The charismatic and entertaining Jason Bateman has been an actor, director, producer, and director for almost 40 years. The actor gained wide recognition first as Ricky Schroder’s bad boy friend on the ’80s sitcom Silver Spoons. He then earned the title of teen idol with his role on The Hogan Family as David Hogan. Bateman appeared in many other famous and lesser-known projects including 1987’s Teen Wolf Too, the sports comedy Necessary Rawness, and the 1995 short-lived sitcom Simon. After a brief career hiatus in the 1990s during which he was struggling with substance abuse disorder with alcohol, drugs and other substances, Bateman returned to comedy in 2003’s critically acclaimed series Arrested Development.
Jason Bateman was the star of the cult TV show for three seasons. He then returned to film with outstanding performances in Juno (coming-of-age drama), Hancock (superhero flick), and Disconnect (dramatic thriller). His comedic talents were showcased in a variety of hits like Horrible Bosses and Bad Words as well as Disney’s animated blockbuster Zootopia. Bateman has been back on Arrested Development for two more seasons and is currently directing the popular crime drama Ozark. The actor has received numerous awards, including a Satellite, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award. He most recently starred as Jerry “The Crab”, in the 2021 Netflix superhero comedy Thunder Force.
1. Juno (2007)
Juno, a 2007 classic coming-of age-drama stars Elliot Page. She plays the title character, a sixteen-year old who discovers herself in an unplanned pregnancy. The subsequent events put her under pressure to live a normal life. Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman play the potential adoptive parents to Juno’s child, Vanessa Loring and Mark Loring.
Juno and Mark form a friendship when they discover that they have many common interests. However, the dynamic is complicated when Mark shares his true feelings with Juno. The film was written by Cody Diablo. It received both praise and criticism from both the pro-abortion and anti-abortion communities. Diablo said that the film could be viewed as both a film celebrating life and celebrating childbirth or as a film about a young girl who chooses to keep being liberated.
Best Jason Bateman Movies on Netflix.
2. The Gift (2015)
Joel Edgerton, an actor, wrote and produced The Gift. The 2015 psychological thriller follows Robyn and Simon Callem, a married couple, as they become intimidated by Edgerton’s ghost. The dangerous Gordo, an ex-classmate from Simon’s high school, begins to give them mysterious gifts and invite them into his world. The actor-turned-director was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock, Fatal Attraction, and the 2005 French film Cache, and upon its release The Gift was heralded by critics for Edgerton’s screenplay and direction as well as Bateman’s riveting performance.
Bateman’s portrayal as the terrified Simon demonstrated his extraordinary acting abilities and range. The thriller holds a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score. Vulture praised the film, writing: “The Gift begins out like many thrillers before it-with an attractive and well-to-do couple buying a large new house-and then beats itself to its own unique, tense and twisty path from there.” There was no doubt Jason Bateman would be a success in Ozark’s dramatic thriller.\
Best Jason Bateman Movies on Netflix.
3. Bad Words (2013)
Jason Bateman’s directorial debut was with 2013’s dark comedy Poor Words in which he plays a hilarious eighth-grade dropout who is allowed to enter the National Golden Quill Spelling Bee via a loophole. Bateman originally had no plans to be the film’s headliner, but he realized that would be more comfortable playing the role due to the “tricky tone” required and to make sure the character was relatable despite his horrible qualities.
He was eager to take on the role of director after explaining that being capable of directing films was “really why I’ve been acting for 20 years.” Bad words received mixed reviews at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. Some enjoyed its edgy humor, while others found it offensive. Bateman showed his talents and ability to bring stories to life in front and behind the lens.
Best Jason Bateman Movies on Netflix.
4. Game Night (2018)
Game Night is an action-comedy that stars Rachel McAdams and Jason Bateman as a married couple. After one of their friends is abducted by alleged burglars, the game night turns into a real-life mystery. Bateman and McAdams are the most prominent characters as Max and Annie Davis, a competitive gamer couple who are invited to play at Max’s house.
They soon find themselves in the middle of real crimes. The comedy stars and is produced by Bateman. His portrayal received widespread praise from critics. He was nominated for the Critics Choice Awards as well as the San Diego Film Critics Society Awards in the category of best performance by a comedian actor. The possibility of a sequel to this hit comedy is being discussed.\
Best Jason Bateman Movies on Netflix.
5. Hancock (2008)
Peter Berg’s 2008 super hero movie Hancock It stars Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman. It tells the story about John Hancock (Smith), who was a vigilante hero whose recklessness and alcoholism cost Los Angeles millions. He saves Ray Embrey’s life and makes it his mission for Hancock to be better known. His portrayal of Embrey as optimistic Bateman stated, “My character sees the world through rose-colored glasses.
He doesn’t get why people don’t see Hancock’s positive side. I enjoy being the all-man. “I like being the tour guide. The one who ties whatever absurdity may be in a movie and makes it tangible to the audience.” This despite mixed reviews from critics. Hancock It was a hit with moviegoers and grossed over $600 millions at the box office. Rumours of a sequel continue to circulate. Theron revealed that she would love to be in a follow up.
Best Jason Bateman Movies on Netflix.
6. Horrible Bosses (2011)
Seth Gordon’s dark comedy Horrible Bosses (2011) features some of the best comedians in the world, including Jason Bateman and Charlie Day. It follows three friends who decide to kill their abusive, overbearing bosses played by the dynamic Jennifer Anison and Kevin Spacey. Michael Markowitz wrote the farce, which was specifically written for Jason Bateman.
He created the role as financial firm executive Nick Hendricks. The show received mostly positive reviews. It was a huge success with the public, earning over $200 million and exceeding financial expectations. The A-list cast was praised by critics for their hilarious and funny performances. This led to the release of Horrible Bosses 2, which is a sequel. The New York Times wrote that the comedy was hilarious and that it expelled shame. It also left you feeling dizzy, embarrassed and exhilarated.
Best Jason Bateman Movies on Netflix.
7. Paul (2011)
Paul is the 2011 sci-fi comedy by Nick Frost and Simon Pegg. It follows two sci-fi-loving dweebs (Pegg & Frost), who meet an alien that might not be the right fit for their new life. Our title character is a hard-drinking, always-smoking man who has come from another planet. Seth Rogen voices him. FBI agents are on the hunt for this out-of-this world character.
Bateman plays the role of Special Agent Lorenzo Zoil. This is a play about Lorenzo’s Oil. Bateman’s menacing character is a self-described mixture from Yaphet Kotto (Midnight Run) and Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugitive). Bateman is a comedian with a lot of experience.
However, the hard-nosed, no-nonsense antagonist was a refreshing departure from the well-meaning everyday characters we usually see from him. The supporting role was a good fit because of his dry delivery and serious demeanor. Bateman may not get all the laughs in the R-rated comedy but it’s still a great role.
Best Jason Bateman Movies on Netflix.
8. Up in the Air (2009)
Jason Bateman, his Juno filmmaker, was reunited once more with Jason Reitman. He appeared in one his finest films, up in the Air, which was a highly acclaimed follow-up. Reitman’s third and perhaps best movie follows Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizer who travels around the country to lay off employees from long-standing jobs. He is too afraid to do so himself. As we follow Bingham throughout the movie, we see that a life lived without the company of others can leave a lot to be desired.
Jason Bateman is Craig Gregory, the owner of Career Transition Counseling. This ensemble piece features some of his best performances, including those from Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga. Although it might not be his most prominent, most visible role, it’s an example of Bateman using his dry wit and disarming looks to great effect in a punchy supporting role that works well with the movie’s fast pace. Up in The Air is a movie that Bateman has made many times over his long career, including in the last decade.
Best Jason Bateman Movies on Netflix.
9. The Family Fang (2016)
Based on Kevin Wilson’s book, The Family Fang was Jason Bateman’s second directorial feature. He starred alongside Nicole Kidman in the role of a pair of adult siblings raised by their free-spirited performance artists parents (Christopher Walken & Maryann Plunkett), who suddenly disappear. They aren’t sure if it’s a stunt or if something is more serious.
The The Family Fang was a sharply observed dramedy, which was aided by the nuanced, multilayered performances of its cast. This dramedy is a testament to Bateman’s increasing talents as an actor and director. It also paved the way for more ambitious directorial endeavors with Netflix’s Ozark, and HBO’s The Outsider. The Family Fang by Bateman is an emotionally-stimulating, well-made effort.
Best Jason Bateman Movies on Netflix.
What movie is Jason Bateman in on Netflix?
List of Jason Bateman Movies on Netflix:
- Juno
- The Gift
- Bad Words
- Game Night
- Hancock
- Horrible Bosses
- Paul
- Up in the Air
- The Family Fang
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