Charles Melton didn’t start acting professionally until 2014, opting to drop out of college and move to Los Angeles to pursue a whole new career path. The former high school athlete had been interested in acting but focused on other aspects of his life. He even took a brief detour into modeling before acting, which did land him work as a model in an episode of Glee.
Since then, Melton hasn’t slowed down one bit. His longest-running role has been playing Reggie Mantle on Riverdale for six seasons, but his acting roles in both TV and movies move beyond teen dramas as well. He’s proven himself an incredibly versatile performer and even earned award show buzz in 2023 after his star-making turn in the movie May December.
Note: Charles Melton’s cameo appearances, uncredited work as an extra or model, and roles as himself are not included.
11 The Thinning: New World Order (2018)
As Cage
The Thinning: New World Order Sci-FiThriller
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*Availability in US Director Michael J. Gallagher Release Date October 17, 2018 Writers Michael J. Gallagher , Steve Greene Cast Logan Paul , Peyton List , Matthew Glave , Calum Worthy , Lia Marie Johnson , michael traynor Runtime 83 minutes
There are several movies and television series that were made exclusively for YouTube when the website was trying to entice more users to its platform. While some, like Cobra Kai, were eventually picked up by Netflix, others weren’t so lucky. The Thinning movies remain on YouTube as an exclusive for the platform.
The movies are set in a dystopian future in which a school aptitude test determines whether or not adolescents are executed to help with population control. While the movies have some bright rising talent in them, like Melton and Peyton List, they were definitely not the most well-received of YouTube’s content. Part of that is due to the movies also starring social media influencers, like Logan Paul, who didn’t actually have acting experience. With the focus on Paul’s character, many critics were dissatisfied with the movie.
Related 10 Dystopian Movies With The Bleakest Futures
Dystopian sci-fi shows Earth in desolate, bleak futures. These movies see the world in terrible states, providing a warning for what could be.
10 Secret Headquarters (2022)
As Hawaii
6/10 Secret Headquarters pg-13
Secret Headquarters is a superhero comedy film that was released exclusively on Paramount+ in 2022. The movie centers on a group of friends who accidentally discover a superhero headquarters underneath their home. Owen Wilson stars as Jack Kincaid (aka The Guard) alongside Michael Peña, Walker Scobell, Jesse Williams, and Keith L. Williams.
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*Availability in US Director Ariel Schulman Release Date August 8, 2022 Writers Ariel Schulman Cast Walker Scobell , Momona Tamada Runtime 104minutes
Secret Headquarters is one of the few movies to have a straight-to-Paramount+ release. The movie takes the sense of adventure that comes with a superhero story and gives it to the audience from a new perspective as a young kid (Walker Scobell) finds a superhero hideout under his house with his friends.
Charles Melton doesn’t have a huge role in this movie as his character actually works for the villain of the story. Of the villains though, he’s one of the most likable in Secret Headquarters. That’s because Hawaii is funny, though not particularly clever, and he has a moral code that means he’s not willing to hurt kids. That, of course, means he doesn’t last long as a henchman or in the movie.
Secret Headquarters received mixed reviews from critics when it was released, but it’s definitely a fun one for younger audience members. Melton’s part is just a little too short-lived to rank it any higher among his projects.
9 Heart Of Champions (2021)
As Chris
Heart of Champions PG-13SportDrama
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*Availability in US Director Michael Mailer Release Date October 29, 2021 Writers Vojin Gjaja Cast Michael Shannon , Alexander Ludwig , Charles Melton , Alex MacNicoll , Michael Tacconi , Lilly Krug
…critics didn’t have any love for the movie’s ending…
Underdogs in sports tend to make for great movies. Unfortunately for Heart of Champions, many audience members and critics didn’t have any love for the movie’s ending, which caused it to slip a bit in the rankings.
The movie follows a group of rowers during the 1999 season when an Army veteran takes over as coach. The team has been dysfunctional since they came in dead last at the National Championships, and the hope is that this new coach can teach them how to better work together.
Despite the movie not having the best ending, the cast is pretty fantastic. Michael Shannan is the coach while Charles Melton, Alexander Ludwig, and Alex MacNicoll are the rowesr in leadership positions on the team. Everyone pulls their weight in the movie, even if it didn’t come together quite as well as the producers might have wanted it to.
8 History of the World: Part II (2023)
As Joshy Mudman In 3 Episodes
History of the World Part II ComedyHistory
History of the World Part II is the unexpected sequel to the original film created in 1981 by writer/director Mel Brooks. Though initially created as a joking subtitle, Mel Brooks decided to revisit the idea, and Part II will be a modern continuation of the satirical world history anthology. Now, as a mini-series on Hulu, the rotating ensemble cast will take on the roles of prominent figures throughout time to tell comedic revisions of history.
Cast Gary Nguyen , David Stassen , Pamela Adlon , Johnny Knoxville , Josh Fadem , Evan Shafran , David Slaman Release Date March 6, 2023 Seasons 1 Writers Mel Brooks , David Stassen
History of the World: Part II is a series that acts as a sequel to the Mel Brooks movie. Though it got mostly favorable reviews from critics, it wasn’t quite as well received as the movie, which might be due in part to the popularity of other shows like Drunk History.
The series acts as a sketch comedy show by retelling the stories of major world events. The series doesn’t move chronologically, but instead, bounces around through different time periods. Melton appears in the sketches that see a Jewish family living and working in Russia. His character actually meets the lost Princess Anastasia and falls in love with her.
Melton’s part in the show doesn’t feel like some of the most far-fetched of the plots, but there is definitely an absurdist quality to it. With Melton having done so much heavy work in dramas though, a satire is a welcome change for the actor.
7 American Horror Stories (2021)
As Wyatt In 1 Episode
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6/10 10/10 American Horror Stories TV-MAAnthologyHorrorSupernatural
The creators of American Horror Story reunite to launch American Horror Stories, a horror anthology series created for FX and Hulu. Centering on a new, unique horror story each episode, AHS follows various new characters through each episode as they experience their own terrifying tales, often including the supernatural.
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*Availability in US Cast Sierra McCormick , Paris Jackson , Merrin Dungey , Matt Bomer , Naomi Grossman , John Carroll Lynch , Charles Melton , Billie Lourd Release Date July 15, 2021 Showrunner Ryan Murphy , Brad Falchuck
American Horror Stories is an anthology series from the same team behind American Horror Story. That means there’s a lot of freedom for standalone stories in every episode and the chance for cast members to play multiple roles. So far, Melton has only appeared in one episode as Wyatt.
Wyatt is a character in “The Naughty List,” an episode that explores the idea of Santa Claus through a horror lens. Wyatt lives alongside three other men in The Bro House in which the young men all appear on social media and prank one another. They’re also all on Santa’s naughty list and are systematically killed by him.
It’s a fun concept for an episode, and there are probably plenty of fans wondering why American Horror Stories (or Story) hasn’t done a holiday-themed season yet instead of just a single episode.
6 American Horror Story (2015)
As Mr. Wu In 2 Episodes
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3/10 5.7/10 American Horror Story HorrorAnthologyThriller Sci-FiFantasyMystery
American Horror Story is a Horror Anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The franchise has seen stars like Connie Britton, Jessica Lange, Denis O’Hare, Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters, and Dylan McDermott. Each season follows a new premise and spans an array of horror genres like witches, ghosts, serial killers, and more.
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*Availability in US Cast Denis O’Hare , Emma Roberts , Dylan McDermott , Joseph Fiennes , Gabourey Sidibe , Taissa Farmiga , James Cromwell , Angela Bassett , Zachary Quinto , Sarah Paulson , Jamie Brewer , Evan Peters , Lizzie Brochere , Kathy Bates , Jessica Lange , Michael Chiklis , Connie Britton , Lily Rabe , Franches Conroy Release Date October 17, 2012 Showrunner Ryan Murphy Expand
Long before Melton appeared in American Horror Stories for a single episode, he also appeared in two episodes of American Horror Story. Specifically, Melton guest stars in the Hotel season of the series. Melton appears as a womanizer who is used to getting what he wants. It’s actually a great preview of his initial work as the cocky and popular Reggie in Riverdale since he filmed his American Horror Story role the year before.
It’s not a huge role for him as Melton’s character checks into the hotel, is seduced, and then ends up dead. He does, however, get to return to the show in a ghostly role for a second episode. His character becomes an urban legend among the hotel guests. He’s a ghost who is willing to offer up sexual favors to female guests despite being deceased.
Related Every American Horror Story Season Ranked Worst To Best
Ryan Murphy’s horror anthology has dominated the horror genre for over a decade. AHS has had its ups and downs, but which season takes the top spot?
1
5 Bad Boys For Life (2020)
As Rafe
6/10 Bad Boys for Life RActionAdventureComedyCrimeThriller
In Bad Boys For Life, the third installment in the Bad Boys film franchise, Marcus Burnett wants to retire, but when Mike Lowrey is shot, and the assailant goes after a friend of Burnett’s, the two team up together for one last ride.
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*Availability in US Director Adil El Arbi , Bilall Fallah Release Date January 17, 2020 Writers Joe Carnahan , Chris Bremner , Peter Craig Cast Will Smith , Martin Lawrence , Kate del Castillo , Joe Pantoliano , Vanessa Hudgens , Alexander Ludwig , Charles Melton Runtime 124 Minutes
Because it had been nearly 20 years since the last Bad Boys movie, fans knew going in that there would be some new blood brought into the franchise. Melton is some of that new blood.
Melton plays one of the team members of the Advanced Miami Metro Operations (or AMMO) team alongside Vanessa Hudgens and Alexander Ludwig. The three are largely there to give a youthful counterpoint to Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, and to introduce new weapons and technology for the movie. They fill a trope in legacy sequels for action movies, but that doesn’t mean their roles aren’t fun for the audience.
While Melton likely could have been utilized better in an action movie, there’s no arguing with the fact that this is the highest-grossing Bad Boys movie.
Bad Boys For Life
was nominated for Best Movie at the BET Awards and Best Action Adventure Movie at the Saturn Awards. It won Outstanding Motion Picture at the NAACP Awards.
4 The Sun Is Also A Star (2019)
As Daniel Jae Ho Bae
6/10 The Sun Is Also a Star PG-13Drama
The Sun Is Also a Star, directed by Ry Russo-Young, follows two young New Yorkers, Natasha and Daniel, who meet and fall in love over the course of a single day while facing life-altering challenges, including Natasha’s impending deportation and Daniel’s future at Dartmouth.
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*Availability in US Director Ry Russo-Young Release Date May 17, 2019 Writers Tracy Oliver Cast Yara Shahidi , Cathy Shim , Charles Melton , Miriam A. Hyman , Faith Logan , Jake Choi , Anais Lee , Camrus Johnson , Keong Sim , Gbenga Akinnagbe , Jordan Williams
…the work of Melton and Shahid was nearly universally praised
The Sun Is Also A Star gives Charles Melton one of his first starring movie roles. It’s also the first time a Korean American man plays the romantic lead in a teen romance out of a major Hollywood studio, meaning Melton didn’t just get one of his own first leading roles, but a first for Asian Americans as well.
The movie is inspired by the novel of the same name by Nicola Yoon. It sees a young man form a connection with a young woman (Yara Shahidi) just as her family faces deportation from the United States. When the two meet as the result of a delayed subway train and a car accident, she says she doesn’t believe in love, but he believes he can make her fall in love with him in just the one day they have together.
Because of the compressed time frame, the movie gets to run the full gamut of emotions pretty quickly. Shahidi and Melton, however, are more than up for the task. The movie received mixed reviews as a result of its premise, but the work of Melton and Shahid was nearly universally praised.
3 Poker Face (2023)
As Davis McDowell In 1 Episode
Poker Face ComedyDramaMystery
Poker Face is a comedy-drama mystery series from writer/creator Rian Johnson (Knives Out) starring Natasha Lyonne as Charlie, a woman with the uncanny ability to tell if someone is lying easily. A drifter who lives life in the wind, Charlie Cale (Lyonne) rides through the U.S. and happens into strange cases, from theft to murder, that she wants to solve at every stop she makes. The show is designed as a crime-of-the-week drama with special guests appearing throughout the season.
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*Availability in US Cast Natasha Lyonne , Adrien Brody , Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Stephanie Hsu , David Castaneda , Benjamin Bratt Release Date January 26, 2023 Showrunner Lilla Zuckerman
Poker Face is a great mystery series for the streaming service Peacock. It features Natasha Lyonne in the lead role as a casino employee who can always tell when someone is lying. She ends up on the run in the first season of the show after she ends up in the middle of the business of a few shady characters.
The show itself is a great blend of both comedy and drama with plenty of action and mystery elements thrown in for good measure. Melton appears in a single episode of the show, “The Future of the Sport,” as a dirt track race car driver. His character is targeted by someone when his car is sabotaged. Melton, however, gets the chance to really dig into the character considering he only appears in one episode. There’s a fascinating flip as he goes from a cocky and ambitious competitor to someone willing to take a life to make a point.
Melton does great work in such little screen time, and the episode is a great showcase for his talent.
2 Riverdale (2017-2023)
As Reggie Mantle In 91 Episodes
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6.7/10 Riverdale
A darker take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends from the Archie Comics series, Riverdale is a CW supernatural mystery series that sees the group trying to illuminate the truth surrounding various strange occurrences and murders in the titular town. When a teenage girl is found dead in the once-quiet town, the event starts a series of ever-growing mysteries that ultimately lead to darker secrets in the town’s history. Led by Archie, the Riverdale gang will attempt to navigate their new normal while dealing with all of the drama that comes with being high school teenagers.
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*Availability in US Cast Camila Mendes , Marisol Nichols , Ashleigh Murray , Cole Sprouse , Ross Butler , Madelaine Petsch , K.J. Apa , Luke Perry , Lili Reinhart , casey cott Release Date January 26, 2017 Seasons 7
It’s hard to imagine Riverdale without Charles Melton. Melton, however, didn’t join the series until the second season. He took over the role of Reggie Mantle from Ross Butler who had a scheduling conflict as a result of his role in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why.
Initially, Reggie isn’t much more than a frenemy of Archie Andrews (KJ Appa) and a potential love interest for Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes). He’s an athletic and romantic rival of Archie’s, but as the show continues, he’s given a lot more depth beyond simply being a popular football player who likes to get the girl.
The expansion of his character allowed the show to delve into issues of childhood abuse, as Reggie’s father was abusive to him growing up. While Riverdale was often seen as going off the rails, the series was able to repeatedly reinvent itself and allow its cast to really have fun exploring their roles, which Melton certainly did. He even had the chance to play the teenage version of his character’s father for a flashback episode.
Riverdale is likely going to be the show that Melton is best known for for many years.
Related All 7 Seasons Of Riverdale, Ranked Worst To Best
While Riverdale’s seven seasons saw the show rise and fall dramatically in terms of quality, the teen drama/murder mystery was at least never boring.
1 May December (2023)
As Joe Woo
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8/10 8/10 May December RDramaRomance
May December is a drama romance film that follows a married couple who once controlled the headlines with their tabloid romance. Two decades later, the couple’s supposed marital bliss begins to crack under the weight of an actress researching them, preparing to star in a film about their lives.
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*Availability in US Director Todd Haynes Release Date December 1, 2023 Writers Samy Burch , Alex Mechanik Cast Natalie Portman , Julianne Moore , Charles Melton Runtime 113 Minutes
Melton spends the movie “quietly stealing the show.”
Though Riverdale might be Melton’s best-known project, it’s not his most critically lauded project. That honor goes to May December. There, Melton appeared opposite Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman.
The movie sees Portman as an actress who sets out to interview the woman (Moore) she’s about to play in a movie. She inserts herself into the life of the other woman and her family, which includes her much younger husband (Melton), who was 13 years old when their relationship began. The movie is intentionally uncomfortable since it addresses topics of grooming and assault, but it also features incredibly campy scenes and dramatic performances.
While the audience was ready to expect fantastic performances from established award-winning actresses like Portman and Moore, as Rolling Stone pointed out in their coverage of the movie, Melton spends the movie “quietly stealing the show.”
Melton received a Best Supporting Actor nomination from nearly every festival and critical organization that screened the movie – 36 in all. He won 12 of those and received additional nominations in Best Newcomer and Best Breakthrough Actor from numerous outlets as well. Charles Melton also earned his first Golden Globe nomination for the role.