Ranking the Best Performances To Date From Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman will forever be known as Wolverine. Both in X-Men films and in solo adventures, he’s become iconic as Logan, so even if he did just that, he’d be an actor of note. However, he’s far more than that, as he’s a song and dance man, as well as a talented dramatic actor. With Deadpool & Wolverine about to hit theaters, it seems like a perfect time to look at some of his best work to date. So, that’s exactly what I did.

In my review of Deadpool & Wolverine (here), I had this to say about Jackman’s return as Logan:

Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds are clearly delighted not just to playing these roles one more time, but also to be working together. Their chemistry is terrific, whether arguing, outright fighting, or actually getting along. Their interplay is a hoot. Jackman putting on the claws one more time could have been seen as a waste of goodwill, but he’s not only more violent than we’ve ever seen him, he’s full of heart. The emotional core of Logan/Wolverine is one of the movie’s highlights. It’s a true performance, rather than simply a gimmick or paycheck.

Below, you can see how Jackman stacks up for me. His best turn as Wolverine, by far, is in Logan, though you’ll have to see where Deadpool & Wolverine slots in here, compared to the X-Men outings. Beyond superhero work, he’s extraordinary in Bad Education, as well as in The Fountain, even if the latter is very much something I respond to more than most. Where does The Front Runner or Prisoners rank? What about some of his other noteworthy work? You’re about to find out…

Here now is my list of the ten best performances so far by Hugh Jackman. Behold:

Honorable Mention: Australia, Butter, Les Misérables, X-Men, and X2

10. Kate & Leopold

9. Scoop

8. Eddie the Eagle

7. Deadpool & Wolverine

6. The Prestige

5. The Front Runner

4. Prisoners

3. The Fountain

2. Logan

1. Bad Education

What are your favorite Hugh Jackman performances? Let us know!