The Ultimate Jason Momoa Filmography: Ranked by Cinematic Impact
From Epic Fantasies to High Octane Action Thrillers
Explore the best films featuring Jason Momoa, spanning from his iconic DC superhero roles to gritty action hits and sci-fi masterpieces.
About Jason Momoa
Jason Momoa exists as a rare specimen in the modern cinematic landscape, a performer whose sheer physical gravity is matched only by an unexpectedly playful, bohemian spirit. He first seared himself into the public consciousness as a silent, hulking force of nature, but the intervening decade has seen him dismantle the stereotype of the brooding tough guy. He has transformed into a global brand built on a foundation of paradoxical charm: the man looks like he could topple a mountain, yet he projects the warmth of a guy you would find fixing a vintage motorcycle in a dusty garage.
The dawn of his superstardom arrived with a trident in hand. While he technically debuted as Arthur Curry in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it was the 2018 standalone Aquaman that redefined his trajectory. He took a character often ridiculed as the punchline of the Justice League and injected him with a heavy-metal, surf-rock energy that resonated globally. By the time Zack Snyder's Justice League restored his grittier, more solemn edges, the actor had already proven that he could carry a billion-dollar franchise on his tattooed shoulders. He revisited this aquatic throne in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, solidifying his place as a pillar of the DC universe while maintaining a grounded, blue-collar relatability that remains his creative calling card.
Beyond the blockbuster spectacle, he possesses a restless creative hunger. He explored the soul of the American West in the grit of Road to Paloma, a project he directed and starred in, showcasing a sensitivity often overlooked by casting directors chasing his physique. This duality defines his filmography. He can play the desperate father in the high-stakes survival of Braven or the grieving widower looking for vengeance in Sweet Girl, yet he seems just as comfortable leaning into the surreal. In Slumberland, he traded his warrior persona for a top hat and a set of tusks, leaning into a whimsical, chaotic energy that felt entirely authentic to his off-screen reputation as a joyful disruptor.
Nowhere was this disruption more evident than in Fast X, where he stole the spotlight by playing a villain who was essentially a flamboyant, homicidal jester. It was a performance that signaled a new chapter in his career, one where he is less interested in being the hero and more interested in being the most interesting person in the frame. Whether he is portraying the fiercely loyal Duncan Idaho in the high-concept sands of Dune or lending his voice to a blocky version of himself in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, he carries a specific kind of magnetism.
Audiences connect with him because he feels like the last of the authentic wild men. There is no artifice in his presence. From the primal intensity of Conan the Barbarian to the post-apocalyptic strangeness of The Bad Batch, he brings a raw, tactile quality to every frame. He manages to be both an aspirational figure of masculine strength and a relatable advocate for the environment and traditional craftsmanship. He is not just a movie star; he is a cultural vibration, a man who has successfully navigated the transition from a niche fantasy icon to a ubiquitous force of nature. In an industry of polished edges, his rough-hewn sincerity is his greatest superpower.
The Last Manhunt
2022In 1909, Willie Boy and his love Carlota go on the run after he accidentally shoots her father in a confrontation gone terribly wrong. With President Taft coming to the area, the local sheriff leads two Native American trackers seeking justice for their “murdered” tribal leader.
Once Upon a Time in Venice
2017Steve Ford is a private detective in Venice Beach, Calif., who's good with the ladies, bad with the punches and wild about his dog Buddy. When local thugs steal Buddy, Ford turns to Spyder, their devious leader, and forges an unlikely alliance. With help from his best friend, Steve pulls out the big guns to retrieve Spyder's stolen cash and cocaine and save Buddy.
The Bad Batch
2017After being exiled to a fenced-off wasteland, Arlen is kidnapped by a group of cannibals and goes on a journey to reunite a missing girl with her father.
Wolves
2014The coming-of-age story of Cayden Richards. Forced to hit the road after the murder of his parents, Cayden wanders lost without purpose... Until he meets a certifiable lunatic named Wild Joe who sets him on a path to the ominous town of Lupine Ridge to hunt down the truths of his history. But in the end| who's really hunting whom?
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
2019It's been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO® invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild.
A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.
Road to Paloma
2014While Native American Wolf is being pursued by the FBI for having taken the law into his own hands, when his mother was raped and killed on their reservation he crosses paths with Cash, a down and out musician who is coping with the end of his marriage. An unlikely friendship develops, as they ride together towards the Teton mountain range, where Wolf will spread his mothers ashes.
As director and star, Momoa utilizes this poetic road movie to strip away his public persona in favor of something haunting and contemplative. It remains his most personal project, revealing an introspective filmmaker’s sensibility behind the action hero exterior.
Braven
2018A logger defends his family from a group of dangerous drug runners.
This lean actioner strips back the Hollywood gloss to let Momoa’s imposing physical presence do the storytelling in a confined, wintry landscape. It is a testament to his ability to carry a taut, mid-budget genre piece through quiet intensity alone.
Sweet Girl
2021A man vows to bring justice to those responsible for his wife's death while protecting the only family he has left, his daughter.
Selecting this gritty revenge thriller allowed Momoa to showcase a vulnerable, blue-collar desperation that is frequently buried under blockbuster CGI. He trades his invincibility for raw emotion, proving he can navigate a grounded dramatic narrative.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
2023Black Manta seeks revenge on Aquaman for his father's death. Wielding the Black Trident's power, he becomes a formidable foe. To defend Atlantis, Arthur (Aquaman) forges an alliance with his imprisoned brother. They must protect the kingdom.
In this final bow as the King of Atlantis, Momoa shifts the focus toward a buddy-comedy dynamic that emphasizes his natural chemistry with costars. While the stakes feel smaller, his comfort within the role is undeniable and breezy.
Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.
Though his screen time is minimal, this brief introduction established the visual DNA of a new kind of aquatic hero. It represents the crucial starting gun for the most lucrative chapter of his professional life.
Slumberland
2022A young girl discovers a secret map to the dreamworld of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw, she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, with the hope that she will be able to see her late father again.
Trading his warrior’s edge for whimsical eccentricity, Momoa explores a flamboyant theatricality that highlights his often overlooked comedic timing and range for younger audiences. This role serves as a colorful pivot away from typed-cast action leads into the realm of pure character acting.
Fast X
2023Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they've ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who's fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever.
Momoa injects a shot of pure, flamboyant adrenaline into the aging franchise by portraying a villain who is essentially a chaotic, high-fashion sociopath. It is a wildly unhinged departure from his usual stoicism that stands as the most vibrant work of his career.
Aquaman
2018Half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry is taken on the journey of his lifetime to discover if he is worth of being a king.
This solo outing cemented Momoa as a bona fide box office titan capable of carrying a billion dollar franchise on his tattooed shoulders. He leans into a rock star persona that successfully modernized a historically mocked superhero through sheer, unadulterated machismo.
Dune
2021Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet's exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence-a commodity capable of unlocking humanity's greatest potential-only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
As Duncan Idaho, Momoa radiates a seasoned, effortless charisma that serves as the tactile heart of Villeneuve’s clinical sci-fi universe. He proves here that he can command a high-concept ensemble by grounding the spectacle in a fierce, protective physicality.
Determined to ensure Superman's ultimate sacrifice was not in vain, Bruce Wayne aligns forces with Diana Prince with plans to recruit a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching threat of catastrophic proportions.
Momoa finally finds the space to breathe in this four hour epic, transforming Arthur Curry from a reluctant brawler into a weary, soulful warrior with a genuine sense of mythological weight. It is the definitive realization of his iteration of the character, stripping away the quippy artifice to reveal the brooding king beneath the surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts
- Jason Momoa's portrayal of Aquaman in Zack Snyder's Justice League is pivotal, showcasing the character's depth and raw power within a complex superhero ensemble. His performance brings a refreshing blend of strength and humor, elevating the film's dynamic and solidifying his status as a key figure in the DC Universe.
- In Dune, Jason Momoa plays Duncan Idaho, delivering a compelling performance that balances loyalty and valor, enriching the sci-fi epic's narrative tapestry. His charismatic presence adds emotional weight to the story, which is essential in Denis Villeneuve's visually striking and thematically dense adaptation.
- Jason Momoa's films such as Aquaman and Fast X often explore themes of heroism, personal identity, and resilience amidst chaos. Both movies emphasize action-packed storytelling while highlighting his characters' complexities, from the mythical underwater kingdom to high-stakes street warfare.
- Jason Momoa has skillfully diversified his career by branching from iconic fantasy roles in films like Aquaman and Conan the Barbarian to genres like thriller and drama in movies like Sweet Girl and Road to Paloma. This transition demonstrates his versatility and ability to engage audiences across different cinematic styles.
- Jason Momoa not only starred in Road to Paloma but also directed the film, marking a significant step in his career as a filmmaker. The movie showcases his passion for compelling storytelling with a raw and personal touch, highlighting themes of redemption and self-discovery.
- In Slumberland, Jason Momoa takes on a more family-friendly and whimsical role, contrasting with his typical tough, action-oriented characters. His participation in this fantasy comedy highlights his playful and approachable side, broadening his appeal to diverse audiences.
- Jason Momoa's consistent portrayal of Aquaman across both films provides continuity and depth to the character's cinematic journey. His evolving performance helps expand the Aquaman narrative within the DC Extended Universe, blending action, adventure, and fantasy elements to engage fans worldwide.
