My Favourite Sebastian Stan Films of All-Time

Not many actors have gained a fan following as huge as Sebastian Stan. Since the 2000’s, Stan has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s struggling theatre actors, space scavengers or winter soldiers, the actor has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies 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. The Apprentice

Donald Trump is a legendary American politician that earned my father’s appreciation. I fondly recall with nostalgia warm memories of a father that appreciated the political leader in America. I remember my father was once fascinated with the dark life of a political leader that guided his nation during grim times of terror. He would always strive to explain why he admired a president that had sought to make America great again. In 2024, Sebastian Stan honoured the apprentice in his movie “The Apprentice”.  In the greatest role of his career, Stan portrayed a strong politician that worked with criminals to engage in warfare. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most memorable role. Stan has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes in American period dramas. With “The Apprentice”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary politician that’s well-known. Working alongside Jeremy Strong who is also outstanding, Stan honoured a president that’s awe-inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Roy Cohn becomes aware of Donald Trump’s talent for leadership is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Apprentice” Sebastian Stan’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most political movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about leaders which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 50 years after Donald Trump became a bold figure that changed America, it’s a bold reminder of a great actor with charisma whose unforgettable movies attract audiences to Cinema.

2. Avengers: Endgame

The Avengers are an awe-inspiring superhero team that my friend always loved dearly. I remember a friend that admired a superhero team saving the world from grave danger. His room was always decorated with posters of a superhero team he appreciated. My friend would always marvel in awe at a superhero team he considered special. In 2019, Sebastian Stan honoured the iconic superhero team reaching an endgame in his movie “Avengers: Endgame”. In the most emotional role of his career, Stan portrayed a superhero seeking to save the world from warfare causing despair. Stan has always excelled at playing Bucky throughout the MCU’s trajectory of movies. With “Avengers: Endgame”, however, the actor brought an emotional vulnerability to the character audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Bucky bids emotional farewell to Captain America as he becomes older causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Avengers: Endgame” a comic-book classic is its message. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a heartwarming message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. An awe-inspiring tribute towards a groundbreaking team reaching an endgame, it’s an amazing reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced unforgettable movies throughout his career achieving tremendous fame.

3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Captain America is a captivating superhero that shaped my teacher’s persona. I recall with nostalgia memories of a teacher appreciating Captain America. He adored a comic-book character with a shield carrying power. In 2014, Sebastian Stan honoured the iconic comic-book character in his movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”. In the most villainous role of his career, Stan portrayed a traumatized soldier facing despair. Stan has always had an aptitude for playing conflicted characters facing terror, and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” showcased his strengths as an actor. As the Winter Solider, Stan did a great job of portraying an iconic character. Working alongside Chris Evans who is also amazing, Stan honoured a hero that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Bucky transforms into the Winter Soldier causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a bold message about terrorism which would resonate with everyone. A captivating tribute towards Captain America, it’s a bold reminder of an actor with charisma manufacturing memorable movies that attract audiences to the modern-day Cinema.

4. I, Tonya

Ice skating is an activity that my friend always enjoyed doing. I recall with nostalgia a girl that sought to become a famous ice-skater in America. Nothing in the whole world could ever stop her from achieving her dreams of ice-skating. As someone treasuring memories of an ice-skater with nostalgia, I adored “I, Tonya”. Released in 2017, Sebastian Stan’s movie honoured the legacy of a legendary ice-skater in American history. In the most conflicted role of his career, Stan portrayed the abusive husband of an ice-skater facing despair. With “I, Tonya”, the actor showcased a menacing side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Margot Robbie who is also outstanding, Stan honoured a figure in ice-skating. For instance, the scene in which Jeff has a tense argument with Tonya after he becomes aware that she is leaving him causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “I, Tonya” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of ice-skating to appreciate it. It delivers a bold message about pursuing one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after Tonya Harding became an inspiring figure in ice-skating, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured captivating movies which are worth absolutely celebrating.

5. The Martian

Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced a bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured individuals surviving a disastrous situation as powerfully as “The Martian”. Released in 2015, Sebastian Stan’s movie offered an engaging adaptation of a beloved book about space survival. In the most anxious role of his career, Stan portrayed an astronaut seeking to locate his long lost companion in space facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Matt Damon who is also amazing, Stan honoured a classic sci-fi book about survival. For instance, the scene in which Chris and his space crew become aware that Mark Watney is still alive causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Martian” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous book to appreciate it. The film delivers a bold message about survival which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships astronauts face seeking to survive in space, it’s a bold reminder about a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies audiences embrace.

6. Logan Lucky

Heists are engaging events that have often made for entertaining movies. Audiences have always loved watching thieves pull off casino robberies in movies. In 2017, Sebastian Stan captured the enduring appeal of movies about thieves pulling off robberies that are lucky in his movie “Logan Lucky”. In the most athletic role of his career, the actor portrayed a race car driver facing a heavy burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase aptitude for comedy that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Daniel Craig who is also amazing, Stan created a commemorated heist movie which is captivating. A hilarious portrait of courageous thieves pulling off frightening heists that are dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of a famous actor that has made memorable movies which audiences consider extremely precious.

7. The Devil All the Time

Few books ever written about crime occurring all the time are as beloved as “The Devil All the Time”. Since its publication in 2011, Donald Ray Pollock’s book has become a classic. In 2020, Sebastian Stan honoured the iconic crime book in his movie “The Devil All the Time”. In the most devilish role of his career, Stan portrayed a corrupt police-officer seeking to resolve crimes in a city facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing conflicted characters facing a dilemma. Working alongside Robert Pattinson who is also amazing, Stan honoured a commemorated book. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about religious violence, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with strong presence that has manufactured great movies which attract a huge worldwide audience.

8. A Different Man

Facial deformity is a disease that is rarely depicted accurately in movies. Hollywood has often shied away from stories of facially deformed men that are misunderstood. In an industry avoiding the problems of being a different man, it’s worth praising “A Different Man”. Released in 2024, Sebastian Stan’s movie captured facial deformities. In the most thoughtful role of his career, Stan portrayed a Broadway actor that forms a friendship with a facially deformed man causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Michael Shannon who is also amazing, Stan created a disability drama that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of facial deformities causing the lives of Broadway actors to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor that are special.

9. Black Swan

Ballet is a breathtaking profession that my mother loves today. I fondly recall with nostalgia fond memories of a mother that sought to become a famous ballerina. As someone treasuring memories of a mother that adored swan dancers, I adored “Black Swan”. Released in 2009, Sebastian Stan’s movie captured ballet dancers facing adversity. In the most supportive role of his career, Stan portrayed an alcoholic bachelor that falls in love with a ballet dancer facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Natalie Portman who is also outstanding, Stan created a ballet drama that’s captivating. As strong as Nina’s love for ballet, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose timeless movies are worth celebrating today.

10. The Apparition

Sebastian Stan hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Apparition” falls into the latter category. Released in 2012, Todd Lincoln’s horror blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Stan portrayed a man that becomes victim of a supernatural apparition causing despair. Stan brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Apparition” is a bad movie, it honoured Stan’s commemorated legacy. As powerful as the apparition, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with strong dedication towards his craft that has manufactured unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.