Channing Tatum is making all the headlines recently. Whether it is that crazy trip to Wrexham with Ryan Reynolds or getting struck by Cupid’s arrow once again, the star has kept his name in the tabloids. Tatum also triggered controversy during a recent appearance on Hot Ones. At one point in the conversation, the actor lamented how “it really feels like, at times, that you’re incentivized to make bad things to get paid, rather than make something really, really good, for the f**king people that actually get to see these things.”
The conversation never ends, huh? Every actor who has had plenty of blockbuster success often feels the need to do more quality, artsy movies at some point. But look where such a desire has gotten Dwayne Johnson to. Great performance in The Smashing Machine, but the worst box office figures of his career. Going through social media, one easily notices that many movie lovers tend to disagree with opinions like that of Tatum. They argue that if you have one of the best jobs in the world, you should just be happy you get to do it.
But that’s a lengthy discussion for another article. Meanwhile, here are 10 Channing Tatum movies every fan needs to see.
‘Roofman’ (2025)
Roofman is the true story of Jeffrey Manchester (portrayed by Channing Tatum), a former cash-strapped Army Reserve officer who began robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes through roofs — earning the moniker “Roofman.” After a dramatic prison break, he hid inside a Toys “R” Us store for six consecutive months. During his time on the lam, he formed an unusual romance with toy-store employee, Leigh (Kirsten Dunst),
Doing Justice to the Story of One of America’s Most Unconventional Criminals
Whether Roofman will be a landmark event remains to be seen, but the few critics who have watched it so far (the movie opens on October 10 in the United States) describe it as a joyously fascinating, fact-based tale. There is also bad news for anyone who ever doubted Tatum’s rest. In what is an emotionally demanding role, commentators say he gives a brilliant, Oscar-winning performance, making his character’s delusions very real and very touching.
‘A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints’ (2006)
Based on the 2001 memoir of the same name by director, writer, and musician Dito Montiel, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints is about Dito Montiel (Robert Downey Jr.), a writer who heads back to his rough Astoria, Queens neighborhood after a long time to visit his dying father, Monty (Chazz Palminteri). Via flashbacks to the ‘80s, we see young Dito (Shia LaBeouf) figuring out life while surrounded by ne’er-do-well friends like Antonio (Channing Tatum) and Nerf (Peter Tambakis). Feeling guilty about leaving his buddies and family behind, Dito tries to make things right.
A Closer, Clearer Look at Life in Queens
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints often takes a back seat to other 2000s biopics, and it shouldn’t, since it’s every bit as good. The lengthy moments of dialogue are unmatched in the gossamer score by Jonathan Elias makes you feel like you grew up in Astoria, too. Tatum’s chemistry with Shia LaBeouf gives the film plenty of emotional weight, and it’s a sad moment whenever the two leave the frame. For his efforts, the actor received a Best Supporting Male nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards.
‘Haywire’ (2011)
Mallory Kane (Gina Carano), a black-ops operative, knows how it goes. When a mission goes wrong, her superiors will always deny knowing her. That’s what happens when a covert assignment in Barcelona goes wrong. Even worse, her former colleagues, Paul (Michael Fassbender), Kenneth (Ewan McGregor), and Aaron (Channing Tatum), have been sent to her. Will Mallory’s unique combat skills benefit her in Haywire?
When It All Falls Down
Here, Tatum provides the appealing in-your-face energy of an intelligence operative, perfectly aided by veterans Antonio Banderas and Michael Fassbender. Is it one of the greatest spy movies of all time? You won’t think so. But it’s a glorious piece of filmmaking — presented with suspense and brio. Every frame in the film is active, rich, and vivid, and you can feel director Steven Soderbergh’s passionate glee in making all these pictures move. Minimal dialogue and excellent fight choreography also qualify Haywire as an action masterpiece.
‘Side Effects’ (2013)
In the opening minutes of Side Effects, we meet Martin (Channing Tatum), happy to complete his four-year prison sentence for insider trading. But his wife Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara) doesn’t look so happy. When she drives into a wall in an apparent suicide attempt, she is forced to see a therapist and is soon prescribed an experimental drug for depression. Shockingly, the drug causes her to sleepwalk and kill someone. What now?
Bad Drugs? Don’t Be So Sure
The sense of malice in Side Effects is frank and refreshingly uninhibited, while the hinted topic of the justice system is covered only in subtle subtext. Don’t be quick to pity anyone. Some of the characters aren’t as innocent as they might look and don’t deserve sympathy. This isn’t a movie about mental health either. There are some crazy twists along the way, so clever that you won’t feel bad that you never saw them coming. And Tatum is as restrained as he has ever been. Who knew he could play a bewildered husband so convincingly?
‘Hail, Caesar!’ (2016)
During the Golden Age of Hollywood, John Mannix (portrayed here by Josh Brolin) built a reputation as Hollywood’s greatest “fixer,” paid by studios to cover up scandals involving some of the greatest actors. Hail, Caesar! is about him, except he is on a fictional mission investigating what happened to dimwitted but popular star, Baird Whitlock (George Clooney), who disappeared while filming a biblical epic.
Who Took Whitlock?
Hail, Caesar! is like Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, except that it’s not domineering. It’s like Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood made in a cheery, festive frame of mind. And that’s because the film is informed by Joel Coen’s early Hollywood days as a production assistant, during which he got to witness the crazy side of actors on a more personal level. Despite his limited screen time, Channing Tatum gives one of the film’s most memorable performances, playing a Gene Kelly-type song-and-dance movie star who harbors great secrets. Wait for his amazing tap routine while performing a musical number called “No Dames!
’21 Jump Street’ (2012)
Adapted from the ‘80s TV show of the same name, 21 Jump Street covers the slapstick adventures of rookie cops Morton Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Greg Jenko (Channing Tatum) after they are reassigned to an undercover division that infiltrates high schools to tackle youth crimes. Now posing as students, they hope to find the supplier of a new synthetic drug.
Freeze! You Are Under a Desk
Jointly directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, this taut, funny, and tingling action comedy, shot in great splashes of color, boasts a top ensemble cast including Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Dakota Johnson, and Nick Offerman. But the film truly belongs to Tatum and Hill, whose chemistry is as great as it could ever be. Each of them received an MTV Movie Award nomination, paving the way for what would be a great decade for them. Is it better than the TV show? Well… It’s safer not to pick sides.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024)
The team-up everyone had been waiting for finally happened. In Deadpool & Wolverine, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) learns that the Time Variance Authority is planning to mercy-kill his universe since it’s quickly decaying. This is happening because the deceased Wolverine was the stabilizing anchor. Eager to prevent that from happening, Deadpool teams up with a drunk Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) from another universe. During their mission, they meet several other heroes, including Gambit (Channing Tatum).
Peak Marvel!
For a while, fans had been afraid that the MCU was also in decay. Thankfully, Deadpool & Wolverine steered the ship back to stable waters. Co-written by Reynolds, this twisty, funny, and action-packed film never strains for effect, further benefitting from an amazing Rob Simonsen score, outrageous dialogue, and numerous amazing cameos. Despite his limited time in the movie, Tatum’s Gambit stands tall as one of the most memorable characters, thanks to his Cajun-accented remarks.
‘Foxcatcher’ (2014)
Based on true events, Foxcatcher observes the evolving relationship between Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and wealthy heir John du Pont (Steve Carell). In the ‘80s, John invited Schultz to train at his private “Foxcatcher” estate for the next Olympics, an opportunity the athlete took because he was seeking fresh opportunities away from his brother and coach, Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo). Regrettably, things would end tragically.
A Tearjerking Reminder of Exploitation and Murder
Part psychological thriller, part sports drama, Foxcatcher rides on the strength of its talented actors. Stepping away from comedy, Steve Carell impresses as a wealthy man who doesn’t mean well, and Channing Tatum does a great job of playing naïve, even though he doesn’t look like someone who’d be easily fooled by anyone. The film was nominated for the Palme d’Or and five Oscars, including Best Director for Bennett Miller, but it didn’t win any.
‘Logan Lucky’ (2017)
There’s an unusual heist plan in Logan Lucky. Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum), a construction worker, plots with his one-armed brother Clyde (Adam Driver) and sister Mellie (Riley Keough) to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway. For the plan to be successful, they must break explosives expert Joe Bang (Daniel Craig) out of prison and return him without anyone noticing.
Better than the Ocean’s Team
Nearly unclassifiable, but as aggressive and bold as the colorful and breezy highways and corridors where much of the action is set, Logan Lucky’s rhythms will clutch at you, rewarding your patience (during the planning process) with breathtaking moments later on. Dissecting whether all of this is logical isn’t really important. Just allow the caper movie’s naturalism and the intelligence of the characters to envelop you. You’ll be left with an exhilarating feeling of refreshment and perhaps, even some edification. On top of that, you’ll be looking for more movies where Channing Tatum exhibits quiet charm the way he does here.
‘Magic Mike’ (2012)
Channing Tatum stars in Magic Mike as Mike Lane, a charming male Chippendales-type stripper from Tampa, Florida, who dreams of owning a furniture business. While working at the male strip club owned by the flamboyant Dallas (Matthew McConaughey), he befriends Adam (Alex Pettyfer) and introduces him to the world of exotic dancing, only for the young man to sink into the lifestyle’s excesses of sex, money, and drugs. Feeling guilty, Mike starts to question his own life choices.
Dancing their Way to Happiness
Tatum is splendid as the committed, compassionate dancer who nearly suffers a nervous breakdown while trying to put his affairs in order. Talk of tailor-made. He fits the role perfectly because he used to be a male dancer when he was 18. And adult dance sequences have never been as nourishing or cathartic as the sessions with Magic Mike. But the star of the movie is Matthew McConaughey, who was on fire in the early 2010s. Many still feel he should have gotten an Oscar nomination for his performance.