Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one of the most recognizable action movie stars of all time as well as one of the highest paid actors in the world. Johnson’s star has been on the rise for over two decades, and many of his most iconic roles come from his blockbuster science fiction, fantasy, and action films. Below, we’ll take a look at the best The Rock Movies.
Dwayne Johnson
Before we dive into the best The Rock Movies, let’s take a brief look at the career of ‘The Rock’. Born in 1972, Johnson was already a professional wrestler by his mid-20s and was already becoming well-known in the sports entertainment world by that time.
From there, Johnson began to make his mark in Hollywood in various roles until he ultimately became the A-list leading man he is today. Some of his early roles in such films as The Scorpion King, Walking Tall, and Race to Witch Mountain were precursors to his later, more famous roles and all helped to put him in the public spotlight.
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Our first featured The Rock Movie is Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. Released in 2012, it’s a classic adventure story in the style of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, and Johnson plays Sean Anderson, a mischievous teen who goes on an exciting journey across the South Pacific Ocean for a treasure hunt alongside his new stepfather, played by Josh Hutcherson.
Dwayne Johnson really shined in this film, using both his physical and comedic skills to great effect. His charismatic, charming attitude went a long way in making the film a huge hit at the box office and a fan favorite.
Fast & Furious
Next up is the Fast & Furious franchise, beginning with The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift in 2006 and concludes with the upcoming F9 in 2021. Although prior films in the franchise weren’t very successful, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift was a critical and commercial success and marked Johnson’s entrance and-rebirth of the franchise as a beloved action series.
In this series, Johnson plays Luke Hobbs, a hard-boiled federal agent tasked with tracking down the “Fast and the Furious” crew. Johnson’s take on this character is intense, athletic, and authoritative, making it one of his most memorable roles to date. Plus, the chemistry between Johnson and costar Vin Diesel is undeniable and makes for some of the most exciting scenes in any action film.
Hercules
The 2014 film Hercules is our next entry and stars Johnson as the title character. In the film, Johnson plays the son of Zeus and a trained soldier tasked with defeating a tyrannical ruler. The role of Hercules was one of Johnson’s most challenging yet, as it required him to not only look the part of the legendary demigod but also deliver some fantastic action setpieces.
This was one of Johnson’s first starring roles in an epic fantasy adventure, and the film still remains one of his most successful roles to date. The action is fast-paced and entertaining, and Johnson’s performance is nothing short of excellent.
Fast Five
Number four on our list is another installment in the Fast & Furious franchise: Fast Five. It’s also the fifth installment of the series and was released in 2011. Once again, Johnson plays Luke Hobbs, a special agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This time, Johnson’s role is significantly expanded as the plot focuses on Dom (Vin Diesel).
Fast Five is widely considered to be the best installment of the series, and the evidence for this can be found in Johnson’s performance. His take on the character of Hobbs goes a long way in making the film as good as it is, as Johnson brings a huge amount of charisma and physicality to the role.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Our fifth and final feature The Rock Movie is the 2017 sequel to the classic Jumanji. Johnson plays Dr. Smolder Bravestone, an avatar of in-game character “Bravestone” for four teenagers who get transported to a video game world.
In this film, Johnson uses both his comedic timing and stellar physical performance to great effect. His in-game character is a passionate and heroic leader, and Johnson really does shine in this role.
So there you have it! Our picks for The Rock Movies: Dwayne Johnson’s Most Iconic Roles. From Journey 2: The Mysterious Island to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, these five films are Johnson’s most memorable and iconic roles to date. All five of these films demonstrate why Johnson is one of the most beloved and respected actors of his generation. Do you have any favorite The Rock Movies? Let us know in the comments!