Miles currently starring in Tom Cruise's summer blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, which is sure to introduce his name to more audiences but he has been shining in indie films for years. Teller is best known for his lead role in Damien Chazelle's Whiplash, where he played a young boy named Andrew who was forced to suffer physically and psychologically at the hands of a brutal music teacher in order to achieve his true potential.
The film was hugely critically acclaimed, and Teller's performance is one of its strongest assets but it's far from the only time he shined on the screen. Ranker users have voted on what they feel are his best films though at the time, Top Gun: Maverick didn't crack the top ten, likely due to not enough people seeing it just yet.
Divergent (2014)
Stream On Fubo TV
Miles Teller found his first mainstream acting role in Divergent, an adaptation of Veronica Roth's novel of the same name. He played the character of Peter Hayes throughout the entire trilogy, one of the most important and present characters in the series.
Like many young actors of his generation, Teller's appearance in this young adult franchise propelled his name into the mainstream, bringing him more successful and beloved projects in the future. Although they weren't the most critically acclaimed films, there's no denying how important they were for Teller's career.
Rabbit Hole (2010)
Stream On HBO Max
Rabbit Hole was Miles Teller's first professional acting role, and it remains one of his most impressive projects to date. He stars opposite Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart, who play the parents of a young boy that was killed by Teller's character in a car accident.
These kinds of family dramas are never easy to watch, but the three lead performances in Rabbit Hole make it almost impossible to look away from during its most intense moments. It's a story of grief and loss, but it maintains a hopeful tone throughout its darkly harrowing story.
21 And Over (2013)
Stream On HBO Max
21 And Over might not be widely considered the best comedy movie of the 2010s, but its funny performances and smart writing mean it remains underrated nevertheless. The film follows Justin Chon's character Jeff as he invites his friends out for one last night of excitement and overindulgence before an important exam the next day.
Teller plays Miller, one of Jeff's close friends who joins him on this late-night adventure of debauchery. He has great chemistry with his co-stars Justin Chon and Skylar Astin, which makes their scenes together a lot of fun to watch - even if the script is a little too simple to ever be more than that.
Two Night Stand (2014)
Stream On Amazon Prime, Tubi, & Vudu
Miles Teller stars opposite Lio Tipton in Two Night Stand, which sees their characters stuck together when a surprise snowstorm extends their one-night stand. The pair make a great rom-com couple, despite the film's somewhat simplistic and predictable story.
There are still a lot of great moments in Two Night Stand - such as the way Teller and Lipton's characters learn more about each other as the film goes on, inviting the audience to join them on their respective journeys of self-discovery.
Bleed For This (2016)
Rent On Apple TV
Bleed For This is considered by many to be one of the best and most underrated sports movies of the 2010s, mostly thanks to Teller's standout performance as Vinny Pazienza, a professional boxer left almost paralyzed after a dangerous car crash.
The film tells the shocking true story of Pazienza's accident, but it's much more focused on his inspirational recovery and his friendship with his trainer Kevin, who helps nurse him back to health and keep his boxing skills up to scratch.
The Spectacular Now (2013)
Stream On Showtime, Kanopy, & Hoopla
Although Teller has been a part of several romance movies over the years, The Spectacular Now is widely considered one of his best. He stars opposite Shailene Woodley in the film, with the pair developing a special and unconventional bond that eventually develops into a passionate romantic relationship.
It's thanks to the film's quirky humor, charming performances, and strong emotivity that The Spectacular Now is so widely adored by fans of the genre. Although it might be a little cheesy at times, the story is still a compelling one that can resonate with all audiences.
War Dogs (2016)
Stream On Netflix
Directed by Todd Phillips, War Dogs tells the story of two petty gun dealers (played by Jonah Hill and Miles Teller), who catch a lucky break when the US government comes to them with a million-dollar offer that they can't refuse. Teller and Hill are consistently hilarious together, and Phillips' script really plays to their comedic strengths.
War Dogs is widely considered one of the best dark comedies of the past decade, and it's no surprise since it comes from the mind behind the classic Hangover trilogy. It's got a fun story, hilarious performances, and some unbelievably shocking scenes that are sure to have all audiences on the edges of their seats.
Project X (2012)
Stream On Netflix & HBO Max
Teller might not be the star of the show in Project X, but he's still a huge asset to the film nevertheless. The story follows three high school seniors as they decide to throw an underground party in a desperate attempt to boost their status among their peers.
The film is a comedy of errors, with the three protagonists soon finding themselves in situations from which there's seemingly no escape. It's always funny to watch, and the film's great supporting cast allows it to thrive in this unsettling chaos.
That Awkard Moment (2014)
Rent On Vudu
The comedic trio of Miles Teller, Zac Efron, and Michael B. Jordan might seem unconventional on paper, but these actors all thrive in each other's company throughout That Awkward Moment. The story follows the three friends as they make a deal to live their lives free of commitments - before getting into relationships that they decide to keep secret from each other.
That Awkward Moment really makes the most of the chemistry between its three leads, allowing them to play off of each other's unique senses of humor in every scene. The main storyline might be simplistic and formulaic, but the film's comedy elements mostly make up for that.
Whiplash (2014)
Stream On Showtime
Whiplash was one of the defining films of the 2010s, shooting both Miles Teller and director Damien Chazelle to stardom after this breakout achievement. The film focuses on the relationship between protagonist Andrew Neyman and his dangerously obsessive music teacher Terence Fletcher.
Chazelle quickly followed up Whiplash with another, less harrowing film about jazz music - La La Land. His second feature went on to win plenty of Oscars at the Academy Awards (despite famously losing Best Picture), though there's still ongoing debate about whether Whiplash or La La Land is Chazelle's better film - which is a testament to the strength and consistency of his filmmaking.