10 Best Michael B. Jordan Movies On Rotten Tomatoes Ranked By Watchability
One of the most talented actors of his generation is unquestionably Michael B. Jordan, who has been working prolifically in numerous television and film projects since 1999. From his career beginnings as a child actor on shows like "The Sopranos" and "The Wire" to taking a more active role behind the camera as a producer and director, Jordan is rapidly taking Hollywood by storm as he continues to deliver acclaimed, high-profile performances. And having already amassed an impressive body of work, acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, Jordan is showing no signs of slowing down as he steadily expands his acting range with a variety of roles that veer from explosive action to searing drama.
Here are the ten most watchable feature films that star Jordan or feature him in a prominent supporting role as compiled by review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, ranked here on the merits of the professional critics' score and their overall watchability for discerning audiences.
10. A Journal for Jordan (2021)
Celebrated actor and filmmaker Denzel Washington had been a longstanding point of inspiration for Jordan (per Entertainment Weekly), and the two men collaborated for the first time on the 2021 movie "A Journal for Jordan." Directed by Washington, with Washington and Jordan producing, the film adapts Dana Canedy's memoir of the same name, with Jordan starring as Canedy's fiancé, Charles Monroe King. As King is deployed to serve in the Iraq War, he leaves a journal of life lessons for his newborn son Jordan (Jalon Christian).
"A Journal for Jordan" provides its cast with a meditative piece, anchored by Jordan delivering a more understated performance than most of his prior work. Working with co-star Chante Adams as Canedy, Jordan presents the portrait of a loving family man taken away all too soon, blending love and tragedy in equal measure. While critical reception was decidedly mixed, earning a 39% on Rotten Tomatoes, "A Journal for Jordan" allows its leads to effectively delve into emotionally vulnerable territory with their performances.
9. Red Tails (2012)
The final theatrically released project produced by Lucasfilm prior to its acquisition by Disney was the World War II drama "Red Tails." Recounting the real-life exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen during the devastating fight against the Axis Powers, the project was one George Lucas had been developing since 1988 (per The New York Times). In the film, Jordan plays Flight Officer Maurice "Bumps" Wilson, who plays a vital role in joining his friends as they take to the air to battle the Nazis in the skies above Italy and Germany.
With high-flying aerial combat and a story of the Tuskegee Airmen overcoming widespread adversity even in the midst of serving their country at war, "Red Tails" is a look at the conflict's unsung heroes. Jordan joins an impressive all-star ensemble cast, with Bumps ready to mix it up as he learns from his older counterparts to take the fighting and fiery stakes seriously. With a 40% score on Rotten Tomatoes, "Red Tails" offers Jordan a small but memorable supporting role that underscores the horrifying cost of war.
8. Hardball (2001)
One of Jordan's earliest movie performances was a prominent supporting role in the 2001 sports drama "Hardball," appearing alongside co-stars Keanu Reeves and Diane Lane. In the movie, Reeves plays Conor O'Neill, a down on his luck gambler forced to coach an inner city youth baseball team to settle a sizable bet. Jordan plays Jamal, the oldest kid on the team whose mother altered his birth certificate to allow him to appear young enough to qualify.
While "Hardball" only holds a 41% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie showcases plenty of promise from Jordan among his veteran co-stars. There are some heartfelt moments between O'Neill and his ragtag team as he genuinely comes to care for them, while Jamal's friendship with team captain Andre helps form the team's emotional core. A coming-of-age sports movie that relies on its tried and true narrative formula, "Hardball" played a major role in propelling Jordan's career.
7. Chronicle (2012)
The 2012 postmodern superhero movie "Chronicle" sees three high school friends develop superpowers after encountering a mysterious object near their homes in Seattle. Told from a partially found footage perspective, the three teenagers indulge in the fun possibilities their powers bring before one of the boys, Andrew Detmer (Dane DeHaan), becomes malevolently consumed by his new abilities. Jordan plays Steve Montgomery, one of the other boys to develop powers who decides to intervene first when Andrew begins to careen off the rails.
Grounded in the narrative premise of how ordinary people would react if they suddenly gained the abilities of the superheroes they admired, "Chronicle" was praised for its relatively unique, grounded approach to the genre. Jordan gives the most tragic performance from the main cast's core trio as a good, supportive friend who quickly finds himself in far more danger than he anticipated. "Chronicle" has an 85% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and is one of Jordan's most prominent supporting roles as the film explores the dark side of gaining superpowers.
6. Without Remorse (2021)
An adaptation of the 1993 Tom Clancy novel "Without Remorse" had been in various stages of development for years (per Deadline), with Jordan joining the project as actor and producer in 2018. Jordan stars as John Kelly, a U.S. Navy SEAL whose wife Pam (Lauren London) is murdered by Russian intelligence operatives back home in Washington, D.C. Joining up with the CIA, Kelly sets out to avenge his wife and track down those responsible, uncovering an entire conspiracy within the American government.
Released through Prime Video by Amazon Studios in 2021, "Without Remorse" features hard-hitting action sequences and a tautly focused performance from Jordan as the vengeful protagonist. Though the film only holds a 45% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, Jordan's role was praised as a high point amidst all the jingoistic, action-driven formula. A sequel featuring Jordan's return as Kelly, with the CIA operative taking on the new moniker John Clark, is currently in development.
5. Fruitvale Station (2013)
Jordan's first project with filmmaker and longtime collaborator Ryan Coogler was the 2013 drama "Fruitvale Station," with the project also serving as Coogler's feature directorial debut. Based on a true story, the movie stars Jordan as Oscar Grant, a man killed by a Bay Area Rapid Transit officer at Oakland's Fruitvale Station in 2009. The film chronicles the last day of Grant's life, culminating in the horrific tragedy at the eponymous light rail station as he is shot in the back during an arrest attempt.
"Fruitvale Station" represents Jordan and Coogler at their most heartbreaking, finding the humanity in such a tragically foregone conclusion, underscoring the lethal injustice committed. Jordan doesn't portray Grant as a hero or aspirational figure, but just a man going about his day without knowing he's living the last day of his life. With an impressive 94% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, "Fruitvale Station" promised great things from Jordan and Coogler as the collaborators would continue working together, and stands as a vitally important film in its own right.
4. Creed II (2018)
While Coogler didn't return to direct 2018's "Creed II," instead staying on as executive producer, Jordan proved he was no one-hit boxing wonder with the sequel. With Jordan reprising his role as Adonis Creed, the young boxer confronts Viktor Drago (Florian Munteau), the son of his father's killer Ivan, for the heavyweight title. Concerned about his protege's motivations and focus, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is uncomfortable supporting Adonis for the big fight. Meanwhile, Adonis takes his relationship with Bianca (Tessa Thompson) to the next level.
With an 83% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, "Creed II" delivers all the punchy thrills and genuine heart as its predecessor and the greater "Rocky" franchise. While Coogler's presence behind the camera is noticeably missed and the movie falls into predictable storytelling tropes, Jordan effectively leads the cast in a strong sequel. Following "Creed II," Jordan has stepped up to star and direct the 2022 sequel "Creed III," marking Jordan's own directorial feature debut, as Adonis faces a new challenger for his heavyweight champion title.
3. Just Mercy (2019)
Jordan's 2019 film "Just Mercy" was an adaptation of defense attorney Bryan Stevenson's 2014 autobiography of the same name, with Jordan producing and working with filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton. The movie follows Stevenson as he represents poor inmates on Alabama's death row in the 1980s, including his defense of the wrongfully convicted Walter MacMillian (Jamie Foxx). "Just Mercy" chronicles Stevenson's victories and defeats in court, with the attorney working closely alongside Eva Ansley (Brie Larson) to form the Equal Justice Initiative based out of Montgomery.
Led by a strong cast, with Cretton providing a steady, unflinching look at glaring flaws in the justice system, "Just Mercy" was widely praised by critics for its solid performances and steady pace. The film earned an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes while Jordan and Foxx both won NAACP Image Awards for their performances. With Jordan firmly center stage and bolstered by an impressive cast, "Just Mercy" is one of the actor and producer's and more important works to date and a strongly recommended viewing.
2. Black Panther (2018)
After two triumphant past collaborations, Coogler and Jordan reunited for the 2018 Marvel Studios film "Black Panther," continuing the story of the regal superhero introduced to the big screen in 2016's "Captain America: Civil War." Starring the late Chadwick Boseman as the eponymous hero and King of Wakanda, "Black Panther" saw the African head of state face opposition to his rule after inheriting the throne. This opponent came in the form of the cunning Erik Killmonger, played to the villainous hilt by Jordan, a former mercenary with his own tragic history linked deeply to Wakanda.
Raking in over $1.3 billion at the global box office and earning numerous Academy Award nominations, including for Best Picture, "Black Panther" is Coogler and Jordan's most celebrated project to date. Coogler's daring vision and Jordan's charismatic performance as Killmonger were both lauded, while the film as a whole was recognized for its cultural significance. With Rotten Tomatoes critics' score of 96%, "Black Panther" is currently the most critically acclaimed film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and a testament to its cast and crew's hard work.
1. Creed (2015)
While Stallone had seemingly concluded the "Rocky" franchise for good with 2006's "Rocky Balboa," Coogler found an exciting new direction for the boxing movie series with 2015's "Creed." Starring Jordan as Adonis, the son of the late heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, the film had the amateur boxer seek guidance from Rocky for his own nascent athletic career. As Adonis trained diligently under Rocky, he contended with the trauma of never getting to know his father while striking up a romance with a local musician named Bianca.
Boasting a staggering 95% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and earning over $173 million at the worldwide box office, "Creed" completely reinvigorated the "Rocky" franchise. The movie's critical and commercial success propelled Coogler, Jordan, and Thompson to the Hollywood mainstream, with Jordan's engaging performance as the fiery boxer widely acclaimed. With thrilling boxing bouts and an emotional core driven by Jordan and Stallone, "Creed" stands as one of the best boxing movies ever made.