Honestly, if you told a Walking Dead fan back in 2010 that the guy playing the scrawny pizza delivery boy would eventually become the first Asian-American Best Actor nominee at the Oscars, they probably wouldn't have blinked. There was always something about Glenn Rhee. But looking at the full spread of Steven Yeun movies and tv shows today, it's clear he wasn't just lucky. He’s been surgical about his career.
He didn't take the easy paycheck. He didn't stay in the "likable sidekick" box. Instead, he went to South Korea to film a psychological thriller, voiced a hot-headed superhero, and then executive produced a chaotic Netflix series about road rage. It’s a wild resume.
The Breaking Point of Glenn Rhee
We have to talk about The Walking Dead. It’s the elephant in the room. For six years, Yeun was the heart of that show. When Glenn died in 2016—in that brutal, eye-popping way—it felt like the show lost its moral compass. Many fans actually stopped watching right then and there.
But for Yeun? It was a jailbreak.
He told The Hollywood Reporter years later that he felt like he was "servicing a concept" rather than being a fully realized person on screen. He was the "good guy." The "dependable one." After he left, he leaned hard into characters who were messy, selfish, or even terrifying.
The Arthouse Pivot: Burning and Minari
If you want to see the exact moment Steven Yeun became a heavyweight, watch Burning (2018). He plays Ben, a wealthy, mysterious guy in Korea who might—or might not—be a serial killer. It’s a chilling, understated performance. No big monologues. Just a yawn that feels like a threat.
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Then came Minari.
Jacob Yi is the polar opposite of Ben. He’s a father struggling to start a farm in Arkansas, stubborn to a fault. It’s a quiet, aching movie. It earned him that historic Oscar nomination, but more importantly, it proved he could carry a quintessentially American story. It wasn't "an Asian story"—it was a story about the grind of the American Dream.
The Voice Behind the Mask
People often forget how much of a titan he is in animation. Steven Yeun movies and tv shows include a massive amount of voice work that isn't just "filler" between live-action gigs.
- Invincible: As Mark Grayson, he captures that cracking, teenage uncertainty perfectly. Season 4 is already on the horizon for late 2026, and the stakes are only getting more brutal.
- Tuca & Bertie: He played Speckle, the architectural bird who was basically the world's most supportive boyfriend.
- Voltron: Legendary Defender: He was Keith, the brooding leader.
- The Legend of Korra: He voiced Avatar Wan, the very first Avatar.
Funny enough, he’s returning to the Avatar universe in 2026. He’s set to voice Zuko in the upcoming theatrical film The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender. It’s a full-circle moment for him, going from the first Avatar to one of the most iconic anti-heroes in animation history.
The Netflix Era: Beef and Beyond
If you haven't seen Beef yet, stop reading and go watch it. Danny Cho is arguably Yeun's most relatable role, mostly because he's a complete disaster. He’s petty, he’s broke, and he’s fueled by pure, unadulterated spite.
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The show swept the Emmys for a reason.
Even though Beef Season 2 (dropping April 16, 2026) is an anthology starring Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan, Yeun is still staying on as an executive producer. He’s building a production powerhouse behind the scenes, making sure the "new wave" of complex, Asian-led stories keeps moving.
Why He Left Marvel (And What’s Next)
There was a lot of noise about Yeun joining the MCU in Thunderbolts as Sentry. Then, he dropped out.
Naturally, the internet went into a tailspin. Was it "creative differences"? Did he hate the script? Honestly, it was way more boring than that. The 2023 strikes pushed the schedule back so far that it clashed with his other commitments. Lewis Pullman took over the role, and while it would've been cool to see Steven in a cape, he seems more interested in working with directors like Bong Joon-ho.
Speaking of which: Mickey 17.
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This is the big one. Directed by the man who gave us Parasite, Yeun plays Timo, a character Bong describes as a bit of a conman. It’s sci-fi, it’s weird, and it’s exactly the kind of left-field choice that has defined his post-zombie career.
The 2026 Slate
If you’re tracking Steven Yeun movies and tv shows for the next year, your watchlist is going to be crowded.
- Animals: A Netflix crime thriller directed by Ben Affleck. Yeun stars alongside Affleck and Kerry Washington in a story about a kidnapping and a mayoral race.
- The Rip: Another collaboration with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. This one is shrouded in mystery but is expected to hit Netflix later in 2026.
- The Legend of Aang: As mentioned, his Zuko debut is one of the most anticipated voice-acting turns in years.
The Verdict on the Yeun Method
What most people get wrong about Steven Yeun is thinking he’s just a "talented actor." He’s actually a curator. He picks projects based on the director and the complexity of the "human-ness" involved. He doesn't care about being the hero anymore. He wants to be the guy you’re slightly uncomfortable watching.
If you want to catch up on his best work, start with Burning for the tension, Minari for the heart, and Beef for the absolute chaos. Keep an eye on the Netflix release calendar for Animals this summer—it’s likely going to be his next big awards-circuit play.
Next Steps for the Super-Fan:
- Check out his early "bit parts" in The Big Bang Theory or Law & Order: LA to see how far he’s come.
- Watch his episode of I Think You Should Leave on Netflix for a masterclass in awkward comedic timing.
- Set a reminder for April 16 for the premiere of Beef Season 2; even though he's not starring, his "creative DNA" is all over the production side.