Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s 15 Best Movies, Ranked

Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock has become one of the biggest actors in Hollywood and, in the process, has produced some stand-out movies. Johnson left wrestling once his movie career kicked off in the early 2000s. While his earliest films didn’t always find the same success as his in-ring career, The Rock soon became a household name in Hollywood. While his career has been full of highs and lows, he has proven himself and Dwayne Johnson became the highest-paid actor in Hollywood. This proves how far the former wrestler has come and is still going strong two decades later.

Although he may be a recognizable star, Johnson has struggled to find consistent success at the box office. Some of his films have failed to hit the desired heights and bombed financially. There have also been critiques over his acting range, with the actor finding himself playing similar roles frequently, creating the Dwayne Johnson character in the jungle trope. Despite the criticism, Johnson has also had some strong movies and performances. Appearing in huge franchises alongside underrated gems, Johnson has a catalog of great movies in which he played a significant role and remains a big studio draw.

15

Fast And Furious 6 (2013)

As Luke Hobbs

Fast Five was Dwayne Johnson’s introduction into the Fast and Furious franchise as Luke Hobbs. However, that first movie put Hobbs in an antagonist role. As fun as that was, fans were thrilled to see Hobbs as one of the team in Fast and Furious 6. The movie finds Hobbs hunting down Dom and his crew once again, but this time instead of looking to arrest them, he plans to recruit them. Together, they team up to take down a criminal mastermind who also happens to be paired with Letty who Dom thought was dead.

Johnson fits perfectly into the crew, bringing his charm, humor, and epic screen presence to the adventure. This was the entry in the franchise that really started to lean into the ridiculous in that these heroes and their cars could be anything. The result is a hugely entertaining action movie ride with some terrific sequences. The climatic airplane runway battle is a particular highlight.

14

Jungle Cruise (2021)

As Frank Wolff

Dwayne Johnson certainly didn’t let the jokes about his love of jungles in his movies get to him as Jungle Cruise fully embraced that trend. The film is based on the beloved Disney theme park ride and stars Johnson as Frank Wolff, a steamboat captain who reluctantly agrees to take Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) and her brother McGregor (Jack Whitehall) down the dangerous river and into the jungle in search of a hidden secret that could save countless lives and change the world.

The action is fun and fast-paced with a comedic energy that keeps things light.

While the movie does reach the heights of Pirates of the Caribbean, it proves that a solid family-friendly adventure can be created based on a theme park ride. The action is fun and fast-paced with a comedic energy that keeps things light. However, the real highlight of the movie is the chemistry between Johnson and Blunt. They are also joined by a strong supporting cast that includes Paul Giamatti and Jesse Plemons.

13

Get Smart (2008)

As Agent 23

It is a lot of fun to look back on Dwayne Johnson’s earlier acting roles and see a time when he was not always the leading man but was able to shine in supporting roles. Such is the case in Get Smart, a hilarious spy comedy based on the beloved Mel Brooks sitcom. Steve Carell steps into the role of Maxwell Smart, a dedicated but bumbling agent in a top-secret spy agency who finds himself thrust into the hero role in an effort to save the day.

Johnson costars in the movie as Agent 23, Smart’s much more impressive fellow agent. Johnson makes for a great foil for Carell and his character has some fun twists along the way. The movie does not live up to the wonderful original series, but it is still a funny action-comedy that pokes fun at the spy genre. Carell is great in the lead role while the supporting cast includes Anne Hathaway, Alan Arkin, and Bill Murray.

12

Pain & Gain (2013)

As Paul Doyle

With Dwayne Johnson and Michael Bay teaming up, fans were likely expecting a bombastic action ride. However, Pain and Gain was a very different movie for both of them and is a standout in their respective filmographies. Based on a true-crime story, Pain and Gain stars Johnson alongside Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Mackie as bodybuilders who get caught up in an extortion and kidnapping plot that quickly spirals out of control.

Few are more outrageous than Johnson’s Paul Doyle, a man who begins the story as a soft-spoken man looking to restart his life only to grow more unhinged the deeper he slides into the criminal world.

The movie embraces the dark comedic tone with a mix of grisly violence and some outrageous characters. Few are more outrageous than Johnson’s Paul Doyle, a man who begins the story as a soft-spoken man looking to restart his life only to grow more unhinged the deeper he slides into the criminal world. Given how often Johnson plays characters who are competent and in charge, it is a lot of fun to see him as this character who is constantly spiraling out of control.

11

Gridiron Gang (2006)

As Sean Porter

Before starring in huge blockbusters, Johnson had a number of smaller projects that proved to be some of his best. One of those underrated gems is Gridiron Gang, a sports movie based on a true story that also features one of Johnson’s best performances. He stars as Sean Porter, an employee at a juvenile detention center who seeks to save the young men who are sent there by teaching them discipline, teamwork, and perseverance as he forms a football team.

The film certainly falls into some of the clichés of the genre, but it is still an inspiring and thrilling sports story. However, the whole thing is elevated by Johnson’s terrific performance. He is tough and resolute but also shows a lot of emotion that is not always required of him as an actor. It is one of the more grounded performances in his career and he excels at it.

10

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

As Luke Hobbs

Starring alongside Jason Statham, the Fast & Furious spinoff, Hobbs & Shaw, proved the franchise could grow beyond the “Fast Family” and focus on some of the scene-stealing characters who have been added along the way. Following The Rock and Vin Diesel’s feud, Johnson wound up moving away from the main series and instead getting his own spinoff. Playing agent Luke Hobbs, Johnson was suited to being more in the spotlight, as the chaotic, action-packed nature of the Fast & Furious franchise was perfect for him.

The duo have great chemistry as these reluctant heroes who are forced to team up in order to take on Idris Elba’s genetically enhanced villain.

It may not have been a series that needed a spinoff given how many movies the franchise already has, yet it allowed The Rock and Statham to share the spotlight and deliver one of the more fun movies in the Fast & Furious universe. The duo have great chemistry as these reluctant heroes who are forced to team up in order to take on Idris Elba’s genetically enhanced villain.

9

Central Intelligence (2016)

As Bob Stone

Central Intelligence proved to be the beginning of one of the best modern duos in Hollywood. The comedy film pitted two physically contrasting people together and was the first time Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson shared a screen. Hart stars as the former star of his high school who has found his adult life falling short of his early potential. Things change when he is reunited with a fellow classmate (Johnson) who has gone from the bullied outcast to a bonafide secret agent.

The two actors worked perfectly together, showing their amazing chemistry, which started a trend of Kevin Hart and The Rock movies. The over-the-top action scenes are complimented with some hilarious comedy that helped craft a compelling story. Central Intelligence may not go down as an all-time classic, but it is certainly a strong comedy. It also gave Johnson the opportunity to play a different kind of action hero as his character of Bob Stone is a sweet and vulnerable character.

8

The Rundown (2003)

As Beck

As one of The Rock’s earliest films, The Rundown took a bit of a chance casting the novice actor, yet it proved a gamble worth taking. Johnson had only featured in a few movies before being cast in The Rundown, but the film proved to be one of his best. Johnson stars in the action-comedy as Beck, a reluctant bounty hunter who goes on a mission to bring back his boss’ son who has been treasure hunting in Central America.

Despite a poor box office return, The Rundown performed well critically and helped put Johnson on the map.

The Rundown helped show Johnson’s potential as an action star, as he played an imposing man who had a reluctance to resort to violence. While it may not have mixed in the same comedic chops that The Rock has grown accustomed to, the movie’s action-orientated plot made for a strong narrative. Despite a poor box office return, The Rundown performed well critically and helped put Johnson on the map.

7

Furious 7 (2015)

As Luke Hobbs

The Fast & Furious franchise is best known for being full of action and a little on the silly side. While Furious 7 still lives up to the brand’s action-heavy nature, the movie is easily the series’ most emotional. Due to real-life circumstances, the movie was forced to adapt after Paul Walker’s death significantly changed Furious 7. This tragic event massively impacted the movie, but it did make the more emotional moments mean that much more.

The movie brings in one of the franchise’s best villains with Jason Statham as the vengeful Deckard Shaw, who targets Dom Toretto, Luke Hobbs, and the other heroes for what they did to his brother. The Rock played a big role in Furious 7, but naturally, the film became about Walker’s character exiting the franchise and could have easily been a fitting end to the series.

6

Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2017)

As Spencer

Rebooting popular franchises has always had mixed results, but 2017’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle ended up being a hit. Once again, The Rock and Kevin Hart appeared on-screen, but with Jack Black and Karen Gillan also starring, it helped elevate the movie and add another dynamic. The sequel switches out the board game for a video game as four kids are sucked into the jungle adventure where they become the avatars of the game, played by Johnson and the rest of the star-studded cast.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle made just under $1 billion at the box office, highlighting that with the right cast and ideas, the franchise could be a hit. The 2019 follow-up also performed well and has paved the way for another installment, with Dwayne Johnson set to return to the cast of Jumanji 4. It is a funny and exciting adventure that once again plays on Johnson’s reputation as this stoic jungle hero is the avatar for a meek and insecure high school student.

5

The Other Guys (2010)

Detective Danson

The Other Guys is one of The Rock’s funniest performances and the whole movie thrives through its ridiculous humor. The movie sees the unlikely but effective comedic pairing of Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg as two New York City cops who are seen as screw-ups and losers only to be thrust into a vast conspiracy that gives them the opportunity to prove themselves heroes.

While this role is much smaller than the rest of Johnson’s best movies, his opening scene does help set the tone of the movie. Having two big names like Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson attached to the project made it seem like they would play a major role. Instead, they have a hilarious death early in the movie. While Johnson has had cameos in other great movies, his role in The Other Guys was more than a cameo and he played a key role in setting up the movie’s plot.

4

DC League Of Super-Pets (2022)

As Krypto

Although Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam DC plans backfired, he did manage to return to the DC universe in less conventional circumstances. DC League of Super-Pets was an unexpected hit that The Rock was at the forefront of. The animated movie is set in the superhero-filled world of DC Comics, but focuses on the heroic animals of this universe, led by Superman’s own four-legged companion Krypto, voiced by Johnson. These courageous critters must step up and save the day when the Justice League is captured.

Once again, Johnson starred alongside Kevin Hart to deliver a charming, animated film that received a strong critical response. The movie proved that Johnson didn’t need to throw on a costume to make a compelling superhero film, all he needed was a voice-acting booth. It might not have been how he had planned it, but Dwayne Johnson did find his successful DC film in the end.

3

Fighting With My Family (2019)

As Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Johnson’s role in Fighting With My Family saw him return to his wrestling roots and help elevate the film. The story focuses on Saraya-Jade Bevis who went by the wrestling name “Paige” at the time. With wrestling being part of her family, the movie shows Paige facing the industry on her own. Florence Pugh got one of her earliest starring roles as this determined young athlete who attempts to prove herself in the wrestling world while also dealing with her eccentric family.

Dwayne Johnson’s involvement really helps the movie gain some legitimacy as it does focus on real events. There were a plethora of other wrestlers who cameod in Fighting With My Family, further putting focus on the industry and Paige’s story, which resulted in the film being a critical success. It is a funny, sweet, and inspiring sports story.

2

Fast Five (2011)

As Luke Hobbs

The Rock’s Fast & Furious debut happened to be in arguably the best film of the series, Fast Five. Following the return of Vin Diesel and Paul Walker to the franchise in the previous installment, Fast Five brought everything together with characters from across the whole franchise, forming the Fast Family that fans would come to know and love. The team assembles to pull off a heist against a drug kingpin who killed one of their friends.

As the group’s main threat though, Johnson did a terrific job of portraying a determined and skilled bounty hunter and agent.

His introduction as Luke Hobbs saw Johnson play the movie’s antagonist, trying to capture the franchise’s main characters. Like many characters in the series, Luke Hobbs went from villain to hero in Fast & Furious, a trend that continued over the years. As the group’s main threat though, Johnson did a terrific job of portraying a determined and skilled bounty hunter and agent. He made for a compelling yet understandable enemy and was crucial to Fast Five being among the series’ best.

1

Moana (2016)

As Maui

While he makes for a memorable live-action movie star, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s best movie is actually an animated one with Disney’s Moana. The movie is set in ancient Polynesia and follows a determined young woman who seeks to reconnect with her tribe’s former se-faring ways by heading out on the high seas and lifting a curse. Along the way, she meets the impressive but cunning demi-god, Maui, voiced by Johnson.

The film is charming and oozes personality with The Rock being at the heart of it. He performs wonderfully alongside the lead, Auli’i Cravalho, and proved that he can step out of his comfort zone and still deliver. He even adds to the memorable songs in the movie while once again embracing his comedic side. The movie proved so popular that a live-action Moana remake featuring Dwayne Johnson was confirmed, which could easily prove to be another one of his best films.