The Definitive Ranking of Kevin Hart Movies
From Hilarious Comedies to Heartfelt Dramas
Explore the best Kevin Hart movies, featuring his iconic roles in Jumanji, Central Intelligence, and his most memorable big-screen performances.
About Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart operates at a frequency that most of Hollywood is still trying to tune into. He is a master of the high-velocity pivot, a performer who turned a self-deprecating stand-up routine about his stature into a global entertainment empire. What makes him a singular force in the industry is not just the punchlines, but an almost athletic level of commitment to the bit. Whether he is screaming in terror at a CGI hippopotamus or trading barbs with a massive co-star, there is a distinct vulnerability buried under the bravado that keeps him relatable even as his star power reaches the stratosphere.
His ascent to the top of the box office was fueled by a string of buddy comedies that redefined the genre for a new generation. In Ride Along and its sequel, he mastered the role of the hyper-kinetic underdog trying to prove his worth, a dynamic that reached its comedic peak when he paired with Dwayne Johnson in Central Intelligence. Audiences flock to these films because there is a palpable joy in watching him scramble. He carries a certain everyman quality that makes his frantic energy feel like a mirror to our own daily frustrations, just amplified for maximum comedic effect. This relatability carried over into the Jumanji franchise, where his chemistry with an ensemble cast turned a nostalgic property into a modern juggernaut.
While he built his house on laughter, the most interesting chapters of his career lately have involved a deliberate cooling of the engines. He surprised critics by stepping away from the slapstick to find the quiet, bruised center of The Upside, playing a man navigating a world of physical and social limitations with unexpected grace. He pushed this dramatic curiosity even further in Fatherhood, a project that stripped away the frantic hand gestures and mile-a-minute dialogue to reveal a father grappling with grief and responsibility. It was a career-defining turn that proved his magnetism does not depend on a microphone or a chase scene.
Even when he is relegated to the recording booth, his personality remains unmistakable. In The Secret Life of Pets and DC League of Super-Pets, he manages to inject a sense of manic urgency into his characters that makes them feel three-dimensional, while his work in Captain Underpants highlights a childlike enthusiasm that has never quite left his performance style. He understands the mechanics of being a movie star better than almost anyone in the business, balancing early hits like Think Like a Man and About Last Night with a relentless work ethic that has turned his name into a seal of quality for general audiences.
Ultimately, his impact on the cultural landscape is defined by a refusal to stay in one lane. He has transitioned from the guy who could steal a scene in Grudge Match to a mogul who headlines his own specials and steers massive studio ships. He remains a fixture of the multiplex because he honors the audience's time, delivering a brand of charisma that feels hard-earned and entirely authentic. He is the manic engine of modern comedy, yet he continues to prove that his true range is as expansive as the industry itself.
The Man from Toronto
2022A case of mistaken identity forces a bumbling entrepreneur to team up with a notorious assassin known as The Man from Toronto in hopes of staying alive.
Andy Stitzer has a pleasant life with a nice apartment and a job stamping invoices at an electronics store. But at age 40, there's one thing Andy hasn't done, and it's really bothering his sex-obsessed male co-workers: Andy is still a virgin. Determined to help Andy get laid, the guys make it their mission to de-virginize him. But it all seems hopeless until Andy meets small business owner Trish, a single mom.
Lift
2024An international heist crew, led by Cyrus Whitaker, race to lift $500 million in gold from a passenger plane at 40,000 feet.
Scary Movie 4
2006Cindy finds out the house she lives in is haunted by a little boy and goes on a quest to find out who killed him and why. Also, Alien "Tr-iPods" are invading the world and she has to uncover the secret in order to stop them.
Scary Movie 3
2003In the third installment of the Scary Movie franchise, news anchorwoman Cindy Campbell has to investigate mysterious crop circles and killing video tapes, and help the President stop an alien invasion in the process.
Me Time
2022With his family away, a devoted stay-at-home dad enjoys his first me time in years by joining his hard-partying old friend on a wild birthday adventure.
Grudge Match
2013A pair of aging boxing rivals are coaxed out of retirement to fight one final bout -- 30 years after their last match.
About Last Night
2014Bernie and Joan are two fiery flirters who are passionate about everything from hookups to breakups and each other. When he sets up his best friend, Danny, with her roommate, Debbie, the sparks soon fly as they try to navigate the relationship minefields from the bar to the bedroom and are eventually put to the test in the real world.
DC League of Super-Pets
2022When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto the Super-Dog must convince a rag-tag shelter pack - Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the turtle and Chip the squirrel - to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the superheroes.
Ride Along 2
2016As his wedding day approaches, Ben heads to Miami with his soon-to-be brother-in-law James to bring down a drug dealer who's supplying the dealers of Atlanta with product.
The Secret Life of Pets
2016The quiet life of a terrier named Max is upended when his owner takes in Duke, a stray whom Max instantly dislikes.
Think Like a Man Too
2014All the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas, but plans for a romantic weekend go awry when their various misadventures get them into some compromising situations that threaten to derail the big event.
Even within a chaotic sequel, Hart’s relentless commitment to the bit keeps the momentum from flagging. He leans into the absurdity of the setting, maintaining his position as the primary driver of the narrative's comedic pulse.
Ride Along
2014For the past two years, high-school security guard Ben has been trying to show decorated APD detective James that he's more than just a video-game junkie who's unworthy of James' sister, Angela. When Ben finally gets accepted into the academy, he thinks he's earned the seasoned policeman's respect and asks for his blessing to marry Angela. Knowing that a ride along will demonstrate if Ben has what it takes to take care of his sister, James invites him on a shift designed to scare the hell out of the trainee. But when the wild night leads them to the most notorious criminal in the city, James will find that his new partner's rapid-fire mouth is just as dangerous as the bullets speeding at it.
Hart successfully modernizes the buddy-cop dynamic by portraying a frantic outsider desperate for validation. This performance ignited his streak of theatrical hits and codified his signature 'man out of his element' comedic style.
The Wedding Ringer
2015Doug Harris is a loveable but socially awkward groom-to-be with a problem: he has no best man. With less than two weeks to go until he marries the girl of his dreams, Doug is referred to Jimmy Callahan, owner and CEO of Best Man, Inc., a company that provides flattering best men for socially challenged guys in need. What ensues is a hilarious wedding charade as they try to pull off the big con, and an unexpected budding bromance between Doug and his fake best man Jimmy.
This role highlights Hart’s capacity for physical slapstick and his talent for building rapport with unlikely costars. He elevates the premise through sheer charisma, demonstrating his reliability as a solo box office draw in the R-rated comedy space.
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
2017Based on the bestselling book series, this outrageous comedy tells the story of George and Harold, two overly imaginative pranksters who hypnotize their principal into thinking he’s an enthusiastic, yet dimwitted, superhero named Captain Underpants.
Hart’s vocal performance captures a youthful, rebellious spirit that translates perfectly to the medium of animation. His ability to project personality through voice alone confirms that his comedic presence is not just physical but rooted in a distinct, infectious energy.
Central Intelligence
2016Calvin Joyner, a mild-mannered accountant whose high school glory days are long behind him, reconnects with an awkward pal from high school through Facebook. After meeting up, Calvin’s mundane life takes an unexpectedly thrilling turn when he's thrust into the world of international espionage.
Playing the straight man to Dwayne Johnson’s eccentricities, Hart displays a refined sense of comedic timing and reactive acting. The film established his most lucrative creative partnership while proving he could excel as the emotional anchor in a high-budget action comedy.
Think Like a Man
2012The balance of power in four couples’ relationships is upset when the women start using the advice in Steve Harvey’s book, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man, to get more of what they want from their men. When the men realize that the women have gotten a hold of their relationship “playbook,” they decide that the best defense is a good offense and come up with a plan to use this information to their advantage.
This breakout performance weaponized Hart’s rapid-fire delivery, turning him into the undisputed scene-stealer of the modern ensemble rom-com. It remains the blueprint for his screen identity, blending observational wit with a chaotic, relatable charm.
Jumanji: The Next Level
2019As the gang return to Jumanji to rescue one of their own, they discover that nothing is as they expect. The players will have to brave parts unknown and unexplored in order to escape the world’s most dangerous game.
Hart showcases impressive mimicry in this sequel, adopting a slower pace and specific cadence to channel Danny Glover. This role demonstrates a sophisticated level of character work that goes beyond his usual riffing, proving his versatility as a character actor.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
2017Four teenagers in detention discover an old video game console with a game they’ve never heard of. When they decide to play, they are immediately sucked into the jungle world of Jumanji in the bodies of their avatars. They’ll have to complete the adventure of their lives filled with fun, thrills and danger or be stuck in the game forever!
Operating as the quintessential comedic engine, Hart masterfully utilizes his physical stature to subvert the tough-guy archetype. His chemistry with the ensemble solidifies his status as a top-tier blockbuster lead capable of carrying massive franchise weight.
The Upside
2019Phillip is a wealthy quadriplegic who needs a caretaker to help him with his day-to-day routine in his New York penthouse. He decides to hire Dell, a struggling parolee who's trying to reconnect with his ex and his young son. Despite coming from two different worlds, an unlikely friendship starts to blossom.
By mirroring the gravitas of Bryan Cranston, Hart finds a subtle rhythm that highlights his ability to convey dignity and restraint. It is a pivotal moment in his filmography where he successfully transitions his manic energy into a nuanced, empathetic character study.
Fatherhood
2021A widowed new dad copes with doubts, fears, heartache and dirty diapers as he sets out to raise his daughter on his own. Inspired by a true story.
Hart pivots away from high-octane comedy to embrace a grounded, vulnerable naturalism that redefined his range. This project serves as a definitive departure from his hyperactive persona, proving he can anchor a heavy domestic drama without the safety net of a comedic foil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts
- Kevin Hart demonstrates his dramatic and comedic talents most notably in 'Fatherhood' (2021), where he balances heartfelt moments with humor, offering a nuanced performance different from his usual high-energy comedy roles.
- In the 'Jumanji' films 'Welcome to the Jungle' and 'The Next Level,' Kevin Hart combines action, adventure, and comedy, using his quick wit and chemistry with co-stars to elevate the fantasy genre with humor and energy.
- Kevin Hart's partnership with Dwayne Johnson in movies like 'Central Intelligence' and the 'Jumanji' series highlights his ability to play off larger-than-life co-stars, creating a comedic dynamic that has become a defining feature of his career.
- Yes, Kevin Hart has lent his voice to animated movies such as 'Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie,' 'The Secret Life of Pets,' and 'DC League of Super-Pets,' showcasing his versatility and appeal to family audiences.
- The ranking includes 'Think Like a Man' and its sequel 'Think Like a Man Too,' as well as 'About Last Night,' where Kevin Hart's comedic timing shines in relationship-centric narratives.
- The listicle reflects Kevin Hart's range across comedy, drama, action, adventure, fantasy, romance, and animation, illustrating his versatility as an actor comfortable in various storytelling styles.
- In 'The Upside,' Kevin Hart delivers a more grounded and empathetic performance in a drama-comedy setting, demonstrating depth beyond his usual high-energy comedic roles.
- Themes of friendship, personal growth, and overcoming adversity frequently appear in Kevin Hart's movies, often conveyed through a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, making his films both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
