Zac Efronhas been a Hollywood star since he was young, and as his career has progressed, he’s shown an aptitude for emotionally connecting with audiences across a variety of genres.Most audiences still associate Efron with his early work in the Disney Channel original movie,High School Musical,and its sequels. Though he’s been in plenty of movie musicals since then, Efron has also worked in genres from animation and serious dramas to slapstick comedy. While not every film he’s been in has been award-winning or critically acclaimed, they all offer something unique for the viewer to enjoy.
It will be interesting to see howZac Efron’s upcoming movieranks in his filmography, as the actor has been in some truly great films. In recent years, he’s started working with amazing writers and directors who push him to explore new facets of himself as an actor and grapple with intense subject matter.Making the transition from young Hollywood heart-throb to dramatic actor isn’t easy,but Efron has proven himself capable of handling this change. Efron makes it natural to see him as a lovable goofball in comedic roles and a serious prestige performer portraying emotionally complex characters.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vileisn’t an easy movie to watch, andEfron’s portrayal of the real serial killer Ted Bundy is chilling.Taking on such an intense role was a new challenge for Efron, who had to immerse himself in the violence and depravity of the man he was bringing to life. Lily Collins plays opposite Efron’s Bundy as Liz Kendall, the young woman who was romantically involved with Bundy before he was arrested. Much of the story unfolds from Liz’s perspective as she struggles to reconcile the evil inside of Ted.
The film received mixed reviews, but Efron’s performance was frequently highlighted as the best part of the project.
The film received mixed reviews, but Efron’s performance was frequently highlighted as the best part of the project. It’s difficult to tell such a violent and fraught story without glorifying the killer or being disrespectful to the victim’s families. ThoughExtremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vileisn’t perfect, it’s unique among many similar films, as it doesn’t overly rely on violence and grotesque imagery. Instead, the movie allows Efron’s work to shine as the narrative’s centerpiece.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
54%
57%
The Paperboywas a surprisingly serious turn for Efron in 2012, embroiling him in a crime thriller full of lies, secrets, and betrayal. Based on the novel of the same name,The Paperboyexplores the story of Ward (Matthew McConaughey), a reporter who attempts to clear the name of a death row inmate. One of the best parts ofThe Paperboyis Nicole Kidman’s entrancing performance as Charlotte, the femme fatale who uses the investigators to ensure the man goes free.
Efron plays Jack, Ward’s younger brother,who joins Ward and his friend Yardley (David Oyelowo) in their quest to find the truth while getting caught up in Charlotte’s lies. Though Kidman and Efron would later reunite in theNetflix rom-comA Family Affair, their chemistry was first established inThe Paperboy. While there are many unfocused elements ofThe Paperboy, it displayed a new side of Efron that he would later tap into in projects likeThe Iron Claw.
46%
33%
Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan join Efron inThat Awkward Moment, a story about a group of three friends who make a deal to stay single after Mikey’s (Jordan) wife leaves him. ThoughThat Awkward Momentis of its time, the three main characters are undeniably charming, andEfron has great chemistry with his love interest Ellie (Imogen Poots).That Awkward Momentmight not break out of the formulas of the rom-com genre, but its script has some witty moments.
Grappling with the importance of both love and friendship in life,That Awkward Momentis a sweet addition to Efron’s career.
This was an interesting step for Efron, as at this point in his career, he was still trying to figure out who he was outside of Disney and as a romantic leading man. InThat Awkward Moment, he makes it clear that he’s able to balance the demands of an imperfect character while managing to make him likable by the end of the story. Grappling with the importance of both love and friendship in life,That Awkward Momentis a sweet addition to Efron’s career.
23%
Efron joins Hugh Jackman inThe Greatest Showmanas the second-in-command, Phillip, to Jackman’s P.T. Barnum. Loosely based on the true story of the real Barnum and the Barnum & Bailey Circus,The Greatest Showmanis a fantastical exploration of the origin story of an iconic spectacle. Also starring Zendaya as Anne, Efron’s love interest,The Greatest Showmanboasts an all-star cast that instantly appeals to the audience. Despite this,Efron still stands out as Philliip, the emotionally grounded foil to Barnum’s wildest dreams.
All 6 Zac Efron Musicals, Ranked From Worst to Best
Zac Efron has starred in some incredible musicals, from the High School Musical franchise to The Greatest Showman, but some are better than others.
The Greatest Showmanmight not have received warm critical acclaim, butit was an enormous hit at the box office,earning $434,993,183 worldwide against a budget of $84,000,000 (viaBox Office Mojo). Many of the original songs composed forThe Greatest Showmanbecame sensations and helped revive the movie musical genre in the contemporary era. Since Efron has such strong roots in musical performances, he was a natural choice forThe Greatest Showman.
56%
86%
Based on Dr. Seuss' beloved children’s book of the same name,The Loraxtells a classic tale of the dangers of greed and the importance of finding balance with the environment.Efron voices the young Ted, a resident of Thneedville,a town without real trees in which a company sells bottled air. Ted slowly learns how the world came to be this way through the story of the Once-ler and the Lorax. With gorgeous visuals that do justice to the original design of Seuss' books,The Loraxis a stylistically cohesive film.
As Ted, Efron is the point of view character for the audience and is eventually spurred to action to stop the evil corporation and bring trees back to the world.
As Ted, Efron is the point of view character for the audience and is eventually spurred to action to stop the evil corporation and bring trees back to the world. In the same way that Ted is moved by the Once-ler’s tale, the viewer is meant to be impacted by Ted’s story. Audiences walk away fromThe Loraxwith a renewed sense of care for the environment. Though Efron hasn’t lent his voice to many other animated projects,The Loraxwas a great choice and highlighted his singing abilities.
53%
63%
One of the raunchier additions to Efron’s filmography,Neighborsis a comedy starring Efron, Seth Rogen, and Rose Byrneas a group of neighbors intent on destroying each other. It’s a funny premise and is only made better by the performances of the lead cast. Byrne and Rogen are a young couple whose lives are turned upside down when a rowdy fraternity moves in next door. Efron’s character, Teddy, is the president of the frat and takes it upon himself to get revenge on the couple when they attempt to shut him down.
Though Efron isn’t at his most likable as Teddy, the escalating grudge match between him, Rogen, and Byrne makes for many hilarious pranks and confrontations.Neighborshelped audiences begin to see Efron as an adult and accept him in more risqué rolesfollowing his departure from Disney. As far as early 2010s comedies go,Neighborsis well-crafted and memorable, making the most of its strong cast and inherently compelling premise.
72%
The movie that started it all,High School Musical, will always have a place among Efron’s best films, if only because of what it did for his career. However, even thoughHigh School Musicalis the reason Efron became a star,it’s also a fun and engaging film that holds up well today. Telling a timeless tale of star-crossed lovers from different worlds,High School Musicalis an engaging exploration of the pressures of adolescence. Though Efron didn’t do his own singing inHigh School Musical, he later proved the strength of his musical abilities in the sequels.
From the well-choreographed dance numbers to the iconic songs, there’s a reason whyHigh School Musicalexpanded into a beloved franchise.
As one ofDisney Channel’s best original movies,High School Musicalis reminiscent of the golden age of Disney Channel and is a uniquely nostalgic part of Efron’s career. Returning to this project after several decades and seeing him as a budding star in the early part of his career is sentimental, and it helps thatHigh School Musicalis still so easy to watch. From the well-choreographed dance numbers to the iconic songs, there’s a reason whyHigh School Musicalexpanded into a beloved franchise.
67%
74%
The rom-com with a fantasy twist,17 Again, asks the viewer what they would do if they could go back in timeand restart their life. Efron’s character, Mike, gets the answer to this question as the older version of himself, played by Matthew Perry, gets sent back into the body of his younger self, played by Efron. Though Mike had been dissatisfied with the way his life turned out and taking his wife and family for granted, he realized just how much he needed them when he was transported back to high school.
Efron has the tough job of playing an older character trapped in a young man’s body,but he manages to make this contradiction very believable. Though there are some goofy moments in17 Again, and the film didn’t receive overwhelming critical acclaim, it was a major step for Efron in taking on more serious adult roles, even within a comedy. Efron’s performance is the element that takes17 Againfrom a typical teen comedy and elevates it to an early-2000s classic.
Not long after Efron had his breakout performance inHigh School Musical,he starred in the screen adaptation of the stage musicalHairspray, based on the 1988 film by John Waters.As Link Larkin, Efron embodies the classic 1960s heart-throb who wins the heart of every young woman who sees him but is looking for something more. His relationship with Tracy, the protagonist, is a significant story element. However, Efron’s singing and dancing in the musical numbers set him apart in the cast.
12 Best Movie Musicals Of The 21st Century
Movie musicals might have peaked in Hollywood’s Golden Age, but the 21st Century has had a resurgence that combines the best of film and musicals.
One of the biggest takeaways from watching Efron inHairsprayis how funny the actor is. His comedic timing comes through in every aspect of the story. While the ensemble cast is full of hilarious actors like John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer,Efron easily holds his own and helps to anchor the emotional core ofHairspray.Though it’s a satirical story, there are some serious and important themes inHairspray, leaving the viewer with the message that everyone should be true to themselves.
92%
84%
The devastating performance Efron gives inThe Iron Clawhas paved the way for a new era of his career.Audiences and critics instantly recognized how much of himself Efron gave to bringing Kevin Von Erich to lifein the tragic true story of the iconic wrestling family. Though creative liberties were taken with the real events, the heart of the story is deeply emotionally truthful as Kevin navigates unimaginable loss and life-changing grief over the course of the narrative.
Watching Efron navigate this grueling and demanding performance with so much empathy and depth has been an indicator that the actor is ready to take the next step in his career. Though each Von Erich brother is vital to the story, Kevin is the centerpiece, as he weathers both the intense pressures of fame and professional wrestling and the demands of his family. WatchingZac EfroninThe Iron Clawfeels like the culmination of years of development as an actor. While it can be difficult to witness the tragedy of the project, it’s an incredible film.
89%
94%
