You probably think you know the Channing Tatum brand by now. The guy is essentially the human embodiment of a golden retriever—high energy, charismatic, and generally the "good guy" who can dance circles around anyone. But 2024 was different. If you actually look at the Channing Tatum 2024 movies lineup, it wasn't just a return to form. It was a weird, calculated, and slightly dark pivot that most fans didn't see coming.
Honestly, it’s about time. Tatum has spent years being the lovable leading man, but 2024 saw him playing a tech billionaire with a dark side, a straight-laced NASA director, and finally—finally—the superhero role that almost broke him a decade ago. It was a busy year.
The Villainous Turn in Blink Twice
The most jarring part of the year was definitely Blink Twice. Directed by his now-fiancée Zoë Kravitz, this film puts Tatum in the shoes of Slater King. He’s a tech mogul. He’s charming. He’s rich. He also invites women to a private island where things go absolutely sideways.
Kravitz mentioned in interviews that she wanted Tatum for this role specifically because he hasn't played dark characters before. He’s the "boy next door." Seeing that guy become a psychological threat is way more terrifying than a standard movie villain. The movie didn't just play with his image; it exploited it. It grossed about $67.9 million worldwide, which is a solid win considering its $20 million budget. People went in expecting Magic Mike and left feeling deeply unsettled. That’s a successful pivot.
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Solving the Gambit Mystery in Deadpool & Wolverine
If you were in a theater during the opening weekend of Deadpool & Wolverine, you heard the roar when Tatum finally walked onto the screen in that purple headpiece.
This wasn't just a cameo. For Tatum, it was an exorcism. He spent over a decade trying to get a standalone Gambit movie made at Fox. It got trapped in development hell, directors came and went, and then the Disney-Fox merger basically killed it. He told Variety years ago that he was so traumatized by the project's death that he couldn't even watch Marvel movies for a while.
Watching him play Remy LeBeau in 2024 was hilarious because of the "incomprehensible" Cajun accent, but it was also a massive "what if" for the industry. His line about "making a name for myself here" went viral for a reason. It felt meta. It felt like he was finally closing a chapter that had been open since 2006.
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Retro Vibes in Fly Me to the Moon
Then there’s the "safe" play of the year: Fly Me to the Moon. Released in July, this was a $100 million gamble by Apple Original Films. Tatum stepped in to replace Chris Evans, playing Cole Davis, a NASA launch director during the Apollo 11 era.
It’s a historical rom-com. It’s got Scarlett Johansson. It’s got 1960s fashion.
While the movie didn't exactly set the box office on fire—making around $42 million against a massive budget—it proved Tatum can still carry a big-budget romance. Critics generally liked the chemistry between him and Johansson, even if they thought the plot about faking the moon landing was a bit "belabored." It’s the kind of movie your parents love, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
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Beyond the Screen: The Producer Role
People often forget that Tatum isn't just showing up for his marks. In 2024, he also had a producer credit on Spaceman, that trippy Adam Sandler movie on Netflix. He’s been moving more into the "behind-the-scenes" space for years, starting with Dog in 2022.
What 2024 showed us is that Tatum is no longer interested in being the guy who just shows up to look good. He’s taking risks.
- Slater King was a risk to his "nice guy" reputation.
- Gambit was a risk because it could have been a cringey callback, but it became a fan favorite.
- Cole Davis was a risk because the mid-budget (or high-budget, in this case) adult rom-com is a dying breed.
What This Means for 2025 and Beyond
If you’re looking for actionable insights on where Tatum goes from here, look at his upcoming slate. He’s moving into even weirder territory. He’s got Atropia coming up, and there’s constant chatter about whether that Deadpool & Wolverine cameo will actually lead to a solo Gambit movie or an appearance in Avengers: Doomsday.
Next Steps for Fans and Industry Observers:
- Watch Blink Twice on VOD: If you missed it in theaters, it’s the best way to see his range. It’s currently dominating VOD charts for a reason.
- Keep an eye on the trades: The buzz around a standalone Gambit isn't just fan noise anymore; Ryan Reynolds is actively pushing for it.
- Expect more production credits: Look for his name in the credits of smaller indie thrillers. He seems to be using his star power to get darker, more experimental scripts greenlit.
2024 was the year Channing Tatum stopped being just a movie star and started being an actor who actually surprises us. You might have come for the abs in the 2010s, but you’re staying for the range in the 2020s.