Mark Wahlberg has established himself as an actor who can succeed in just about any role. For this list, we dive into his best dramas, ranked.
As one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors, Mark Wahlberg has proven time and time again his ability to deliver powerful and nuanced performances across a variety of genres. However, it is perhaps in his dramatic roles that he reveals his true depth as an actor. From heartbreaking tales of real-life hardship to gripping fictional dramas, Wahlberg consistently immerses himself in his characters and delivers emotionally charged performances that stay with audiences long after the credits roll.
For this list, we’ve put together Wahlberg’s best dramatic roles to date. From early career breakthroughs to more recent powerhouses, these films showcase the range and depth of Wahlberg’s acting skills. So get ready to be moved by Mark Wahlberg’s talent as we watch his best dramas of all time, ranked.
8/8 Shooter (2007)
Shooter tells the story of Bob Lee Swagger, a former Marine Corps sniper who, after being falsely accused of attempting to assassinate the president, must flee to clear his name. It’s a tense watch and you can’t help but put yourself in Swagger’s shoes. Shooter deal thoughtfully with the consequences of being framed by shadowy, powerful forces for a crime you didn’t commit. Wahlberg does a good job as the hardened and battle-trained Swagger, anchoring an otherwise generic action thriller with a solid performance.
7/8 All the Money in the World (2017)
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Yes, Christopher Plummer is the star of this movie. Yes, he replaced Kevin Spacey as leader after a slew of controversies surfaced (see Indiewire for a comprehensive overview). But this checkered history shouldn’t take away from what is one of Mark Wahlberg’s best dramatic roles. Wahlberg brings a kind of cool intellect to this biographical thriller, which he helped make All the money in the world a highlight in his recent filmography.
6/8 Deep Water Horizon (2016)
Get ready to see a pattern here: Many of Wahlberg’s greatest dramatic roles come from movies based on true stories. Deep water horizon is one such movie, a heartbreaking disaster movie set on an oil rig that doesn’t quite comply with the code. The film follows Wahlberg as Mike Williams, who must give everything to save the lives of his crew members after an explosive detonation on the platform. This is one of many examples of Wahlberg playing a true hero, and he does justice to the role by delivering a deeply inspired performance.
5/8 Fear (1996)
Fear was a fairly early picture for Mark Wahlberg and his first starring role in a feature film. At the time of his release, he was still active as a hip-hop artist under the stage name “Marky Mark” (according to rare). But his performance as an obsessive stalker turned murderer, David McCall Fear marked a transitional moment in his career. From that moment on, the public began to see him as someone who could do more than just sing and dance.
4/8 Boogie Nights (1997)
Set in the adult entertainment industry in the 1970s and 1980s, Boogie nights is a compelling historical piece directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Wahlberg is perfectly cast as Eddie Adams, a young man who, after being recruited into the adult film business, becomes a major player as Dirk Diggler. The story charts Adams/Diggler’s transition from a wide-eyed newcomer to a hapless veteran with more problems on his plate than he can handle. As a bonus, it also features some of Wahlberg’s most iconic looks.
3/8 Lone Survivor (2013)
Based on the true story of a failed Navy SEAL mission in Afghanistan. Sole survivor follows the story of Marcus Luttrell (played by Mark Wahlberg) and his teammates who struggle to survive after a deadly ambush in the Korangal Valley. It’s Wahlberg’s portrayal of the always gruff Luttrell that anchors the film, as he manages to convey his character’s pain, fear, and determination with raw and honest intensity. This role helped solidify Wahlberg’s position as Hollywood’s leading dramatic actor – and the critical acclaim the film earned didn’t hurt either.
2/8 The Fighter (2010)
Another movie based on a true story, The fighter is a sports biopic centering on Micky Ward (Wahlberg), a junior welterweight boxer trying to make a name for himself in the ring while pursuing a tortured relationship with his self-destructive half-brother, Dicky Eklund (played by the great Christian Bale). . It’s one of Wahlberg’s most nuanced performances, and its messy physicality is offset by Bale’s wiry, troubled portrayal of Dicky. The dynamic between Micky and Dicky is what drives the film, making this touching drama a true acting showcase for both stars.
1/8 The Departed (2006)
A legendary crime thriller from director Martin Scorsese, The departed has arguably the most star-studded cast of all time. With Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg and Martin Sheen involved, it’s definitely in the running. With a cast like this, no one would fault Wahlberg for not standing out. But his performance as Police Sergeant Sean Dignam is one for the ages, and it earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.