You probably think you know the deal with Dwayne Johnson. Huge muscles, a trillion-dollar smile, and a tendency to wear a slightly tight tan button-down shirt while running away from an explosion in a jungle. It’s a vibe. Honestly, it's basically a sub-genre of cinema at this point. But if you actually sit down and look at Dwayne Johnson all movies, the narrative isn't as simple as "The Rock wins again."
He’s in a weird spot right now. As of early 2026, the guy is arguably the biggest star on the planet, yet he’s coming off some of the most fascinating "failures" of his career. He’s trying to pivot. He’s tired of being a meme.
The Era of the "Franchise Viagra"
Remember when the Fast & Furious movies were just about street racing in Los Angeles? Me neither. Everything changed in 2011 with Fast Five. That was the moment Johnson became "Franchise Viagra." He showed up as Luke Hobbs, sweated through a tactical vest, and suddenly a dying series turned into a global juggernaut.
It worked so well he just kept doing it. G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island—he was the guy you called when you needed to add 200 million dollars to your box office total. But that success created a trap. He became a brand, not an actor. People didn't go to see a character; they went to see The Rock.
Why the Jungle Obsession?
It’s kinda hilarious when you list them out.
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- The Rundown (The underrated GOAT of his filmography)
- Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
- Jumanji: The Next Level
- Jungle Cruise
- Red Notice (Parts of it, anyway)
The jungle is his office. Jumanji was a stroke of genius because it let him play against type—a massive man playing a neurotic teenager. It’s easily his most Likable era. But then came the superhero stuff.
The Black Adam "Hierarchy" Debacle
We have to talk about Black Adam. He spent fifteen years trying to get that movie made. He promised it would change the "hierarchy of power" in the DC Universe. It didn't.
The movie made around $393 million, which sounds like a lot until you realize it cost $200 million to make and even more to market. It was a turning point. Audiences were starting to get "Rock Fatigue." The invincibility was gone. Even Red One, his massive Christmas action flick from late 2024, struggled to find its footing with critics, despite a $250 million price tag.
The 2025/2026 Pivot: The Smashing Machine
If you’re looking at Dwayne Johnson all movies to find his best acting, you have to look at The Smashing Machine. Released recently in late 2025, this A24 biopic saw him team up with Benny Safdie. No jungle. No quips. No $100-million-dollar CGI.
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He played Mark Kerr, a real-life MMA legend struggling with addiction and the brutal toll of the sport. He wore prosthetics. He looked... different.
"It was the hardest thing I've ever done," Johnson told Variety. "I had to disappear."
Critically, it was a home run. He’s actually getting Oscar buzz for the first time in his life. But here’s the kicker: it flopped at the box office, opening to just $6 million. It turns out, when The Rock stops being "The Rock," his massive audience doesn't always follow. It’s a classic Hollywood dilemma.
What’s Coming in 2026 and Beyond
The Rock isn't staying in the indie world forever. He’s got bills to pay and a brand to maintain. Here is what the rest of 2026 looks like:
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- Moana (Live-Action): He’s reprising Maui in the flesh. This is basically a guaranteed billion-dollar hit. It hits theaters July 10, 2026.
- Fast X: Part 2: The "final" (we'll see) chapter. Hobbs is back for real this time, settling the beef with Vin Diesel.
- Jumanji 3: Scheduled for December 11, 2026. Because if it ain't broke, don't stop running through trees.
The "Forgotten" Gems
Before he was a billionaire, he took some weird risks. If you want to see a different side of him, go back and watch Southland Tales (2006). It’s a chaotic mess, but he’s brilliant in it. Or Pain & Gain (2013). Michael Bay directed it, and Johnson plays a cocaine-addicted, born-again bodybuilder. It’s his funniest performance by a mile.
Honestly, the guy has range. He just rarely gets to use it because the world wants him to punch a skyscraper until it falls over.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Movie Night
If you’re planning a marathon of Dwayne Johnson all movies, don’t just stick to the blockbusters. Here is how to actually enjoy his filmography without getting bored:
- For pure fun: Watch The Rundown. Christopher Walken is the villain. It’s perfect.
- For the kids: Moana is the obvious choice, but The Game Plan has a weirdly high amount of heart.
- For actual acting: Check out The Smashing Machine. It’s uncomfortable and gritty, and you’ll forget you’re watching the guy from WWE.
- For "so bad it's good": Doom (2005). He plays the villain, and there’s a first-person shooter sequence that is pure early-2000s camp.
Dwayne Johnson is at a crossroads. He’s balancing the "Art" (A24) with the "Commerce" (Fast & Furious). Whether he can successfully be both an Oscar-nominated actor and a franchise savior is the big question for 2026. But one thing is for sure: he’s not going anywhere. He’ll just probably be wearing a tan shirt when he gets there.
To get the most out of his current run, keep an eye on the Moana live-action trailers dropping this spring. It's going to be the litmus test for whether his "family man" charm still holds the same weight it did a decade ago.