Chris Hemsworth has kicked off 2026 with the release of his latest film, Crime 101, continuing his impressive run in R-rated movies. The Australian actor’s recent projects have consistently resonated well with audiences, maintaining his streak of successful R-rated roles.
Strong Audience Reception for Crime 101
Released on Friday, February 13, Crime 101 currently holds an 85% audience approval rating on the Popcornmeter via Rotten Tomatoes, marking Hemsworth’s fifth consecutive film with a positive audience score over the last four years. This thriller adds to his noteworthy track record in R-rated films since 2022.
Among Hemsworth’s recent works are Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Extraction 2 (2023), Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024), Transformers One (2024), and now Crime 101 (2026). Notably, Crime 101 is Hemsworth’s third movie since 2022 to score higher with audiences than critics, similar to Thor: Love and Thunder, which holds a 63% critics score but a 76% audience rating.
In contrast, Spiderhead, a 2022 release featuring Hemsworth, remains the last of his films to receive a notably low audience score of 30% on the Popcornmeter, alongside a 39% critics score.
Box Office Challenges and Competition
Despite the strong audience response, Crime 101’s domestic box office debut was modest, earning $17.7 million in its opening weekend. The film faces competition from the simultaneous release of Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, which opened on the same day.
Creative Team and Critical Impression
Crime 101 is directed and written by Bart Layton and is based on the novel by Don Winslow. The film’s approach to crime storytelling has drawn attention, with reviewer Gregory Nussen highlighting that it
“works more often than it doesn’t, and if nothing else it is extremely exciting to have an original crime film in the vein of New Hollywood’s best.”
Supporting Cast and Upcoming Projects
The cast of Crime 101 includes Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, and Corey Hawkins alongside Hemsworth. Mark Ruffalo, playing Detective Lou Lubesnick, is also set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in 2026 with Spider-Man: Brand New Year, releasing on July 31.
Hemsworth himself will reprise his role as Thor in Avengers: Doomsday, expected to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, closing out the year for the actor’s big-screen appearances.
Significance of Hemsworth’s Continued R-Rated Roles
Chris Hemsworth’s consistent selection of R-rated films reflects a deliberate career path towards more intense, mature roles, appealing to a dedicated audience. The commercial and critical responses to Crime 101 and his recent projects underscore his ability to maintain strong viewer engagement even when critical reception varies. As 2026 progresses, both fans and critics will be watching closely to see how Hemsworth balances his mainstream superhero persona with these edgier narratives.
