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.
Buy 1 ticket to Black Phone 2, get 1 ticket free (equal or lesser price, up to $15 total ticket price and fees) with code DGABP2.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log into your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 5:00am PT on 10/1/25 and 11:59pm PT on 10/24/25, purchase one or more tickets to see Black Phone 2, and use the Fandango Promotional Code DGABP2 (“Code”) to get up to $15 off an additional ticket for the same showtime (equal or lesser value, up to $15 total ticket price and associated fees and charges). Code must be entered at checkout. Code expires, and can no longer be used, on 10/24/25, or when Black Phone 2 is no longer in theaters, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, whichever comes first. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. You must have a Fandango account, and be logged into your account, to use the Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in U.S. only (excluding U.S territories and where prohibited by law). Non-transferable. One-time use only. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. You may have to pay taxes additionally. If cost of the ticket (and associated fees and charges) obtained through the Code is more than Code’s maximum discount, then you must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. Limit 1 Code redemption per person. 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’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Get the Premium Pick Pack and receive a Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere movie ticket and an exclusive Guitar Pick Pack!
*Premium Pick 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 guitar picks will begin shipping in the month of October. 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/premium-pick-pack.
Buy a ticket to Black Phone 2 for a chance to win a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Orlando Resort to experience Halloween Horror Nights in '26
NO PURCHASE OR APP NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 years of age and older, however, that Prize winner must be 21+ or accompanied by a guest that is 21+. Void where prohibited. Ends November 10, 2025, visit https://www.fandangomovietickets.com/hhn2026sweepstakes. Sponsor: Fandango Media, LLC, 10 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608.
Two elements, one world, double the points! Buy your tickets to Avatar: The Way of Water Re-Release and Avatar: Fire and Ash to get 2x FanRewards points*.
*Limited time offer. Log in to your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 9am PT on September 19, 2025, and 11:59pm PT on January 4, 2026, buy a minimum of one (1) ticket to each of Avatar: The Way of Water Re-release and Avatar: Fire and Ash (the purchases do not have to be in the same transaction), and for each ticket you buy, you will receive double FanRewards Points (250 per ticket, instead of the usual 125) in your Fandango account -- 125 FanRewards Points per ticket will be posted to your Fandango account after your purchase, and 125 FanRewards Points per ticket will be posted to your Fandango account by January 9, 2026 if you qualify for this offer. You must be logged in to your Fandango account to receive and spend FanRewards Points. You must be logged in to the same Fandango account when you purchase your tickets to each of the three movies to qualify for this offer. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. When you receive 500 FanRewards Points, you will receive a $5.00 Discount Reward which you will need to convert into a Discount Promo Code for use on a qualifying purchase on http://www.fandango.com (which can be used on http://www.movietickets.com) or http://www.fandangoathome.com. Discount Promo Code expires 21 days after the $5.00 Discount Reward is posted to your Fandango account. Discount Promo Code cannot be combined with any other offer, promo code or discount. You may be required to pay taxes additionally. Discount Promo Codes cannot be used to purchase a gift card. After applying your Discount Promo Code, any unused balance will automatically expire. Void where prohibited. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer is subject to the FanRewards terms at https://www.fandango.com/policies/fanrewards-terms and Fandango’s Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/Terms-and-Policies.
Buy 3+ tickets to each of Roofman, Regretting You, and The Running Man, get 3x FanRewards points.
Limited time offer. Log in to your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 6am PT on September 22, 2025, and 11:59pm PT on November 30, 2025, buy a minimum of 3 tickets to each of Roofman, Regretting You, and The Running Man (the purchases do not have to be in the same transaction), and for each ticket you buy, you will receive triple FanRewards Points (375 per ticket, instead of the usual 125) in your Fandango account -- 125 FanRewards Points per ticket will be posted to your Fandango account after your purchase, and 250 FanRewards Points per ticket will be posted to your Fandango account between December 1, 2025 and December 13, 2025 if you qualify for this offer, up to a maximum of 4,500 FanRewards Points for this offer. You must be logged in to your Fandango account to receive and spend FanRewards Points. You must be logged in to the same Fandango account when you purchase your tickets to each of the three movies to qualify for this offer. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. When you receive 500 FanRewards Points, you will receive a $5.00 Discount Reward which you will need to convert into a Discount Promo Code for use on a qualifying purchase on http://www.fandango.com (which can be used on http://www.movietickets.com) or http://www.fandangoathome.com. Discount Promo Code expires 21 days after the $5.00 Discount Reward is posted to your Fandango account. Discount Promo Code cannot be combined with any other offer, promo code, or discount, and Discount Promo Codes cannot be combined with each other in a single transaction. You may be required to pay taxes additionally. Discount Promo Codes cannot be used to purchase a gift card. After applying your Discount Promo Code, any unused balance will automatically expire. Void where prohibited. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer is subject to the FanRewards terms at https://www.fandango.com/policies/fanrewards-terms and Fandango’s Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/Terms-and-Policies.