Best Ryan Gosling movies to watch

Since breaking into Hollywood, via various television shows and TV movies, as well as a stint on The Mickey Mouse Club, Canadian actor Ryan Gosling has become one of the best-loved stars in the industry. This in turn has helped him to grow a loyal fan base and make him a household name.

Gosling’s films have ranged from action blockbusters and romantic dramas, to musicals and comedies, with many of his pictures becoming critical and commercial hits. Some will know Gosling for The Notebook, others for Barbie, but no matter the movie, and no matter the role, the actor continues to impress.

But how well do you know the movies of Ryan Gosling? And more importantly, would you like a run-through of his best films?

Well, you can have one. Below is a spotlight on the best Ryan Gosling movies that you must add to your watchlist.

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Drive (2011)

First up, is the action drama, Drive. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and based on James Sallis’ novel of the same name, Drive casts Ryan Gosling as ‘The Driver’ – an unnamed mechanic who moonlights as a getaway driver.

In the film, Gosling’s ‘Driver’ befriends his neighbour, Irene, and starts to get close to her. But things are interrupted when Irene’s ex-convict husband arrives on the scene and The Driver gets caught up in a botched robbery.

Released in 2011, Drive was both a critical and commercial hit when it arrived in cinemas, taking over $81 million at the box office from a budget of $15 million. The film was nominated for Best Sound Editing at the Academy Awards, while Gosling was praised for his lead performance.

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The Nice Guys (2016)

Up next is the action comedy, The Nice Guys. In this picture, Gosling teams up with Russell Crowe for a fast-paced movie from director and co-writer Shane Black.

In the film, Gosling plays private investigator Holland March, who joins forces with enforcer-for-hire, Jackson Healy. Their mission is to investigate the disappearance of teenager, Amelia Kuttner.

Although The Nice Guys wasn’t a huge box-office hit (it took $62.8 million from a budget of $50 million), it was well received by critics. The film was praised for its script, as well as the screen chemistry between Gosling and Crowe.

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Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

In Blade Runner 2049, Gosling takes on the role of K – a ‘blade runner’ who works for the Los Angeles Police Department. His role is to hunt down and retire rogue replicants (bioengineered humanoids), but on his latest assignment he uncovers a troubling secret.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Blade Runner 2049 is a belated sequel to the 1982 science fiction film, Blade Runner. Alongside Gosling the movie features a cast which includes Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Robin Wright, Dave Bautista, Jared Leto, and Edward James Olmos.

Upon release, Blade Runner 2049 struggled at the box-office, but was a critical hit. The film received positive acclaim and went on to be nominated for multiple accolades, picking up two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects in the process.

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First Man (2018)

Next up, is the biographical drama, First Man. Set during the 1960s, the movie follows the story of world-famous astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and details events leading up to the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. 

Gosling takes on the role of Armstrong in First Man, alongside a cast which includes Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll, and Ciarán Hinds. Damien Chazelle directs.

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Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a romantic comedy about a recently separated man who learns to be more charming. The film features an ensemble cast which includes Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, and Kevin Bacon, with Gosling playing womaniser Jacob Palmer.

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Barbie (2023)

And now onto a movie which requires little in the way of introduction: The fantasy comedy, Barbie. Directed and co-written by Greta Gerwig, and based on the iconic toy line from Mattel, Barbie tells the story of a Barbie doll who travels from Barbieland to the real world on a journey of self discovery.

Gosling takes on the role of Ken in the movie, opposite Margot Robbie as Barbie. The supporting cast includes America Ferrera, Rhea Perlman, Helen Mirran, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, Alexandra Shipp, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Ncuti Gatwa. 

Upon release, Barbie was a critical and commercial smash-hit, becoming one of the biggest successes of 2023 and taking a whopping $1.446 billion at the worldwide box office. Robbie and Gosling were praised for their performances, with Gosling picking up an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In addition, Gosling’s song and dance sequence in the movie (‘I’m Just Ken’) was cited as a particular highlight of the film. The same song would go on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Song, although it ultimately lost out to ‘What Was I Made For’ – another track featured in Barbie.

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The Believer (2001)

While Barbie is one of Gosling’s most iconic films, The Believer is arguably his most important, as the film provided the actor with his breakthrough role. In the movie, Gosling plays the part of Danny Balint – a Jewish man who becomes a neo-Nazi.

Written and directed by Henry Bean, the film is loosely based on the life of Jewish American, Dan Burros. Alongside Gosling, The Believer stars Billy Zane, Theresa Russell, and Summer Phoenix.

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Fracture (2007)

In Fracture, Gosling shares the screen with Sir Anthony Hopkins for a legal crime thriller from director Gregory Hoblit. In the film, Hopkins plays the role of a wealthy man who shoots his unfaithful wife, only to then find himself engaging in a battle of wits with a young assistant district attorney, played by Gosling.

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Blue Valentine (2010)

Up next is the romantic drama, Blue Valentine. In this movie – from director and co-writer Derek Cianfrance – Gosling plays one half of a couple going through the ups and downs of marriage.

Gosling plays the part of Dean Pereira, opposite Michelle Williams as wife, Cindy. The movie drifts back and forth in time to highlight their courtship, as well as the end of their marriage.

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The Notebook (2004)

Onto The Notebook now, another romantic drama, this time from director Nick Cassavetes. For this film, Gosling appears opposite Rachel McAdams in a love story which predominantly takes place during the 1940s. 

Based on the book of the same name by Nicholas Sparks, the movie follows the story of Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton. In the film, the pair meet during their youth and develop a relationship, but various obstacles get in the way, forcing them to experience a turbulent romance.

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The Fall Guy (2024)

Directed by David Leitch, and loosely based on the 1981 Lee Majors television show of the same name, The Fall Guy is an explosive action comedy in which Gosling plays stuntman turned (sort of) bounty hunter, Colt Seavers. In the film, Seavers is hired to track down a Hollywood actor who has gone AWOL, leading to some explosive scenes and plenty of laughs.

Teamed up with Emily Blunt, The Fall Guy is a real hoot with Gosling delivering a superb and hilarious performance. The movie is a daft and likeable blockbuster, with Gosling stealing every scene.

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Half Nelson (2006)

In Half Nelson, Gosling plays Dan Dunne – a middle school history teacher, who has a drug habit. In the film, Dunne befriends one of his students after she catches him taking drugs in the locker room.

Produced on a budget of $700,000, Half Nelson was a hit at the box-office, taking $4 million. The movie also proved to be an excellent platform for Gosling, bagging him a Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards.

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The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

Onto the penultimate movie on this list now, which is reserved for The Place Beyond the Pines – an epic crime drama directed and co-written by Derek Cianfrance. In this movie, Gosling takes on the part of a motorcycle stuntman named Luke Glanton, who finds himself getting into trouble involving bank robberies.

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La La Land (2016)

And finally, onto La La Land – a romantic musical drama in which Gosling co-stars with Emma Stone. He plays a struggling jazz pianist, she plays an aspiring actress, and they both go on a journey of romance while attempting to pursue their dreams.

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, and featuring music composed by Justin Hurwitz, La La Landis a toe tapin’ emotional rollercoaster of a movie. The film features excellent performances from Gosling and Stone, alongside a supporting cast which includes John Legend, J. K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Finn Wittrock.

When La La Land was released in 2016, the movie was a huge critical hit, and a significant award winner too. Amongst its many accolades the film picked up six Academy Awards including Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Score, Best Song, Best Production Design and Best Cinematography.

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Recap

So, those are the best Ryan Gosling movies. Now, to save you the hassle of having to scroll back up, here are the titles of all the movies in one handy list:

• Drive (2011)
• The Nice Guys (2016)
• Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
• First Man (2018)
• Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
• Barbie (2023)
• The Believer (2001)
• Fracture (2007)
• Blue Valentine (2010)
• The Notebook (2004)
• The Fall Guy (2024)
• Half Nelson (2006)
• The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)
• La La Land (2016)

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Editor/writer/film guy

Alex Wiggan

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about the best Ryan Gosling movies on It’s A Stampede!. For more posts, check out the recommended reads below.