Sir Anthony Hopkins is celebrating his 82nd birthday on December 31, 2019. On behalf of the LatestLY desk, we wish the reclusive but brilliant actor Many Many Happy Returns of the Day. The Oscar winner may be very choosy with the kind of roles he picks up these days, and is most popular among the kids for his role of Odin the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, true movie buff knows him best for playing one of the most mesmerising serial killers portrayed in cinema, Hannibal Lecter. Westworld Season 3 Trailer: Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul Seeks Someone ‘Real’ in Latest Season, Meets Dolores: Fans Baffled.

But beyond those two roles, Anthony Hopkins, who was knighted by the Queen for his services in arts in 2993, has been working in the industry since the '60s and has a rich repertoire of movies. He has also been very active in the television industry, and has a strong theatre background, which is why his performances feel so grandiose and natural.

On the occasion of his 82nd birthday, let's look at his five best movies as per IMDB and rank them per the rating.

#1 Silence of the Lambs

IMDB Rating: 8.6

The movie that gave Anthony Hopkins his sole Oscar for Best Actor. He plays the terrifying psychopath Hannibal Lecter who helps an FBI cadet (Jodie Foster) to catch another terrifying serial killer. Interestingly, even though his screentime is merely under 20 minutes, the Academy found the impact enough to give him the award.

#2 The Elephant Man

IMDB Rating: 8.1

David Lynch's 1980 drama is a biopic of Joseph Merrick, a man who suffers from a physical deformity that makes his face looks like an elephant and gets ostracised for it. Played with a heart-tugging pathos by John Hurt, the movie has his character being helped by a kind-hearted doctor, Frederick Treves. Hopkins is seen playing Treves in the movie.

#3 Thor: Ragnarok

IMDB Rating: 7.9

Thor: Ragnarok is Anthony Hopkins' final appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (at least till now). He plays the powerful All-Father Odin, father to Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston). In Ragnarok, he was deceived and exiled to Earth by Loki, and has found his peace in Norway. He 'dies' and his disappearance causes the film's antagonist, Hela (Cate Blanchett) to appear.

#4 The Lion in the Winter

IMDB Rating: 7.9

Based on a Broadway play, the movie has Anthony Hopkins play Richard the Lionheart, with the film also starring Peter O'Toole and Katherine Hepburn. This is the second theatrical release for the actor who impressed the audience with a fine performance as the royal scion.

#5 The Remains of the Day

IMDB Rating: 7.8

In an Oscar-nominated performance, Anthony Hopkins plays a butler in this Merchant-Ivory production, based on a novel by the same name. The film is about the relationship between the butler and his former colleague as they reminisce over working with their deceased employer, who turns out to be a Nazi sympathiser.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2019 12:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).