- Primary Subject: Karl Urban’s career highlights and streaming guide
- Key Update: This comprehensive guide tracks Karl Urban’s journey from Middle-earth to The Boys, updated to include his latest role as a ruthless pirate captain in The Bluff.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 19, 2026
- Quick Answer: Karl Urban’s top roles, including Billy Butcher in The Boys and Dr. McCoy in Star Trek, are available on Prime Video, Paramount+, and HBO Max.
From his early days in Middle-earth to his grit as a foul-mouthed antihero, Karl Urban has solidified his reputation as one of the most reliable and versatile presences on screen. Whether he’s navigating sprawling sci-fi franchises or intense character dramas, Urban brings a unique gravitas to every role he inhabits.
His latest project, the action-thriller The Bluff, pairs him with Priyanka Chopra Jonas for a high-stakes swashbuckler set in the 19th-century Caribbean. Urban takes on the role of a ruthless pirate captain, promising a brutal and grounded showcase of his action-star credentials.
To celebrate the film’s release, we’ve curated a list of Karl Urban’s most essential roles and where you can stream them right now.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
While Urban first appeared as the noble Éomer in The Two Towers, his performance in The Return of the King is where he truly makes his mark. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of the trilogy, the final film provides Urban with his most resonant moments, proving that he doesn't need a massive amount of screen time to leave a lasting impression.
Even as a supporting player in a sprawling ensemble, Urban commanded the screen with a grit and nobility that made Éomer an instant fan favorite. His contribution to the film's emotional and physical scale was recognized alongside his castmates when he earned a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Where You Can Stream: HBO Max
Doom
While the 2005 adaptation of Doom remains a divisive entry in the video game movie pantheon, it stands as a pivotal milestone: Karl Urban’s first true breakthrough as a Hollywood leading man.
Playing the stoic John "Reaper" Grimm, Urban anchored the film with a grounded intensity and unexpected charm that elevated the material. Even when the plot veered into camp or sci-fi clichés, his commitment to the role, particularly during the film’s ambitious first-person action sequences, proved he had the "it factor" required to carry a major studio production.
Where You Can Buy or Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
Star Trek (2009)
Stepping into the shoes of the legendary DeForest Kelley is no small feat, yet Karl Urban’s portrayal of Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot is widely considered an impressive work in honoring a legacy while making a role one's own. Amidst a high-energy ensemble, Urban’s Bones quickly emerged as a scene-stealer and a definitive highlight of the new era.
The role represents a fascinating departure from Urban’s typical tough-guy archetype. It required a specific kind of restrained grumpiness and a blend of cynical wit and deep-seated humanity. Urban breathed incredible life into the character, showcasing a comedic timing and emotional range that proved he was far more than just an action hero.
Where You Can Stream: Paramount+
Dredd
When it was first announced that Urban would take on the mantle of Judge Dredd, skepticism was high. Many questioned whether he could truly fill the boots of Sylvester Stallone, or if a reboot of the 1995 cult classic was even necessary.
However, Urban didn't just meet expectations, but he shattered them. By committing to the character's signature stoicism and famously refusing to remove his helmet, he delivered a performance that felt authentic to the comics. While the film may have underperformed at the box office upon its 2012 release, it has since achieved massive cult status, with many critics and fans hailing it as the superior adaptation.
Where You Can Buy or Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
Thor: Ragnarok
While Skurge remains Karl Urban’s sole foray into the MCU, his performance in Thor: Ragnarok is a testament to his ability to make every second of screen time count. Despite being a secondary antagonist, Urban infused Skurge with a surprising amount of soul, taking him from a comedic sidekick to a tragic figure with a genuine redemption arc.
Many fans argue that a talent of Urban’s caliber deserved a recurring role in the MCU. However, his work within Taika Waititi’s vibrant sandbox allowed him to flex a specific set of acting muscles: balancing deadpan humor with a poignant, redemptive sacrifice that gave the film one of its most heroic finales.
Where You Can Stream: Disney+
The Boys
It is no exaggeration to say that Billy Butcher has become the definitive role of Karl Urban’s illustrious career. As the foul-mouthed, crowbar-wielding leader of the titular group in The Boys, Urban delivers a masterwork in playing a charismatic yet deeply fractured antihero.
Throughout the show’s run, Butcher has made a laundry list of morally questionable choices, yet Urban’s performance consistently anchors the character in a raw, grieving humanity. He manages the impossible task of making a volatile, often cruel man someone the audience can’t help but root for, serving as the magnetic north for the team’s quest against the Supes, no matter how grey the morality becomes.
Where You Can Stream: Prime Video
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