When you think of Henry Cavill, the first roles that likely come to mind are his iconic turns as Superman in the DCEU and Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher. It’s because there’s something old-school about the actor. Like he could have been plucked right out of a 1950s war comic, sprinkled with a dash of modern edge, and dropped into a slow-motion Zack Snyder caper. But this role didn’t come to him overnight. Cavill’s start as a boarding school drama student landed him small period roles and, since then, he has built a résumé that proves he’s far more than Clark Kent in a cape.
With The Witcher, he swung his sword and grunted his way through Netflix’s fantastical continent and earned an army of fans. So, he’s done high-wire espionage, monster hunting, taken on gritty WWII missions, and even played a villain who can reload his fists while fighting in a bathroom. Henry Cavill stands out in the action genre because he’s struck a balance between physical commitment, controlled intensity, and witty charm. And now, with David Corenswet replacing him in 2025’s Superman, it feels like an ideal time to look back at Henry Cavill’s top 8 action movies so far.
8
‘Argylle’ (2024)
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/5
Release Date
February 2, 2024
Runtime
139 Minutes
A standalone spin-off from the Kingsman franchise, Argylle follows Elly Conway, a reclusive novelist who writes best-selling espionage thrillers, as she finds her fictional world bleeding into reality when her latest manuscript starts mirroring actual secret operations. On a train to visit her parents, she’s ambushed by assassins but rescued by Aidan Wilde. They flee across Europe and discover that her characters, especially Agent Argylle, are not just in the books. Another twist is that Elly is actually a former spy brainwashed by the Division.
Spy Fiction Meets Spy Reality
Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the movie tries to spoof and celebrate spy tropes but ends by getting lost in its own convoluted twists and prolonged runtime. It has an ensemble cast made of Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Dua Lipa, and John Cena, add their own flair to the narrative, but the overuse of CGI dulls the impact. Also, despite being marketed as a Henry Cavill-led action movie, Argylle gives him barely five minutes of screen time, and that as a fantasy projection of Elly’s ideal spy. But he completes it with gravity-defying stunts and a high-top haircut that stands out.
7
‘Immortals’ (2011)
Release Date
November 11, 2011
Runtime
110 minutes
Writers
Vlas Parlapanides, Charley Parlapanides
Set in a mythic version of Ancient Greece, Immortals follows the story of Theseus, a young peasant warrior who is recruited and trained by Zeus himself, to rise to challenge the bloodthirsty King Hyperion. Basically, Hyperion wants the Epirus Blow, a weapon capable of unleashing the deadly Titans and destroying the gods. As his forces ravage the land, Theseus rallies the people and confronts the evil, driving the plot towards a final celestial showdown.
Cavill Shines as a Heroic Warrior
Immortals may not be the most critically acclaimed movie in his filmography, but it was Henry Cavill’s first major action lead and it certainly showcases his impressive physicality. He carries the film with a raw intensity that hints at his future as Superman. His version of Theseus has a magnetic presence, but he’s not hollow. Director Tarsem Singh also leans into stylized visuals like slow-motion battles to create spectacle, which is why the story takes a backseat. Critics were divided. Some praised the aesthetic while others found the narrative thin. Overall, Immortals was a box office success and a stepping stone in Cavill’s career.
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6
‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ (2024)
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is set during the darkest days of World War II and it dramatizes the real-life Operation Postmaster, the aim of which was to sabotage Nazi U-boat supply lines. We follow Gus March-Phillipps, an unorthodox leader hired by Brigadier Colin Gubbins to bring together a team of misfits and target an Italian cargo ship and two tugboats docked on the neutral island of Fernando Po.
Sailboats and Secret Missions
It’s a high-stakes, high-seas operation playing out with a wink and a punch. Which is to say that the movie is pure Guy Ritchie, with fast-talking characters, sharp edits, and lots of swagger. Cavill disappears into the bravado of Gus and delivers a performance that is equal parts Errol Flynn and James Bond. Whether slicing throats or cracking wise, he’s just perfect. He also shares an interesting chemistry with the rest of the cast, including Alan Ritchson, Eiza González, and Henry Golding. The movie didn’t exactly storm the box office, but it’s still a must-watch for fans of stylish, pulpy war flicks.
5
‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ (2002)
Release Date
January 23, 2002
Runtime
131 Minutes
Director
Kevin Reynolds
Writers
Alexandre Dumas, Jay Wolpert
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Jim Caviezel
Edmond Dantes
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Richard Harris
Abbé Faria
The Count of Monte Cristo is a sweeping adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel of the same name. It revolves around a young sailor named Edmond Dantès who is betrayed by his best friend, Fernand. The guy covets Edmond’s career and his fiancée and wrongfully imprisons him in the Château d’If, where Edmond spends 13 years plotting revenge. After escaping, Edmond reinvents himself as the Count of Monte Cristo, returns to high society, and dismantles the lives of those who robbed him of his.
An Early Showcase of Cavill’s Screen Presence
Duels, deception, and redemption make up the satisfying narrative of this early 2000s adventure movie. It stars Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, and Richard Harris in the main roles. Though not the lead, a young Henry Cavill portrays Albert Mondego, the son of Mercédès and (presumably) Fernand. His role is small, but it’s pivotal to the film’s climax, which explores themes of fatherhood and legacy. He brings sincerity to a role that later became a footnote in the story of his life. Directed by Kevin Reynolds, the film is lush and accessible, and it was a modest box office success.
4
‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ (2015)
Set in the early 1960s at the height of the Cold War, this one revolves around CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin. The two brilliant spies are forced into an uneasy alliance when they find themselves taking on the same mission: stop a mysterious criminal organization led by Victoria Vinciguerra and prevent her from building a nuclear bomb. With the help of the daughter of a missing German scientist, they infiltrate the enemy’s lair and learn to trust one another.
Cavill’s Swagger Steals The Show
The movie is like a cocktail of vintage flair and modern wit, blending double crosses and car chases through Rome with a stylish tone of deception and charm. And Cavill is the smoothest ingredient of all. As Napoleon Solo, he not only channels some old-school charm and razor-sharp timing, but also flexes his action muscles. Guy Ritchie’s direction is all about jazzy pacing and retro aesthetics, giving the movie a breezy and entertaining rhythm. Again, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. underperformed at the box office, but has since gained a cult status.
3
‘Man of Steel’ (2013)
Release Date
June 14, 2013
Runtime
143 minutes
Director
Zack Synder
An exhilarating reboot of the Superman film series, Man of Steel begins on the doomed planet Krypton, where scientist Jor’El sends his infant son Kal-El to Earth moments before the planet’s destruction. Raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent in Kansas, Clark Kent struggles with his identity until a buried Kryptonian ship regents his true heritage. And in time, because General Zod, who survived, arrives on Earth to transform it into a new Krypton. Clark embraces his powers as superman and saves the people he’s learned to love.
A Bold But Divisive Superman Reboot
Man of Steel, under Zack Snyder’s direction, is a visually grand movie, complete with sweeping battles and slow-motion obliteration. Cavill’s turn as Superman represents a career-defining turn. One that displays his ability to take on a larger-than-life superhero with a genuine sense of humanity and moral conviction. He’s less the boy scout of old and more a god grappling with his reality. His physicality is undeniable. The quiet moments of hesitation and otherwise regal presence, paired with Hans Zimmer’s thunderous score, made the movie amazing and launched the DCEU.
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2
‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ (2021)
Following Superman’s death, the world is shattered and vulnerable. Bruce Wayne, haunted by guilt and driven by a promise, sets out to bring together a team of metahumans to face a cosmic threat. With Diana Prince, Arthur Curry, Victor Stone, and Barry Allen, he prepares to fight the fearsome general Steppenwolf, who wants to unite three Mother Boxes and set the stage for Darkseid to conquer the planet. As it turns out, the League’s only hope lies in resurrecting Superman.
A Definitive Portrayal of the Man of Steel
Zack Snyder’s Justice League unfolds in six chapters and ends in a brutal, operating battle that redefines not only the team’s legacy, but also improves upon the 2017 release. Cavill’s Superman is reborn, both literally and thematically. He’s no longer the uncertain outsider of Man of Steel, and instead, he emerges as a symbol of hope and power. Cavill is present in just a few scenes, but they carry a lot of weight, especially the silent confrontation with the League post-resurrection and his final battle against Steppenwolf. While not universally loved, the movie was a redemption arc for the character and a great addition to superhero films of the modern era.
1
‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018)
In Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Ethan Hunt is back, and this time, the stakes are nuclear. Another pulse-pounding installment in the beloved spy franchise, it finds Hunt and his IMF team must track down a rogue terrorist group known as the Apostles after their mission to retrieve stolen plutonium fails. An addition to the story is August Walker, a CIA assassin tasked with shadowing Ethan and making sure he succeeds, by all means necessary.
Cavill Is Toe-To-Toe With Cruise
The movie takes the team across Paris, London, and Kashmir, through several betrayals and identities, and tests their dynamics and loyalties. The climax features a breathtaking helicopter scene and a ticking bomb scenario that pushes every character to the brink. Tom Cruise is the star of the film, but Cavill’s August Walker is blunt and brutal. From the iconic bathroom fight to his transformation into a true villain, Cavill brings a menace to the franchise. It’s directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who infuses the film with practical stunts that defy logic. But naturally, Fallout was a critical and commercial darling and is still hailed as the best in the series.
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