A child star turned acting, producing, and directing sensation,Jason Batemanis worth his weight in any genre gold. His acting career began withLittle House on the Prairie,and as he got older, audiences recognized him from cult classics likeTeen Wolf Too. He’s led iconic series likeArrested Developmentand forced gut laughter in theaters with movies likeHorrible Bosses. When he’s not gracing the screen or taking a turn behind the camera, his humor is out in full force on his podcastSmartless, co-hosted withWill ArnettandSean Hayes.
Capable of leading a cast or stealing scenes with minimal screen time, Bateman is a cinematic treasure with a fan base obsessed with his sarcasm, signature flowing hair, and quick wit. Being a multi-genre, multi-medium star has earned him considerable praise throughout his career;many of Bateman’s movies and shows received high scores on the popular review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes.
10’Ozark' (2017-2022)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
Bateman is truly a triple threat when it comes to his participation in this Netflix original. He stars, directs, and serves as executive producer throughout the show’s four seasons. As the Byrde family patriarch, Marty (Bateman) and his family must hide away in the Ozarks to launder money for a dangerous Mexican cartel, all the while embedding themselves in the political culture of their new home.
Directing a total of nine episodes of the series total of 44, Bateman is genuinely a whole other persona in the realm ofOzark. Audiences who hadn’t seen his comedic performances prior to this would probably never guess his roots.Ozarkis a must-see, riveting drama and one of Bateman’s finest achievements in acting, directing, and producing.
A financial advisor drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder money to appease a drug boss.
Watch on Netflix
9’The Family Fang' (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
The Family Fangnot only sees Bateman as its protagonist but as its director. In a movie about coming to terms with your family and childhood, Baxter (Bateman) and Annie Fang (Nicole Kidman) are two siblings trying to make sense of their unusual childhood with their infamous parents, who were known for creating public spectacles.
The film also featuresChristopher Walken,Kathryn Hahn,Maryann Plunkett, andJason Butler Harner.Bateman’s second directorial feature —Bad Wordswas his first in 2014 —The Family Fangis explosively divisive as critics loved it and audiences disliked itat 47% rotten. However, this uncompromising nature allows it to explore fascinating issues through a decidedly strong and memorable lens.
The Family Fang
Watch on Amazon Prime
8’State of Play' (2009)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
In this smaller role, Bateman channels his sardonic humor into a sleazy PR character with Dominic Foy. A foundational film in the investigative journalism genre,State of PlaystarsRussell CroweandRachel McAdamsas journalists digging into the murder investigation of a congressional aide in Washington, D.C.
State of Playreceived positive reviews for its tight, engrossing plot and the ensemble of actors at its center. Bateman shines in a small, reprehensible role, becoming a scene stealer throughout his screen time. Aided by intelligent directing that elevates a somewhat conventional screenplay,State of Playranks amongthe 21st century’s best political thrillers.
State of Play
7’Game Night' (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
One of Bateman’s highest-rated comedic performances,Game Nightfeatures pure, expected magic from the beloved actor. What’s a game night without staged kidnapping, dangerous gangsters, and a shrine dedicated to an ex-wife? All vying to win their regular game night, a group of friends becomes entangled in a real-life mystery where the stakes are higher than bragging rights.
The cast is led by Bateman and Rachel McAdams, playing a no-nonsense couple who take their games very seriously. Despite having a heavy-hitting comedic lead like Bateman, every character gets a chance to showcase their humor, making this film a true laugh-out-loud comedy.Game Nightis a brilliant action comedywidely considered a modern comedic classic, thanks to a witty, hilarious, instantly memorable screenplay and the game performances of a truly incredible ensemble.
Game Night
Rent on Apple TV+
6’Up in the Air' (2009)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Taking his turn as a boss, Bateman’s role inUp in the Airmay be more minor, but still worth the watch. Living out of his suitcase as a daily routine, Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) travels around the country, firing people on behalf of their employers. The status quo of his enjoyable lifestyle is about to change when a potential love interest enters his life. Bateman is Craig Gregory, Ryan’s boss, who forces him to take on training the new hire (Anna Kendrick).
Up in the Airis a sharp and funny exploration of human nature and connectionwith three stellar performances and a familiar yet thoughtful narrative despitea somewhat abrupt ending. Bateman’s role is short but pivotal, effectively kickstarting the plot; the actor delivers a cold, precise portrayal of corporate interests that forsakes his traditional funny antics for a guarded, clinical approach. Despite earning six Oscar nominations,Up in the Airfailed to take home any wins.
Up In The Air
5’The Outsider' (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
In this single-season HBO series, Bateman added his name to the list of stars working onStephen Kingadaptations.The Outsideris a dark thriller about a team of investigators attempting to piece together the brutal murder of a child and the man they believed did it. Co-starring alongsideBen MendelsohnandCynthia Erivo, Bateman is Terry Maitland, the man suspected of committing the murder.
Dark, brooding, and occasionally shocking,The Outsideris a worthy addition tothe all-time best Stephen King adaptations. Of the ten episodes within the series, Terry appears in just four. Unfortunately, HBO subsequently canceledThe Outsider, citing a lack of solid storytelling direction for season two.
The Outsider
When an insidious supernatural force edges its way into a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in.
Watch on Max
4’The Gift' (2015)
Yes, Jason Bateman can play a villain.The Giftwas all the foreshadowing audiences needed to believe that Bateman couldpull off dark roles beforeOzark. In this thriller written and directed byJoel Edgerton, Simon (Bateman) runs into an old classmate, Gordo (Edgerton), who begins to drop by unannounced, always with a gift. After it’s revealed that Simon used to bully Gordo, things take a dark turn.
In a rare instance, Bateman is a character audiences are not supposed to like. The tension and friction between Simon and Gordo are palpable as Edgerton and Bateman masterfully play off each other. This is the perfect performance to break away from the comedic and rom-com genres Bateman usually finds success in,makingThe Giftan eerie and rewarding psychological thriller.
In a small Southern town, a widowed psychic named Annie Wilson becomes entangled in a murder investigation when her visions reveal clues about a missing woman. As Annie struggles to unravel the mystery, she finds herself facing a web of dark secrets that threaten to consume her.
3’Air' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
With his signature locks more tousled than usual,Bateman produces an all-star performancein the Nike story. Directed byBen Affleck,Airtells the story of Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) and his convincing pursuit with Nike to partner with relatively unknown basketball rookieMichael Jordanfor the inception of the iconic Air Jordans.
Even with a strong supporting cast, Bateman’s performance is in a league of its own as Nike’s then-director of marketing,Rob Strasser. Despite being well-equipped with his signature dry, sarcastic humor, Bateman is able to reproduce his dramatic, emotional range, which may earn him critical acclaim come awards season.Airis a fun crowd-pleaser thatoffers a vivid, inspiring depiction of its real-life eventswhile further cementing Affleck’s directing talents.
2’Juno' (2007)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
This critically acclaimed feature remains one ofthe all-time best coming-of-age movies. High school student Juno (Elliot Page) is faced with an unplanned pregnancy and must choose whether to become a teen mother or give the baby up for adoption. Bateman stars alongsideJennifer Garneras Mark and Vanessa Loring, the couple wanting to adopt the baby after Juno gives birth. As Mark gets to know Juno, he confesses he’s not quite ready for fatherhood and appears to develop feelings for her.
Bateman’s arc inJunois a career-best. The actor portrays an unsympathetic character earnestly, effortlessly balancing immaturity and appeal to create a complete character who is as interesting as he’s unlikable.Junois a modern triumph, an instantly witty and iconic movie that will stand the test of time.
Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes a selfless decision regarding the unborn child.
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1’Zootopia' (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Pure perfection, the voice and persona behind Nick Wilde is undeniably Bateman’s. Starring oppositeGinnifer Goodwinin Disney’s Oscar-winning animated feature,Zootopiais a buddy cop movie where rookie officer Judy Hopps (Goodwin) teams up with con artist Nick Wilde to solve the mystery of why predator species in Zootopia are becoming mysteriously aggressive.
Zootopiabalanced social commentary with lighthearted humor and visual spectacle to create a modern animated classic. A match made in animated heaven, Nick Wilde is a performance by Bateman that the whole family can enjoy. His quick wit blended seamlessly with Disney’s intentional placement of “adult” jokes that sail over younger audiences' heads but land perfectly in the lap of viewing adults.
