Zac Efron is a Hollywood star whose meteoric rise to fame began when he starred in High School Musical back in 2006. Beginning at age 17, Efron has since gone on to star in many big-budget hits, from romantic comedies to gory zombie movies and independent projects. Here is a look at the best Zac Efron movies of all time, from High School Musical to his current status as a Hollywood heartthrob.
High School Musical: The Big Break
Zac Efron’s big break came when he starred as Troy Bolton in High School Musical. His performance as the star basketball player that falls in love with Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) made him a household name overnight. The movie was an instant hit that gained an even bigger fan base on television when it was released on the Disney Channel. The success of this movie propelled Efron to become one of the biggest teen idols of all time.
17 Again
This 2009 movie was the first movie that Efron starred in after leaving the confines of High School Musical. The teen comedy also starred Leslie Mann, Nicholas D’Agosto, and Thomas Lennon. In 17 Again, Efron played a high schooler who gets a second shot at life in the form of his teenage self. The movie was wildly successful, grossing over $136 million worldwide.
Highly Rated Whether It’s Comedy or Drama
Since 2009, Efron has starred in numerous movies ranging from comedy to drama. As an actor, he has shown his versatility, winning fans over with diverse roles in movies that have all been highly rated by professional movie critics.
Some of the highest-rated movies Efron has starred in include The Greatest Showman, the 2017 biographical musical drama about showman P.T. Barnum, which has an impressive 8.1 rating on IMDB; The Lucky One, where Efron played a young marine veteran coming home from Iraq, and We Are Your Friends, where Efron played an ambitious but naïve DJ.
He has starred in several romantic comedies, such as Charlie St. Cloud and That Awkward Moment, and not afraid to tackle tough roles either, as demonstrated in The Paperboy, where he played a man on death row in a sultry thriller.
Musical Talent
In addition to his acting talents, Efron has also displayed his singing talents in a number of musicals. He starred in the movie adaptation of the musical Hairspray, as well as the musical remake of the movie Footloose. Efron sang several songs in both of these movies, and further demonstrated his vocal capabilities when he performed a duet with Vanessa Hudgens in High School Musical 3: Senior Year.
California Native
Zac Efron was born in San Luis Obispo, California, in 1987. He was raised in Arroyo Grande and moved to Los Angeles in 2005 to pursue acting. He made his television debut on the series Firefly and went on to have a recurring role on ER.
Efron’s first big movie role was in 2006 when he was cast as Troy Bolton, the star athlete and singing sensation, in the Disney Channel original movie High School Musical. The movie was an instant hit and made Efron an overnight celebrity.
Box Office Star
Since then, Efron has starred in several box office hits, the biggest one being Baywatch, which grossed over $177 million worldwide. He has also enjoyed critical and commercial success with Neighbors, Dirty Grandpa, The Disaster Artist, and The Greatest Showman.
Zac on the Small Screen
In addition to appearing in motion pictures, Efron has also had roles on television shows. He starred opposite Matthew Perry in the TV series Go On, and also appeared in an episode of Live with Regis and Kelly.
A Star on the Rise
With his roles in numerous hit movies, and television appearances, Zac Efron has grown to become one of the biggest teen icons in Hollywood. His infectious smile, natural acting talents, and ruthless charm have made him a favorite among fans of all ages.
Now, almost 14 years after High School Musical premiered and made him a household name, Zac Efron is one of Hollywood’s leading men and Tinsel Town’s biggest leading heartthrob. He continues to star in a variety of projects and has established himself as one of the most successful movie stars of his generation.
