Channing Tatum's films always catch the public's attention thanks to the actor's versatility. He started out as a model and dancer, but quickly made his mark on the big screen with Coach Carter (2005), demonstrating talent and charisma right from his debut. From emotional romances to thrilling action films, Tatum has established himself as an iconic figure on the big screen.
In this article, we’ll explore the actor’s nine best films, selected based on their IMDb rankings. Each title will be analyzed in detail, highlighting why it deserves a prominent place in Channing Tatum’s filmography. Get ready to revisit some of the most memorable moments in his career!
Foxcatcher: A Story That Shocked the World (2014)
Foxcatcher: A Story That Shocked the World focuses on the complex and tragic relationship between millionaire John du Pont and wrestling brothers Mark and Dave Schultz. Tatum plays Mark, who seeks to escape the shadow of his more famous brother, Dave, but ends up falling under du Pont's influence.
Tatum's performance is one of his best, excelling in a role that demands both vulnerability and intensity. With a 7.0 rating on IMDb, the film was widely praised by critics, despite its poor box office performance, grossing only $19.2 million against a budget of $24 million.
In Foxcatcher: A Story That Shocked the World, Channing Tatum delivers a powerful performance alongside Steve Carell and Mark Ruffalo. With Oscar nominations in several categories, including Best Supporting Actor for Tatum, the film is considered a dark and psychological study of obsession and family disconnection and one of Channing Tatum's best films.
Risk Therapy (2013)
Risk Therapy is a psychological horror film set in the world of psychopharmacology, focusing on the character Emily Taylor, played by Rooney Mara. After the release of her husband, Martin Taylor (Channing Tatum), from prison, Emily begins to suffer from serious emotional disorders, which leads her to use various medications.
The film explores the complex relationship between Emily's medication use and behavioral changes. Despite delivering a good performance, the film was criticized for its controversial reflections on the use of psychological medications. With a budget of US$$ 30 million, the film grossed US$$ 63 million and has an IMDb rating of 7.1. Channing Tatum films like this one show his versatility, standing out in a genre of psychological thrillers.
Party in Heaven (2014)
There are also animations among Channing Tatum's best films! Party in the Sky is set in San Angel, Mexico, and follows the lives of three friends: Manolo, Maria and Joaquim. Even after going their separate ways, his love for Maria remains unchanged. Torn between family expectations and his true desire, Manolo travels through fantastic worlds and faces his greatest fears.
Here, Tatum voices Joaquim and does an excellent job conveying the character's emotions. The animation itself received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature, standing out as one of the most memorable films of the genre. With a budget of $50 million, the film grossed $99.8 million and has an IMDb rating of 7.2.
21 Jump Street (2012)
Among Channing Tatum's best films we can also find 21 Jump Street, a remake of the TV series of the same name. In the film, Tatum plays police officer Jenko, a former athlete who joins his old schoolmate, Schmidt, to work undercover at a school. The dynamic between the two characters provides a good dose of humor, especially due to the contrasting differences between them. Tatum's chemistry with Jonah Hill creates comedic moments that will stay in the audience's memory.
With a budget of $42 million, “21 Jump Street” grossed over $201.6 million at the box office, becoming a huge commercial and critical success. Channing Tatum’s performance as Jenko was praised for his charisma and ability to play comedic characters. The film is considered one of the most memorable comedies of the decade and has a 7.2 rating on IMDb.
Coach Carter: Training for Life (2005)
Coach Ken Carter is a true story film that follows coach Ken Carter, who returns to Richmond High School to lead the basketball team. With a focus on discipline and academic accountability, he enforces strict rules to ensure the success of his players.
Channing Tatum makes his film debut as Jason Lyle, one of the young athletes who struggle with the dilemmas of sports and education. The film, which has a 7.3 rating on IMDb, was praised for its inspirational message and grossed $76.7 million on a $30 million budget.
Channing Tatum's performance in Coach Carter is one of the highlights of his early career. The film received positive reviews for its commitment to themes of perseverance and responsibility. With a talented cast and a narrative based on real events, Tatum demonstrated versatility in his role. Furthermore, the production proved to be a success both at the box office and with critics, establishing itself as one of Channing Tatum's best films.
The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
LEGO Batman: The Movie is another animated film among Channing Tatum's best films. After an encounter with the Joker, Batman realizes that his relevance in Gotham depends not only on his presence, but also on the people around him. The actor lends his voice to the character Dick Grayson, who becomes the new Robin after an important revelation.
The film, with a 7.3 rating on IMDb, grossed an impressive $311 million, surpassing its $80 million budget and solidifying itself as a box office and critical success. In this film, Channing Tatum adds another notable role to his voice acting career, playing Robin with charisma and humor. The film is praised for its message about the importance of partnerships and finding balance amid Batman's self-sufficiency.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Deadpool & Wolverine is one of Channing Tatum's most recent films. Although he does not play the lead role, his scenes as the mutant Gambit are quite memorable and his performance is worthy of much praise. He takes part in crucial fights so that the two protagonists can achieve their goals, such as the one against the villain Cassandra Nova in the Void.
On the other hand, the chemistry between the protagonists is one of the highlights of the film, which mixes explosive action with comedy, delivering an intense and fun experience for comic book fans. With an IMDb rating of 7.6, the film was a huge box office success, grossing over US$1.3 billion and cementing its position as one of Marvel's biggest releases, even though it has not been nominated for any awards yet.
The Lego Movie (2014)
The winner of the silver medal among Channing Tatum's films is another animated film: The Lego Movie from 2014. Here the actor voices Superman, adding charm and energy to the role that has already been reprised by so many other different actors. Although he is not the protagonist here either, Tatum steals the scene when he appears, exuding charisma.
The plot revolves around Emmet who, despite his lack of extraordinary abilities, becomes an unlikely hero in a battle against the villain Mr. Business. The film grossed US$469 million against a budget of US$60 million, earning a rating of 7.7 on IMDb, and was a guaranteed success among both critics and audiences.
The Hateful Eight (2015)
Among Channing Tatum's films, The Hateful Eight stands out for its growing tension and unique narrative. During a blizzard, eight strangers, including bounty hunter John Ruth and prisoner Daisy Domergue, seek shelter in a warehouse. There, secrets come to light, and the travelers come into conflict. The work resembles a play divided into six acts, with intense dialogue and dramatic twists.
The film was critically acclaimed for its direction, Ennio Morricone's score, and performances, despite mixed reviews regarding its violence and racial themes. With a rating of 7.8 on IMDb, the film grossed US$161 million, exceeding its budget of US$194 million. Morricone won the Academy Award for Best Original Score, marking the only award in the category in his career.
Conclusion
Of all the films starring Channing Tatum, The Hateful Eight is the best rated, but that doesn't take away from the brilliance of the other productions on this list. But what about you? Which of Channing Tatum's films is your favorite? Was he on the list? Share with us in the comments! Take a look at our guide to the chronology of the X-men films!
Questions that might interest you
Which war movies has Channing Tatum been in?
One war-themed film that Tatum appears in is the 2010 romance Dear John.
Has Channing Tatum played any ranger characters in his movies?
No, none of the characters Tatum played are rangers.
