Top 10 Best Chris Evans Performances

“Puncture” (2011)

People often think of Chris Evans for his more mainstream, action-heavy roles. And don’t worry, we’ll be getting to those too. But he also has an impressive back catalog of indie features where he really gets to flex his acting chops. Enter “Puncture,” a biographical drama in which Evans plays lawyer Mike Weiss, who finds himself embroiled in the effort to protect hospital nurses from accidental syringe pricks and the diseases they carry. Simultaneously, Mike struggles with drug addiction and is forced to clean up his personal life if he wants to create long-lasting change. Though the movie itself didn’t earn high marks, Evans was praised for his multilayered performance containing plenty of passion and bravado.

“Not Another Teen Movie” (2001)

Coming out at the beginning of an era of loads of uncreative parody movies, “Not Another Teen Movie” got lost in the shuffle. It’s no “Airplane!,” but some have been revisiting it in recent years if only for Evans’s prime, pre-fame performance. While his character and the overall plot are primarily spoofs of “She’s All That,” Evans’s portrayal of the stereotypical popular jock-turned-heartthrob with a heart of gold feels far-reaching and quintessential. He nails nearly every comedic beat, be they going for dry stoicism or exaggerated melodrama. It was humble beginnings for Evans in his first big movie, but he more than established his funny bone and never looked back.

“Defending Jacob” (2020)

Chris Evans’s acting prowess has largely been restricted to the silver screen, but his post-MCU career has already seen him broaden his horizons in a multitude of ways. Take for instance “Defending Jacob,” a miniseries on Apple TV+, wherein Evans plays a District Attorney who’s thrown for a loop when his fourteen-year-old son is suspected of murder. It’s a heavy series, and certainly something that Evans’s fans may not be accustomed to seeing him in. But he more than holds his own against a slew of powerhouse actors and the emotionally challenging material. We can’t wait to see what creative acting ventures Evans will seek out next.

“Sunshine” (2007)

For those back in 2007 who knew Evans from little more than the “Fantastic Four” movies, “Sunshine” provided an alternative side of his repertoire that proved he was more than just a pretty face. Playing one of many futuristic astronauts on a mission to restart the dying Sun, Evans commands every scene he’s in. While his character can come off as unlikable in his staunch attitude and caustic demeanor, we ultimately come to root for him as he becomes one of the few equipped to handle the ever-escalating situation. He’s not the leading man and “Sunshine” isn’t an action movie per se, but here’s where we were sure he could pull off such a role in the future.

“Gifted” (2017)

There’s something about Chris Evans that just screams complete earnestness in everything he does. Which is partly what made him perfect for a later entry. But he also has a knack for elevating human interest stories far past anyone’s expectations. In “Gifted,” Evans plays Frank, a man who comes into the care of his seven-year-old niece Mary after her mother passes away. What follows is a hard-fought custody battle between Frank and his own mother Evelyn, especially in light of Mary’s mathematical genius. Predictably, “Gifted” is the kind of movie that’ll make you laugh and cry in equal measure, but it’s Evans’s unbeatable chemistry with his young co-star Mckenna Grace that really makes it memorable.

“Fantastic Four” franchise (2005-)

This is the part that put Chris Evans on the map. While the “Fantastic Four” movies he was in - and the ones he wasn’t, come to think of it - weren’t anything to write home about, Evans shined as the literal hothead Johnny Storm. He easily brought the energy and gusto the character required, easily making him the standout and the thing we most look forward to when rewatching them. Evans has stated he wouldn’t be opposed to reprising his role in the MCU. While his other MCU role might make things more than a little confusing, we can’t exactly say no given the proven work he put in with just two feature films.

“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (2010)

Talk about a scene-stealing performance. Especially seeing as Evans is only actually in one scene. But boy, what a scene it is. Combine Evans’s characters in “Snowpiercer” and “Fantastic Four” and you might get something akin to Lucas Lee, an edgy movie star / skateboarder with a big ego. Evans’s cadence and line delivery is way, way over-the-top. But in a movie that excels in being over-the-top, he fits right in. Seriously, we don’t think Chris Evans has ever been funnier. And judging by the amount of continual laughs this scene gives us, it’s hard to imagine him ever topping it. But again, seeing how versatile he can be with absurdist comedy, we know it’s possible.

“Knives Out” (2019)

More than any other movie on this list, “Knives Out” has perhaps the best ensemble cast. With that many heavy-hitters giving top-notch satirical performances, it’s hard for anyone to stand out. But stand out Chris Evans does as the hilariously despicable Ransom. Whether it’s cussing out his entire family or inspiring a whole line of fall fashion, Ransom never fails to make an impression. However what most floored us in this comedic whodunit was the fact that Ransom… well, dunit… sort of, giving us something we hadn’t yet seen: Chris Evans as an outright villain. While Evans will always be remembered for his more heroic turns, it was clear he had fun being dastardly, and we had just as much fun watching.

“Snowpiercer” (2013)

“Snowpiercer” is a movie jam-packed with themes, symbolism and socioeconomic commentary, so you know few characters are gonna come across as one-note and plain. Thankfully, Evans was more than up to the task of portraying a morally complex protagonist with a checkered past. Sure, it was a foregone conclusion that Evans could fit the part of rebellion leader / total badass, but Curtis’s monologue toward the tail end of things really showed that he could handle the kind of emotional nuance needed to tie things up in a wonderfully unsettling way. “Snowpiercer” throws a lot of great curveballs over its two-hour runtime, but one thing we saw coming was how good Evans would be at handling them.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Jake Jensen, “The Losers” (2010)
Chris Evans Really Does Own the Comic Book Movie Scene, Huh?

Colin Shea, “What’s Your Number?” (2011)
Evans Feels Tailor-Made to Play a Lead in a Romcom

Robert “Mr. Freezy” Pronge, “The Iceman” (2012)
An Unhinged Chris Evans Works Surprisingly Well Here

Nick Vaughan, “Before We Go” (2014)
Chris Evans’s Directorial Debut Has a Handful of Memorable Moments

Ryan, “Cellular” (2004)
This Forgotten Action-Thriller Previewed Good Things to Come for Evans

Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008-)

Could it really have been anything else? Even though he’d already played a memorable Marvel character before, Chris Evans’s role as Captain America over the course of eight years cemented his status as a moviestar legend. We were pleasantly surprised with the outcome of “The First Avenger,” but it seemed our affinity for his turn as the star-spangled hero only increased with every outing of his. And that was in direct correlation with his furthered stranglehold on the character. He perfectly embodies the ideals of Steve Rogers to the point that it’s hard to see anyone else in the role. We’re sure his career will continue to branch out for years to come, but these are the movie’s he’ll be forever synonymous with.