Gerard Butler is one of the most popular and recognizable actors of the last two decades, with a filmography that spans genres including comedy, drama, action, and romance. Here, we rank Gerard Butler’s best memorable movies in chronological order.
1 – 300 (2006)
300, directed by Zack Snyder, is based on the Frank Miller graphic novel of the same name. Butler stars as King Leonidas, the King of Sparta who fends off a huge Persian army in a heroic last stand. In the movie, Butler’s character leads 300 men in a heroic last stand against King Xerxes’ overwhelming forces. Butler famously trained for the film by consuming an incredible 5,000 calories a day for five months and spoke out about his experience. His performance earned him an MTV Movie Award for “Best Fight” for the iconic “This Is Sparta!” kick.
2 – P.S. I Love You (2007)
P.S. I Love You is a romantic drama starring Butler as Gerry, an Irish guy living in the United States who passed away from a tragic illness. Before he died, he set out a series of letters to be delivered to his beloved wife Holly (portrayed by Hilary Swank). Each letter contains instructions to help with her grief and encourages her to pursue her dreams. Butler’s performance as the loyal husband earned him a People’s Choice Award for “Favorite On-Screen Match-Up”.
3 – The Ugly Truth (2009)
The Ugly Truth is another romantic comedy directed by Robert Luketic. Butler stars as Mike Chadway, a sexist TV producer who challenges a hot-headed female producer (portrayed by Katherine Heigl) to test a “dating formula”. Butler is hilarious in the role as a womanizing playboy, and his performance earned him a Teen Choice Award for “Choice Movie Actor: Comedy”.
4 – Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Law Abiding Citizen is a thrilling crime movie from 2009 starring Butler as a frustrated man seeking revenge against the legal system after his family is murdered. Butler’s performance as the ultimate antihero garnered several award nominations, including the Empire Award for “Best Actor” and the Scream Award for “Best Male Performance”. He is also known for giving a strong performance opposite Jamie Foxx, who plays the assistant district attorney.
5 – Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
Olympus Has Fallen is an action-thriller featuring an all-star cast, including Butler in the lead as a Secret Service agent who must prevent a terrorist organization from taking over the White House. Butler’s heroic performance provides a great sense of urgency and adrenaline, and his character’s everyman persona resonated with fans, earning him a Saturn Award for “Best Actor”.
6 – Gods of Egypt (2016)
Gods of Egypt is an action-filled fantasy adventure, starring Butler as the god of wisdom, Ra. Butler is memorable in this role as an ageless, powerful deity with a mind of his own. His performance in the movie earned him a Teen Choice Award for “Choice Movie Newcomer.”
7 – Den of Thieves (2018)
Den of Thieves is a crime thriller directed by Christian Gudegast and starring Butler as a conniving thief. He and his crew plan a daring heist of a federal bank but must contend with a police unit led by Gerard Butler’s character. His performance earned him a Teen Choice Award for “Choice Movie Actor: Action/Thriller”.
8 – Angel Has Fallen (2019)
In Angel Has Fallen, Gerard Butler returns as Secret Service agent Mike Banning in a new adventure that pits him against a mysterious assassin. This time, he must prove his innocence as he is framed for an assassination attempt against the president. Butler’s performance was praised and earned him an MTV Movie Award for “Best Hero”.
Gerard Butler has certainly had an impressive career spanning many different genres. From playing a loyal and supportive husband in P.S. I Love You to a badass Secret Service agent in Angel Has Fallen, Butler has left an indelible mark on Hollywood. From dramas to action thrillers, each of these performances show off his acting range and solidify his status as one of the best actors of the last two decades.
