You probably know him as the Fonz. That leather jacket, the double thumbs-up, and that effortless "Ayyy!" basically defined an entire decade of television. But Henry Winkler is so much more than a 1950s greaser frozen in time. If you actually look at the full list of henry winkler movies in order, you see a guy who fought tooth and nail to escape a character that was both a blessing and a massive professional cage.
Honestly, his career is one of the most fascinating "second acts" in Hollywood history. He went from being the most popular man on the planet to being almost unemployable, only to reinvent himself as the king of the quirky character actors. It wasn't a straight line. It was messy, full of weird cameos, voice-over work, and some genuinely heavy dramatic turns that most people totally missed.
The Early Days and The Fonz Factor (1974–1982)
Before Happy Days turned him into a living legend, Winkler was just a kid from the Yale School of Drama trying to find his footing. His first real cinematic splash happened in 1974, and it’s a bit of a trip to see him there.
- The Lords of Flatbush (1974): This is the big one. He played Butchey Weinstein alongside a very young (and very mumbling) Sylvester Stallone. It’s a gritty, low-budget look at Brooklyn street life. If you watch it now, you can see the early DNA of Arthur Fonzarelli, but with a lot more nervous energy.
- Crazy Joe (1974): He had a smaller role here as Mannie, appearing in this Peter Boyle mob flick.
- Heroes (1977): Winkler really tried to break the "cool guy" mold here. He played Jack Dunne, a Vietnam veteran struggling with what we’d now call PTSD. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for this, and honestly, he's heartbreaking in it.
- The One and Only (1978): A weirdly charming movie where he plays an aspiring actor who becomes a flamboyant professional wrestler. It’s got that 70s grit but shows off his comedic timing.
- An American Christmas Carol (1979): A TV movie, sure, but a staple. He played Benedict Slade, a Depression-era Scrooge. The makeup was... a lot.
By the time we hit Night Shift (1982), things changed. This was directed by his buddy Ron Howard. Winkler played Chuck Lumley, a mild-mannered morgue attendant. It’s a cult classic for a reason. He’s the perfect "straight man" to Michael Keaton’s frantic "idea man." It’s one of the best examples of Winkler’s ability to play the lovable loser, a far cry from the invincible Fonzie.
The "Director Years" and The Scream Cameo (1983–1996)
After Happy Days ended in 1984, the phone stopped ringing. People couldn't see past the leather jacket. So, Henry did what any smart person does: he went behind the camera. He produced MacGyver (yes, really) and directed movies like Memories of Me (1988) and the Burt Reynolds vehicle Cop and a Half (1993).
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But in terms of henry winkler movies in order as an actor, the 90s were lean until a certain horror maestro called.
Wes Craven cast him in Scream (1996) as Principal Himbry. He wasn't even credited! He did it as a favor, and seeing the Fonz get gutted by Ghostface was a genuine shock to the system for audiences. It signaled that he was ready to play in a different sandbox.
The Adam Sandler Era and Resurgence (1998–2015)
In 1994, Adam Sandler mentioned the Fonz in "The Chanukah Song." Henry called him to say thanks. That phone call basically saved his acting career. Sandler started casting him in everything, introducing him to a generation of kids who had no idea what a jukebox was.
- The Waterboy (1998): Coach Klein. This is arguably his most famous movie role for anyone under the age of 40. He’s twitchy, he’s got a Roy Orbison tattoo on his ass, and he’s absolutely hilarious.
- Little Nicky (2000): He plays himself in a cameo where he gets covered in birds. It’s ridiculous. It’s great.
- Down to You (2000): A rare romantic comedy appearance as Chef Ray.
- Holes (2003): He played Stanley Yelnats III. It was a grounded, sweet performance in a movie that actually has a lot of heart.
- Click (2006): He plays Sandler’s dad, Ted Newman. There’s a scene involving a "rewound" moment of his death that will absolutely wreck you. Don't say I didn't warn you.
He kept busy with smaller films like I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007) and A Plumm Summer (2007). He even showed up in You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008). Then came Here Comes the Boom (2012) with Kevin James. He played Marty Streb, a music teacher, and he brought a ton of sincerity to a movie that could have just been a silly MMA comedy.
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The Modern Masterclass (2016–Present)
If you haven't seen his late-career work, you're missing out on a masterclass in subtlety. While he was dominating TV in Barry (where he finally won that elusive Primetime Emmy), he was also picking up fascinating film roles.
He appeared in Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal: The Movie (2016) as Ed Koch. Then, he joined the Wes Anderson universe in The French Dispatch (2021) as Uncle Joe. If you've ever seen an Anderson film, you know it’s all about the aesthetic and specific delivery, and Winkler fit in perfectly.
Recently, he had a cameo in Black Adam (2022) as Al Pratt (Uncle Al). It’s a tiny role, but seeing him in a superhero blockbuster felt like a "we love you" from the industry. He also appeared in Family Squares (2022) and did voice work in Scoob! (2020) and Extinct (2021).
Why the Order Matters
When you track henry winkler movies in order, you aren't just looking at a filmography. You're looking at a survival guide. He didn't let the 1980s kill his spirit. He moved into voice acting for shows like Clifford’s Puppy Days and Monsters at Work because he just loves the craft.
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Honestly, the lesson here is basically that being "typed" isn't a death sentence if you're willing to be the "new guy" again. Whether he's a principal in a slasher or a terrified football coach, he brings this vulnerability that makes you root for him.
Actionable Takeaways for Winkler Fans
If you want to truly appreciate the range of his work beyond the sitcom world, here is how you should approach his catalog:
- Watch Night Shift first: It’s the bridge between his "leading man" aspirations and his character actor future.
- Don't skip the "Click" father-son scenes: It's the most emotional he's ever been on the big screen.
- Look for the uncredited roles: His appearances in Scream and Black Adam show how much he's respected by modern directors.
- Check out The Lords of Flatbush: It’s a fascinating time capsule of 1970s indie cinema and shows where the "cool" persona actually started.
The man has spent over fifty years in the business and somehow remained one of the nicest people in Hollywood. That alone is worth a marathon. Keep an eye out for his upcoming project Normal (2025), where he’s slated to play the Mayor—it looks like he’s not slowing down anytime soon.