Tom Holland Reveals His Five Favourite Films—You Won’t Believe His Top Pick!

Tom Holland, the British actor best known for his portrayal of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently opened up about his personal taste in cinema. While fans adore his on-screen heroics, Holland’s own movie inspirations run the gamut from psychological thrillers to epic blockbusters, demonstrating his eclectic love for film. In a conversation with Rotten Tomatoes, Holland named five movies that have left a lasting impact on him—each reflecting a different genre and aspect of filmmaking that he admires.

1. Primal Fear (1996, Gregory Hoblit)
Holland’s list kicks off with the courtroom thriller Primal Fear, starring Richard Gere and Edward Norton in what was Norton’s breakout role. Holland noted that Norton’s astonishing debut performance set a benchmark for the kind of layered, compelling character work he aspires to achieve in his own career. “It’s a performance that I always have aspired to kind of recreate,” he said, “not in a sense of recreate that character, but create a character on a similar sort of level that Edward Norton did.”

2. The Departed (2006, Martin Scorsese)
Next on Holland’s list is Martin Scorsese’s gritty crime masterpiece The Departed, a modern gangster classic that showcases an all-star cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson. Holland, a self-proclaimed admirer of both DiCaprio and Damon, praised the film’s intricate storyline and top-tier performances, calling it “fantastic” and “so interesting and intricate.”

3. Avatar (2009, James Cameron)
Stepping into the realm of epic science fiction, Holland chose Avatar, the visually groundbreaking film by James Cameron. Holland fondly recalled being captivated by the immersive world of Pandora when he first watched it during his teenage years. “I was so in awe of that movie,” he said, adding that the film’s stunning visuals and imaginative storytelling left a profound impression.

4. Saving Private Ryan (1998, Steven Spielberg)
Holland’s fourth pick is Steven Spielberg’s war epic Saving Private Ryan, a film widely regarded as one of the most impactful portrayals of World War II. He described it as “an amazing movie” and commended its realism, emotional depth, and expert craftsmanship. “So truthful, so delicately made,” Holland said. “Just one of the all around best movies, I think, of all time.”

5. My Cousin Vinny (1992, Jonathan Lynn)
Rounding out his list is the classic courtroom comedy My Cousin Vinny, starring Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei. Holland praised the film’s humor and performances, calling it “one of the funniest movies of all time.” He also gave a special nod to Tomei, who also plays Aunt May in the Spider-Man series, describing her as a personal favorite.

Tom Holland’s Five Favorite Films:

• Primal Fear (1996, Gregory Hoblit)

• The Departed (2006, Martin Scorsese)

• Avatar (2009, James Cameron)

• Saving Private Ryan (1998, Steven Spielberg)

• My Cousin Vinny (1992, Jonathan Lynn)

From gripping psychological drama to groundbreaking sci-fi and classic comedy, Holland’s top five choices reflect his broad appreciation for different styles and eras of filmmaking. These films not only highlight some of his personal influences but also offer a glimpse into the creative mind of one of Hollywood’s rising stars.