Jensen Ackles’ 10 Best Movies & TV Shows, Ranked

As an actor, Jensen Ackles is incredibly recognizable, most notably for his performances in many long-running television series. He has also been in a handful of films, acting first and foremost in live action, but Ackles has also lent his voice to animation. His decades-long career is one that is followed by countless fans, making Ackles’ upcoming projects ones that are highly anticipated.

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Ackles has been acting since 1996 with the series Wishbone, and after decades in film and television, he has become a household name. Many of his earlier projects have flown under the radar despite some of them being pretty great films, but in more recent years it seems as though his career is only gaining even more traction with eye-catching and potentially even generational roles. Though these are Ackles best roles for now, it is likely that down the line he will be a part of even more iconic shows and movies.

10 Big Sky (2020-2023)

Ackles Joined This Crime Thriller Late Into The Series

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Big Sky MysteryDramaCrime

Big Sky is a crime drama based on The Highway books from CJ Box. The series centers on Jenny Hoyt, an ex-cop, and Cassie Dewell, a private detective, who work together to solve crimes in Montana. Katheryn Winnick and Kylie Bunbury star in the ABC series, which was subtitled Deadly Trails beginning in season 3.

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*Availability in US Release Date November 17, 2020 Cast Katheryn Winnick , Dedee Pfeiffer , Kylie Bunbury , Valerie Mahaffey , Jade Pettyjohn , Brian Geraghty , Ted Levine , Jesse James Keitel , Ryan Phillippe , John Carroll Lynch , Natalie Alyn Lind Seasons 3
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On the outside, Big Sky is a run-of-the-mill crime series, albeit with great acting and compelling characters. However, what lies at the center of this show is a compelling murder mystery that slowly pulls in the series’ viewers. Jensen Ackles was not a member of the original cast, but he joined the series in its third and final season as interim sheriff Beau Arlen.

The series has received somewhat mixed reviews over the years, but despite this, Big Sky has been nominated for quite a few awards, including several Saturn Awards. It even won an award as one of the IMDbPro Top 200 Scripted TV Recipients. Though the series has since been canceled, Big Sky is worth a watch for its high-paced storytelling and intriguing mysteries.

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9 My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009)

Jensen Ackles Stars In This 2000s Slasher Film

My Bloody Valentine 3D Movie Poster

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My Bloody Valentine 3D RHorrorThriller

A remake of the 1981 original slasher film My Bloody Valentine, My Bloody Valentine 3D centers on a small town and its residents haunted by the legacy of a murderous miner. A decade after the Valentine’s Day massacre caused by a psychopathic miner passes, the miner supposedly returns to begin his rampage anew.

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*Availability in US Director Patrick Lussier Release Date January 16, 2009 Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate Writers Todd Farmer , Zane Smith Cast Jensen Ackles , Jaime King , Kerr Smith , Edi Gathegi , Megan Boone , Tom Atkins , Kevin Tighe Runtime 101 Minutes Expand

Although Ackles had become a veteran of American television by the time he starred in My Bloody Valentine 3D, this film marks one of his earlier appearances in movies. This slasher film is a delightfully bloody affair, revolving around a serial killer who goes on a rampage on Valentine’s Day. An incredibly violent slasher film, My Bloody Valentine 3D sometimes feels like a throwback to some of the greats, like Friday the 13th.

My Bloody Valentine 3D
is a remake of the 1981 slasher film
My Bloody Valentine.

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The film was notable for its use of 3D technology, used in a mildly successful attempt to bring viewers into the action of the movie’s horror setting. Though the film itself won no awards, it is still an incredibly fun romp through a great installment in slasher horror with the unique and perhaps nostalgic twist of being able to watch it in 3D. My Bloody Valentine is set to receive another remake, this time from Blumhouse.

8 Dark Angel (2000-2002)

He Plays A Smaller Role In James Cameron’s Dystopian Drama

Dark Angel (2000)

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10/10 Dark Angel TV-14ActionDramaMystery

Dark Angel is a science fiction television series set in a dystopian future, centered on genetically enhanced super-soldier Max Guevara, played by Jessica Alba. Created by James Cameron and Charles H. Eglee, the show follows Max’s quest to find her fellow escaped comrades while evading capture by government forces.

Cast Jessica Alba , Michael Weatherly , Richard Gunn , J.C. MacKenzie , Valarie Rae Miller , John Savage , Jensen Ackles , Alimi Ballard Release Date October 3, 2000 Seasons 2 Main Genre Action Creator(s) James Cameron , Charles H. Eglee Expand

Dark Angel stars Jessica Alba as Max, a woman who was experimented on as a child and transformed into an unwilling super soldier. Jensen Ackles appears in the series, primarily season two, as another test subject as well as his clone. Though the series was canceled after two seasons, a series of novels continued the story from where it left off.

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The series itself has won several accolades, both as a whole and for Alba’s incredible performance. This included a People’s Choice Award, a Teen Choice Award, and though it did not win, a Golden Globe nomination. The show was incredibly popular among the teenage demographic for its action-packed storyline, possibly so popular because Dark Angel‘s debut aired on Fox in 2000 instead of the first presidential debate that year, attributing to its notoriety.

7 Smallville (2001-2011)

Ackles Briefly Joined The Cast Of This Superman Series In Season 4

Smallville Poster

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45 9.4/10 Smallville TV-PGRomanceAdventureDrama

Smallville is a Superhero television series based on the Superman Comic Book series created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. This television release was developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The premise revolves around a young Clark Kent as he arrives on Earth and attempts to live his life while simultaneously keeping his friends, family, and those around him safe thanks to his superpowers.

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*Availability in US Cast Sam Jones III , Annette O’Toole , Jensen Ackles , Eric Johnson , Erica Durance , Cassidy Freeman , Michael Rosenbaum , Laura Vandervoort , John Schneider , Kristin Kreuk , Sam Witwer , Aaron Ashmore , Allison Mack , John Glover , Justin Hartley , Tom Welling , Callum Blue Release Date October 16, 2001 Seasons 10 Production Company Tollin/Robbins Productions, Warner Bros. Television, Millar Gough Ink, DC Comics Expand
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Taking place in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas, Smallville is the origin of Superman, one of comic history’s most beloved superheroes. The series ran for an impressive 10 seasons before its end, and Jensen Ackles made a brief appearance as the love interest of Lana Lang in season 4. Although his appearance was brief, he still made an impact as a fun presence, albeit with a tragic end.

Despite being cast in season 5 of
Smallville,
Jensen Ackles had to be written out of the show due to his commitment to
Supernatural.

Smallville was an instant hit, quickly becoming the highest-rated series debut in WB history. The series was praised for everything from the quality of its writing to the impressive special effects, notable for the heart that it put into the birth of Superman as a character. Christopher Reeve, one of the first actors to ever play Superman, even expressed a love for the series and its incredible artistic achievement.

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6 Days Of Our Lives (1965-)

Jensen Ackles Was A Part Of This Decades-Long Soap Opera

Days of our Lives official poster

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Days of Our Lives

Days of Our Lives is a long-running American daytime soap opera that first premiered in 1965. Set in the fictional town of Salem, the show focuses on the intertwined lives, trials, and tribulations of the Brady, Horton, and DiMera families. Known for its dramatic storylines and complex characters, Days of Our Lives has become a staple of daytime television and continues to captivate audiences with its blend of romance, mystery, and suspense.

Cast Deidre Hall , Kristian Alfonso , Drake Hogestyn , Alison Sweeney , John Aniston , Stephen Nichols , Camila Banus , Suzanne Rogers , Lauren Koslow , Mary Beth Evans Release Date November 8, 1965 Seasons 58 Creator(s) Ted Corday , Betty Corday

First debuting all the way back in 1965, Days of Our Lives has become one of the longest running shows on television. This show is about a family of doctors and was a pioneer in the soap opera genre, being the first to combine the stereotypical hospital drama with that of interpersonal family dynamics. Jensen Ackles was an actor in Days of Our Lives for several years, playing the character Eric Brady from 1997 to 2000.

The series has an incredible emotional center, and despite its seemingly ever-changing cast, the story always manages to stick to the heart of what makes
Days of Our Lives
so compelling: the characters.

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Days of Our Lives has won several Daytime Emmy Awards over the years, citing the series’ excellent writing as one of its strong suits. The series has an incredible emotional center, and despite its seemingly ever-changing cast, the story always manages to stick to the heart of what makes Days of Our Lives so compelling: the characters. It moved over to streaming on Peacock in 2022 and, after nearly 60 years, it is still running to this day.

5 Batman: The Long Halloween (2021)

This Animated Film Shows Off Ackles’ Voice Acting Talent

Batman The Long Halloween Movie Poster

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8/10 Batman: The Long Halloween rAnimation

In this two-part animated film, a serial killer terrorizes Gotham, killing on holidays. It’s up to Batman to find and stop the killer, while the Falcones, the Joker, and plenty of other old enemies seem determined to get in his way.

Director Chris Palmer Release Date July 27, 2021 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Tim Sheridan Cast Jensen Ackles , Josh Duhamel , Billy Burke , Naya Rivera , Alastair Duncan , Troy Baker , David Dastmalchian , Amy Landecker , Gary LeRoi Gray , Fred Tatasciore , Titus Welliver , Jack Quaid , Katee Sackhoff , Robin Atkin Downes , John DiMaggio , Alyssa Diaz Runtime 85 minutes Expand

One film split into two parts, Batman: The Long Halloween is an iconic Batman story, pitting the caped crusader against the enigmatic Holiday killer. Taking place during the early days of Batman’s crime-fighting career, he faces several struggles as he finds his footing in this dark world. Jensen Ackles lends his voice to Batman in an iconic performance, showing that his talents do not only reside in live-action performance.

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Batman: The Long Halloween
is an animated adaptation of the comic book of the same name.

Batman: The Long Halloween was praised not only for being a faithful adaptation of the original comic book, but also for its strong sense of character development. It succeeds not only as a Batman story, but as a noir thriller as well, as the movie does not rely on the star power of its main character to retain interest in the greater plot. The animation is beautiful as well, making it an incredibly worthy watch, especially for a direct-to-video release.

4 Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003)

Ackles Joined The Cast For This Show’s Final Season

dawson-creek

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Dawson’s Creek Drama

In the small town of Capeside, Massachusetts, fifteen-year-old Dawson Leery and his friends — tomboy Joey, class clown Pacey, and many more — experience the highs and lows of teenage life and coming of age.

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*Availability in US Cast James Van Der Beek , Katie Holmes , Michelle Williams , Joshua Jackson , Mary-Margaret Humes , John Wesley Shipp , Mary Beth Peil , Kerr Smith , Busy Philipps Release Date 1998-00-00 Seasons 6 Writers Kevin Williamson , Greg Berlanti , tom kapinos Directors Greg Berlanti
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Often cited as having paved the way for the litany of teen shows that followed, Dawson’s Creek follows the lives and problems of a group of friends. The series features plenty of ups and downs, known for its heart-wrenching drama and memorable characters. Jensen Ackles joined the series in its final season, playing the character of C.J. Braxton, who ends up falling for Jen.

Despite facing some criticism when it initially released, the story of Dawson’s Creek was later praised for its writing, featuring friends with realistic problems as opposed to the idealized versions of what teens might look for in their idols. The show was witty, and watching it now feels nostalgic. When it originally aired, Dawson’s Creek won several Teen Choice Awards, as well as a GLAAD Award for Outstanding TV Drama Series.

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3 Batman: Under The Red Hood (2010)

Jensen Ackles Stars In Another Batman Animated Film

under-red-hood

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9.2/10 Batman: Under the Red Hood PG-13AnimationActionCrimeThriller

A mysterious vigilante called the Red Hood shows up in Gotham City, implementing one method that Batman does not: the Red Hood kills his targets. Batman and Nightwing are hot on the Red Hood’s trail, but Batman makes a surprising revelation about the vigilante’s identity.

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*Availability in US Director Brandon Vietti Release Date July 27, 2010 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers judd winick Cast Bruce Greenwood , Jensen Ackles , John Di Maggio , Neil Patrick Harris , Jason Isaacs , Wade Williams Runtime 75minutes Expand

Another animated Batman direct-to-video film, Batman: Under the Red Hood depicts Batman facing off against the titular Red Hood, a villain that seems to know every step Batman will make before he makes it. It features a more grizzled Batman, operating in the face of great trauma. However, instead of playing Batman, this time Jensen Ackles plays the Red Hood.

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The film has been lauded for its incredible storytelling, animation, as well as its voice acting. Jensen Ackles’ performance is especially good, weaving emotion into the character of the Red Hood in a way that really brings the character to life. Batman: Under the Red Hood has a whopping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, able to balance its themes in a way that feels true to the original comics.

2 Supernatural (2005-2020)

This Supernatural Thriller Shot Jensen Ackles To Stardom

Supernatural TV Series Poster

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73 9.3/10 Supernatural ActionAdventureMystery

Created by Eric Kripke, Supernatural is a fantasy/drama series that premiered in 2005. The series follows the adventures of Dean and Sam Winchester – two men wronged by supernatural beings as children who now spend their days investigating and hunting demons, ghosts, and monsters across the United States. 

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*Availability in US Cast Jensen Ackles , Misha Collins , Jim Beaver , Jared Padalecki , Katie Cassidy , Lauren Cohan , Mark A. Sheppard , Mark Pellegrino , Alexander Calvert Release Date September 13, 2005 Seasons 15 Writers Eric Kripke , Andrew Dabb , Robert Berens Directors Philip Sgriccia , John F. Showalter , Robert Singer Showrunner Eric Kripke Expand

Beginning with brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they attempt to locate their father, Supernatural goes from monster-of-the-week series to a dramatic series with an overarching story. The show is known for its wacky storylines and demonic characters, marrying a horror aesthetic with plenty of comedy and heart. Ackles is best known for his role in this series as Dean Winchester, Sam’s older and more charismatic brother.

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Supernatural
is important for its role in Ackles’ career, shooting him to stardom and showing his abilities as a charismatic leading man.

The show ran for an impressive 15 seasons before ending in 2020. Supernatural has been nominated for several Emmy Awards and won even more People’s Choice Awards, cited as an impressive fantasy series with incredible sound design. Supernatural is important for its role in Ackles’ career, shooting him to stardom and showing his abilities as a charismatic leading man.

1 The Boys (2019-)

Soldier Boy Is Ackles’ Biggest Role Currently

The Boys Season 4 Poster Showing Homelander with Victoria Neuman Surrounded by Confetti

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25 9.1/10 The Boys TV-MAActionDramaCrimeComedy

The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.

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*Availability in US Cast Karl Urban , Jack Quaid , Antony Starr , Erin Moriarty , Jessie T. Usher , Laz Alonso , Chace Crawford , Tomer Capone , Karen Fukuhara , Nathan Mitchell , Colby Minifie , Dominique McElligott , claudia doumit , Cameron Crovetti , Nneka Elliott , Laila Robins , Shantel VanSanten , Aya Cash , Giancarlo Esposito , Jordana Lajoie , Katy Breier , Matthew Edison , Jim Beaver , Elisabeth Shue , Jensen Ackles , Simon Pegg , Susan Heyward , Valorie Curry , Jeffrey Dean Morgan , Ann Cusack , Nicola Correia Damude , Christian Keyes , Sabrina Saudin , Malcolm Barrett , Liyou Abere , Jennifer Esposito , David Reale , Frances Turner Release Date July 25, 2019 Seasons 4 Writers Eric Kripke Directors Erin Moriarty , Karen Fukuhara , Karl Urban , Jack Quaid , Eric Kripke Showrunner Eric Kripke Main Genre Action Creator(s) Eric Kripke Expand

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The Boys has been an explosive hit in recent years, offering an impressive satire of the over-saturated superhero genre. After his girlfriend is killed by a speeding superhero, main character Hughie is thrust into a world where many of the nation’s superheroes are more villainous than he could have ever imagined. Ackles joins the cast in season 3 with the character of Soldier Boy, a character meant to be a dark take on Marvel’s Captain America.

Unafraid of depicting the political landscape of the world it satirizes, The Boys is gritty and violent in equal measure. Anthony Starr especially has been praised for his performance of the villain Homelander, having won several awards for his haunting performance. The series is one of Jensen Ackles‘ best, allowing him the opportunity to explore the darker side of a fleshed out character.

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