After the success of Cillian Murphy’s 2024 movie,Small Things Like These, the Irish actor has maintained his incredible Rotten Tomatoes streak, and thus, has raised the bar for his upcoming franchise returns. Murphy has been in the acting business for a long time, getting his breakout in 2001’sDisco Pigs.However, in recent years,Murphy has been recognized for his incredible work on projects likePeaky BlindersandChristopher Nolan’s box office record breaker,Oppenheimer.Now, Murphy is continuing his streak of success, and setting high expectations, with his most recent release.
Small Things Like Theseis a historical dramamovie based on a book of the same name by Claire Keegan. The movie stars Murphy as Bill Furlong, a respected coal merchant who enters a conflict with the powerful nuns in his small town as he discovers a young pregnant woman being kept in a coal shed. The story has connections to the true story of the Irish Magdalene Laundries, which were essentially workhouses for poor women who were accused of sexual promiscuity. Despite being a rather small film,Small Things Like Thesehas proven to be a critical success.
Small Things Like These Continues Cillian Murphy’s Great Rotten Tomatoes Streak
Murphy’s Best Rotten Tomatoes Scores Explained
Since the release ofSmall Things Like Theseon Aug 18, 2025, the movie has earned a Certified Fresh 92% critics' score onRotten Tomatoes, alongside an 81% audience score. On its own, this score is quite impressive, especially for a relatively small international movie with a budget of only $3 million. However, it is also notable becauseit continues Murphy’s nearly perfect Rotten Tomatoes streak that has lasted since 2016. OfMurphy’s last ten movies, only one has been labeled rotten (2019’sAnna,with a 34%), showing just how strong Murphy’s resume is.
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Streaks aside, Murphy generally has a strong Rotten Tomatoes record. The actor has appeared in a vast number of movies, and many of them are not only highly rated, but also Certified Fresh. At this point,Murphy’s highest rated films include the 2023 animated filmKensuke’s Kingdom,2008’sThe Dark Knight,and 2023’sOppenheimer.Meanwhile, Murphy’s lowest rated movies are 2014’sAloft,2014’sTranscendence,and 2001’sDisco Pigs.On top of that, Murphy’s most popular TV show,Peaky Blinders,boasts a 93% critics and audience score.
Cillian Murphy Is Returning To Acclaimed Roles For 28 Years Later & Peaky Blinders Movie Next
How Murphy’s Next Roles Will Affect His Career
The success ofSmall Things Like Theseis particularly exciting because it sets the stage for the two most highly anticipated movies in Murphy’s future:28 Years Laterand thePeaky Blindersmovie. It has been confirmed that Murphy will not only be reprising his role as Jim in the long-awaited sequel to28 Days Later,but he will also return one last time as Thomas Shelby in thePeaky Blindersmovie. As two of Murphy’s most beloved and successful franchises, these upcoming movies are thrilling, andSmall Things Like These’ssuccess keeps Murphy on a positive path.
Therefore, his return to such significant franchises will keep the momentum going for Murphy, and will only improve if the movies end up being financially and critically successful.
In general,28 Years Laterand thePeaky Blindersmovieare major steps forward for Murphy.2023 was already a big year for the actor as he finally got the chance to be the lead in a Christopher Nolan movie, with whom he has collaborated for years. Then, the outstanding success ofOppenheimerput him even more in the spotlight, especially after his Oscar’s win. Therefore, his return to such significant franchises will keep the momentum going for Murphy, and will only improve if the movies end up being financially and critically successful.
28 Years Later & Peaky Blinders Now Have The Pressure To Keep Cillian Murphy’s RT Streak Going
Will 28 Years Later & Peaky Blinders Succeed?
The only downside to the Rotten Tomatoes score ofSmall Things Like Theseis that it raises expectations for Murphy’s next movies. It was already expected that28 Years Laterand thePeaky Blindersmovie would be great films, but the success ofSmall Things Like Theseincreases these hopes. Audiences want to believe that anything Murphy is in is going to be outstanding. Therefore,if Murphy’s upcoming movies are disappointing in any way, the backlash could be even harsher because of Murphy’s sterling reputation. He has set himself up for great success, but also awful failure.
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Fortunately,28 Years LaterandPeaky Blindershave strong foundations beneath them.28 Years Lateris being written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle, who were behind the original28 Days Later.In the same vein, thePeaky Blindersmovie is being written and directed by Steven Knight and Tom Harper respectively, who previously worked onPeaky Blinders.Thus, with all the ingredients of success back together again, it seems likely thatSmall Things Like Theseis just an early hint at Cillian Murphy’s upcoming greatness.
Small Things Like These
Cast
Bill Furlong, a coal merchant, uncovers dark secrets at a convent that lead him to confront his past and the silent complicity of his Church-influenced Irish town.
