Summary
Jack Black, born Thomas Jacob Black in 1969, is an American comedian, musician, producer, and screenwriter with the energy of a thousand Red Bulls. Son of two NASA engineers (yes, rocket scientists!), Jack began his career in the early ‘90s with small roles in TV and film. He made his real splash as Barry in High Fidelity (2000), and fully rocketed to stardom with School of Rock.
In 1994, he teamed up with Kyle Gass to form Tenacious D, the most epic comedy rock duo to ever face the devil in a musical showdown. Whether voicing a dumpling-loving panda or shredding a guitar in a satanic battle, Jack brings unmatched chaotic brilliance to every role. Here’s a list of his best cinematic adventures!
1h 25m
2010
Stars
Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Jason Segel
Gulliver’s Travels is quite the controversial ride—and not just because of the Bermuda Triangle. If you’re into Jack Black and his chaotic energy, you’re in for some fun. If not, well… buckle up for disappointment.
In this version, he’s a mailroom guy who lies his way into a travel writing gig to impress his crush, ends up in the Bermuda Triangle, and gets washed ashore on Liliput—a land of tiny people where he’s hailed as a hero… at first. The film took Swift’s sharp satire, threw it out the window, and replaced it with pop culture jokes and Star Wars nods. Critics hated it, but if you enjoy goofy humor and rock references, this might just be your guilty pleasure.
1h 32m
2006
Jack Black, Ana de la Reguera, Héctor Jiménez
Nacho Libre is a comedy inspired by a true story and soaked in the colorful world of Mexican lucha libre wrestling. Jack Black plays Ignacio, a monastery cook who was raised among orphans and makes meals with more heart than flavor. But secretly? He dreams of wearing stretchy pants and becoming a masked wrestler.
Despite the monastery’s strict rules, he jumps into the ring to earn money and prove himself—while also trying to impress a beautiful nun. With Jack Black’s signature physical comedy and weird charm, the film rides on his energy. Still, if you’re not into its over-the-top silliness, you might spend more time raising your eyebrows than laughing.
1h 41m
2025
Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Sebastian Hansen
When Jack Black is involved, you’re able to always expect his unique energy, and A Minecraft Movie is no exception. His performance as Steve is one of the highlights of this live-action adventure, which brings theblocky world of Minecraftto the big screen. The film follows four mismatched characters who are transported to the Overworld and must fight the evil wizard Malgosha, guided by Steve.
Initially,Black was supposed to voice a talking pig, but his passion for the project led to him landing the role of Steve. He even played over 100 hours of Minecraft during filming to bring the character to life. Despite mixed reviews, the film became a hit, earning over half a billion dollars worldwide. And yes, Jack Black also wrote and performed the original song ‘I Feel Alive’ for the film.
3h 7m
2005
Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody
In this epic remake of the 1933 classic, Jack Black surprises audiences by stepping out of his usual comedic shoes and into the slightly more dramatic (yet still chaotic) boots of Carl Denham. Known for rocking out or cracking jokes, here he’s the ambitious filmmaker who drags his crew to Skull Island, discovers King Kong, and decides, “Hey, let’s bring the giant gorilla to New York—what could go wrong?”
Spoiler: everything. Jack Black gives the character a modern twist—charming, manipulative, and just unhinged enough to make you nervously laugh. This film proves he’s more than just laughs; he can also deliver disaster… cinematically, of course.
1h 59m
2017
Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart, Jack Black
For many, Jumanji is one of the most magical childhood films—thanks to its thrilling concept, atmospheric charm, and of course, Robin Williams. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle isn’t a remake but a modern continuation. This time, the magic comes not from a board game but a mysterious old video game console.
A group of mismatched teens find themselves trapped in the jungle world of Jumanji—inside the bodies of their chosen avatars. Enter Jack Black as Professor Sheldon Oberon, a serious cartographer with one tiny twist: he’s actually Bethany, a selfie-obsessed teenage girl. Watching Jack Black channel teen drama through a middle-aged man’s body is comedy gold. Plus, touching nods to Alan Parrish add heart to the chaos.
2023
Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor Joy, Charlie Day
One of the films that proves Jack Black isn’t just a hero, but a villain master as well, is The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Honestly, saying Jack Black was made to voice Bowser would be an understatement. The movie follows Mario and Luigi battling Bowser’s plan to kidnap Princess Peach, and whileit’s the classic Mario storyline, it’s so much fun you’ll find yourself hitting replay on Jack Black’s ‘Peaches’ song.
With his colorful performance, playing Bowser was one of his most enjoyable experiences. If you’re a fan of Mario and Jack Black’s antics, this movie is a must-watch—it feels like playing a Mario game, but with more singing and laughs!
1h 47m
2008
Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr.
Tropic Thunder is a darkly comedic action film that mocks Hollywood’s big-budget war movies and actor egos. A group of struggling actors join a Vietnam War-themed film, only for the director to send them into a real jungle to experience ‘authenticity.’ There, they find themselves in a real-life battle.
While the other roles are hilariously over-the-top, Jack Black plays Jeff Portnoy, a comedian known for his fart jokes and a few… unhealthy habits. Black nails the cliche of the one-trick comedian with his physical comedy and energetic performance. Portnoy isn’t just a funny character but also represents the emotional voids and career struggles of Hollywood stars. Black shows his versatility by blending comedy and drama in this standout role.
Jack Black, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie
DreamWorks' famous animated film Kung Fu Panda tells the story of Po, a lazy and overweight panda. Po works with his father at a restaurant but is chosen to be the Dragon Warrior, a legendary Kung Fu fighter. Despite being physically unfit, Po is determined to prove himself and shows that hard work and potential can lead to greatness, even when no one believes in him.
Jack Black voices Po in this film and its sequels, bringing his unique comedic, energetic, and lovable style to the character. His performance adds emotional depth to Po and makes the film relatable for all ages, proving Black can do more than just goofy roles!
1h 49m
2003
Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack
Before 2003, Jack Black had already appeared in various movies and TV shows, but School of Rock was undoubtedly a turning point in his career. He plays Dewey Finn, a rock-obsessed, failed band member who’s broke and out of work.
To make ends meet, he takes his roommate Ned’s job as a music teacher at a private school. Instead of teaching classical music, Dewey introduces his students to rock ‘n’ roll, forming a band and helping them discover their musical talents. The film shows the power of music and teamwork, with Black’s performance adding both comedy and emotional depth. His passion for music helped him rock this role, and the movie catapulted him to fame.
1h 34m
Jack Black, Kyle Gass, JR Reed
When you think of Jack Black, two things immediately come to mind: Tenacious D and this film. The Pick of Destiny is pure rock magic. After watching it, you’ll probably replay the songs on loop—and if you’re a rock fan, you’re in for an even bigger treat. The movie features legends like Dio and Dave Grohl (though good luck spotting Grohl under all that Satan makeup).
Jack Black heads to Hollywood to master the art of rock, meets Kyle Gass, and together they form Tenacious D. Their mission? Steal the legendary Pick of Destiny. The epic ‘Beelzeboss’ scene alone is worth a dozen replays. This movie let Jack Black fuse his comedic genius with his love for rock, proving he’s not just funny—he’s musically unstoppable.
