In 1999, if you would have told us that there would be a lot of The Rock movies worth watching, we would have laughed at you. However, this charming and talented wrestler-turned-actor has starred in some surprisingly enjoyable films. Let’s take a look at some of the best Dwayne Johnson movies and give you an idea of whether they fit your genre needs.
The Mummy/The Scorpion King
In 2001 and 2002, Dwayne The Rock Johnson starred in these two surprisingly great throwback films. He played the titular character in both movies and won some Teen Choice Awards for his depictions. While not exactly Oscars, they were an auspicious start to his acting career.
Walking Tall
In this 2003 remake, Dwayne Johnson set an early high mark for The Rock movies. As he walked around a small Southern town carrying out justice, audiences rejoiced. While it didn’t require a lot of acting chops, it was a natural role for the charismatic actor.
Doom
While the 2005 video game movie “Doom” didn’t have a lot of fans, Dwayne The Rock Johnson displayed some real acting chops. Starting out as a protagonist, he gradually becomes a demented and evil villain. While a little bit wild, The Rock chews some scenery and brings life to the otherwise moribund film.
Race to Witch Mountain
Family movies joined his resume with this 2009 film. A remake of a little-known Disney film, it featured a lot of family-friendly laughs and the trademark Dwayne Johnson charm. Other family films on his resume include “Tooth Fairy” and “The Game Plan.”
Fast Five
Johnson signed on in this stalwart action series as Luke Hobbs. His role earned him some more Kids’ Choice Awards. It also led to appearances in the 2013 sequel “Fast & Furious 6” and 2017’s “The Fate of the Furious.”
G.I. Joe: Retaliation
While this kid-friendly nostalgia film wasn’t exactly a runaway critical success, it made big bucks. The Rock made a strong impression in this movie, playing series favorite Roadblock.
Pain & Gain
The Rock has always shown a great ability with comedic material. He showcases that well in this 2013 Michael Bay comedy. As an ex-con trying to make one last score, he plays the knucklehead personality perfectly and is a standout in this rarely mentioned film.
Television Appearances
We can’t end our list without mentioning The Rock’s early role on “That 70’s Show,” his multiple hosting appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” and his fanboy appearance on “Star Trek: Voyager.” He has also kept a pretty steady role of appearances on animated shows as well, such as “Family Guy” and “Transformers: Prime.”
With a resume that continues to expand and his growing legion of fans, The Rock is likely to continue making fun movies that entertain the kid in all of us.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
