There are plenty of action stars out there who star in adored movies and look good doing it. While there are many staple actors, one figure who is making himself a household name is Alan Ritchson, who has been on a generational run in the past few years. But now, he is getting his chance to prove his talent in more and more movies and shows. He made his acting debut in Smallville and, since then, has put together an impressive filmography that continues to grow.
While Ritchson has stated that he would like to enter the DCU, this list will rank his past projects. From action flicks to 2000s comedies to superhero shows, Ritchson is a name fans should become familiar with, and this list will highlight and rank his best movies and TV shows based on his performance and role in said projects, popularity, critical acclaim, fan opinion, and overall quality.
13
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (2014)
The late 2000s and early 2010s had a peculiar preference for reimagining colorful, fun, and nostalgic cartoons as dark and gritty live-action films with extensive CGI. That was the case for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, where the titular group steps out of the shadows to take on Shredder (Tohru Masamune). Ritchson plays the fierce and overly angry Raphael.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles isn’t exactly a good movie, and wouldn’t be a good sign if it were on someone’s top projects’ list. However, since Ritchson played a major part in this film, and it was a huge success, it barely earns a spot here. However, it remains nostalgic for some, offering fans their first glimpse of the franchise’s brilliance, even if the CGI didn’t quite fit and the film was entirely average.
12
‘Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland’ (2016)
One of Ritchson’s best characters is undoubtedly Thad, the football jock with a vulnerable side. While this list will mention the main series later on, the spin-off, Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland, is another excellent project of his. This movie focuses on Thad facing the pressures of being an NFL quarterback while simultaneously battling to keep his house against the university president.
Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland doesn’t compare to the original show, but it is still a solid movie that wraps up the story of Thad and the series. Some fans think this movie is out of place and a weird turn for the series, but it still provides some solid moments that build up an entertaining and hilarious send-off.
11
‘Titans’ (2018–2023)
Ritchson is built to be a superhero, and he also seems to be a nerd for the genre as well, displaying impressive knowledge about some characters while starring in multiple DC projects, including Titans. He plays Hawk in this gritty version of the Teen Titans franchise as they fight against a dark conspiracy that could swallow up the entire Earth.
Titans is a polarizing show, splitting the fandom between die-hard fans and eternal haters. Either way, Ritchson plays a significant character who gets some solid shining moments. Because of its polarizing nature, Titans ranks a little lower than expected, but it is still a substantial improvement from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as it is one of the best DC TV shows.
10
‘Motor City’ (2026)
Ritchson made his breakthrough in the 2020s, but 2026 has proven to be his best year so far, with three new films elevating him to new heights, starting with Motor City. Set in 1977 Detroit after the Vietnam War, Ritchson portrays John Miller, a veteran and ex-con who is on the hunt for a gangster who framed him for a crime he didn’t commit and kidnapped his girlfriend (Shailene Woodley), setting up a perfect action revenge flick.
Ritchson is a great actor, but sometimes his best performances are when he lets his actions talk for him, and that is exactly why Motor City is so exhilarating. This movie doesn’t need words to captivate viewers, because the performance by the leading man is one of his best and most intimidating. The fight scenes are remarkable, including a magnificent elevator fight scene that is up there as one of the best action sequences of 2026.
9
‘Fast X’ (2023)
The Fast & Furious franchise is a treasure trove of buff action stars who get to flex their acting muscles to the fullest. It took some time, but Ritchson finally became a part of the series in Fast X, portraying Aimes, a side villain who is the leader of a secret agency and secretly working with the main villain, Dante (Jason Momoa).
While we still don’t know when the follow-up will come and could be even better than this one with Ritchson, Fast X is still a great role for him, as he is one of the best villains in the Fast and Furious franchise. This film is exactly what fans expect: a poorly written mess, but nobody cares about that because the action, exhilaration, and high-octane fights are some of the most entertaining on the big screen.
8
‘War Machine’ (2026)
No, Ritchson didn’t replace Don Cheadle as the iconic superhero, but he does star in the movie War Machine as a soldier named 81. An elite group of Army Ranger recruits are in their final stage of training, needing to survive 24 hours in the harsh mountain environment. However, that is the least of their worries, because when they encounter a towering machine designated only to kill, they must figure out how to stop this thing.
Another 2026 movie that Ritchson excelled in was War Machine, which proposed a relentless action thriller that was grand in scale and epic in proportions. Even with the giant machine, Ritchson was the biggest figure on the screen, with his commanding presence carrying the movie. He was a one-man wrecking crew with leadership skills to boot, elevating War Machine to be one of his best modern movies.
7
‘Blood Drive’ (2017)
Fans usually have an idea in their head about Ritchson’s best projects, but some excellent ones fly under the radar, such as the TV show Blood Drive. Los Angeles is now a crime-ridden post-apocalypse as the remaining survivors fight for water and oil. However, the last good cop, Arthur Bailey (Ritchson), suddenly goes missing before his chance to save the city, prompting his partner Chris (Thomas Dominique) to investigate.
If it sounds familiar, then fans are on the right track, as Blood Drive is a parody/homage to Mad Max, except this show takes things even further, cranking up the weirdness and campiness. Fans never know what to expect as this show takes them into bizarre directions with oodles of camp, silliness, and goofy moments that even the horror and gore can’t cover up.
6
‘Smallville’ (2001-2011)
Smallville was Ritchson’s first gig, and he seemed to like playing a DC character since he played another in Titans and wants to star as another in the DCU. Starring as Aquaman/Arthur Curry, he was a side character in a story about Clark Kent (Tom Welling) and his early years in the titular town where he grew up.
Even though Aquaman is a central character in the DC mythos, he doesn’t play too large a role in Smallville, which is why it isn’t higher on this list. Still, Ritchson was a perfect fit for the character and is still a perfect match if he wants to reprise his role in the DCU. Despite his minor role, Aquaman was one of the best characters in Smallville.
5
‘Ordinary Angels’ (2024)
Fans know Ritchson for his buff physique, action presence, and surprising comedic talent, but he proves in Ordinary Angels to have some dramatic chops. Inspired by a true story, Ritchson plays a struggling father of two girls, with one needing a liver transplant. When his story inspires Sharon (Hilary Swank) to take action, she rallies the community to save his child.
Some may feel that Ordinary Angels drags on and feels cliché at moments, but that doesn’t matter in the big picture of this emotional story of hope. The film does a great job of inspiring feelings and giving faith in humanity, displaying a beautiful story with Ritchson at the center. Ritchson proves he is more than just an action star, showing he is a versatile actor who can take on any project.
4
‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ (2024)
This may give a bit of whiplash right after Ordinary Angels, but even though Ritchson is an excellent dramatic actor, his best works are unrelenting action blockbusters, such as The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Starring as Anders Lassen, he and other rogue soldiers form an elite, yet unorthodox strike unit that uses their bizarre methods to take down a fleet of Nazi U-boats.
Throw in a bunch of jacked, handsome men fighting Nazis, and you’ve got yourself a hit movie. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is one of Ritchson’s most popular projects, and it’s not hard to see why, as he excels in the sophisticated, violent role, delivering charming action and riveting moments. It may just be dumb fun, but it is unique and endearing, creating a distinct action masterpiece.