My Favourite Hugh Jackman Films

Few actors have achieved appreciation of Hugh Jackman. Since the 2000’s, Jackman has become an icon. Jackman’s greatest strength as an actor is his versatility. Whether it’s heroes, grieving fathers or magicians, Jackman has played several characters. Given the number of movies he has made, making a list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies made by an actor deserving to be celebrated.

1. Prisoners

Child abduction is a painful process that puts parents under stress. Years ago, my mother became anxious when she lost my brother in grocery stores which were humongous. I still recall the expression of terror that was etched on the face of my mother as she searched the store for my baby brother. Fearful that he had been abducted, she couldn’t cope with a situation leaving her emotionally affected. After hours of frantically searching the big store, she was relieved when she finally found my brother. Few films I have ever seen have managed to capture the horrors of child abduction as powerfully as “Prisoners”. Released in 2013, Hugh Jackman’s film did a great job of depicting child abduction on the big-screen. In the greatest role of his career, Hugh Jackman embodies despair of a parent whose child disappears out of thin air. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most iconic role. Jackman has always excelled at playing characters with a short temper using his powerful voice, and his strengths as an actor are evident in “Prisoners”. For instance, the scene in which Keller tortures Alex questioning where his daughter is represents the actor’s most emotional work. Ultimately, what makes “Prisoners” Hugh Jackman’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about child abduction, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a powerful message about parenting resonating with everyone. A dazzling depiction of the depression experienced by frightened parents when children disappear out of thin air, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a commemorated career playing larger-than-life characters in unforgettable movies about which audiences commonly undeniably care.

2. Bad Education

When it comes to shocking school scandals in American history, it’s worth discussing the Roslyn District embezzlement.  In 2004, New York’s Roslyn High School made headlines when it experienced a massive theft. A team of student news reporters discovered that superintendent Frank Tassone had stolen $2.2 million from the school’s funds. Not only did Tassone commit shocking fraud, but he used his facade to keep it a secret. In 2019, Hugh Jackman did an extraordinary job of depicting the scandal on the big-screen in his film “Bad Education. In the most comical role of his career, Jackman embodies a corrupt school principal in a scandal. It’s a villainous role marking a stark departure for an actor that has spent his career playing heroic characters. For instance, the scene in which Frank Tassone is interrogated by a student regarding criminal activities showcases the actor’s villainy. Ultimately, what makes “Bad Education” a great film is its universal message. It delivers a strong message about the corruption in education. Nearly 20 years after a shocking school scandal involving a corrupt principal, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a commemorated actor that thrives given opportunities to portray real-life people audiences consider special.

3. Logan

The Wolverine is a legendary comic-book hero that my grandfather always loved dearly. I was first introduced to the superhero with sharp claws by a grandfather I grew up to treasure. Several years ago, I bonded with a grandfather that loved the superhero. However, aging brought our bond to a closure. After reaching an age of retirement, he lost interest in an icon in entertainment. As someone treasuring a grandfather that loved Wolverine with passion, I adored “Logan”. Released in 2016, Hugh Jackman’s magnificent comic-book masterpiece did an excellent job of bringing the hero’s journey to a satisfying conclusion. In his most emotional career role, Hugh Jackman embodied an aging hero facing heavy emotions causing his life to spiral out of control. If previous films in the franchise depicted the Wolverine as an invincible comic-book character, Jackman brought out an emotional side to the hero that audiences hadn’t seen in the past before. For instance, the scene in which Logan dies sacrificing himself to protect children is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Logan” the greatest Wolverine movie is its message. The film delivers a poignant message regarding consequences of aging resonating with everyone. A fantastic farewell to a character with sharp claws that changed the world forever, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing heroic characters whose timeless movies audiences treasure.

4. Les Miserables

It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Broadway play on the big-screen. What works in stage musicals doesn’t always work in films. In order to make a successful adaptation, filmmakers must pay attention to the storytelling, music and characters of the original show. For these reasons, it’s rare to come across effective film adaptations of successful musicals. That being said, “Les Miserables” is an exception. Released in 2012, Hugh Jackman’s movie did a spectacular job of adapting a stage musical on the big-screen. In his first ever musical role, Hugh Jackman pours his heart and soul into a prisoner facing an emotional toll. Making the film posed challenges for actors such as singing melodies live on set without rehearsal. Jackman proved up to the challenge of live-singing. For instance, the opening musical number in which audiences are introduced to Jean Valjean showcases the actor’s strength for live singing. Ultimately, what makes “Les Miserables” one of Jackman’s best films is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the Broadway musical to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about social injustice. A bold tribute to a Broadway play that blew audiences away, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that thrives when given the opportunities to sing in memorable movies that deserve appreciation today.

5. The Prestige

Double roles are tricky to pull off effectively in movies. It’s challenging for actors to play two characters at once in a movie. Playing two different characters in the same movie poses challenges for actors. Despite the challenges involved in playing a double role, Hugh Jackman pulled it off effectively when he made “The Prestige”. Released in 2006, Christopher Nolan’s prestigious film found the actor playing a double role of a magician performing magic tricks that are precious. In the most complex role of his career, Jackman embodies a talented magician with a flair for making people disappear. It’s a role that gives the actor an opportunity to showcase his talent for playing two people in one movie. For instance, the scene in which Angier is first introduced to his double in a bar showcases the actor’s strength for playing two people. Ultimately, what makes “The Prestige” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about magicians, it tackles strong themes that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of prestigious magicians performing tricks that are dangerous, it’s a rousing reminder of a courageous actor that excels at playing devious characters whose commemorated movies audiences consider extremely undeniably precious.

6. Deadpool & Wolverine

The Wolverine has always been a comic-book hero that’s serious. Following creation in the 1970’s, Logan has always taken a serious attitude towards life. Due to atrocities he has seen in his traumatic past, there has rarely ever been any humour in the life of Wolverine. However, recently Hugh Jackman brought out a comical side to the Wolverine audiences hadn’t seen before in his film “Deadpool and Wolverine”. In his most recent turn as the comic-book character, Jackman brought a refreshing sense of humour. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase a comical side to his acting audiences have rarely seen in the past before. A wonderful tribute to the Wolverine, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to create strong heroes with sheen whose timeless movies audiences are always keen to see on the big-screen.

7. The Fountain

One of the most common criticisms levelled against Hugh Jackman is that he doesn’t take any risks as an actor. Jackman has long built a reputation for playing stereotypical heroes in every movie. Closely associated with his heroic image of being the Wolverine, the actor has rarely ever taken on risky roles. However, in 2006 Jackman took audiences by surprise when he took a step out of his comfort zone making the film “The Fountain”. In the riskiest role of his career, Jackman embodies a man discovering his identity over the course of several years. Jackman showcases his skills of being a chameleon portraying multiple characters in one movie. A powerful portrayal of people questioning their existence, it’s a strong reminder of an actor with a strong presence that thrives taking risks in movies that challenge the modern-day audience.

8. The Greatest Showman

Hugh Jackman has always been one of those actors that’s a great showman. Ever since he achieved stardom in stage musicals during the 1990’s, Jackman has always had talent for performing melodies. Jackman’s strength for being a great showman skilled at performing in stage musicals is clearly evident in his film “The Greatest Showman”. In the most showy role of his career, Jackman embodies a real-life entertainer with a gift for performing melodies. Jackman showcases his skills for singing, dancing and performing. It’s a phenomenal performance that pays tribute towards a great showman in American history. A touching tribute towards an entertaining showman with talent for performing, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing characters with strong showmanship whose movies are worth absolutely celebrating.

9. X-Men

When it comes to the greatest comic-book heroes in history, it’s worth discussing the X-Men. Ever since their creation in the 1970’s, the X-Men have gained a huge fan following. In 2000, Hugh Jackman did an excellent job of bringing the superhero team to the big-screen for the first time in “X-Men”. A groundbreaking blockbuster, the film introduced a superhero team that changed the world forever. In his first ever outing as Wolverine, Hugh Jackman proved he was born to play a hero with claws on the big-screen. It’s a powerful performance that launched one of the most iconic superheroes in cinematic history. An exceptional introduction to an extraordinary superhero team with strong commitment, it’s an excellent reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to make timeless films that are precious modern-day entertainment.

10. X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Hugh Jackman hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have often left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” falls into the latter category. Released in 2009, Gavin Hood’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Jackman portrayed a superhero engaging in intense warfare. Jackman brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Jackman’s legacy. As strong as the Wolverine’s desire to discover his identity, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy making great movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking which I value commonly highly.