Audiences love Peter Dinklage for his complex characters, emotional acting, and great sense of humor. He is well-known for his award-winning performance in Game of Thrones, but the star has proven his talent in a variety of smaller roles across television, theater, and cinema. Dinklage started his career in 1991 with a degree in drama from Bennington college, later performing in numerous plays like "The Killing Act," Imperfect Love," and "Richard III."
Dinklage struggled to find acting work due to his dwarfism and worked numerous non-acting jobs including one as a data processor for six years. According to Insider, even as a struggling artist, Dinklage refused discriminatory roles that cast him as an elf or leprechaun. He finally received some of the attention he deserved in his first film Living in Oblivion. Since then, Dinklage has worked his way into the spotlight, winning the hearts of critics and audiences everywhere. With romcom She Came to Me and superhero reboot Toxic Avenger in the pipeline for 2023, now seems like a good time to look back on some of the best movies in Peter Dinklage's career.
Updated on August 28th, 2023, by Callum Jones: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
15 Knights of Badassdom (2013)
Horror comedy, Knights of Badassdom, is a far better film than it has any right to be. It's also a movie where Dinklage gets to properly show of his comedic abilities. The story revolves around Joe (Ryan Kwanten), who unknowingly summons a demon that resembles his ex-girlfriend when he joins his friends in participating in some live action role play.
Dinklage plays Joe's friend, a LARPer named Hung, who takes drugs, listens to metal music, and who gets a few badass moments. Knights of Badassdom is broad, dumb, and immature, but it's also very funny. That's largely thanks to Dinklage who seems to be having the time of his life parodying the very genre that made him famous.
14 Little Fugitive (2006)
A remake of the 1953 film of the same name, 2006's Little Fugitive tells the story of 7-year-old Joey (David Castro) who, with his father in jail and his mother working long shifts, is watched over by his 11-year-old brother Lenny (Nicolas Marti Salgado).
One day, he goes on an adventure by himself to Coney Island. Dinklage plays Sam, the father of the two boys. Though it's only a small role, Dinklage still puts in a powerful performance that gives the film a lot of heart.
13 I Think We're Alone Now (2018)
In post-apocalyptic drama, I Think We're Alone Now, Dinklage plays Del, a reclusive man who finds himself as the last surviving member of the human race after a pandemic wiped out everyone else. That is, until he comes across Grace (played by Elle Fanning), a needy and erratic young woman who quickly becomes attached to Del.
Though, at first, Del is put off by Grace, he eventually becomes used to her companionship and develops romantic feelings for her. The film as a whole is pretty solid, but it's certainly elevated by Dinklage's subtle performance as a man used to his own company. Plus his chemistry with Fanning is great.
12 Death at a Funeral (2007/2010)
Peter Dinklage was so excellent in the original 2007 British film that he was the only actor to be recast in the 2010 American remake of Death at a Funeral. In both hilarious films, a family learns incriminating information about their father after his death.
Frank (Peter Dinklage) adds shocking photos to the mix during his appearance at the funeral. What this film lacks in depth, it makes up for with a great ensemble cast and Dinklage's sidesplitting performance.
11 My Dinner with Hervé (2018)
In the 2018 HBO movie My Dinner with Hervé, Hervé Villechaize (Peter Dinklage) strikes up an unlikely friendship with struggling journalist Danny Tate (Jamie Dornan) after a wild night on the town.
Based on the real life American-French actor Herve Villenchaize, from Fantasy Island, this movie dives into the pressure and cost that comes with fame.Dinklage has stellar ability to play a man with layers, depicting his character as both vicious and lonely; he makes the film not only fun to watch but also a thought-provoking conversation starter.
10 American Dreamer (2022)
2022's American Dreamer sees Dinklage playing Dr. Phil Loder, a Harvard professor and dreamer, who has always wanted to own his own property. The perfect opportunity to do so presents itself when an elderly widow named Astrid (Shirley Maclaine) gives her multi-million dollar home to Phil for almost nothing.
All seems bright and rosy for Phil, that is, until he learns about the major caveat; that he act as Astrid's carer. American Dreamer is gloriously witty, darkly comedic, and oddly surreal, and a great showcase for Dinklage's talents. The actor excels as a man whose grasp on reality is loose to say the least.
9 I Care a Lot (2020)
Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) successfully hustles the elderly by becoming their legal guardian and claiming their assets. After Marla hustles the mother of an infamous crime lord, she goes toe to toe with Roman Lunyov (a truly badass Peter Dinklage) and embarks on her biggest and most dangerous scheme yet.
With the excellent acting that viewers have become accustomed to seeing from both these stars, I Care a Lot draws audiences into a thrilling crime story, although this film's dark tastes are not agreeable to everyone.
8 Elf (2003)
The Christmas classic Elf brings the family together every year, with Will Ferrell's performance as Buddy the Elf kindling holiday cheer in the hearts of both old and young. Dinklage may not get much screen time in this movie, but he does bring a lot of laughs.
Buddy the Elf, a man who grew up at the North Pole, mistakes Miles Finch (Peter Dicklage) for a fellow elf. Miles doesn't take the jab at his height well, and he stands up for himself in a comedic fight scene which is as much social commentary as it is hilarious.
7 Penelope (2006)
In this modern twist on a classic fairy tale, Peter Dinklage wryly plays Lemon, a one-eyed reporter. After learning that the Wilhern's daughter has the nose of a pig, he dedicates his career to exposing their big secret.
Mark Palansky directed Penelope, which also starred Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Richard E. Grant, and Reese Witherspoon. The film is sure to satisfy the romantic or anyone who wants to feel warm and fuzzy with its charming characters and heartwarming plot twists.
6 Find Me Guilty (2006)
Jackie Dinorcio (Vin Diesel), a criminal representing himself in court, faces off against Ben Klandis (Peter Dinklage), an experienced prosecuter, in this movie based on the longest Mafia trial in American history.
Vin Diesel shines in Find Me Guilty as good-humored gangster in contrast to the roles he usually plays. While his performance will be sure to make you laugh, it would be nothing without Dincklage's potrayal of the antagonist.
5 X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
X-Men: Days of Future Past is a fan favorite which some call the most successful X-Men movie. It's no surprise that Dinklage was a part of earning the freshest Rotten Tomoatoes rating of any other X-Men movie.
When the mutant wars threaten mass extinction, Logan (Hugh Jackman) travels back in time to stop the war and a mad scientist (Peter Dinklage) who is experimenting on mutants. While Dinklage's character is despicable and loathsome, audiences can't help but love his performance and the zeal which he gives it.
4 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
In this critically acclaimed film, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) puts up three antagonistic billboards in protest of her daughter's unsolved case. Mildred's boldness makes many enemies, but James (Peter Dincklage), a kind romantic, helps her out of a tight spot.
In 2017, the Academy Awards nominated this film for seven different awards including Best Picture, while Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. Dinklage is one of the warmest, most humane characters in the entire film, though.
3 The Station Agent (2003)
In one of his earliest films and rare leading roles, Peter Dinklage stars as Finbar McBride, a man who relocates after his boss dies and leaves McBride a railroad station in New Jersey. It's a heartwarming story pulled off by the brilliance of the actors, including Patricia Clarkson and Bobby Cannavale.
The Sation Agent debuted at the 2003 Sundace Film Fesitval and went on to win both the Audince Award and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. This little movie with a $500,000 dollar budget went on to make $8.7 million, and Dinklage deserves all the praise he received for his affecting, melancholic performance.
2 Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War broke box office records for good reason-- packed full of action, despair, and comedy, it has something for the whole family. Dinklage brings emotion and complexity to his brief but pivotal role as Eitri the giant dwarf.
We meet Eitri shortly after Thanos criples his people. Seeing Dinklage navigate the aftermath of a visit from Thanos pulls at the heartstrings and raises the stakes before the final battle. With all of the heart that went into this scene, it's a good thing Marvel is considering brining Dinklage back for an encore performance.
1 Cyrano (2021)
Joe Wright's romantic musical, Cyrano, received almost universal acclaim when it was first released in 2021 and went on to be nominated for a string of awards. A retelling of the play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, the film follows the titular character (played by Dinklage), a dwarf with unrequited feelings for his childhood friend, Roxanne.
Upon learning that Roxanne's love interest, Christian, is unable to express his feelings, Cyrano writes love letters to Roxanne on Christian's behalf. Cyrano is a beautiful film and, though his singing voice may not be the best, Dinklage more than commits to the role, delivering an impressive and touching central performance worthy of awards.