Cillian Murphy Movies and TV Shows: Complete Guide

There’s a quiet intensity to Cillian Murphy that pulls you into every scene he’s in, from the desperate survivor in 28 Days Later to the calculating Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders. This guide traces his path from indie horror to Oscar winner and points to his best performances available to stream right now.

Breakthrough role: 28 Days Later (2002) ·
TV icon: Peaky Blinders (2013–2022) ·
Oscar winner: Oppenheimer (2023)

Six key facts about Cillian Murphy, pulled from verified records:

What film made Cillian Murphy famous?

The breakout role in 28 Days Later

• 28 Days Later (2002), directed by Danny Boyle, is widely considered his breakthrough film (TV Guide).
• The role of Jim, a bike courier waking up in a post-apocalyptic London, put Murphy on the map as a leading man.
• His performance earned critical praise and opened doors to larger projects.

“I’ve always been drawn to characters that feel real and complex.” — Cillian Murphy, interview with The Guardian (2023)

Critical acclaim for Peaky Blinders

• Beginning in 2013, Murphy portrayed Tommy Shelby in the BBC series Peaky Blinders (TV Guide).
• The show ran for six seasons and became a global phenomenon, cementing Murphy’s fame.
• His portrayal of the Shelby family patriarch was described as “mesmerizing” by critics.

The implication: Murphy built a reputation on emotionally grounded performances that translate across genres.

What is Cillian Murphy’s best movie?

Top 5 Cillian Murphy films according to critics

Rotten Tomatoes’ editorial ranking places these five films at the top of Murphy’s filmography:

• 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – #1 on Rotten Tomatoes’ list (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Oppenheimer – #2 (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Small Things Like These – #3 (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Dunkirk – #4 (Rotten Tomatoes)
• A Quiet Place Part II – #5 (Rotten Tomatoes)

Fan favorites vs. critical darlings

• Inception (2010) and The Dark Knight (2008) remain fan favorites, though not top on critical rankings.
• Peaky Blinders, while a TV series, is consistently cited as his most acclaimed television work.
• Audiences often rank 28 Days Later as his most culturally influential role.

“Cillian has this ability to convey deep emotion with minimal expression.” — Christopher Nolan, behind-the-scenes featurette

The pattern: Murphy’s critical and popular peaks often diverge, reflecting his wide range.

For a broader look at acclaimed actors, see Leonardo DiCaprio Movies – Complete Ranked Filmography and Cast of Interstellar: McConaughey, Hathaway, Chastain & More.

Are there any Cillian Murphy movies on Netflix?

Currently streaming Cillian Murphy films on Netflix

• uNoGS, a Netflix catalog tracker, lists 12 titles associated with Murphy (uNoGS).
• Available films include Small Things Like These (2024) and Steve (2025) (uNoGS).
• Note: Availability varies by region; Inception and The Dark Knight Rises are not on Netflix in many territories.

Peaky Blinders series availability

• All six seasons of Peaky Blinders are available on Netflix in most regions (uNoGS).
• The series ended in 2022, but a feature film titled Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is scheduled for 2026 (uNoGS).

Upcoming Netflix projects

• Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (2026) is confirmed as a Netflix movie (uNoGS).
• 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is also listed as a future release but its Netflix status is unconfirmed.

What this means: Streaming access is limited outside of Murphy’s most famous TV role.

Is Cillian Murphy a billionaire or a millionaire?

Cillian Murphy’s net worth breakdown

• Murphy’s net worth is estimated at $20 million, making him a millionaire, not a billionaire.
• His wealth comes from a mix of film salaries, TV residuals, and endorsement deals.

Salary for Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer

• He earned about $1 million per season of Peaky Blinders.
• His pay for Oppenheimer has not been disclosed, but front-end salaries for A-list actors in major Nolan films are typically in the low millions.

The catch: Exact figures remain private, making estimates speculative.

Is Cillian Murphy Irish?

Personal background and upbringing

• Born on 25 May 1976 in Douglas, County Cork, Ireland (TV Guide).
• He attended Cork College of Commerce and University College Cork, where he studied law.
• Murphy maintains his Irish accent both on screen and in personal life.

Connection to Irish film industry

• Murphy has appeared in several Irish productions, including The Wind That Sweeps Away and Small Things Like These.
• He is an active supporter of Irish film and has worked with directors like Neil Jordan and John Crowley.

Career timeline

Here is a timeline of key milestones in his career:

The pattern: Each decade brought a defining role that expanded his range.

Clarity check

The pattern is clear: Murphy’s career is defined by careful role selection. Fans of his earlier work will find him just as compelling in 2025’s Steve, while newcomers can start with Peaky Blinders and work backwards.

For a detailed breakdown of every role, check out Cillian Murphys complete filmography on Civic Outlook.

Frequently asked questions