Best Joey King Movies, Ranked

As a seasoned film critic with years of experience under my belt, I must say that Joey King is truly an exceptional talent to watch. Her versatility and range are simply astounding! From the light-hearted comedy of Summer of ’03 to the heart-wrenching drama of Radium Girls, she has proven time and again that she can handle any role thrown her way.

Joey King’s stock in Hollywood may soon be getting a boost. On October 24, 2024, King will be honored alongside Titanic star Kate Winslet and Scandal star Kerry Washington at the Women in Film honors ceremony. King is only in her mid-20s but has been acting since she was a child. She has made appearances in TV shows like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, landed minor roles in films like Crazy, Stupid, Love with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, and starred in movies like Ramona and Beezus with Selena Gomez and Bullet Train with Brad Pitt. Most recently, King starred in the Netflix live adaptation of the book series Uglies.

In contrasting opinions, some film enthusiasts have commended the acting skills displayed by this actress in her films, while others claim she often overacts. Over time, critics have voiced their disapproval regarding King’s overacting. Regardless of personal preferences, King remains active in the industry and offers some entertaining performances worth viewing. Here are her top-rated movies to explore.

10 Smartass

In simpler terms, “Smartass” is comparable to Temu’s adaptation of “Good Time” by A24. The film features Joey King as a teenager who has run away from home. After being apprehended and subsequently released from a Los Angeles jail before midnight, she finds herself drawn to joining a gang. That’s the entire storyline.

Smartass Is Teenage Angst at its Finest

King skillfully embodies a sarcastic, troubled teenager who manages to charm her way through the gritty “Murder City.” A humorous moment occurs when she is being arrested yet continues to chat with her friends about going out for ice cream. The character’s smart-alecky demeanor might cause some tension among viewers, but it’s a tension that adds depth to her role. King is the beating heart that keeps this exhilarating film moving at pace. This movie isn’t for everyone; it’s more like an acquired taste, similar to dark beer. But if you appreciated films like “Good Time” or Adam Sandler’s “Uncut Gems,” then this should make for a thrilling evening.

9 A Family Affair

In one of Joey King’s recent romantic comedies titled “A Family Affair“, the developing relationship between a widowed writer portrayed by Nicole Kidman and a younger actor, played by Zac Efron, is delved into. Interestingly, King appears as Kidman’s on-screen daughter who happens to work for Efron’s character, adding an element of tension to their professional and personal interactions.

A Family Affair Is a Par for the Course Rom Com

In the film “A Family Affair,” both Kidman and Kathy Bates, who have each won Oscars, star. Interestingly, King keeps pace, even surpassing her accomplished co-stars in some scenes. The physical humor displayed by King throughout this movie underscores her potential as a rising talent. For those who might argue that Joey King acts excessively, it’s important to recall that this is a romantic comedy. While at times it strains to be more serious, it remains a rom-com at heart. Its purpose is to provide entertainment after a long day, whether we’re watching it snuggled on the couch or having a movie night with mom. King delivers a comical performance that fans of romantic comedies will appreciate and likely revisit for future viewings.

8 The Princess

In the movie “The Princess” on Hulu, Joey King delivers an extraordinary performance that will captivate many young viewers due to its action-packed scenes with a twist. Despite having certain imperfections, this film stands out for its exceptional antagonist portrayed by Dominic Cooper and some remarkably intense fight sequences – arguably the wildest ever seen in a princess movie.

Fun Performance with Great Fight Scenes

Joey King’s acting in the movie is quite expressive, sometimes even too much for adult viewers, but since it’s targeted towards children, her exaggerated performances don’t detract from the film’s atmosphere. It’s the fight scenes that truly shine, and the effort she put into learning the choreography was worth it. The kitchen fight scene was especially entertaining to watch. All in all, King delivers a lively, enjoyable performance that many kids might want to rewatch frequently.

7 Bullet Train

A recurring aspect you may notice in this ranking is instances of overacting, particularly by Joey King. Yet, in the film “Bullet Train” directed by Brad Pitt, her overacting adds to its charm rather than detracts. In this role as The Prince, she portrays an assassin adept at manipulation, using her skills to achieve her goals. Notably, she adopts a British accent throughout the movie, which is quite amusing.

Bullet Train Is a Wild Ride From Start to Finish

Is it sometimes cheesy and excessively dramatic? Yes, indeed. However, it aligns perfectly well with the film’s overall style. There’s a moment where King, who’s usually a cool-headed assassin, gets held at gunpoint and switches from a serious demeanor to a distressed damsel in a flash. It might seem a bit too much, but it’s undeniably impressive. Bullet Train is a film that merits your full attention without interruptions, and it’s ideal for those seeking a relaxed movie night with companions.

6 The Kissing Booth

For years, Joey King was somewhat overlooked as an actress, but her role in Netflix’s popular romantic comedy, “The Kissing Booth,” shifted that perception entirely. It’s important to mention that the success of “The Kissing Booth” led Netflix to produce not just one, but two follow-ups. Men, beware! This film is packed with almost every rom-com trope imaginable. You’ll find forbidden romance, scenes where the couple sneaks around that make you wonder how they avoid detection, cringe-worthy dialogues, a playboy who turns into a lover, and of course, the classic ‘he’s just a friend’ scenario.

Fun Cliché and Full of Laughs

Joey King, along with her fellow actors Joel Courtney and Jacob Elordi, share an impressive dynamic in their love triangle scenario. It’s undeniable that King delivers a captivating performance, particularly through her skillful execution of physical humor as she navigates her secretive romantic entanglement. Despite the familiar tropes, The Kissing Booth stands out among many run-of-the-mill romantic comedies. It’s a notch above most Hallmark films, offering more depth and chemistry for viewers who are keen to follow the characters further in the sequels.

5 The In Between

Actress Joey King momentarily steps away from romantic comedies to headline the supernatural romance series “The In Between” on Paramount+. In this production, she portrays a high school photographer who endeavors to communicate with her deceased boyfriend following his tragic death in a car accident. Unfortunately, the conclusion of “The In Between” was met with some issues. It’s intriguing to see King venture into new territory within the romantic comedy genre, but the film is marketed as a paranormal romance, and there isn’t an abundance of supernatural elements. Instead, the narrative largely revolves around flashbacks between King and her on-screen partner Kyle Allen.

Heartwarming, But Not Enough Spooks

King delivers an exceptional portrayal of a teenager grappling with first love, making the audience believe she’s actually falling for Kyle Allen on screen. Some scenes in the movie are so authentic that they resonate as deeply personal experiences. This heartfelt performance is particularly relatable to those who have gone through the pain of losing someone close. Despite being light on supernatural elements, The In Between remains a tear-jerking drama with a powerful performance by King. If you plan to watch it for date night, keep a box of tissues handy.

4 Borealis

The significance of Chemistry in movies for them to thrive is undeniable. In the Canadian comedy film “Borealis“, Joey King and Jonas Chernick make an entertaining duo. King portrays a girl who has recently lost her mother, living with a father, played by Chernick, struggling with gambling issues. To add to their troubles, she is gradually losing her eyesight. In a surprising twist, what does the father decide they must do? They embark on a journey fleeing debt collectors, heading north with his daughter, so she can witness the northern lights before blindness takes hold. Despite the absurdity of the storyline, it proves to be quite captivating.

Borealis Is Dark Goofy Canadian Humor

In this film, the queen’s personality is anything but calm and composed. She’s cracking dark jokes left and right, which might leave some viewers cackling like mischievous spirits, while others could be left scratching their heads in bewilderment. It’s a performance that demonstrates she’s not just a one-dimensional rom-com actress. At times, it seems the movie is tackling an excessive number of issues the characters are dealing with, but ultimately, it manages to create a heartwarming film. Essentially, it’s a Canadian drama infused with elements reminiscent of Letterkenny.

3 Summer of ’03

2018 was quite a bustling year for Joey King, as she appeared in no less than six films that year. Some of them were successful, while others received harsh criticism from critics, but “Summer of ’03” falls into the category of mixed reviews, which is about as positive as it gets for Joey King’s movies. “Summer of ’03” is a comedy-drama about coming of age, in which King portrays a teenager dealing with the loss of her grandmother. To help herself cope, she turns to religion, represented by a charming altar boy played by Jack Kilmer, son of Val Kilmer, who is undergoing seminary training at the time. He too is trying to fulfill his earthly desires before his ordination.

The Awkwardness of Young Summer Love

2003’s Summer film embodies the typical high school genre, yet this isn’t a detriment. It delivers both uproarious laughter and poignant realism in quick succession, making it an emotional rollercoaster for viewers. The movie’s insights into adolescent struggles strike a chord with many, causing moments of profound silence. Teenagers, both current and past, will find themselves reflected in this film. It’s evident that King enjoyed the process of filming this movie, as her character is both relatable and endearing. Her portrayal of an awkward teenager on their first date rings true and is a source of amusement, making it an enjoyable viewing experience.

2 Radium Girls

The film “Radium Girls,” based on true events, portrays the alarming reality of corporate misconduct and avarice, as it tells the story of women who worked in a radium factory, oblivious to the fact that they were gradually being contaminated by the substance. Despite the passage of over a century since these events occurred, the themes presented in this movie remain strikingly relevant today.

Radium Girls Is a Tribute to Brave Women

King masterfully portrays Bessie Cavallo with poise, offering one of her most impactful performances yet in her budding career. The audience can sense the anguish that her character experiences as she witnesses her friends enduring slow torment. The film Radium Girls, though well-intentioned as a salute to these courageous women who sought justice, ultimately fails to reach its full potential. It’s a movie you watch once, and it may not leave a lasting impression until a trivia night question arises about it.

1 Ramona and Beezus

Joey King is relatively new in the industry, but her future in acting looks promising with many more memorable roles to come, similar to those she showcased in “Ramona and Beezus“. Together with Selena Gomez, they made an excellent duo that beautifully translated Beverley Cleary’s beloved children’s book onto the screen. It’s adorable and endearing, making it a must-watch for young readers who have completed the book. This adaptation is among the best of its kind.

Book to Big Screen Magic

At just a young age, King demonstrated to Hollywood that she was destined for greatness. Her exceptional comedic delivery and physical humor are remarkable for an actress her age. Both King and Gomez embody their characters superbly, while director Elizabeth Allen skillfully portrays the highs and lows of two sisters growing up together. This heartwarming film will evoke laughter, tears, and nostalgia as audiences recall the trials and tribulations of sibling life.

Joey King, despite her current success, still has plenty of room to grow as an actress. It’s uncommon for an actor or actress to secure a breakout role in their first decade in the industry. By the age of 25, he had only acted in half as many films as King at her age. Glen Powell didn’t start getting leading roles in blockbusters like “Top Gun Maverick,” “Twisters,” and “Anyone But You” until his thirties. King’s impressive comedic skills and endearing performances in romantic comedies will likely continue to bring her high-quality roles in the future.

2024-10-14 04:34