Zac Efron is more than Troy Bolton high school musical. It was the Disney Channel movie series that catapulted him to fame, but he’s since established himself, starring in serious dramas, action movies, and even the occasional non-Disney musical.
The 22 best Zac Efron movies below show that this stunning actor has a lot more to offer than just dancing around with a basketball in hand. These are the 22 best Zac Efron movies you should watch and how to watch them now.
1. Greatest Showman (2017)
Where to watch: Disney+
Telling the story of Hugh Jackman’s P.T. Barnum and his circus is an odd premise for a live-action musical, but it turned out to be the perfect movie to feature Zac Efron. Diverse Circus As one of the leaders of his group, Efron shows how much his acting has progressed since his teenage years.
His story and his chemistry with Zendaya is moving and wonderful, and his singing and dancing is at its peak. When it comes to discovering Zac Efron’s true triple-threat potential, no other film has demonstrated his genius more than this one.
2. Hairspray (2007)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
Set in the 1960s, this adaptation of the classic Broadway musical is a memorable one. One of the best musical movies to be released in the 21st century, this movie showed Zac Efron’s singing and dancing talents beyond Disney. It also helps that the characters, stories and messages are great.
3. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
Where to watch: Disney+
The grand finale of the musical high school movie trilogy is the most gorgeous of them all. It pulls in far better movies, songs, and character beats across the board, and what really shines is giving Zac Efron’s Troy the series’ best character arc and moment. His “Scream” performance is still one of the best scenes in the trilogy.
4. High School Musical 2 (2007)
Where to watch: Disney+
The sequel to the classic Disney Channel movie advances in just about every way. The visuals are made even more intriguing by the outdoor resort location, with Zac Efron finally lending his voice to Troy’s song, along with some of the best music in the series. It’s a shame that the music is so heavily edited that it falls just short of the best of the series.
5. Extremely Evil, Shockingly Evil, and Despicable (2019)
Where to watch: Netflix
If you want the best performance of Zac Efron’s career, look no further than this disturbing Netflix take on the story of serial killer Ted Bundy. It’s hauntingly dark at times, but there’s never a moment when Efron isn’t fully committed to this terrifying role.
6. High School Musical (2006)
Where to watch: Disney+
It all started with Zac Efron playing high school basketball star Troy Bolton who was suddenly thrown into the drama club. Efron doesn’t sing his own songs in this movie, but still, this movie is a tried and true classic.
7.17 Again (2009)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
Zac Efron is already great playing a young Matthew Perry, but this is a classic time-travel movie about a man getting a second chance to decide his future. There’s nothing special about the story, but it’s still a fun watch for the whole family.
8. Neighbors (2014)
Where to See: Max
It’s a hilarious classic comedy that pits Seth Rogen against Zac Efron and shows how funny the latter can be. The two go head-to-head as Rogen battles Efron and his college friends, who are causing chaos as neighbors.
9. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (2012)
Where to watch: Netflix
It’s a little weaker than other animated movies from Dr. Seuss’ books, but it’s still a decent watch with great songs and fun characters. Efron’s character is a little more bland, but the titular Lorax and other characters make up for the difference.
10. Scoob! (2020)
Where to See: Max
This animated 3D movie follows a mysterious gang as Scooby-Doo and his team attempt to thwart a global conspiracy to summon Cerberus into the world. The animation is okay, the script is okay, but there’s nothing too surprising about this big-budget adaptation.
11. Neighbors 2: Sorority Club Rising (2016)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
A sequel to the adult comedy starring Seth Rogen and Zac Efron, the sequel is just as hilarious and nasty as the original. However, it’s lost its edge because it’s too similar to the first film, and there’s a reason a sequel isn’t made.
12. Beach Bum (2019)
Where to See: Max
This adult comedy has a great cast of characters that do a good job of selling these over-the-top silly characters. It’s a pity that the storyline is so-so, but the only thing worth watching is that Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Efron and others are together on screen.
13. Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
The premise of this romantic drama film is heartwarming. Even though Efron lost his younger brother, he plays an older brother whom he can see for an hour every day. Their bond is great and Efron sells the film, but unfortunately the script doesn’t live up to his acting.
14. At Any Price (2012)
Where to watch: Hulu
Dennis Quaid plays a farmer father who wants his son, played by Efron, to follow in his footsteps. Of course, Efron only wants to fulfill his dream of becoming a race car driver. This leads to clashes between casts and over-dramatic performances, sometimes mixed together.
15. Parkland (2013)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
This ensemble film follows various characters and their actions during and after the tragic JFK assassination. Unfortunately, with too many casts, the script isn’t strong enough to support the weight of its impressive premise.
16. Paper Boy (2012)
Places to see: Peacocks
With a strong cast of Efron, Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman and more, you might think this 1960s-set crime thriller would be even better, but it’s not. The actors are fully committed to their roles, but the writing and directing overwhelmingly let them down.
17. We Are Your Friends (2015)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
Efron plays a DJ who wants to make it in Hollywood and seizes the chance, but falls in love with the guru’s daughter and begins to fumble. The chemistry is great and the acting is pretty good, but everything else is as bland as this story is.
18. Mike and Dave Need a Wedding Date (2016)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza are fun companions to the stars of Zac Efron and Adam Devine in this comedy. But other than that, there’s nothing in the script that’s interesting or too funny to make this movie worth watching.
19. An Awkward Moment (2014)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
This trio of brothers, which includes Efron and the wonderful Michael B. Jordan, isn’t bad, but the acting isn’t the best of these stars, and the script certainly doesn’t give them any work. It’s just a little funny sometimes. This is one of his fellow movies that you can safely skip.
20. Lucky One (2012)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
This Nicholas Sparks movie isn’t as basic and amazing as it’s ever been. Efron plays a soldier who returns home to find the girl in the photograph that saved him abroad. But other than that, it’s as bland a romance as ever.
21. Baywatch (2017)
Spot of Interest: Paramount+
Zac Efron stars alongside other greats like Dwayne Johnson, Priyanka Chopra-Jones, and more in this ridiculous remake of the classic series. But this movie is nothing more than an eye-candy, over-the-top mess.
22. Dirty Grandpa (2016)
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Efron’s Jason finds himself in trouble trying to marry a controlling woman just to get a better job when his grandfather, played by Robert De Niro, arrives. The chemistry between the two is outstanding, and although there are some solid laughs here and there, there isn’t much else.
