It's actually kind of astounding that Dwayne Johnson has been able to remain not only relevant, but is still sought out after all these years.
From his less than auspicious acting beginnings as a CGI scorpion, to his stunning return to the WWE, to all of his many, many upcoming films , Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson just doesn’t seem to know when to quit.
And we hope he never does, since “The People’s Champion” is not only the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, but also one of the most electrifying men in Hollywood, as well. So, here are Dwayne Johnson’s best movies, ranked. Can you smellllllll what he’s cooking?
10. Black Adam (2022)
Does Black Adam have its faults? Sure. In fact, in our review, we said that it had “interesting ideas with underwhelming execution.” But, there’s just something fascinating about The Rock’s first (and possibly only) superhero movie, and that’s Johnson himself.
The story of a bad guy who learns to be…well, less bad, his superhero movie sometimes suffers from having way too much CGI, but it’s also pretty awesome throughout. It’s a sharp counterpoint to the Shazam! series (to which we’ll, unfortunately, likely never get a crossover) , as it’s way more action-oriented and dials back on the humor. But, as an action movie where The Rock goes shooting up into the sky, and gets thrown into buildings, it definitely serves its purpose. Sometimes, all a movie has to be is cool, and – at times, anyway – Black Adam is definitely cool.
9. The Rundown (2003)
I sometimes wonder if The Rundown would be just as good if Dwayne Johnson wasn't in it. But then I realize, no. No, it wouldn’t. Because only The Rock could balance this kind of action and humor. Playing a bounty hunter who kicks a lot of ass but also gets his ass kicked, this early work from him really played to his comedic chops. It didn’t hurt that the setting of Brazil was also unique at the time, as he definitely seemed out of his comfort zone in the jungle.
But, it’s the explosive, dual shotgun wielding climax of The Rundown that really makes this a Dwayne Johnson movie for the ages: slow motion walking while being shot at, kicking down boards, sending people to their doom.
Yep. Watching this finale really gives you a sense of what his career could have been like if he just remained a one-note action hero. The Rock had other ambitions, however, and we're all the better for it. I can’t say that I blame him for not wanting to be typecast.
8. Pain And Gain (2013)
Honestly, Pain and Gain might be Johnson’s funniest movie, which is saying something, given that this is a Michael Bay film. In it, the wrestler plays an ex-convict who has found Jesus and doesn’t want to use his massive muscles to hurt anybody.
Things quickly go awry when Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Mackie’s characters hatch a scheme to kidnap a rich guy (played by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Tony Shalhoub) and rob him of his loot. The second half of the film is The Rock’s downward spiral back into his old criminal ways, but it’s funny throughout. Who knew watching restraint could be so hilarious?
What works so well for him here is that he’s being so gee-gosh earnest in the role. You feel that the dude obviously doesn’t want to go astray, but it’s hard to stay straight. Especially when you have drugs and strippers so easily at your disposal. It’s a dramatic turn that could have been a one-note joke, but Johnson knows when to downplay his charm enough to come off as sympathetic and even a little sad. Seriously, watch this movie again. It’s some of Johnson’s best acting work to date.
7. Central Intelligence (2016)
“Saving the world takes a little Hart and a big Johnson.” That was the tagline to 2016’s Central Intelligence. And, well, that’s just what we got. Bringing the then-unlikely duo of Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson together for the first time was this buddy comedy that might not have made everybody laugh, but it certainly made enough people laugh that it scored bank at the box office.
With his character starting off as a loser who becomes a CIA agent later in life, Central Intelligence is further proof that Johnson doesn’t take himself too seriously. In fact, Hart plays the straight man in this movie, and Johnson actually plays the goof.
It’s not the most original movie in the world, but it’s fun enough that it can be watched over and over again. Plus, you can tell that the Rock is really having a good time in this one, and when he has a good time, it’s infectious.
6. Rampage (2018)
Though it’s nowhere near as good as The Super Mario Bros. Movie , Rampage is still a genuinely fun film based off of a video game, and it mostly has Johnson to thank for it. Playing a primatologist (yes) this time around, he just wants to love and care for his albino silverback gorilla.
But, when the gorilla, named George, gets gassed in the face one night from some weird space canister, he grows to a massive size and just keeps on growing over the passage of time. While the gorilla grows, The Rock is all like, "he’s still my friend," and it’s really ridiculous. But, get this, Johnson actually sells it.
Rampage is thoroughly enjoyable throughout, and probably one of my favorite big monster movies that’s NOT Godzilla-adjacent. Growing up, I used to love the game, and I really had no idea how they could adapt the plot of three big monsters basically going from level to level punching down buildings, but this movie pulls it off, and Johnson is its center.
5. Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2017)
Okay, seriously, what can’t Dwayne Johnson do? Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle really shouldn’t work, but it does. The original Jumanji, while great when it came out, doesn’t really hold up today (even though I still find it hella scary .
Not only does Welcome to the Jungle work; it’s actually superior to the original. This time, it’s definitely a team effort, as you could argue that Jack Black is the real star of this sequel/soft reboot. But Johnson, who plays a nerd that gets turned into a stud as an avatar in a video game, manages to play second fiddle while still being the hero at the same time. That takes massive, massive skill.
He is very silly in this movie, but he's also very much a badass. That said, it’s his ability to make us believe that he’s really some geek in the outside world that sells it. His performance as Danny DeVito in the sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level, might be the even better role, but Welcome to the Jungle holds up as the better Jumanji movie. It surprised me with how good it was, and that's not easy to do.
4. Jungle Cruise (2021)
Johnson has had some pretty great tag partners over the years, such as Chris Jericho, Rikishi (Who did it for THE ROCK!), and of course, Mick Foley. (The Rock ‘n’ Sock connection!) But do you want to know another super surprising partner that he’s had in the past? Emily Blunt, because seriously, who knew that they would have such great chemistry together (which we said in our review).
Jungle Cruise, which is yet another Disney movie based off of a ride like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, is – in my mind, anyway - the most successful of the three. And, it’s probably because of The Rock, who can deliver one heck of a dad joke.
The film, which is about a doctor (Blunt) seeking a magical tree down a river, works so well since she kicks just as much butt as Johnson, who plays a silly skipper. There is never a dull moment, and the two of them together make one hell of a team. I’ll tell you, between this and Jumanji (and The Rundown!) The Rock should spend more time in the jungle, because it definitely seems to be working out for him.
3. DC League Of Super-Pets (2022)
Honestly, if you need any further proof that the multi-hyphenate can literally star in anything, then look no further than this fun animated feature where he voices Superman’s dog, Krypto. Paring yet again with his bestie, Kevin Hart, DC League of Super-Pets is pretty much The Justice League, but with animals, because the actual Justice League has been immobilized, and they need their pet friends to save the day.
And, save the day they do! DC League of Super-Pets is enjoyable because it doesn’t have any pretensions. It knows its premise is pretty flimsy, but that’s where Johnson’s electrifying voice comes in. You get a sense that he’s both powerful, but also super needy as Superman’s canine, and you willfully go along for the ride since the movie itself is a really fun adventure. Here’s hoping that we get a sequel.
2. Moana (2016)
Moana, which I’ve now determined is my favorite Disney movie , is just a fantastic story overall. It’s about a young woman who feels drawn to the ocean and goes on an adventure after a selfish demigod named Maui steals the heart of Te Fiti.
That demigod just so happens to be voiced by Dwayne Johnson himself. Personally, Moana holds a special place in my heart since my daughter and I have watched it so many times together. We’ve actually seen a lot of movies together, but this is the one that I never tire of, and it’s all because of the Rock, who actually has a great singing voice.
As an animated Disney musical, Moana may not be your typical Dwayne Johnson movie, but The Rock is all over this one. From the Polynesian backstory, to the fun vibe, to his personality, which shines throughout, Moana (which is now getting a sequel) would be the quintessential Johnson movie if not for the number one pick.
1. Furious 7 (2015)
Yep. No doubt about it. Furious 7 is the very best Dwayne Johnson movie ever, bar none. What’s the plot? Who cares? Cars go fast, stuff explodes, and the Rock breaks out of his cast by flexing! Everything you love about him is laced in this picture’s very DNA.
Why Furious 7 exemplifies everything there is to love about the man is because Johnson is larger than life, and in The Fast and Furious series, and Furious 7 specifically, The Rock is allowed to be as big and as bodacious as he wants to be.
His wrestling roots truly shine through in this movie. He mouths off to Jason Statham’s character, Shaw, as if he’s about to challenge him to the title belt, and he even gives him a Rock Bottom! Hell yeah. If you love The Rock, then it doesn’t get much better than this.
Dwayne Johnson has shown time and time again that he’s still one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. For more news on all things The Rock-related, be sure to swing around here often!
