Austin Butler
has been actively working in front of the camera since 2005, but his breakthrough role only came in 2022. The early days of his acting career took place when he was still a teenager and he did a lot of background work in school scenes for Nickelodeon programming. originally before becoming a staple in children's comedies like Zoey 101, iCarly, Hannah Montanaand Wizards of Waverly Place. Working on some of the most popular children's shows of all time helped build a foundation for skills he continues to use as an adult.
Butler's breakout role, despite her steady stream of work (including a 2018 Broadway debut) for nearly 20 years, came in 2022 Elvis. This is probably the role he will be known for in the years to come, beyond a certain generation who will recognize him from family films like Aliens in the attic or teen dramas like The Carrie Diaries. Austin Butler's best movies and TV shows have really shown his growth and versatility as an actor.
10
The Carrie Diaries (2013-2014)
As Sebastian Kydd
The Carrie Diaries is a prequel to Sex and the City, following young Carrie Bradshaw, played by AnnaSophia Robb, as she navigates high school life in the 1980s. Set in suburban Connecticut, the series explores Carrie's early experiences with friendship , love and aspiration for a writing career.
- Release date
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January 14, 2013
- Cast
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AnnaSophia Robb, Austin Butler, Ellen Wong, Katie Findlay, Stefania LaVie Owen, Brendan Dooling, Chloe Bridges, Freema Agyeman
- Creator(s)
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Amy Harris
- Seasons
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2
The Carrie Diaries it only lasted two seasons on the CW, but the series was inspired by Sex and the city. Set when Carrie Bradshaw was just a high school student and became interested in fashion and writing, the story revolves around Carrie (AnnaSophia Robb) as she gets an internship in Manhattan and gets the chance to explore the city for the first time. There's a set of characters for his life in Manhattan and a set of characters for his home life. Austin Butler's Sebastian is part of his home life.
At the time, Butler was primarily known for family films and children's television, having grown up in front of the camera. Sebastian was very different from the “boy next door” types he had played up until then. Sebastian was one of the most popular boys in school, the boy Carrie had had a crush on for a long time and was a bit of a bad boy. It's really a transitional role for Butler, as few people have seen him in anything other than children's programming, and it helped prove that he could take on more demanding roles.
9
The Dead Don't Die (2019)
Like Jack
The dead don't die
The Dead Don't Die is a horror comedy released in 2019, directed by Jim Jarmusch. The Dead Don't Die focuses on a small town in Centerville that struggles to combat hordes of zombies after the dead come back to life. The film has a star-studded cast, including Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Steve Buscemi and Danny Glover.
- Release date
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June 14, 2019
- Execution time
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103 minutes
- Cast
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Tom Waits, Selena Gomez, Austin Butler, Adam Driver, Chloe Sevigny, Bill Murray, Danny Glover, Tilda Swinton, Steve Buscemi, Caleb Landry Jones, Iggy Pop
- Director
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Jim Jarmusch
- Writers
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Jim Jarmusch
Unlike many young actors who came of age in the 2010s, Austin Butler doesn't have many horror films to his credit. This is the rare one on your resume, and The dead don't die is actually a horror comedy. The film follows a group of people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse.
While there have been plenty of zombie apocalypse movies, there aren't many of them that would allow Butler to be on the same set as Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and Adam Driver. The quirky horror-comedy is packed with talent. It received mixed reviews, but Butler shows a lot of talent here, as he can play with both dramatic moments and his comedic skills. His rebellious character stands out in the large ensemble.
8
The Bling Ring (2011)
Like Zack
Not to be confused with the 2013 film of the same name The Bling Ring is a Lifetime network movie that featured a similar premise. Both films were inspired by the teenagers who robbed the homes of wealthy Californians. While Emma Watson starred in the 2013 version of the film, Austin Butler is one of the made-for-TV movie's most recognizable stars.
The film follows a group of teenagers who try to capture the lifestyle of the rich and famous by robbing them. Butler stars as Zack, the teenager who essentially becomes the leader of the group of teenagers. In fact, it's one of his most charming roles, as he manages to sell the audience that his charm is responsible for keeping this group together in all of their illegal activities. He is also, perhaps paradoxically, incredibly likable in the role, despite being a thief who breaks into people's homes.
The Bling Ring it is also one of the first films in which Butler played a character inspired by existing source material. He would play characters from several literary adaptations and other roles inspired by real people. This role would have helped prepare him for many future roles that would require research and character preparation.
7
Dude (2018)
Like Thomas
Face is a film that was released shortly after the cancellation of Butler's last television series and is definitely not as well-known as some of his later projects. Butler plays a supporting role in the film as the film centers on four high school girls. Those who went into the film because they were fans of the young cast members and didn't know what it was about might be in for a surprise. Although it has comedic moments, the film deals with many difficult subjects, grief being the main one.
Four high school seniors (Lucy Hale, Alexandra Shipp, Awkwafina, and Kathryn Prescott) spend their time smoking in each other's cars, at the pool, and trying to find the right guy. However, at the bottom of everything they do is the loss of Thomas, played by Butler.
Although the film is a coming-of-age story for the central young women, Thomas doesn't get to grow, change, or experience a character arc because he exists in the film in the memories of the main characters. Butler's portrayal of him is charming and moving, bringing a weight to the film that many may not have anticipated.
6
Masters of the Air (2024)
As Major Gale 'Buck' Cleven
Masters of the Air
Masters of the Air is an Apple TV+ original war drama starring Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle and Barry Keoghan. The series follows a group of eleven World War II pilots who fight German fighters in a bomber called “The Flying Fortress.” The miniseries was based on the book Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought in the Air War Against Nazi Germany, by Donald L. Miller.
- Release date
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January 26, 2024
- Seasons
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1
Masters of the Air it's like Band of Brothersexcept the sky. The World War II miniseries focuses on a group of airmen responsible for fighting German forces from above. Butler plays one of these aviators alongside several other industry newcomers.
What's really impressive about Butler fully embodying the role here is that he had an incredibly difficult time getting started filming. He spent the days before filming in the hospital with an illness, and this was right after spending so much time taking the methodical approach to acting his role in Elvis. Butler had difficulty letting go of Elvis' voice after his work on the film, after spending so much time perfecting it, and he was ill. That's a tough way to start a job.
It's a shame then that this series was made for AppleTV+, which seems to be making a lot of impressive dramas that very few people have access to watch without subscribing to the platform.
5
The Bikers (2024)
Like Benny
The cyclists
The Bikeriders tells the story of a 1960s Midwest motorcycle club, the Vandals. Through the eyes of Kathy, played by Jodie Comer, the film explores the club's evolution from a group of local outsiders to a dangerous gang.
- Release date
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June 21, 2024
- Execution time
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116 minutes
- Director
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Jeff Nichols
- Writers
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Jeff Nichols
Between 2022 and 2024, Austin Butler appeared in a variety of period films and TV series. While Masters of the Air takes place during World War II, The cyclists is set in the turbulent 1960s.
The story follows the rise of a fictional motorcycle club during a period of intense change in the USA. At the center of the story is Benny (Butler), the club's newest member who falls in love with someone just as the club begins to make a bolder, even violent move away from its haven for outsiders.
Rather than an epic adventure or groundbreaking set piece like many of Butler's more recent projects, The cyclists every inch is a character-driven story. As the rise of the biker gang unfolds and society changes around them, it's the club members who really drive the story as the film delves into their motivations and emotional states more than anything else. Butler proves to be more than capable of carrying a film like this, although he isn't needed here as he works alongside Jodi Comer and Tom Hardy.
4
The Shannara Chronicles (2016-2017)
As Wil Ohmsford
The series really helped audiences see him as more than just a kid who appeared on Nickelodeon and Disney shows.
This series, which originally aired on MTV before moving to Spike, is inspired by the Shannara trilogy of novels by Terry Brooks. Unfortunately, the entire story didn't get a chance to unfold because Shannara Chronicles it was canceled after season 2, despite efforts to find a new home for it.
The series was incredibly ambitious for MTV, a fantasy epic that saw magic come to life with power struggles over territories, bloodlines and more hinted at in different prophecies throughout the show. Butler is one of the few actors whose characters appear throughout the series. He stars as a young man who is descended from elves and is the guardian of the Elfstones. Each season sees him set a different task with a different set around him.
This is one of the first chances Butler has had to star in a series instead of playing a supporting role, and despite the lower ratings a late-night series on MTV would have, her on-screen presence was noticed by critics and fans alike. The series really helped audiences see him as more than just a kid who appeared on Nickelodeon and Disney shows.
3
Dune: Part Two (2024)
As Feyd-Rautha
This is the second chapter of the remake of Dune saga for the big screen. It's a sci-fi epic that has a huge following, so it's no surprise that there's been huge interest in the films – especially with their breathtaking sets and star-studded cast. The second film finds Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) embracing his role as a prophesied leader.
Butler surprised audiences in the film's initial trailers, as his scenes only took place in black and white and he was almost completely unrecognizable. Butler is playing a character totally different from anyone he's played before. Feyd-Rautha was born into a life of violence and fear. He uses intimidation and a cunning mind to get what he wants and appears in some impressive gladiatorial fight scenes in the film.
This role helped show audiences that Butler is an incredibly versatile actor. as his most prominent project before this was very different. It is also one of his most high-profile and critically acclaimed roles to date.
2
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
Like Tex
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is one of Quentin Tarantino's most interesting films because it takes the idea of real events whose history the public already knows and completely changes them. It is a fictional tale inspired by something that really happened, giving a “what if” approach to contemporary history.
Here, Butler plays a member of Charles Manson's “family.” He is one of the most dangerous and loyal members of the family. Tex is scary, but he also fulfills the role of the cowboy who dispenses wisdom and helps lead the group. Whoever Tex was before he got involved with Charles Manson is effectively gone, but Butler plays the role as if there's still something beneath the surface to say that Tex was himself before he became part of this cult.
Like many of the Manson family members who appear in the film, there isn't much screen time devoted to Tex. Many young actors about to make it big appear in what are almost cameos (Sydney Sweeney, for example) in The Family. Butler's performance here, however, is one of the first examples of her complete transformation for a role.and that's why it's one of the best yet.
1
Elvis (2022)
Like Elvis Presley
Elvis
Baz Luhrmann's Elvis tells the story of the musician's meteoric rise to stardom. Following Elvis Presley (Austin Butler) from his time as a promising young musician, Elvis chronicles how the titular artist met Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), his infamous agent and business partner. Elvis documents the king's rise to the top, the subsequent downfall of his career, his triumphant return and his tragic end.
- Release date
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June 24, 2022
- Execution time
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159 minutes
- Cast
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Austin Butler, Helen Thomson, Richard Roxburgh, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Kodi Smit-McPhee, Natasha Bassett, Tom Hanks, David Wenham, Luke Bracey, Olivia DeJonge, Xavier Samuel
- Writers
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Jeremy Doner, Craig Pearce, Sam Bromell, Baz Luhrmann
…the difficulty of changing the accent is one of the many signs that Butler has committed herself wholeheartedly to the role.
At this point in Austin Butler's career, it's hard to imagine that any role will surpass Elvis like your best. There will probably come a day (perhaps very soon) when Butler surprises audiences even more than he did here, but his work as Elvis is simply stellar.
The film only tells a part of the singer's life in this biopic, but Butler opted primarily for method in his role. He perfected Elvis' voice, finding it difficult to shake off the affectations long after filming had finished.. Although some questioned why he still sounded like Elvis in later interviews, the difficulty of changing the accent is one of the many signs that Butler committed wholeheartedly to the role.
Elvis is easily Butler's most praised role. The film received more than 200 nominations from elite awards shows, critical organizations and online forums. He won more than 90 of these awards. Austin Butler he himself was nominated for an Oscar and a Critics Choice Award and won a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for his work on the film.