Content Warning: The following article contains discussions of addiction.
Fans have reacted positively to the first-look images of Ryan Gosling as Ken in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming movie, Barbie, based on the popular toy character. Given how closely Gosling resembles Barbie’s boyfriend, many have agreed that there couldn’t have been a better actor for the role.
If all goes well, Barbie might be considered one of Gosling’s best-ever movies, but it’ll face stiff competition. For an actor who has already starred in over 30 films despite being only 41, fans might not be able to agree on what his best work truly is. Luckily, a Ranker list settles the debate.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Half Nelson (2006)
Stream On fuboTV
In Half Nelson, Gosling plays Dan Dunne, a history teacher with a drug addiction. He slowly forms a strong friendship with one of his students and together, they overcome many of their personal problems.
This Ryan Fleck-directed drama notably scored Gosling the first of his two Oscar nominations for Best Actor. Beyond the accolades, Half Nelson has been praised for its deft commentary on sensitive societal issues like drug addiction.
The Big Short (2016)
Stream On Paramount+
The Big Short tells the true story of a couple of finance experts who predict the 2008 collapse of the US housing market and decide to take advantage of it. Gosling stars as a Deutsche Bank salesman.
Given its subject matter, The Big Short could easily be dismissed as a movie that only appeals to those in the business world. Luckily, the screenwriters avoid this by constantly sprinkling in pieces of unconventional comedy. As such, those who don’t get the jargon still find themselves invested in the characters.
Blue Valentine (2010)
Stream On Amazon Prime Video
Two timelines are explored in Blue Valentine. One shows a couple (Gosling and Michelle Williams) is in the throes of courtship, and the other sees their marriage falling apart.
Blue Valentine is perhaps the most relatable Ryan Gosling movie because it covers love in its sweetest and darkest forms. From financial problems to infidelity, all issues that can cause a marriage to fall apart are dissected. The raw emotional chemistry between the two leads leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Stream On HBO Max
In Crazy Stupid Love, Cal (Steve Carell) finds himself in a rut upon learning that his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore), has cheated on him. A lothario named Jacob (Gosling) then notices him at a bar and teaches him how to attract women.
It’s easy to see why audiences find the rom-com enjoyable, and it all boils down to the likable leads. Emma Stone rounds out the quartet of A-list actors who all have phenomenal chemistry and create hilarious yet relatable characters.
Lars And The Real Girl (2007)
Stream On Hulu
A young man named Lars struggles to form lasting relationships and friendships in Lars and the Real Girl. As a result, he ends up forming a romantic but non-sexual relationship with a sex doll.
The premise may sound pretenious, but Gosling’s performance elevates the movie into a surprisingly sweet comedy. Audiences may find themselves surprised at how much they can relate to his character.
The Notebook (2004)
Stream On Tubi TV
Based on the smash-hit Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, The Notebook begins at a nursing home, where an elderly man reads a love story to an elderly woman from his notebook. It’s later revealed that the story is about them when they were younger.
Though The Notebook has a movie twist ending that everyone saw coming, it’s still quite touching. It mostly thrives on sentimentality and since part of it is set in the 1940s, it appeals to lovers of period dramas. But above all are the charming performances by Gosling and Rachel McAdams.
The Place Beyond The Pines (2012)
Stream On Tubi TV
In The Place Beyond the Pines, a stunt rider (Gosling) decides to become a robber so that his family can live comfortably. This sets him on a collision course with a determined police officer (Bradley Cooper).
The action scenes are few but they are enough to make The Place Beyond the Pines a must-see revenge movie. Moreover, the themes of fatherhood, family, and poverty make the crime drama more than a clash of egos between men who want to get in each other’s way. There are a couple of heartbreaking deaths too for fans to remember.
The Nice Guys (2016)
Stream On UBO Max
An adult film star crashes her car and is believed to have died in The Nice Guys. Soon, her aunt hires a P.I. named March (Gosling) to find her because she believes her niece is still alive.
Ryan Gosling is strong enough to carry any genre offering on his own but the inclusion of Russell Crowe greatly benefits the movie, as it brings different generations of fanbases together. Thanks to the great chemistry between the two actors, it only takes a couple of minutes for The Nice Guys to set itself on the path to becoming one of the best buddy comedies of all time.
La La Land (2016)
Stream On Hulu
In La La Land, dedicated pianist (Gosling) and a gifted actress (Emma Stone) go on to achieve success in their respective careers. However, this complicates their once-perfect love life.
From the cinematography to the songs, the Damien Chazelle musical gets just about everything right — the record-tying 14 Oscar nominations are proof of that. On many occasions, movies that get plenty of Oscar love tend to be polarizing among fans, but La La Land‘s 81% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and massive box office gross prove its enduring popularity.
Drive (2011)
Stream On Disney+
In Drive, a stuntman (Gosling who doubles as a gateway driver falls for another criminal’s wife and goes to extreme lengths to protect her.
The adaptation of the James Sallis novel is one of Gosling’s most distinguishable roles because his character has no name. And Drive perfectly blends great action sequences, a well-crafted musical score, and violence. To date, it’s considered one of the best examples of arthouse action.
