Glen Powell’s 10 Best Movies & TV Shows, Ranked

Glen Powell has steadily become a prominent actor over the last ten years. He started his career in the early 2000s, taking on smaller roles before gaining more recognition in the late 2010s. He’s now appeared in major franchises like Top Gun, Twister, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, appealing to a wide range of viewers. Since his big break in 2018, Powell has proven his versatility with strong performances in both funny and serious roles, quickly becoming one of the decade’s most impressive actors.

Glen Powell isn’t yet considered among the greatest actors, but he’s definitely gaining traction with his recent successes. He’s also expanded his career by starting his own production company, Barnstorm, and receiving praise for his writing, proving he’s capable across all areas of filmmaking. While he has some exciting new roles coming up, many of his most popular and well-loved projects are already fan favorites.

10. Chad Powers

Role: Chad Powers/Russ Holliday

Glen Powell recently took on a particularly unusual role, and the results are mixed. In the sports comedy Chad Powers, Powell plays Russ Holliday, a promising quarterback whose career is derailed by a mistake during a crucial championship game. To make a comeback without being recognized, he disguises himself as ‘Chad Powers’ with prosthetics and a messy wig, and tries out for a less-than-stellar college football team in the South, hoping to regain his former success.

The series Chad Powers blends together three different styles – inspiring sports stories, lighthearted romantic comedy, and silly physical humor. While the plot sometimes feels forced due to Russ trying to maintain his fake identity, Powell’s realistic acting keeps the character relatable and earns audience sympathy. A second season of Chad Powers has been announced, and it promises to be even stronger as the show finds its footing and develops a clearer direction.

9. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Role: Mark Reynolds

Despite its long title, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a surprisingly good movie available on Netflix. Lily James plays Juliet Ashton, a talented writer, and Michiel Huisman is Dawsey Adams, a man who shares her love of books. It’s a beautiful historical romance set just after World War II, and Glen Powell adds to the film’s charm.

Mark is a confident American soldier who represents the expectations and limitations of society, even though he isn’t a villain. The Juliet who initially desired a relationship with him essentially disappears throughout the film, transforming into a passionate member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Dawsey’s soulmate. While Glen Powell doesn’t dominate the film, his character played a crucial role in the story’s overall message.

8. Everybody Wants Some!!

Role: Walt “Finn” Finnegan

Baseball has been the subject of many memorable movies, like A League of Their Own and Benchwarmers, but Everybody Wants Some!! often gets overlooked. This film, set in 1980s Texas, feels like a nostalgic haze, blending classic late 70s and early 80s culture with some unexpected twists.

This fantastic, yet often forgotten, sports movie features a great cast, with Jake Powell delivering a particularly standout performance as Walt ‘Finn’ Finnegan. Powell was relatively new to audiences when the film, Everybody Wants Some!!, came out, which made his portrayal of Finn feel authentic and relatable, avoiding the pitfalls of over-the-top comedy. Though it’s become a beloved cult classic, the movie—and especially Powell’s captivating performance—deserves much wider recognition.

7. Scream Queens

Role: Chad Radwell

Scream Queens is a brilliantly over-the-top show and is considered a highlight of Ryan Murphy’s work. It’s a funny, self-aware horror series that centers on a stereotypical sorority led by the privileged and self-absorbed Chanel Oberlin (Emma Roberts), whose life is turned upside down when a killer dressed as the devil starts targeting the campus.

I was obsessed with Scream Queens when it was on, even though it only lasted two seasons! Glen Powell as Chad Radwell was immediately my favorite character. He played this ridiculously funny, arrogant frat guy—Chanel’s boyfriend, mostly—and it just worked with the show’s over-the-top, campy horror vibe. Honestly, it’s one of the only times I’ve seen Powell play someone so awful, but everyone loved how hateable he was! There’s still a huge group of us who are desperate for a revival, and I’m right there with them!

6. Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous

Role: Dave

While not his most famous work, voice actor Glen Powell lent his talents to the Netflix series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous as the recurring character Dave. The animated show fits neatly into the timeline of the Jurassic Park franchise, happening at the same time as the events of Jurassic World (2015) and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).

Voice acting really showcases what an actor can do, and Powell excels in his role. Even though he only appears in three out of five seasons with Jameela Jamil’s character, he consistently delivers a great performance. While Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous might not be a career-defining role for Powell, it still proves how versatile he is.

5. Hidden Figures

Role: John Glenn

The movie Hidden Figures, inspired by Margot Lee Shetterly’s book of the same name, tells the story of three brilliant African American women who played a crucial role in NASA’s early space missions. Katherine Goble Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan all faced significant racial prejudice while working on the Mercury program, and the film highlights how their contributions were often overlooked despite their vital importance.

Glen Powell gives a fantastic performance as astronaut John Glenn, but the real heart of Hidden Figures lies with its three main characters. They’re the true heroes, dedicating themselves to progress through science, even if the film intentionally uses Powell’s charm to draw in audiences.

4. Twisters

Role: Tyler Owens

Disaster movies aren’t as popular as they once were, especially since the first Twister came out. However, the new film Twisters (2024) is a solid effort to bring the genre back, thanks to strong performances from Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and supporting actors like Anthony Ramos and David Corenswet.

The new movie Twisters is a sequel to the 1996 film and centers on Kate, Tyler, and their team as they pursue tornadoes, driven by a desire for online attention or the thrill of the chase. While a gentle romantic connection develops between Tyler and Kate, it doesn’t overshadow the main story, and audiences really connected with it. Though Twisters didn’t surpass the original in popularity, actress Daisy Powell delivered a captivating performance.

3. Hit Man

Role: Gary Johnson

Movies based on real events can often feel predictable, but Hit Man avoids that trap by playfully reimagining the true story of Gary Johnson. The film transforms Johnson’s life and work into a funny and charming romantic comedy. Glen Powell plays Gary, a shy college professor who starts helping the police with undercover operations. When a colleague gets in trouble, Gary unexpectedly finds himself posing as a professional hitman.

Glen Powell plays a surprising number of different characters in the movie, convincingly portraying everything from a Patrick Bateman copycat to a mysterious assassin with a peculiar mannerism. While the unusual love story is a big draw, the most impressive aspect of Hit Man is Powell’s ability to completely transform into each role, even if it’s just for a short time.

2. Set It Up

Role: Charlie Young

While Hit Man is a playfully rebellious love story, Set It Up is a truly great romantic comedy – easily one of the best of the 21st century. The film follows Charlie and Harper, two hardworking assistants who, exhausted from long hours, decide to set up their bosses in an attempt to find time for their own lives.

This movie is a charming mix of funny mishaps, heartfelt moments, and undeniable chemistry between its leads. Even if you usually dislike romantic comedies, you’ll likely be won over by the fantastic pairing of Powell and Deutch, who elevate a familiar story into something truly captivating – their playful back-and-forth is worthy of the genre’s best.

1. Top Gun: Maverick

Role: Jake “Hangman” Seresin

While defining Glen Powell’s ‘best’ role is a matter of opinion, Top Gun: Maverick undoubtedly launched his career to new heights. As the highly anticipated sequel to the 1986 classic Top Gun, the film lived up to the hype, and its box office success proves it.

The 2022 film, featuring Tom Cruise reprising his role as Maverick, also introduced a new group of pilots, including Jake “Hangman” Seresin played by Glen Powell, and Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw played by Miles Teller. These two characters have a complicated relationship, balancing competition and friendship, and it’s a difficult dynamic to portray convincingly. Glen Powell was perfectly cast as Hangman, and it seems he’s destined for many more roles that are equally well-suited to his talents.

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2026-05-09 18:53