The Best Glen Powell Movies Ranked: His Career Highlights
From Maverick Wingman to Romantic Leading Man
Explore the best movies of Glen Powell, featuring his breakout roles in Top Gun: Maverick, Hit Man, and Anyone But You in this definitive film ranking.
About Glen Powell
In an era where the classic movie star often feels like an endangered species, Glen Powell has emerged as the definitive argument for their resurgence. He possesses a specific, high-wattage charisma that feels borrowed from the eighties but polished for a modern audience. It is a rare cocktail of pilot-license confidence and self-deprecating wit, a combination that allows him to play the arrogant jock and the sensitive romantic lead with equal conviction. For years, he was Hollywood’s best-kept secret, stealing scenes in the sun-drenched camaraderie of Everybody Wants Some!! and lending a sharp, understated reliability to the historical drama Hidden Figures. But the last few years have seen him transition from a reliable ensemble player into a gravitational force that can single-handedly anchor a summer tentpole.
The world truly took notice when he stepped onto the flight line in Top Gun: Maverick. As Hangman, he managed to make cockiness endearing, serving as the perfect foil to the legacy of the franchise while proving he could hold the screen against industry titans. That performance functioned as a mission statement, signaling the arrival of an actor who understands the mechanics of spectacle. He followed this by leaning into the grit of Devotion, showing a soulful depth that proved he was more than just a charming smile. Yet, it is his ability to pivot between genres that makes his current run so impressive. He revived the dormant theatrical rom-com alongside Sydney Sweeney in Anyone But You, reminding audiences that onscreen chemistry is a combustible, necessary element of the cinematic experience. Whether he is playing a charmingly awkward finance bro in the Netflix winner Set It Up or a debonair pilot in The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society, he navigates the terrain of romantic longing with an effortless, old-school grace.
What separates him from his peers is a distinct lack of vanity. In the genre-bending Hit Man, he delivers a transformative performance that mocks his own leading-man status, cycling through disparate personas with comedic precision and a hint of darkness. This willingness to play with his own image is exactly why he connected so deeply with audiences in Twisters. He stepped into the eye of the storm as a charismatic tornado chaser who utilized a YouTube-famous persona to mask a genuine intellectual passion. He makes the pursuit of danger look like a blast, radiating a kinetic energy that feels increasingly vital in a landscape of green screens and stoic superheroes.
His appeal lies in a tangible sense of enthusiasm that radiates through the screen. From the nostalgic, animated warmth of Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood to the high-stakes intensity of the war drama Sand Castle, there is an evident joy in his craft. Looking ahead to his role in the reimagining of The Running Man, it is clear that his trajectory is no longer about finding a seat at the table but building the entire house. He represents a bridge between the Golden Age of cinema and the digital age, a performer who respects the history of the medium while possessing the savvy to redefine it. Audiences show up for him because he feels like a genuine movie star who is actually having a good time, and in turn, he ensures the audience has one too.
The Running Man
2025Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards is convinced by The Running Man's charming but ruthless producer to enter the deadly competition game as a last resort. But Ben's defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.
Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood
2022A man narrates stories of his life as a 10-year-old boy in 1969 Houston, weaving tales of nostalgia with a fantastical account of a journey to the moon.
Sand Castle
2017Set during the occupation of Iraq, a squad of U.S. soldiers try to protect a small village.
Stripped of his usual glossy sheen, Powell’s work in this gritty war drama reveals a rugged intensity that grounds the film’s bleaker moments. He avoids the typical soldier caricatures to present a raw, unvarnished portrait of a man under extreme atmospheric pressure.
Everybody Wants Some!!
2016A comedy that follows a group of friends as they navigate their way through the freedoms and responsibilities of unsupervised adulthood.
As the fast-talking, philosophy-spouting Finn, Powell steals every scene through sheer verbal dexterity and infectious collegiate confidence. It is the performance that first caught the industry's eye, capturing a singular, kinetic lightning in a bottle.
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
2018Free-spirited writer Juliet Ashton forms a life-changing bond with the delightful and eccentric Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, when she decides to write about the book club they formed during the occupation of Guernsey in WWII.
Playing the steady, dependable fiancé, Powell offers a refined performance that suggests a versatility often masked by his flashier American roles. He navigates the period setting with a polite restraint that adds necessary weight to the film’s romantic stakes.
Anyone But You
2023After an amazing first date, Bea and Ben’s fiery attraction turns ice cold — until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited at a destination wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.
By leaning into the absurdity of the genre's tropes, Powell demonstrates his willingness to be the butt of the joke while maintaining undeniable movie-star luster. This project solidified his box-office draw by proving his appeal crosses effortlessly into mainstream pop-culture mania.
Set It Up
2018Two overworked and underpaid assistants come up with a plan to get their bosses off their backs by setting them up with each other.
This Netflix hit rediscovered the lost art of the screwball leading man, utilizing Powell’s frantic workplace energy to revitalize the romantic comedy genre. His frantic chemistry and impeccable comedic timing signaled the arrival of a major new romantic lead.
Hidden Figures
2016The untold story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – brilliant African-American women working at NASA and serving as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.
Even in a limited supporting capacity as John Glenn, Powell radiates a wholesome, retro decency that provides a vital moral compass for the narrative. This early turn highlighted his unique ability to inhabit mid-century iconography without ever feeling like an imitation.
Twisters
2024As storm season intensifies, the paths of former storm chaser Kate Carter and reckless social-media superstar Tyler Owens collide when terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed. The pair and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.
Exuding a lived-in, rugged magnetism, Powell commands the frame with a modernized cowboy sensibilities that keeps the massive spectacle human. He successfully navigates the transition into franchise blockbuster territory by leaning into a tactile, dirt-under-the-fingernails charm.
Devotion
2022The harrowing true story of two elite US Navy fighter pilots during the Korean War. Their heroic sacrifices would ultimately make them the Navy's most celebrated wingmen.
Powell pivots toward a grounded, soulful gravitas in this historical drama, trading his usual bravado for a masterclass in understated emotional support. It remains a crucial pivot point that proved he could anchor a prestige biopic with quiet dignity rather than just high-octane energy.
Hit Man
2024A mild-mannered professor moonlighting as a fake hit man in police stings ignites a chain reaction of trouble when he falls for a potential client.
Collaborating with Richard Linklater, Powell showcases a stunning chameleonic range that moves beyond mere charisma into deep, satirical character work. This performance serves as a definitive argument for his status as a leading man who can master both high-concept physical comedy and psychological nuance.
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell finds himself training a detachment of TOP GUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen.
As the arrogant yet ultimately vulnerable Hangman, Powell weaponizes his smirk to revive the classic Hollywood archetype of the lovable antagonist. This role effectively transitioned him from a reliable character actor to a quintessential big-screen presence capable of holding his own against Tom Cruise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts
- In "Top Gun: Maverick," Glen Powell shines as a charismatic pilot, blending arrogance with charm, perfectly showcasing his high-wattage charisma and pilot-license confidence. This role solidified his status as a modern-day movie star with an 80s flair.
- In "Hit Man," Glen Powell delves into comedy, romance, and crime, showcasing his versatility by balancing humor with romantic charm, unlike his more intense action roles like in "Top Gun: Maverick" or "Devotion."
- "Devotion" features Glen Powell in a war drama that highlights themes of bravery, camaraderie, and sacrifice, reflecting his ability to portray sensitive, emotionally-rich characters in historical and action-packed settings.
- "Twisters" blends action and thriller genres, allowing Glen Powell to demonstrate his range in high-stakes, intense scenarios, proving his skill in maintaining suspense and energy throughout the film.
- Glen Powell's performances in romantic comedies like "Set It Up" and "Anyone But You" showcase his charm and wit, balancing self-deprecating humor with heartfelt moments, which has broadened his appeal beyond action and drama films.
- In both "Hidden Figures" and "The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society," Glen Powell participates in storytelling that revolves around significant historical periods, shedding light on important cultural and social themes through compelling drama and romance.
- "Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood" is Glen Powell's entry into animated films, where he embraces comedy and drama to narrate a nostalgic, space-age childhood, highlighting his versatility as an actor beyond live-action roles.
- "The Running Man," directed by Edgar Wright, is Glen Powell's upcoming film that merges action, thriller, and science fiction, promising a dynamic and futuristic storyline that will further showcase his adaptability and star power.
