Over a long career of great roles, the best of Kyle Chandler’s movies and TV shows showcase the actor’s incredible performances in some outstanding projects. Chandler is an actor who has jumped between the small screen and the big screen throughout his career, cementing himself as a beloved actor in both mediums. Even with a number of iconic roles in his past, Chandler’s career is still going strong with him recently cast in Lanterns, the DCU’s Green Lantern series as Hal Jordan.
While fans might know Chandler best from his role on Friday Night Lights, which helped make him an A-list star, his career is filled with impressive roles before and after he played Coach Eric Taylor. Chandler has worked with some incredible directors in his career, such as Martin Scorsese, Kathryn Bigelow, and Peter Jackson. He has also shared the screen with Oscar winners like Cate Blanchett and Leonardo DiCaprio. However, Chandler stands out in any project he is in, whether it be the leading role or a supporting one.
10 King Kong (2005)
As Bruce Baxter
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7.7/10 King Kong PG-13ActionAdventureRomanceDrama
Peter Jackson’s King Kong is a remake of the 1933 film of the same name. When enterprising filmmaker Carl Denham (Jack Black) decides to travel to the mysterious skull island, he hires naive young actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) to star in the film he intends to make. Denham’s crew of actors discovers the island’s big secret: Kong, a 25-foot-tall giant ape. Denham’s ambition gets the better of him, and he exploits Darrow’s bond with Kong to kidnap him, bringing him back to New York to exploit him for profit.
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*Availability in US Director Peter Jackson Release Date December 14, 2005 Cast Naomi Watts , Jack Black , Adrien Brody , Thomas Kretschmann , Colin Hanks , Andy Serkis , Kyle Chandler Runtime 187 minutes
Long before Kyle Chandler joined the Monsterverse in Godzilla, he starred in another take on one of the cinematic universe’s biggest stars in Peter Jackson’s King Kong. Paying homage to the original 1933 version of King Kong, the 2005 version adds an epic blockbuster approach to the story of a 1930s filmmaking crew who head out on a journey to the mysterious Skull Island to capture its rumored wonders on camera. However, they encounter things they never thought possible, including the island’s ruler — the mighty Kong.
Chandler is a wonderful addition to the cast as Bruce Baxter, the Hollywood movie star who is meant to headline the new adventure movie. He seems to have a lot of fun playing the self-centered and vain movie star who is far less heroic than his on-screen counterparts, and helps add some comedy into the movie, which is a big-budget spectacle that ranks as one of the best King Kong movies of all time.
9 Super 8 (2011)
As Jack Lamb
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6.5/10 Super 8 PG-13ActionAdventure Sci-FiThriller
Written and directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg, Super 8 follows a group of children who make a shocking discovery while attempting to make a movie. Set in 1979, Super 8 follows Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) as he enlists the help of his friends to make a zombie movie. Among them is Alice (Elle Fanning), a girl who Joe’s father (Kyle Chandler) has forbidden him from seeing. After a train derails and releases an otherworldly danger upon the town, the group of friends must work together to find safety.
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*Availability in US Director J.J. Abrams Release Date June 10, 2011 Cast Ryan Lee , Elle Fanning , Riley Griffiths , AJ Michalka , Gabriel Basso , Zach Mills , Kyle Chandler , Joel Courtney Runtime 112 minutes
Monster movies seem to be a trend in Kyle Chandler’s career. After facing off with King Kong but before he shared the screen with Godzilla, Chandler starred in JJ Abrams’ original monster movie produced by Steven Spielberg. Super 8 is a sci-fi adventure set in the 1970s following Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) and his friends, who, while filming their own movie, capture a military train derailment that sets loose an alien in their small community.
Chandler has the main adult role in the movie as Joe’s father and the town deputy, Jack Lamb. Chandler brings a lot of depth to the role of Jack, a grieving man in the wake of his wife’s death, and his struggles to raise a son that he does not entirely understand. While Super 8 is an exciting monster ride, the father-son story is very much the heart of the movie. Super 8 is heavily inspired by Spielberg’s work and that combination of spectacle and human stories has always been key to the Amblin movies.
8 The Spectacular Now (2013)
Thomas Keely
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8.3/10 The Spectacular Now (2013) RComedyDramaRomance
The Spectacular Now is a romantic drama film that follows the story of Sutter Keely, a charismatic high school senior, and Aimee Fineky, a quiet and bookish classmate, as they form an unlikely relationship. As Sutter’s past and present collide, he must confront his demons and re-evaluate his priorities, all while navigating his blossoming romance with Aimee.
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*Availability in US Director James Ponsoldt Release Date August 2, 2013 Cast Miles Teller , Shailene Woodley , Masam Holden , Kaitlyn Dever , Brie Larson Runtime 95 Minutes
Kyle Chandler has played a lot of father figures over the course of his career, but his turn in The Spectacular Now differs from those other roles. The movie is an original and captivating coming-of-age story that stars Miles Teller as Sutter, a popular high school student who is seen as the life of the party. After breaking up with his girlfriend in his senior year of school, Sutter strikes up an unexpected romance with a studious and quiet fellow student, Aimee (Shailene Woodley).
Chandler has a small but pivotal role late in the movie as Thomas, Sutter’s alcoholic father who has not been a part of his son’s life. Thomas’ scene in the climax of the movie is heartbreaking and uncomfortable and puts Sutter’s own troubles into a new context. Chandler is able to play the character as unlikeable while also adding layers of sadness that help elevate this underrated teen story.
7 Bloodline (2015–2017)
As John Rayburn
Bloodline (2015) TV-MADramaThriller
Bloodline is a Netflix original series exploring the dark secrets of the Rayburn family, who operate a beachside hotel in the Florida Keys. Led by Kyle Chandler as John Rayburn, the show delves into themes of betrayal, family loyalty, and the complexities of human relationships as past deeds resurface to haunt the present.
Cast Kyle Chandler , Ben Mendelsohn , Linda Cardellini , Sissy Spacek , Norbert Leo Butz , Jacinda Barrett , Jamie McShane , Katie Finneran Release Date March 20, 2015 Seasons 3 Creator(s) Glenn Kessler , Todd A. Kessler , Daniel Zelman
Following the success of his previous acclaimed TV show, Friday Night Lights, Kyle Chandler returned to television for the Netflix Original series Bloodline, which offered a very different small-screen story and a very different character. Bloodline is a crime drama taking a look at a family living in the Florida Keys. Chandler plays John Rayburn, the “good son” of the family and local chief of police. However, the Rayburns are forced to face their past and spiral down a dark path with the return of the family black sheep, Danny (Ben Mendelsohn).
Bloodline is a slow-burn mystery along the same lines as series like Breaking Bad and Ozark as it follows seemingly ordinary and good people who begin making bad decisions that snowball into crimes. Chandler is perfectly cast as the stable and stoic member of the family who suddenly finds that he is not the good man he thought he was and goes to great lengths to hide what he has done.
6 Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
As Joseph Bradley
Zero Dark Thirty RHistoryThrillerDrama
From Academy Award-Winning director Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty is a fictionalized dramatization of the manhunt for Osama bin Laden after the September 11th attacks. Jessica Chastain stars as Maya Harris, a CIA analyst tasked with locating bin Laden in order for the US Government to assassinate him. Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, and Mark Strong also star.
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*Availability in US Director Kathryn Bigelow Release Date December 19, 2012 Cast Joel Edgerton , Jessica Chastain , Jason Clarke , Kyle Chandler , Chris Pratt2 , Jennifer Ehle Runtime 157minutes
While there is plenty of controversy surrounding Zero Dark Thirty, it remains a gripping and engrossing look at perhaps the most pivotal manhunt in human history. Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow directs the thriller which stars Jessica Chastain as a CIA operative who leads the search for Osama bin Laden in the years following the attacks of September 11, 2001. However, the efforts of the search led to moments of ethical questionability and brutal tactics.
Kyle Chandler plays a supporting role in the large ensemble that helps speak to the complicated world of this search for a terrorist. In playing CIA Station Chief Joseph Bradley, Chandler brings nuance and layers to a man who sees his work as important but whose morals in carrying out the task cannot always be justified. The movie sparked a lot of conversation about what it ultimately says about the CIA’s actions, but the end result is still a powerful journey.
5 Game Night (2018)
As Brooks Davis
Game Night RComedyAction
Written by Mark Perez and directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. Starring Jason Bateman, Billy Magnussen, Rachel McAdams, and Sharon Horgan, the 2018 Comedy sees a routine game night turn into a mystery when one of the regular members is kidnapped.
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*Availability in US Director Jonathan Goldstein , John Francis Daley , Billy Magnussen Release Date February 23, 2018 Cast Sharon Horgan , Rachel McAdams , Danny Huston , Kyle Chandler , Chelsea Pereti , Jason Bateman , Lamorne Morris , Jesse Plemons , Kylie Bunbury , Michael C. Hall Runtime 93minutes
Kyle Chandler doesn’t have a lot of comedic roles in his career, but Game Night stands out as one of his most memorable. The star-studded comedy is led by Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams as a couple who are obsessed with their competitive game nights with friends. However, when Chandler is introduced in the story as Bateman’s wild older brother, he kickstarts a murder mystery game night that turns too real.
The movie is a hilarious comedic take on intense thrillers with the mild-mannered suburban characters being thrust into a dangerous world of killers, thieves, and fight clubs. Chandler is one hilarious addition to the large cast that also includes Chandler’s Friday Night Lights co-star Jesse Plemons in a scene-stealing role. It makes for one of the most entertaining and rewatchable R-rated comedies of the last decade.
4 Manchester By The Sea (2016)
As Joe Chandler
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9/10 Manchester By the Sea RDrama
Manchester By the Sea stars Casey Affleck as Lee Chandler, a divorced man grieving the deaths of his three children who is forced to move back to his hometown when his brother dies in order to take care of his orphaned nephew. Set in a small fishing village in Easter Massachusetts, the film deals with themes of depression, guilt, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Michelle Williams, Lucas Hedges, and Kyle Chandler also star.
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*Availability in US Director Kenneth Lonergan Release Date November 18, 2016 Cast Casey Affleck , Kyle Chandler , Lucas Hedges , Michelle Williams Runtime 137 Minutes
Kyle Chandler has proven he can excel in even smaller roles, bringing the necessary depth to these characters. Manchester by the Sea is the emotional and devastating drama that stars Casey Affleck as Lee, a man living a solitary life following a tragedy years earlier. Lee is forced to return to his hometown following the death of his brother Joe (Chandler) and become the legal guardian of his nephew Patrick. Lee must then face his past and struggle with his mental illness.
Chandler is only seen in flashbacks in a brief role, but even the limited screen time says so much about his character and is essential to the story. Joe was not only the rock in his son’s life, but he was the only person looking out for Lee during his struggles. With him gone, both of them look to each other for some balance. The movie is heartbreaking with moments of humor and features a powerful Oscar-winning performance from Affleck.
3 Carol (2015)
As Harge Aird
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8/10 Carol RDramaDocumentaryRomance
Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith, Carol stars Rooney Mara as Therese Belivet, a department store worker and aspiring photographer who, after a chance encounter at work, begins a secret affair with an older wealthy woman named Carol who is going through a bitter divorce. While the two women develop strong feelings for one another, outside forces continually threaten to tear them apart. Cate Blanchett stars alongside Mara as Carol.
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*Availability in US Director Todd Haynes Cast Kyle Chandler , Jake Lacy , Sarah Paulson , Rooney Mara , Cate Blanchett , Cory Michael Smith Runtime 119 minutes Release Date November 20, 2015
Though many of Chandler’s most memorable roles find him starring as likable and even heroic characters, he is not afraid to play hateful characters as well. Carol is a beautiful and heartbreaking love story set in the 1950s with a married woman (Cate Blanchett) falling for a younger shopgirl (Rooney Mara) at a time when their love was the target of hate and bigotry.
Chandler is one of the movie’s personifications of that hate as he plays the selfish and vindictive husband to Blanchett’s Carol. Chandler adds layers to the character of Harge Aird, a man broken by the loss of his marriage, but he also shows the evil that can come from love turning to hate as he attempts to destroy his wife’s life because of his wounded ego. Carol is a stunning movie about LGBTQ+ relationships with Blanchett and Mara delivering powerful and reserved performances that make the movie feel epic despite its small scale.
2 The Wolf Of Wall Street (2014)
As Patrick Denham
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7.5/10 The Wolf of Wall Street R
Directed by Martin Scorcese, The Wolf of Wall Street tells the true story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), based on his memoir of the same name. It chronicles the rise of Belfort and the subsequent corruption of his firm as he engages in a wide assortment of criminal acts while amassing a staggering fortune. Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, and Kyle Chandler also star alongside DiCaprio.
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*Availability in US Director Martin Scorsese Cast Leonardo DiCaprio , Jonah Hill , Margot Robbie , Kyle Chandler , Matthew McConaughey , Rob Reiner , Jon Bernthal , Jon Favreau Runtime 180 Minutes Release Date December 25, 2013
Kyle Chandler had the opportunity to work with one of the greatest directors of all time in one of his wildest movies. Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street is another collaboration between the legendary filmmaker and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, with DiCaprio playing Jordan Belfort, an ambitious and skilled Wall Street investor who built a massive fortune by scamming people and used his outrageous wealth to fund his lifestyle of sex, drugs, and complete mayhem.
Chandler plays another antagonistic role in the movie as FBI Agent Patrick Denham, the man trying to bring Belfort down. Denham is one of the rare mild-mannered characters in the movie, adding layers to a man who seeks to deliver Belfort to justice only to see his target living a life of excess which is beyond what Denham could imagine. Scorsese creates possibly his funniest movie to date, while DiCaprio gives a hilarious and unhinged performance in the lead role.
1 Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)
As Eric Taylor
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10/10 Friday Night Lights Sports
Based on the book of the same name, Friday Night Lights is a sports drama series that centers around the Dillon Panthers, a high school football team in Texas. The show focuses on the small town and the community they share, tackling major social and political issues and the players’ challenges as they go through an increasingly difficult season.
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*Availability in US Cast Taylor Kitsch , Jesse Plemons , Kyle Chandler , Connie Britton Release Date October 3, 2006 Seasons 5
Kyle Chandler found his most iconic role to date while also playing one of the greatest TV heroes of the 21st century in Friday Night Lights. The show is a riveting sports drama set in Dillon, a small fictional Texas town. It follows a high school football team in a community in which the sport is the most important thing. With the immense pressure the young athletes face, Coach Eric Taylor (Chandler) provides a strong figure of motivation and support for them.
Chandler brings so many different aspects to the character, as he can be a demanding coach, but he also strives to help out his players off the field however he can. Taylor is also a family man, with his family life evolving over the course of the series. Chandler brings humor, heart, and dedication to the character whose motto of “Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can’t lose,” serves as the beautiful message at the center of the story.