For many years early on in his career, Steven Yeun was most well known as "Glen from The Walking Dead." However, since his departure from the hit AMC show, Yeun has grown to become one of the biggest up and comers in Hollywood. With smaller roles in films like Sorry to Bother You to leading parts in Oscar heavy-weights like Minari, Yeun's career is definitely on the upswing.
Most recently, there was even an announcement that Yeun would be starring in Jordan Peele's upcoming horror film Nope, though that won't premiere until next summer. Still, while we wait for that terrifying tale, there are plenty of great Steven Yeun films that deserve watches - or perhaps rewatches - in the meantime, and according to their IMDb ratings, there's some that are more worth your time than others.
Space Jam: A New Legacy - 4.4
Released this past summer, Space Jam: A New Legacy was a sequel-of-sorts to 1996's Space Jam, this time following LeBron James as a fictionalized version of himself who has to enter into the Warner Bros. Serververse to save his son.
Steven Yeun had a small role in the film as an unnamed Warner Bros. executive, starring alongside Sarah Silverman. Because he only has one scene (and since A New Legacy received scathing reviews from critics), this isn't seen as the best showcase for Yeun's talents, and the IMDb rating reflects that.
The Star - 6.3
The Star was a movie that flew largely under the radar despite numerous big names being attached to the project. Stars like Keegan-Michael Key, Gabriel Iglesias, and of course Steven Yeun all feature in this animated movie about a donkey named Bo.
Yeun voices the donkey protagonist on a quest that ends up being the first Christmas, in an animated retelling of the biblical story. Yeun is the standout star in the movie, and his calm and smooth voice makes the perfect pairing with a character that is kind and likable throughout the film.
My Name Is Jerry - 6.4
My Name Is Jerry is a 2010 independent dramedy following a forty-something door-to-door book salesman named Jerry, who, after a chance meeting with Jordan, an engaging young punk rocker, opens a door into a new world and finds more in common with this younger generation than he ever thought possible.
Yeun has a small but standout role in the film as Chaz, Jordan's roommate who works at a record store and is part of a band. This was one of Yeun's first major roles before he achieved widespread fame for The Walking Dead.
Mayhem - 6.4
Despite being best known currently for his nuanced portrayal of Jacob in Minari, Yeun's first lead role in a major feature film was 2017's Mayhem, an action horror film in which Yeun's character must navigate a viral outbreak similar to those in zombie movies.
Taking place inside an office building before the outbreak quickly takes over all those inside, the film is action-packed and filled with plenty of gore, and Yeun is phenomenal in the lead role. Based on his strength here, there might be more action roles for him in the future.
Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans - 6.8
In the computer-animated science fiction fantasy film Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans, Yeun plays Steve Palchuk, the student and quarterback of Arcadia Oaks High and the de facto leader and co-founder of "Team Creepslayerz," a supernatural conspiracy team. Yeun reprises this role from the Trollhunters series.
The film, which was released on Netflix in July 2021, was generally well-received by critics, and it served as the finale of the Tales of Arcadia franchise by Guillermo del Toro, which features the television series Trollhunters, 3Below, and Wizards.
Sorry To Bother You - 6.9
Many would describe Sorry to Bother You as one of the strangest movies that they have ever watched. Blending magical realism, comedy, and sci-fi, the movie is an unbelievable wild ride involving telemarketing, elite sales groups, and of course "equisapiens." Despite how off the rails this movie becomes, there are plenty of things to like about it, with Steven Yeun's hilarious character being one of them.
Yeun plays a character named Squeeze who has a habit of creating unions at every job he goes to. Despite the weirdness, Sorry to Bother You is actually a scathing satire of capitalism. The film is filled with hilarious and unique cast members and Yeun still manages to stand out.
Okja - 7.3
The Korean film Okja - from the brilliant mind of Bong Joon Ho - was one of the biggest Netflix movies ever when it was released way back in 2017. It was also one of the first films that featured Steven Yeun, who had done mostly television work up to this point in his career.
The movie follows a little girl trying to protect a strange animal from an evil corporation, and Yeun plays a small but important role as an animal rights activist and translator. Despite his limited role, this was a huge step for Yeun after leaving The Walking Dead.
I Origins - 7.4
During his time as Glen on The Walking Dead, Yeun did take a short break to film I, Origins, an ambitious sci-fi drama where Yeun plays a supporting role. The film stars Michael Pitt as a scientist that researches the human eye and uncovers shocking realizations about the way people think about science and spirituality.
The independent film didn't get a ton of attention, but in hindsight, the movie showcases Yeun's ability to give a slightly more realistic and human element to his characters that make them more believable.
Burning - 7.5
The Korean film Burning features Yeun's only large role where he plays an antagonist, and it is just one of many fantastic Korean films that have gained international recognition in recent years.
After a man watches an old friend's cat while she is on a trip, the woman returns with a mysterious young rich man with a dark secret. The film plays out a little bit slow but crescendoes to a fantastic and thrilling conclusion. Although Yeun was fantastic in Minari, it's no wonder that many people still consider this to be the young actor's best role thanks to his unpredictability in the part.
Minari - 7.5
Although it didn't make a huge splash at the box office, largely due to the pandemic, Minari was one of the most critically acclaimed films to come out in 2020. In the film, Yeun plays an immigrant father trying to adjust and build a life for his family in rural Arkansas.
Beautifully shot and full of heart, the story is truly touching, but it is Yeun's performance that makes Minari a must-see. Showing off a side of him that audiences have never fully seen, it feels at times like the character of Jacob was written for him. Yeun is truly wonderful in the film and well-deserving of the Oscar nomination he received for the role.