10 best Theo James movies and TV shows, ranked

Theo James is an English actor who became popular for his role as Tobias Eaton in the film trilogy The Divergent Series. In TV shows, he starred in the romance series The Time Traveler's Wife, the dark comedy series The White Lotus, and the short-lived CBS drama series Golden Boy. These TV shows garnered him a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award.

Theo James has established himself as a versatile performer in movies and TV shows. His captivating poise, expressive depth, and wide range have made him a global sensation. He has transitioned from romantic leading roles to dark villains, and it’s clear how effortlessly he can switch between charm and intensity.

The list that follows examines some of the greatest Theo James movies and TV shows, emphasizing the scenes in which his performances were most noteworthy. His roles in crime action series, science fiction thrillers, and historical dramas each showcased a different aspect of him. His work was consistently praised by reviewers and audiences, making him a dynamic performer in modern movies and TV shows.

Disclaimer: This article is solely the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

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The list of 10 best Theo James movies and TV shows (ranked) is explained below:

10. The White Lotus Season 2 (2022)

In The White Lotus season 2 (HBO), Theo James plays Cameron Sullivan, an over-confident Silicon Valley businessman who is very wealthy. The display in Theo James’ movies and TV shows is quite a contrast to his previous, more heroic characters, as Cameron is overbearing, psychotically erratic, and irresistibly charismatic.

One shot that captivated fans is a scene in episode 1 where Cameron strips naked in the presence of Aubrey Plaza's character to borrow a pair of swim trunks. Fans were surprised by this daring and harsh scene. However, it is a different time when, seducing his wife, he smirks, looks, and makes some primordial noises. Cameron will always be remembered because of that performance.

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9. X-Men '97 (2024)

In the animated X-Men '97 on Disney+, Theo James plays a dreadful human-Sentinel hybrid, Bastion. The character makes up Operation: Zero Tolerance. This is one of the creepiest roles of Theo James, probably in his entire movie and television career so far, with his cold, leisurely delivery concealing a coldly calculated murderous intent.

The scene that hooked the fans is the one in the barbershop set during the Bright Eyes, Bastion is playing a pop song of the previous era, he sheds Magneto with icy cold sharpness before saying the icy cold line,

“Softens follicles…once I have to get to work,” which sent shivers through the fandom.

One viewer said,

“Theo James is absolutely slaying… silky smooth… bone‑chilling,” with one calling him "S-tier villain."

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8. Sanditon (2019-2023)

In Theo James' movies and TV shows, his portrayal of Sidney Parker in Sanditon is particularly noteworthy. Sidney is an arrogant, cutting-worded man divided between obligation and emotion. A scene that people like most in this series is in episode 2, where he swims naked in the sea and throws Charlotte off guard. It is an allusion to well-known Austen situations, and this brotherly frankness and gaiety are very apparent in Sidney. It gets dubbed by fans as sensual and sizzling.

Another scene that made people's hearts melt was Sidney and Charlotte dancing in a passionate, side-by-side manner. Their shy kissing, joking, and taking strides forward revealed Sidney's vulnerability. Theo James revealed how closely the characters were connected in these scenarios.

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7. The Time Traveler's Wife (2022)

Among Theo James' movies and TV shows, his portrayal as Henry DeTamble in The Time Traveler's Wife was particularly poignant. Henry is an uncontrollably erratic librarian who jumps around in time. The scene in episode 2 where Henry revisits the occasion of his mother's death is a remarkable one. Theo has to play against himself in the role of younger and older Henry. Viewers cry as he discloses the horror to Clare genuinely and emotionally. Reddit enthusiasts posted,

“Theo makes an amazing Henry… I cried a lot.”

The other dramatic moment is when Henry appears naked as a result of time traveling. These vulnerable moments highlight his fear and humanity. The crowd was deeply moved by Theo James's tough and emotionally charged performance.

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6. Mr. Malcom's List (2022)

Mr. Malcom's List is a Regency-era romance in which Theo plays the endearing military veteran Captain Henry Ossory. He enriches a world of social intrigues with wit, charm, and fiery felicity. Fans were fond of one scene, especially when he teases Julia Thistlewaite by teaching cricket to Selina.

As their jokes develop into mutual smiles and looks, you sense a connection between Julia and Theo's characters. He made a sincere declaration of love later in the movie, speaking softly and with rooted eyes. This encounter made Henry's emotional disposition and sensitivity clear. Fans would never forget him as a truly romantic protagonist because of this movie, which made them faint.

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5. Golden Boy (2013)

Theo James played a young, aspirational police detective named Walter William Clark Jr. in Golden Boy. Theo portrays both the ambitious rookie and the seasoned Police Commissioner in flash-forward sequences. The highlight of the pilot episode is that Walter rescues his colleague out of a life-threatening situation during a homicide case.

You can see his boldness, brutal hunger, and the desire to defend. The flash-forward technique points to the burden he is going to bear. Theo’s nuanced acting seamlessly shifts from brilliance to haunting introspection, demonstrated early on how far Walter was destined to regress. His subtle naturalistic performance of a man who contends with ambition and the price of ambition attracted viewers.

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4. The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015)

Theo James portrays Tobias Eaton, a Dauntless warrior who is both sympathetic and strong in The Divergent Series: Insurgent. Fans were particularly impressed by the scene where Tobias helps Tris in a tight simulation room. They experience a fiery house of her past. Theo feels concerned and looks at her with concern, with some explanation to hold her back from the blaze.

The scene has some reality, and it is uncooked. His blend of toughness and groovy gentleness appealed to people. From the audience's point of view, Tobias was a defender rather than merely a combatant. That was the point where he demonstrated his ability to combine force with emotion.

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3. Archive (2020)

Theo James plays George Almore, a scientist creating a robot that is a replica of his deceased wife in Archive. The viewers were particularly interested in the sequence at the end of the film where George's prototype malfunctioned. The consequences of his dream of getting back his love come to an end on stage. Theo is left standing still with his hope giving way to heartbreak. In his face and voice, you can feel his sorrow—silent but electric.

That scene demonstrated his capability to hold a lot of emotion. Fans claim that his eyes, with all of the loves and pains, speak loudest. It was a beautiful and painful scene that many people remembered even after watching the movie.

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2. Gentlemen (2024)

Theo James plays Eddie Horniman, the 13th Duke of Halstead, and a former army captain in Gentlemen. Although he remains calm, Eddie is strong when threats arise. Eddie's fight against a terrible threat in his family's land is one of the episodes that viewers will remember the most. He stops the onslaught, straightens his posture, and speaks without faltering.

The fans referred to Theo as a show-stealer at that point. His silent bravery made the viewers optimistic and faith in Eddie. He revealed his ability to command and fight with composure. The incident stunned fans, who began to respect his quiet, strong hero side.

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1. Monkey (2025)

In Monkey, Theo James is an adult twin, Hal and Bill Shelburn, who come to terms with a haunted toy monkey. The duet of his acting was very natural and impressive. The scene where the two brothers reconcile with the monkey in their former home is one scene that the fans enjoyed. Theo alternates effortlessly between Bill's intense rage and Hal's thoughtful worries. You can feel the tension building up between them since they talk and move differently.

In the same breath, viewers found Theo to be both frightening and hilarious. At that point, he displayed both his lovely and cruel sides. He made the twins feel like two pieces of the same soul, according to fans who are still talking about it.

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It is concluded that Theo James delivered multi-layered performances that excited viewers, whether as a time-traveling husband, a haunted scientist, or a noble duke. His strong effort to balance vulnerability and strength enhanced the impression his characters made. The aforementioned list of roles allowed fans to see not only skill but also the emotional truthfulness that his eyes conveyed, much more than words ever could.

Each of these roles demonstrated his evolution as a performer from Monkey to The Gentlemen. By the conclusion of this exploration of Theo James's movies and TV shows, it became clear that he was more than just a good-looking man; rather, he was a genuinely skilled actor with extraordinary narrative abilities.