As one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors, Mark Wahlberg has proven time and time again that he is capable of delivering powerful and nuanced performances in a variety of genres. However, it is perhaps in his dramatic roles that he reveals his true depth as an actor. From gut-wrenching tales of real-life hardship to gripping fictional dramas, Wahlberg consistently immerses himself in his characters and delivers emotionally charged performances that stay with the audience long after the credits have rolled.
For this list, we’ve compiled Wahlberg’s best dramatic roles to date. From early career breakthroughs to more recent powerhouse performances, these films showcase the range and depth of Wahlberg’s acting abilities. So, get ready to be moved by the talent of Mark Wahlberg as we look at his all-time best dramas, ranked.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 Shooter (2007)
di Bonaventura Pictures
Shooter tells the story of Bob Lee Swagger, a former Marine Corps sniper who, after being falsely accused of trying to assassinate the President, must go on the run to clear his name. It’s a tense watch, and you can’t help but put yourself in Swagger’s shoes. Shooter deals thoughtfully with the consequences of being set up by shadowy, powerful forces for a crime you didn’t commit. Wahlberg does well as the hardened and battle-trained Swagger, anchoring an otherwise generic action thriller with a solid performance.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 All the Money in the World (2017)
Sony Pictures Motion Picture GroupSTX Entertainment
Yes, Christopher Plummer is the star of this film. Yes, he replaced Kevin Spacey as the lead after a whole slew of controversies surfaced (see Indiewire for a comprehensive rundown). But this troubled history shouldn’t take away from what is one of Mark Wahlberg’s best dramatic roles. Wahlberg brings a kind of cool intellect to this biographical thriller, which helped to make All the Money in the World a high point in his recent filmography.
6 Deepwater Horizon (2016)
Summit Entertainment
Get ready to see a pattern here: many of Wahlberg’s greatest dramatic roles come from films based on true stories. Deepwater Horizon is one such film, a heart-pounding disaster movie set on an oil rig that isn’t quite up to code. The film follows Wahlberg as Mike Williams, who must give everything to save the lives of his crew mates following an explosive blowout on the rig. This is one of several examples of Wahlberg playing a real-life hero, and he does justice to the part by giving a deeply inspired performance.
5 Fear (1996)
Imagine Entertainment
Fear was a fairly early picture for Mark Wahlberg, and his first starring role in a feature. At the time of its release, he was still active as a hip-hop artist under the stage name “Marky Mark” (per Rare). But his performance as obsessive stalker-turned-killer David McCall in Fear marked a transitional moment in his career. From this point on, audiences began to see him as someone who could do more than just sing and dance.
4 Boogie Nights (1997)
Lawrence Gordon Productions
Set in the adult entertainment industry in the ’70s and ’80s, Boogie Nights is a sweeping period piece directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Wahlberg is cast perfectly as Eddie Adams, a young man who, after being recruited into the adult film world, becomes a major player as Dirk Diggler. The story charts Adams/Diggler transition from a wide-eyed newcomer to a down-on-his-luck veteran with more trouble on his plate than he can handle. As a bonus, it also features some of Wahlberg’s most iconic looks.
3 Lone Survivor (2013)
Based on the true story of a failed Navy SEALs mission in Afghanistan, Lone Survivor follows the story of Marcus Luttrell (played by Mark Wahlberg) and his teammates as they fight for their survival after a deadly ambush in the Korangal Valley. It is Wahlberg’s portrayal of the always gruff Luttrell that anchors the film, as he manages to convey the pain, fear, and determination of his character with a raw and honest intensity. This role helped to solidify Wahlberg’s place as a leading dramatic actor in Hollywood - and the critical acclaim earned by the film didn’t hurt either.
2 The Fighter (2010)
The Weinstein Company
Another film based on a true story, The Fighter is a sports biopic centering on Micky Ward (Wahlberg), a junior welterweight boxer trying to make a name for himself in the ring while navigating a tortured relationship with his self-destructive half-brother, Dicky Eklund (played by the great Christian Bale). It’s one of Wahlberg’s most nuanced performances, and his scrappy physicality is balanced by Bale’s wiry, troubled portrayal of Dicky. The dynamic between Micky and Dicky is what drives the film, making this moving drama a true acting showcase for both stars.
1 The Departed (2006)
Warner Bros.
A legendary crime thriller from director Martin Scorsese, The Departed may have the most star-studded cast of all time. With Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen involved, it’s certainly in the running. With a cast like this, no one would fault Wahlberg for not standing out. But his performance as police sergeant Sean Dignam is one for the ages, and it earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
