10 Best Aaron Taylor-Johnson Movies, Ranked

Here’s the thing. As much as ATJ made an entire generation swoon in Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging, and as much as I personally love this film as a comfort-watch, I have to be fair and place it at the bottom of this list at #10. If you grew up with it, guitar playing Robbie made a mark as a teenage heartthrob, yet this wasn’t really a career-defining role just like his 2010 film Chatroom. 

Early-2000s, teen rom-com lovers will obviously have a blast with this one, and though you might cringe throughout because of the protagonist Georgia’s British sense of awkwardness, I can’t deny that this film is a great time because at the end of the day it has the kind of charm that director Gurinder Chadha infuses into her other gems like Bride and Prejudice (a film I could write an essay about—and I have!) Robbie doesn’t really do much story-wise, but as Georgia’s object of fascination, his presence does elevate an otherwise comical film. If you enjoy scrappy coming-of-age films and don’t mind second-hand embarrassment, then Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging is the perfect turn-your-brain-off-and-enjoy-the-ride flick to watch. 

ATJ wins with Godzilla on paper. It’s a big franchise and it’s a leading role with his name on it, and yet it falls to the lower end of the list because for me, the movie lacked personality (and also because this genre isn’t a personal favorite). Godzilla is hand-made for disaster movie fans and monster movie fans, so if you fall into either category, or you’re simply curious about ATJ as the Navy EOD Officer Ford Brody, then you could give this film a whirl. 

ATJ had me hooked with his performance in Bullet Train, where it looked like he was genuinely having a lot of fun, in Godzilla, though the scenes with his family were sweet, he feels a bit muted and doesn’t quite reach the mark. To be fair, I think being overshadowed by a giant reptilian kind of makes sense in the grand scheme of things. Viewers who watched Avengers: Age of Ultron first and found ATJ to have effortless chemistry with Elizabeth Olsen will be happy and surprised to see them together again, albeit this time as husband and wife. Godzilla does deliver when it comes to scale and the film plays well with tension and stakes, making it a successful blockbuster with a believable and reliable protagonist in ATJ. 

Every good filmography should, for the most part, have a survival film with societal collapse (bonus points if it’s outbreak-style with zombie-like non-zombie creatures, and a bit weird), and 28 Years Later is ATJ’s. He plays Jamie, a man who takes his son Spike on his first hunt to the mainland from their isolated community. While ATJ proves once again that he’s able to hold the audience’s attention without relying purely on spectacle or charm, I did feel as though his character wasn’t used enough in the second half when the focus settles on Spike and his coming-of-age story. 

28 Years Later is a post-apocalyptic survival horror film first, but manages to squeeze in some funny moments later on to lighten the otherwise heavy atmosphere. Jamie might not be his most iconic role, and might not have won him accolades, but ATJ still manages to display quite a bit of his range throughout. As someone who prefers his lighter movies, with the exception of Nocturnal Animals, I have to place this at #8 because I felt the first half of the movie kept me engaged, but the second half didn’t. If you enjoyed the high stakes action of 28 Years Later, it might be worth checking out the rest of the long running franchise. 

After watching Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, I had high expectations for the Nosferatu that came out in 2024. As soon as there’s anything vampire related, I’m there. ATJ plays Friedrich Harding and while he’s not the centre of gravity, per say, he does fit in well as the vampire skeptic and overall matches the energy of the movie pretty well, even if his role is a smaller one. Horror fans who love gothic movies that aren’t in-your-face but more atmospheric with stunning cinematography will enjoy Nosferatu. 

The highlight of the movie is its tone where each scene brings about an uneasy feeling, and ATJ adapts to the film’s rhythm, wonderfully, I must add. It’s not a standout ATJ performance, as he shares the film with Lily Rose-Depp and Bill Skarsgård as the titular vampire, so when compared to his more character-driven work in Nowhere Boy, Harding doesn’t leave the same level of impact. However, he knocks it out of the park with his unraveling and death scene, which left me teary-eyed. Unironic vampire enthusiasts like me must keep this film in their radar for a cohesive horror experience. If you’ve gravitated towards films like The Witch in the past, Nosferatu is an interesting, albeit unrelated and relatively fast-paced follow-up.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson in a period drama? You know I’m watching that. Adapted from the novel of the same name, Anna Karenina is a production. ATJ plays Count Vronsky, a charismatic cavalry officer whose relationship with Anna becomes the center of the story. He’s poised and composed, and brings forth a kind of restraint that makes you feel like he was made for the role. His eyes are the stars of the show, they’re extremely emotive and conveyed his feelings without him saying a word!

Anna Karenina is visually striking and aesthetic, I will give it that, but it does fall slightly short emotionally especially compared to the other adaptations—the 1948 version starring Vivien Leigh is particularly memorable for me. Nevertheless, it’s Keira Knightley’s chemistry with ATJ that steers this ship (that ballroom dance had me giggling) as a couple who you can’t help but root for, even though you know you probably shouldn’t especially considering the ending. If you’re someone who can’t skip a period drama or literary adaptation and goes nuts for tragic romance, then you should definitely check Anna Karenina out, if for nothing else other than the stunning costumes and ATJ’s blond hair, which was a moment.  

You know what? Sometimes you just want an anti-hero who absolutely dominates the screen, and ATJ makes that dream come true in Kraven the Hunter. Though this isn’t his first foray coming alive as a Marvel Comics character, where he was more of a supporting character in Age of Ultron, ATJ fully commits as our titular Kraven the Hunter and gives us a main character who’s rough around the edges, yet absolutely nails it with his posture and intensity. 

ATJ pours his all into this physically demanding performance and the result of it is a film that superhero fans tired of squeaky-clean protagonists will vibe with. The movie itself is structured as a gritty origin story, but there were certain scenes that had me laughing out loud, even though it wasn’t necessarily meant to be comedic (three words: the perfume scene). Sometimes an actor can have the lead role and still be the least memorable part of a film, but in Kraven, ATJ is the man of the hour through and through. Kraven might not cater to people who don’t enjoy purely action-heavy films, but if you’re an ATJ fan you can’t skip this one. 

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Tangerine has a whole fan base just for his walk in Bullet Train (hi, it’s me!) and I’m not mad about it. A movie that’s fast, loud, and unhinged in all the right ways, Bullet Train will never make you question its personality because it’s just bursting with flavor. As a part of an ensemble starring Brad Pitt, Joey King, and Logan Lerman, ATJ seamlessly bounces off their characters, though his strongest chemistry is with Brian Tyree Henry’s Lemon. 

I mean, Lemon and Tangerine? How precious. When the both of them are on screen together, they steal every scene, and this is one duo that deserves a spinoff, stat. Bullet Train is stylish and finds the right balance between jokes and violence, and Tangerine waltzes in and dominates. A small criticism, if you could call it that, is that the film isn’t deep, but so what? ATJ cares that you’re having fun while watching Bullet Train, while simultaneously having fun himself. Fans of other David Leitch-directed movies like The Fall Guy (a movie in which ATJ also shows up) will have a blast with Bullet Train. Tangerine might be ATJ’s most entertaining performance, and one I’d recommend watching at least once for a good time. 

Before he was rudely killed off in Avengers: Age of Ultron (which I’m still mad about, by the way), ATJ played yet another superhero. Kick-Ass sees Dave Lizewski, a kid who finds out that being a superhero isn’t all that glamorous as comic books may suggest. If you like your superhero action messy and funny, then Kick-Ass is in your lane. ATJ as Dave is awkward and sincere, even when the plot tends to go over-the-top. 

This was the role that put ATJ on the map and made audiences sit up and notice him. Tonally, the film feels a bit all over the place, which is why it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Nevertheless, if there’s one reason to watch it, it’s ATJ, he’s the anchor; the fact that he becomes a vigilante though he’s got no training or powers is an intriguing premise, unlike the more put together portrayals of normal superheroes that we see on screen. Isn’t wanting to be a superhero with powers, saving the world a phase we all go through at some point? (It can’t just be me!) The movie’s got a very specific kind of charm that could win you over if you stick with it. And if you want more from this world, then Kick-Ass 2 aims to please. 

If you told me Nowhere Boy was released right after Angus, I’d be confused, but then I’d be inclined to believe you because ATJ is just that versatile of a performer. In Nowhere Boy, he proves he’s someone worth being taken seriously. A coming-of-age drama exploring the early life of a young John Lennon, Nowhere Boy gives an intimate look at the fractured relationship with his mom, a spotlight on Lennon’s friendship with Paul McCartney, and of course, music. 

What really stands out about this movie is its attention to details in Lennon’s real life. For example, in a scene where Lennon is performing with his band at a fete, a photographer takes a picture—this photo actually exists! ATJ’s portrayal of Lennon doesn’t feel like an outlandish impersonation, it feels weirdly natural. He showcases the anger and frustration of his youth, before he was known as ‘John Lennon of The Beatles.’ Musical biopic fans, especially those who loved the recent release, Michael, will find diving into Nowhere Boy a worthy pursuit. Though it was released in 2009, it’s still just as potent as it was then, which is why I must place it at #2, just short of the top spot. 

You know you’ve got a good thing on your hands when a movie stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Amy Adams, and Jake Gyllenhaal, amongst others, and is directed by designer turned filmmaker Tom Ford. ATJ is easily the best part of Nocturnal Animals, the most unforgettable, and in the same breath, the most uncomfortable. His volatile and unsettling screen presence in this bold film made me sit up a bit straighter and lock in. 

He’s magnetic in the worst way possible, making me wish he almost played a traditional villain. ATJ isn’t in any mood to be liked, and he fully embodies Ray Marcus. Nocturnal Animals isn’t for young audiences and isn’t even a “fun” film for the adults watching. I can’t sugar coat it; the first time I watched the movie, I found his character repellent (and I still do). However, this might be his most fearless and impressive performance of his career thus far, making it worthy of the Golden Globe he won and of #1 on this list. If psychological thrillers, revenge narratives are your brand, then Nocturnal Animals is a 116-minute watch you don’t want to miss.