Tom Holland’s Top Roles Beyond Spider-Man: Ranked
Tom Holland’s career goes far beyond his Marvel days. From survival epics to gritty dramas, discover his most impressive performances outside the MCU and see why critics can’t stop talking about his range.
Tom Holland might be best known to most for swinging through New York as Peter Parker, but his acting chops have been on display in a stack of roles outside the Marvel universe. Over the years, he’s tackled everything from survival stories to psychological thrillers, showing he’s got more up his sleeve than just superhero antics. Here’s a look at his standout performances that have had critics and punters alike taking notice.
Survival, Sea, and Early Standouts
Before donning the Spidey suit, Holland made waves in the 2012 disaster drama The Impossible. Playing Lucas, a young boy caught in the chaos of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, he delivered a raw, emotional performance that had many saying he stole scenes from seasoned stars like Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor. At just 15, Holland’s portrayal was both physically and emotionally demanding, earning him a London Film Critics Circle Award and a National Board of Review Award.
Fast forward to 2015, and Holland took on the role of Thomas Nickerson in In the Heart of the Sea. The film, set around the real-life sinking of the whaleship Essex, saw him working alongside Chris Hemsworth and under the direction of Ron Howard. While the film itself didn’t exactly set the box office alight, Holland’s performance as the young cabin boy stood out, especially given the gruelling filming conditions and the need for both physical and emotional grit.
Gritty Dramas and Psychological Depth
Holland’s ability to dive into darker, more complex roles became clear with his turn in The Devil All the Time (2020). As Arvin Russell, he played a young bloke determined to protect his family from a host of sinister characters in a postwar town. The film boasted a star-studded cast, but Holland’s intense, mature performance—complete with a convincing Southern accent—was a highlight, showing a side of him far removed from his Marvel persona.
In 2021’s Cherry, directed by the Russo Brothers, Holland took on the challenging role of a uni dropout turned army medic who spirals into addiction and crime after returning from Iraq. The film itself received mixed reviews, but Holland’s commitment was clear—he underwent a dramatic physical transformation, dropping 30 pounds to authentically portray his character’s struggles. Critics singled out his willingness to step outside his comfort zone, even if the film didn’t quite hit the mark overall.
Adventure, Animation, and TV
Holland’s range isn’t limited to live-action drama. In 2020, he lent his voice to Ian Lightfoot in Pixar’s Onward. The animated film follows two elf brothers on a magical quest to spend one last day with their late dad. Holland’s voice work was widely praised for bringing warmth and vulnerability to the character, anchoring the film’s emotional core. While Onward was a critical success, it didn’t quite match that at the box office, but Holland’s performance was a definite win.
He also impressed in The Lost City of Z (2016), playing Jack Fawcett, the estranged son of an obsessed explorer. The film, based on a true story, required Holland to balance physical demands with a nuanced portrayal of a son torn between resentment and reconciliation. Critics were keen on his performance, even if general audiences were a bit more divided.
On the small screen, Holland took on the lead in Apple TV+’s The Crowded Room (2023). As Danny Sullivan, he played a young man at the centre of a crime investigation in 1979 Manhattan. The series itself got a mixed reception, but Holland’s portrayal of a psychologically complex character was widely recognised, earning him a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination.
Holland’s Range on Full Display
Each of these roles demanded something different from Holland, whether it was the physical endurance of survival stories or the emotional depth of troubled characters.
“Like The Impossible and In the Heart of the Sea required extreme physical acting, The Devil All the Time and Cherry allowed him to shed the ‘boy-next-door’ Spider-Man persona for more mature, troubled characters, and The Impossible earned him a London Film Critics Circle Award for Young British Performer of the Year.”
From his early days to his most recent projects, Holland has shown he’s not just a one-trick pony. Whether you’ve seen all these performances or are keen to catch up, there’s no denying he’s one of the most versatile young stars in the business.