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Zac Efron grew from his first humble roles in the early 2000s to the huge blockbusters of today.
By Chinyere Ibeh — Written on Sep 10, 2020
A whole generation grew up watching Zac Efron movies as he evolved from his High School Musical days to films like Neighbors and a Three Men and a Baby remake.
What jump-started his acting career was his role as Troy Bolton in the High School Musical trilogy. After his role as Troy Bolton, he became a teen heartthrob essentially overnight.
Zac Efron has been able to graduate from his iconic Disney role as a basketball prodigy with a secret love for theater to make a name for himself as a serious actor.
Here are the 10 Zac Efron movies you should watch as an adult.
Efron's name is back in the spotlight in large part thanks to his Netflix documentary series Down to Earth, which has us thinking about what other work we can enjoy of his these days.
1. Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
Based on Ben Sherwood’s novel, The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, the film follows Efron as Charlie St. Cloud.
Efron’s character wants to attend a graduation party with his friends, but he’s forced to stay home to babysit his younger brother. While attempting to sneak out to go to the party, his younger brother asks to take him to his own friend’s house. On the drive there, they wind up in a devastating car crash with the younger brother dies.
Throughout the film, Charlie St. Cloud speaks with his dead brother’s spirit and fulfill his wish of practicing baseball with him every day at sunset.
Where to watch Charlie St. Cloud: Netflix
2. New Year’s Eve (2011)
This star-studded ensemble film follows many interconnected stories of people experiencing problems on New Year’s Eve. Efron plays a deliveryman who helps a woman, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, complete a series of New Year’s resolutions in exchange for tickets to the Ahern Records Masquerade Ball.
Where to watch New Year's Eve: Netflix
3. The Lucky One (2012)
Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, Efron stars as a military man named Logan who finds a woman’s photo while serving in Iraq. He winds up tracking down the woman and he begins a romantic relationship with her.
Where to watch The Lucky One: Hulu
4. The Paperboy (2012)
Directed and co-written by Lee Daniels, the film follows a reporter who returns to his hometown to help exonerate a man on death row. Efron plays the reporter’s brother, who also serves as the reporter’s driver.
Efron also falls in love with a woman who wants to help the man on death row, but she doesn’t love him back as she loves the man on death row.
Where to watch The Paperboy: Prime Video
5. Parkland (2013)
This historical drama follows the events after John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. The film weaves together ordinary people who have been thrown into extraordinary circumstances, one being Dr. Charles James “Jim” Carrico played by Zac Efron. Carrico was the first doctor to examine Kennedy after he was assassinated.
Where to watch Parkland: YouTube Movies (free)
6. Neighbors (2014)
Efron stars alongside Seth Rogen and Dave Franco in a comedy where a couple moves next to a fraternity house. A full out war between the fraternity and the couple ensues throughout the film.
Where to watch Neighbors: Prime Video
7. That Awkward Moment (2014)
This rom-com follows a trio of friends who navigate their way through relationships. Efron stars as Jason who states that each relationship reaches that “So…” moment where someone wants to take the relationship to a more serious place. In his eyes, Jason sees that as the end of the relationship.
Throughout the film, viewers see Jason work on becoming serious in relationships.
Where to watch That Awkward Moment: Prime Video
8. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)
Another comedy film which has Zac Efron starring alongside Adam Devine as two brothers who put out an ad for dates to their sister’s wedding. This movie is based on a real-life Craiglist ad placed by two brothers who wound up writing a book about their experience.
Where to watch Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates: Prime Video
9. Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)
This comedy sequel follows the same couple of the original film trying to sell their home but they wind up batting with a new sorority that had moved in next door, replacing the fraternity from before.
Where to watch Neighbors 2: Prime Video
10. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
Efron takes on a heavy role as the serial killer Ted Bundy. This biographical crime is based on Bundy’s ex-girlfriend’s memoir titled The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy.
Where to watch Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile: Netflix
Chinyere (pronounced sha-near-ruh) is a writer who covers entertainment and pop culture news.