Ryan Reynolds is one of Hollywood's biggest draws right now, starring in everything from romantic comedies to family sci-fi adventures, and most notably superhero blockbusters. The actor brings a certain level of charm and charisma to everything he does, making him one of the most sought-after names in the business.
But although many of Reynold's huge blockbuster franchises are undeniable successes with audiences, his critically acclaimed films represent a mostly different section of his filmography. He's an actor with a highly versatile and diverse record, which is clearly reflected by the scores given to his films on Metacritic.
The Croods: A New Age (2020) - 56
Stream On Hulu
Much like its predecessor, The Croods: A New Age follows the prehistoric misadventures of the Croods family, this time as they come into conflict with the technologically advanced Betterman family. Although neither film was praised too heavily by critics, both were honored for their entertaining and eccentric voice cast.
Reynolds stars as Guy, the boyfriend of protagonist Grug's eldest daughter. He's a technologically gifted caveman who lives with the Croods and offers them help on their adventures. As is typical with Reynolds, he's given plenty of sharp quips and funny moments to shine throughout both movies.
Turbo (2013) - 58
Stream On Peacock
In Turbo, Ryan Reynolds plays the titular character, a snail endowed with super-speed powers after a freak accident. The film follows Turbo as he decides to compete in the world's fastest race, the Indianapolis 500. The film was met with pretty high audience praise, mostly due to Reynolds' entertaining voice performance.
The supporting cast from Turbo is also quite impressive, boasting names like Samuel L Jackson, Maya Rudolph, and even Snoop Dogg as the aptly named 'Smoove Move.' It's a film that doesn't take itself too seriously and knows how to have fun with its absurd premise.
The Voices (2014) - 58
Stream On Max Go
2014's The Voices is one of those films that feels a little out of place on Reynolds' filmography, standing out as completely different from the projects he usually takes on. The film is a horror/thriller, following a young Jerry Hickfang as he pursues his crush with the help of his talking dog and cat.
Many believe The Voices to be one of Ryan Reynolds' best performances since he actually portrays several different characters and works with a wide range of emotions throughout the film. It's a lot more complex than a lot of fans with have seen from him before, and well worth a watch.
Definitely, Maybe (2008) - 59
Rent On Apple TV
Before he was the huge Marvel star that he is today, many will remember Ryan Reynolds for his string of romantic comedies in the early 2000s. Definitely, Maybe was perhaps one of the most successful, and has since gone down as somewhat of a classic in the genre.
The film also starred Abigail Breslin in one of her first roles after her breakthrough performance in Little Miss Sunshine a few years earlier. She has great on-screen chemistry with Ryan Reynolds in the film, which makes it one of his most watchable and entertaining movies to date.
Free Guy (2021) - 62
Stream On Disney+ & HBO Max
Set in a futuristic world where video game NPCs can develop sentience, Shawn Levy's Free Guy was a huge commercial success last year and one of the biggest summer blockbusters since the pandemic. Reynolds delivers a reliably charming performance in the lead role, opposite an equally charismatic Jodie Comer.
The hilarious Free Guy features plenty of funny main characters, with Reynold's titular 'Guy' offering signature jokes and quips at almost every turn. But besides the humor, the real star of the film is the surprisingly compelling romance at the center between Reynolds and Comer. They both own their roles, and their on-screen rapport is fantastic.
Dick (1999) - 65
Rent On Apple TV
In one of his earliest film roles, Ryan Reynolds played Chip in Andrew Fleming's Dick, a teen comedy surrounding ex-President Richard Nixon and his departure from office following the Watergate Scandal. Although he only plays a small role, his scenes are incredibly entertaining, and immediately prove that he has what it takes to be a star.
The film was met with mixed criticism, with many claiming that it's an unnecessary movie that makes light of issues whose effects were still being felt over the world. Others praised the film for what it truly was - a comedic reaction to one of the most unbelievable and surprising scandals in American history.
Buried (2010) - 65
Stream On HBO Max
In another one of his less humor-driven roles, Ryan Reynolds proves that he really knows how to act dramatically in Rodrigo Cortes' Buried. The film imagines a US truck driver who is attacked in Iraq and finds himself buried six feet underground with no idea how he got there and no idea how to escape.
The audience is stuck with Paul for the entire movie, which makes for an extremely claustrophobic and anxious experience that's amplified only by Reynolds' extremely raw and grounded performance. It's one of his more serious and mature movies, and he really shines in such a vulnerable role.
Deadpool (2016) - 65
Stream On Hulu & FXNow
Indisputably the film that shot Ryan Reynolds to international stardom, Deadpool is praised by many to be one of the best, most entertaining superhero films of all time. Reynolds' unhinged, immature portrayal of the character makes the film unlike anything else the genre has seen before in a completely refreshing way.
Unlike the MCU, Marvel's Deadpool stands completely alone in its universe, which gives it the sort of creative freedom and liberty that's necessary to pull off a character like Wade Wilson. It's unpredictable at every turn and is full of plenty of memorable moments that have earned their place in the superhero cinema hall of fame.
Deadpool 2 (2018) - 66
Stream On Hulu & FXNow
Inching out its predecessor on this list by a single point, Deadpool 2 is one of those rare sequels that seems to be appreciated by critics even more than the original. The story builds upon the world that the first Deadpool movie established, introducing new characters and interesting storylines.
The Deadpool films are full of interesting and exciting villains, and the second installment is no different. Josh Brolin's Cable is one of the most complex and intriguing villains in all of Marvel's films, and his on-screen rapport with Reynolds is more than enough to justify this film's position on the list.
Mississippi Grind (2015) - 77
Stream On Kanopy, Hoopla, & Showtime
2015's Mississippi Grind is one of Reynolds' lesser-known films, but it's equally one of his most underrated. It follows Gerry and Curtis, played by Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds respectively, as they embark on a road trip to win big money through Gerry's gambling skills.
The film relies on the chemistry between Reynolds and Mendelsohn to push its narrative forward, and the pair have some of the most entertaining and hilarious conversations throughout the course of the movie. It's impossible not to lose yourself in their whirlwind adventure, which makes for an extremely gripping and watchable experience.