Zac Efron's Best Movies, Ranked
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- 1Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle WilliamsThe Greatest Showman is a vibrant musical drama that brings to life the tale of P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman), a visionary who rose from nothing to create the world-renowned Barnum & Bailey Circus. The film showcases Barnum's journey, his struggles, and triumphs, as well as the colorful troupe of performers he gathers along the way. Michelle Williams stars as Charity Barnum, his supportive wife, while Zac Efron and Zendaya play key roles as Phillip Carlyle and Anne Wheeler, two members of his extraordinary circus ensemble. Directed by Michael Gracey, this film won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 2018.More The Greatest Showman
- Dig Deeper...Here's Everything The Greatest Showman Got Completely Wrong About The Real Barnum & Bailey Circus
- #470 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #15 of 204 onMusical Movies With The Best Songs
- 2Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas LennonIn 17 Again, Mike O'Donnell (Zac Efron) finds himself reliving his high school days after a mysterious event transforms him back to 17 from his adult self (Matthew Perry). He seizes this chance to rewrite his life, navigating teenage problems and rekindling the spark with his estranged wife, Scarlett (Leslie Mann). As he tries to fix past mistakes, he realizes that age is just a number. This light-hearted comedy-drama explores themes of regret, second chances and self-discovery without sacrificing its humorous undertone, making it a well-rounded family entertainment piece.More 17 Again
- #47 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
- #25 of 169 onThe 150+ Best Teen Romance Movies, Ranked
- #43 of 61 onThe Best Coming of Age Movies About Boys
- 3
Charlie St. Cloud
Zac Efron, Amanda Crew, Donal LogueAdored by his single mother and his little brother Sam, Charlie St. Cloud (Zac Efron) is an accomplished sailor and college-bound senior with a bright future ahead of him. When Sam dies in a terrible accident, Charlie's dreams die with him. But, so strong is the brothers' bond that, in the hour before each sunset, Charlie and Sam meet to play catch. The return of a former classmate (Amanda Crew) leads Charlie to a difficult choice: remain stuck in the past, or let love lead him to the future.More Charlie St. Cloud- #96 of 169 onThe 150+ Best Teen Romance Movies, Ranked
- #336 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
- #116 of 168 onThe 165 Best Tearjerker Movies of All Time, Ranked
- 4Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe DannerU.S. Marine Sgt. Logan Thibault (Zac Efron) returns home from his third tour of duty in Iraq with the one thing he believes kept him alive: a photograph of a woman he doesn't even know. He learns the woman's name is Beth (Taylor Schilling) and goes to meet her, eventually taking a job at her family-run kennel. Though Beth is full of mistrust and leads a complicated life, a romance blooms, giving Logan hope that Beth could become more than just his good-luck charm.More The Lucky One
- #56 of 169 onThe 150+ Best Teen Romance Movies, Ranked
- #255 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
- #17 of 55 onThe Saddest Romance Movies That Will Make You Cry
- 5Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley TisdaleIn High School Musical, Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), a star basketball player, and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens), a brainy newcomer with a knack for science, break the status quo at East High School when they audition for the school's winter musical. Their friends, Chad Danforth (Corbin Bleu) and Taylor McKessie (Monique Coleman), wrestle with their conflicting loyalties amid the unfolding drama. This teen musical comedy-drama, directed by Kenny Ortega, won the Billboard Music Award for Soundtrack Album of the Year in 2006. It explores themes of friendship, self-expression, and challenging societal norms through catchy tunes and captivating dance numbers.More High School Musical
- Dig Deeper...All High School Musical Books
- And Deeper...The Best Songs From 'High School Musical'
- #122 of 204 onMusical Movies With The Best Songs
- 6John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky, Amanda BynesIn the vibrant musical comedy Hairspray, Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) is a plump teenager with a heart full of rhythm. Living in 1960s Baltimore, she dreams to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV program. After bagging a spot on the show, Tracy becomes an overnight sensation and uses her newfound fame to advocate for racial integration - a controversial move during that era. The movie also features Edna Turnblad (John Travolta), Tracy's supportive mother, who undergoes her own transformation. With its dazzling performances and poignant themes, Hairspray won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy in 2008.More Hairspray
- Dig Deeper...Every Song in Hairspray, Ranked by Singability
- #28 of 204 onMusical Movies With The Best Songs
- #58 of 114 onThe Greatest Movie Remakes Of All Time
- 7Zac Efron, Lily Collins, Haley Joel OsmentIn Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, the sinister world of Ted Bundy (Zac Efron) unfolds. A charm-laden law student turned notorious serial killer, Bundy's life is examined through the lens of his long-time girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer (Lily Collins). As she struggles to reconcile the man she loves with his horrific crimes, viewers are drawn into a chilling narrative of manipulation and deceit. The film thrives in its true-crime genre, masterfully balancing suspense with dramatic storytelling. This gripping portrayal even earned Efron critical acclaim for his performance as the infamous Bundy.
- 8Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose ByrneNew parents Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) move to the suburbs when they welcome an infant daughter into their lives. All goes well with the couple, until the Delta Psi Beta fraternity moves in next door. Mac and Kelly don't want to seem uncool, and they try their best to get along with frat president Teddy (Zac Efron) and the rest of the guys. However, when the couple finally call the cops during a particularly raucous frat party, a full-scale war erupts.More Neighbors
- #20 of 71 onThe 70 Best College Movies
- #7 of 51 onThe 50 Best Party Movies Ever Made, Ranked
- #7 of 58 onThe Best Movies About Millennials (So Far)
- 9
Baywatch
Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Priyanka Chopra JonasWhen a dangerous crime wave hits the beach, the legendary Mitch Buchannon leads his elite squad of lifeguards on a mission to prove that you don't have to wear a badge to save the bay. Joined by a trio of hotshot recruits, including former Olympian Matt Brody, they ditch the surf and go deep under cover to take down a ruthless businesswoman whose devious plans threaten the future of the bay. - 10Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley TisdaleAmid preparations for a basketball championship, prom, and graduation, sweethearts Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) vow to savor every moment, knowing that college plans put the future of their relationship into question. An elaborate spring musical is just the thing for these two Wildcats and the rest of their classmates to express their fears and hopes for the future.
- 11Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley TisdaleDuring summer vacation, Troy (Zac Efron) gets a job at Sharpay's (Ashley Tisdale) resort but doesn't realize she has an ulterior motive for hiring him.More High School Musical 2
- Dig Deeper...The Best Songs From The 'High School Musical' Trilogy
- And Deeper...The Best Songs From 'High School Musical 2'
- #156 of 204 onMusical Movies With The Best Songs
- 12Zac Efron, Adam DeVine, Anna KendrickMike and Dave Stangle are young, adventurous, fun-loving brothers who tend to get out of control at family gatherings. When their sister Jeanie reveals her Hawaiian wedding plans, the rest of the clan insists that they both bring respectable dates. After placing an ad on Craigslist, the siblings decide to pick Tatiana and Alice, two charming and seemingly normal women. Once they arrive on the island, however, Mike and Dave realize that their companions are ready to get wild and party hard.
- #33 of 51 onThe 50 Best Party Movies Ever Made, Ranked
- #8 of 21 onWhat's the Greatest Hawaii Movie of All Time?
- #45 of 136 onThe Best Bromance Movies
- 13Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Michael B. JordanBest pals Jason (Zac Efron) and Daniel (Miles Teller) indulge in casual flings and revel in their carefree, unattached lives. After learning that the marriage of their friend Mikey (Michael B. Jordan) is over, they gladly welcome him back into their circle. The three young men make a pact to have fun and avoid commitment. However, when all three find themselves involved in serious relationships, they must keep their romances secret from one another.
- 14
Dirty Grandpa
Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Aubrey PlazaUptight lawyer Jason Kelly (Zac Efron) is one week away from marrying his boss's controlling daughter, putting him on the fast track for a partnership at his firm. Tricked by his grandfather Dick (Robert De Niro), Jason finds himself driving the foulmouthed old man to Daytona Beach, Fla., for a wild spring break that includes frat parties, bar fights and an epic night of karaoke. While Jason worries about the upcoming wedding, Dick tries to show his grandson how to live life to the fullest.More Dirty Grandpa- #31 of 55 onThe Funniest Road Trip Comedy Movies
- #80 of 93 onThe Best Movies With The Most F-Bombs
- #15 of 123 on120+ Movies And Shows With Dirty In The Title
- 15Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac EfronTwelve-year-old Ted (Zac Efron) lives in a place virtually devoid of nature; no flowers or trees grow in the town of Thneedville. Ted would very much like to win the heart of Audrey (Taylor Swift), the girl of his dreams, but to do this, he must find that which she most desires: a Truffula tree. To get it, Ted delves into the story of the Lorax (Danny DeVito), once the gruff guardian of the forest, and the Once-ler (Ed Helms), who let greed overtake his respect for nature.More The Lorax
- #142 of 450 onThe 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies
- #14 of 14 onMovies That Threw Book Endings Out The Window Completely
- #62 of 83 onThe Best CGI Animated Films Ever Made
- 16Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose ByrneLife is good for Mac Radner (Seth Rogen) and pregnant wife Kelly (Rose Byrne) until the unruly sisters of Kappa Nu move in next door. As the loud parties threaten the sale of their home, the couple turn to ex-neighbor and one-time enemy Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron) for help. Now united with the former college student, the trio devises schemes to get the wild sorority off the block. Unfortunately, the rebellious young women refuse to go down without a fight.
- #91 of 101 onThe Very Best Movies Of 2016, Ranked
- #40 of 71 onThe Dumbest Movie Sequel Titles
- #55 of 71 onThe 70 Best College Movies
- 17Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris DickinsonThe true story of the Von Erich brothers, who, through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, seek epic immortality on the biggest stage in sports.More The Iron Claw
- #178 of 207 onThe Best Sports Movies Ever Made
- #61 of 99 onThe Best Period Movies Set in the '80s
- #134 of 143 onThe 100+ Best Motivational Sports Movies
- 18Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon JoviIntertwining stories promise love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and more for a number of New Yorkers on the celebrated night. A rock star (Jon Bon Jovi) and his ex-lover (Katherine Heigl) clash at an exclusive party; a singer (Lea Michele) becomes stranded with a killjoy (Ashton Kutcher) on the way to a New Year's gig; a nurse (Halle Berry) stays with a dying patient (Robert De Niro) as he tries to hang on long enough to see the ball drop in Times Square one last time.More New Year's Eve
- #395 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
- #35 of 60 on60+ Movies And Shows With Eve In The Title
- #35 of 487 on400+ Movies And Shows With Year In The Title
- 19Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey, Zac EfronThe Paperboy is a 2012 American thriller film starring Matthew McConaughey, Zac Efron, John Cusack, and Nicole Kidman. Directed by Lee Daniels, it is based on the 1995 novel The Paperboy by American author Pete Dexter. The film competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
- 20Zac Efron, Claire Danes, Christian McKayAfter a chance encounter, theater-loving teen Richard Samuels (Zac Efron) gets the opportunity of a lifetime when famed director Orson Welles (Christian McKay) gives him a small role in his 1937 production of "Julius Caesar." Unexpectedly thrust into the heady world of the stage, Richard finds himself surrounded by ambition, clashing egos and sheer brilliance.
- 21Mary-Louise Parker, Aidan Quinn, Zac EfronBased on a true story, Corinne (Mary-Louise Parker) is a single mother of twin 5-year-old boys, Steven (Jacob Cherry) and Phillip (Jeremy Shada), who are diagnosed with autism. Public school officials threaten to remove them from school due to their behavior, but through therapy, the boys are able to make major strides in their capabilities. A decade later, teens Steven (Zac Efron) and Phillip (Thomas Lewis) seek to prove they can handle high school while still struggling with their disorder.
- 22Sarah Blackman, Preston Brant, K.C. ClydePatrick meets and becomes friends with Houston Jones, a horse trainer with a bad reputation. Patrick starts training to compete in the Derby Cup, but town bully and five-time champion Randy will do anything to win and keep Patrick and the pretty new girl, Jill, from being together.More The Derby Stallion
- #30 of 72 onThe Greatest Movies About Horses, Ranked
- #24 of 42 onThe 40+ Best Horse Racing Movies
- #65 of 82 onThe 70+ Best PG Family Movies
- 23Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Richard JenkinsA New York college adviser (Josh Radnor) becomes involved with a student (Elizabeth Olsen) when he returns to his alma mater in Ohio for a favorite professor's (Richard Jenkins) retirement party.
- 24
The Disaster Artist
James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth RogenThe Disaster Artist is a 2017 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by James Franco. The film depicts the early friendship of Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) and Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) and how they made the 2003 cult film The Room.More The Disaster Artist- Dig Deeper...Outrageous Behind The Scenes Stories From "The Room"
- #32 of 94 onThe Best Movies Of 2017
- #22 of 56 onThe Best A24 Movies Of All Time
- 25Zac Efron, Russell Crowe, Bill MurrayIn 1967, John "Chickie" Donohue leaves New York to track down his army buddies in Vietnam and share a few beers with them.
- 26Dennis Quaid, Zac Efron, Kim DickensAn ambitious Iowa seed farmer (Dennis Quaid) tries to get his resentful son (Zac Efron) interested in the family business, but the young man would rather pursue a career in auto racing.
- 27
If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home Now
Zac Efron, Jayma MaysIf You Lived Here, You'd Be Home By Now is a 2006 film directed by Peter Lauer. - 28James Badge Dale, Zac Efron, Marcia Gay HardenChaotic events take place at Parkland Hospital in Dallas after the attack that assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
- 29Zac Efron, Ruth de Sosa, Thomas Michael KapplerMelinda's World is a 2003 film adaptation of Marianne Kennedy's novel, directed by David Baumgarten and is also Zac Efron's film debut.
- 30Zac Efron, Susie Porter, Anthony HayesIn the not-too-distant future, two drifters traveling through the desert stumble across the biggest gold nugget ever found, and the dream of immense wealth and greed takes hold. They hatch a plan to excavate their bounty with one man leaving to secure the necessary tools. The other man remains and must endure harsh desert elements, ravenous wild dogs and mysterious intruders while battling the sinking suspicion that he has been abandoned to his own fate.
