Chris Evans Movies List: Did You Miss His Boldest Role?
Chris Evans movies list includes over 40 films since 2000, with standout non-Marvel roles like Knives Out (2019, 97% Rotten Tomatoes), Snowpiercer (2013, 94% RT), and Gifted (2017, 73% RT), proving his range beyond Captain America, whom he portrayed in 11 MCU films grossing $13 billion worldwide.
Early Career Breakthroughs
Chris Evans launched his acting journey in 2000 with The Newcomers, a teen drama where he played a newcomer amid family tensions, marking his screen debut at age 19. By 2001, he satirized teen movie tropes as Jake Wyler in Not Another Teen Movie, earning laughs and early buzz for his comedic timing. These roles established him in Hollywood during the early 2000s indie boom, when films under $20 million budgets averaged 15% higher critical acclaim per Rotten Tomatoes data from that era.
"I was just trying to pay rent and have fun," Evans reflected on his early gigs in a 2016 Variety interview, highlighting his shift from Boston theater to LA auditions.
Teen comedy phase showcased his charm, but Evans quickly diversified into thrillers like Cellular (2004), where he raced against time to save a kidnapped scientist, co-starring Kim Basinger.
- The Newcomers (2000) - Debut role as Peter, family relocation drama.
- Not Another Teen Movie (2001) - Parody lead, grossed $66 million on $15 million budget.
- The Perfect Score (2004) - SAT cheating ensemble with Scarlett Johansson.
- Cellular (2004) - Action-thriller, 55% RT score.
- Fierce People (2005) - Indie with Diane Lane, premiered at Toronto Film Festival.
Fantastic Four Era
Fantastic Four (2005) introduced Evans as Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, in Fox's $100 million adaptation that launched a short-lived franchise. The sequel, Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), added cosmic stakes and earned $300 million globally despite mixed reviews. These Marvel-adjacent films predated his Captain America tenure, netting him $5 million per film by sequel's end according to box office analytics.
| Film | Year | Role | Worldwide Gross | RT Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fantastic Four | 2005 | Johnny Storm | $333M | 27% |
| Rise of the Silver Surfer | 2007 | Johnny Storm | $302M | 37% |
Amid superhero duties, Evans voiced Casey Jones in TMNT (2007), blending animation with martial arts flair.
Indie and Sci-Fi Diversification
From 2007-2010, Evans balanced blockbusters with edgier fare, starring as astronaut Mace in Sunshine (2007), Danny Boyle's cerebral sci-fi with a 76% RT rating and $29 million haul. Push (2009) cast him as a telekinetic fugitive opposite Dakota Fanning, grossing $48 million internationally. His rom-com turn in What's Your Number? (2011) reunited him with Anna Faris, proving charm in 30-sleepover premise.
- Start with Street Kings (2008) - Undercover cop alongside Keanu Reeves, 14% RT but cult following.
- Follow with The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (2008) - Period drama with Bryce Dallas Howard, limited release.
- Peak at Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) - Edgar Wright's video game adaptation, 82% RT, Evans as rival Lucas Lee.
- Climax in Puncture (2011) - Real-life activist Mike Weiss biopic, 31% RT.
These selections averaged 2x IMDb user votes over Marvel peers, signaling fan appreciation for depth.
Post-Fantastic Four Action Phase
Evans headlined The Losers (2010) as tech whiz Jensen in this comic adaptation, earning 33% RT but $32 million box office. The Iceman (2012) saw him as assassin Robert Pronge, a chilling contrast won at Tribeca Film Festival. By 2013, Snowpiercer solidified his indie cred as rebel leader Curtis in Bong Joon-ho's dystopian train thriller, which premiered at Cannes and later inspired an HBO series.
Quote from Bong: "Chris brought quiet intensity to Curtis, elevating the ensemble," per 2014 Hollywood Reporter roundtable. Snowpiercer's $88 million worldwide run on $39 million budget yielded 130% ROI.
MCU Dominance with Side Projects
Captain America debuted in The First Avenger (2011, $370M gross), anchoring 10+ films through Endgame (2019, $2.8B). Yet Evans snuck in Before We Go (2014), his directorial debut starring Alice Eve, released on September 4, 2014. Playing It Cool (2015) offered self-referential rom-com laughs.
- Thor: The Dark World (2013) - Minor role as Captain America cameo.
- Ant-Man (2015) - Voice cameo.
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) - Cameo.
Post-MCU Reinvention
After Endgame, Evans voiced Buzz Lightyear in Pixar's Lightyear (2022, $226M gross, 75% RT), a spin-off meta-layer. The Gray Man (2022) Netflix thriller opposite Ryan Gosling hit 47% RT, viewed by 253 million hours in first week per Netflix stats. Ghosted (2023) paired him with Ana de Armas in action-rom-com, while Pain Hustlers (2023) tackled pharma scandals with Emily Blunt.
| Film | Year | Role Highlights | Platform | Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knives Out | 2019 | Smarmy heir Ransom | Theatrical | 97% |
| Gifted | 2017 | Guardian uncle Frank | Theatrical | 73% |
| Red Sea Diving Resort | 2019 | Real-life spy Ari Levinson | Netflix | 64% |
| Free Guy | 2021 | Hero Guy in video game | Theatrical | 81% |
| Don't Look Up | 2021 | NASA scientist | Netflix | 55% |
Recent entries like Red One (2024) with Dwayne Johnson and Deadpool & Wolverine cameo (2024) blend holiday action with MCU nostalgia. Upcoming Materialists (2025) reunites him with Knives Out director Rian Johnson.
Complete Chronological Filmography
Spanning 25 years, Evans' 45+ credits reflect evolution from teen heartthrob to A-list versatile lead, with 12 films over 90% RT outside MCU.
- 2000: The Newcomers
- 2001: Not Another Teen Movie
- 2004: The Perfect Score, Cellular
- 2005: Fierce People, London, Fantastic Four
- 2007: Fantastic 4: Rise of Silver Surfer, Sunshine, TMNT, Nanny Diaries, Battle for Terra
- 2008: Street Kings, Loss of a Teardrop Diamond
- 2009: Push
- 2010: The Losers, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
- 2011: Puncture, What's Your Number?, Captain America: The First Avenger
- 2012: The Avengers, The Iceman
- 2013: Snowpiercer
- 2014: Captain America: Winter Soldier, Before We Go
- 2015: Avengers: Age of Ultron
- 2016: Captain America: Civil War
- 2017: Gifted
- 2018: Avengers: Infinity War
- 2019: Avengers: Endgame, Knives Out, Red Sea Diving Resort
- 2021: Free Guy, Don't Look Up
- 2022: Lightyear, The Gray Man
- 2023: Ghosted, Pain Hustlers
- 2024: Red One, Deadpool & Wolverine (cameo)
- 2025: Materialists, Honey Don't!
Versatility Metrics
Evans' non-MCU films average 65% RT score versus 85% for MCU, yet garner 20% more festival nods per IMDbPro data. His dramatic turns like Gifted, where he played a uncle battling for niece's normalcy, earned 73% audience score. Red Sea Diving Resort (2019) drew from 1980s Ethiopian rescues, with Evans as CIA operative Ari Levinson, praised for historical grit.
In Defending Jacob (2020 miniseries), he tackled parental doubt in Apple TV+ thriller, averaging 8.9/10 viewer ratings. Post-2020, Evans' output hit 7 projects, diversifying into voice (Lightyear) and streaming.
Evans' trajectory, from 2001 breakout to 2025 releases, underscores a career grossing $15B+, with non-Marvel gems comprising 60% of his top-rated works. His choice of directors like Bong Joon-ho and Rian Johnson signals deliberate range-building, as 2024 box office data shows his films averaging 150% ROI outside capes.
Everything you need to know about Chris Evans Movies List Did You Miss His Boldest Role
Is Chris Evans in Scott Pilgrim?
Yes, Chris Evans plays Lucas Lee, the Hollywood actor and assassin rival to Scott Pilgrim, delivering a meta-performance in the 2010 cult hit directed by Edgar Wright.
What was Chris Evans' first Marvel role?
Chris Evans' first Marvel role was Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four (2005), preceding Captain America by six years.
Best non-Marvel Chris Evans movie?
Knives Out tops lists at 97% RT, with Evans' Ransom Drysdale stealing scenes as the privileged suspect in Rian Johnson's whodunit.
How many Marvel movies is Chris Evans in?
Chris Evans appears in 11 core MCU films as Captain America, plus Human Torch in 2 Fox Marvel movies, totaling 13 superhero outings.
Chris Evans directorial debut?
Chris Evans' directorial debut is Before We Go (2014), a NYC romance he also starred in, scoring 33% RT but personal milestone.