Just because Zac Efron was snubbed an Oscar nomination for his role in The Iron Claw doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be celebrated. The famed actor is much more than Troy Bolton from High School Musical. Though the Disney Channel movie franchise put him on the map, he has since soared into his own, starring in serious dramas, action flicks, and even the occasional non-Disney musical.
The best Zac Efron movies below show that there is so much more to this fantastic actor than how he can dance around with a basketball in hand. These are the best Zac Efron movies you need to watch.
1. The Greatest Showman (2017)
Telling the story of P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) and his circus is an odd premise for a live-action musical, but it is the best movie to feature Zac Efron. As Barnum’s partner, Efron shows how far his acting has elevated from his teenage days.
His story and chemistry with Zendaya are electrifying and magnificent, while his singing and dancing are at their peak. When it comes to seeing the true triple-threat potential of Zac Efron, no movie has shown off his talent better than this one.
2. Hairspray (2007)
This film adaptation of the classic 1960s-set Broadway musical is one to remember. As one of the best musical films of the 21st century, this movie showed that Zac Efron could take his singing and dancing chops beyond Disney’s properties. It helps, too, that the characters, story, and message are fantastic.
3. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
The grand finale to the trilogy of musical high school movies is the most extravagant. Going all-in with more cinematic elements, better original songs, and character beats, what it truly excels at is giving Zac Efron’s Troy his best character arc and moments in the series. His “Scream” performance is still the best single scene in the trilogy.
4. High School Musical 2 (2007)
The sequel to the classic Disney Channel movie is a step up in nearly every way. The visuals are more intriguing with the outdoor resort location, and Zac Efron finally lends his voice to Troy’s songs, adding to some of the best music in the franchise. It’s only too bad that it slightly falls short of the best in the series due to the heavy editing for the music.
5. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
If you want the single best acting performance in Zac Efron’s career, look no further than this disturbing Netflix interpretation of the story of serial murderer Ted Bundy. It is haunting and dark, and there’s never a moment where Efron isn’t committed to this horrifying role.
6. The Iron Claw (2023)
Zac Efron gives one of the most impressive performances of his career in this retelling of the real-life story of the Von Erich family and their journey in the wrestling ring during the 1980s. It certainly has a bit too much melodrama and depressing moments at times, but Efron gives it his all to do the story justice.
7. High School Musical (2006)
This is where it all started with Zac Efron, playing Troy Bolton, the basketball star at a high school who is suddenly thrust into the theatre department. While Efron didn’t sing his songs in this movie, it is a tried-and-true classic nonetheless.
8. 17 Again (2009)
Zac Efron playing the younger version of Matthew Perry is already a treat, but this is a classic time-travel movie where a man gets a second chance to decide his future. Though its story doesn’t do anything too special, it’s still a fun watch for the whole family.
9. Neighbors (2014)
This hilarious classic comedy sets Seth Rogen against Zac Efron and shows just how funny the latter can be. The two go toe-to-toe as Rogen battles Efron and his college pals, who are causing chaos as his next-door neighbor.
10. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (2012)
While a bit weaker than other animated films from Dr. Seuss’ books, this is still a decent watch with some great songs and fun characters. Efron’s character, Ted, is a bit bland, but it helps that the titular Lorax and others make up the difference.
11. Scoob! (2020)
This animated 3D movie follows the mystery gang as Scooby-Doo and the rest of Mystery Incorporated try to stop a global plot to summon Cerberus into the world. The animation and writing are fine, but there isn’t anything too surprising about this big-budget adaptation. Save for the fact that Efron is very believable as the team’s leader, Fred Jones.
12. Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)
This sequel to the adult comedy that featured Seth Rogen and Zac Efron going at it is just as hilarious and messy as the original. It does lose some edge, being far too similar to the first movie, though, and there’s a reason it hasn’t received a sequel.
13. The Beach Bum (2019)
This adult comedy has a fantastic cast of characters who sell these over-the-top ridiculous characters well. It’s only too bad that the storyline is meh, and the only thing worth watching is Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Efron, and others onscreen together.
14. Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
This romantic drama film’s premise is heartfelt: Efron plays an older brother who loses his younger brother but can meet with him for one hour every day. Their bond is tremendous, and Efron sells this movie, but unfortunately, the script doesn’t live up to his acting.
15. At Any Price (2012)
Dennis Quaid plays a farmer father who wants his son, played by Efron, to follow in his footsteps. Of course, Efron wants to fulfill his dream of being a race car driver. This leads to conflict and over-the-top dramatic performances from the cast that are OK at best.
16. Parkland (2013)
This ensemble film takes a look at various characters and what they are up to during and following the events of the tragic assassination of JFK. Unfortunately, its cast is too vast, and the script isn’t strong enough to carry the weight of its otherwise impressive premise.
17. The Paperboy (2012)
With a strong cast including Efron, Matthew McConaughey, and Nicole Kidman, you would think this crime thriller set in the 1960s would be so much more, but it isn’t. The actors commit to their roles, but the script and execution disappoint.
18. We Are Your Friends (2015)
Efron plays a DJ who wishes to make it big in Hollywood and has the chance to do so but starts to fumble after falling for his mentor’s daughter. The chemistry is palpable, and the acting is pretty good, but everything else is as bland as it gets in this story.
19. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)
Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza are delightful companions to stars Zac Efron and Adam DeVine in this comedy. Other than that, though, there isn’t anything interesting or too fun about the script to make this movie worth a watch.
20. That Awkward Moment (2014)
The trio of bros – Efron, Miles Teller, and the fantastic Michael B. Jordan – is a pleasant combo, but this likely isn’t on their highlight reels, and the writing certainly doesn’t give them anything to work with. It’s only slightly funny at times; this is one bro flick you can safely skip.
21. The Lucky One (2012)
This Nicholas Sparks movie is about as basic and unsurprising as they come. Efron does a decent job of playing a soldier who returns home to look for a girl in a photograph that kept him alive overseas. But other than that, this is about as bland of a romance as they come.
22. Baywatch (2017)
This ridiculous remake of the classic series sees Zac Efron take the starring role alongside other greats like Dwayne Johnson, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and more. The flick is full of eye candy, but it fails to be anything more than that.
23. Dirty Grandpa (2016)
Efron’s Jason finds himself in a tough situation, as he’s about to marry a controlling girl to better his careeer prospects, when his grandfather (Robert DeNiro) arrives. The two have great chemistry, and there are some solid laughs here and there, but not much else.
