John Cena’s Best Roles

John Cena first became a household name as a superstar in the world of professional wrestling. His charisma and larger-than-life personality made him a fan favorite for years, and it was only a matter of time before Hollywood took notice. His transition from the wrestling ring to the movie set was a gradual one, but he quickly proved he had the talent and dedication to make a real impact in the film industry.

Over the years, he has built an impressive and surprisingly diverse acting resume. He started with action roles that capitalized on his impressive physique but soon branched out to show his comedic timing and even his dramatic range. From big-budget blockbusters to heartfelt animated features, he has consistently chosen interesting projects that allow him to explore different facets of his abilities as a performer, winning over audiences and critics along the way.

‘The Marine’ (2006)

In one of his first leading movie roles, John Cena plays John Triton, a Marine who is honorably discharged from service. When he returns home, his wife is kidnapped by a group of diamond thieves, and he must use all of his military training to track them down and rescue her. The film was produced by the film division of the professional wrestling company he was famously a part of, and it was designed to launch his career as an action star.

The movie puts his physical abilities on full display with numerous action sequences and stunts. He performs many of his own stunts, bringing a level of authenticity to the hand-to-hand combat and chase scenes. The story is a straightforward action-thriller narrative that served as a vehicle to introduce him to a broader movie-going audience outside of his established wrestling fanbase.

‘Playing with Fire’ (2019)

John Cena stars as Superintendent Jake “Supe” Carson, a stoic and dedicated smokejumper. His highly structured life gets turned upside down when he and his elite team rescue three siblings from a fire but are unable to locate their parents. Due to safe-haven laws, the firefighters are forced to watch over the unruly kids at their depot.

The film is a family comedy that showcases his comedic talents, particularly in physical comedy. He is joined by a cast of other comedic actors who play his fellow firefighters. The story revolves around the chaos the children bring into the disciplined lives of the smokejumpers and the bond that forms between the tough firefighter and the three kids he must care for.

‘F9’ (2021)

In this installment of the popular action franchise, John Cena is introduced as Jakob Toretto. His character is the estranged brother of the main protagonists, Dominic and Mia Toretto, and he serves as one of the primary antagonists. Jakob is a master thief, assassin, and high-performance driver who holds a personal vendetta against his brother.

His character’s backstory is explored throughout the film, revealing the family conflict that led to his separation from his siblings. He works alongside a cyberterrorist to enact a plan that threatens the entire world. The role required him to engage in the series’ signature elaborate action sequences, including intense fight scenes with other characters and complex driving stunts.

‘Fast X’ (2023)

John Cena reprises his role as Jakob Toretto, but this time his character’s allegiance has shifted. He is no longer an antagonist and instead joins forces with his brother Dominic to protect his family from a new threat. This new villain is seeking revenge against Dom and everyone he cares about, making Jakob a crucial ally in the fight.

In this film, Jakob’s primary mission is to protect his nephew, little Brian, from harm. This storyline allows the character to show a more protective and caring side, moving away from his previous villainous persona. He is featured in several key action sequences, often using customized, gadget-filled vehicles to fend off their pursuers and ensure his nephew’s safety.

‘Daddy’s Home 2’ (2017)

He returns in a more prominent role as Roger, the intimidating biological father of Adrianna. In this sequel, the blended family of Dusty and Brad decide to have a joint Christmas, but their plans are complicated by the arrival of their own fathers. His character shows up to challenge Dusty’s position as the “cool” dad.

His character serves as a comedic rival to the other fathers in the film. He is portrayed as an even tougher and more macho figure than Mark Wahlberg’s character, creating a new layer of paternal conflict and competition. Most of his scenes involve him one-upping the other dads and displaying his own unique, and often extreme, parenting style.

‘Sisters’ (2015)

In this comedy, he has a memorable supporting role as a stoic drug dealer named Pazuzu. The film centers on two adult sisters who decide to throw one last epic house party before their parents sell their childhood home. His character is the one they go to in order to procure drugs for the party.

His performance was widely noted for its deadpan humor and for playing against the tough-guy type he was known for at the time. Despite the absurdity of the situations, his character remains completely serious, which adds to the comedy of his scenes. He delivers some of the movie’s most quoted lines with a straight face, making his small part a standout moment.

‘The Wall’ (2017)

This film is a psychological thriller set during the Iraq War, and it features a very small cast. John Cena plays Staff Sergeant Shane Matthews, an American sniper who is pinned down with his spotter by an unseen Iraqi sniper. The movie focuses on the intense and suspenseful standoff between the two sides.

His character is critically injured early in the film, which shifts the focus to his partner. However, he remains a key part of the narrative through radio communication. The role was a departure from his usual action and comedy work, allowing him to take on a more serious and dramatic performance in a tense, character-driven story.

‘Trainwreck’ (2015)

He plays Steven, one of the boyfriends of the main character, Amy, a commitment-phobic magazine writer. His character is a fitness-obsessed and sensitive guy whose relationship with Amy ends because she can’t commit. He appears in some of the film’s most memorable and funny scenes.

His performance was a breakout moment that showcased his comedic abilities to a wide audience. One particular scene involving a dirty talk argument in a movie theater was highlighted by critics and audiences as a comedic high point. This role helped to open the door for him to take on more leading roles in comedy films.

‘Blockers’ (2018)

In this comedy, he plays Mitchell, one of three overprotective parents who discover their daughters have made a pact to lose their virginity on prom night. He teams up with the other two parents to try and stop their kids before it’s too late, leading to a series of chaotic and hilarious misadventures.

The character is portrayed as a sentimental and emotional father, which contrasts humorously with his muscular physique. The film explores themes of parenting, growing up, and letting go. His performance was praised for its comedic timing and for the genuine heart he brought to the role of a dad struggling to accept that his daughter is growing up.

‘Vacation Friends’ (2021)

He stars as Ron, an exuberant and thrill-seeking man who enjoys a wild, week-long vacation in Mexico with his girlfriend. They befriend a much more reserved and cautious couple, Marcus and Emily. Ron’s carefree and boundary-free personality clashes with Marcus’s uptight nature, leading to many comedic situations.

After the vacation ends, Ron and his girlfriend show up uninvited to the other couple’s wedding, bringing their chaotic energy with them. The film’s humor comes from the culture clash between the two couples and the escalating series of disasters that Ron’s well-meaning but reckless behavior causes. The movie was successful enough to spawn a sequel where he reprised his role.

‘Ricky Stanicky’ (2024)

John Cena takes on the title role of “Ricky Stanicky,” an imaginary friend invented by three lifelong buddies to have an excuse for their immature behavior. When their partners demand to meet Ricky, they hire a washed-up actor and celebrity impersonator to bring their fictional friend to life.

He portrays the hired actor, Rod, who fully immerses himself in the over-the-top persona of Ricky Stanicky. His character’s outrageous and unpredictable behavior creates chaos for the three friends who hired him. The role allows him to lean heavily into his comedic skills, blending physical comedy with outlandish character work as he tries to maintain the elaborate deception.

‘Ferdinand’ (2017)

He provides the voice for the main character, Ferdinand, a giant bull with a big heart. Unlike other bulls who dream of competing in bullfights, Ferdinand would much rather smell flowers and live a peaceful life. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and taken away from his home.

Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team of animals to help him on his adventure. The film is based on a classic children’s book and carries a message about non-violence and being true to oneself. His voice performance brings a gentle and kind nature to the massive bull, capturing the character’s loving spirit.

‘Bumblebee’ (2018)

In this installment of the ‘Transformers’ franchise, he plays Agent Jack Burns, a high-ranking military officer in Sector 7. This secret government agency is tasked with dealing with extraterrestrial threats. Initially, Burns is an antagonist who views all Cybertronians, including the main Autobot character, as a danger to humanity.

Throughout the film, his character hunts the titular hero, believing he is a hostile invader. His perspective is shaped by a tragic past encounter with Cybertronians. By the end of the story, after witnessing the Autobot’s heroic actions, his character begins to understand that not all of them are enemies, leading to a change of heart.

‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)

He made his debut in the DC Extended Universe as Christopher Smith, also known as Peacemaker. He is a ruthless killer who believes in achieving peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it. He is recruited into Task Force X for a mission to the South American island of Corto Maltese.

His character is a dark and twisted version of a patriotic hero, providing both intense action and a source of dark humor. He often clashes with his teammates due to his extreme methods and unwavering, morally ambiguous principles. This role proved to be very popular with fans and led directly to his own spin-off television series.

‘Peacemaker’ (2022–)

He reprises his role as the title character in this television series, which picks up after the events of ‘The Suicide Squad’. The story follows him after he recovers from his injuries and is forced to join another black ops squad. The show delves deeper into his origins and the troubled relationship he has with his father.

The series explores the complexities of his character, blending over-the-top action and raunchy humor with surprisingly emotional and dramatic moments. It examines his twisted moral code and his desperate desire for redemption and connection. The show and his performance received widespread critical acclaim for successfully expanding on the character introduced in the movie.

What is your favorite John Cena performance? Let us know in the comments.