My Favourite Mark Wahlberg Movies of All-Time

Not many actors have achieved appreciation of Mark Wahlberg. Since the 1990’s, Wahlberg has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s departed police-officers, pornographic actors or boxing brothers, Wahlberg has portrayed several interesting characters. Given the number of movies that he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Boogie Nights

Pornographic actors are controversial figures that always fascinated by teacher. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a teacher that appreciated adult actors facing damage. He would always speak fondly about bravery of adult actors that exposed their bodies in provocative movies. Through his appreciation of a controversial industry, my teacher gave me a greater understanding of a profession that is often looked down upon in society. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the big barriers pornographic actors fight over several nights as powerfully as “Boogie Nights”. Released in 1997, Mark Wahlberg’s best movie offered a captivating depiction of the adult film industry in the 1970’s. In the greatest role of his career, Wahlberg portrayed an adult film actor that engages in a profession causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most courageous role. Wahlberg has spent most of his career playing serious characters in intense dramas. With “Boogie Nights”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a pornographic actor that’s well-known. Working alongside Phillip Seymour Hoffman who is also amazing, Wahlberg created a portrait of the adult film industry that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Dirk has a tense argument with his producer causing him to leave the business causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Boogie Nights” Mark Wahlberg’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the pornographic industry which are often targeted towards a limited audience, it tackles bold themes that would resonate with everyone. It delivers a meaningful message about danger of addiction which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years after the release of a classic film about pornographic actors seeking success in an industry that’s catastrophic, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has built an iconic legacy making iconic movies that captivate the public.

2. The Departed

Trusting people is something that I always find difficulty doing. Years ago, my family faced grief when we found our housekeeper was a thief. He was a kind housekeeper that always treated my family in a generous manner. My grandparents were shocked when they found their housekeeper they trusted had stolen jewelry. As someone that has found strangers hard to be trusted, I adored “The Departed”. Released in 2006, Mark Wahlberg’s drama captured cops that struggle to trust each other. In the most authoritative role of his career, Wahlberg portrays a police-officer that uncovers corruption in a police department causing despair. Wahlberg has an aptitude for playing characters in positions of power, and “The Departed” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Matt Damon who is also amazing, Wahlberg created a portrait of cops that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Dignam kills Sullivan after becoming aware that he is the rat is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Departed” a crime classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about trust which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of cops struggling to trust whose lives deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made great movies which audiences appreciate.

3. The Fighter

As far as I can remember, I’ve always shared a bond with my brother. I remember forming a strong bond with a brother that sought to become a soccer player. Born with the strong physique of a warrior, he enjoyed playing soccer every week. As someone treasuring a brother that sought to become a sports player, I admired “The Fighter”. Released in 2010, Mark Wahlberg’s movie celebrated the iconic boxer Micky Ward. In the most athletic role of his career, Wahlberg portrayed a real-life boxer. It’s a physically demanding role that required the actor to step out of his comfort zone by playing a boxer that’s well-known, but Wahlberg succeeded. Working alongside Christian Bale who is also amazing, Wahlberg created an athlete that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Micky has an argument with his brother about his success as a boxer causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Fighter” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about brotherhood which would resonate with everyone. 40 years after Micky Ward became a fighter with assistance from his brother, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has made great movies which audiences treasure.

4. The Lovely Bones

Child abduction is a painful process that causes stress. Years ago, my mother faced panic when she lost my brother in a store causing sorrow. Fearful that my brother had been abducted, the incident left my mother emotionally affected. As someone haunted by child abductions that shook my bones, I appreciated “The Lovely Bones”. Released in 2009, Mark Wahlberg’s movie honoured a beloved book about child abduction. In the most anxious role of his career, Wahlberg portrayed a frustrated father whose daughter is murdered causing despair. With “The Lovely Bones”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a victim of child abduction. Working alongside Saoirse Ronan who is also amazing, Wahlberg created a portrait of child abduction that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Jack becomes aware that his daughter has disappeared in a case causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Lovely Bones” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about abduction that will resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a book about teen girls that are abducted, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose movies deserve to be appreciated.

5. The Other Guys

Cops always fascinated my grandfather. I recall with nostalgia a grandpa that loved watching cops solving crimes on media. He grew up to admire cops placing lives on the line. As someone treasuring a grandfather that loved cops which surprise, I admired “The Other Guys”. Released in 2010, Mark Wahlberg’s movie offered a captivating portrait of comical cops. In the most hilarious role of his career, Wahlberg portrayed a reckless cop facing despair. Wahlberg has spent most of his career playing serious characters in dramas. With “The Other Guys”, however, the actor showcased flair for comedy that he hadn’t shown in his career. Working alongside Will Ferrell who is also amazing, Wahlberg created a comical cop that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Terry first meets Gamble embarking on a mission to solve crimes causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Other Guys” a comedy classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A hilarious depiction of cops solving crimes that are dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable movies audiences consider precious.

6. Three Kings

Over the past decade, the war movie genre has declined in quality. With cartoonish characters, loud action and lacklustre storytelling, war movies are a chore to sit through. In a genre facing warfare destruction, “Three Kings” stands out as an exception. Released in 1999, Mark Wahlberg’s movie did an excellent job of depicting the Gulf War on the big-screen. In the most political role of his career, Wahlberg portrayed a veteran engaging in tense warfare causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a disturbed war veteran. Working alongside George Clooney who is also amazing, Wahlberg honoured a war in American history. A wonderful tribute towards warfare, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built an illustrious career making movies about which audiences care.

7. Patriots Day

When it comes to the most terrifying terrorist attacks in American history, it’s worth discussing the Boston Marathon bombings. In 2013, Islamic terrorists detonated a bomb at the Boston Marathon. A devastating tragedy, it left the world grieving. In 2016, Mark Wahlberg honoured the bombing day in his movie “Patriots Day”. In the most patriotic role of his career, Wahlberg portrayed a police-officer investigating a tragic bombing causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his strength for playing conflicted characters under pressure. Working alongside J.K. Simmons who is also amazing, Wahlberg honoured a tragic bombing. Nearly 12 years after bombings shook the city of Boston, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with dedication whose movies are worthy of celebration.

8. The Lone Survivor

Mark Wahlberg has always excelled at playing action heroes under pressure. Wahlberg has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters facing emotional damage. Wahlberg’s strength for playing characters in danger is evident in his movie “The Lone Survivor”. Released in 2013, Mark Wahlberg’s movie honoured Navy SEALs. In the most courageous role of his career, Wahlberg portrayed a real-life soldier embarking on mission causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a Navy SEAL soldier that’s well-known. Wahlberg showcased intense commitment to the role he hadn’t shown before in his career. A powerful portrait of soldiers seeking survival, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies audiences consider special.

9. Deepwater Horizon

Few disasters in American history caused tension of the Deepwater Horizon explosion. In 2010, the Deepwater oil rig faced an explosion which was terrifying. A tragedy, it left oil rig workers emotionally affected. In 2016, Mark Wahlberg honoured survivors of the explosion in his movie “Deepwater Horizon”. In the most conflicted role of his career, Wahlberg embodied a real-life oil rig worker that faces an intense explosion causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing heroes under intense pressure. Working alongside Kurt Russell who is also amazing, Wahlberg honoured an oil rig explosion that’s frightening. Nearly 15 years after an explosion of oil, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has always manufactured memorable movies which make audiences’ blood boil.

10. 2 Guns

Mark Wahlberg hasn’t always made great movies leaving a lasting mark. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “2 Guns” falls into the latter category. Released in 2013, Baltasar Kormakur’s mindless crime blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Wahlberg portrayed a committed DEA agent engaging in life of crime causing despair. Wahlberg brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “2 Guns” is a bad movie, it honoured Wahlberg’s legacy. As strong as Stigman’s desire to become an undercover agent, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with strong commitment towards his craft that has made memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of entertainment.