[4][citation needed] Thames played the lead role in Scott Derrickson's horror film The Black Phone (2021),[5] alongside Ethan Hawke.
[6][7] The role garnered him widespread acclaim, and the film received generally positive reviews from critics.
[8] On casting Thames over hundreds of other applicants, Derrickson stated that "he has a gift that very few actors, even adult professional actors, have, which is the ability to truthfully and emotionally process every moment, one shot at a time, without overacting.
[13] Thames starred alongside Mel Gibson in David Henrie's independent film, Monster Summer.
[14] He starred in a leading role for the live-action film adaptation of the media franchise, How to Train Your Dragon.