American actor Alan Ritchson has garnered widespread attention for his title role in Reacher. Ritchson has come a long way from his early career, which began as a model and then as a contestant on American Idol season 3. He then made both a literal and figurative splash in Smallville, playing the legendary DC hero Aquaman, and since then, he has gone on to have an impressive career playing a number of iconic heroes and villains.
Now a seasoned film and television actor, Ritchson has finally received the deserved recognition. He has appeared in series such as Hawaii Five-0, CSI: Miami, 90210, and Black Mirror. The actor was also Gloss in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Ritchson even produced, co-wrote, acted in, and directed Lionsgate’s Dark Web: Cicada 3301 in 2021. Ritchson has quite a few projects in the works, but until then, here’s a look at his best performances, ranked.
‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ (2013)
The second (and arguably the best) movie in The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, sees Katniss Everdeen and her fellow tribute Peeta Mellark return home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Still not cured of the horrors of the arena and the guilt of killing others, Katniss abhors the idea of going on Victor’s Tour of the District. The Capitol sees her impact as Mockingjay and the rebellion she causes, and announces the 75th Hunger Games, or the Quarter Quell, in which living winners of previous games are returned to the arena to fight to the death.
Alan Ritchson plays Gloss, a Career Tribute from District 1 and the previous victor of the 63rd Hunger Games. He brings both fear and physicality with his buckled-up frame and experience of winning games before. Under Francis Lawrence’s sublime direction, he delivers a dangerously alluring performance, with his sly eyes, knowing smirk, and a massive tank-like presence that pits him as an unstoppable killer. Obviously, it’s not the biggest role, but it’s one where Ritchson can truly play up being a villain.
‘Smallville’ (2001 – 2011)
A cult-favorite show that Alan Ritchson has starred in is Smallville, a DC Comics-based superhero series that follows the adventures of a young Clark Kent. Across ten seasons, audiences watch Clark Kent grow up and see what leads him down the path to eventually becoming Earth’s greatest hero, Superman. While Clark did not don any tights until the final episode, he met plenty of heroes from the pages of DC Comics along the way, and one of the most prominent was Aquaman, played by Ritchson.
Ritchson’s Aquaman debuted in season 5, episode 4, aptly titled “Aqua,” and it was the most-watched episode of the season. Notably, this is Ritchson’s first major acting role and TV breakthrough, and he would become a recurring guest across the series, even appearing in the iconic Justice League episode “Justice” in season 6. Before Jason Mamoa redefined Aquaman, Ritchson proved the character could work in live-action and gave him a rugged sense of danger and tough-guy attitude to contrast with Clark Kent.
‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ (2024)
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare presented a WWII action-adventure that showcased Guy Ritchie’s knack for blending action and comedy. The story follows rogue British commando Gus March‑Phillips (Henry Cavill) as he assembles a small and eccentric team of soldiers to disrupt Nazi naval operations in West Africa during World War II. Given free rein, the team takes on dangerous raids, rescues, and naval hijackings. While a box office flop, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare would find a second life on streaming.
In the film, Alan Ritchson plays Anders Lassen, a Danish soldier serving with the British. Ritchson would fit in perfectly as the ‘muscle’ of the group, known for his fearless and violent knack for close-quarters combat. As a result, Ritchson stands out in the majority of the action sequences, both in physicality and persona. Yet, what is most delightful for fans of the actor is his interactions with Caville, as when the two are together, bantering, it is always entertaining.
‘Titans’ (2018–2023)
After playing Arthur Curry in Smallville, Alan Ritchson took on the role of another superhero in DC’s Titans. He played Hank Hall, a.k.a. “Hawk,” a vigilante and founding member of the series’ original Titans. With Minka Kelly’s Dawn Granger, Hank’s girlfriend, the two made up the vigilante duo “Hawk and Dove.” The series’ primary characters, however, are Dick Grayson and Rachel Roth, who join forces with the other heroes and fight evil together as a family.
Titans was far from a perfect show, sometimes introducing questionable character decisions, but Ritchson has always been one of the reasons to watch the series. The way he balanced Hank Hall’s brutal nature with glimpses of humanity is a demonstration of true talent. Despite his short temper, Hank Hall was a man with a good heart and a genuine desire to help others. Even though he initially adopted the Hawk alter-ego to cope with his trauma and pain, he continued to use it to fight for the Titans. Ritchson left Titans following its third season and took the role of Jack Reacher in Reacher.
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (2014)
The characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman have long been fan favorites for their capacity to deliver thrills and laughs in equal proportion. While not as phenomenal as 2023’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, this one brings back the beloved group of pizza and fighting-obsessed turtle brothers – Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, and Michaelangelo – to stop Shredder and the Foot Clan from going through with their insidious plan of unleashing chaos upon New York City. When reporter April O’Neil stumbles upon them, they team up for an explosive showdown.
In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Alan Ritchson voices Raphael, the second-oldest brother in the group. He brings an intensity to Raphael’s brooding personality. Audiences gain a good understanding of Ralph’s angst, fierce loyalty, and courage. Ritchson would reprise his role in the 2016 sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, which played up the conflict between him and his brother, Leonardo. While this version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a controversial one among fans, Ritchson’s depiction of Raphael was right in line with what fans expected from the character.
‘Fast X’ (2023)
The blockbuster Fast & Furious franchise is known mainly for its entertainment value. Fast X is an installment in the action/crime film series that sees Dominic Toretto and his family outsmarting several enemies and the law. Now, when the Agency calls them to secure a computer chip while it’s on the move, he faces his biggest foe yet – Dante Reyes, the son of a drug lord. Dante tests Dom and his family like never before until he’s forced to unite with others and bring them down.
Playing Agent Aimes, the Agency’s de facto leader since the former leader’s disappearance, Alan Ritchson manages to leave an indelible mark on the viewers. Despite the film (and the franchise) overflowing with big names and small, he adds subtlety and nuance, showcasing the same charm in intricate action sequences. He asserts himself after teaming up with Dom to take down Dante, but when his true motives are revealed, the audience is mesmerized by his layered persona. There is also the fun meta-narrative of Ritchson working alongside Jason Momoa, as both actors have played Aquaman.
‘Blood Drive’ (2017)
The 2017 Syfy action series Blood Drive cast Alan Ritchson as the lead, Los Angeles Police Department officer Arthur Bailey. Blood Drive was set in an alternate, dystopian universe in which the US economy has collapsed, and crime runs rampant. As the world falls apart, both water and gasoline become increasingly difficult to acquire. Arthur Bailey teams up with a street racer named Grace to participate in a do-or-die race. But the race through the Blood Drive ran on human blood, not gasoline. Racers who finished last were killed in gruesome ways.
Before he stunned us all in Reacher, Ritchson took on the complex role of a cop in a brutal, bloodthirsty world. His character had a commanding presence and was always on his toes, trying to survive the treacherous race at all costs. Scenes of the actor behind the wheel showcased his emotional nuance and physical prowess in equal measure. At one point, Arthur Bailey and Grace were put to the ultimate test, competing against other racers with violent tendencies. The series is quite fun and bingeable, and another strong title in Ritchson’s body of work.
‘War Machine’ (2026)
Attempting to join the elite squad of The Rangers to honor his brother, Alan Ritchson (known only by his assigned number of 81) endures brutal training before being chosen to lead a final practice mission for the troop. However, the group is thrown off course, drawn to a mysterious object. It turns out to be a mech piloted by an unknown alien lifeform, sent to eliminate humanity. A training practice turns into a brutal fight for survival.
Netflix certainly pulled out all the stops for War Machine, delivering one of its biggest film productions to date. Ritchson would deliver crazy stunts and high-octane action as a hardened and determined soldier. The movie is, admittedly, a rather formulaic, patriotic, CGI-heavy action movie, and while it does not contain Richardson’s best performance, it cements him as a standout and highly bankable action star. For fans who want some cool, sensational action, War Machine is a stand-out and a must-watch for fans of Ritchson.
‘Blue Mountain State’ (2010–2011)
Alan Ritchson’s role in the sitcom Blue Mountain State was certainly very different from the rest of his filmography. Blue Mountain State presented an exaggerated, over-the-top version of the sports, partying, drugs, and sex people often associate with American universities. Ritchson played Kevin “Thad” Devlin Castle, a college linebacker and later captain of his football team. Thad was a super-brash, energetic, and silly character with an unusually high-pitched scream.
Thad was easily the most memorable character in Blue Mountain State, and made the show crazier and funnier than it had any right to be. The role showed Ritchson’s impressive acting range as well as his natural comedic talent and took him to the next level of stardom, showing he was more than a commanding presence but also really funny. Ritchson reprised his role as Thad for the Blue Mountain State movie, 2016’s The Rise of Thadland. As the title makes clear, he is the star attraction of the film.
‘Reacher’ (2022 – Present)
Tom Cruise may be one of the greatest action movie stars today, but Jack Reacher is far from his best character, especially compared to Alan Ritchson. Alan Ritchson took on the lead role in the Prime Video series, which is more faithful to its source material. In this adaptation of the classic character, we see Reacher being accused of a murder he didn’t commit. After being freed, he pairs up with honest investigators Oscar Finlay and Roscoe Conklin and finds himself up against dangerous conspiracies, corrupt politicians, and wealthy tycoons.
Slipping quite effortlessly into the role of Jack Reacher, Alan Ritchson displayed the character’s brains and brawn with unmatched precision. Many fans have commented that Ritchson’s Reacher feels, looks, and acts more like the Reacher from the novels. His character was enormous, and that carried into Jack Reacher’s stoic, strong, and silent personality. His natural swagger and exhilarating fight scenes had viewers cheering on. Reacher was a drifter — a lone wolf with a strong sense of right and wrong.
It is evident that Alan Ritchson’s career will only continue to prosper, and it is exciting to see what future projects he will lead. For now, let us know what your favorite Alan Ritchson performance is.