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Hristo Shopov

Hristo Shopov

Actor · Born January 4, 1964 (62) · Sofia, Bulgaria

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Hristo Naumov Shopov (Bulgarian: Христо Наумов Шопов) (born January 4, 1964 in Sofia) is a Bulgarian actor. Shopov's father, Naum Shopov, is a famous Bulgarian actor as well. He is most noted for his portrayal of Pontius Pilate in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. He has become one of Bulgaria's most successful actors, making his debut in 1981 with Dishay, choveche (Breathe, Little Man!). His body of work includes many Bulgarian films such as Vchera (Yesterday) and Sledvay me (Follow Me). He has also appeared in several low-budget US film productions including Phantom Force, Target of Opportunity and Alien Hunter. In his homeland, he is best known for his role in the movie Vchera, which became a symbol of several generations. The movie tells the story of young Bulgarian people studying in an English college during Communist rule. Mary Soan, an assistant director of the film I Am David, suggested that he would be suited for the role of Pilate to Shaila Rubin, who was casting the film. After Hristo and Gibson had a brief conversation, Hristo was given the part. Shopov also played the role of Pontius Pilate in the 2006 film The Inquiry, which also cast Max von Sydow as Emperor Tiberius. He recently played the Russian premier in the upcoming Command Performance starring and directed by Dolph Lundgren. Description above from the Wikipedia article Hristo Naumov Shopov, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 4, 1964 (62)
From
Sofia, Bulgaria
Works as
Actor
Titles
25 on MovieCove · 66 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27

What are Hristo Shopov's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 6th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits 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
Morality
37%
Survival
21%
Self
14%
Society
10%
Power
10%
Ideas
7%
Bonds
2%
Survival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFaith4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeHope2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 0 · Serious 10 · Dark 7

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 8 · Intense 8

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

Steady 6 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 15 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 8 · 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 6 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 1

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

A split, not a type: Easy watch 5 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 7

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 3 of 7 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
3 of 7
Shadow
2 of 7
Herald
1 of 7
Ally
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
16
Thrilling
6
Dread
5
Melancholic
4
Hopeful
3
Other
11

How their films linger

Bittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet7
  • Ambiguous2

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 Hristo Shopov's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 25 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Hristo Shopov's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits 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

66 credits, 25 with a MovieCove page.

  • Tears of Neon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • To Bury a Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • In the Heart of the Machine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Colonel Radoev

  • Juzni Vetar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 14 episodes · as Dimitar

  • South Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Dimitar

  • Karbala(2015)

    as Captain Getow

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Petrov File (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • Asylum(2014)

    as Father Richard

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Fourth Estate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 12 episodes · as Pavel Troianov

  • Barabbas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Kedar

  • Barabbas(2012)

    as Kedar

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • После школы (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 9 episodes · as Mikhail

  • Where's Maggie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 51 episodes · Actor

  • Il generale Della Rovere(2011)

    as Col. Muller

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Operation Shmenti Capelli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Lyubev

  • Love.net (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Filip Bogatev

  • HDSP: Hunting Down Small Predators (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Chakyra

  • Undisputed III: Redemption(2010)

    as Warden Kuss

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Double Identity(2009)

    as Serik

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Sword of War(2009)

    as Rinaldo di Dassel

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Command Performance(2009)

    as President Petrov

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Le ali (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Resolution 819 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Momcilo Draganovic

  • Fuga per la libertà - L'aviatore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Colonnello Euerbach

  • La masseria delle allodole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Isman

  • The Lark Farm(2007)

    as Isman

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Final Inquiry(2006)

    as Ponzio Pilato

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • L'inchiesta - Anno Domini XXXIII (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ponzio Pilato

  • Dragon Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as King Agostino

  • Locusts: The 8th Plague(2005)

    as Doctor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Target of Opportunity(2005)

    as Major Belov

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Karol, un uomo diventato Papa(2005)

    as Julian Kordek

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Karol: A Man Who Became Pope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Julian Kordek

  • Phantom Force (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Commander Vukorov

  • Spartacus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Maecenus

  • The Passion of the Christ(2004)

    as Poncio Pilato

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Chechnya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Chechen General

  • Darklight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Colonel Drake

  • Hidden Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Nieder

  • Raptor Island(2004)

    as Quinn

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • I Am David(2003)

    as The Man

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Следвай ме (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Иван

  • Alien Hunter(2003)

    as Navigator Petrenko

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Dragon Fighter(2003)

    as Capt. Sergei Petrov

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Interceptor Force 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Gorshkov

  • Dark Descent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Digger

  • Python 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Doctor

  • Marines(2003)

    as Antonov

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Shark Hunter(2001)

    as Justin French

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Death, Deceit & Destiny Aboard the Orient Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Chief du Train

  • The Grey Zone(2001)

    as Halivni

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Queen's Messenger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Thug with knife

  • Mindstorm(2001)

    as Bulgarian Officer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Octopus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Cruise Ship Navigator

  • City of Fear(2000)

    as Vasyl

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • U.S. Seals(2000)

    as FBI agent

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Operation Delta Force 4: Deep Fault(1999)

    as Fourth Hostage

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Don Quixote Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Berlin '39 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Wilhelm

  • The Love Summer of a Schlep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Bratetza

  • Eyes Cry Differently (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Vasil Kolev

  • Margarit and Margarita (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Margarit

  • Razvodi, razvodi... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Priyatelyat na mladozhentzite (Segment 5)

  • Test '88 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Yesterday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Ivan

  • Breathe, Little Man! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Plamen

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 65 titles, 64 of them dated from 1986 to 2023; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

$610M worldwide

Highest rated

Undisputed III: Redemption (2010)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Film career

19862023

Peak 2004 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove 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.

  • 2000Screen debut· Octopus
  • 2010Career best· Undisputed III: Redemption

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting65 of 65: 65 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score21st

By decade

1980s5 · acting1990s5 · acting2000s37 · acting2010s14 · acting2020s3 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
0005

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 Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, 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.

How do Hristo Shopov's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 16th percentile, the median of all 25; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 28th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

28thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

29thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 25 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up5
  • 50th to 74th2
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th13

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 25 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser3
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · actor

U.S. Seals (2000)

98th percentile spread · 34% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Undisputed III: Redemption (2010)

Midcredits 91st · 81% liked

Reviewers score the acting 47/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 62, detractors 29. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; 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 Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove 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.

Who does Hristo Shopov work with?

People who share at least 2 of Hristo Shopov's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Avi Lerner shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles