Outline:
So, you’re watching television when, out of nowhere, your phone buzzes with a warning that a comet is racing toward Earth. You’re terrified, genuinely terrified, and you wonder who will prevent the comet from destroying everything. Then, you breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that we have someone ready to take on the challenge of saving the planet:Gerard Butler.
Sure, we can’t count on Gerard Butler to rescue everyone from a comet, even though he safeguarded his family from one in the 2020 movie.Greenland, and will try to locate a new home for his family in the wasteland in the follow-up to that popular film,Greenland 2: Migration, which wasn’t received quite well.However, Butler’s film career extends far beyond confronting planet-destroying comets. If you view him solely as an action movie actor who has appeared in some typical action films, you would be amazed to learn thatHis resume is truly varied and extensive., from assisting his son in training a dragon, to appearing in an overlooked romantic comedy. This individual had accomplished everything, and we turned toLetterboxdto list his most well-known films.
‘Olympus Has Fallen’ (2013)
Letterboxd Score: 2.8/5
In 2013, Hollywood chose to debut not only one film depicting an attack on the White House, but two. Although bothWhite House Downand Olympus Has Fallenboth were exciting in their own way, the latter was definitely themore unified and engaging, all due to Butler guiding the way.
In Olympus Has Fallen, Butler portrays the fallen Secret Service agent Mike Banning, tasked with rescuing the President (Aaron Eckhart) after the White House is stormed and seized by a North Korean insurgent group. Although this storyline had the potential to become chaotic,Olympus Has Fallenperforms the material quite seriously, giving it a solid foundation and making it appear authentic, which is largely due to Butler’s performance.His character didn’t engage in anything that went against reason, and you had a troubling feeling all along that he might not have been capable of saving the president..While the film received mixed critiques, it is now regarded as anunderrated cult gem that is easily rewatchable.
“P.S. I Love You” (2007)
Letterboxd Score: 3.2/5
When considering Gerard Butler’s acting career, one envisions him kicking demigods into a black hole and fighting the weather to protect Earth. Typically, he isn’t seen as a romantic comedy actor, yet in 2007, he appeared in one,P.S. I Love You,starring oppositeHilary Swank.
Directed by Richard LaGravenese, the film, adapted fromCecelia AhernThe 2004 novel, follows Butler as a husband facing a terminal illness, and in an effort to help his wife cope with her sorrow,he composes a sequence of letters addressed to her, with the aim of motivating her to continue living her life. Although this is technically a romantic comedy,P.S. I Love Youwas truly more of a dramatic film. There was not much humor to be found here, but the movie was gentle and affectionate. Although it received poor reviews,People on Letterboxd enjoy the movie., and it’s now a cult classic among rom-com fans.
‘Den of Thieves’ (2018)
Letterboxd Score: 3.3/5
Although Butler has a rich background that is more varied than some individuals realize,It’s in the action genre where he performs at his best.One of his finest, yet often overlooked, was 2018’sDen of Thieves, a movie that was written, directed, and produced byChristian Gudegastthat was actually more profound than critics acknowledged.
Here, Butler plays Nick “Big Nick” O’Brien, a Los Angeles County detective involved with a gang unit tasked with stopping a group of former Marines planning to rob the Federal Reserve.Den of Thieves is significantly more realistic thanPlane, but equally engaging. In certain ways,It’s a nostalgic nod to those vintage heist films, and it meets the expectationswhich were highlighted by the film, largely due to Butler’s portrayal.
‘Law Abiding Citizen’ (2009)
Letterboxd Score: 3.4/5
When films depict vigilantism, the characters are frequently portrayed as heroes who are misunderstood. However, in 2009, the directorF. Gary Grayand Gerard Butler clearly demonstrated this vigilantism inLaw Abiding Citizen. Co-starring Jamie Foxx, Butler, who also served as a co-producer of the film, isa man pursuing fairness for the murder of his loved ones, and also against a judicial system that has turned corrupt.
There was an unsettling aspect to Butler’s take on therevenge-fueled vigilante. You aren’t sure if he’s good or bad, he functioned in a gray area that made viewers question whether they should have supported him.This is entirely Butler’s acting skills, and he performed this role exceptionally well.. Law Abiding Citizenwas an unexpected success in 2009, and for good reason.
‘300’ (2006)
Letterboxd Score: 3.4/5
“This is Sparta!” That single phrase, that one line, was omnipresent in the mid to late 2000s. It was impossible to avoid. From SNL sketches to internet memes, That statement, spoken by Butler’s King Leonidas, will always be remembered in popular culture.. You can genuinely say the same about the movie the line originated from,300, directed by Zack Snyder and adapted fromFrank Millera graphic novel of the same title
Although they exercised greater artistic freedom with the original content,300was among the distinctive and captivating films of the 2000s, flawlesslyshowcasing Snyder’s unique stylewhen it came to imagery, andButler’s authoritative appearance on screen as King Leonidas, the man who commanded his heavily armored Spartan force of 300 into combat.
“The Phantom of the Opera” (2004)
Letterboxd Score: 3.6/5
In 1910, author Gaston Leroux wrote a book that recounted a deeply sorrowful tale about Christine Daaé, who became consumed by a musical prodigy who resided beneath the Paris Opera House. This genius, however, was enigmatic and had a severe facial deformity, yet Christine remained determined to uncover his identity. The title of this book wasThe Phantom of the Opera, and it has existedadapted for Broadway productions and musicals over the years; but, in 2004, The Phantom of the Operaarrived on the big screen and became a major triumph.
Butler plays the main character, a scarred and enigmatic musical talent who resides beneath the Paris Opera House.Equally sorrowful and exquisite as the original book, The Phantom of the Operawas a major success at the box office, and is regardedone of Butler’s finest movies. If you haven’t watched it, we strongly recommend you do, as it’s a remarkable drama that will deeply move you.
“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” (2019)
Letterboxd Score: 3.7/5
So, we’ve entered the How to Train Your Dragonportion of this work. Get ready because,according to Letterboxd users, This renowned trilogy is the top films in Gerard Butler’s filmography., and it’s nowhere near close. For instance, even the 2025 live-action adaptation, where Butler returned to play the role in live-action (more about this later), is considered one of the top films.
That’s how well-known this trilogy has become, and, to be honest, it definitely presents a strong argument for its popularity. We begin with 2019’sHow to Train Your Dragon: The Secret World, the third movie in the trilogy that features Butler once again providing his voice for Stoick the Vast, the late father of Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), the boy who discovered a dragon and tamed it. Here we are presented withA 21-year-old Hiccup searching for the dragon utopia known as the “Hidden World,” as he struggles to accept Toothless’ new romantic interest., and also deals with Grimmel the Grisly (F. Murray Abraham), a fellow dragon trainer who is somewhat more ruthless. Although not quite on par with the previous two movies, and Butler’s role being reduced,Hidden Worldwas still a valid addition to theHow to Train Your Dragonuniverse, and one that is worth observing.
“How to Train Your Dragon 2” (2014)
Letterboxd Score: 3.8/5
OK, full disclaimer here: How to Train Your Dragon 2is my personal favorite from the trilogy, and once you watch it, you’ll completely grasp why. With Butler returning as Hiccup’s father, Stoick the Vast,He was equally energetic in this movie as he was in the first one., However, Butler’s vocal performance is not the only reason why I appreciateHow to Train Your Dragon 2so much.
In contrast to the first movie, the second film moves the narrative into amore emotional, darker tone, while maintaining the same elements that made the original film so beloved. I’ll be honest, I actually shed tears by the end (and that’s not an easy accomplishment), asThis was a very beautiful and sincere film with exciting action sequences., legendary characters, and the most adorable Night Fury ever. Honestly, who doesn’t have a fondness for Toothless? He’s just incredibly cute.
“How to Train Your Dragon” (2025)
Letterboxd Score: 3.8/5
When it was revealed thatHow to Train Your Dragon, the cherished animated movie that is listed among the greatest films of all time,was receiving a live-action adaptationPeople were naturally concerned. Was it going to be as good as the original? Admit it, you probably asked yourself that question, just like I did. I waited until it became available on streaming before watching it, and honestly, the live-action adaptation stands the test of time.
It was pleasant to witness Butler portraying Stoick the Vast in a live-action adaptation, and he delivered the same energy in the live-action version as he did in the animated film. Is this movie superior to the original? Not necessarily,but it’s also not a bad choice, either. Letterboxd users generally agree that this film iswell worth your time, and we concur with this evaluation.
“How to Train Your Dragon” (2010)
Letterboxd Score: 4.1/5
We have reached the film that Letterboxd has labeled as Gerard Butler’s finest work, and, honestly, we can agree with this assessment.How to Train Your Dragon is one of the best animated fantasy films of all-time, and we remain committed to that. Based onCrissida Cowell‘s 2003 novel, How to Train Your Dragon, it follows Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III (Baruchel), the son of Stoick the Vast (Butler) who aspired to be a renowned dragon killer like other Vikings. However, after he injured a rare Night Fury, he was unable to kill it, and,instead nurtures and forms a bond with the dragon, calling him Toothless.
The story of How to Train Your Dragon is completely straightforward, but it’s executed with genuine emotion and humor that will amuse both children and adults, and Butler’s portrayal of Stoick the Vast is among the finest voice performances of the 2010s. It contributed toelevate a movieIt could have been a standalone film, but instead became one of the greatest movie trilogies ever made. And, as we mentioned before, who doesn’t adore Toothless?