The 15 Best Aaron Taylor-Johnson Movies, Ranked By Fans
Vote up the Aaron Taylor-Johnson movies that showcase his star power.
From a young age, Aaron Taylor-Johnson knew how to bring his charismatic and charming personality into every role he played. The actor, who went by Aaron Johnson before changing his name after marrying his wife, Sam, has progressed in the depth and breadth of his performances over the years. While many young stars find themselves placed in a particular niche with no room to expand, Taylor-Johnson grew to become a dynamic actor capable of taking on multiple types of characters and roles.
From heartwarming and endearing characters in movies like Nowhere Boy and Tom & Thomas to his darker roles in Savages and Chatroom, his ability to seemingly effortlessly shift into any part he's offered is uncanny and a telling sign of his acting abilities. Take a look at some of Taylor-Johnson's notable movies below and vote on which are his greatest hits.
- 112 VOTESPhoto: Universal Pictures
Premise: Tired of his highly violent career as an assassin, Ladybug (Brad Pitt) aims to do business in a more peaceful manner. His decision goes off the rails, however, when he's faced with many of his former adversaries from around the world, wanting to take him out for good. The catch? Ladybug is on the world's fastest train with no real means of escaping, and he's forced to fight his foes to save his own life.
How He Stands Out: Aaron Taylor-Johnson once again proves that he's capable of standing out even when he's not cast as the lead role. As rival assassin Tangerine, he and his partner in crime, Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry), steal the show with their unusual antics for revenge.
More Bullet Train
- 237 VOTESPhoto: Lionsgate
Premise: Bored with his unfulfilling life as a normal high school student, comic book lover Dave Lizewski (Taylor-Johnson) decides to become a superhero, despite not having any super powers or even basic combat training. He starts fighting crime in his spare time, and, predictably, gets severely beaten the first time he encounters real criminals. However, he remains determined and returns to the streets with his metal-plate-reinforced body, finding mentorship from a father-daughter team of vigilante heroes, Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and Hit-Girl (Chlöe Grace Moretz).
How He Stands Out: Unlike any other lead of a superhero film of the time, Taylor-Johnson's vigilante takes beatings just as often as he dishes them out. He effortlessly portrays a nerd with a dream, bringing charm and a much-needed sense of believability to the dark comedy. The sequel, Kick-Ass 2, allows Taylor-Johnson to show Dave's growth over time.
More Kick-Ass- #537 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
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- #46 of 186 onThe Greatest Comic Book Movies Of All Time
- 339 VOTESPhoto: Paramount Home Entertainment
Premise: Based on the books by Louise Rennison, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging features Georgia Nicholson (Georgia Groome), a 14-year-old girl struggling to navigate her new teen life. While she becomes more aware of strain in her parents' relationship, she suffers from love woes of her own - hoping to win over a fraternal twin named Robbie (Taylor-Johnson).
How He Stands Out: Taylor-Johnson's portrayal of fictional heartthrob Robbie launched him to stardom, as he became a teenage heartthrob himself. Displaying a sense of ease on camera, he successfully charmed Georgia on screen and a slew of new young fans upon the film's release.
- #423 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
- #58 of 169 onThe 150+ Best Teen Romance Movies, Ranked
- #10 of 13 onMovies That Capture The Feeling Of Being A High School Outcast
- 420 VOTESPhoto: Focus Features
Premise: Set in 19th century St. Petersburg, this adaptation of Tolstoy's famous novel follows the Russian imperial minister's wife, Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley), as she finds herself falling fast for another man, Count Vronsky (Taylor-Johnson). When her husband (Jude Law) learns of Anna's infidelity, he gives his wife the option to either run away and live in exile with the Count - leaving her child behind - or to live and abide by his rules. Anna's not the only one yearning for the handsome count, as Princess Kitty (Alicia Vikander) also has her eyes on winning Vronsky's heart.
How He Stands Out: Book fans often have high expectations for when their favorite stories make it to the big screen, and it can be almost impossible to live up to the expectations of bringing a leading role to life. Count Vronsky is a complex character who must navigate the lifestyle and repercussions of being involved in an affair within high society, and Taylor-Johnson successfully manages to fully deliver the charm, passion, and love-torn angst the character requires.
More Anna Karenina- #36 of 80 onThe Best Period Romance Movies
- #27 of 79 onGreat Period Movies Set in the 19th Century
- #178 of 232 onThe Best Movies For Women
- 527 VOTESPhoto: Icon Film Distribution
Premise: Set in working-class Liverpool, England, Nowhere Boy recounts the Beatles legend John Lennon's (Taylor-Johnson) rebellious teenage years. After rekindling a relationship with his estranged mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), John finds a passion for rock music and starts his own band.
How He Stands Out: Fulfilling the role of such a high-profile and beloved celebrity is no easy task, as fans and critics quickly scrutinize even the smallest details that would typically go overlooked when considering a fictional character. Even under such pressure, Taylor-Johnson shines as Lennon, creating a believable narrative through his uncanny ability to fully adopt the mannerisms of the late rock star.
More Nowhere Boy- #111 of 175 onThe Best Movies About Music
- #32 of 41 onGreat Movies About Starting a Band
- #59 of 82 onThe 80+ Best Rock N Roll Movies
- 628 VOTES
Premise: The famous band of superheroes come together again to save the world in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) invents Ultron, an AI which is meant to serve as a defense system, but quickly proves its ability to cause massive destruction and wreak havoc on the entire world after he gains a robot body. The Avengers must overcome inner and outer conflicts as they battle the technology to re-establish peace, with some fresh faces also lending a hand.
How He Stands Out: Taylor-Johnson expertly portrays Pietro Maximoff, AKA Quicksilver, as the new superhero ready to help the Avengers combat their latest enemy. His time spent on screen is short but impactful, leaving fans wishing they had seen more of him in the role.
- 725 VOTESPhoto: Universal Pictures
Premise: Living is easy for Ben (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), Chon (Taylor Kitsch), and O (Blake Lively), successful Laguna Beach-based cannabis growers who share a unique bond. However, their lives dramatically change in an instant when the ruthless leader of a Mexican cartel, Elena (Salma Hayek), demands to be included in the lucrative business. Used to creating enough intimidation in her potential partners to have anything she wants, Elena is shocked when she finds that the trio won't be as easy to manipulate as she believed.
How He Stands Out: Savages is a darker project than Taylor-Johnson often takes on, but he proves he can produce a stellar performance in a gritty action film just as he does in the more charming, easygoing fare he's known for. Interestingly, he later admitted he wasn't even supposed to have the part because director Oliver Stone had mistaken him for 21's Jim Sturgess when he asked Taylor-Johnson to take on the lead role. This bizarre error was fortunate in the end, as the actor fits his character like a glove.
More Savages - 816 VOTESPhoto: Warner Bros. Pictures
Premise: After a brief meeting with his family in San Francisco, Navy bomb expert Ford Brody (Taylor-Johnson) travels to Japan to meet his estranged father, Joe (Bryan Cranston). As they navigate their reunion, they are met with an impossible circumstance. An ancient super-species has emerged and threatened life on earth, with Godzilla as their leader. Together, Ford and his father must face the species head-on to save humanity.
How He Stands Out: The story of Godzilla has been told many times over, leaving a smaller opportunity to really make a mark on the film industry. Still, Taylor-Johnson manages to reveal a fresh and captivating character that left even the most jaded audiences reinvigorated by the otherwise predictable narrative.
More Godzilla- #37 of 114 onThe Greatest Movie Remakes Of All Time
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- 94 VOTESPhoto: Universal Pictures
Premise: After a career-ending accident as a stunt man, Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) is out of work. While he finds a much less exciting job working at a small Mexican restaurant, his job-related woes are quickly turned around when Tom Ryder (Taylor-Johnson), the actor he formerly doubled for, goes missing. Colt sets off on a quest to find the movie star and rekindle his relationship with his ex, Jody (Emily Blunt), in the process.
How He Stands Out: Taylor-Johnson really proves his star power acting as the movie star who supposedly has Gosling as his double. While the main storyline revolves around Gosling's character, Taylor-Johnson makes sure his time on screen is equally noteworthy.
More The Fall Guy- #109 of 191 onThe Best Movies For Men
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- #114 of 308 onThe 295+ Best Movies For Guys
- 1016 VOTESPhoto: The Weinstein Company
Premise: Depressed and hoping to find a way to connect with others, William (Taylor-Johnson) starts an online chatroom. He and four other members quickly form bonds despite their different personalities. What starts out as innocent fun quickly devolves into terror as William begins to manipulate the others. He eventually encourages Jim (Matthew Beard), another group member with depression, to commit suicide, causing the remaining members to search for Jim and save him in the real world.
How He Stands Out: Taylor-Johnson proves his depth as an actor as he slips into the character of William, showing fans a chilling side of a dark inner psyche. Just as he manipulates the others in the film, the actor convinces audiences to have empathy and compassion for William's mental health struggles before he's revealed to be the antagonist. As many now turn to social media for connection and support, the film carries an easily believable plot, making this performance all the more haunting.
More Chatroom- #24 of 35 onThe Best Horror Movies About The Internet
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- 119 VOTESPhoto: Entertainment One
Premise: In 19th century Ireland, Joe Mackins (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) walks into a hotel looking for employment. After conning his way into getting a job as the boilerman, he makes his home among the staff - falling in love with a maid who is also employed on the staff, Helen (Mia Wasikowska). Meanwhile, Albert (Glenn Close), a woman working at the hotel under the identity of a man, also finds a love interest in Helen, believing she would be the perfect companion to help her realize her dream of opening a tobacco shop.
How He Stands Out: With a powerhouse like Glenn Close starring in a lead role, it can be difficult for other actors to stand out. Still, Taylor-Johnson holds his own as Joe, providing the drama and charisma critical to enhancing the film's complicated relationship triangle.
- 126 VOTESPhoto: Universal Pictures
Premise: Separated at birth, identical twins Tom and Thomas (Taylor-Johnson) never had the chance to meet. Though Thomas was adopted, Tom spent most of his life in an orphanage. One fateful day, the two finally meet. Their reunion is short-lived, however, as Thomas is mistaken for Tom and kidnapped by an organized crime ring. Tom must fight to find his brother and bring him safely home.
How He Stands Out: Even in the earliest days of his career, Taylor-Johnson proved he had big star potential with his roles in Tom & Thomas. Few child actors have ever taken on the extensively complicated task of starring as two individuals shown simultaneously on film, and the young actor showed skill far beyond his years by convincing audiences he was two different children with different personalities.
- 1316 VOTESPhoto: Momentum Pictures
Premise: 23-year-old James (Taylor-Johnson) wakes up on a plane with an injured face and no recollection of what he did or where he was the entire week before. Realizing he has a drug and alcohol addiction problem, he checks himself into rehab to get help. As he heals, he finds companionship in others who are also sobering up and learning to heal from their pasts.
How He Stands Out: Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his wife, director Sam Taylor-Johnson, worked on A Million Little Pieces together. James Frey, the author of the novel that forms the film's basis, gave the couple full creative license to bring his story to life on the big screen. This allowed Taylor-Johnson to fully immerse himself in his character's world and to express himself as an actor without pressure from the person he was portraying.
- 147 VOTES
Premise: Prosper (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Bo (Jasper Harris) are orphans forced to live with their evil aunt. Determined to escape, the two run away to Venice, a place their mother always spoke fondly of before she passed. They join a child gang to survive, making their home in an old movie theater as they embark upon a series of quests.
How He Stands Out: An adaptation of a German short story, The Thief Lord is a magical and heartwarming tale made even more captivating by Taylor-Johnson's interpretation of Prosper. The young performer makes it impossible not to fall in love with the character, showcasing his vulnerability, bravery, and sense of adventure.
- 150 VOTESPhoto: Netflix
Premise: After surrendering to the English King, Edward I, Scottish King Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine) is forced into exile. Undeterred, he grows an army with a group of exiles and supporters to win his claim to the British throne.
How He Stands Out: Starring as James Douglas, Taylor-Johnson demonstrates his flexibility as an actor - this time in the form of a 14th-century warrior. Stepping up to portray a fierce fighter for the throne of England, the actor brilliantly recaptures the historical narrative of a man committed to Robert the Bruce.
