Top Five Chris Evans Films To View
While Evans is best known for his heroic performances as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he has shown versatility in a variety of films. He is equally skilled in both massive Hollywood blockbusters and eccentric romantic comedies.
In Rian Johnson’s riveting murder mystery Knives Out, he excels as a suave leading man determined to get what he wants by any means necessary.
1. Gifted
A powerful drama that explores the complexities of gifted children and parental expectations, Gifted marks one of Evans’ most emotionally charged performances. He portrays Frank, the caring uncle of Mary, a prodigy who struggles with the morality of her advanced intellectual capabilities.
Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, and Octavia Spencer also star in this heart wrenching movie that proves Evans can do more than punch Nazis. He shows off his grit here, dives deeper into character elements that haven’t been explored as often in his MCU roles, and demonstrates that he has the acting chops to go beyond comic book heroes.
2. Snowpiercer
After a decade of harrowing battles and tremendous losses, Captain America’s final hurrah with the Avengers was both an acting challenge and a fitting capstone for this legendary franchise. Evans handled both with heart and grace, turning a cynical scriptwriter into a courageous hero and showing off his action chops in some of the best fight scenes in the entire MCU.
Not a particularly revelatory addition to Evans’ filmography, but one of the first roles that showed he had some decent acting skills and an affinity for humor and comic timing that would come in handy for future projects. He provides much-needed light relief as cocky action movie star Lucas Lee, and his character’s stubborn spitfire personality feels right at home in the world of Marvel movies.
3. The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Ahead of his MCU era, Evans showcased his acting chops in this dark and twisted thriller. Though the gomovies film didn’t receive much attention, Evans’s characterization of Wyler proved he had a sense of humor and an innate knack for comic timing that would carry through his work in the franchise.
The Russo brothers tasked Evans with bringing a new level of pathos and complexity to Captain America. The result was a riveting performance that showed Cap’s sense of nobility and patriotism were more than just words.
This R-rated thriller is one of Evans’s grittiest roles, showing off his ability to delve into character elements filled with angst and brutality. He also displays a more tender side as Frank, a man raising his niece amid a taxing custody battle with her mother. This underrated tear-jerker is one of Evans’s best performances.
4. Iron Man 3
Before Chris Evans became synonymous with Steve Rogers’ mighty red, white and blue shield in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Massachusetts-born actor was already building an impressive acting resume that encompassed everything from romantic comedies to sci-fi thrillers. And although he’s a natural action star, it was in this grittier, more cerebral movie that the actor really found his niche.
Playing Curtis Everett in Bong Joon-Ho’s 2013 acclaimed dystopian sci-fi train drama Snowpiercer, Evans showcases his ability to portray a more complicated hero than the brash macho types he usually goes for. His portrayal of a man willing to sacrifice himself for those who can’t afford it proves that Evans has the chops to take on uneasy roles, too.
Evans nails the cocky dope persona that’s so often seen in these kinds of movies, and never once veers into being insufferable or annoying.
5. Thor: The Dark World
The MCU may have made Chris Evans a household name, but the actor has proven he can do more than just superhero blockbusters. He starred in one of the better teen parody movies (Not Another Teen Movie) and delved into grittier character elements with the action-thriller Cellular.
In Sunshine, Evans starred as Mace, a crew member on a mission to reignite the dying sun. The yesmovies film is a fascinating piece of science fiction and shows off Evans’ ability to excel in more than just action-packed blockbusters.
Before he took on the role of Thor, Chris Evans was a devoted uncle in this heartfelt drama about custody battles and societal expectations. This film showcased his emotional range and honed his acting abilities in quieter, more character-driven films. It was also his first time stepping behind the camera as director.
