Skip to content
Motif
Henry Thomas

Henry Thomas

Actor, also producer · Born September 9, 1971 (55) · San Antonio, Texas, USA

Golden Globe nominee · BAFTA Award nominee

Henry Jackson Thomas, Jr. (born September 9, 1971) is an American actor and musician. He has appeared in more than 60 films and is best known for his role as Elliott in the 1982 Steven Spielberg film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Description above from the Wikipedia article Henry Thomas, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 9, 1971 (55)
From
San Antonio, Texas, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
61 on Motif · 83 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Up 24% in 30 days

What are Henry Thomas' films like?

Across their 50 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Morality.

Genres

Drama18 titlesTypical Motif score: 52nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Horror6 titlesTypical Motif score: 12th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Action5 titlesTypical Motif score: 34th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Motif score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Motif score: 39th percentile
: browse their Biography movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Motif score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Motif score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Thriller2 titlesTypical Motif score: 13th percentile
: browse their Thriller movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
25%
Morality
23%
Bonds
22%
Self
13%
Power
8%
Society
6%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds17 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival12 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception8 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma7 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief7 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 44 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 15 · Dark 24

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 31 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 5 · Charged 18 · Intense 21

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 13 · Shifting 25 · Whiplash 6

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 32 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 17 · Even-paced 26 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 27 · Full focus 6

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 6 · Affecting 19 · Heavy 19

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 27 · Open-ended 11 · Ambiguous 6

Roles they play

31 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 11 of 31 analyzed roles.

Hero
11 of 31
Shadow
6 of 31
Ally
5 of 31
Herald
3 of 31
Mentor
3 of 31
Threshold guardian
2 of 31
Shapeshifter
1 of 31
Show the 31 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
39
Dread
22
Melancholic
24
Contemplative
8
Bittersweet
7
Other
35

How their films linger

Bittersweet24 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling19 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 11 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet30
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous10
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Henry Thomas' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 43 of their 61 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Henry Thomas' titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

83 credits, 61 with a Motif page; 11 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Due West(2025)

    Executive Producer · as Pastor Mike

    Motif score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • High Ground(2025)

    as Nathaniel Matheson

    Motif score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Curse of the Necklace(2024)

    as Frank Davis

    Motif score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Fall of the House of Usher(2023)

    Show 8 episodes · as Frederick Usher

    Motif score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Pet Sematary: Bloodlines(2023)

    as Dan Crandall

    Motif score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Sam & Kate(2022)

    as Ron

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Midnight Club(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Freedom Jack

    Motif score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Crawlspace(2022)

    as Robert

    Motif score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Just Beyond (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Crazy Chris

  • Midnight Mass(2021)

    Show 7 episodes · as Ed Flynn

    Motif score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • To All the Boys: Always and Forever(2021)

    as Mr. Kavinsky

    Motif score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Haunting of Bly Manor(2020)

    Show 9 episodes · as Henry Wingrave

    Motif score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Dreamkatcher(2020)

    as Luke

    Motif score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Stargirl(2020)

    Show 8 episodes · as Charles McNider / Dr. Mid-Nite · as Chuck (voice)

    Motif score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • FBI: Most Wanted(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Justin Brock

    Motif score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • E.T.: A Holiday Reunion (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    as Elliott

  • Doctor Sleep(2019)

    as The Bartender

    Motif score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Great Alaskan Race(2019)

    as Thompson

    Motif score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Haunting of Hill House(2018)

    Show 10 episodes · as Young Hugh Crain

    Motif score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Girl in the Bunker(2018)

    as Vinson Filyaw

    Motif score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Gerald's Game(2017)

    as Tom

    Motif score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Ouija: Origin of Evil(2016)

    as Father Tom

    Motif score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Better Things(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Robin

    Motif score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Sons of Liberty(2015)

    Show 3 episodes · as John Adams

    Motif score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Big Sur(2013)

    as Philip Whalen

    Motif score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Betrayal(2013)

    Show 13 episodes · as T.J. Karsten

    Motif score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • The Last Ride(2011)

    as Hank Williams / "Mr. Wells" / Luke

    Motif score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen(2012)

    as (archive footage)

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Legend of Hell's Gate: An American Conspiracy(2011)

    as John St. Helens

    Motif score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Dear John(2010)

    as Tim Wheddon

    Motif score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Don't Look Up(2009)

    as Josh Petri

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Red Velvet(2008)

    as Aaron

    Motif score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Tommy Lisbon

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Suffering Man's Charity(2007)

    as Eric Rykell

    Motif score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Last Sin Eater(2007)

    as Man of God

    Motif score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Chocolate (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Jamie

  • The Deal: El trato (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Frank

  • The Hard Easy(2006)

    as Paul Weston

    Motif score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Robert Fornoy

  • Desperation(2006)

    as Peter Jackson

    Motif score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Tennis Anyone? (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Matt Erhorn

  • Masters of Horror(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Jamie

    Motif score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Dead Birds(2004)

    as William

    Motif score: 29th percentile of all films

  • 11:14(2003)

    as Jack

    Motif score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Honey Baby (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    as Tom Brackett

  • I Capture the Castle(2003)

    as Simon Cotton

    Motif score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Briar Patch(2002)

    as Edgar Macbeth

    Motif score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Gangs of New York(2002)

    as Johnny Sirocco

    Motif score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Franklin Romar

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • I'm with Lucy(2002)

    as Date 4 - Barry

    Motif score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Dead in the Water (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    as Jeff

  • The Quickie (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as Alex

  • All the Pretty Horses(2000)

    as Rawlins

    Motif score: 35th percentile of all films

  • A Good Baby (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Raymond Toker

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeremy Kent

    Motif score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Sean Roberts

    Motif score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Happy Face Murders (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    as Dylan McCarthy

  • Fever (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    as Nick Parker

  • Niagara, Niagara(1997)

    as Seth

    Motif score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Moby Dick (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ishmael

  • Bombshell (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Buck

  • Suicide Kings(1997)

    as Avery Chasten

    Motif score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Hijacking Hollywood (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Kevin

  • Riders of the Purple Sage(1996)

    as Bern Venters

    Motif score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Indictment: The McMartin Trial(1995)

    as Ray Buckey

    Motif score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Legends of the Fall(1994)

    as Samuel Ludlow

    Motif score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Curse of the Starving Class(1994)

    as Wesley Tate

    Motif score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Beyond Obsession (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    as John Thompson

  • Fire in the Sky(1993)

    as Greg Hayes

    Motif score: 61st percentile of all films

  • A Taste for Killing(1992)

    as Cary Sloan

    Motif score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Psycho IV: The Beginning(1990)

    as Young Norman Bates

    Motif score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Valmont(1989)

    as Danceny

    Motif score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Murder One(1988)

    as Billy Isaacs

    Motif score: 20th percentile of all films

  • The Quest(1986)

    as Cody

    Motif score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Cloak & Dagger(1984)

    as Davey Osborne

    Motif score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Misunderstood (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Andrew

  • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial(1982)

    as Elliott

    Motif score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Steeler and the Pittsburgh Kid (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    as Nick

  • Raggedy Man(1981)

    as Harry

    Motif score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Generation Angst (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    as Tim Grinnell

  • Normal with a Capital N (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    as Milo Whynot

  • The Asylum (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    as Axel

  • Three People in the Woods (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 83 titles, 79 of them dated from 1981 to 2026; peak year 2005.

Biggest box office

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

$797M worldwide

Highest rated

The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

Motif 98th

Most popular right now

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Film career

MilestoneBreakoutNomination
19812026

Peak 2005 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 21 Motif titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting83 of 83: 82 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Motif score55thProducing1 of 83: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s8 · acting1990s16 · acting2000s25 · acting2010s15 · acting2020s15 · 15 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 19% of 36 roles
819101061121

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

3 major nominations and no wins, 1983–1996.

  1. 1996
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
  2. 1983
    • Golden Globe, nominated · New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture - Male
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Most Outstanding Newcomer to Leading Film Roles

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Henry Thomas' films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 41st percentile, the median of all 46; across their 44 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 39th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 44

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 44

Reach · how many have seen their films

78thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 44

Motif score across 61 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th17
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

26 of their 61 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Universally Panned2
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser26
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Briar Patch (2002)

93rd percentile spread · 47% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

Motif 98th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 43 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Henry Thomas' work okay for kids?

Across up to 24 Motif titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore16 titles53–91 · median 75 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity24 titles14–71 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 31
Profanity15 titles35–76 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 35
Alcohol & Drugs15 titles27–63 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense15 titles51–88 · median 74 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Henry Thomas work with?

People who share at least 2 of Henry Thomas' Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Mike Flanagan shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles