Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary has lit up the box office the last couple of weeks. It’s ending the first quarter of 2026 films on a high note while reminding moviegoers across the globe that there’s no replicating going to the theater. This isn’t the first time Gosling has proven this either. Even in his box office bombs, he’s proven that he’s one of this generation’s great talents. Across the last two decades, he may be our last hope to keep this cinematic star going.
He’s starred in beloved cult films like Drive and The Place Beyond the Pines, goofy billion dollar comedies like Barbie and all-time classic romances like The Notebook. With most actors these days, it’s easy to pick a favorite. However, Gosling has so many genre masterpieces under his belt it’s hard to deem one as the absolute best.
10
The Gray Man (2022)
While Gosling has been in objectively better films like The Big Short and Drive, The Gray Man is the actor’s entrance into the action spy genre. The Russo Brothers simply provide a purely entertaining action-packed thrill ride full of chases, gun fights and satisfying hand-to-hand brawls.
The story is a bit forgettable, but Gosling’s remarkable charm is on full display here and his chemistry with Ana de Armas and Chris Evans is electric. The Gray Man is one of the better Netflix action offerings. It’s just a shame the streaming service didn’t give this film a chance in theaters.
9
Crazy Stupid Love (2011)
Gosling has been part of some of the funniest films of the 21st century. Crazy Stupid Love is one of those. With an all-star ensemble cast which features Steve Carell, Emma Stone and Julianne Moore, he has a lot to work with. His chemistry with both Stone and Carrell is to die for. The bromance he has with the latter is particularly a highlight of these non-stop laughing fits.
The twist also makes Crazy Stupid Love an iconic romantic comedy. Throughout its humor spouts, the film’s heart is packed with enough drama to make your soul weep. This is a great multi-generational love story at different stages of that complex word.
8
The Notebook (2004)
Even though Gosling had a few smaller credits to his name at this point, The Notebook is what really put the actor on the map. Based on the novel of the same name, he made Noah a genre icon. A ton of Gosling’s best works have a co-star that brought out the best in him. In this case, that would be Rachel McAdams. Their pairing is one for the record books. They’re the reason Noah and Allie’s love story is everlasting.
The endless quotable lines, the brilliant direction from Nick Cassavetes and the nostalgic romantic atmosphere can’t be beat. The Notebook is a somber reflection of love and its effect on someone’s heart that would make even the biggest cynic believe that there’s someone out there for them. That’s what the best films do.
7
The Fall Guy (2024)
The Fall Guy has so many magical things going for it. This is a brilliant romantic comedy, a stunning love-letter to Hollywood stuntpeople and one of the funniest action movies of our modern time. Coming off Barbie, this was Gosling in his pure, unapologetic, boyish form. His bond with Emily Blunt’s Jody will make your heart sour to the heavens, while there’s nobody better at being a fish-out-of-water in the action genre than our reluctant leading man.
This is one of those genre films that makes you believe in the power of cinema again. Nothing beats going to the movies and this is arguably Gosling’s brightest example of that. The stunts, car chases and pure adrenaline are all fantastic. That’s why it’s a shame that The Fall Guy was one of Gosling’s box office bombs. It only made $181 million worldwide on a $125 million budget. That wasn’t enough for this mesmerizing genre bender to be deemed a success. However, that’s nothing new for cult classics of its kind.
6
First Man (2018)
This is probably Damien Chazelle’s least talked about film, but like La La Land and Whiplash before it, it’s a breathtaking masterpiece just the same. Gosling is known for his deadly comedic wit. However, First Man is a fine example of how this actor can completely transform himself. Playing real life astronaut Neil Armstrong, this biopic depicts the lead up to the United States landing on the moon.
First Man is a complex, thick drama that puts you in the heart of the drama that was the race to the moon. That intensity and high stakes make this one of Gosling’s most underrated performances. He’ll have you sweating. That’s all the while the ensemble featuring Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler and Corey Stoll only adds to the rich tools our leading man has to work with. For those reasons, First Man needs to be on every Gosling fan’s watch list.
5
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Blade Runner 2049 is without a doubt the darkest and most depressing film on this list. A satisfying sequel to Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic Blade Runner, director Denis Villeneuve picked up the pieces in the wake of Harrison Ford’s Decker storyline and added the bleakest Gosling moviegoers will ever see. Calling 2049 a masterpiece would be selling it short. This is such a complex examination of humans’ need for companionship and what it really means to be human.
Gosling’s relationship with Ana de Armas’s Joi will destroy anyone watching. Also, Gosling’s chemistry with Ford needs to be studied. Its perfection was further highlighted by the duo’s legendary press tour. Blade Runner 2049 is better known for how much money the film ultimately lost. It’s one of the biggest box office bombs in film history, but it’s one of the best films ever made too. That insane quality is what this jaw-dropping sci-fi sequel will ultimately be remembered for. The rare sequel that’s better than its original.
4
Barbie (2023)
What hasn’t been said about Barbie? Particularly Gosling’s Ken. This is the role that he will be remembered for when the credits roll on his historic career. From “I’m Just Ken” to Gosling’s blend of corny humor, goofy sincerity and a huge heart turn this famous doll into a three-dimensional character. Barbie is a surprisingly great examination of the fragile male ego and the repressed emotions oftentimes associated with that.
Gosling didn’t just get nominated for an Oscar for nothing. He brilliantly reminds us that we’re all just trying to find ourselves. We’re all just Ken. Barbie will have you laughing to no end to the point of crying thanks to the brilliant team of Gosling, Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig. However, there are moments where you are just crying because of the film’s nuance. At the center of that is Gosling.
3
Project Hail Mary (2026)
Even though Project Hail Mary is still very fresh in the moviegoer’s minds, its theater experience is just mind-blowing. Especially if you see it in IMAX or Dolby. Through its sadness, pure happiness and the genius of its thrilling adventure, Hail Mary is the best showcase to date for Gosling’s talent. In a world consumed by AI slop and absolute despair, Gosling gives us a front seat to why there’s nothing more powerful than the creative human spirit.
Most of the film, Gosling is acting opposite the cutest rock puppet the world has ever seen. However, that doesn’t stop the actor from making you ball your eyes out. This is an epic space odyssey that directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord expertly craft. At the same time, it’s the film’s more intimate moments where Gosling thrives. This film is hilarious and very quirky. Yet its heartbreak that blossoms an unexpected friendship is what this adaptation will be remembered for. This is a story all about working together and forging unforgettable bonds in the darkest times. Its rich themes are something our world desperately needs to learn from.
2
The Nice Guys (2016)
The Nice Guys is one of the best buddy cop comedies ever made. This is director Shane Black at his most absurd and delightfully deranged. Gosling and Russell Crowe drive this lovable beat-up car of a film with the best brotherly bond of the last decade. Their chemistry could be the subject of a dozen adventures, and it would never get old. The Nice Guys is a love-letter to old Hollywood noir detective stories while also having a goofy modern comedic edge that will cut anyone deep in the funny bone.
Gosling’s Holland Marsh might just be the actor’s best character. Showing off his full range of comedic and drama chops with that unique charm only Gosling could possess, The Nice Guys could have been the next great franchise. However, like Blade Runner 2049, it bombed hard. The biggest injustice in the film world today is we never got Nice Guys 2. Curse you Angry Birds Movie! However, with enough outcry, this cult genre gem could get one in the future.
1
La La Land (2016)
La La Land is up there with some of the best musicals of all-time. It’s one of the best films ever made. Damien Chazelle’s love-letter to Hollywood and the classics of this sub-genre is endlessly vibrant with the joy of the “American Dream” as its backdrop. At the heart of that is Gosling and Emma Stone’s kinetic energy. The love story of Mia and Sebastian is still talked about a decade later. The songs are incredible, the direction is transcendent and the blend of heightened humor and heartbreak hasn’t been replicated since.
La La Land is a once and a generation kind of experience with an ending, often hilariously compared to a horror movie, that’s debated to this date. This is a masterpiece that can turn someone into a die-hard musical fan. It’s a film for the dreamers who were told their outlook was way too big, and it’s for the lovers who wear their hearts on their sleeves. La La Land made a statement to the world that there was still so much untapped potential in Hollywood. A new slew of young talent was about to take over it. 10 years on, one of those bright souls has been Ryan Gosling.
- Release Date
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December 16, 2016
- Runtime
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129 minutes
- Director
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Damien Chazelle
