Given his impressive physique and natural charisma, it's little surprise that Dwayne Johnson made the transition from professional wrestling to Hollywood stardom so easily. This year alone has seen the man formerly known as “The Rock” wowing audiences in ‘Furious 7,’ and now he’s poised to headline the epic disaster flick ‘San Andreas.’ To celebrate the new release, we trace Johnson's journey to see just how he became one of Hollywood's most bankable stars.
The Mummy Returns (2001)
Johnson kicked off his Hollywood career by starring in a sequel to the popular 1999 action/adventure film featuring Brendan Fraser. He played an ancient warlord named Mathayus, doomed to live forever as the Scorpion King.
The Scorpion King (2002)
The Scorpion King quickly received his own spinoff film that placed Johnson front and center. This one flashed back to Mathayus' early years and painted him as the hero rather than the villain. The light, humorous approach set the tone for many of Johnson's action roles to come, and the movie also spawned several low-budget sequels starring other WWE wrestlers.
The Rundown (2003)
Next on Johnson's fast-growing resume was this energetic action flick from 'Friday Night Lights' director Peter Berg. Johnson played a bounty hunter tasked with tracking down his employer's son (Seann William Scott) in the Brazilian jungle. The film was no Scorpion King-sized hit, but it remains a highlight of his career.
Walking Tall (2004)
Johnson tried his hand at a more down-to-earth action role when he starred alongside 'Jackass' mainstay Johnny Knoxville in this remake of the 1973 film. This time he played a former Army sergeant forced to become a vigilante to battle a corrupt casino owner in his hometown. Basically, the movie was a more family-friendly version of 'Death Wish.'
Doom (2005)
The popular 'Doom' computer games became the fodder for another of Hollywood's attempts to make a decent video game-based movie. Johnson played the leader of a security force dispatched to investigate trouble on a Martian outpost, only to discover the facility overrun by mutated creatures.
Fast Five (2011)
Johnson's career as an action star took a bit of a left turn when he signed a contract with Disney and began starring in more family-friendly roles. It wasn't until his entry in the resurgent ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise that Johnson roared back onto the scene. This sequel needed an imposing lawman who could stand toe-to-toe with Vin Diesel's gravelly-voiced Dominic Toretto, and Johnson more than fit the bill.
Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
This ‘Fast & Furious’ sequel brought back all the franchise's big guns, including Johnson's agent Luke Hobbs. This time, however, he teamed up with Vin Diesel's Dominic Toretto to battle a common enemy. It was the ultimate combination of brawn and charisma.
G.I. Joe Retaliation (2013)
Johnson's other big box office smash of 2013 saw him star in a half-reboot, half-sequel (requel?) of the G.I. Joe franchise. He played Roadblock, a tough, imposing soldier who lead the battered remnants of G.I. Joe in an all-out assault on the forces of Cobra.
Pain & Gain (2013)
This role marked an interesting departure for Johnson, as he starred alongside Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Mackie as bodybuilders who resort to kidnapping, extortion and even murder in order to achieve the American dream. It's a testament to Johnson's innate charm that his character remained endearing despite the terrible acts he committed.
Snitch (2013)
No other 2013 film illustrated Johnson's range as well as the crime drama, ‘Snitch.’ Here he was a much more grounded action star, playing a successful businessman forced to go undercover to save his son from a harsh prison sentence. Unlike most of his movies, Johnson's hero wasn't able to simply punch and shoot his way out of trouble, instead relying on tenacity and a single-minded drive.
Hercules (2014)
While we have yet to see Johnson play a comic book superhero, he did star as a mythological superhero in a 2014 take on the iconic Greek demigod Hercules. The film made the most of its charismatic star not just by offering up big action scenes, but also by downplaying Herc's mythological status and emphasizing his human struggles and desires.
Furious 7 (2015)
The whole gang reunited one more time for the latest ‘Fast & Furious’ sequel, and that included Johnson's Luke Hobbs. Hobbs' role was limited in this entry compared to the previous two sequels, but all of the ruthless lawman's bravado and charm was still very much in effect.
Take one last trip to Oz with the For Good Collector’s Pack, featuring a Movie Ticket and a Limited-Edition Costume Sketch Poster by Paul Tazewell.exclusive sketch of Academy Award-winning designer Paul Tazewell’s original costume design!
*For Good Collector’s Pack is non-refundable. While supplies last. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The Poster Print will begin shipping in the month of November. Please use a physical address where the item can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/for-good-collectors-pack . Universal Pictures Marketing and its affiliates are not sponsors of this bundle.
Buy a ticket to Wicked: For Good, get Wicked for $9 on Fandango at Home!
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 5am PT on 10/8/25 and 11:59pm PT on 12/7/25, at least one movie ticket to ‘Wicked: For Good’. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing 1 Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of ‘Wicked’ for $9 in My Offers in your account on http://athome.fandango.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires on (and must be used by) 12/10/25 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy a ticket between 11/20-11/29 to opening weekend (12/4-12/7) for Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair and be the first to receive a Gogo Yubari Fortnite outfit!
"Movie ticket is non-refundable. Fortnite outfit will be provided on 11/30/25. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 12:00am ET on 11/20/25 and 11:59pm PT on 11/29/25 and purchase at least one movie ticket to ‘Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair’ for an opening weekend showtime (showtimes between 12/4/25 and 12/7/25). On 11/30/25, purchaser will receive a post purchase email containing one (1) Fortnite Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for one (1) Gogo Yubari Fortnite outfit. Code expires, and must be redeemed at https://www.fortnite.com/redeem by, 4:00pm PT on 12/31/25. Code is one time use only. Limit one Code per Fandango account and Fortnite account. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. An Epic Games account is required to play Fortnite and redeem a Code. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer is subject to Fandango's terms and policies, at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. Redemption of the Code is subject to Epic Games’ Terms of Service, at https://legal.epicgames.com/en-US/epicgames/tos.
Grab The Running Man Collectible Pack and receive a movie ticket and an exclusive collectible lenticular card mini-print!
*The Running Man Collectible Pack is non-refundable. While supplies last. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The Lenticular Card Mini-Print will begin shipping in the month of November. Please use a physical address where the item can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/the-running-man-collectible-pack.
Buy tickets to see the film three times in IMAX, get a limited-edition Avatar: Fire and Ash print
Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 6:00am PT on 11/17/25 and 11:59pm PT on 1/23/26 and purchase at least three (3) IMAX tickets to three (3) different IMAX showtimes of ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (purchases must be made in separate transactions). Purchaser will receive an email on 1/25/26 containing one (1) Promotional Code (“Code”) that is redeemable for one Avatar: Fire and Ash limited-edition IMAX print, while supplies last. Limited-edition print will ship in February. There is a limited quantity of Codes available in this promotion. Codes will stop being distributed on the earlier of (i) the Code distribution limit being reached, (ii) Avatar: Fire and Ash no longer being in theaters, or (iii) 11:59pm PT on 1/26/26. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions available in this promotion. Code expires, and can no longer be used, when the limit of Code redemptions has been reached, or at 11:59pm PT on 2/1/26, whichever comes first. Limit one Code per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Non-transferable. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer is subject to Fandango Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at Terms and Policies at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Embark on a final journey to Pandora with the Collector’s Print Bundle, featuring one Movie Ticket and a Limited-Edition Print!
*Collector’s Print Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The Collectible Mini Print will begin shipping in December. Please use a physical U.S. address where the poster shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/collectors-print-bundle.
Get the "Pandango Pin Bundle" and receive a Zootopia 2 ticket and an exclusive mystery pin of Nick and Judy, Flash or Gary!
*Pandango Pin Bundle is non-refundable. While supplies last. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The Official Disney Exclusive Collectible Pin will begin shipping in the month of November. Please use a physical U.S. address where the item can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. See https://redeem.fandango.com/products/pandango-pin-bundle for full terms and conditions.
Buy a ticket to Rental Family for a chance to win a trip to Tokyo, Japan!
NO PURCHASE OR APP NECESSARY. Purchase does not increase chances of winning. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 years of age and older, provided, however, that Grand Prize winner must be 21+, or 18+ and accompanied by a guest that is 21+. Void where prohibited. Ends December 21, 2025, visit https://www.fandangomovietickets.com/tokyosweepstakes. Sponsor: Fandango Media, LLC, 10 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608.