with great intensity.

Murphy’s performance is both disturbing and moving, and it is one of the highlights of the film.

Overall, Disco Pigs is a challenging and disturbing film, but it is also a powerful and important work of art. Cillian Murphy’s performance is one of the reasons why the film is so successful.

4. Dunkirk (2007)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92%

IMDB: 7.8

Release Year: 2017

Director: Christopher Nolan

Genre: War, Action

Dunkirk is a 2017 war film written, directed, and produced by Christopher Nolan. It depicts the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II from the perspectives of the land, sea, and air.

Cillian Murphy plays the Shivering Soldier, a shell-shocked soldier who is rescued by a civilian boat. Murphy gives a powerful and understated performance, conveying the character’s trauma and desperation without resorting to melodrama.

What’s So Special?

Murphy’s performance is particularly effective in the scene where he tries to sabotage the civilian boat. The scene is tense and claustrophobic, and Murphy perfectly captures the character’s fear and desperation. He conveys the character’s trauma and desperation with great subtlety and nuance.

5. Girl With A Pearl Earring (2003)

Rotten Tomatoes: 73%

IMDB: 6.9

Release Year: 2003

Director: Peter Webber

Genre: Drama, Romance

A visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that explores the relationship between a young maid, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), and her master, the renowned painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). The film is set in 17th century Delft, Netherlands, and is based on the novel of the same name by Tracy Chevalier.

What’s So Special?

Cillian Murphy plays Pieter van Ruijven, Vermeer’s patron and a lecherous man who is obsessed with Griet. Oppenheimer star, Murphy gives a nuanced and compelling performance, perfectly capturing the character’s complex emotions. He is both charming and menacing, and his chemistry with Johansson is palpable.

6. Batman Begins (2005)

Rotten Tomatoes: 85%

IMDB: 8.2

Release Year: 2005

Director: Christopher Nolan

Genre: Action, Fantasy

Batman Begins is a 2005 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne aka Batman. The film is the first installment in The Dark Knight Trilogy and tells the origin story of Batman.

What’s So Special?

Cillian Murphy plays Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow, a psychiatrist who uses fear to terrorize Gotham City. Murphy gives a chilling and unforgettable performance as Scarecrow. He perfectly captures the character’s sadistic nature and his twisted sense of humor.

Murphy’s performance is particularly effective in the scene where he gassed a group of police officers and terrorized them with their own fears. The scene is truly disturbing, and Murphy’s performance is essential in making it so effective.

7. Intermission (2003)

Rotten Tomatoes: 74%

IMDB: 6.8

Release Year: 2003

Director: John Crowley

Genre: Crime/Drama

Intermission is a 2003 Irish black comedy film directed by John Crowley. The film tells the story of several interconnected characters in Dublin over the course of one day. It is also a surprisingly moving film, as it explores the complex themes of love, loss, and redemption.

What’s So Special?

Cillian Murphy plays John, a young man who is struggling to cope with the end of his relationship. Murphy gives a nuanced and heartbreaking performance, perfectly capturing the character’s pain and confusion.

In the scene where Murphy breaks into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment and confronts her new boyfriend, is both funny yet deeply moving. The scene is both funny and painful, and Murphy perfectly conveys John’s complex emotions.

8. Sunshine (2007)

Rotten Tomatoes: 76%

IMDB: 7.2

Release Year: 2007

Director: Danny Boyle

Genre: Sci-fi, Thriller

Sunshine is a 2007 science fiction film directed by Danny Boyle and starring Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Rose Byrne, and Michelle Yeoh. The film is set in the year 2057 and follows a crew of astronauts on a mission to reignite the dying sun.

Sunshine is a visually stunning and thought-provoking film. It explores themes of humanity, faith, and the nature of reality.

What’s So Special?

Cillian Murphy plays Robert Capa, the leader of the astronaut crew. Murphy gives a powerful and nuanced performance, perfectly capturing the character’s bravery, determination, and inner turmoil.

Murphy’s spectacular performance can be witnessed in the scene where he sacrifices himself to save the sun. The scene is both heroic and tragic, and Murphy perfectly conveys Capa’s complex emotions.

9. Red Eye (2005)

Rotten Tomatoes: 79%

IMDB: 6.5

Release Year: 2005

Director: Wes Craven

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Red Eye is a 2005 thriller film that tells the story of Lisa Reisert (McAdams), a young woman who is threatened by a stranger on a red-eye flight. Red Eye is a suspenseful and well-paced thriller. The film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout, and it features a number of unexpected twists and turns.

What’s So Special?

Cillian Murphy plays Jackson Rippner, the stranger who threatens Lisa on the flight. Murphy gives a chilling and believable performance as Rippner. He is both charming and menacing, and he perfectly captures the character’s ruthlessness.

10. The Party (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes: 82%

IMDB: 6.5

Release Year: 2017

Director: Sally Potter

Genre: Drama, Dark comedy

The Party is a 2017 dark comedy film that follows a group of wealthy friends as they gather at a house party to celebrate a promotion, but the evening quickly devolves into chaos as secrets are revealed and tensions rise.

What’s So Special?

Cillian Murphy plays Tom, the husband of Kristin Scott Thomas’s character, Janet. Murphy gives a nuanced and hilarious performance as Tom. He is both charming and pathetic, and he perfectly captures the character’s insecurity and desperation.

The most notable and remarkable is a scene where he confesses his infidelity to Janet. The scene is both funny and heartbreaking, and Murphy perfectly conveys Tom’s complex emotions.