After making his debut as Young Simon Tam in a 2002 episode of the short-lived Fox series Firefly, Zac Efron worked his way up through the ranks as an actor. But even though he spent time as a series regular on the WB series Summerland, his career didn’t kick into overdrive until he secured the role of Troy Bolton in the 2006 Disney Channel original movie High School Musical. Not only has he been working steadily ever since, but he’s consistently upped his game as an actor, earning the best reviews of his career with 2023’s The Iron Claw.
Yes, Efron is still often written off as a one-time teen idol by those who haven’t closely followed his career, but when you’ve racked up a collection of roles that range from P.T. Barnum’s right-hand man to Ted Bundy, there’s no question about his growth over the years. As such, let’s explore the 15 best Zac Efron movies and TV shows (so far).
15. The Disaster Artist (2017)
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This film would be higher on the list if Efron had a more substantial role, but as Entertainment Weekly’s critic wrote in her review, “No role is too small for [director James Franco’s] parade of stars, many of whom speak no more than a few lines.” This “parade” of cameos also includes Sharon Stone, Bryan Cranston, Bob Odenkirk, Judd Apatow, Megan Mullally, Melanie Griffith, and Josh Hutcherson, so Efron’s certainly in good company. If you’ve seen Tommy Wiseau’s pitifully iconic cult film The Room, you’ll want to see The Disaster Artist, and if you haven’t, then The Disaster Artist will make you want to see it.
14. Miracle Run (2004)
Many notable actors have at least one Lifetime movie in their back catalog, and Efron is no exception. Based on a true story, Efron plays Steven, an autistic teen who — along with his also-autistic brother Philip (Thomas Lewis) — is trying to prove that he’s able to handle the rigors of public school while struggling with his disorder. In a role that precedes even the first High School Movie, Efron was able to demonstrate that he wasn’t just another pretty face, so to speak, and that he came to the table with some dramatic chops in his quiver.
13. Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
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In this adaptation of Ben Sherwood’s novel The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, Efron plays the titular character, a Stanford-bound teenager whose future plans are abruptly thrown off course when his little brother Sam is killed in a car accident with Charlie at the wheel. Emotionally traumatized, Charlie wallows in guilt and depression, but after an encounter with the cancer-stricken Florio (Ray Liotta), he’s reminded that, despite Sam’s death, perhaps there’s a reason that he survived the crash. It’s an inconsequential drama in Efron’s oeuvre that’s not worth revisiting but still aided his rise to dreamy frontman status.
12. The Lucky One (2012)
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The words “based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks” can either repel or compel audiences, and though it wasn’t a critical darling, many romance fans still enjoyed The Lucky One. Despite its rather preposterous premise — a Marine (Efron) finds a photo of a beautiful woman (Taylor Schilling) during his tour in Iraq, believes it’s the good-luck charm that keeps him alive, and vows to find her after he returns home — Efron and Schilling have solid onscreen chemistry together. Yes, the schmaltz levels are off the charts, but the couple will likely make you swoon anyway.
11. Liberal Arts (2012)
During his stint as Ted Mosby on How I Met Your Mother, Josh Radnor spent some time behind the camera, kicking off his directing career with 2010’s Happythankyoumoreplease and then following it up with this flick. As he did with his directorial debut, Radnor once again serves as the film’s male lead, playing Jesse Fisher, a 35-year-old college admissions officer who falls for Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen), a 19-year-old student. Efron has a small role, playing an eccentric classmate of Zibby’s named Nat, but it’s an underseen film that still captures his charisma.
10. The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)
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This period piece finds Efron playing John “Chickie” Donohue, a merchant seaman in New York who decides that he’ll deliver cans of beer to some friends who are serving overseas in Vietnam. “It’s one of those unbelievable, real-life scenarios that you just can’t believe a guy got himself into,” Efron told EW at the time of the film’s release. Not only is it based on a true story, but Efron even got to meet with the real Donohue during the course of production. It’s a fun, critic-proof flick with a whole lot of heart.
9. The Greatest Showman (2017)
This musical adaptation of the life and times of P.T. Barnum — because when you’re larger than life, you’re gonna inspire more than just one musical — stars Hugh Jackman as the showman in question, while Efron shines as Phillip Carlyle, the playwright whose fascination with the circus turns into a partnership with Barnum, but not before he ends up enduring a tragedy while trying to woo trapeze artist Anne Wheeler (Zendaya). Indeed, per EW’s critic, the twosome “bring a gentler, more life-size sensibility to the story.”
8. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile (2019)
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As EW’s critic wrote in her review, “There’s a reason it’s not called Extremely Innocent, Shockingly Railroaded, and Actually a Pretty Nice Guy,” and that, of course, is because this is a film about Ted Bundy, who infamously kidnapped, raped, and murdered dozens of women during the 1970s. Not every actor can take on the role of a serial killer without it becoming albatross — just ask Steve Railsback — but just as Mark Harmon pulled it off when playing Bundy in 1986’s The Deliberate Stranger, Efron delivers a cunning performance and walks away (mostly) unscathed.
Where to watch Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile: Netflix
7. Me & Orson Welles (2008)
When it comes to this Richard Linklater film about Orson Welles’ early career with the Mercury Theater, the biggest reason to see it is Christian McKay’s performance as Welles. (Indeed, EW’s critic said as much in his review.) That said, Efron portrays the other titular character (i.e., the “me”) which provides him with considerable screen time. As young actor Richard Samuels, Efron gets to play quite a bit against McKay, woo Claire Danes, and then have his heart broken when Welles gives him the shaft.
6. Down to Earth With Zac Efron (2020–2022)
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Given the amount of heavy lifting that was required for The Iron Claw, perhaps Efron looks back on the two seasons of this Netflix travel series as a veritable lark. Joining forces with author/podcaster Darin Olien, Efron spent 16 episodes making his way around the world visiting a wide variety of destinations — like Costa Rica, France, Iceland, London, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Sardinia — while focusing on a number of topics, including green energy, nature, sustainable living practices, and more. It’s arguably more for Efron superfans than anyone else, but it still offers up airy escapist entertainment regardless.
5. 17 Again (2009)
“Think of it as Big in reverse,” wrote EW’s critic, which is the easiest possible synopsis of this teen comedy starring the late Matthew Perry as 37-year-old Mike O’Donnell, who suddenly finds himself transformed into his 17-year-old self (Zac Efron). It’s not as if Mike can live his life over, but he’s able to help his son avoid some mistakes that he once made himself. In the wake of Perry’s death, Efron learned that it had been Perry’s wish to have Efron play him in a bio-pic and admitted that he was “hugely honored.”
4. Neighbors (2014)
After three High School Musical movies, it was inevitable that Efron would graduate to college, which happened with this Nicholas Stoller film. Efron plays Teddy Sanders, president of Delta Psi Beta and the thorn in the side of the Radners (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne), new parents whose lives are turned upside down when the aforementioned fraternity moves in next door. EW’s critic describes Neighbors as both “a frat-house flick with more on its mind than beer, bongs, and beer bongs” and “a razor-sharp commentary on desperately trying to remain carefree after the burdens of adulthood have taken over.”
3. Hairspray (2007)
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In the midst of his High School Musical success, Efron was tapped for this film adaptation of the musical adaptation of John Waters’ classic 1988 film — did you follow that? — about teenager Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), whose life changes after she successfully auditions for a spot as a dancer on The Corny Collins Show. Efron plays Link Larkin, the lead male charmer on the show, and it’s funny to think that director Adam Shankman originally didn’t want him because he thought he was “too Disney” for the role. Thankfully, Shankman’s sister convinced him, and the rest is movie musical history.
2. High School Musical (2006); High School Musical 2 (2007); High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
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What, did you think we were going to take up three separate slots in the countdown when we could just combine the whole franchise? Besides, it’s one big epic musical adventure that transformed Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, and their fellow castmates from mere Disney Channel alumni into full-fledged global superstars. As basketball star Troy Bolton and the shy Gabriella Montez, Efron and Hudgens are the emotional core of the films. And dare we say, his onscreen chemistry has never been better than when they painstakingly sang “Gotta Go My Own Way” in High School Musical 2.
1. The Iron Claw (2023)
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To say The Iron Claw was a transformative film for Efron just doesn’t do it justice: If you didn’t know that he’d actually bulked up to play wrestler Kevin Von Erich, you’d assume those muscles are nothing more than special effects. Seriously, it’s staggering… and as it happens, he delivers an emotive heavyweight performance to match. Some might suggest that you have to love professional wrestling to appreciate the tragic story of the Von Erich brothers — the title is borrowed from the siblings’ signature move in the ring — but don’t listen; it’s a moving family drama carried on Efron’s bulging shoulders.
