Here is a detailed look at Channing Tatum’s movies, ranked from worst to best. Tatum has become a reliable box office draw thanks to his striking looks, dancing prowess, and comedic talent. Tatum’s acting career has almost exclusively been on the big screen and his fame and notoriety soared in the 2010s when he began to take on leading comedy roles. Tatum’s latest movie, The Lost City, is a box office success and has once again proven his ability to get laughs and surpass expectations.
Channing Matthew Tatum was born on April 26th, 1980 in Cullman, Alabama. Before entering the entertainment industry, Tatum worked odd jobs, including as a roofer and then as a stripper at a Tampa nightclub, which years later inspired Magic Mike. In 2000, Tatum had a small role in the music video for Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” and then went on to model for the likes of Armani, and appear in TV commercials for Pepsi and Mountain Dew. It wasn’t until 2005 that Tatum made his first movie appearance as a high school basketball player for the Richmond Oilers in Coach Carter.
Tatum is one of Hollywood’s tried and tested stars, with a body of work that spans almost every genre, with the exception of live-action superhero movies. Tatum could play Gambit, a member of the X-Men who he is keen to play, but plans for a movie were canceled by Disney following their acquisition of 21st Century Fox. While Gambit may still be in his future, here is a look at every movie that Tatum has appeared in so far, ranked from worst to best.
43. Supercross: The Movie (2005)
Supercross: The Movie is a sports film directed by Steve Boyum. Two brothers follow different paths in their supercross careers, as K.C. Carlyle (played by Steve Howey) sells out to join a rich team to race alongside Tatum’s Rowdy Sparks, while Trip Carlyle (played by Mike Vogel) is left behind. Supercross: The Movie has some good stunts but it is a predictable sports story that isn’t accessible for those who don’t know much about bike racing.
42. The Dilemma (2011)
The Dilemma is a comedy directed by the usually successful Ron Howard. It stars Vince Vaughn and Kevin James as two businessmen, Ronny and Nick, who try to run a successful business while maintaining their relationships. Tatum plays Zip, the handsome heartthrob who kisses Ronny’s wife. While Tatum is fine in his supporting role, the movie falls short in balancing slapstick humor with dramatic elements.
41. The Son Of No One (2011)
The Son Of No One is a crime thriller directed by Dito Montiel that boasts a strong cast, including Al Pacino and Ray Liotta. Tatum plays the lead character, Jonathan White, a rookie police officer whose career is on the line when an anonymous caller threatens to expose his dark past. Tatum is a frequent collaborator with Montiel, but the contrived storyline of The Son Of No One makes it one of his most forgettable movies.
40. Jupiter Ascending (2015)
Jupiter Ascending is a space opera written and directed by The Wachowskis, known for their genre-defining Matrix franchise. Tatum stars a Caine Wise, a genetically engineered warrior who arrives on Earth to find Jupiter Jones (played by Mila Kunis), a cleaner who is entitled to an intergalactic inheritance. With an estimated budget of over $200 million, it is one of Tatum’s most expensive movies, but also one of his biggest flops having made a loss of around $16 million. That said, plenty of people put Jupiter Ascending in the “so bad it’s good” category that may yet become a cult classic.
39. America: The Motion Picture (2021)
America: The Motion Picture is an R-rated animated comedy directed by Matt Thompson. Set in 1776, it parodies the American revolution as George Washington (voiced by Tatum) leads his troops into battle with the British. America: The Motion Picture relies heavily on aggressive American patriotism, irony, and shocking moments but fails to recapture the magic of similar films like Team America: World Police.
38. Fighting (2009)
Fighting is a sports movie directed by Dito Montiel. Tatum stars as Shawn MacArthur, a down on his luck New Yorker who is a gifted fighter. He puts his talent to good use in underground bare-knuckle fighting contests, where he faces off with professional boxers and martial arts specialists. Fighting is a generic sports film, where Tatum’s underdog predictably rises through the ranks, but Tatum’s commitment to the role and natural charisma makes it an enjoyable watch.
37. G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is an action movie directed by Jon M. Chu, inspired by the Hasbro toy line. Following on from the events of the first movie, Zartan frames the G.I. Joe team to make the world think they are terrorists, leading to the death of Tatum’s G.I. Joe, Duke after a targeted airstrike. The high octane action of G.I. Joe: Retaliation is muddied by the convoluted storyline, which is harder to follow than it needs to be.
36. G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra (2009)
G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra is an action movie directed by Stephen Sommers. Tatum stars as the G.I. Joe’s latest recruit, Duke, who joins the special operatives team to take down a criminal firearm dealing organization. Tatum has since revealed he hates the film and he was pushed into doing it to fulfill a contract he has signed with Paramount. Critics largely agree with him, with long-time fans of the franchise were particularly upset with how the movie handled G.I. Joe’s history, a trend that continued with the major changes to Snake Eyes’ origin in 2021’s Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins.
35. 10 Years (2011)
10 Years is a romantic comedy directed by Jamie Linden. Tatums stars in a stacked ensemble cast featuring Oscar Isaac, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Anthony Mackie, and Rosario Dawson, who play former high school friends who reunite a decade after graduating. 10 Years has all the characters you would expect from a reunion film, including the ones who can’t move on from their teenage romances. The movie has moments that are easy to relate to but it is full of predictable clichés. Still, the clear talent on display makes it a charming watch, even if predictable.
34. The Eagle (2011)
The Eagle is a historical drama directed by Kevin Macdonald, based on Rosemary Sutcliff’s novel The Eagle of the Ninth. Tatum plays Marcus Flavius Aquila, a Roman officer who is on a mission to reclaim the lost eagle ornament of his father’s slain legion. The Eagle is hindered by slow pacing and less action than what might be expected from an epic historical movie, like Ridley Scott’s Gladiator.
33. Havoc (2005)
Havoc is a crime drama directed by Barbara Kopple. The movie stars Anne Hathaway as Allison Lang, a wealthy LA teen who gets caught up in the criminal world. Havoc is one of Tatum’s earliest movies and as such, he plays a small supporting role as a gang member, but a young Anne Hathaway puts in a star-worthy performance.
32. Step Up 2: The Streets (2008)
Step Up 2: The Streets is a dance movie directed by Jon M. Chu. The story focuses on street dancer Andie West (played by Briana Evigan) who gets a spot at the exclusive Maryland School of the Arts. Tatum, who starred in the first Step Up, has a much smaller role as Tyler Gage in the sequel as the franchise shifts attention to younger dancers. While Step Up 2: The Streets is one of the better dance battle movies, the formulaic plot and mediocre acting let it down.
31. Dear John (2010)
Dear John is a romantic drama directed by Lasse Hallström, based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. Tatum plays John Tyree, a soldier who falls for college student Savannah Curtis (played by Amanda Seyfriend). Dear John has been criticized for its contrived storyline but it’s undoubtedly a tearjerker, which performed well at the box office despite facing competition from Avatar and Shutter Island.
30. Stop-Loss (2008)
Stop-Loss is a war drama directed by Kimberly Peirce. The movie is a criticism of the U.S. military’s stop-loss policy, which allows them to extend the contract of soldiers who have already fulfilled their service. Tatum plays a supporting role as an army veteran next to Big Sky‘s Ryan Phillippe. Stop-Loss has been praised for tackling the subject matter, but it is hampered by one-dimensional military characters.
29. The Vow (2012)
The Vow is a romantic drama directed by Michael Sucsy. Tatum stars alongside Rachel McAdams as a newlywed couple, Leo and Paige, whose lives are changed after a car crash. Released on the week of Valentine’s Day, The Vow is carried by the chemistry between Tatum and McAdams, rather than the story itself. Still, it was a financial success that was well received by general audiences.
28. White House Down (2013)
White House Down is an action movie directed by Roland Emmerich. Tatum co-stars as John Cale, an army veteran whose vacation to Washington D.C. takes a turn when the President (played by Jamie Foxx) is targetted by terrorists. Inspired by Die Hard, White House Down is an explosive movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously but is overblown at 131 minutes long. Although plans for White House Down 2 have been canceled, Emmerich continues to make disaster films, like 2022’s Moonfall.
27. Battle In Seattle (2007)
Battle In Seattle is a political action movie directed by Stuart Townsend. It is a loose retelling of the 1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle, where thousands gathered to condemn the WTO’s role in making the rich richer. Tatum has a supporting role as a riot control officer who attempts to stop the peaceful protest from turning into a major riot. Similar to Stop-Loss, Battle In Seattle was praised for its handling of a political topic, but the movie was held back by a lack of character development despite its impressive cast that included Woody Harrelson, who most recently starred as Carnage in Venom 2.
26. Haywire (2011)
Haywire is an action-spy movie directed by Steven Soderbergh. It follows Mallory Kane (played by Gina Carano), a black-ops specialist who was betrayed by her employer. Tatum plays Aaron, a fellow operative who is sent to kill Mallory. The fast-paced action is slowed down by the number of twists and turns that Haywire takes, but it is a slickly produced film by the reliable Soderbergh.
25. Magic Mike XXL (2015)
Magic Mike XXL is an R-rated comedy-drama directed by Gregory Jacobs, which picks up three years after the events of the original movie. Tatum, who also co-produces, reprises his leading role as Michael “Magic Mike” Lane, a retired stripper who misses his old life and friends. The sequel is less grounded than Magic Mike but it is still entertaining with its wild comedy spots. Shot in just 28 days, Magic Mike XXL was clearly a lot of fun to be in, with Tatum putting in a natural performance that proved he is capable of being the face of a successful franchise.
24. Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is an R-rated spy action-comedy directed by Matthew Vaughn and the sequel to 2015’s Kingsman: The Secret Service. Tatum co-stars as Tequila, an American Statesmen agent who is initially skeptical of Eggsy (played by Taron Egerton) and Merlin (played by Mark Strong), which leads to an awesome whiskey distillery brawl. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for Tequila, who is puzzlingly sidelined for the rest of the movie. Kingsman: The Golden Circle is messier than the first Kingsman movie, with plot holes that even a Kingsman 2 cameo from Elton John couldn’t quite redeem. It was a box office success, though that was mainly due to the popularity of its predecessor.
Smallfoot is an animated comedy directed by Karey Kirkpatrick and produced by the Warner Animation Group. Tatum voices Migo, a young yeti who spots a real-life “smallfoot,” the name yetis call humans, who they believe are mythical creatures. Smallfoot‘s clever premise leads to several funny moments, and although they might not be Encanto levels of catchy, there are a few great songs, too.
22. The Book Of Life (2014)
The Book Of Life is an animated fantasy movie directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez. A bullfighter, Manolo Sánchez (voiced by Diego Luna), is caught up in a love triangle alongside childhood friend Joaquin (voiced by Tatum), the outcome of which is subject to bets between gods. Although not as popular as Pixar’s rival Mexico-based movie, Coco, The Book Of Life‘s animation style is a refreshing change from the industry norm.
21. Public Enemies (2009)
Public Enemies is a neo-noir crime movie directed by Michael Mann and based on Bryan Burrough’s non-fiction book of the same name. Tatum has a small role as the infamous American bank robber Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, with most of the movie focused on the hunt for fellow thief John Dillinger (played by Johnny Depp). Public Enemies makes good use of its ensemble cast and builds to a satisfying conclusion, but its preference for entertainment over historical accuracy was criticized by some at the time of its release.
20. Don Jon (2013)
Don Jon is a romantic comedy directed by and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The Dark Knight Rises actor plays Jon Martello Jr., a porn addict who finally establishes a connection with a woman, Barbara Sugarman (played by Scarlett Johansson), but struggles to let go of his addiction. Tatum has a brief cameo alongside Anne Hathaway, as the two play the stars of a movie that Martello and Sugarman go on a date to see. His few seconds on the screen do not have much bearing on the plot, but it’s a fun moment that Tatum enjoyed, having previously acted next to Gordon-Levitt in Stop-Loss, G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra, and Havoc.
19. Dog (2022)
Dog is a 2022 comedy road trip directed by Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin. Tatum stars as Jackson Briggs, an Army Ranger dealing with PTSD, who is tasked with escorting a fallen squadmate’s rowdy dog to his funeral. The meaning of Dog‘s ending is unsurprisingly heartwarming and, overall, the movie marks a promising directorial debut for Tatum.
18. Step Up (2006)
Step Up is a dance drama directed by Anne Fletcher. In his breakthrough role, Tatum stars as Tyler Gage, a young offender who is sentenced to clean the Maryland School of the Arts as part of his community service. While cleaning, Gage’s hip-hop dancing talent is spotted by Nora (played by Jenna Dewan). Step Up is synonymous with Tatum, and although the storyline is not the most original, it is well-loved by audiences thanks to its entertaining dance sequences and Tatum’s performance.
17. She’s The Man (2006)
She’s The Man is a teen comedy directed by Andy Fickman. The movie, like fellow teen rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You, is based on Shakespeare. She’s The Man retells Twelfth Night, as Viola Hastings (played by Amanda Bynes) disguises herself as her twin brother to take his place at school and to play on the boys’ soccer team. Tatum plays Duke Orsino, the soccer captain, who gets caught up in a love triangle with Viola and Olivia Lennox, a popular student. Released in the same year as Step Up, Channing Tatum won the Teen Choice Award for Breakout Actor for his role in She’s The Man.
16. This Is The End (2013)
This Is The End is an apocalypse comedy directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and was inspired by the short film Jay And Seth Vs The Apocalypse. The star-studded cast members play fictionalized versions of themselves as the world ends. Proving that he is a good sport, Tatum finds himself as Danny McBride’s well-trained sex slave in the movie’s most hilarious scenes thanks to its absurdity. It’s not necessarily the best of either Rogen’s or Tatum’s comedies, but it’s developed a cult classic following for a reason.
15. Side Effects (2014)
Side Effects is a psychological thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, Tatum’s longtime director partner. Emily Taylor (played by Rooney Mara) is prescribed experimental drugs after a failed suicide attempt, which occurred following her husband’s (played by Tatum) jail release. Side Effects is a disturbing tale about the pharmaceutical industry, with unexpected turns that still fit the narrative.
14. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
Mike Mitchell’s The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is an animated adventure, based on the LEGO construction toys. Emmet (played by Chris Pratt) returns to try and stop the impending “Armamageddon.” Tatum reprises his supporting role as Superman, who is brainwashed by the shape-shifting villain Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi. Despite The Lego Movie 2‘s slow opening weekend, it did end up making $468 million from a $65 million budget. Still, the ambitious sequel doesn’t match the original, but The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is packed full of jokes for kids and parents alike, and it has more catchy songs.
13. A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints is a drama directed by Dito Montiel, based on his own memoir of the same name. The movie is split between 2005 and 1986, with Robert Downey Jr. and Shia LaBeouf starring as an older and younger version of Dito Montiel. Tatum plays a younger version of Antonio, Dito’s unstable friend who gets involved in gang violence. A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints is a gritty story that is elevated by its stars, particularly Robert Downey Jr who joined Marvel a few years later.
12. Magic Mike (2012)
Magic Mike is a comedy-drama directed by Steven Soderbergh. Inspired by Tatum’s own life, having been a stripper in Florida at age 18, Tatum stars as Michael “Magic Mike” Lane who mentors the new Xquisite crew member Adam (played by Alex Pettyfer). The plot is pretty basic, but Magic Mike is made to be entertaining rather than change cinema. Tatum’s authentic performance draws praise, but Matthew McConaughey, who plays Mike’s boss, steals the movie. Between the cast, there’s a lot of charisma to go around.
11. Coach Carter (2005)
Coach Carter is a biographical sports drama directed by Thomas Carter, based on the true story of Coach Ken Carter. Samuel L. Jackson stars as the titular basketball coach, whose ruthless attitude toward his team’s high school grades lead to him suspending players from the team. Tatum makes his movie debut in a supporting role as one of the players on the Richmond Oilers squad. Although Coach Carter follows the standard sports movie template, it is elevated by Jackson’s performance and the tonally perfect recital of Marianne Williamson’s poem “Our Deepest Fear.”
10. The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
Chris McKay directs the animated superhero adventure The Lego Batman Movie. The Lego Dark Knight goes toe to toe with the Joker (voiced by Zach Galifinakis) in Gotham. Tatum voices a supporting role as Superman, whose finest moment comes when he has to explain to Batman why he wasn’t invited to the 57th Annual Justice League party. The Lego Batman Movie at times is like a parody of classic Batman movies, but it is a nice change from the dark and serious iterations of the Caped Crusader since Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Batman trilogy.
9. Hail, Caesar! (2016)
Musical comedy caper Hail, Caesar! is written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The fictional retelling of the Hollywood movie industry in the 1950s focuses on Eddie Mannix (played by Josh Brolin), a fixer who covers up career-ending news stories before they are leaked. Tatum plays Burt Gurney, the singing and dancing movie star who hires Mannix. Hail, Caesar!‘s cast includes the likes of Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Ralph Fiennes, and Tatum does not feel out of place in a way that he may have 10 years prior. The movie didn’t live up to the heights of other Coen brother movies, but it features fantastic acting from the entire cast, with Tatum’s song-and-dance number stealing the second act.
8. The Lost City (2022)
Brothers Adam and Aaron Nee directed the adventure rom-com The Lost City in just their third feature film. Loretta Sage (played by Sandra Bullock) is an author who gets kidnapped by the megalomaniac Abigail Fairfax (played by Daniel Radcliffe) to help him uncover the long-lost fictional city she writes about in her latest novel. Tatum plays the unlikely hero, Alan, the dim-but-plucky cover model of Loretta’s books. The Nee brothers borrow plot elements from Robert Zemeckis’ Romancing the Stone, and while it doesn’t quite match it, The Lost City is a self-aware, entertaining watch.
7. The Hateful Eight (2015)
The Hateful Eight is arguably Quentin Tarantino’s most controversial Western. Set after the U.S. Civil War, eight strangers take refuge from a blizzard at the same lodge, but not all of them make it out. Tatum plays Jody Domergue, leader of a gang of outlaws who is determined to save his sister from “The Hangman” (played by Kurt Russell) but ends up as The Hateful Eight‘s quickest death. The Hateful Eight may not live up to Tarantino’s other movies, but it is still an intense, gun-fueled story, lifted by the director’s sharp dialogue.
6. Foxcatcher (2014)
Foxcatcher is a biographical sports movie directed by Bennett Miller. Steve Carrell stars as John du Pont, who, in 1988, recruited gold medalists Mark and Dave Schultz (played by Tatum and Mark Ruffalo) to form an Olympic wrestling team. Foxcatcher is an intense slow-burner, with the lead actors praised for their performances, particularly Carrell, who is better known for his comedy work. Despite making a $5 million loss, Foxcatcher gained wide praise and was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay.
5. Free Guy (2021)
The first team-up between Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds, Free Guy is a delightfully fun action-comedy movie. It follows Guy (Reynolds), a resident of the virtual Free City who figures out that he is a non-player character in a video game. Tatum’s Free Guy cameo sees him play Revenjamin Buttons, the online avatar of a nerdy 22-year-old who holds incriminating evidence about the origins of the video game. Free Guy is a classic Ryan Reynolds comedy movie, with a sweet-natured appeal that helped it win the People’s Choice Award for Comedy Movie of 2021. Though Tatum is only in two extended scenes, the manic energy he brings to his bizarre character is laugh-out-loud funny.
4. 22 Jump Street (2014)
Tatum reprises his role as Greg Jenko, alongside Jonah Hill’s Morton Schmidt, Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s 22 Jump Street. After their previous success in 21 Jump Street, the pair go undercover as college students to infiltrate a drug-dealing ring. 22 Jump Street‘s greatest strength is the chemistry between Tatum and Hill, and their comedic timing. It is easily one of Tatum’s funniest performances with so many meme-able quotes and moments. 22 Jump Street looked set to be the end of the franchise, but Tatum and Hill could return in a Men In Black/Jump Street Crossover.
3. Logan Lucky (2017)
Heist comedy Logan Lucky is directed by who else but Steven Soderbergh. Tatum stars as Jimmy Logan, a recently fired construction crew member at the Charlotte Motor Speedway who, alongside his brother and sister, plans to rob the speedway as payback. Logan Lucky benefits from Soderbergh’s experience of directing the Ocean’s heist series and a committed cast that throws themselves into their respective roles. Daniel Craig’s performance as Joe Bang, the unpredictable safecracker, is the most memorable and a stark contrast to his role as James Bond. Even though he’s the straight man in this movie, however, Tatum’s Jimmy is the heart of the movie and holds it all together.
2. The Lego Movie (2014)
The first Lego movie from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, The Lego Movie is a fantastic animated adventure. Based in a fictional world, the movie centers on Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt, who will also voice Mario), a seemingly plain and ordinary figure who helps to save the world from the evil Lord Business (voiced by Will Ferrell). Tatum plays the role of Superman, who first appears at the Master Builder conference trying to avoid Green Lantern (voiced by his Jump Street co-star, Jonah Hill). The Lego Movie is the best film in the Lego franchise and also one of Tatum’s best films. Although he doesn’t have a starring role, Tatum’s appearance as Superman is memorable in a film full of jokes and creative uses of Lego functionality.
1. 21 Jump Street (2012)
Just like Soderberg, Lord and Miller reteam with Tatum as regular collaborators in action-comedy 21 Jump Street. The movie is a modern reboot of the 21 Jump Street TV show starring Johnny Depp. Tatum co-stars with Jonah Hill as Greg Jenko and Morton Schmidt, two cops who go undercover at a high school to investigate a new drug. 21 Jump Street relies almost entirely on its two co-stars, and while Hill was already a proven comedic actor there were question marks around Tatum. Thankfully, he proved how capable he is in funny roles as he not only held his own opposite Hill, but arguably surpassed him in comedic timing. 21 Jump Street‘s fresh task on the typical teen movie and buddy cop tropes, exciting spots, and memorable quotes make it Channing Tatum’s best movie to date.