Ryan Reynolds’ portfolio of character-driven comedies and dramas proves he is a talented all-around actor. It’s hard to pinpoint what specific role put him on the path to stardom, but there is little debate about who he is most famous for playing on screen.
Recently some lists have emerged on Letterboxd.com asking a different question other than “What is your favorite Ryan Reynolds movie?” Rather, “What are some other films that contributed to his ascension to Hollywood A-lister?” Some examples are fairly recent, while others stretch back to a time when his name did not entice moviegoers to head to the theater on opening night.
Updated on November 28th, 2022 by Shawn Lealos: While Ryan Reynolds often seems to play the same character in every movie, it is a character that many movie fans love and feel comfortable watching. This was proven spectacularly with his role as Deadpool, a character that should have failed, but Reynolds turned into a major success. Now, Deadpool will return again, this time for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Reynolds’ take on the character won’t change, with the movie remaining R-rated. Not only that, but Reynolds just announced that he convinced Hugh Jackman to return to the role of Wolverine in Deadpool 3, and that movie has a chance to become the most beloved Ryan Reynolds movie of all time.
The Amityville Horror (2005) – 2.6
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A remake of the 1979 film of the same name based on the account of the real-life protagonist, George Lutz. It follows the Lutz family’s transition to living on Long Island, New York in the mid-1970s. However, they underestimate the paranormal phenomenon inhabiting the house. Not long after the Lutzs settle, the ghosts of a mass murder that took place a year prior, manifest. What follows is a month-long terror marathon.
Ryan Reynolds’ presence in this horror film is inconsistent with his resume. This fact, though, adds intrigue to an already frightening premise. The bad (frat) boy from National Lampoon’s Van Wilder exercised some acting gusto to bring this “based on a true story” Amityville movie to life. He demonstrates ability to take on a dual personality brought on by the evil that exists in the house. This no doubt prepared him for the future.
Smokin’ Aces (2007) – 2.9
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A witness against Sin City’s mafia named “Aces” is a target for every hired gun west of the Rockies, and it’s up to FBI Agent Ryan Reynolds to protect him in this 2007 actioner. The film takes a two-pronged approach with the assassins not only after the bounty on the title character but also their competition.
It is, at its core, an ensemble shoot ’em up that at times comes off as comical and fun to watch. Asking Reynolds to be in such a movie and not be the comic relief is unusual. Yet, he manages to provide it anyway, sneaking in his usual brand of one-liners and f-bomb marathons.
Safe House (2012) – 2.9
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The true test of a rising star might be how he performs alongside household names. Here, we see Ryan Reynolds paired with Denzel Washington in an intense never-ending struggle between his character, Matt Weston, Washington’s Tobin Frost, and a band of mercenaries in a relentless pursuit across South Africa.
Sometimes when an actor is out of their element, it raises eyebrows in the industry and gains the attention of the masses. Reynolds is clearly transitioning into more action-intensive roles but appears humbled alongside Washington playing a renegade and Ryan the rookie agent. The plot seems to be capitalizing on the success of the Jason Bourne series with slight modifications.
The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017) – 3.1
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In 2017, Ryan Reynolds teamed with Sam Jackson in the buddy action comedy, The Hitman’s Bodyguard. The movie sees a hitman planning to testify in a court case hiring a bodyguard to keep him safe until the trial. Jackson is the hitman and Reynolds is the bodyguard, and they have to put their own differences aside if they are to survive.
The best part of the movie is the rivalry between these two actors. The hitman has tried to kill the bodyguard’s clients more than once, and they argue and fight almost as much as they work together in the movie. The chemistry was so strong that a sequel arrived with Salma Hayek joining the fray.
The Adam Project (2022) – 3.1
Stream now on Netflix
Ryan Reynolds took a role in a movie that went straight to Netflix called The Adam Project, and it wasn’t just a highly-watched streaming movie but also a great story as well. In the movie, Reynolds is a time-traveling fighter pilot named Adam who crash lands in the past and teams up with his 12-year-old self to save the future.
This was a movie where Reynolds had to play off a child actor in Walker Scobell, and the two turned in great performances as the older and younger Adam. Reynolds also didn’t project as much of his crass humor and personality here. It was a different performance by the actor in a movie that seemed like a throwback to Steven Spielberg sci-fi family flicks.
Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019) – 3.1
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Ryan Reynolds is one of those actors where people will instantly recognize his voice. He has done some major voice roles in animated movies, such as the Croods franchise. However, he also took on a CGI character in a live-action movie.
In Pokémon Detective Pikachu, Reynolds played Pikachu, who took on the role of a detective and teamed with a former Pokémon trainer named Tim (Justice Smith). Reynolds gave his typical slacker performance as Pikachu, but as always, he was charming in the role and helped turn the movie into a relative success, one of the best video game movies in history.
Free Guy (2021) – 3.2
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In Free Guy, a bank teller realizes after screwing up a robbery attempt that he is a non-playable background character in a popular videogame. Based on an AI by one of the designers, Guy them sets out to make his own way in his world, much to the chagrin of the game’s creator.
Reynolds did a good job in this movie, playing a normal guy thrown into ridiculously dangerous situations. When he meets up with a hacker who is trying to gain evidence that the game was a stolen idea, he plays well off the more OP characters around him. What resulted was one of the best videogame movies, even though it wasn’t based on a real game.
The Voices (2014) – 3.2
Stream now on Starz
If there’s anyone who can make an unpleasant subject like mental illness humorous, its Ryan Reynolds. As Jerry, a lonely laborer, he articulates both “voices” of his pets in an angel and the devil dynamic. Bosco, the dog, advocates taking Jerry’s medication. Mr. Whiskers, the cat, however, is full of violent motives and relentlessly tempts (with a Scottish accent) his owner to commit heinous crimes against young women who reject his advances.
Over the course of the film, it becomes clear Reynolds is psychoanalyzing himself to find the light and shadow of his unconscious mind to further define Jerry. He is able to sell the inner conflict by appearing to be a belligerent foul-mouthed murderer one minute and then becoming charmingly mellow the next. The onslaught, at times, is overwhelming. Being a dark comedy, you could argue that’s the point.
The Proposal (2009) – 3.3
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This dramedy marked another high-profile team up for Reynolds, following a publisher, Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock), who is about to be deported. She recruits assistant Andrew Paxton (Reynolds) to marry her in a bid to maintain her US citizenship. Paxton counters with a trade that Tate must accompany him to meet his family in Alaska. They must also thwart an INS official’s inquiry.
Reynolds brought charm and grace to the role that thoroughly challenged him to keep up with not only Bullock but the late Betty White, with whom he became friends. As Andrew, he holds his own in a conversation with his father (Craig T. Nelson) regarding his current state of happiness. Against White, however, each is constantly competing for the title of scene stealer.
Mississippi Grind (2015) – 3.3
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Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story might be the most unusual pairing in recent memory. Reynolds is Curtis in Mississippi Grind, a hot shot card player who teams up with Mendelsohn’s Jerry, a gambling addict in pursuit of the highest stakes poker game in New Orleans where the Mississippi River terminates.
In a “Huck Finn” adventure as Jerry calls it, him and Curtis visit many establishments racking up funds to buy into the $25,000 game. Slowly Reynolds goes from a confident, rambling scoundrel to a reinterpretation of Charlie Babbitt from Rain Man. At times, it is difficult to know whether he is being humorous or serious.
Definitely, Maybe (2008) – 3.3
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Every guy has a “the one that got away” story. In Definitely, Maybe, Will Hayes is getting divorced, but to shield himself from the heartache, decides to recount his quest of finding true love to his 11-year-old daughter, Maya. In a unique twist, Will transforms the story into a mystery for Maya to solve. There are three suspects. One is her mother. But which of three romantic partners did her father fall for?
The film is the big screen version of How I Met Your Mother. It also is told in flashbacks. In The Princess Bride fashion, the audience experiences this romantic comedy through Abigail Breslin’s young Maya pondering which of three 1990s romances produced her. Reynolds fires on all cylinders constantly switching between smooth talker and romantic fool.
Buried (2010) – 3.3
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What Kill Bill Vol. 2 featured in 10 minutes, this obscure Ryan Reynolds foray into serious war drama took 90 minutes to examine. Being an American contractor in post-Iraq War reconstruction made Paul Conroy a target. However, Buried takes extortion and ransom to the extreme. The Bride had Bruce Lee’s six-inch punch. Conroy only had a lighter, flashlight, and a cell phone with a ridiculously long battery life.
Aside from a few conversations with his supposed kidnapper, his military contact, and family, Reynolds carries the film. Viewers literally feel trapped with him creating classic claustrophobia symptoms. He approaches the dialogue believing his character is ultimately doomed but is able to display courage up until the climax. The realism is apparent in his struggle to balance fear and resolve, essentially leaving traditional Ryan Reynolds at home.
Adventureland (2009) – 3.3
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There’s always one weirdo in the workplace isn’t there? For Ryan Reynolds’ Connell, the handyman of Adventureland Park, is a legend among his co-workers. Some say he made music with Lou Reed. Others say, “he’s married with his own band.” The truth is he’s a pervert who seduces young female park associates in his mother’s basement such as Kristen Stewart’s Em.
For those with nostalgia for old school carnival-like atmosphere, this film is perfect. Reynolds is not the centerpiece of this quirky comedy but maintains a significant presence. He’s like the camp counselor every kid wants to consult about adult matters, who seek his approval, and is thought to be cool. Much like Professor Jennings in National Lampoon’s Animal House, he’s just a man-child with vice exchanging it for attention.
Deadpool 2 (2018) – 3.5
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Deadpool 2 brought Ryan Reynolds’ most popular movie character back for a sequel. Not only did Reynolds return to the role, but he brought in even more comedy and ridiculous situations, including putting together a team called X-Force, all of which died in their first mission outside of Domino.
Reynolds delivered a great performance, with highlights coming with his back-and-forth with Josh Brolin’s Cable. He also showed a lot of emotion when dealing with the child mutant, Russell Collins, played by Julian Dennison. Reynolds was so good as Deadpool that the MCU kept the franchise intact when it purchased Fox.
Deadpool (2016) – 3.7
Stream now on Disney+
After years of campaigning for the role, Ryan Reynolds merged his acting personality with the Marvel character dubbed the “Merc with a Mouth” and struck Hollywood gold. Duped by a possible cure to his inoperable cancer, Deadpool exacts revenge on every person involved with horrifically violent means all while maintaining an idiosyncratic persona that often breaks the fourth wall.
Once in a while, a farce of a popular genre resonates with moviegoers. Deadpool even claims to be an anti-hero, which puts him in a class by himself among Marvel’s most recognized properties. Reynolds embraced the challenge as a passion project and did not disappoint. Furthermore, portraying the character accurately from the comics, he introduced the world to the simplest version of Wade Wilson, a smooth-talking thrill seeker wanted by the X-Men.
