Top 10 Coolest Things About Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds has packed his career with savvy, high-impact choices across superhero blockbusters, streaming hits, and a breakout TV docuseries—plus a few bold pivots that paid off in surprising ways. Below are ten standout moments centered on his movies and shows first, with one TV-adjacent entry that became a genuine cultural phenomenon.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024) – The first R-rated MCU film launched with a record-smashing global debut

Marvel Studios brought the character into the MCU with an R rating and delivered the biggest global opening ever for an R-rated movie. Industry tallies confirmed the worldwide launch cleared the previous R-rated record by a wide margin. Domestic reporting also documented a massive first weekend that led the year’s box office at the time. The release reset expectations for adult-skewing superhero films within a major cinematic universe.

‘Deadpool’ (2016) – Turned an offbeat antihero into a worldwide box office force

The film arrived after a long development push and quickly set multiple opening-weekend marks for an R-rated release. Trade summaries note the international rollout topped charts across most markets and established new category records. Its success proved sustained demand for irreverent, adult-oriented comic-book storytelling at scale. The movie’s performance laid the commercial groundwork for a continuing franchise.

‘Deadpool 2’ (2018) – Spawned a PG-13 charity re-release with a new Fred Savage framing story

A special PG-13 cut, titled ‘Once Upon a Deadpool’, added a framing device nodding to ‘The Princess Bride’ and pledged a per-ticket donation to a cancer charity. Coverage of the rollout detailed the limited theatrical window and the charitable component. The re-edit expanded the sequel’s reach to younger audiences while keeping the franchise in theaters between mainline entries. Media outlets highlighted how the new material was shot specifically for this release.

‘Welcome to Wrexham’ (2022– ) – The club-ownership docuseries became an Emmy magnet

FX’s documentary series follows Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as owners of Wrexham A.F.C., tracking the club’s fortunes and community impact. The show has earned multiple Primetime Emmys across categories including unstructured reality, cinematography, picture editing, and directing. Its success helped amplify global interest in lower-league football and the town itself. Subsequent seasons continued to draw awards attention and strong viewership.

‘Free Guy’ (2021) – An original studio film crossed $300M and scored an Oscar VFX nod

The video-game-world comedy was a rare big-screen original to post strong legs theatrically. Box office reports confirmed it passed the $300 million global mark while competing amid franchise titles. The film later received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. Its performance reinforced Reynolds’ collaboration with director Shawn Levy for future projects.

‘The Adam Project’ (2022) – One of Netflix’s most-watched titles in its debut week

Netflix viewership data reported tens of millions of hours watched during its first full week on the platform. The film paired Reynolds again with director Shawn Levy and blended time-travel adventure with family drama. Its early streaming momentum placed it among the service’s top English-language launches that month. The title also broadened Reynolds’ foothold in direct-to-consumer releases.

‘Detective Pikachu’ (2019) – Voice and facial capture performance powered a major gaming IP’s live-action debut

Reynolds provided both voice and facial motion capture for Pikachu, according to production features. The film converted a beloved video-game franchise into a live-action hit and delivered a strong worldwide gross against its budget. It demonstrated his versatility in performance-capture work alongside on-camera roles. The movie also opened the door for further cross-media adaptations of gaming brands.

‘Buried’ (2010) – A one-man, single-location thriller that earned awards recognition

Set almost entirely inside a coffin, the film relied on a solo performance to carry tension and narrative. Awards rosters show multiple nominations, including a best-actor nod at Spain’s Goya Awards. The project stands as a notable minimalist experiment in mainstream thriller filmmaking. It highlighted Reynolds’ capacity for contained, performance-driven work.

‘The Proposal’ (2009) – A rom-com that delivered a standout opening and long legs

Box office records detail a strong domestic debut, including leading the day of release and topping the weekend chart. Studio polling broke down the audience composition and confirmed it marked Sandra Bullock’s biggest opening at that point in her career. The movie went on to a robust total in North America and solid international play. Its performance cemented Reynolds as a reliable lead in studio comedies.

‘Two Guys and a Girl’ (1998–2001) – Early TV lead across four seasons and 81 episodes

Before the blockbuster run, Reynolds headlined this ABC sitcom (initially titled ‘Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place’). The series aired four seasons, totaling 81 episodes, and notched a premiere watched by millions in a prime midweek slot. It provided sustained network exposure and a comedic showcase across ensemble and lead dynamics. The show’s lifecycle—from midseason pickup to time-slot moves—maps his transition from TV to film.

Got another favorite Reynolds moment we should add? Share your pick in the comments!