Sebastian Stan is well-known for his role in Marvel Cinematic Universe movies where he played Bucky Barnes, Captain America’s friend. However, he has a wide range of filmography that goes beyond his MCU character. TechTrends made a list of the best Sebastian Stan movies of all time.
Some fans know Sebastian Stan as bad boy Carter Baizen from Gossip Girl, but many more know him for his role as Bucky, Captain America’s best friend. He is an amazing actor and has been nominated for an Emmy award. Stan also showcased his versatility when we look at the range of movies and big-screen pursuits he has had. Although acting in the MCU has really raised his stock more, it is highly likely that it started before that. Whether he will appear in the next MCU movies or not is still a question, but whatever he does, and where ever he lands, he is going to be looking up. His highest-grossing movies have gotten a lot of critical acclaim, and we made a list of the best must-see Sebastian Stan performance. Without further ado, let’s get to his greatest movies.
Best Sebastian Stan Movies of All Time
The actor is mostly known for his MCU role as Bucky Barnes and many began to feel drawn to him after his portrayal of that character. He recently worked on Pam & Tommy, which has brought him critical acclaim. So, we decided to put together a list ranking the best Sebastian Stan movies of all time based on their ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb. Here we go!
11. Destroyer 2018
- Genre: Crime/Action
- Director: Karyn Kusama
- Stars: Sebastian Stan, Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Tatiana Maslany, Scoot McNairy
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 74%, IMDb 6.2
When an undercover mission went terribly wrong sixteen years ago, Erin Bell, the detective, feels a lot of guilt; therefore, it is hard for her to move on. However, when she gets another chance to right her wrongs, she goes back to action, keen on bringing the criminals to justice. Nicole Kidman portrays the role of the detective, and she deserves a lot of praise for her portrayal. Sebastian Stan plays her opposite role. Destroyer is one of the best Sebastian Stan movies of all time as it is a fascinating film. Moreover, Stan masterfully portrayed the character that transforms a lot throughout the movie. It also shows how easy it can be to lose the self, with the MCU star presenting that perfectly.
Read more: Best Nicole Kidman Movies of All Time
10. Captain America: The First Avenger 2011
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Director: Joe Johnston
- Stars: Sebastian Stan, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Holland, Don Cheadle
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 79%, IMDb 6.9
The movie Captain America gives the vibe of a ‘40s comics coming alive. Chris Evans plays the role of Steve Rodgers, with the story is set in World War II. The character is all about sacrifice as he does it in the very first few minutes of the movie. Right when he throws himself on that grenade, thinking it is active, he has the fans’ hearts. This is yet another one of the best Sebastian Stan movies of all time, where his role as Cap’s best friend begins. His name is Bucky Barnes, and although he hasn’t yet gone through the torment that awaits him, he has some dark moments that show what the future holds for him. He is seen as a loyal friend to Rogers, and he fights alongside Captain America till the end.
Read more: Best Chris Evans Movies of All Time
9. Fresh 2022
- Genre: Horror/Thriller
- Director: Mimi Cave
- Stars: Sebastian Stan, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Charlotte Le Bon, Brett Dier, Andrea Bang
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 81%, IMDb 6.7
Fresh is one of the latest and best Sebastian Stan movies of all time, where he plays opposite Daisy Edgar-Jones. Stan’s character Steve is the love interest of Jones’ Noa. The two meet each other in a supermarket, but it turns out that Steve is a cannibal and sells human meat. Although his character is charming, he can be really creepy in this movie as you want to love him, but you also want to scream and run as far as you can before he takes away your butt cheeks. (And yes. That is really true.) Make sure to add this horror movie to your watch list if you are a fan.
Read more: Best Horror Movies of All Time
8. Avengers: Infinity War 2018
- Genre: Action/Sci-fi
- Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
- Stars: Sebastian Stan, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Pratt
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 85%, IMDb 8.4
The Avengers’ struggles with Thanos begin in Avengers: Infinity War. Tony Stark, Dr. Strange, Sider-Man, and some of the Guardians began fighting the Mad Titan in his homeworld. Steve Rogers was comfortably established on his position as the Avengers’ leader. All cast members performed amazingly in this movie, and although Bucky’s scenes in this movie was limited, it was delightful to see him smile with his best friend despite it being short-lived. That is why Avengers: Infinity War is among the best Sebastian Stan movies ever.
Thanos is believed to be the Avengers’ most powerful enemy yet, who is on the mission to get all six Infinity Stones. He wants to use it to realize his twisted wish. Spoiler alert! At the end of the film, Bucky is the first to vanish away by Thanos, with takes many audiences by surprise.
Read more: Best Scarlett Johansson Movies of All Time
7. We Have Always Lived in the Castle 2018
- Genre: Mystery/Thriller
- Director: Stacie Passon
- Stars: Sebastian Stan, Taissa Farmiga, Alexandra Daddario, Crispin Glover
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 87%, IMDb 5.6
Another one of the best Sebastian Stan films ever is We Have Always Lived in the Castle, which is based on a novel of the same name, written by Shirley Jackson. Other stars of the movie are stars Taissa Farmiga, Alexandra Daddario, and Crispin Glover. Stan performs as a cousin who intrudes upon his family and looks for money. However, with his arrival also comes threats of something dark unveiling. He plays the role of Charles Blackwood, who comes when his cousin Constance, played by Alexandra Daddario, is believed to have poisoned the whole family with arsenic. Stan is very talented when it comes to playing charming, and with his charisma, his character convinces Constance to get some part of the family fortune.
6. I, Tonya 2017
- Genre: Drama/Indie Film
- Director: Craig Gillespie
- Stars: Sebastian Stan, Margot Robbie, Tonya Harding, Allison Janney
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 90%, IMDb 7.5
Margot Robbie portrays the role of one of the most famous and controversial American figure skaters named, Tonya Harding. The movie tells the tale of her childhood and adult life, particularly the things that happened in 1994 surrounding Nancy Carrigan. The film indicates that the interviews real Tonya and her husband Jeff, played by Sebastian Stan, had done are unreliable and contradictory. Therefore, the audience is asked to decide what went on. Moreover, the critics praised the movie as the master of versatility, Stan, performs outstandingly alongside Margot Robbie. Although it starts as a sweet love story, it turns out to be a hostile, antagonistic relationship between the two main characters. Stan looks great in the mustache. This is yet another one of the best Sebastian Stan films of all time.
Read more: Best Margot Robbie Movies of All Time
5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier 2014
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Directors: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo
- Stars: Sebastian Stan, Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Emily VanCamp
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 90%, IMDb 7.8
Many believe that the reason behind MCU movies being so great is that they are great comedy/action/thriller movies first, and then superhero movies. Therefore, this is also another on the top. Steve Rogers keeps adjusting to the contemporary world when The Winter Soldier arrives. He is a myth, but then Cap’s entire world turns upside down by the chain reaction that starts. After grieving for the loss of Bucky Barnes, fans were happy that Sebastian Stan came back in this installment. With his incredible set of skills, Stan was able to convey the pain and confusion Bucky feels under his killer exterior with only his eyes.
The scene where Steve recognized his best friend only to be told by him in a cold way that “who the hell is Bucky” will stay in the audience’s mind forever. This is another one of the best Sebastian Stan movies of all time that you don’t want to miss.
4. Captain America: Civil War 2016
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Directors: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo
- Stars: Sebastian Stan, Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Emily VanCamp, Robert Downey Jr.
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 90%, IMDb 7.8
In Captain America: Civil War, the Avengers, everyone’s favorite superhero team, split up because of a disagreement. There is team Cap, and there is team Iron Man. When these two collide, it becomes one hell of a superhero movie. Sebastian Stan’s character Bucky has escaped from Hydra in this movie and is hoping to pull his life back together, only to be thrown right back into the fight with Baron Zemo, played by Daniel Bruhl. He masterfully shows the pain of The Winter Soldier as well as the hope of Bucky. This is indeed one of Sebastian Stan’s greatest movie roles.
Read more: Best Robert Downey Jr. Movies of All Time
3. The Martian 2015
- Genre: Sci-fi/Drama
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Stars: Sebastian Stan, Matt Damon, Mackenzie Davis, Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Naomi Scott, Donald Glover
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 91%, IMDb 8
The Martian is another one of the best Sebastian Stan movies of all time. He portrays the role of Chris Beck in this novel adaptation. Although his role is a supporting one with little dialogue, he is able to showcase his talent and skill in acting. Moreover, his performance was charismatic as always. Matt Damon plays the role of astronaut Mark Watney in this distant future. Watney and his team are on Mars for an expedition, and because of the dust storm, the crew had to evacuate. Then, Watney is left behind due to the situation under the crew’s control. With nothing to be done, Watney is presumed dead.
However, he actually survived, and he has to depend on his knowledge to keep going on Mars. It all happens as a group of extraordinary scientists works together to find a mission to bring him back before he runs out of time.
2. Logan Lucky 2017
- Genre: Crime/Comedy
- Director: Steven Soderbergh
- Stars: Sebastian Stan, Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig, Hilary Swank, Katie Holmes
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 92%, IMDb 7
In the movie Logan Lucky, which is one of the best Sebastian Stan movies of all time, the talented actor has a supporting role. He portrayed as a pompous racecar driver named Dayton White. Although his role is small, Stan is able to shine through with his charm and extraordinary talent in saying the most pretentious things with a totally straight face. He is able to bring a comical quality to his character when he refers to his body as his “OS” and his food as “software”. This star-studded comedy is directed by Steven Soderbergh and features many talented actors.
1. Avengers: Endgame 2019
- Genre: Action/Sci-fi
- Directors: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo
- Stars: Sebastian Stan, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Brie Larson, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Pratt
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 8.4
The movie Avengers: Endgame starts with Iron Man in space for three weeks after Thanos’ Snap wiped out half the universe’s population. However, they get saved by Captain Marvel later in the movie. The rest of the Avengers, on the other hand, have to find out a way to bring their lost ones back. In the beginning, Tony Stark was not willing to do anything. However, when he remembered Peter Parker, he decided to help them bring everyone back. Moreover, Sebastian Stan does not appear a lot in the movie, which is disappointing for his die-hard fans. Still, he does appear in the big battle sequence as well as the funeral and ending moments.
Although his resurrection in the movie as Bucky is amazing, it would have been better if he had gotten a proper battlefield reunion with Steve Rogers. Despite all that, Avengers: Endgame is one of the best Sebastian Stan movies of all time.
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