When you think of Jason Bateman, chances are you think of his illustrious career on screen. From playing the straight man in the chaos on Arrested Development to a family man caught up in a drug syndicate in Ozark, his presence on screen is extraordinary. But if you look at his resume, his film credits boast some excellent titles.
Whether he’s voicing a fox in a beloved Disney franchise or playing just your average, ordinary guy, the charisma he brings to every role has made him one of the greats in Hollywood. But of all his credits, which one reigns supreme? According to IMDb, these films are his greatest, based on ratings. Do you agree? Which films did you miss in the top 10?
10
‘Game Night’ (2018)
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Though it does share a similar title to the Steve Carell and Tina Fey comedy Date Night, Game Night is the Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams action comedy about a friend group’s game night that turns into a mega mystery after one of their own is kidnapped. Max (Bateman) and Annie (McAdams) are an uber-competitive couple who host weekly game nights with their friends. The dynamic is complicated by Max’s wealthy and more successful older brother, Brooks (Kyle Chandler), who is always one-upping him. Brooks arranges a highly immersive, interactive murder-mystery party that ends up being truly “one to remember.”
Not just a hilarious comedy, Game Night is a visually exceptional film. Leaning into the cinematography of a full-throttle action thriller, exploring the same stylistic choices puts Game Night into a league of its own. As one of the producers on the film, you can sense Bateman’s influence, allowing it to reach such great heights. It’s a dark comedy loaded with everything you need for an entertaining watch. Game Night is silly and twisty in all the right ways.
9
‘The Gift’ (2015)
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Oh boy, this is a good one. In 2015, Bateman joined Joel Edgerton as a co-producer on Edgerton’s enthralling The Gift. The psychological thriller watches as Simon (Bateman) and Robyn Callem (Rebecca Hall) have their perfect lives disrupted and thrust into a tailspin by an old high school acquaintance, Gordon “Gordo” Moseley (Edgerton), who uses gifts to enact a long-gestating revenge for past bullying. After a troubling series of uninvited encounters and mysterious gifts, a horrifying secret emerges. As Robyn learns what really happened between Simon and Gordo, she begins to question how well she knows her spouse. A film that documents the horror of both long-form and short-term psychological distress, The Gift is wickedly smart and darkly twisted.
Bateman’s Simon is perfect as a man who realizes karma can and will come back to haunt you. Watching Bateman attempt to keep a grasp on his life while watching it crumble before him is enthralling to watch, especially understanding the torment he dished out in the past. The writing is quite sharp and daring, subverting audiences’ minds as the drama unfolds. The Gift marked a turning point for Bateman, shedding his comedic skin for a new journey rooted in drama.
8
‘The Kingdom’ (2007)
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Jason Bateman has extraordinary acting skills and is a chameleon of genres. It’s time for a war thriller. In The Kingdom, FBI Special Agent Fleury (Jamie Foxx) and his team search for the ones responsible for the attack on an oil company housing compound. Working alongside Saudi police, they must identify and capture the perpetrators of the bombing. Facing challenges from local authorities and the cultural environment, Fleury and his team are in a race against time. Using the 1996 Khobar Towers housing complex bombing, the 2004 Khobar massacre, and the 2003 Riyadh compound bombings as the basis of the film, The Kingdom is a high-octane thriller.
With a stacked cast that also includes Jennifer Garner and Chris Cooper, Bateman joins the team as Adam Leavitt, an FBI special agent. Though he has star power to him, he is in a more underappreciated role compared to some of his costars. Again, offering signature Bateman in the thriller, Bateman’s banter is where he shines. Perhaps a bit of a formulaic war drama, The Kingdom is meant to entertain at the end of the day.
7
‘State of Play’ (2009)
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
In 2009, Bateman brought his acting prowess to the political thriller State of Play. Based on the 2003 British series of the same name, investigative journalist Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) dives into the suspicious death of a young woman who was the research assistant and mistress of Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck). As the journalist dives deeper, a large-scale conspiracy involving corporate and political corruption is revealed, forcing the facts to come to light. Tackling themes of power, greed, and the intersection of media and politics, particularly through the lens of the so-called “war on terror” and corporate influence, the film was one of a certain time that still resonates today.
Taking on a smarmy role, Bateman plays Dominic Foy, a slippery and charismatic public relations hustler who becomes involved in the main investigation. He is a slick, fast-talker who you can tell is exceptional at his job. The entire cast is stellar. To have Crowe, Affleck, and Bateman share the screen with the likes of Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright, and Jeff Daniels makes State of Play a more than worthy viewing.
6
‘Up in the Air’ (2009)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
No, Up in the Air is not Carry On, the recent terrifying Netflix plane thriller. Very different films. Anyway, Up in the Air is an airport comedy drama directed by Jason Reitman and starring George Clooney. Ryan Bingham (Clooney), a corporate downsizer, travels the country to fire people, all while seeking ten million frequent-flyer miles. After fellow traveler Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga) makes him question his direction, his life is disrupted when a young, ambitious coworker, Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), proposes that the company start firing employees remotely through video conferencing, threatening both his job and his lifestyle. A story about isolation versus connection, Up in the Air forces the internal examination of what loneliness actually means.
Based on the book by Walter Kirn, Bateman plays Craig Gregory, the owner of Career Transition Counseling and Ryan’s boss. Though a smaller part compared to the film’s three leads, Up in the Air is a delightful film that boasts a fantastic ensemble cast, which also features Melanie Lynskey, Zach Galifianakis, and J. K. Simmons. Insightful and poignant, Up in the Air brilliantly brings wit and humanity to the forefront.
5
‘Air’ (2023)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
We’ve truly reached the point at which every story can be turned into a biopic. Did you ever wonder about the true story behind the origins of Air Jordan sneakers? Look no further than the Ben Affleck-directed Air. The film documents the groundbreaking collaboration between Nike and Michael Jordan that led to the iconic brand. The film spotlights marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) and the company’s quest to sign Jordan in 1984, a move that involved a career-defining gamble for all involved. The sports-centric film is perfect for those who like 30 For 30 but want a feature-length film version.
With a brilliant ensemble cast, which also includes Viola Davis, Chris Messina, and Marlon Waynes, Air strives with his superb actors taking on their real-life counterparts. Bateman took on director of marketing, Rob Strasser. He’s primarily used for comic relief, tapping into Bateman’s ability to make light of any situation. Even if it comes in the form of elitist problems. In an overall likable film, he stands out as one of the characters you instantly gravitate toward. It may be a Damon–Affleck collaboration, but Bateman steals the show. Based on its success, expect more behind-the-scenes business stories to come to life. Cross your fingers, we never cross the bridge when Kim Kardashian‘s SKIMS story comes to life in film form. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if Ryan Murphy has already optioned it.
4
‘Juno’ (2007)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Perhaps one of the greatest films of the 21st century, Juno is a coming-of-age film that touched all of our hearts. The Diablo Cody-penned film follows whip-smart, independent-minded teenager Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page) as she confronts her unplanned pregnancy from a one-time encounter with her best friend, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). After deciding against an abortion, she and her best friend decide to find a loving couple to adopt the baby through a private adoption. Juno follows the titular character as she navigates her pregnancy and her relationships with her supportive father, her best friend, and the adoptive couple, Mark and Vanessa (Bateman and Garner). Putting the pressure of becoming an adult in the spotlight, Juno is a charming and insightful film that is unafraid to explore the complexities of making critical, life-changing decisions.
Hailed as a triumphant indie film, Juno broke into the mainstream with ease, starting a trend of films that tapped into smartly written teen dramas and comically tinged pregnancy flicks. For his part, Bateman’s Mark was forced into the “villain” of the film. To some, Mark was detestable as he disarmed Juno as his interest in her shifted into something unwarranted. Up to this point, Bateman was known for his comic chops, so watching him take on a thoroughly insidious turn as the dark spot in a strongly crafted film. And yes, the Arrested Development connection is there. Bateman plays the perspective adoptive father of Cera’s child. Mind blown!
3
‘Disconnect’ (2012)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
The 21st century has been ripe for films exploring our current technological landscape. As social media continues to dominate every element of our lives, Henry Alex Rubin‘s psychological drama Disconnect tackles these themes head-on. Told through a series of interconnected stories and individuals, the movie explores how people experience the negative sides of modern communication technology. The characters include a lawyer whose son is cyberbullied, a couple whose identities are stolen online, and a journalist who investigates a story involving a young online performer.
In Disconnect, Bateman plays Rich Boyd, a workaholic lawyer whose son, Ben (Jonah Bobo), is being bullied online. After his son attempts suicide, he goes on a mission to find the individuals behind the catfishing profile that prompted his son’s nude photos to be shared around the school. A gripping story that, years removed, remains timely, Disconnect is an effective exploration of the dangers of the internet and how it can lead to a series of unfortunate events. The stories are tragically believable. As the epitome of an everyman, Bateman dives into his depths as a determined father eager to protect his son. You could tell that the character was an extension of himself, a man who would go to great lengths to resolve a troubling situation.
2
‘Zootopia 2’ (2025)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
When Disney has a successful animated film, expect them to churn out more. After the success of the first film, Zootopia 2 was inevitable. Though the rating may be a tad lower, the critical acclaim is nearly matched. In the sequel, Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Bateman) once again team up and pursue reptile Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) across Zootopia, as they try to clear their names after being framed and linked to a conspiracy involving a wealthy lynx family and the displacement of marginalized animal communities in Zootopia. The animated crime comedy is filled with pop culture references alongside real-world themes.
Back as Nick Wilde, Bateman continues to develop the fox into a depth-filled character, finding more heart this time around. He slipped back into the role with ease, proving his character is one of the best. With genuine emotion against the dazzling animation, Zootopia 2 does not fall into the sequel trap. Based on Disney’s recent history, don’t be surprised if Hopps and Wilde return to close out a trilogy.
1
‘Zootopia’ (2016)
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
The 2010s truly were a second renaissance for Disney animation. With musical hits like Frozen and Moana, the desire for classic storytelling had returned. But that didn’t mean they abandoned non-musical films. Zootopia proved that a great Disney film doesn’t need a score with top-to-bottom bops. Just one exceptionally underrated Shakira bop will suffice. Zootopia is the animal-friendly buddy cop film that brings action to the animal kingdom. The first film follows rookie cop Judy Hopps and con artist fox Nick Wilde, who work together to uncover a conspiracy involving the disappearance of predators. Tackling complex social issues like prejudice, bias, and stereotypes, Zootopia examines how they can impact society even in a seemingly harmonious environment.
Winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Zootopia became a smash hit thanks to the incredible computer animation and the whimsical characters that took real-world issues and placed them through an accessible lens. For his part, Bateman brought a fast and loose aura to Nick. He was quite sly and charismatic, making him an instant fan favorite. He served as a brilliant foil for Goodwin’s Judy with his dry wit against her high-strung bunny. The film helped push the IP to new heights, launching the Zootopia universe worldwide as a major presence at the Disney parks, present and future.
