James Marsden has just made his return to HBO’s critically acclaimed series Dead to Me.
Marsden has had quite the diverse film career, starring in everything from tent-pole superhero blockbusters to cherished romantic comedies to low-budget horror movies. It just takes one look at his filmography on Metacritic to see all the well-received flicks the talented actor has been a part of.
X-Men (2000) – 64
One of the earliest Marvel comic adaptations, X-Men follows a collection of misfits whose genetic mutations give them special abilities, aptly referred to as mutants. Marsden portrays an iconic member of the group named Scott Summers/Cyclops, whose mutation allows him to shoot energy beams from his eyes.
The film was both critically and commercially successful, starting the trend of more comic book adaptations to the big screen. Marsden’s Scott Summers got to have a number of dynamic action scenes as well as some amusing interactions with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. His witty remarks and snide comments made the character of Cyclops one of the best of the team.
Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013) – 65
Lee Daniel’s The Butler is loosely based on the life of Eugene Allen, who worked as a butler in the White House for over three decades. The movie features an incredibly expansive ensemble cast portraying real-life historical figures, notably Marsden as John F. Kennedy.
Marsden’s portrayal of the iconic president was one of his first performances in a prestige awards-friendly film, having been in summer blockbusters and comedies for most of his career. Although his screen time is limited, Marsden’s performance leaves a lasting impression on the rest of the movie.
Robot And Frank (2012) – 67
Robot & Frank is a futuristic crime-comedy centered on an aging cat burglar named Frank whose son, played by Marsden, gifts him with a robot companion meant to help him with his worsening dementia. However, it isn’t long before Frank uses the robot to help him commit crimes again.
Marsden is in a smaller, ing role here, but he is able to hold his own opposite screen legend Frank Langella. Although elements of the plot are outlandish, the performances from the cast help ground the story into a very human tale of acceptance and comion.
X2: X-Men United (2003) – 68
A direct follow-up to 2000’s X-Men, fans of the franchise regard X2 as a perfect superhero sequel. The plot follows the X-Men as they work together with Magneto’s team to stop a mysterious figure that plans to wipe out the existence of mutants from the world.
Marsden is back as Scott Summers and he gets to flex his dramatic chops as the character undergoes some severe emotional manipulation in the film. The performances, action, and set pieces in X2: X-Men United elevated the superhero genre to a higher level of craftsmanship and storytelling.
Welcome To Me (2015) – 69
Welcome to Me follows a woman named Alice (played by Kristen Wiig) with Borderline Personality Disorder who wins a lottery jackpot worth $86 million dollars and uses a portion of her money to create and star in her very own talk show entitled Welcome To Me. Once Alice stops taking her medication, the production of the show and its content becomes problematic, to say the least.
Marsden’s role is quite small in the film as the manager of the television studio. However, the actor does get a few powerful scenes to play around in that showcase his talent. This indie comedy received lukewarm reviews from critics, mostly praising Kristen Wiig’s performance but finding fault with the uneven tone.
Superman Returns (2006) – 72
Superman Returns is a spiritual sequel to the iconic Superman (1978) and Superman 2 (1980). In the film, Clark returns to earth after five years only to find that the world he came back to is very different than the one he left. Notably, the love of his life Lois Lane is engaged to another man (Marsden).
The film pays homage to the original films while also using modern visual effects to bring the story forward. James Marsden is no stranger to comic book movies, but this is the first time that he is not portraying the superhero. Marsden might not be the leading man in this film, but his charm and heart make his character memorable.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014) – 75
The seventh installment in the X-Men franchise compiles two time periods into a high-stakes thrilling adventure. In Days of Future Past, Wolverine must travel back in time to stop Mystique from murdering a scientist who eventually uses Mystique’s DNA to wipe out mutants in the future.
best X-Men movie of all time. The film featured so many original cast from the franchise, delighting even the most casual of fans. Marsden does reprise his role as Scott Summers AKA Cyclops in the 2014 sequel, however it is definitely a blink-and-miss-it cameo.
Enchanted (2007) – 75
A classic fish-out-of-water story, Enchanted tells the tale of a Disney Princess (played by a perfectly cast Amy Adams) who ends up in modern-day New York. Marsden plays a dashing but dimwitted prince whose mission is to find her and return alongside her to their animated world.
The film cleverly pays tribute to well-known Disney tropes and includes a number of wonderfully comical scenes featuring Marsden’s Prince Edward, whose performance is absolutely stellar. Enchanted is a sweet and fantastical homage to the classic Disney movies that came before it.
Hairspray (2007) – 81
This big-screen adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical centers on the racial segregation that plagued America during the 1960s. Set to a flurry of catchy and memorable songs, Hairspray explores themes of prejudice and inequality. In addition to Marsden, the star-studded cast includes John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Queen Latifah.
Marsden’s performance as Corny Collins, an overly enthusiastic TV host, allowed the actor to showcase his incredible singing and dancing abilities. The film was a critical and commercial smash hit, often referred to as one of the best Broadway musical adaptations of all time.
The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya (2014) – 89
This animated film is a fantastical story about a mystical girl who is found inside a piece of bamboo and grows into a beautiful young woman named Princess Kaguya. Suitors from all over try to win her hand in marriage by offering her treasure, but she remains in love with her childhood friend.
Marsden’s role as one of the suitors is very small, but his vocal performance is able to bring a lot of personality to the two-dimensional character. Critics praised the film for its beautiful animation design, riveting story, and complex female lead.
