Ryan Reynolds is a lovable national treasure. Whether it's appearing in cell phone commercials, buying British football clubs, or appearing on TV and in movies, he seems to be everywhere. He started as an actor back in the '90s, appearing primarily in guest spots on TV shows. However, what made him a breakout star was his role of Berg on the TV series Two Guys, A Girl, And A Pizza Place.
From there, Reynolds dove into plenty of different film genres: comedy, horror, action, and drama. By the 2010s, Reynolds was a household name. He came even more into the mainstream by portraying one of Marvel's more notable mutant heroes, Deadpool.
The third installment in the series sees fan favorites Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) teaming up for the first time. Yes, Deadpool appeared in Wolverine: Origins, but most fans want to wipe that from their memories, for good reason. Deadpool & Wolverine is breaking box-office records, bringing in over $440 million globally in its first weekend, which is a huge accomplishment for a rated-R movie.
With that new movie fresh in our minds, we wondered what critics thought about all of Reynolds' movies. So, we looked to GameSpot sister site Metacritic to see what the highest-rated movies of Reynolds' career are. All of the movies listed below either starred Reynolds or heavily featured the actor. Here are his top 15.
15. Life
Score: 54
Release date: March 24, 2017
What it's about: A group of astronauts on the International Space Station finds the first evidence of life on Mars. However, upon conducting research, the life form rapidly evolves and becomes a danger to the crew and life on Earth.
Who does Reynolds play?: Astronaut Rory Adams
Where to watch: Netflix, buy/rent on Prime Video
14. Spirited
Score: 55
Release date: November 18, 2022
What it's about: In this reimagined version of A Christmas Carol, the current Ghost of Christmas Present (Ebenezer Scrooge) picks an unpleasant person (Clint Briggs) to be visited by three spirits. Everything doesn't go accordingly and Scrooge must step in to lead Briggs down the correct path.
Who does Reynolds play?: Clint Briggs
Where to watch: Apple TV+
13. The Adam Project
Score: 55
Release date: March 11, 2022
What it's about: Adam is a fighter pilot who travels back in time to 2022, where he teams up with his younger self. Together, they go on a mission to save the future.
Who does Reynolds play?: Big Adam
Where to watch: Netflix
12. The Croods
Score: 55
Release date: March 22, 2013
What it's about: A prehistoric family loses their home--a cave--and they come across Guy, another person who is a bit more advanced. The Croods capture him, only to release him later when they realize how helpful he can be on their adventure.
Who does Reynolds play?: Guy
Where to watch: Hulu and Peacock, buy/rent on Prime Video
11. Deadpool & Wolverine
Score: 56
Release date: July 26, 2024
What it's about: Deadpool gets to finally join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as he and Wolverine take on a common foe, and there are plenty of cameos, in true Deadpool fashion.
Who does Reynolds play?: Deadpool
Where to watch: In theaters
10. The Croods 2: A New Age
Score: 56
Release date: November 25, 2020
What it's about: The prehistoric family is on the lookout for a new place to live. They come across the perfect place to settle down. There's just one problem: Another family (The Bettermans) already lives there, and they're far more advanced than the Croods.
Who does Reynolds play?: Guy, a friend of The Croods who travels with them
Where to watch: Peacock, buy/rent on Prime Video
9. The Voices
Score: 58
Release date: February 6, 2015
What it's about: Jerry falls for Lisa, and as the two become closer, they discover their bond over their pets. However, Jerry's pets are evil and convince him to murder people.
Who does Reynolds play?: Jerry
Where to watch: Pluto TV and Freevee
8. Turbo
Score: 58
Release date: July 17, 2013
What it's about: A normal snail named Turbo wants to be the fastest thing in the world; however, we repeat: He's a snail. One day, an underground racing accident gives him super speed. He's so fast, in fact, that he races in the Indy 500. Yes, the Indy 500.
Who does Reynolds play?: Turbo
Where to watch: Peacock and Crunchyroll, buy/rent at Prime Video
7. Definitely, Maybe
Score: 59
Release date: February 14, 2008
What it's about: Will is going through a divorce and has to explain to his 10-year-old daughter why this is happening. In addition, Will walks his daughter through how he and her mother met, but he leaves out some of the non-PG elements.
Who does Reynolds play?: Will Hayes
Where to watch: Max, buy/rent at Prime Video
6. Free Guy
Score: 62
Release date: August 13, 2021
What it's about: Taking place in an online game, Guy is an NPC bank teller who gains sentience and falls in love with a player. Guy learns that he needs to save his world before it's destroyed, so he climbs the ranks of the game in order to stop it all.
Who does Reynolds play?: Guy
Where to watch: Disney+ and Fubo, buy/rent at Prime Video
5. Deadpool
Score: 65
Release date: February 12, 2016
What it's about: A quick-witted mutant with super-healing abilities sets off to find the people who disfigured him. It wasn't the first time a Marvel character got their own R-rated movie, but Deadpool is certainly the first one to get very raunchy.
Who does Reynolds play?: Deadpool
Where to watch: Max and Disney+, buy/rent at Prime Video
4. Buried
Score: 65
Release date: October 15, 2010
What it's about: Paul, a truck driver in Iraq, is attacked and wakes up buried alive in a coffin. Using a lighter and cell phone, he tries to find a way to escape.
Who does Reynolds play?: Paul
Where to watch: Prime Video and Tubi
3. Deadpool 2
Score: 66
Release date: May 10, 2018
What it's about: Deadpool teams up with time-traveler Cable in order to prevent a young mutant from destroying the world in the future. The two don't originally get along, but Deadpool's charisma and raunchy jokes eventually beat Cable into submission, so they can work together. Also, X-Force is in the movie!
Who does Reynolds play?: Deadpool
Where to watch: Disney+ and Fubo, buy/rent at Prime Video
2. Adventureland
Score: 76
Release date: January 19, 2009
What it's about: Recent college graduate James can't wait to take a trip to Europe, but he learns his parents can't subsidize his trip. He has to take a job at a local amusement park, which he quickly considers the worst summer of his life, which turns out not to be the case.
Who does Reynolds play?: Mike Connell, a married coworker of James, who is having an affair with the woman James likes
Where to watch: Paramount+, buy/rent at Prime Video
1. Mississippi Grind
Score: 77
Release date: August 13, 2015
What it's about: A talented but struggling poker player is down on his luck. However, when he meets a charismatic, younger man named Curtis, the poker player uses him as a lucky charm, bringing him to a high stakes game in New Orleans
Who does Reynolds play?: Curtis
Where to watch: Kanopy, buy/rent at Prime Video
