You know that feeling when you realize a "pretty boy" actor is actually a total chameleon? That's Jude Law. For years, people just saw the chin and the hair and assumed he was another Hollywood heartthrob. But if you actually look at the full list of jude law movies and tv shows, you’ll find a guy who’s spent thirty years trying to outrun his own face.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild. He’s played everything from a robotic gigolo to a chain-smoking Pope. And right now, in early 2026, he’s hitting a weird, brilliant peak that nobody saw coming when he was staring intensely at the camera in Alfie.
The Shape-Shifter Era: From Dumbledore to Putin
If you’ve been keeping up with the news lately, you know he just dropped The Wizard of the Kremlin in theaters this January. It’s a massive swing. He plays a young Vladimir Putin. Yeah, you read that right. He went from the magical whimsy of Albus Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts movies to playing one of the most controversial political figures in modern history.
Reviews from the 2025 Venice Film Festival were basically obsessed with the transformation. He wore a wig, sure, but it was the stillness that creeped people out. It’s a far cry from his role in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, where he was basically a space-dad for a bunch of lost kids.
That’s the thing about Jude Law. He doesn't just "do" a genre. He colonizes it and then moves on.
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Recent Hits You Might’ve Missed
- The Order (2024): He plays Terry Husk, a weathered FBI agent taking on a white supremacist group. It’s gritty, gray, and honestly one of his best dramatic turns.
- Eden (2025): A survival thriller where he stars alongside Sydney Sweeney and Ana de Armas. It’s messy and intense.
- Firebrand (2024): He played Henry VIII, but not the sexy version. He played the "rotting legs and murderous temper" version.
Why The Talented Mr. Ripley Still Matters
We can't talk about jude law movies and tv shows without going back to 1999. Dickie Greenleaf. That’s the role that changed everything. Before The Talented Mr. Ripley, he was just another British actor. After it, he was a star.
There’s a specific kind of magnetism he had in that movie. You didn’t just want to be him; you wanted to be near him. It’s the role that defined the first decade of his career, but it also became a bit of a golden cage. He spent years trying to prove he wasn't just Dickie.
He took roles in Gattaca (where he's a paralyzed former elite) and A.I. Artificial Intelligence (as Gigolo Joe) just to show he could do the "uncanny valley" thing. He’s always been better when he’s playing someone slightly "off."
The TV Renaissance: The Young Pope and Beyond
Ten years ago, movie stars didn't really do TV unless their careers were dying. Jude Law did it because he wanted to play a Pope who drinks Cherry Coke Zero and wears tracksuits.
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The Young Pope and The New Pope are basically fever dreams directed by Paolo Sorrentino. They’re gorgeous, weird, and deeply sacrilegious in the most beautiful way possible. It proved that Law could carry a ten-hour narrative just as easily as a two-hour blockbuster.
And now? He’s doubling down on the small screen.
Upcoming TV Projects
- Black Rabbit: He’s starring with Jason Bateman in this Netflix series. It’s about the NYC nightlife scene, and Law is also executive producing. It’s already getting Golden Globe buzz for the 2026 season.
- Wild Things: This is the one everyone’s talking about. He’s playing Siegfried (of Siegfried & Roy) alongside Andrew Garfield’s Roy. The set photos of him in those 80s Vegas costumes are... well, they’re something.
The Sherlock Holmes 3 Question
Look, we have to address the elephant in the room. Where is Sherlock Holmes 3?
The chemistry between Jude Law’s Dr. Watson and Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock is legendary. It’s probably the best "bromance" in modern cinema. While it’s been in "development hell" for over a decade, both actors keep insisting it’s going to happen. With RDJ back in the cultural zeitgeist in a big way, 2026 feels like the year they might finally get the cameras rolling.
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Fans aren't just looking for another action movie. They’re looking for that specific banter. Law’s Watson wasn't a bumbling sidekick; he was a war vet who was just as capable as Holmes. That’s what made it work.
How to Watch the Best of Jude Law
If you’re trying to navigate the massive library of jude law movies and tv shows, don't just go for the big hits. Some of his best work is in the fringes.
- For the Romantic: The Holiday. It’s a classic for a reason. He’s "Graham," the guy with the glasses and the "tent" in the living room. It’s peak cozy.
- For the Thrill-Seeker: Road to Perdition. He plays a creepy crime scene photographer who doubles as a hitman. He’s genuinely terrifying.
- For the Sci-Fi Nerd: Contagion. It’s a little too real after the 2020s, but his performance as a conspiracy-theory-peddling blogger is terrifyingly accurate.
- For the Art-House Fan: The Nest. A slow-burn drama about a family falling apart in an English manor. It’s quiet, tense, and brilliant.
What’s Next for the Actor?
He’s 53 now. In recent interviews, he’s mentioned how much he enjoys aging. He likes that he’s no longer expected to be the "golden boy." He can be the villain. He can be the weirdo. He can be the aging dictator.
The next few years are going to be defined by his work behind the camera as much as in front of it. His production company, Riff Raff Entertainment, is getting more involved in high-stakes prestige TV.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on The Wizard of the Kremlin as it rolls out globally this spring. It’s likely to be his big play for the awards circuit.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you haven't seen The Young Pope yet, start there. It’s the bridge between his "movie star" past and his "prestige actor" present. After that, check out The Order on streaming to see how he's handling grittier, more grounded roles as he moves into this veteran phase of his career.