Hugh Jackman has had a long and successful career that has spanned across many genres, including fantasy, action, drama, and even comedy. At the same time, Jackman also proved, with The Greatest Showman, that he is a triple threat actor who can sing and dance. He recently revived The Music Man on Broadway and received critical acclaim. Jackman has won several awards throughout his career and earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance in Les Misérables. He has proved his sheer capabilities as a dramatic actor, time and time again.

Jackman was born in Sydney, Australia and had a very strong interest in performing from a young age. He continued to work in theater throughout school and eventually was cast in the ABC series Correlli. From there, he appeared in several productions and earned an Olivier Award for Best Actor. He received international stardom after playing the iconic role of Wolverine in X-Men. Jackman would go on to play Wolverine in several more films for almost two decades. There is no question that Jackman is one of the best actors working, and his upcoming film The Son is, per Gold Derby, already garnering Oscar buzz. Let’s dive into his best dramatic films, ranked.

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6 The Fountain

     Warner Bros.

Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain is a mind-bending film that takes you on a journey through space and time. It is also a heartbreaking love story and a triumph in visual effects. Jackman and Rachel Weisz worked great together, and although the film might not be for everyone, it is definitely a movie worth seeing. Jackman plays different versions of his character at various moments in time. This is never an easy task for an actor, but Jackman completely pulls it off. The Fountain also has a fantastic score and brilliant cinematography. It is the type of film that will keep you thinking long after it is over.

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5 Eddie the Eagle

     20th Century Studios

Eddie the Eagle is an inspirational story following Michael Edwards (Taron Egerton) and his journey to becoming an Olympic ski jumper. Jackman plays Edwards’ mentor, Bronson Peary. It is a true underdog story, and both Jackman and Egerton deliver solid performances. Jackman honestly portrays a man struggling with addiction and personal turmoil. As far as sports movies go, this is definitely one to check out.

4 Les Misérables

     Universal Pictures

Jackman gives a powerhouse performance in Tom Hooper’s film version of Les Misérables. Although the film is not for everybody, it was undoubtedly an epic production featuring a great cast and all the iconic songs. Jackman deservingly earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance of Jean Valijean. He completely transformed into the character and, once again, proved his capabilities as a singer. Hooper showed his ambition as a filmmaker and delivered a solid musical film. The cast also includes Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, and Helena Bonham Carter.

3 The Prestige

     Touchstone Pictures

Christopher Nolan co-wrote and directed the psychological film The Prestige, following magicians in the late-1800s. The film, as a whole, is thought-provoking and comes with many twists and turns. Nolan demonstrated, once again, his capabilities as a filmmaker and his sheer talent in storytelling. Anybody interested in magic and illusions will certainly love this film. At the same time, there is something in it for everyone. Jackman delivers a solid dramatic performance filled with intensity. His chemistry with the rest of the cast, including Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Rebecca Hall, was top-notch.

2 Logan

     Marvel Entertainment

James Mangold’s Logan marked Jackman’s final performance of Wolverine. The film follows his journey to get a young mutant named Laura (Dafne Keen) to safety. The unexpected bond between Logan and Laura is the heart of the film, and the ending will certainly bring out some emotions. At the same time, there are several amazing action scenes throughout. It is a superhero movie with heart, and Mangold was the perfect choice to direct. Jackman gives one of the best performances of his career. Logan was the perfect goodbye for a character that audiences have loved for several years.

1 Prisoners

Denis Villeneuve’s mystery thriller film Prisoners features an all-star cast including Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Melissa Leo, Viola Davis, and more. The story follows the investigation of two kidnapped girls, and it is thrilling from beginning to end. The script is top-notch and Villeneuve proved his sheer talents as a filmmaker. Jackman’s performance is filled with rage and intensity, and he is an absolute scene-stealer as a father pushed to his darkest limits. At the same time, his chemistry with the rest of the cast was excellent. Every aspect of the film is high quality including the score, cinematography, story, and performances. Prisoners will have you guessing until the very end.