The best Cillian Murphy movies and TV shows feature a strong mix of work with acclaimed niche directors and one of the best historical crime TV shows of this century. Murphy is an Irish actor who got his start working in stage plays before he finally enjoyed his breakout role in the post-apocalyptic horror movie 28 Days Later (2002). Working with director Danny Boyle on that project opened the door for them to reunite a few years later for the psychological sci-fi film Sunshine.

However, while his work with Boyle was a good way to get his foot in the door, what came later defined his career. He worked with Christopher Nolan for the first time in Batman Begins, which started a collaboration between the two that led to Murphy’s Best Actor Oscar win years later for Oppenheimer. Murphy also moved to television for his critically acclaimed role of Thomas Shelby...