Nicholas Hoult is currently the busiest actor in Hollywood, and if your kid watches anything with a cape, a wand, or a fast car, they’re about to see a lot of him. He has spent the last few years transitioning from "that awkward kid in About a Boy" to the go-to guy for high-status villains and lovable weirdos in every major franchise on the map.
TL;DR: Nicholas Hoult is the rare actor who can jump from a PG voice role in The Garfield Movie to playing the big bad in Superman. While he is a staple in PG-13 franchises like the X-Men series, much of his best work—like The Great or The Menu—is strictly for the 17+ crowd. Use this guide to sort the family-friendly blockbusters from his R-rated satire.
Hoult is currently leaning hard into his "prestige villain" phase. He recently took over the mantle of Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman, and he is set to join the upcoming Harry Potter TV series on Max as the narcissistic Gilderoy Lockhart.
In Superman, Hoult plays Luthor as a brilliant, ego-driven industrialist. It is a performance that rewards a kid who likes a villain with actual motives rather than just "world-ending" CGI powers. If your kid is already deep into our best movies for kids list, this is the version of Lex they’ll likely grow up with.
As for the Harry Potter series, Hoult is expected to bring a much darker, more satirical edge to Lockhart than we saw in the original films. Based on his history of playing charming-but-useless men, he will likely be the standout of the second season. It’s a perfect casting choice for a series that aims to be more faithful to the books' longer narrative arcs.
If you aren't ready to let your middle-schooler watch him play a narcissistic Russian emperor, there are plenty of entry points that don't require an R rating.
- The Garfield Movie: Hoult voices Jon Arbuckle. It’s a standard PG animated flick—totally safe, if a bit mid for adults.
- X-Men: First Class through Apocalypse: Hoult plays Hank McCoy (Beast). These are the gold standard for "smart" superhero movies. Hank is a scientist struggling with his identity, making it a great series for kids who feel like they don't quite fit in.
- About a Boy: The 2002 classic where Hoult got his start. It’s a PG-13 dramedy about a kid and a cynical adult (Hugh Grant) forming an unlikely bond. It’s a great "growing up" movie for 11- or 12-year-olds.
- Jack the Giant Slayer: A fantasy action movie that didn't set the world on fire but is a perfectly fine choice for a Saturday afternoon watch with an 8-year-old.
Hoult has a specific talent for playing characters who are either deeply unhinged or incredibly toxic, usually in a way that is meant to be funny. These roles are almost exclusively R-rated.
Hoult plays Nux, a "War Boy" who starts as a fanatic villain and ends as a hero. The movie is a masterpiece of action, but it is intense. The violence is stylized and mostly vehicle-based, but the world is bleak. If your teen is ready for high-octane R-rated action, this is the one to watch together.
In this satirical horror-comedy, Hoult plays Tyler, a pretentious foodie who is so obsessed with a celebrity chef that he ignores the fact that everyone is about to die. It is a great conversation starter about toxic fandom and elitism, but the "horror" elements get graphic toward the end.
The Great (Hulu)
This is his most famous role outside of the capes and cowls. He plays Peter III of Russia. It is hilarious, brilliant, and absolutely packed with graphic language, sexual content, and casual violence. It is TV-MA for a reason. If your high schooler is a history buff, they might try to sneak this one—just know it’s closer to Succession than The Crown.
Hoult doesn't play "cool" in the traditional sense. Even when he’s the hero, he’s usually a bit of a nerd or an outsider. That makes him relatable to kids who find the "perfect" Chris Evans-style hero a bit boring. He’s also willing to look ridiculous—whether it’s covered in blue fur as Beast or wearing white face paint in Mad Max.
If your kid is obsessed with a specific Hoult role, ask them what they like about the character’s "weirdness." He often plays people who are desperately trying to prove themselves, which hits home for a lot of tweens and teens.
When your kid sees him as Lex Luthor or Gilderoy Lockhart, the conversation shouldn't just be about the plot. Use it to talk about The Mask of Charm.
Hoult is a master at playing characters who look and sound like they should be the "good guy" but are actually manipulative or selfish. That’s a huge life skill for a kid: learning that someone being charming or funny doesn't automatically make them a person you should trust. Ask your kid: "Does Lockhart actually know what he's doing, or is he just good at making people think he does?"
Q: Is Nicholas Hoult in the new Harry Potter show?
Yes, he is set to play Gilderoy Lockhart in the HBO/Max series. He’ll likely appear in the second season, following the timeline of the books.
Q: What is Nicholas Hoult's most kid-friendly movie?
The Garfield Movie is his most accessible for young kids (PG). For tweens, the X-Men series is the best bet.
Q: Is The Great okay for a 14-year-old?
Most parents would say no. It’s a TV-MA show with heavy sexual content and constant profanity. It’s brilliant satire, but it’s intended for adults.
Q: Did Nicholas Hoult play Beast in X-Men?
Yes, he played the younger version of Hank McCoy (Beast) in four movies: First Class, Days of Future Past, Apocalypse, and Dark Phoenix.
Nicholas Hoult is the face of the modern franchise villain because he can make "bad" look complicated and "weird" look cool. If you have a younger kid, stick to his voice work or his role as Beast. If you have a teen, his R-rated satires like The Menu are actually worth the watch for the conversations they spark about ego and culture.
- For more superhero picks, check out our best movies for kids list.
- If your kid is hyped for the new Max series, read our Harry Potter progression guide.
- Get a personalized recommendation for your kid's next movie night
