Honestly, if you grew up in the mid-2000s, Josh Peck was basically your awkward, loud, and incredibly lovable TV best friend. You probably remember him screaming "Hug me, brotha!" or getting into some ridiculous mess with a giant foam finger. But if you haven't checked in on him lately, looking at the list of Josh Peck movies and shows in 2026 is a trip. It’s not just a list of comedies anymore. We are talking about a guy who went from getting hit with pies on The Amanda Show to standing in the middle of a Christopher Nolan set.
It’s rare. Most child stars either burn out or stay trapped in a frozen bubble of nostalgia. Josh didn't. He pivoted.
The Nick Era: Where It All Started
Before the prestige dramas, there was the orange couch. Josh’s career didn't start with Drake & Josh, though that’s the big one. He was actually a stand-up kid in New York before landing The Amanda Show. He was the "funny kid." That was his brand.
By the time Drake & Josh premiered in 2004, he’d perfected that high-energy, physical comedy style. But even then, there were hints he wanted more. While he was filming the most popular sitcom on Nickelodeon, he took a role in a tiny indie movie called Mean Creek (2004). If you haven't seen it, brace yourself. It is dark. He plays a bully who is deeply insecure and tragic. Critics realized then that the kid from the sitcom had serious range.
Most fans, however, were just there for the "GameSphere." Drake & Josh ran until 2007, followed by TV movies like Drake & Josh Go Hollywood and the holiday special Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh. It was the peak of his teen stardom. Then, the show ended, and Josh had to figure out who he was without a laugh track.
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The "Lost Years" and the Big Transformation
Post-Nickelodeon life is usually where things get messy for actors. For Josh, this was the era of the "transformation." He lost a significant amount of weight—over 100 pounds—which he’s been very open about in his memoir, Happy People Are Annoying.
He wasn't just losing weight; he was shedding an identity.
The industry didn't know what to do with "Skinny Josh." He stayed busy, sure. He voiced Eddie the possum in the Ice Age franchise (starting with The Meltdown in 2006 and continuing through multiple sequels). He did the Red Dawn remake in 2012 with Chris Hemsworth. He even starred in The Wackness (2008), which is a cult classic for anyone who loves 90s hip-hop and coming-of-age stories. But the "leading man" roles weren't exactly flooding in yet.
He did a lot of guest spots. You might have caught him in:
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- The Big Bang Theory (as the comic book shop rival)
- The Mindy Project (as Ray Ron)
- Fuller House
- ER (way back in 2001, actually!)
The Career Resurrection: Oppenheimer and Beyond
If you looked at a list of Josh Peck movies and shows five years ago, it looked like a solid, respectable career of a former child star. But then 2023 happened. Christopher Nolan cast him in Oppenheimer as Kenneth Bainbridge.
It wasn't a huge role, but it was the role.
Seeing Josh Peck in a black-and-white Nolan epic, helping trigger the first atomic bomb test, felt like a "we’re not in San Diego anymore" moment. It validated him. It told the industry that he belongs in the room with Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.
Since then, he’s been everywhere. He led the Turner & Hooch series on Disney+ (which deserved more than one season, let's be real). He had a recurring role as Drew in How I Met Your Father. He even popped up in the iCarly revival, proving he’s totally cool with his Nickelodeon roots while still moving forward.
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What’s Happening Now (2025-2026)
As of early 2026, Josh is leaning into a mix of prestige TV and comedy.
- The Last of Us (Season 2): Josh joined the cast as Janowicz. It’s a gritty, physical role that is a far cry from his sitcom days.
- Summer Camp (2024): He recently starred alongside legends like Diane Keaton and Kathy Bates.
- Voice Work: He’s still a staple in animation, continuing his work in the Ice Age universe (with Ice Age: Boiling Point currently in the works for a 2027 release) and various projects for Disney and Nick.
Why He’s Still Relevant
Honestly? It’s his authenticity. Josh didn't try to hide his struggle with fame, weight, or sobriety. He didn't become a "cool" actor who acts like his past didn't happen. He’s active on TikTok and YouTube, he talks to his fans like they’re humans, and he’s managed to stay "Josh" while becoming a serious actor.
If you want to see the best of his work, skip the fluff and watch Mean Creek, The Wackness, and his scenes in Oppenheimer. You’ll see the evolution of a performer who refused to be a footnote.
How to Watch Josh Peck’s Best Work
If you're looking to binge the essentials, here is where you should start:
- The Classic: Drake & Josh (Paramount+ or Hulu). It’s still funny. The timing is impeccable.
- The Hidden Gem: The Wackness. It’s a vibe. It captures a very specific 1994 New York summer.
- The Serious Turn: Mean Creek. It’s a tough watch but shows why he was always more than a comedian.
- The Modern Pivot: How I Met Your Father. He plays the "nice guy" who is also kind of a jerk, and he does it perfectly.
Josh Peck’s career is a blueprint for how to grow up in public without losing your mind. He’s no longer just the kid from that one show; he’s a working actor who has earned his spot at the table. Whether he's doing a podcast or a blockbuster, he's figured out the hardest trick in Hollywood: staying interesting.
To stay updated on Josh’s newest roles, your best bet is following his social channels or checking industry trackers like IMDb or Variety, as he’s currently attached to several unannounced indie projects filming through the end of 2026.