Justin Timberlake may have started as a pop icon, but over the years, it turns out he’s quite a talented actor as well. With everything from thrillers to dramas and charming rom-coms, Timberlake has built an impressive filmography that highlights the variety of characters he can play. From a rebellious hacker (The Social Network) to a time-stealing hero (In Time), he brings a distinctive energy to every role. Not every artist can boast such an impressive track record. In this collection, we explore some of his most notable films, including gripping crime dramas like Alpha Dog and Edison, hilarious comedies like Bad Teacher, and even sports dramas like Trouble with the Curve. If you’ve enjoyed his music and want to see Timberlake show off his acting chops, this list is where to begin.
Content
- In Time
- The Social Network
- Edison
- Alpha Dog
- Bad Teacher
- Friends with Benefits
- Trouble with the Curve
In Time
IMDb: 6.7/10
2011, Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
USA, PG-13
Director: Andrew Niccol
Top cast: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy
The plot of the movie takes place in an alternate reality where people stop aging and time becomes the main currency. Time can be accumulated, spent, and shared. However, if you run out of time, you die. In this world, society is divided into castes: the rich, who have plenty of time, and the poor, who have very little. The main character, Will, comes from the poor class. By chance, he gets involved in criminal activities and hits the jackpot, gaining a huge amount of time. Fleeing from his pursuers, Will finds himself in the world of the rich, where time moves slowly, and the abundance of luxuries is overwhelming. But everything comes with a price.
The Social Network
IMDb: 7.8/10
2010, Biography, Drama
USA, PG-13
Director: David Fincher
Top cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake
The Social Network tells the dramatic and controversial story of how Facebook was created and the legal battles that followed. The film displays the ambition that can destroy friendships. Eduardo’s betrayal is the most powerful moment, reflecting Mark’s ability to sacrifice loyalty for success. That is the irony of building a social network and losing any real friends. The Social Network is built on Ben Mezrich’s book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal. In the storyline, Timberlake plays Sean Parker, the businessman who quickly recognized the multibillion-dollar potential of the online platform. The Social Network is the cherry on top of Justin Timberlake’s career. David Fincher’s story of Facebook was well-received by both audiences and critics. The film earned eight Oscar nominations, winning three, and received six Golden Globe nominations, also winning three.
Edison
IMDb: 5.3/10
2005, Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
USA, Germany, R
Director: David J. Burke
Top cast: Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Justin Timberlake
It’s a crime action film directed by David Burke, starring Justin Timberlake in the lead role. His character is journalist Joshua Pollack, who is determined to reveal a corruption conspiracy within the American special forces. He is assisted by his older allies: former investigative journalist Moses Ashford and private detective Levon Wallace. Together, they must face a corrupt law enforcement system and its villains, who will go to extreme lengths to avoid prison. Although Edison skipped theaters and went straight to DVD, it’s a decent film that marked the beginning of Timberlake’s acting career. At that time, he hadn’t yet gained professional experience and somewhat faded next to more seasoned actors. However, he looked up to the professionals, learning from them.
Alpha Dog
IMDb: 6.9/10
2006, Biography, Crime, Drama, Thrille
USA, Germany, R
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Top cast: Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Anton Yelchin
Alpha Dog’ is a crime drama where all the characters are based on real people. In this film, Timberlake plays drug dealer Frankie Ballenbacher, an associate of the dangerous Emile Hirsch’s character. It is a true story of young criminal Johnny Truelove and the daring kidnapping of 15-year-old Zack Mazursky. When their perfect plan falls apart, the criminals come under the scrutiny of FBI agents determined to put them behind bars. Justin’s character in real life is Jesse Raj, a 20-year-old who was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after seven years. In July 2013, he was granted parole and was released in October of that year.
Bad Teacher
IMDb: 5.7/10
2011, Comedy, Romance
USA, R
Director: Jake Kasdan
Top cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake
A provocative comedy about lustful teenagers and immature adults. The story follows Elizabeth, who takes a teaching job to save money for plastic surgery. However, she is a lazy and terrible teacher who can’t stand her work and her students. Justin Timberlake plays Scott, a middle school teacher and heir to his parents' multimillion-dollar business. When Elizabeth learns about Scott’s potential wealth, she tries to win him over for selfish reasons. Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz played romantic leads in the movie after their real-life romance had ended. The stars dated for four years, from 2003 to 2007, which adds an extra layer of intrigue to the film.
Friends with Benefits
IMDb: 6.5/10
2011, Comedy, Romance
USA, R
Director: Will Gluck
Top cast: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson
This is another lighthearted romantic comedy in the actor’s filmography. The plot revolves around Dylan and Jamie, who, disappointed with love, agree to have regular sex without any commitments or romantic feelings. However, as time goes on, they begin to fall in love with each other, and their lives begin to change. The film became one of the most popular releases of 2011, earning four times its production budget. It went from $35 million spent on filming to $150 million at the box office.
Trouble with the Curve
IMDb: 6.8/10
2012, Drama, Romance, Sport
USA, PG-13
Director: Robert Lorenz
Top cast: Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake
In this sports drama, Justin Timberlake stars alongside Clint Eastwood. The story centers on an aging baseball scout who is rapidly losing his vision. He sets out on one last journey with his daughter to find new promising players. They are joined by Johnny Flanagan, a young sports manager played by Timberlake. The theme in Trouble with the Curve intersects with In Time—both films emphasize that time and life are invaluable, with every second being precious. Trouble with the Curve is a drama that addresses sentiments of growing old, making amends within families, and the battle between conventional scouting versus contemporary analytics (driven by numbers) in baseball recruitment.
Click to copy 