Honestly, if you were watching the UFC back in 2015, you probably thought Ronda Rousey was going to be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger or Dwayne Johnson. It felt inevitable. She was the "Baddest Woman on the Planet," a wrecking ball in a four-ounce glove who was finishing world-class fighters in seconds. Hollywood was practically drooling.
But then, things got complicated.
Looking back at ronda rousey movies and tv shows, the trajectory is wild. It’s a mix of massive blockbusters, a bizarrely intense stint on network television, and a handful of projects that just... vanished. You’ve likely seen her trade punches with Michelle Rodriguez in a gown or maybe you caught her as a firefighter on Fox, but the "why" behind her Hollywood shift is more interesting than the IMDb credits themselves.
The Blockbuster Era: Punching Her Way Onto the Big Screen
When Sylvester Stallone calls, you answer. Rousey’s cinematic debut in The Expendables 3 (2014) as Luna was essentially the ultimate "welcome to the club" moment. She was recruited into a cast of fossils and legends, playing an athletic bouncer who gets picked for a high-stakes mission.
It wasn't Shakespeare. It didn't need to be.
She basically played a heightened version of herself: stoic, physically imposing, and capable of breaking an arm if you looked at her wrong. But even then, critics were split. Some loved the raw energy; others felt she was just a placeholder for the "tough girl" trope.
Then came Furious 7.
This was the peak. Playing Kara, the head of security for an Abu Dhabi billionaire, Rousey got to engage in one of the franchise's most memorable hand-to-hand fights. The gown-on-gown scrap with Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) remains a highlight. It’s fast, it’s brutal, and it used her judo background perfectly. If you watch that scene closely, you can see why directors thought they could mold her into a lead. She has presence.
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The Entourage Pivot
Most people forget she was also in the Entourage movie. This was the first time we saw her play "Ronda Rousey," and it was... weirdly charming? She played a version of herself that was dating Turtle (Jerry Ferrara). It showed a hint of comedic timing that her action roles completely ignored. It was the one time she wasn't just a "lethal weapon" on screen.
Why Mile 22 Changed Everything
If you want to talk about the turning point for ronda rousey movies and tv shows, you have to look at Mile 22 (2018). This was supposed to be her big breakout co-starring role alongside Mark Wahlberg.
Behind the scenes, the story is pretty revealing. Originally, the movie was pitched as a vehicle for Rousey and Iko Uwais (the star of The Raid). Director Peter Berg was all in on her being the next big action icon. But as the project evolved and Mark Wahlberg signed on, the script was heavily rewritten.
Rousey’s role as Sam Snow ended up being significantly scaled back.
Reports from that time suggest the studio was nervous about her carrying a film as a lead. Instead of being the focal point, she became part of the tactical ensemble. She was still a "badass," sure, but she wasn't the star. For a lot of fans, this felt like the moment Hollywood decided she was better as a supporting player than a leading lady.
The Surprise TV Run: Firefighters and Reality
After the UFC losses and a move to WWE, Rousey didn't just disappear into the woods. She pivoted to television in a way no one expected.
In 2019, she joined the cast of 9-1-1 on Fox. She played Lena Bosko, a tough-as-nails firefighter. This wasn't just a cameo; it was a recurring role that required actual dramatic lifting.
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Fun fact: She almost lost a finger filming a scene for 9-1-1. A boat door slammed on her hand, and in true "Rowdy" fashion, she finished the take before telling anyone her finger was hanging by a thread.
She also hosted Saturday Night Live (SNL), which is basically the ultimate litmus test for a celebrity's charisma. Honestly? She did better than most expected, even if the monologue was a bit stiff. It showed she was willing to be vulnerable, which is something she rarely did during her dominant run in the Octagon.
The Unproduced "Road House" Remake
For years, the internet was buzzing about Ronda Rousey starring in a remake of Road House. She was set to play the role originally made famous by Patrick Swayze. It was a bold move—flipping the gender of a cult classic.
But it never happened.
The project stalled for years before eventually being reimagined with Jake Gyllenhaal. It’s one of the biggest "what ifs" of her career. Would it have been a hit? Or would the internet have torn it apart? We'll never know, but it marks the end of the era where she was considered for major franchise leading roles.
What’s Next for Ronda Rousey in 2026?
As of 2026, the landscape of ronda rousey movies and tv shows is shifting toward her own narrative. She’s moved away from being a "hired gun" in action movies and is focusing more on her own productions.
She served as an executive producer on the documentary Why We Fight, which explored the grit of combat sports. There is also persistent talk about a biopic based on her autobiography My Fight/Your Fight. Who better to play Ronda than Ronda? Paramount has held the rights for years, and while development is slow, it remains the most anticipated project on her horizon.
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There are also rumors of a massive crossover event. With Netflix becoming a major player in live combat sports (like the rumored 2026 boxing match talks with Katie Taylor), the line between her "TV" career and her "fight" career is blurring.
The Reality of the "Fighter-to-Actor" Transition
It’s hard.
Most people think if you can fight in front of 20,000 people, you can act in front of a camera. It’s not the same. Acting is about showing what you feel; fighting is about hiding it.
Rousey’s filmography shows a woman who was learning on the job. She was great at the physical stuff—the judo throws, the stares, the intensity. Where she struggled was the "quiet" moments. But looking at her work in 9-1-1, you can see she was actually getting better.
Where to Start Watching
If you want to dive into her work, here is the non-traditional "watch list" for understanding her career:
- For pure action: Furious 7. The fight with Michelle Rodriguez is top-tier.
- For a glimpse of her personality: Entourage (The Movie). It’s the most "human" she looks on screen.
- For the "what could have been": Mile 22. Watch her tactical movement; she looks like a pro, even if the role is small.
- For the drama: 9-1-1 (Season 3). It’s the most dialogue-heavy work she’s ever done.
Ronda Rousey didn't become the "next Rock," and maybe she didn't want to. Her career in movies and TV shows is a testament to someone who was brave enough to try something new while the whole world was waiting for her to fail. Whether she returns to the big screen in a major way or sticks to producing her own stories, she’s already left a mark that most athletes never even get close to.
If you're looking to track her current projects, keep an eye on streaming platforms rather than the local multiplex. The future of her "acting" is likely going to be much more personal and much less about exploding cars.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of Ronda's acting style, go back and watch her UFC "Primetime" specials. They aren't movies, but the cinematography and the way she carries herself in those documentaries provided the blueprint for her entire Hollywood career. They offer a raw look at her "character" before it was polished by a script.