Australian heartthrob Hemsworth forged his niche playing Marvel comic book hero Thor, but he’s also proven his acting chops in films like 12 Strong, Rush, In the Heart of the Sea, and Men in Black: International. Hemsworth also brings a light, self-mocking touch to the role of Southern cult leader Billy Lee in the thriller El Royale.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Before Chris Hemsworth was a muscular superhero hammering bad guys in Marvel movies, he was a dashing space dad. Hemsworth starred as George Kirk, James Kirk’s doomed father who captained the USS Kelvin in its final moments. Hemsworth packed a sentimental punch as Kirk and left audiences with long-lasting daddy issues for his son.

Hemsworth’s second big-screen role was as Kevin Beckman in the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters, alongside comedy veterans Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. Hemsworth flipped the usual “dim-witted receptionist” trope on its head and was a standout in this movie.

Thor: The Dark World

After he appeared on the Australian soap opera Home and Away in 2002, Hemsworth moved to films. He made his film debut in the 2009 science fiction action film Star Trek: Enterprise, a role that would eventually lead to more blockbusters and a Marvel franchise.

Hemsworth’s most notable work, though, is as Thor, the God of Thunder. The first two movies in the solo series cast him as a self-serious prince, but with director Takia Waititi at the helm of the third installment, Hemsworth was given more room to explore the character’s humor.

Thor: Ragnarok

In 2018, Marvel Studios risked taking a gamble on a different iteration of the God of Thunder, but Hemsworth’s boisterous performance as Thor Odinson was well worth the money. The movie was a box-office success and one of the best of Hemsworth’s solo movies, setting the stage for his involvement in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War.

The film tells the story of Odinson’s son, Thor, who has been banished to 21st-century Earth after he arrogantly breaches peace with Asgard’s rivals. Hemsworth delivered a light, self-mocking, and human touch to the comic superhero that resonated with audiences.

Avengers: Infinity War

The first Marvel Cinematic Universe film to earn over 3-billion dollars, Avengers: Infinity War solidified Hemsworth as a bona fide star. Hemsworth has since proven that he is more than just a pretty face, delivering a series of complex characters in diverse movies. Hemsworth’s filmography ranges from sweeping, action-packed blockbusters to edgy thrillers that push contemporary cinema’s limits.

The Australian actor got his start on the soap opera Home and Away before landing a role on Star Trek. Hemsworth’s acting chops shone in the sci-fi franchise, showcasing his ability to deliver both epic action and intimate family drama.

Avengers: Endgame

A decade-plus into his role as Thor, Hemsworth reaches the apex of his MCU career in this epic swan song. The Russo Brothers who have directed many animated movies demand everything from Hemsworth — and it delivers. From his arrival in Wakanda to his attempt to destroy the stone-craving warlord Thanos, the movie’s overwhelming payoffs and bombastic popcorn cinema are Hemsworth’s finest moments yet.

Hemsworth’s light, self-mocking charm made him an instant hit as the Norse god of thunder. Kenneth Branagh’s take on Thor’s arrogant breaching of a peace accord and banishment to 21st-century Earth is Groundlings-worthy theater, and his brotherly rivalry with Loki is Shakespearean in scope.

Extraction

With a career that has included roles in a slew of franchise movies, Hemsworth has had plenty to get used to in terms of filming painstakingly detailed action sequences. But for Extraction, a direct-to-Netflix thriller that relies on one-shot action scenes, Hemsworth had to take things to the next level.

While the movie might have been a departure from Hemsworth’s usual fare, it was a chance for him to showcase his skill as an action star. And it was a success, with the film reaching 99 million homes in its first month of release and becoming a Netflix sensation.

The Winter Soldier

A light touch and a sense of humor have served Hemsworth well in his career. He’s been a solid supporting player in movies like Rush and a menacing hitchhiker in A Perfect Getaway before landing the lead as the God of Thunder in Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 reboot. The film helped Hemsworth reclaim his status as one of Hollywood’s most dependable action stars.

Hemsworth’s biggest non-MCU role since then has been the gritty 2022 action movie Extraction. The film, directed by Sam Hargrave, is a showcase for Hemsworth’s ability to play more than just a muscular superhero. He’s also able to carry a dramatic scene and make you care about the characters he plays.