Since the early days of the 21st century, Dev Patel has become and remained one of the best living actors and one who is more than capable of handling himself in everything from comedies to thrillers to emotional dramas based on true stories. From television to film, Patel has dazzled audiences around the world with his charm, charisma, and outstanding acting chops.
Below is a rundown of the best Dev Patel movies and TV shows from throughout his career as well as everywhere you can rent and buy them digitally or physically and streaming. With a list that includes some great Wes Anderson movies and one of the best films of the 2000s, there’s a lot to unpack here.
The Green Knight (2021)
David Lowery’s The Green Knight, an adaptation of the epic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, was one of the most fascinating movies of 2021, as well as one that featured a tremendous performance by Dev Patel. The actor’s take on Gawain, the less-than-noble nephew of King Arthur who tests his courage in a journey to face the Green Knight, is impressive, to say the least.
From Gawain’s first interaction with Ralph Ineson’s legendary figure to his final confrontation at the Green Knight’s forest chapel for the ultimate test of bravery, Patel plays the role masterfully and provides one of the best retellings of an Arthurian legend to date.
Stream The Green Knight on Prime Video.
Rent/Buy The Green Knight on Amazon.
The Wonderful World Of Henry Sugar (2023)
Why it took so long for Dev Patel to be featured in a Wes Anderson movie is anyone’s guess, but the actor and director made up for lost time with their 2023 Netflix movie, The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar. This 39-minute short film, which features a handful of Anderson’s frequent collaborators, as well as new additions to his roster, takes one of Roald Dahl’s more peculiar stories and transforms it into an experience like no other.
Though the short centers on Benedict Cumberbatch’s titular character and his quest to learn how to see without using his eyes to get an upper hand at gambling, it’s Patel’s portrayal of Dr. Chatterjee and John Winsont, particularly his cadence during various monologues, that steals the show. The confidence and speed of Patel’s delivery is something to behold and almost intoxicating.
Stream The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar on Netflix.
Poison (2023)
In addition to appearing in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Dav Patel also had a meaningful role in Wes Anderson’s 2023 short film, Poison, again an adaptation of a Roald Dahl story. In this quirky and incredibly detailed short, Patel takes on the role of a man named Woods who attempts to save a companion named Harry (Benedict Cumberbatch), who claims to have been bitten by a poisonous snake.
Patel’s narration, and the way he works within the construct of a Wes Anderson production, carries the short film and again brings up the question as to why it took so long for these two to work together. It’s short, sweet, and brilliant.
I Lost My Body (2019)
Jérémy Clapin’s 2019 animated film, I Lost My Body, follows a severed hand as it embarks upon a perilous journey to find and reunite with the rest of its body. That body, which belongs to a man named Naoufel, is voiced by Dev Patel in the English dub of this French production, another riveting and transfixing performance by the talented actor.
Though the film lost to Toy Story 4 in the Best Animated Feature category at the 92nd Academy Awards, it’s very much an imaginative and ambitious experience that is more than deserving of any praise it received. The voice performances, combined with the exceptional animation and moving story, make this a must-watch.
Stream I Lost My Body on Netflix.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Danny Boyle’s 2008 Best Picture winner, Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), a Mumbai teenager who finds himself on his country’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. When accused of cheating on national television, Jamal begins to reflect on the decisions and life events that led up to this moment.
Winner of eight (out of ten) Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Slumdog Millionaire is anchored by Dev Patel’s star-making performance of a young man who finds himself in a position that defies explanation. And while Patel wasn’t nominated for an Oscar, he did receive a great deal of other accolades and praise for his performance.
Rent/Buy Slumdog Millionaire on Amazon.
Buy Slumdog Millionaire on Blu-ray on Amazon.
Lion (2016)
Garth Davis’ 2016 biographical drama Lion sees Dev Patel take on the role of Saroo Brierley, who at 5 years old, got separated from his brother on a train that ended up taking him thousands of miles across India. Years after being adopted by John (David Wenham) and Sue Brierley (Nicole Kidman in one of her best movies), a fully-grown Saroo traces his steps through Google Earth and sets out to find his family after all this time.
At times heartbreaking and others inspirational, Lion is a movie that will have you on the edge of your seat with one hand on a box of tissues. In a movie that is filled with great actors like Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara, Dev Patel is in a league of his own as a man determined to reconnect with his mother and brother. It’s easy to see why Patel was nominated for so many awards, including an Oscar, for his emotional performance.
Stream Lion on Pluto.
Stream Lion on Tubi.
Rent/Buy Lion on Amazon.
Buy Lion on Blu-ray on Amazon.
The Newsroom (2012-2014)
As the title implies, Aaron Sorkin’s HBO drama The Newsroom spends three seasons with the anchors, producers, and researchers of the fictional ACN 24-hour news channel and how its major players deal with some of the bigger moments of the early 21st Century.
Possibly one of the best collections of actors ever assembled for a show about a media outlet, The Newsroom cast is full of great actors from top to bottom. And while Jeff Daniels and Emily Mortimer receive the lion’s share of the praise, it’s Dev Patel’s Neal Sampat who steals the show. Often the moral center of the show’s major storylines, Neal consistently challenged the status quo and helped his employees open their eyes and hearts to new ideas and beliefs.
Stream The Newsroom on Max.
Buy The Newsroom on Amazon.
Buy The Newsroom on Blu-ray on Amazon.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
Directed by John Madden, the 2012 British comedy The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a group of retirees played by Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Bill Nighy who find themselves questioning their decision to spend their golden years in India after their luxurious retirement facility is anything but luxurious or peaceful. Looking to make the most of the situation, the group enlists the services of Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) who finds himself in over his head like the rest of them.
If anything, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is an unofficial test for Dev Patel as it sees him stand toe-to-toe with some of the most talented and prolific actors of all time, especially his scenes with Maggie Smith. While it touches on some serious issues, the movie has a joyful and vibrant tone that makes it the perfect movie to revisit time and time again.
Rent/Buy Best Marigold Hotel on Amazon.
Buy Best Marigold Hotel on Blu-ray on Amazon.
The Personal History Of David Copperfield (2020)
Based on one of Charles Dickens’ most beloved books and characters, Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History of David Copperfield follows the iconic literary figure on a series of exciting and fun adventures set in Victorian Era England.
Nominated for multiple awards, including Golden Globe consideration for Dev Patel’s portrayal of David Copperfield, the movie has a remarkably upbeat and optimistic tone, one that is honestly a breath of fresh air. It would be easy for an actor to get lost in the shuffle considering who’s on screen with them — Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Ben Whishaw — but here comes Patel with his youthful demeanor and scene-stealing charisma at every turn.
Stream The Personal History Of David Copperfield on Hulu.
Buy The Personal History Of David Copperfield on Amazon.
Buy The Personal History Of David Copperfield on Blu-ray on Amazon.
Modern Love (2019)
Based on the New York Times column of the same name, the 2019 Amazon anthology series Modern Love features a collection of different stories of love, heartbreak, new beginnings, and the next chapter for various residents living and loving in New York City.
The episode titled “When Cupid Is a Prying Journalist” tells the story of Joshua (Dev Patel, who was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award), the founder of a dating app whose interview with a reporter by the name of Julie (Catherine Keener) quickly turns to his personal history with finding love. Modern Love is a must-watch for anyone looking for something to watch after going through the best movies on Amazon Prime.
Hotel Mumbai (2018)
Anthony Maras’ 2018 action thriller Hotel Mumbai, which is based on the 2008 terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of 175 people and injured hundreds more, tells the story of the staff and guests at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel as the building is under siege by a group of armed combatants. What follows is a deadly, intense, and emotional fight for survival even in the face of certain death.
Dev Patel’s portrayal of a man who can remain calm in a situation as dire as a terrorist attack is truly something to behold and should be talked about more. Although not as noteworthy as some of his other performances, Patel’s ability to pull off a range of emotions all while being resilient at every turn is something else.
Rent/Buy Hotel Mumbai on Amazon.
Buy Hotel Mumbai on Blu-ray on Amazon.
The Man Who Knew Infinity (2016)
Directed by Matthew Brown, The Man Who Knew Infinity follows self-taught mathematics genius Srinivasa Ramanujan (Dev Patel) as he battles higher education, racism, and a devastating illness to become one of the most well-respected mathematicians of all time.
It’s hard to not like Dev Patel in any performance and that’s especially the case in The Man Who Knew Infinity. With a balance of brains, charisma, and determination, Patel’s portrayal of one of the giants of the math world is enough to turn this into one of the best biopics of our time.
Stream The Man Who Knew Infinity on AMC+.
Stream The Man Who Knew Infinity on Tubi.
Rent/Buy The Man Who Knew Infinity on Amazon.
Buy The Man Who Knew Infinity on DVD on Amazon.
Skins (2007-2008)
And then there is Skins (the original British version, not the American remake) which featured Dev Patel in his first on-screen role. During the teen drama’s first two seasons, Patel appeared in the Skins cast as Anwar Kharral, a Pakistani Muslim who does everything his religion forbids including engaging in premarital sex, recreational drug use, and eating pork.
Anyone who wants to see where Dev Patel came from in terms of acting should definitely check out Skins as it shows off the actor’s charm and acting abilities at such a young age.
The list of the best Dev Patel movies and TV shows will certainly only get longer and longer as the years go by, especially with the actor having several projects in the works. And while we don’t yet know exactly when we’ll see Patel on the big screen (or on our TV sets), there are some promising 2024 TV shows and exciting upcoming movie releases that are worth checking out.
