If you have watched a great movie in the last few years, there is a very high chance you saw Harris Dickinson. The East London native has quietly become one of the most exciting, shape-shifting actors of his generation. He can play a goofy male model, a tragic professional wrestler, or a sweet indie dad, and make you believe every single one of them.
Dickinson is entering his thirties at the absolute peak of his creative powers. Right now, he is in the middle of one of the biggest acting challenges in Hollywood history: playing music legend John Lennon in Sam Mendes’s upcoming four-film Beatles biopic event.
To celebrate his milestone birthday, let’s look at how he got here by ranking his 5 best roles so far, and preview what is coming next in his journey to the 1960s.
The Ultimate Dream Gig: Becoming John Lennon
Before we look back, we have to look forward. Dickinson is currently hard at work filming The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, which is scheduled to hit theaters simultaneously in April 2028.
The project is wild and historic: director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, with each one told from the point of view of a different band member. Dickinson won the highly competitive role of John Lennon, starring alongside Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.
In a recent interview, Dickinson admitted that putting on the iconic round glasses and adopting Lennon’s sharp wit was a bit scary. “It’s intimidating, but it’s enriching,” he shared. “It’s like an opportunity to delve into something incredibly complex.” Fans who have seen early photos from the UK film sets are already raving about how perfectly he fits the 1960s look.
5. Frankie in Beach Rats (2017)
This is the tiny indie movie that started it all. At just 20 years old, Dickinson gave a stunning, quiet performance as a Brooklyn teenager struggling to figure out his identity over a hot summer. He was so convincing with his thick New York accent that many industry insiders were shocked to discover he was actually a young man from London. It earned him major award nominations and proved he had serious dramatic weight.
4. Jason in Scrapper (2023)
In this bright, lovely British comedy-drama, Dickinson completely changed his style to play Jason, a clueless 30-something dad who secretly climbs over a fence to reconnect with his estranged 12-year-old daughter. Bleaching his hair blonde and wearing tracksuits, he brought a wonderful, funny charm to a character who is trying his best to grow up and be a good parent.
3. David Von Erich in The Iron Claw (2023)
To play a real-life member of the legendary, tragic Von Erich professional wrestling family, Dickinson had to undergo a massive physical transformation. Eating thousands of calories and training in the ring for months, he captured the bright, infectious energy of David Von Erich. His heartbreaking chemistry with co-stars Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White gave the heavy emotional drama its true soul.
2. Samuel in Babygirl (2024)
Working with a giant star like Nicole Kidman can be scary for a young actor, but Dickinson completely rose to the occasion in this highly talked-about A24 thriller. Playing a confident corporate intern who starts a secret, high-stakes relationship with his big-boss CEO, he balanced charm, danger, and vulnerability perfectly. The film was a massive hit with audiences and showed he was ready for elite Hollywood roles.
1. Carl in Triangle of Sadness (2022)
There was simply no other choice for the number-one spot. This wild, brilliant comedy won the famous Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and introduced Dickinson to mainstream global audiences.
Playing Carl, a slightly dim-witted male model trapped on a luxury cruise ship with ultra-rich passengers, Dickinson gave a masterclass in comedic acting. From a hilarious early scene arguing over who should pay a restaurant bill to surviving a shipwreck on a deserted island, his performance was incredibly funny, relatable, and human. It proved without a doubt that he has the star power to lead a major global hit.
