Last updated on: October 30, 2025
You remember that feeling when an actor quietly slips into a film, you don’t really notice them at first, and then—boom—they just utterly steal the scene? That’s Lewis Pullman.
He’s not the boisterous figure on screen. He’s not necessarily the instant hero. But there’s something about how he performs his characters—smoky, multifaceted, and real—that makes you think of him long after the credits are over.
And here’s the catch: he’s just beginning. From tiny independent films to blockbuster billion-dollar films, Pullman has been putting in the work brick by brick. He’s not sprinting towards stardom—he’s crafting a road that feels smart, intentional, and refreshingly unique in Hollywood.
So today, let’s take a stroll through Lewis Pullman’s 7 best movies. These aren’t assorted credits on his résumé. They’re milestones that illustrate how he’s transitioned from “Bill Pullman’s son” to “one of the most promising up-and-comers of his generation.”
Who is Lewis Pullman?
If the surname is familiar, yes—you’re correct. Lewis Pullman is the offspring of Bill Pullman, the actor who provided Independence Day’s legendary “Today we celebrate our Independence Day” monologue. Big shoes to fill, huh?
But what I admire about Lewis is that he didn’t stroll into Hollywood insisting on star treatment. He began small. In fact, he initially pursued music before devoting himself completely to acting. That musical training accounts for much, actually. There’s a rhythm to his performances—soft beats, subtle crescendos, a natural rhythm that makes his characters authentic.
His critics tend to claim that Lewis adds a kind of “everyman vulnerability” to his characters. He’s the fellow who appears as though he might be your next-door neighbor or your best buddy, but when the camera pauses on him, you find there’s much more happening behind his eyes.
And that’s why his career is so interesting. He’s done horror, drama, indies, and now Marvel. He’s a chameleon. One film he’s the quiet hero in the background (Top Gun: Maverick), the next he’s the troubled soul with secrets lurking beneath (Bad Times at the El Royale).
This blend of versatility and truthfulness is what makes Lewis Pullman worth watching.
Lewis Pullman’s Top 7 Movies
1. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Let’s get real. If you went to see Top Gun: Maverick, chances are you left the theater thinking about “Bob.” Yes, that was Lewis Pullman.
He’s Lt. Robert “Bob” Floyd, the Weapons Systems Officer. On paper, that doesn’t sound glamorous compared to Tom Cruise pulling G-forces or Miles Teller sporting aviators. But Lewis made Bob indelible. Why? Because he committed to his character’s unassuming, reliable nature.
There is this one part in the movie’s major training sequences where Bob is teased for not having a call sign as cool as “Phoenix” or “Hangman.” But rather than trying to make it seem like he’s cool, Pullman just rolls with Bob’s low-key style. And that’s what made people fall in love with him. He wasn’t trying to be better than everyone else—he was just being Bob.
In a film packed with screeching jets and high-octane action, Pullman provided us with the soothing pulse. And that’s no easy task. Top Gun: Maverick transfigured him from “oh, that’s Bill Pullman’s son” to “oh wow, that’s Bob—he’s great.”
2. Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
If Top Gun got him known, Bad Times at the El Royale got him respected.
In this chic, noir-flavored thriller, Pullman stars as Miles Miller, the isolated concierge of a seedy hotel. At first glance, he appears timid, nearly forgettable. But as the tale unspools, so does Miles. You learn he’s got trauma, secrets, and auteur-esque longing for redemption.
There’s a certain scene—no spoilers, but let’s just say Lewis matches Jeff Bridges emotion to emotion, and he’s perfect. He doesn’t only hold his own with a legend; he’s good enough on his own.
I remember watching this movie and thinking: “Okay, this guy isn’t just great—he’s special.” Miles Miller might have been a disposable character, but Pullman made him the emotional center of the whole film.
It’s parts like these that distinguish great actors from good ones. And for Lewis Pullman, the break came with Bad Times at the El Royale.
3. Thunderbolts (2025)
And now, here’s where things get really interesting. Lewis Pullman is officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In Thunderbolts, he’ll be part of an antihero and reformed supervillain team. Marvel won’t say what his specific role is, but the fact that he’s in the team is significant. The MCU doesn’t simply assign roles at random—actors are picked because they have something to offer.
Consider this. Chris Pratt was primarily recognized as the goofy dude on Parks and Rec prior to Guardians of the Galaxy making him a superstar. Benedict Cumberbatch became a household name across the globe after Doctor Strange. Might Thunderbolts be that moment for Lewis Pullman? Absolutely.
We don’t know much about it yet, but one thing’s for sure: this is the film that will catapult his career from rising star to full-fledged A-lister.
4. Battle of the Sexes (2017)
Prior to the blockbusters, Pullman had smaller but significant roles. In Battle of the Sexes, he plays Larry King—not the late talk-show host, but husband of Billie Jean King.
The film itself revolves around Billie Jean (Emma Stone) and her historic tennis match against Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell). Pullman’s part isn’t showy, but it’s vital. He plays Larry as this brooding, supporting presence in Billie Jean’s life, even as she grapples with personal and professional demons.
It’s simple for secondary characters such as Larry to blend into the background, but Lewis brought him warmth and life. He wasn’t merely “the husband character”—he felt lived-in, multi-dimensional, and integral to the story.
This performance might not be the most-discussed of the fanbase, but it illustrates how Pullman has always excelled at bringing depth to characters that others might not give much thought to.
5. Lean on Pete (2017)
Now, let’s change gears and talk about indie film. Lean on Pete is one of those subtle, heartbreaking movies that lingers with you well after viewing. It is about Charley, an isolated teenager, who becomes attached to a decrepit racehorse.
Pullman is Del, a grizzled horse trainer who’s a bit rough around the edges. He’s practical, tough, and not the cuddly type. But from Pullman’s acting, you get glimpses of humanity within the rough exterior.
It’s the type of assignment that keeps reminding you Lewis isn’t adverse to smaller-scale projects. He doesn’t simply pursue blockbusters—he also leans toward tales that are intimate and true. If you’re the type who enjoys art-house movies that tug at your heartstrings, Lean on Pete is worth your while.
6. The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018)
If you’re into horror, you’ve probably stumbled across this one. The Strangers: Prey at Night is a sequel to the cult classic The Strangers. And yes—Lewis Pullman is right in the middle of it.
He portrays Luke, a member of the family that is being terrorized by masked murderers. Unlike most horror victims who simply scream and flee, Luke does stand up for himself. Pullman gave him drive and courage, making the audience root for him even more.
Was the film perfect? No—it received mixed reviews. But if you pay attention, you can see how Pullman raised what otherwise might’ve been a typical horror part. He added depth to it. And for an actor who was still establishing his niche in Hollywood at the time, that made all the difference.
7. Water Rises (2023)
Here’s a movie that didn’t receive as much mainstream buzz, but it’s definitely something to discuss. Water Rises is an environmental thriller of survival against the backdrop of global warming. It’s raw, intense, and emotionally taxing.
Pullman’s performance? Raw and earthy. You sense the desperation of every choice his character makes. What I respect most is that he opted for this project to begin with. It’s not a glittering blockbuster. It’s not assured box office gold. But it is significant. And it proves Pullman not afraid to use his platform to inform through stories.
In an era when climate change ranks among the world’s most urgent concerns, Water Rises gets close to the heart. And Pullman’s performance grounds the film in humanity.
Honorable Mentions
Of course, they’re not all his best work. Pullman can also be seen in Them That Follow (2019), a spooky religious thriller that truly pushed his dramatic abilities to the limit. And if you’re a television enthusiast, you may have seen him on Catch-22 (2019) or Amazon’s science fiction western Outer Range (2022). They’re all evidence that he’s as capable on TV as he is in theaters.
Why Lewis Pullman is Hollywood’s Next Big Star
Here’s the thing: Lewis Pullman’s ascension hasn’t been overnight. He hasn’t exploded from one blockbuster role and disappeared. Rather, he’s developed slowly, taking on a range of projects that highlight his abilities.
Consider it. He’s performed horror (The Strangers), sentimental indie dramas (Lean on Pete), high-style thrillers (Bad Times at the El Royale), and now big-budget action flicks (Top Gun: Maverick and Thunderbolts). That’s diversity.
What sets him apart, however, is how he acts his parts. He doesn’t exaggerate. He doesn’t attempt to “act.” He simply becomes the character so organically that you realize you’re not even looking at an actor anymore. That’s unusual.
If Marvel gives him the spotlight he’s rightfully due, there’s no doubt—Lewis Pullman might be the next household name everyone will be raving about.
Final Thoughts
Lewis Pullman is not only walking in his father’s shoes—talking about blazing his own path. From the hotbed of emotion in Bad Times at the El Royale, the billion-dollar rush of Top Gun: Maverick, and from independent classics such as Lean on Pete to Marvel country with Thunderbolts, his top 7 films reveal just why he’s a star in the making.
The takeaway? If you haven’t been keeping up with Lewis Pullman so far, now’s the time. Because in a few years, when everybody’s saying he’s one of the greats of his generation, you’ll be able to say: “I knew it all along.”
