With “Sinners”, Michael B. Jordan continues to prove that he’s one of the most compelling actors of his generation — not just a movie star, but a storyteller who’s willing to go deep, even when it hurts.
But for now, all eyes are on April 18. Because if early buzz is anything to go by, “Sinners” isn’t just a thriller — it’s a revelation. The movie where Jordan plays twins follows: “Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.”
Ahead of the film’s release this week, we are looking back at 10 highlights of Michael B. Jordan’s career up to this point.
1. “The Wire” (2002)
Michael B. Jordan’s breakout came early — and hard — with his role as Wallace in HBO’s “The Wire”. Though he was just 15 at the time, Jordan delivered a performance that was emotionally rich and devastatingly raw. As a teenage drug dealer trying to survive the streets of West Baltimore, Wallace’s arc was both heartbreaking and unforgettable. In a show filled with standout characters, Wallace still stands out as one of the most human and tragic. This role was the world’s first glimpse at the depth Jordan was capable of, and it set the tone for what was to come.
2. “Friday Night Lights” (2009-2011)
In the final seasons of “Friday Night Lights”, Jordan joined the cast as Vince Howard, a high school quarterback with a tough upbringing and a lot to prove. His portrayal brought grit, heart, and emotional nuance to the already-beloved series. Vince’s journey — from rebellious and defensive to focused and disciplined — was one of the show’s strongest character arcs. Jordan brought maturity and realism to the role, proving he could carry long-form storytelling with the same emotional weight he brought to shorter projects.
3. “Fruitvale Station” (2013)
In his first collaboration with director Ryan Coogler, Jordan played Oscar Grant, the young man who was tragically killed by police at Oakland’s “Fruitvale Station” in 2009. The film was a powerful and intimate portrait of Grant’s final day, and Jordan’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. He gave Oscar life, humor, warmth, and vulnerability — showing him not as a symbol, but as a full person. This role was the turning point in Jordan’s career, establishing him as a serious dramatic actor and someone willing to take on stories that matter.
4. “That Awkward Moment” (2014)
Before fully diving into blockbuster territory, Jordan took a detour into romantic comedy with this ensemble piece alongside Zac Efron and Miles Teller. As Mikey, a young doctor navigating a divorce and re-entry into the dating world, Jordan showcased a natural charm and comedic timing. While the film wasn’t a massive critical success, it allowed Jordan to flex a lighter, more relatable side — and proved he wasn’t boxed into heavy drama alone. It was an early sign of his range and mainstream appeal.
5. “Creed” (2015)
With “Creed”, Michael B. Jordan didn’t just step into the ring — he stepped into legacy. Playing Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo Creed from the Rocky films, Jordan brought fresh energy to a beloved franchise. His performance blended raw emotion, vulnerability, and physical intensity, making Adonis feel like a real person rather than just an archetype. Under Coogler’s direction, “Creed” wasn’t just a boxing movie — it was a story about identity, grief, and self-worth. Jordan made Adonis his own and created a new franchise in the process.
6. “Black Panther” (2018)
As Erik Killmonger, Jordan turned a Marvel villain into something far more complex — a man whose pain, loss, and anger made him one of the MCU’s most compelling antagonists. His performance in Black Panther wasn’t just about charisma or physicality (though he had both in spades); it was about layered rage and brokenness. Killmonger became a cultural symbol, sparking conversations about diaspora, colonialism, and justice. It’s rare for a villain to feel like the emotional core of a superhero movie, but Jordan made it happen.
7. “Creed II” (2018)
In the sequel to “Creed”, Jordan deepened Adonis’s emotional journey as he faced off against Viktor Drago, the son of the man who killed his father in the ring. The stakes were higher, and the performance demanded more than just athleticism. Jordan had to carry grief, fear, pride, and fatherhood all at once. He delivered a grounded, emotionally resonant portrayal of a man trying to balance legacy with personal growth — and proved that his success in “Creed” was no fluke.
8. “Just Mercy” (2019)
Reuniting with Warner Bros. for a real-life legal drama, Jordan portrayed Bryan Stevenson, the Harvard-educated lawyer who dedicated his life to freeing wrongfully convicted inmates on death row. The film, based on Stevenson’s memoir, required Jordan to take a quieter, more restrained approach — and he nailed it. His performance was dignified and quietly powerful, allowing the true story to take center stage while grounding it in human emotion. “Just Mercy” demonstrated Jordan’s commitment to socially conscious storytelling.
9. “Without Remorse” (2021)
In this Tom Clancy action thriller, Jordan starred as John Clark, a Navy SEAL seeking justice for the murder of his family. While the film leaned heavily into genre tropes, Jordan’s presence elevated it. He brought gravitas and believability to a role that could’ve easily been generic. It also marked his emergence as a full-fledged action star — capable of headlining a franchise while bringing depth to explosive material.
10. “Creed III” (2023)
In “Creed III”, Michael B. Jordan made his directorial debut while reprising his role as Adonis Creed, now a retired champion facing off against a ghost from his past — childhood friend and former boxing prodigy Damian Anderson, played by Jonathan Majors. The film continues the “Creed” saga as its third installment and marks the ninth chapter in the larger Rocky universe, though notably, it’s the first without Sylvester Stallone on screen. Premiering in early 2023, “Creed III” became the highest-grossing film in the series, raking in over $276 million globally.
