Top 15 roles played by Austin Butler

Austin Butler amazed people through several characters he has played. From being in teen shows and family movies to playing Elvis Presley in Elvis (2022), Butler has never stopped himself from exceeding his limits. His flexibility in acting between action, comedy, and drama makes him versatile. This list features his top 15 roles, meant to demonstrate his impressive range and depth in each character.

1) Dude (2018)

The movie starring Austin Butler as Thomas Daniels is a coming-of-age comedy-drama. Set around the last year of high school, it covers all the themes of friendship and grief while growing up along with four best friends. With an understated charm, Austin Butler brings confusion and emotional vulnerability into transitioning toward adulthood. The film includes a great young cast- Lucy Hale and Awkwafina. It was not a box office success, but Dude garnered recognition because of its portrayal of a teenager's struggles and Butler's heartfelt performance in an otherwise light-hearted movie.

2) The Intruders (2015)

In this psychological thriller, Noah Henry is a thoughtful and protective young man played by Austin Butler, who grows closer to Rose (Miranda Cosgrove), a bereaved teenager dealing with mysterious events in her new home. The film does a lot of work to explore paranoia and supernatural intrigue, keeping the emotional grounding of his character amidst the eerie atmosphere of the film. Though the film was a mixed bag, Butler shined by portraying sympathy and resolution.

3) Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure (2011)

Austin Butler stars as Peyton Leverett, the sweet, charming filmmaker who becomes Sharpay Evans' ally in her Broadway domination mission. As the love interest, Butler infuses much-needed charm into Peyton, bringing much more to the role than being a boyfriend to Sharpay. This Disney Channel series was one of the early chances Butler had to show his acting range in a lighter, more musical context. He added a new dynamic to the universe of High School Musical and made Peyton a fan favorite for his grounded personality and loyalty to Sharpay.

4) Aliens in the Attic (2009)

Austin Butler portrays Jake in Aliens in the Attic. His family takes an uneventful trip to a secluded lake house but has to defend it against miniature aliens that have invaded the home. This science fiction-comedy film has the kids playing heroes in a rather bizarre miniaturized alien invasion. The energetic Butler adds a nice and light touch to the group dynamics; he is both protective and amusing. Even though it received mixed reviews at its release, the movie remains an old favorite for most viewers, particularly for the quirky premise and light humor involved.

5) Yoga Hosers (2016)

Austin Butler stars as cocky high schooler Hunter Calloway, who teams up with two teenage clerks in this outrageous supernatural adventure directed by Kevin Smith. Butler appears only for a few scenes, but his arrogant but charming character serves as an amusing contrast to the bizarre events surrounding him. Yoga Hosers is more of a cult favorite and has a loyal fanbase among Smith's offbeat storytelling lovers, and Butler adds something of recognizable star power into the quirky ensemble.

6) Dune: Part Two (2024)

Austin Butler played the villainous Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two. He played the ruthless, and cunning nephew of Baron Harkonnen, known for his deadly rivalry with Paul Atreides, the titular character. The casting created a huge buzz because fans were eager to see him play a complex character. His portrayal highlighted his range and ability and brought depth and intensity to the movie.

7) The Dead Don’t Die (2019)

In Jim Jarmusch's star-studded zombie comedy, Austin Butler stars as Jack, a wholesome youth who embarks on a road trip with his girlfriend Zelda (Selena Gomez) in the sleepy town of Centerville. His contribution may be minor, but Butler brings warmth and young optimism to an otherwise bleak, deadpan film. Butler blends well with Bill Murray and Adam Driver as actors in this quirky movie's narrative. Even if its reception is polarizing, in The Dead Don't Die, Butler shows himself as somebody who can stand out as part of an ensemble.

8) Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

Austin Butler delivered a convincing performance as Tex Watson, one of the Manson Family killers, in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Tex appears for a climactic set sequence that reimagines the Manson murders with a twist in violence. Butler makes a creepy yet compelling presentation of this dangerous fanatic. He shared scenes with Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt and cemented his ability to handle darker and more complex roles. The performance came in for great critical acclaim, which helped lay the groundwork for his breakthrough as a serious actor.

9) The Bikeriders (2024)

Austin Butler plays Benny in The Bikeriders, which tells the story of a young man caught up in the rough world of a motorcycle gang during the 1960s. Directed by Jeff Nichols, this film develops themes about loyalty, rebellion, and the cost of freedom. For this role, Butler once again exhibits his rugged charm, not typical of earlier performances. With Tom Hardy and Jodie Comer, Butler is great at playing his part, raw and emotive, and early reviews say Butler brings depth and vulnerability to the character, making him a dynamic and versatile actor.

10) Elvis (2022)

Austin Butler transformed himself to play Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis. It is an extraordinary performance because he played the King of Rock and Roll authentically, and managed to capture his charisma, vulnerability, and musical genius. He received critical acclaim for his role, including a Golden Globe win, for his commitment to singing and perfecting Elvis' mannerisms. The film chronicles Presley's journey to stardom and his complicated relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks).

11) Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012)

This had been a memorable role, Austin Butler, appearing on the hit Disney Channel show Wizards of Waverly Place as George- the romantic interest for Selena Gomez's Alex Russo. It would not help avoid some teenage drama in a series. Butler's charming portrayal of George made him an overnight favorite among the fans of the series, showing his ability to reach out to the young audience early on. This is one of his early roles in teen TV before moving on to the more varied and complex characters in film.

12) Life Unexpected (2010–2011)

In Life Unexpected, Austin Butler portrayed Jones, a spirited charming teen boy who happens to get tangled in a family reunion fueled with emotional drama. The plot revolves around Lux, a teenager trying to reconnect with her biological parents. Butler's role as Jones was an integral part of the show as he served as Lux's close friend, offering mixtures of humor and heartwarming moments. He thus played the likable-yet-complex character which made him win a heart of many and became one of those early recognitions as one up-and-coming star for a TV drama.

13) Ruby & the Rockits (2009)

In Ruby & the Rockits, the role of the young and close-to-popular family Jordan Gallagher went to actor Austin Butler, who seemed to play alongside the characters of the pop star's past. The adventures of Kirsten Prout as the daughter of such a former teen pop star through her life amidst her weird relatives are pretty interesting. Charming performances by Butler's character gave a perfect equilibrium to such eccentric characters from the TV show. The series was short-lived but it provided Butler the scope to portray his comedic sense of timing and on-screen presence in a family sitcom.

14) The Carrie Diaries (2013-2014)

This prequel to Sex and the City stars Austin Butler as the cute and rebellious Sebastian Kydd who becomes Carrie Bradshaw's, played by Anna Sophia Robb, first love in this period drama, all set against the fabulous New York City skyline for the early 1980s when Carrie's formative years will keep her in Manhattan for lots of drama related relationships, friendships, and initial development of a writing career. But Butler shines more in his portrayal of a laid-back yet emotively complex character, further making the series more depth-filled.

15) iCarly – iLike Jake (2007)

This was Austin Butler's debut on early TV; he was known as Jake Krandle in "iLike Jake," iCarly. The lead character is a teen heartthrob who soon finds Carly (Miranda Cosgrove) who loves him. Guest star Butler played the role of chiseled, charming confident Jake, thus a solid teen romance storyline. iCarly was one of the most popular shows among its young audience at that time, and Butler's appearance in the show helped him build his fan base in the teen TV sphere.