The Top 10 Michael B. Jordan Films
Michael Bakari Jordan started as a child model for various companies and brand before deciding to pursue a career as an actor. He found his way into professional acting in 1999, appearing briefly in single episodes of the TV shows Cosby and Sopranos. He gained more attention in 2002, where he played Wallace, a small but pivotal role in the first season of HBO’s The Wire. He continued to play supporting roles in various TV shows before rising to greater prominence in 2013 thanks to his performance in Ryan Coogler’s drama Fruitvale Station, establishing the actor as a strong leading man. His career has gone from success to success, starring in both big budget Hollywood productions and smaller scale drama.
Jordan’s performances can be defined by his ability to fully inhabit a variety of roles. He is known for controlled and deliberate portrayals, often building characters with deep preparation. His physicality lends to a magnetic screen presence which has led to Jordan becoming one the modern-day film stars. If he is in a film, people pay attention. From action to horror to drama, genre presents zero limitations for the man, and his work has gained many accolades over time. Even in films that are considered terrible, such as Josh Trank’s 2015 Superhero Action film Fantastic Four, he is still giving it his all. Jordan has received many accolades due to his performance including an Academy Award, three Actor Awards, Four Black Reel awards and eight NAACP Image Awards.
This list will determine which of Jordan’s performances in films are truly the best of the best, from the biggest of blockbusters to the most intimate of dramas.
10. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Year: 2022 | Genre: Superhero/Action
Premise: Directed by Ryan Coogler and based on Marvel Comics, this Marvel Studios blockbuster is a sequel to 2018’s Black Panther. Following the death of T’Challa, Queen Ramonda, played by Bassett, her daughter Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, and Okoye, played by Danai Gurira must work to protect Wakanda from the rest of the world. Trouble comes when they come into conflict with another vibranium wielding nation, Talokan, which is based underwater and led by Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta.
Performance: It is a testament to Jordan’s immense screen presence that he can appear in a single scene of a film and still leave a lasting impact on the plot and characters. He reprises his role as Erik Killmonger, the main antagonist from the film’s predecessor where he was killed by Shuri’s brother. In the ancestral plane, the audience is given a calmer, more collected version of the character, one with more maturity and wisdom but still carrying the violent edge that defined the character before.
Jordan slips back into the role like he never left. His charisma is infectious and he plays of Letitia Wright excellently. He imposes himself on the film, presenting its main moral dilemma and pushing Shuri to achieve her goal. It is the film’s turning point, where the choice between peace and violence must be decided and Jordan makes the moment his own. Even in a short scene, Jordan gives it his all, leaving the audience with a moment they will never forget.
9. Swapped
Year: 2026 | Genre: Adventure/Comedy
Premise: Directed by Nathan Greno, the plot follows a small Pookoo named Ollie, played by Michael B. Jordan, and a Javan named Ivy, played by Juno Temple. Due to a magical mishap, the pair are transformed into each other’s species, which forces them to work together when navigating life with a new body and perspective to survive a series of adventures.
Performance: Jordan’s roles do not just extend to physical performances. Swapped is a strong example of the actor’s range where he relies solely on his voice to build character and emotion. Though the script allows for great on-screen chemistry, Jordan’s recognizable cadence and effortless charisma allow Ollie to be a fun protagonist to watch. It is also a testament to the animators that Jordan’s performance is excellently captured by their work.
The crux of this film is the relationship between Ollie and Ivy, and Jordan has excellent chemistry with Temple. A common thread in most of Jordan’s performances is his ability to bounce off of his fellow cast members and this is especially evident here. He works wonderfully alongside Temple and has strong comedic timing and delivery. This film proves that he has the capability to be a strong voice actor and that more animated films could do with him lending his distinct voice.
8. Creed III
Year: 2023 | Genre: Sports/Action
Premise: Directed by Jordan himself, the film follows the accomplished and now retired boxer Adonis Creed, played by Jordan, who is thriving in both his career and family life. When his friend and former boxing prodigy Damian, played by Jonathan Majors, returns after serving time in prison, he is eager to prove himself in the ring. The pair develop a rivalry, with the former friends giving everything in the ring, where Adonis has everything to lose and must go on without the help of his mentor against a fighter with nothing to lose.
Performance: Of the three Creed films that Jordan has done, this one might just be the most personal. For one, he directed this film, allowing him greater opportunities to mould the character and take him in new directions. The other reason is the story of Adonis in this very film as he comes up against a childhood friend turned rival. This unearths new feelings for the character such as regret, betrayal and doubt as the legitimacy of his wins and career come into question due to his past failures.
By this point, Jordan has mastered the role of Adonis Creed and effortlessly slips back into the character. Outside of the shadow of Sylvester Stallone, Jordan makes this spinoff series truly his own, acting as the sole emotional core of the film. Of course he delivers on the physicality front in all the fights, but what makes this performance stand out from previous ones is the interiority of Adonis that Jordan is able to embody. It all comes to a head with his argument with Bianca, where all the emotion spills out and it is some of Jordan’s finest work as the character.
For his performance, Jordan received a Black Reel nomination for Outstanding Actor.
7. Creed II
Year: 2018 | Genre: Sports/Action
Premise: Directed by Steven Caple Jr., the film follows Adonis Creed (Jordan) as he continues his career under the tutelage of Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone. The pair are put at odds when Adonis accepts a challenge from Russian boxer Viktor Drago, played by Florian Munteanu, who is coached by his father Ivan Drago, played by Dolph Lundgren, the man who killed Adonis’ father in the ring.
Performance: Like any good sequel, Creed II raises the stakes and the drama for its protagonist. Putting Adonis into essentially a life and death scenario is exactly the situation that calls for a stronger performance which Jordan delivers excellently. Creed at this point is on top of the world, with everything to gain and everything to lose. A personal grudge emerges when his father’s killer returns with a challenger to his title and he must decide what is truly more important, winning or staying alive for those who love him.
Higher stakes require a more intense performance, which Jordan perfectly delivers. Perhaps his most understated moment is where Adonis asks Bianca to marry him. He quietly bares his soul for her and Jordan’s small vocal tremors highlights both the joy in the moment and the escalation of tension, since he now has someone whom he truly loves and must stay alive for at all costs. Of course, Jordan continues to deliver in the fights, but it is in these small, character-driven moments where his performance truly shines and makes Adonis more than just a typical boxing protagonist.
For his performance, Jordan was nominated for the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor as well as a nomination for the corresponding NAACP Image Award.
6. Chronicle
Year: 2012 | Genre: Sci-fi/Thriller
Premise: Directed by Josh Trank, the film follows Andrew, played by Dane DeHaan, a socially awkward teenager whose main form of escape is through his use of a video camera. Things change when his cousin Matt, played by Alex Russell, and popular classmate Steve, played by Jordan, discover a mysterious substance that grants the three incredible powers. As their abilities become more powerful, their lives begin to spiral as they indulge in their darker sides.
Performance: One of Jordan’s earlier works as a lead actor, his performance as Steve is one that on the surface appears simple and surface but is rather complex given the film’s style. The commitment to an authentic documentary style with handheld cameras means that Jordan’s performance must nail the mannerisms of a teenager being filmed. That includes all the awkwardness of real-world dialogue and teenage angst.
Jordan’s performance adds some much-needed levity and joy to a film that otherwise descends into chaos and heartbreak. He is the axis upon which Andrew’s sanity rests and his ultimate downfall arguably starts with Steve’s death. Jordan’s performance, whilst also perfectly capturing the aforementioned requirements for this role, also injects a lot of heart into Steve. He is more than a typical popular kid at school and subverts common tropes by not having him be corrupted by his power and instead prioritising the group’s wellbeing. His presence in the film is powerful which makes his absence all the more potent and it is all thanks to the work Jordan puts in to make Steve loveable and memorable.
5. Just Mercy
Year: 2019 | Genre: Biographical Drama
Premise: Written and directed by Destin Daniel Crettin and based on Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by the film’s subject Bryan Stevenson, played by Jordan, the film chronicles his life as a defence attorney representing poor black prisoners on Death row. The focus of the plot is Stevenson’s work with Walter McMillian, played by Jamie Foxx, a man who has been wrongfully convicted of murdering a young woman.
Performance: A classic legal drama/biographical picture often brings out the best in many actors and though this is only 5th on the list, Jordan brings his A-game once again. Not only must he deliver a convincing performance as a real-life figure that must remain authentic and do justice to Bryan Stevenson, but Jordan must also make the role distinctly his own, lending his creative input to forge a character that is compelling and three-dimensional. These are all aspects that he succeeds at.
Jordan’s quiet intensity is perfect for a court drama. Scenes of him interrogating a witness on the stand are engrossing and captivating. There is an understated rage within his character as he sees the deliberate injustice against black people, but that must be quelled and restrained to maintain a professional composure in court. Jordan adds all these subtle nuances to the character, showing he truly cared about delivering a performance that lives up to the story of Bryan Stevenson. He nails every aspect, and it is only his 5th best work.
For his performance, Jordan won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture.
4. Black Panther
Year: 2018 | Genre: Superhero Action
Premise: Also directed by Ryan Coogler, this film follows on from Marvel Studios’ 2016 film Captain America: Civil War. The story follows T’Challa, played by Chadwick Boseman, having recently been crowned king of Wakanda following his father’s death, grappling with Wakanda’s place in the world as he comes into conflict with arms dealer Ulysses Klaue, played by Andy Serkis, and his associate Erik Killmonger, played by Michael B. Jordan, who plan to end Wakanda’s isolationist policies and start a revolution.
Performance: At a time when MCU villains were largely seen as generic and one-dimensional, Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler introduced an antagonist who was nuanced and multi-faceted with a legitimate cause and sympathetic backstory who eventually succeeds in forcing the protagonist to change his perspective. Killmonger turned out to be one the MCU’s best antagonists and one the most influential villains of the 2010s and that is in no small part due to Jordan’s performance.
He plays it smooth and cool through the film’s first half, playing well off Andy Serkis’ unhinged insanity. He establishes himself as a legitimate threat in the film’s second half, and Jordan excellently portrays Killmonger’s rage and determination. But perhaps the strongest moments of Jordan’s performance are when Killmonger reckons with the tragedy of his life. The death of his father weighs heavily on him, and he carries the oppression of his people all throughout the film. His final scene where he makes the choice to die is perhaps the film’s very best and it is all thanks to Jordan’s performance.
For his performance, Jordan received the Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor, the corresponding NAACP Image award as well as a nomination at the Critics’ Choice Awards.
3. Creed
Year: 2015 | Genre: Sports/Action
Premise: Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, this film is a spinoff/sequel to the 2006 sports film Rocky Balboa and follows Adonis Creed, played by Jordan, the son of legendary boxer Apollo Creed. Adonis seeks out his father’s retired rival Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, for mentorship. He learns that boxing is more than just what goes on in the ring and must contend with both his ambitions and his personal life.
Performance: The Rocky franchise has an immense legacy and Stallone’s performance as the titular character has become one of the most iconic in cinema history. It is then all the more impressive that Jordan manages to deliver a performance that not only lives up to such a legacy but in some respects surpasses the previous films in the franchise, delivering arguably the strongest lead performance of the series so far. Even next to Stallone’s Rocky in this very film, Jordan’s Adonis Creed has become one of the faces of modern-day sports films.
Unlike most protagonists of this type, Adonis comes from wealth and status. At the start of the film, he is a promising college graduate but there is a lingering sense of longing and desire that Adonis can only satiate through boxing. Throughout the film, he is introduced firsthand the struggle of being a professional athlete, the toll it takes both physically and mentally as well as the sacrifice he must make in his personal life to achieve greatness. The choice for a normal life is still there, but Adonis still chooses the harder path. All these facets are balanced remarkably in Jordan’s performance. This successful spinoff franchise would not be where it is without the excellent work of its lead.
For his performance, Jordan won the award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards as well as the corresponding Black Reel Award.
2. Fruitvale Station
Year: 2013 | Genre: Crime/Thriller
Premise: Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, the film depicts the last days of 22-year-old black man Oscar Grant, played by Jordan. He is trying to live a clean life and support his girlfriend and young daughter. He crosses paths with family members, friends, enemies and strangers before facing his fate on the platform at Fruitvale Station, in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day 2009.
Performance: This is arguably Jordan’s breakout role on the stage of Hollywood and is also his first collaboration with writer/director Ryan Coogler. It lays the groundwork for all of Jordan’s subsequent performances as he delivers a nuanced, layered and emotional performance as Oscar Grant, a real-life figure. Throughout the film, the world seems to close in around Oscar, leading to greater tension and intensity, all of which comes through in Jordan’s performance.
In a single scene, Jordan goes from charismatic, likeable and fun to desperate and frustrated. He jumps between each seamlessly, fully embodying the role in a way few actors could. It is heart-breaking to watch Oscar’s journey play out; his kindness being rewarded with suffering. Jordan knows that the film’s entire emotional core rests on his performance and he delivers in every single moment.
For his performance, Jordan won the National Board of Review’s award for Breakthrough Actor and picked up nominations for Outstanding Actor at both Black Reel Awards and NAACP Awards.
1. Sinners
Year: 2025 | Genre: Horror/Action
Premise: Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, this film takes place in the year 1932 in the Mississippi Delta and primarily follows the Smokestack Twins, Elijah “Smoke” Moore and Elias “Stack” Moore (both played by Jordan), who return to their home to start a juke joint to raise money. They enlist young Samuel “Sammie” Moore, played by Miles Caton, an incredibly talented blues musician who joins the twins despite his father’s protest. Many characters converge in the juke joint, all with relationships and emotional baggage, but nighttime brings a terror unlike anything they have ever seen as an evil vampire known as Remmick, played by Jack O’Connell descends to convert everyone into vampires.
Performance: Was there any doubt as to which of Jordan’s performances would take the top spot? It is difficult enough to play just one character, but to play two with wildly different personalities, is an astonishing achievement. Smoke and Stack feel incredibly well-realised and it’s a testament to both the filmmaking and Jordan’s performance that this illusion of two individuals works as well as it does. Both characters are efficient mobsters, but where Smoke is a cool and collected businessman, Stack is a loose cannon with an infectious personality. To make matters even more complicated is when Stack is turned into a vampire, leading to Jordan arguably playing a third character. He hams it up as a blood-crazed vampire version of an already violent and irreverent character.
Jordan’s commitment to detail and backstory fully pays off here Both Smoke and Stack have unique outfits and colours in addition to having their respective drama that they must contend with when they return home. Smoke reconnects with the love of his life Annie and must mourn the death of his son while Stack reignites his tumultuous relationship with Mary. In these moments, Jordan fills both characters with great depth and interiority, further lending to the illusion that these are two distinct individuals. When the two come to blows in the film’s final act, the tragedy of their relationship and connection comes to the forefront and Jordan really gives it his all as the two lament over their failure to save one another. It is a remarkable performance, one of the strongest in any Horror film and one of the defining performances of the 2020s.
Jordan received numerous accolades for his role, including his first Academy Award for Best Actor as well as the corresponding Actor Award, NAACP Image Award and Black Reel Award.