Top 10 Michael B. Jordan Performances
#10: Jamal
“Hardball” (2001) It’s truly incredible getting to watch an actor grow and evolve, as we’ve all been able to do over the years with Michael B. Jordan. So when did this actor really first catch our eye on the silver screen? Well, we’d say it was “Hardball”. And considering he was barely in his teens by this point (and that “Hardball” was his first named role in a feature film), that’s really saying a lot. Even in a movie that boasts strong performances all around from its talented young cast, Jordan makes Jamal feel like a character who deserved higher billing. He shows impressive emotional range for his age and, though his arc is a minor one, it showcases his maturity.
#9: Guy Montag
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“Fahrenheit 451” (2018) When given the right material to work with, a talented actor can do truly incredible things. You know what’s an even better marker of a talent, though? When an actor can take a messy misfire of a script and still give audiences a reason to watch—if only just for their performance. There was a lot of buzz when it was announced that HBO was adapting Ray Bradbury’s landmark sci-fi novel, “Fahrenheit 451”. Unfortunately, the underwhelming script, paired with a number of overly safe choices, makes the whole thing just sort of… forgettable. It misses the mark. Despite it being an uphill battle, Jordan nonetheless makes Guy Montag feel relatable, likeable and engaging. We just wish we’d gotten to know him a little better!
#8: Vince Howard
“Friday Night Lights” (2006-11) In the mid to late 2000s, Michael B. Jordan got himself a number of guest starring appearances on shows like “Cold Case.” The show that really made mainstream American audiences fall for him, however, was “Friday Night Lights”. Jordan joined the show as Vince Howard in the fourth and fifth seasons of the successful sports drama. Howard proves a quick learner with a ton of raw talent, quickly becoming a star quarterback. His introduction to the sport, however, showcases just what a tough upbringing he’s had so far. Jordan was given strong material to work with and he makes the most of it at every turn. Whether you’re into football or not, his performance makes this a must-watch.
#7: Cyborg
“Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox” (2013) Michael B. Jordan has played prominent roles in Marvel movies. But did you know that he had a place in the world of DC comics before either of them? In 2013, he lent his voice to the DC hero, Cyborg, in “Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox”. While this animated film was released straight-to-video, many fans will tell you that it’s a favorite of the comic book community. While “The Flashpoint Paradox” is very much Barry Allen’s story, Cyborg plays a significant role. Jordan is doing voice work here, and the amount of emotion and gravitas that he brings makes him a standout. Before “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” this was arguably the deepest portrayal of this character.
#6: Wallace
“The Wire” (2002-08) “Friday Night Lights” was where Jordan conquered network television. Years earlier, however, he broke the hearts of premium cable subscribers on HBO’s “The Wire”. Now… pretty much every actor involved delivers their best work on this hugely influential series. Even so, during his time on the show, Michael B. Jordan brought an unparalleled amount of heart and vulnerability to “The Wire”. He played Wallace, a young, naive, baby-faced drug dealer, who’s eager to please but is ultimately ill-suited for the life and everything it involves. In many ways, he represents innocence itself. Jordan and HBO have certainly had a long and fruitful relationship. His very first TV role was actually all the way back in 1999, when he had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role in “The Sopranos”.
#5: Steve Montgomery
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“Chronicle” (2012) How would a trio of teenage boys behave if they suddenly found themselves in possession of superpowers? Well…watch “Chronicle” and see one possible answer! Now, found footage films aren’t typically associated with great or especially moving performances, but director Josh Trank really hit it out of the park in casting Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell and Michael B Jordan. The latter gets third billing here, but he’s as reliable as ever. Jordan perfectly embodies the charisma and easy charms of his role as Steve Montgomery; he’s one of the popular kids, sure, but his heart is always in the right place. Playing a character this likeable, while also making him compelling, is a tricky balancing act, but Jordan pulls it off with style.
#4: Bryan Stevenson
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“Just Mercy” (2019) Mature, focused, a master of his craft—”Just Mercy” sees Michael B. Jordan fully delivering on his potential as an actor. Though the film was overlooked by both the Oscars and Golden Globes, it features Michael B. Jordan in peak form—and holding his own alongside Jamie Foxx, no less. This legal drama, based on real-life events, stars Jordan as lawyer Bryan Stevenson, a young attorney who, in 1989, fights to prove the innocence of a man wrongfully accused of murder in Alabama. Jordan might be playing a relatively inexperienced lawyer, but his own experience as a performer is on full display. Courtroom dramas put a lot of pressure on performance, but Jordan delivers by fully immersing himself in the role.
#3: Oscar Grant III
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“Fruitvale Station” (2013) Before the release of this film, Michael B. Jordan was still often described as a promising up-and-comer. He was riding high on the attention he’d earned with “Chronicle” and “Friday Night Lights”, but just how high his star would rise remained to be seen. That all changed with “Fruitvale Station”. This biographical drama showcased a completely different side to the actor—a grounded and extremely talented leading man with the skill to carry a film and hold the rapt attention of audiences from start to finish. Based on the tragic true story of the killing of Oscar Grant III, “Fruitvale Station” isn’t an easy watch, but it heralds the arrival of Michael B. Jordan as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
#2: N'Jadaka / Erik "Killmonger" Stevens
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“Black Panther” (2018) It’s no secret that the MCU has consistently had villain issues. For every Zemo or Loki, there’s been two or three fairly cardboard antagonists like Whiplash, Abomination or Malekith. Among the MCU’s most compelling villains, however, is Killmonger. Played with such magnetic appeal by Michael B. Jordan, Erik Stevens is entirely in a malevolent class of his own. His methods place him on the villainous end of the spectrum, sure, but the moral ambiguity of his motivations make him enticingly complex. And Michael B. Jordan manages to convey all of the above while still looking like a badass and holding his own as he throws down with the late, great Chadwick Boseman. Even in a busy film, Jordan absolutely commands attention whenever he’s on screen. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Maurice “Bumps” Wilson, “Red Tails” (2012) A Solid, Understated Performance in a Supporting Role Johnny Storm, “Fantastic Four” (2015) Jordan’s Johnny Storm Was Fire, Though the Movie Wasn’t Mikey, “That Awkward Moment” (2014) Proving He Can Shine in a Rom-Com
#1: Adonis “Donnie” Creed
“Creed” (2015) Spinoffs are rarely good. Need we talk about “MIB: International''? They always risk seeming like hollow cash grabs, but “Creed” proved to be the breath of fresh air that, honestly, we didn’t think the “Rocky” franchise still had in it. Like Stallone before him, Michael B. Jordan is the beating heart of this boxing franchise. Adonis is the son of the late Apollo Creed, and his relationship with Rocky adds a wonderful mentor-pupil relationship to the narrative. But ultimately, this remains the story of Adonis Creed, and Michael B. Jordan owns that responsibility in every way. It was a pleasure seeing this strong-willed but vulnerable character grow in “Creed II” and we can’t wait to see where Jordan might take the character next.
