7 Alan Ritchson movies and TV Shows that you shouldn’t miss

If you have ever wondered what happens when a superhero’s physique meets a theater kid’s emotional depth, Alan Ritchson is your answer. Towering at 6’2” with a jawline sharp enough to slice steel, Ritchson isn’t just a pretty face, or even just a brawny one. He’s a scene-stealer, a surprise powerhouse, and lately, Hollywood’s go-to man for roles that need equal parts charm, chaos, and chest-thumping intensity. Whether he's tossing bad guys across a diner in Reacher or hilariously navigating teenage angst as Aquaman in Smallville, Ritchson proves he’s more than just an action hero; he’s got range.

From cult-favorite series to big-screen blockbusters, Ritchson has done it all: sung in harmony, fought with fury, and occasionally delivered lines that’ll make you spit out your drink laughing. And while you may know him best as Jack Reacher’s walking wall of justice, his resume runs deep with roles that’ll have you bingeing, cheering, and maybe even shedding a tear or two. So grab your remote (or your trident), because these 7 Alan Ritchson movies and TV shows are the kind of must-watch content you didn’t know you were missing.

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The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)

"Landed. Killed Germans. F**ked off."⁠ Alan Ritchson’s portrayal of the Dutch saboteur, Anders Lassen, in Guy Ritchie’s high-octane World War II historical drama, "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare," is nothing short of explosive. Both literally and figuratively. Ritchson plays a real-life war hero who’s got more arrows and knives than the kitchen section at Harrods and uses them like poetry in motion. Henry Cavill leads the film as Gus March-Phillipps, the commander of a covert British unit set to sabotage the Nazis in the most unorthodox, rule-breaking ways imaginable.

Ritchson’s Lassen is the enforcer, a Danish commando with the soul of a warrior-poet, who campaigned to have bows and arrows designated as an official weapon of war. Ritchson blends animalistic violence with surprising levity. He’s a tank with a tragic backstory, and the way he commands attention in every scene (even beside Cavill’s sheer star presence) is proof of his rising stature and chops as an actor. With Eiza González, Alex Pettyfer, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and Henry Golding rounding out the cast, this isn’t just another testosterone-fueled shootout; rather, it’s a stylish, sharp, and often hilarious character-driven war film, with Ritchson’s performance being the highlight of the movie. A lethal combination of charm, fury, and discipline.

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Black Mirror (2011-Present)

Before he was leading covert missions and outmuscling villains, Alan Ritchson made a brief but striking appearance in one of Black Mirror’s most unsettling and eerily prophetic episodes, titled "Nosedive." Directed by Joe Wright, "Nosedive" paints a pastel-hued nightmare where everyone’s worth is determined by their social media ratings. Your smile, your coffee order, even your morning hello—every interaction is judged, rated, and broadcasted. It's Instagram hell turned reality, where a bad ranking can lead to people losing their family, jobs, and everything they hold dear. Bryce Dallas Howard plays Lacie Pound, a woman obsessed with climbing the social hierarchy.

One of the few exceptions is Ritchson’s Paul, who struggles with the status quo, and his efforts to persuade his fiancée, Naomi (Alice), to invite Lacie to the wedding, even though her social score indicates she should not, are some of the series’ most genuinely touching moments. While Ritchson’s role in "Nosedive" is brief, it’s unforgettable. He captures the juxtaposition behind the performance and throws light on the way people weaponize charm when social status is on the line. In a world where every smile is strategic, his portrayal makes you wonder and adds nuance to the storytelling. "Nosedive" remains one of Black Mirror’s most iconic episodes, and Ritchson’s small but surgically sharp appearance fits it like a perfectly tailored suit; just don’t forget to rate five stars afterward.

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Fast X (2023)

When Alan Ritchson was announced as the latest addition to the Fast & Furious family, fans weren’t sure what to expect. After all, how do you outmuscle Vin Diesel? Aimes entered the scene, the new head of the Agency, and arguably the most stylishly sarcastic character to hit the franchise since Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw. Aimes arrives in Fast X like a walking tank: built like Reacher, dressed like Bond, and quipping like Deadpool. Ritchson plays the role with a devil-may-care attitude that’s somehow both infuriating and irresistible and stands out even though the rest of the ensemble cast is nothing short of Hollywood A-listers.

At first, Aimes is framed as an antagonist, skeptical of Dom’s loyalty and dismissive of the "family" mantra. However, as the story unfolds, so do the layers. Ritchson walks a tightrope between cocky bureaucrat and sympathetic soldier. And when his alliance with the film’s villain, Dante Reyes (played by Jason Momoa), is revealed, the internet goes haywire. Whether you see him as a villain or a victim of circumstance, one thing is clear: that Ritchson’s Aimes adds a gritty elegance to the chaotic joyride that is Fast X.

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Above The Shadows (2019)

The movie “Above the Shadows” is certainly the most underrated gem in Alan Ritchson’s filmography, as well as his most emotionally vulnerable performance to date. In this haunting romantic fantasy, Ritchson plays Shayne Blackwell, a disgraced MMA fighter who becomes the only person who can see Holly (played by Olivia Thirlby), a young woman who has literally faded into invisibility after being emotionally neglected by the world. Ritchson’s Shayne is bruised in every sense—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Once a rising star in the fighting world, he now runs a failing gym and battles demons of addiction and betrayal.

Enter Holly, a literal ghost of a girl, seeking to undo the damage she believes she caused in his life. The scenes between Shane and Holly are delicate and poetic. Their chemistry is both tender and tragic. This isn’t your typical love story but a meditation on isolation, guilt, and the longing to be truly seen. Director Claudia Myers creates a visual poem, and Ritchson, stripped of action sequences and machismo, delivers something quietly devastating. His performance in Above the Shadows is proof that underneath all that muscle is an extremely talented and multifaceted actor.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

Before Alan Ritchson became a household name for his skills of breaking bones, he was breaking stereotypes as Raphael, the gruff and impulsive red-masked turtle in Jonathan Liebesman’s 2014 reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. If you’re imagining actors in bulky suits from the 1990s, think again. This was motion-capture magic, and Ritchson brought muscle, motion, and mad charisma to the beloved role. “I trained like I was going to fight Shredder myself,” Ritchson joked in a behind-the-scenes interview. The film, produced by Michael Bay, had its fair share of explosive moments. While it leaned into modern blockbuster tropes, what made it stand out was the way the characters were reimagined with a mix of gritty realism and youthful humor.

Ritchson’s Raphael was a standout, being volatile, protective, and at the same time, surprisingly vulnerable. Despite not being a voice-over veteran, Ritchson made Raphael a clear standout when it came to the four turtles, which isn’t an easy feat because in a lot of earlier versions, there wasn’t a ton of separation between Raph and the leader of the group, Leonardo. Alan Ritchson has still not had his full voice acting exploration, but his run as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle proves perhaps it’s a career avenue worth exploring. While critics were split, fans appreciated the refreshing dynamism of the turtles and especially Raphael, whose simmering and distant rage and sarcastic bite brought real weight to the brotherly bond.

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Blood Drive (2017)

Before Reacher made him a household name, Alan Ritchson roared onto the screen with Blood Drive, a SyFy show that burned brightly for just one season. Set in an alternate 1999, where America is literally torn apart by a massive ravine, Blood Drive is as chaotic as its premise suggests. It's a death race where cars run on human blood.

Ritchson plays Arthur Bailey, a straight-laced LAPD officer thrown into the madness, delivering a performance that balances action hero grit with surprising humor and heart. Though short-lived, Blood Drive marked Ritchson’s first lead TV role and showcased his range long before he found mainstream fame. With its gonzo energy, outrageous world-building, and Ritchson’s commanding presence, Blood Drive remains a cult classic and a crucial stepping stone in his career.

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Reacher (2022-Present)

This is the role that made everyone sit up and say, “Whoa. That’s Jack Reacher.” Based on the novels by Lee Child, Amazon Prime Video’s Reacher sees Alan Ritchson step into the shoes, or, more accurately, the boots of former military police investigator turned drifter Jack Reacher. Fitting the character like a well-worn leather jacket, Ritchson brings both brains and brawn to the role. Drawn into deadly investigations across small-town America, the story slowly spirals into a tangled web of corruption, military secrets, and brutal justice, all of which Reacher tackles with a combination of Sherlockian logic and Rambo-like strength.

“Never forgive, never forget.” Ritchson’s Reacher doesn’t talk much, but when he does, it hits hard. He’s a thinker, a protector, and a loner with a moral compass so true it cuts through the fog of corruption like a machete. His fight scenes are masterfully choreographed and unflinchingly realistic. Season 2 elevated the stakes, with deeper emotional threads and a tighter conspiracy. The show’s success has already greenlit further seasons, with fans eagerly waiting to see which Reacher novel will be adapted next.