After making a name for himself dancing in theStep Upfranchise,Channing Tatumwanted to prove he was a more versatile actor than just some easy-on-the-eyes hunk. And 10 years ago, with the release of Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s21 Jump Street, he did just that. The film gave him the perfect opportunity to show off his comedic chops in a performance that didn’t rely on his physique to work. Now an established actor, Tatum has since found his way into dramas likeFoxcatcherand science fiction blockbusters likeJupiter Ascending.
That was until five years ago. Since 2017, Channing Tatum has been exclusively doing cameos and animated roles as a voice actor. This year, he has two movies that mark his return to studio comedies. Co-directed by Tatum andReid Carolin,Dogturned some heads as a surprise box office hit. Later this month he will star inThe Lost CityalongsideSandra Bullock,Daniel Radcliffe, andBrad Pitt. So, let’s take a look back at the best comedies Channing Tatum has done up to this point.
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She’s the Man (2006)
Released in 2006,She’sthe Manis a bit of an awkward transitional movie for Tatum. On one hand, he’s absolutely playing the tank top-wearing eye candy. On the other, there’s a softness to him that you hardly find in any other high school comedies from the mid-2000s. The plot centers aroundAmanda Bynes’ Viola disguising herself as her brother Sebastian and attending an elite boarding school. The premise allows the film to spin a Shakespearean, high school web of love that makes for plenty of comedic moments for Tatum and the rest of the cast.
Channing Tatum plays Duke Orsino, the captain of the soccer team at the boarding school. Though he looks like just another jock, there’s more to him than meets the eye. Initially dismissive of “Sebastian,” the two learn to get along and Duke is surprised that he is able to be vulnerable with him. And when Viola reveals to him that she was Sebastian all along, he surprisingly keeps his cool in response. Tatum’s understanding hunk inShe’s the Manwould go on to be an early prototype for the kind of character that later defined his career in films likeMagic Mike.
21 Jump Street (2012)
Jonah Hillhad already proved his comedic capabilities withSuperbad. Channing Tatum, on the other hand, was looking for his chance to prove himself. And boy does the pair deliver. In this hilarious high school buddy cop comedy, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) are assigned to go undercover at a high school and investigate an alleged drug ring. Not the most successful of officers, the two are primarily sent back to high school because of their youthful faces.
In a film that features explosive car chases and gut-busting drug trips, the thing that stands out the most is the chemistry between Hill and Tatum. It’s clear the two are having a blast working together, and it’s just as clear how much that chemistry elevates each actor’s comedic abilities.21 Jump Streetis one the best comedies of the 2010s, and much of that is thanks to the dynamite performances from Hill and Tatum.
Magic Mike (2012)
Less a straight comedy than a mixture of comedy, drama, and romance,Magic Mikeprovides Channing Tatum with the perfect outlet to marry his performer self with his actor one.Steven Soderberghdirects this film about male strippers struggling to thrive in their excessive lifestyle. When Mike Lane (Channing Tatum) meets 19-year-old Adam (Alex Pettyfer), he sees a potential protégé that could eventually replace him.
Despite stripping being his primary source of income, Mike secretly is tired of the lifestyle and wants to open his own small business. The character gains an extra dimension as well when applied to Tatum’s own career. After starting his career performing in theStep Upfranchise, Tatum is now hoping to move on and deepen his acting resume. He may not want to open his own small business, but the desire to evolve in life remains true for both Tatum and Mike.
22 Jump Street (2014)
At the end of21 Jump Street, the film teased sending Schmidt, Jenko, and the rambunctious chaos they always leave in their wake, to college.22 Jump Streetfulfills that promise and separates itself from the original by doubling down on many of the best parts of that film, namely, the bromance between the two central detectives. Since the story beats never stray too far from the first film, it’s safe to assume those who liked the first film will still enjoy this one, perhaps with a mild case of diminishing returns.
Like the first film, Tatum and Hill and joined by a delightful supporting cast.Ice Cube,Peter StormareandWyatt Russelleach bring their own talents to the franchise’s brand of ridiculous comedy. Despite the expanded cast, Tatum and Hill are never outshined. Their relationship remains as engaging and hilarious as ever. As the two traverse the cliques of college, their conflicted interests remain a central tension for the film and lead to reliably amusing antics either at fraternities or slam poetry club meetings.
Magic Mike XXL (2015)
A worthy sequel to the surprise success of the firstMagic Mike,Magic Mike XXLprovides a continuation for the first film’s portrayal of healthy masculinity. At this point in Channing Tatum’s career, he has learned to perfectly balance his meathead first impression with his softer side of masculinity. And unlike the firstMagic Mikeoffering Tatum an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a potential future,Magic Mike XXLallows the chance for him to fully show off the unpretentious movie star he has grown into. Also like the firstMagic Mike, the sequel’s robust cast allows for some showstopping and hilarious depictions of male stripping. As Mike has become more comfortable living a low-key life, Tatum jumps at the opportunity to become the opposite, and the resulting film is a delight.
Hail Caesar! (2016)
Like much of theCoen Brothers’ recent work,Hail Caesar!boasts a sprawling ensemble cast. Led byJosh Brolinas a ‘50s studio fixer, the film follows the development of several films at a large production house. Among the supporting cast is Channing Tatum, who plays aGene Kelly-esque actor. The role perfectly falls in line with the trajectory of Tatum’s career up to this point.
Gene Kelly was a muscular showman who used his impeccable strength and talents primarily in the musical genre. It’s not hard to imagine an argument about the parallelism between the masculinity depicted in musicals and the one that Tatum has built up his career showing inMagic Mike. And seeing Tatum perform his musical number inHail Caesar!only acts as supporting evidence for that argument. In his performance of ‘No Dames,” Tatum perfectly embodies the spirit of 50s musical performers.
Logan Lucky (2017)
Teaming again with Steven Soderbergh, this time Tatum plays Jimmy Logan, a blue-collar construction worker who crafts a plan to rob the speedway he was recently fired from. Leaning more into the meathead side of his persona, Tatum again finds himself acting alongside someone who will surely push him to be his best.Adam Driverplays Jimmy’s more level-headed brother, Clyde, and together, the two brothers recruit some help to help pull off their hillbilly heist.
Logan Luckyplays a bit like a scrappierOcean’s Eleven(there’s even a joke in the film calling their heist “Ocean’s 7/11”). As the brothers are meeting with people to recruit, they come across loose cannon Joe Bang (Daniel Craig). Bang is the unpredictable, jokester type and with that position filled, Tatum’s Jimmy is positioned as the heart of the film. Jimmy has a close relationship with his daughter Sadie, who performs in beauty pageants and lives with his ex-wife. Once the heist is completed, the film features a touching conclusion that shows Jimmy making it just in time to watch Sadie perform on stage. It’s in this moment that you realize that Jimmy didn’t rob the speedway out of petty revenge, but he did it in an attempt to get closer to his daughter.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
The last movie Channing Tatum performed in before his brief acting hiatus wasMatthew Vaughn’s follow-up to his 2014 spy spoofKingsman: The Secret Service. And despite spending the vast majority of the film cryogenically frozen, he makes every minute he has onscreen count. Tatum plays Tequila, a Kingsman agent from the American branch of the agency.
Once again, Tatum shows that even within a massive blockbuster, he knows how to perfectly pick his characters so that they fall perfectly in his wheelhouse. If there is a franchise that holds a similar ideology to the positive masculinity that Tatum has held his entire career, it’s the gentlemen spies of theKingman. And seeing Tatum do his ridiculous dances while speaking in a silly accent more than makes up for his minimal screen time.
Dog (2022)
In Channing Tatum’s return to the live-action comedies, he plays a U.S. Army Ranger tasked with building a relationship with a military working dog, Lulu. The film marks Tatum’s first directorial credit as he co-directed it alongside his producing partner andMagic Mikewriter, Reid Carolin. The film’s plot doesn’t stray too far from what you’d expect, but there are plenty of opportunities for Tatum to dust off his physical and verbal comedic chops.
By this point in Tatum’s career, he doesn’t even need a co-star who can talk.Dogproves he has more than enough star power to carry a film as the sole human lead. Sure, it helps that the dog he acts alongside is an effortlessly lovable pup, but Tatum undeniably does the heavy lifting of the film. The film is the perfect vehicle to bring Tatum back into the spotlight and should make everyone excited to see him follow it up inThe Lost City.
