Shia LaBeouf was a hit actor in his teenage years when he landed the main role in the Disney Channel show, Even Stevens. It's a role he is most commonly known for. Over the years, LaBeouf has starred in a number of films that are popular amongst viewers.
Besides the show, he became the leading star in the live-action Transformers film franchise. LaBeouf later left the role and pursued projects in action, drama, and adventure comedy. While many know him for his most notable roles, he has a number of films in his repertoire. Some roles didn't make the cut in terms of ratings compared to others. Let's take a look a LaBeouf's highest-ranked roles, as well as the ones that fell short.
Bad: Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (6.1)
Some audiences have a hankering for Star Wars, Marvel films or classic franchise films like Indiana Jones. The fourth film installment in the Indiana Jones series had LaBeouf as a supporting character. He played the role of Mutt Williams.
Williams is a motorcycle-riding young fellow who also happens to be Indian Jones's (Harrison Ford) son. LaBeouf was excited to be in the film and signed on unaware of the details of the role. For the role, he gained pounds of muscle and ended up pulling his rotator cuff on set.
Good: Honey Boy (7.3)
Honey Boy was a 2019 film that is close to Shia LaBeouf. He wrote the screenplay for the film based on his relationship with his father. LaBeouf initially wrote the screenplay as a way of therapy that later became an on-screen project. It follows the story of an actor who derails after an accident due to extreme drinking.
He is forced to go to rehab and resurfaces his childhood with his father (LaBeouf). His father was a former rodeo clown. His father also dealt with an alcohol problem but has become aggressive now that he's sober. The film received a positive critical response for its raw emotion. Although, LaBeouf admits writing the screenplay and making it into a film felt selfish and that he never planned for it to help people.
Bad: Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (6)
Shia LaBeouf became the poster star for the Transformers film franchise. After the second film, LaBeouf would appear in one more film. The franchise later recast and rebranded. The film continued Sam Witwicky's (LaBeouf) story, but, this time, took it international.
The Decepticons hope to procure a machine that would destroy life on Earth. It's up to Sam, his companions, and the Autobots to stop them. Critics felt the film lacked a human touch and was more about special effects than a developed storyline. It did fuel people's desire to see things blow up, though.
Good: The Greatest Game Ever Played (7.4)
Shia LaBeouf was still a teen when he starred in the biographical sports film The Greatest Game Ever Played. LaBeouf brought to life the story of Francis Ouimet. The film follows his journey as a golf player who wins the amateur U.S. Open in 1913.
At the time, golfing was only reserved for the high class. Ouimet was a golf caddy who had a natural talent and captures the eye of many despite his father's disapproval. Critics gave the film favorable reviews and enjoyed the film's gripping story that was helped with good casting.
Bad: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (6.2)
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps receive a considerable ranking of a 6.2 from IMDb. LaBeouf co-starred with veteran Hollywood actor Michael Douglas. The film takes place 25 years after the first film, Wall Street, in 1987. It centers around the 2008 financial crisis and refocuses on the main character, Gordon Gekko (Douglas)
Gekko is looking to reform himself after his incarceration and revive his relationship with his daughter. He also has the help of her fiance Jacob (LaBeouf). Getting back into good graces proves ot be tricky when a new guy has a plan to steal money. The film had mixed reviews with critics praising Douglas's acting. Some felt LaBeouf just wasn't that convincing in his performance.
Good: Fury (7.6)
Fury was an ensemble cast film that had many people talking. It received a favorable score of 7.6. The war film starred actors like Brad Pitt. LaBeouf, Scott Eastwood and Logan Lerman. It follows the story of a group of U.S. soldiers as they fight their way through Germany during the final weeks of WW2.
LaBeouf played the role of Technician fifth grade Boyd "Bible" Swan, tank gunner. The cast was praised for depicting the emotional and harsh reality of war. Critics also felt the film did a good job of showing visceral battle scenes and the horror that was WW2.
Bad: Man Down (5.9)
In 2015, Man Down became one of LaBeouf's less-favorable roles. The war thriller drama had the actor in the main role as U.S. Marine Gabriel Drummer. The film was meant ot show the brutal reality many war veterans face when returning home from duty. The non-linear storyline shows Drummer encountering two different realities.
One involves his wife's infidelity with his childhood friend, and, in the other, Drummer derails into PTSD and hurts people close to him. Critics felt the film had good intentions, but it muddled the storyline of modern-day emotions from war. They also felt that LaBeouf's character was overpowered and lost its premise.
Good: The Peanut Butter Falcon (7.6)
LaBeouf and the cast of The Peanut Butter Falcon warmed audiences' hearts with its comedy-drama storyline. It's about a journey of self-discovery and coming into one's own, focusing on a young man with down syndrome who escapes his assisted living facility.
He soon meets a fisherman (LaBeouf) on the run and develops a close friendship. Despite the film having a limited release, it became one of the highest-grossing independent films of 2019. Fans and critics praised the main actors for their character portrayal as well as the deep emotions. Many praised the film for its accurate build-up of characters and fun unpredictability.
Bad: The Tax Collector (4.7)
The Tax Collector is LaBeouf's most recent work that premiered in 2020. Fans had some high hopes for the film once seeing the tough gangster look the would adorn on screen. They become even more surprised when it was revealed that the chest tattoo his character wears on screen is real.
Sadly, the film hit rock bottom and received less than favorable ranking. The film follows Creeper (LaBeouf) and his friend who work as "tax collectors" for notorious gangs. The story shifts when an old rival goes after the main character. Despite reviews, fans loved LaBeouf's portrayal of Creeper and the representation of Chicanos.
Good: Even Stevens (7.6)
It's no surprise LaBeouf's most acclaimed and highest-ranked role is from his Disney Channel days. LaBeouf hit notoriety playing the role of Louis Stevens in the comedy show, Even Stevens. He played the role of 63 epsidoes and became a childhood hit for many.
It became one of Disney Channel's most successful series to date and has fans are clamoring to rewatch the series. The show focused on a suburban family in California. It mostly involved the ridiculous adventures of Louis, not to mention his ongoing rivalry with his older sister.