Hollywood megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has utilized both his intense physicality and charming kindness to create some excellent films.
Hollywood megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is truly a jack-of-all-trades; he’s an admired actor, businessman, wrestler, and all-around great human being. The successful star got his start in the ring, adopting the iconic name “The Rock” and wrestling for the WWE for eight years. Johnson’s persona as the charismatic and trash-talking wrestler helped propel his career and ultimately led him to pursue an acting career. The actor’s first major leading role was as the titular character in 2002’s The Scorpion King, and ever since this strong introductory transition, he’s been a constant force in cinema.
Though initially kicking off his Hollywood career as an action star, Johnson has proven to audiences and critics that he’s more than just muscle; he’s gone on to appear in family flicks, Disney animations and big budget comedies. The superstar can shine in any genre and charm as any character, and his films have gone on to gross over $10.5 billion worldwide. Johnson will once again don a different hat with his role as the titualar DC characer in Black Adam, an upcoming superhero film. With a career spanning two decades, it’s time to explore the best Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson movies.
10The Game Plan
Disney’s 2007 family comedy The Game Plan features Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson branching out from the action genre and into a different type of film. It centers on a professional quarterback who discovers he has an 8-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. The movie showed off Johnson’s acting skills and demonstrated his bankability and talent at doing more than just fight scenes and physical roles. He was also praised for his charisma and charm in the flick, and The Game Plan was a financial success for the star. It is also the final film where Johnson is credited with using his ring name.
9The Scorpion King
Johnson’s first leading role in Hollywood was as the titular character of 2002’s sword-and-sorcery action film The Scorpion King. Serving as both a prequel and spin-off to the ultra successful The Mummy franchise (which Johnson also appeared in), the film portrays the origins of Mathayus and his ultimate rise to power as the legendary hero, the Scorpion King. The hit demonstrated Johnson’s skills as an upcoming action star and helped launch his cinema career. Despite criticism for the film itself, Johnson’s performance was praised as was his ability to carry and headline a major movie.
8Walking Tall
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A remake of the 1973 film of the same name, 2004’s Walking Tall featured Johnson as a former U.S. soldier who returns to his home only to find it riddled with corruption and crime, and vows to handle the issue directly. With an entertaining supporting cast like Johnny Knoxville, Neal McDonough and Ashley Scott, Walking Tall is a fun film with plenty of action, drama and humorous banter. Johnson and Knoxville bounce off each other well as longtime buddies, and the former is right in his element, showcasing both his physicality and likable cinema appeal. The star’s on-screen persona, a mixture of toughness and humor, would become a staple in his ever-expanding career.
7The Rundown
2003’s action comedy adventure The Rundown follows Dwayne Johnson as a bounty hunter who is tasked with retrieving his employer’s son in Brazil. With a notable supporting cast including the hilarious Seann William Scott, Christopher Walken and Rosario Dawson, the film continued to cement Johnson’s status as a bona fide action star. With many memorable and exhilarating fight sequences, delightful humor and overall butt-kicking, the star’s dedication to his craft is palpable. The chemistry between Johnson and Scott is also fun to witness, and their dynamic was praised by critics as a saving grace for an otherwise critically dismissed film.
6Jumanji: The Next Level
Jumanji: The Next Level is the follow-up to the 2017 hit blockbuster, and Dwayne Johnson is here reunited with his charming co-stars Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan for more fun. With this highly anticipated sequel, audiences were introduced to new cast members and characters, including Awkwafina, Danny DeVito and Danny Glover. The story picks up two years after the previous adventures in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and sees the gang back in the infamous game as they attempt to rescue one of their own. Johnson once again shines as Dr. Xander “Smolder” Bravestone, an avatar in the game, with his humor and sensual ‘smolder’ front and center. The sequel was both a critical and box office hit, and Johnson’s impression of DeVito garnered many laughs and praise.
5Fast Five
The iconic heist action franchise Fast & Furious is known for its gravity-defying stunts and blood-pumping action sequences. For 2011’s fifth installment Fast Five, Dwayne Johnson was brought in to portray U.S. Diplomatic Security Service agent Luke Hobbs, who fiercely pursues the group and Dom for an arrest. Upon its release, the film earned solid reviews and was a huge financial success, grossing more than $600 million. Critics and fans praised the addition of Johnson to the mix, who was lauded for breathing new life into the franchise. Empire raved about the star’s performance, saying, “How to reignite an aging franchise? Drop [Johnson] on it. The best thing, by far, in Fast Five, Dayne Johnson hulks through the movie leaving testosterone trails in his wake.” Though he may not return in future installments, Johnson has made an indelible impression in the Fast & Furious franchise.
4Central Intelligence
Dream-team Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart joined forces for the first time in Central Intelligence, which tells the story of two former high school classmates who go on the run after getting mixed up in international espionage. Johnson hilariously portrays Bob Stone/Robbie Weirdicht, a formerly bullied and overweight student who has become a sculpted and tough CIA agent. Hart stars as a former star athlete-turned-accountant whose life is turned upside down when Johnson bulldozes into it. The entertaining duo’s chemistry is the film’s biggest asset, and would go on to find major box office success. The pair developed their winning chemistry here, having made three additional films with more to come. A Central Intelligence sequel is currently in the works.
3Moana
For Disney’s animated action film Moana, Dwayne Johnson lent his vocals to portray Maui, a legendary shape-shifting demigod. The story follows Moana, the daughter of village chief Tui who is chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti. The young heroine enlists the help of the reluctant Maui to break the terrible curse. The family-friendly adventure flick dazzled both audiences and critics, who praised the visuals, animation and vocal performances. Johnson was even able to show off his singing skills, performing the entertaining number “You’re Welcome.” His portrayal of Maui also garnered acclaim and numerous accolades, and is a personally important film for the actor, who told the L.A. Sentinel that the movie was “an opportunity to showcase a culture that’s very important to [him].”
RELATED:Moana Animated Series Is Coming To Disney+ In 2023
2Jungle Cruise
Based on the beloved Disney theme park attraction, 2021’s fantasy adventure film Jungle Cruise stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt as a riverboat captain and scientist taking a trip through a treacherous jungle in search of the gabled Tree of Life. Johnson is full of charm and wit as Frank Wolff, a steamboat skipper (with a mysterious past) who is hesitant to aid Dr. Lily Houghton (Blunt) and her brother MacGregor (Jack Whitehall). The pandemic blockbuster was praised for its entertainment values, and Johnson’s chemistry with Blunt was also recognized and appreciated. A sequel is currently in development with the duo set to return.
1Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Dwayne Johnson is at his very best when he gets to combine his impressive physicality with his charming wit and humor. For comedy-adventure film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the superstar did just that with his memorable and entertaining portrayal of ironic avatar Dr. Xander “Smolder” Bravestone. This new edition of the Jumanji franchise (once made popular by the late, great Robin Williams) follows a group of teenagers who find themselves trapped in the infamous game and replicated as a group of adult avatars who must complete quests in order to get home. Co-starring Hollywood heavy hitters Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan, the film was released to rave reviews and grossed almost a billion dollars worldwide. The Guardian lauded Johnson for his “endearing performance,” and the movie’s success led to the 2019 follow-up sequel. Johnson is sure to continue the franchise, and will soon begin a new phase of his career with Black Adam.
