Look, I'll be straight with you - if you're searching for "Jensen Ackles movies and TV shows," you're probably either a Supernatural diehard wondering what else he's done, or someone who just saw The Boys and got curious about that charismatic Soldier Boy guy. Maybe you're even one of those folks who remembers him from way back on Days of Our Lives. Whatever brought you here, I've been down this rabbit hole myself. Let's cut through the noise and talk real talk about Ackles' screen career - the gems, the flops, and everything in between.
Early Days: Soap Operas and Sci-Fi Starts
Fun fact: Jensen almost became a sports medicine guy instead of an actor. Thank god that didn't happen. His first big break came in 1997 when he joined NBC's Days of Our Lives as Eric Brady. I actually went back and watched some of those early episodes recently - talk about awkward teen acting! But hey, we all start somewhere. He won some soap award for it though, so clearly people saw something there.
The real game-changer? Dark Angel. Playing Ben/X5-493 in the James Cameron-produced sci-fi series opposite Jessica Alba. Shame his character got killed off early - I always thought he had better chemistry with Alba than Michael Weatherly did. Here's the proof:
| Year | Title | Role | Critical Notes | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-2000 | Days of Our Lives | Eric Brady | Soap Opera Digest Award winner (1998) | Peacock, Amazon Prime |
| 2001-2002 | Dark Angel | Ben/X5-493 | Recurring role (Season 1-2) | Hulu, Disney+ |
| 2003-2005 | Smallville | Jason Teague | Season 4 main antagonist | Hulu |
| 2004 | Dark Shadows Revival | Jeremiah Collins | Unaired WB pilot - hard to find! | - |
Smallville fans will remember him as the suspiciously charming Jason Teague in Season 4. Honestly? His American accent was better than Tom Welling's in those early seasons. Shame about that whole "trying to unleash an ancient monster" thing though.
The Winchester Era: Supernatural Breakdown
Let's address the elephant in the room - you don't talk about Jensen Ackles movies and TV shows without Supernatural. 15 seasons. 327 episodes. That's longer than most marriages. I remember watching the pilot back in 2005 and thinking "This is either going to be amazing or terrible." Neither of us expected it to become this cultural phenomenon.
Survival Tip: If you're new to Supernatural, skip Season 7. Seriously. Even hardcore fans agree it's the weakest. Start with Seasons 1-5 (the perfect story arc), then jump to 11-15 if you're pressed for time.
Why did Dean Winchester resonate so much? It wasn't just the leather jackets and classic rock. Jensen brought this unexpected vulnerability to a character who could've been just another macho action dude. That scene in "Swan Song" where he's eating pie alone in the diner? Still gets me every time.
Essential Supernatural Episodes Showcasing Jensen's Range
- "Changing Channels" (Season 5, Episode 8) - Ackles doing sitcom parody genius
- "The French Mistake" (Season 6, Episode 15) - Meta brilliance where they play themselves
- "Baby" (Season 11, Episode 4) - Entire episode shot from the Impala's perspective
- "Scoobynatural" (Season 13, Episode 16) - Yes, they actually did a Scooby-Doo crossover
Funny story - I met a guy at a convention who told me he named his son Dean because of this show. That's when it hit me how deeply this character connected with people. Though I wouldn't recommend naming your kid after a fictional demon hunter personally.
The Film Resume: Hits, Misses, and Hidden Gems
Okay, let's be real - Jensen's movie career hasn't matched his TV success. He'd probably admit that himself. But there are some legit good performances buried in there if you know where to look.
| Year | Movie | Role | RT Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Devour | Jake Gray | 0% (ouch) | Skip it - even hardcore fans avoid this one |
| 2009 | My Bloody Valentine 3D | Tom Hanniger | 61% | Fun slasher flick - great for horror nights |
| 2010 | Batman: Under the Red Hood (voice) | Jason Todd/Red Hood | 100% | Possibly his best performance EVER - streaming on HBO Max |
| 2012 | Ten Inch Hero | Priest | 38% | Charming indie rom-com - find it on Tubi |
The real standout? Batman: Under the Red Hood. I know, I know - "It's just a cartoon." Trust me, his Jason Todd might be the most emotionally complex performance he's ever given. That final confrontation with Batman? Chills. It's criminal that he hasn't done more voice work.
Quick rant though - why does he keep taking these direct-to-video action flicks? Rust? Buddy Games? Come on, Jensen. You're better than this. Though I'll admit his cameo in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot was hilarious.
Post-Supernatural: Soldier Boy and Beyond
When Supernatural ended, everyone held their breath. Could Dean Winchester escape Dean Winchester? Enter The Boys Season 3 as Soldier Boy - the most brilliant career pivot imaginable.
Let me paint the scene: July 2022. Supernatural had been over for two years. People were starting to pigeonhole him. Then boom - he shows up as this messed-up, charismatic, homicidal Captain America parody. That fight scene in Herogasm episode? Twitter lost its damn mind. I had friends texting me "IS THAT DEAN WINCHESTER??"
Why Soldier Boy Worked So Well
- The physical transformation (dude got JACKED at age 44)
- Perfect comedic timing ("You got a russian word for 'c*nt'?")
- Unexpected vulnerability under the toxic masculinity
- That scene where he cries watching his old commercials? Masterclass.
Word is he might return for The Boys Season 5. Fingers crossed. Meanwhile, he's producing and narrating The Winchesters prequel - though personally, I wish he'd appeared on screen for at least one episode.
What's Next: Upcoming Jensen Ackles Projects
As of late 2023, here's what we know about upcoming Jensen Ackles movies and TV shows:
| Project | Role | Status | Expected Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rust (film) | Lead role | Post-production resumed | 2024 (maybe) |
| Countdown (Amazon series) | Producer/lead? | Early development | TBA |
| The Boys Season 5 | Soldier Boy (rumored) | Not confirmed | 2025 |
| Big Sky Season 4 | Special Agent | Recurring role confirmed | Fall 2024 |
That Rust situation is messy as hell - the Alec Baldwin shooting tragedy shut down production for ages. Not sure if audiences will separate the art from the real-life horror when it finally releases. Risky career move if you ask me.
Where to Stream All Things Jensen
Wondering where to actually watch these Jensen Ackles movies and TV shows? Here's the updated 2023 guide:
- Supernatural: Netflix (complete series)
- The Boys: Amazon Prime
- Smallville/Dark Angel: Hulu
- Voice Work (Batman etc): HBO Max
- Obscure Films (Ten Inch Hero etc): Tubi (free with ads)
Pro tip: Most of his early B-movies like Devour and Blonde aren't streaming anywhere legally. If you're desperate, check used DVD bins at horror conventions. Found a signed copy of Hellions at DragonCon once!
Why Fans Stay Obsessed
Having followed this guy's career since 2005, I've analyzed why Jensen Ackles movies and TV shows generate such devotion:
It's not just the looks (though let's be real, those eyes could stop traffic). He brings this everyman quality to even supernatural characters. You believe him when he's grieving. You believe him when he's cracking jokes during the apocalypse. That's rare.
There's also his underrated comedic timing. Watch Supernatural's "Mystery Spot" episode or any of Soldier Boy's scenes. The man knows how to deliver a punchline. If the superhero thing dries up, he could easily pivot to sitcoms.
My only criticism? He plays guarded characters SO well that sometimes I wonder if we've ever seen the real Jensen. Every interview feels carefully controlled. Then again, after 15 years of intense fandom, who wouldn't build some walls?
Jensen Ackles Filmography FAQ
What was Jensen Ackles' breakout role?
While Dark Angel got him noticed, Supernatural (2005-2020) made him a household name in genre TV. Though soap fans might argue Days of Our Lives was his real start.
Is Jensen Ackles in any superhero projects?
Yes! He voiced Red Hood in Batman: Under the Red Hood (essential viewing) and plays Soldier Boy in The Boys - which is basically a twisted superhero show.
What Jensen Ackles performances have the highest ratings?
Critically? Batman: Under the Red Hood (100% RT) and The Boys Season 3 (98% RT). Fan favorites include Supernatural Seasons 4-5.
Will Jensen appear in more Jensen Ackles movies and TV shows soon?
He's confirmed for Big Sky Season 4 (2024) and possibly more Soldier Boy. But he's being selective - raising kids takes priority these days.
Does he do his own stunts?
More than you'd think! He did about 70% of Supernatural's driving scenes and most fight scenes except high falls. The Boys used a stunt double for heavy impacts though.
What's his worst-reviewed project?
Devour (2005) sits at 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. Even Jensen jokes about how bad it is at conventions.
At the end of the day, exploring Jensen Ackles movies and TV shows feels like uncovering layers - the soap heartthrob, the horror MVP, the animated superhero, the toxic antihero. Still waiting for that Oscar-worthy drama role though. Maybe one day.
What do you think - did I miss any hidden gems in his filmography? Hit me up on Twitter @AcklesArchive and let's argue about Season 7 of Supernatural. I'll bring the pie.