Most fans knowCole Sprouseas one half of the world-famous twin duo who portrayed a pair of rowdy brothers in Disney’s smash hit seriesThe Suite Life of Zack and Cody. While best recognized for his beloved comedic Disney Channel role, Sprouse has since branched into more serious and diverse projects as an adult.
AfterThe Suite Life’ssuccess, Sprouse enjoyed another television hit with the wildly successful teen dramaRiverdale,before going on to star in several feature films. What many fans don’t know is that Sprouse initially started his career as a movie actor before turning to television, and was already honing some impressive acting chops at a very young age. From hammy slapstick to tragic drama, Cole Sprouse’s best performances showcase the younger twin’sstrong talent and dynamic range.
10The Suite Life Movie
The Suite Life Moviepremiered amid the third and final season ofThe Suite Life on Deckseries. As one ofDisney’s brightest successes,The Suite Lifefranchise was certainly due for a Disney Channel Original Movie. The story sees Sprouse’s character Cody (the nerdy, more studious twin) obtain supernatural powers while studying at an elite tech institute.
Sprouse Brothers Say Goodbye to The Suite Life with Feature Film
Interestingly, the Sprouse twinsdeparted from Disneyshortly afterThe Suite Life’sfinal season wrapped up, with Cole’s brother and co-star Dylan explaining in a 2013Outtakes with Nataliainterview that the boys' pitch to produce a final season based on their own original storyline had been declined (although he said Disney later tweaked their idea and attempted to pitch it back to them). Their final film for the Mouse is made great by Sprouse’s readiness to serve up the swashbuckling fun for which the iconic twin duo is known. Although some viewers complained of a lackluster plot and noticed a few continuity errors, Cole Sprouse makes the most of the script and brings his signature spark to the sci-fi comedy drama.
9Apple Jack
Apples, murder, and UFOs? Shortly before starting his Disney Channel run, Cole Sprouse appeared in Mark Whiting’s well-received short filmApple Jack.Shot in 2004 when Sprouse was 11 years old, it received Best Short Film at that year’s Deep Ellum Festival and also won Best of the Fest at the 2003 L.A. Short Fest. Sprouse offers a plucky portrayal of a young boy who is granted an unlikely chance to avenge his mother’s death at the hands of notorious criminals. The film’s character is bolstered by a narration from Randy Travis along with an endearing effort from Sprouse.
Sprouse Boys Show Big Promise in Short Film
Cole Sprouse’ssteady trajectory of continuous workpaid off, andApple Jackproved to be a stepping stone that helped springboard him to the heights of fame less than two years later with the premiere ofThe Suite Life of Zack and Cody. The film gave him a chance to prove his acting strength without having his brother to play off of. One demonstration of his budding skills is seen as he displays fierce determination in his face while using a bow and arrow to shoot apples off a tree. Although Dylan Sprouse was also involved in the project, the brothers took turns in the same part rather than sharing the screen, and both boys' strong performances in the acclaimed short solidified their ability to hold their own in a stand-alone role.
8Lisa Frankenstein
Lisa Frankenstein
The now all-grown-up Cole Sprouse tries his hand at a zany dark comedy in Zelda Williams' love-it-or-hate-itLisa Frankenstein.Sprouse stars alongside fledgling horror princess Kathryn Newton of 2024’sAbigailas a deceased Victorian pianist who rises from the grave to become a non-verbal zombie looking for romance and ends up causing mayhem in a small Illinois town. Sprouse is joined onscreen by Kathryn Newton, a star withher own strong repertoire of projects, as she plays the angsty outcast who accidentally brings her graveyard crush to life. Rich with neon and nostalgia, the film’s vibrant ’80s visuals are the backdrop for a polarizing flick which takes a few gruesome turns but never crosses into true horror. Sprouse’s zombie character won’t be topping any scariest movie monster lists.
Cole Sprouse Shines in Horror Rom-Com
Sprouse wows in this eccentric curiosity of a film by making himself an unexpectedly lovable monster of sorts. Although his shockingly egregious actions in the film, especially atits wild ending, should cause viewers to see him as a villain, the audience can’t help but root for him instead due to the fascinating relatability he brings through his mannerisms as “The Creature.” Sprouse makes highly effective use of grunts, gestures, and facial expressions as he brings the mute corpse to life. For example, after playing the piano for love interest Lisa, he turns around with a vulnerable look of combined shyness and pride in one especially touching scene. Sprouse’s unique, near-silent performance punctuates the offbeat picture by bringing an astounding level of humanity to the monster.
Exclusive: Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse Discuss Lisa Frankenstein and Big Daddy
Newton and Sprouse spoke to MovieWeb in LA to promote their new dark comedy, written by Diablo Cody and arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day.
7I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Cole Sprouse fills the screen with holiday cheer as he takes an adorable turn in this family-friendly Christmas treat. Another building block on Sprouse’s road to fame,I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clausis a 2001 festive comedy that showcases his lovable charm. The film foreshadows his future roguish ways as Cody inThe Suite Lifeas he embodies Justin Carver, a mischievous young prankster. The child spots his mother kissing his father (“Santa Claus”) and sets out on a mission to save his parents' marriage by misbehaving to keep Santa away.
Young Cole Sprouse Twinkles in Christmas Comedy
Viewers will see shades ofMacaulay Culkin’s iconic Kevin McCallister fromHome Aloneas little Justin blows spitballs at his teacher, throws snowballs on the street, and sets booby traps for Santa. But the story is not all fun and games, and Sprouse shows a serious side to his acting as he aggressively reacts to his parents' impending divorce with sadness and concern. Equal parts sour and sweet, Sprouse puts a refreshingly cute spin on a formulaic trope in this joyous, easy-to-watch holiday romp.
6Just For Kicks
Currently streaming free on Tubi,Just For Kicksis another dose of double trouble starring Cole and Dylan Sprouse. To keep them straight this time, Cole is the one without glasses here. Released in 2003, the movie follows soccer-loving brothers as they prepare for a big game against local rivals. When their dad and coach is pulled away on a business emergency, they get more than they bargained for when they enlist a mysterious stranger to help and discover his surprising identity.
Sprouse Twins Score with Family Soccer Flick
Sprouse glides through the project’s rather wordy and rapid dialogue surprisingly well for his age. Convincingly playing a passionate young athlete, he draws viewers in with his love for the game. His disappointment at losing his coach is strongly felt as he begs his mother to double-check her list of potential substitutes. He also shows an early aptitude for the comedy genre for which he would soon become so well known, effortlessly delivering amusing lines such as, “What an ugly ending to a beautiful day!”
Directed by Christopher Winterbauer,Moonshotis a fantastical teen space drama with a romantic edge. Cole Sprouse portrays the space-obsessed Walt who is bored with his life as a barista and finds a chance to follow his astronaut dreams by stowing away on a journey to Mars. At times reminiscent of Disney Channel’s futuristicZenonfranchise, the fun film steers away from the technical lingo and complex explanations common to many spaceship movies and instead focuses on the heart of the characters' stories. An awkward love triangle is explored, a sassy robot appears, and Michelle Buteau plays the spaceship’s Captain Tartar, who is taken in by Will’s mischievous scheme to get to space.
Cole Sprouse Wows in Space Fantasy Rom-Com
Moonshotoffers a cheery depiction of the future and nostalgic fans have positively compared Sprouse’s performance to the sit-commish style of his Disney days, as he delivers his lines with great comedic timing. His performance also adds dimension to the project’sfrenemies-to-lovers plotas he subtly conjures a slow-growing, yet electrifying bond with co-star Lana Condor that is evident even through a video chat scene. AlthoughMoonshotisn’t necessarily groundbreaking material, Sprouse’s familiar charisma helps make it a fun, leisurely watch.
4Riverdale
A darker take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends from the Archie Comics series, Riverdale is a CW supernatural mystery series that sees the group trying to illuminate the truth surrounding various strange occurrences and murders in the titular town. When a teenage girl is found dead in the once-quiet town, the event starts a series of ever-growing mysteries that ultimately lead to darker secrets in the town’s history. Led by Archie, the Riverdale gang will attempt to navigate their new normal while dealing with all of the drama that comes with being high school teenagers.
At the beginning of 2017, Cole Sprouse forayed back into television with the CW’sRiverdale. Based on the Archie Comics, the show follows the misadventures of a group of high school students in a seemingly sleepy, boring town. But things in the town are not what they seem, and viewers soon learn the town’s residents are entwined in a web of scandalous secrets. The series premiere introduces viewers to Sprouse’s character Jughead, a central character in the show who also happens to serve as the narrator.
Cole Sprouse Plays Dual Sides of Jughead
In the early episodes, Sprouse cuts an ominous figure as Jughead spends much of his time sitting mysteriously at a local diner. As the series progresses, Sprouse masterfully evolves his character from a sullen loner to a powerful force in the town with a tough-guy persona as his character joins the Serpent gang. He also weaves a romance with Lili Reinhart’s character Betty. Sprouse shows great emotional range and vulnerability as Jughead’s feelings for Betty grow, especially in the scene where he confesses his love and waits for her reaction. Sprouse remained a steadfast staple of the show as it strayed from its original teen mystery theme andtook some truly bizarre turns. HisRiverdaleperformance is perhaps best loved by fans for his deadpan delivery of Jughead’s zinging one-liners.
Riverdale: Every Season, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes
How did the Rotten Tomatoes audience score rank each season of Riverdale?
3The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things
An underrated effort grounded in stark realism,The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Thingsfeatures a young Cole Sprouse in his first tragic drama role. Sprouse plays son Jeremiah to Asia Argento’s Sarah, a troubled mother who has recently reclaimed him after losing him to foster care several years prior. Jeremiah, whose name references the Bible verse from which the title is drawn, rejects Sarah as a mother and attempts several times to run away. But Sarah, like a cat with nine lives, always somehow finds a way to keep possession of her son.
Sprouse Brothers Team for Tragic Drama
A then 12-year-old Sprouse demonstrates maturity and talent beyond his years as he delves into such complex thematic elements as child abuse, prostitution, drug addiction, and cross-dressing in this raw and gritty work. He shows versatility by steering away from his usual comical demeanor and giving a serious performance with no hint of his usual playful sarcasm. In one particularly heartbreaking scene of the neglected Jeremiah, Sprouse portrays frantic hunger as he heartbreakingly devours a burger from a dumpster. Sprouse also shows a penchant for accent work in the film, taking a respectable swing at a Southern drawl.
2The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody
When considering Cole Sprouse’s greatest career performances, reserving a top spot forThe Suite Life of Zack and Codyis simply a given. The undeniable greatness of Cole and Dylan Sprouse’s performances make the classic series endlessly re-watchable. Cole perfectly plays a nerdy, studious and sensitive twin to his brother’s more boisterous and athletic character. The two boys live with their mother, a struggling singer, in a suite at the hotel where she works.
Cole and Dylan Sprouse Dazzle in Breakthrough Role
Sprouse stands out in this role and boosts the show’s quality by successfully developing a distinct character from that of his brother. Instead of remembering him as an interchangeable twin, his performance allows viewers to see Cody as his own unique figure. Sprouse achieves this separation by adopting shyer, sweeter mannerisms and delivering his lines with enthusiasm, but slightly less gusto than his brazen brother. While the two characters share some similarities, such as their mutual love of pranks, Sprouse’s scholarly affect and quieter demeanor allows viewers to instantly tell which is which of the identical twins.
1Five Feet Apart
Five Feet Apart
Cole Sprouse soars in 2019’s romantic dramaFive Feet Apart. The movie uses a medical element to add an interesting twist to this tale of forbidden love. Will, played by Sprouse, and Stella are two teenagers who meet through their shared diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Cruelly, the thing that brought them together is also what keeps them apart, as their condition makes close contact with fellow patients unsafe. The title is a reference to Stella rebelling against the restricting medical advice by standing an extra foot closer to Will as the two spend time together.
Cole Sprouse Pulls Heartstrings in Teen Medical Drama
The task of staying apart becomes more and more difficult as the couple’s attraction grows, and Sprouse relays an intensely mournful longing that jumps off the screen. He shines in the role by successfully weaving chemistry with co-star Haley Lu Richardson, who also puts in one ofher best performances, despite the challenging element of physical distance. The film’s final scene is perhaps the most moving of Cole Sprouse’s career as he makes stunning use of his eyes, showing tortured pain without tears, to relay searing emotion for his strongest performance to date.
