Hugh Jackman, everyone’s favorite Australian, made his Hollywood debut inX-Men(2000) and has since become one of our most entertaining, bankable, and handsome leading men. However, long before we knew his name, Jackman was acting in Australian TV and theater, bouncing around between musicals, dramas, and westerns. Since he’s gained popularity and critical claim, he’s held on to this versatility. In 2017 alone, he went from playing a grizzled superhero inLoganto a singing and dancing circus tycoon inThe Greatest Showman. Very few actors can bring as much to the table as Jackman.
Before we jump into the rankings, here are some honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut:Kate & Leopold,The Fountain,Van Helsing, andAustralia. Also, if you’re on the lookout for any of Jackman’s new projects, you can check out his voice work in theBig Mouthspin-off,Human Resources. Additionally, his next movieThe Son, perCollider, is slated to release on November 11.The Sonwill be director and screenwriter Florian Zeller’s follow-up to hisOscar-winning film,The Father. Without further ado, here are Hugh Jackman’s best movies, ranked.
Updated June 10, 2025: If you love Hugh Jackman, you’ll be happy to know we’ve updated this article with additional content and entries.
11Happy Feet (2006)
At the time of its release,Happy Feet(2006) was praised for its stunning animation, foot-tapping musical numbers, and thoughtful storyline.Happy Feetis the age-old story of a young penguin struggling to embrace his love for dance in a colony that just wants him to be a singer. This movie also made a whopping $384M worldwide. The only thing holdingHappy Feetback on this list is that Jackman doesn’t voice the lead penguin and because this is ananimated kids' movie, we never get to see his beautiful face.
Related:Best Voice Performances in DreamWorks Animation Movies, Ranked
10Real Steel (2011)
WhileReel Steel(2011) made around $299M worldwide, it’s safe to say that people remember it more for the dueling robots than any human performance. However, moviegoers generally liked the film, and it finds itself at number eight on the list. InReal Steel, Jackman plays a former boxer who builds and trains his fighting robot with his son.
9Flushed Away (2006)
Long ago, beforeRatatouilleand the vocal stylings of Patton Oswalt, Hugh Jackman was the fancy rat in town. Yes, Jackman voiced Roddy in one of thebest movies from Aardman AnimationsFlushed Away(2006), which grossed $178M worldwide. Even thoughFlushed Awaydoesn’t get the same hype asHappy FeetorRatatouille, Jackman was the titular animated rodent and must be recognized for that accomplishment. In addition,Flushed Awayyet again demonstrates Jackman’s ability to appeal to children, parents, and, really, all audiences.
Bad Education(2019) features Jackman’s electrifying portrayal of Dr. Frank Tassone, a delightfully sleazy school district superintendent. This outstanding Jackman performance is accompanied by aRotten Tomatoes Tomatometerscore of 93%. However, the movie didn’t have a typical theatrical release because it was released exclusively on HBO’s streaming services. So, while the film and Jackman’s performance were both top-notch, it’s unclear how popular or financially successful the movie actually was.
7The Greatest Showman (2017)
This is where the list starts to get interesting. WhileThe Greatest Showman(2017) received a low Rotten score on the Tomatometer, it made almost $500M internationally. It’s also a wonderful vehicle for Jackman’s talents as a performer; he depicts circus tycoon P.T. Barnum. Essentially, he sang, danced, and turned this movie into a box office smash. This wasn’t the first time Jackman has done this for a film, and it won’t be the last!
6Eddie the Eagle (2016)
Cut from the Olympic ski team, British athlete Michael “Eddie” Edwards (Taron Egerton) travels to Germany to test his skills at ski jumping. Fate leads him to Bronson Peary (Jackman), a former ski jumper who now works as a snowplow driver. Impressed by Edwards' spirit and determination, Peary agrees to train the young underdog. Egerton would later win a Golden Globe for another biopic,Rocketman, but his starring turn inEddie the Eaglereveals his A-lister potential. It helps to have a Hollywood powerhouse like Jackman to share scenes with. Eddie’s character is lovable and inhibits a “never say no” attitude, which Egerton expertly displays throughout the entirety of the film.
5X-Men Series
Is putting nine movies at number five cheating? Yes! But do we want this list just to be a shrine to theX-Menfranchise? No. So, we’re just going to have to live with this decision. Some of these movies were great, while others were horrible. Some featured a lot of Jackman as the iconic Wolverine, while others only featured a little. Overall, they made tons of money and, as noted above, launched Jackman into a higher atmosphere of fame. So, let’s put the whole series at number five on the list and call it a day.
Related:Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds React to Logan and Deadpool Finally Joining Disney+
4The Prestige (2006)
Jackman seems to be at his best when he’s literally on a stage while filming a movie. When performing is part of his performance, you can see his passion for the subject matter come to life. This is especially true inThe Prestige(2006), where he plays a magician determined to thwart his rival, played by Christian Bale. ThisChristopher Nolan moviemade almost $110M worldwide and is simply one of the great Hugh Jackman movies.
3Prisoners (2013)
This isn’t Jackman’s most glamorous performance, but that’s probably why people are so compelled by it. Every time he appears on-screen, you’re dreading his next move. He plays a father desperate to get his child back and makes you feel like your going along with him for the ride. Directed by Denis Villeneuve,Prisoners(2013) is equal parts thrilling and haunting and a must-watch for any Jackman lovers.
2Les Misérables (2012)
He was dirty, he was bald, he was everything. Other than his work on the Marvel properties, this is probably the movie people most remember him for.Les Misérablesmade about $435M globally and featured an amazing cast. For Jackman’s portrayal of Jean Valjean, he won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy and received his first and only Oscar nomination. You know what they say: “To love another person is to see the face of Hugh Jackman.”
