Chris Evansis an undeniably versatile actor. While he is most frequently associated withCaptain Americaand theMCU, the seasoned actor has a vast discography that spans genres and character types. But it’s hisrom-comsthat initially drew fans in starting with his first major feature film,Not Another Teen Movie.
Evans returns to his rootsin the highly-anticipated rom-com,Materialists, alongside Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal(an ideal love triangle). Theblockbustercharmer has played everything from an assassin’s accomplice to a struggling artist desperate for connection. Where did Evans get his rom-com start? What has he appeared in since? This is every Chris Evans rom-com, ranked.
8’Scott Pilgrim vs. The World' (2010)
Directed by Edgar Wright
This is a bonafidecult classic of the modern age.Scott Pilgrim vs. The Worldinfused animated graphics with quick-paced humor that was never seen before on film. When the titular Scott Pilgrim (Micheal Cera) becomes infatuated with Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead),he quickly learns that he must defeat each of her seven evil exesto gain her love. Thesebattles unfold like anime, featuring exaggerated fight scenes and special effects.
Enter: Chris Evans. Evans plays Lucas Lee, an action movie actor with a knack for getting into confrontations. While Evans' cameo is brief, it is essential to the movie’s plot.Scott Pilgrim vs. The Worldrelies on cameos and supporting roles; it features a stacked cast of up-and-coming actors.Watching it back now means hours of saying, “I didn’t know they were in this movie.”Fittingly, Evans himself would later play Captain America in a similar action-filled role (though a little less evil, and with better eyebrows).
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
In a magically realistic version of Toronto, a young man must defeat his new girlfriend’s seven evil exes one by one in order to win her heart.
7’Playing It Cool' (2013)
Directed by Justin Reardon
Evans plays a tortured screenwriter struggling to come up with the perfect rom-com idea as he is closed off to love.How does one create something they never actually experienced?Whether for the craft or his healing, the playboy must learn to change his ways when he meets Ella (“Her”) (Michelle Monaghan).Playing It Cooloffers an exploration of love and life through Me’s (Evans) writing process, which mirrors his journey. It’s a classic “movie about making a movie.”
…it was a welcome change from Evans' Avengers persona that fans were accustomed to when it was released.
It’s easy viewing but one we’ve seen before; Mallory even tells Me that “men and women can’t be friends” (ahem,When Harry Met Sally…). With one-dimensional characters and an overused plot, this is not one of Evans' strongest movies. Regardless, it was a welcome change from Evans' Avengers persona that fans were accustomed to when it was released. Two (future) Captain Americas – Evans andAnthony Mackie– even share the screen. The Marvel Universe spread far, particularly throughout the 2010s.
6’London' (2005)
Directed by Hunter Richards
Evans stars oppositeJessica Bielin this 2005 romance/dramedy. AlthoughLondonveers more towards a drama due to its subject matter, there is a dark humor infused into the script.The film takes place over the course of a single chaotic nightwhen Syd (Evans) crashes the going-away party of his ex-girlfriend, the titular London (Biel). It quickly becomes clear that Syd is not okay; he arrives disheveled with a man who turns out to be hisdrug dealer, Bateman (Jason Statham). All Syd wants to do is talk; London refuses. Instead, Syd confides in his dealer during a drug and alcohol-induced encounter in the bathroom.
They discuss everything from love and sex to god during a drug-induced conversation which shapes the series of events that occur. It’s a tragic portrayal of addiction, lost love, and regret. Unfortunately, this was not done as well andLondonseems to take itself too seriously.This, in part, could be a reason for the movie’s failure at the box office and with critics. Still, this is a role we don’t often see Evans in, and he was able to capture the distraught lover beautifully.
5’Ghosted' (2023)
Directed by Dexter Fletcher
She’s an assassin. He works at the farmer’s market. Cole (Evans) becomes obsessed with their first date and needs to see her again. On one hell of a second date, Cole finds himself entangled with Sadie’s (Ana de Armas) hidden life,who turns out to be a secret agent under the guise of “The Taxman.“Despite the dangers, he is determined to join her after believing she ghosted him (hence the movie’s title).
Cole is a sensitive man who is unfamiliar with the world that Sadie resides in. She must protect him while also completing her mission. It’s this dynamic that makesGhostedso fascinating, whereby Cole is not afraid to show his vulnerability as a man.The story flips the script in whichthe man is expected to save the woman. This is the second time Evans and de Armas have shared a screen, followingKnives Outfour years prior.
4’What’s Your Number?' (2011)
Directed by Mark Mylod
Sex and the Cityrevolutionized the portrayal of women in their thirties looking for love. This feels like an offshoot of that concept, where 30-year-old Abby Darling (Anna Farris) isdetermined to fall in love with one of her previous 19 ex-boyfriends before it’s too late. Sometimes Evans plays a thoughtful man searching for love. Other times, he serves as support to a leading lady doing the same.What’s Your Number?is an example of the latter.
The plot has been executed before. A woman is desperate to fall in love. There’s a deadline for some important life event. She reluctantly finds connections in unexpected ways. Even the movie poster is familiar. For these reasons,What’s Your Number?is an easy watch, elevated by the chemistry between Farris and Evans' characters.
What’s Your Number?
3’The Nanny Diaries' (2007)
Directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini
Evans andScarlett Johanssonworked together long before teaming up as Avengers. The 2007 rom-com,The Nanny Diaries, follows Annie Broderick (Johansson) and her relentless pursuit of making it in New York City. To do so,she must find a way to balance being a college student with nannying for a wealthy family– all the while falling in love.
Beyond that,The Nanny Diariesexplores themes around privilege, whereby Annie is subject to stretching herself thin to make it in the city while her love interest, Harvard Hottie (Evans), has everything handed to him. Compromise lies somewhere in between as their connection grows.This marks the second time that the two have worked together, followingtheir 2004 comedy-dramaThe Perfect Score. It’s a time capsule of Evans and Johansson’s decades of friendship and collaboration.
The Nanny Diaries
2’Not Another Teen Movie' (2001)
Directed by Joel Gallen
From the very first scene, it’s clear thatNot Another Teen Movielives up to its name.Not Another Teen Moviesatirizes clichésfound in popular teen movies from the 1980s and ’90s yet creates something of its own. Evans plays Jake Wyler, a stereotypical jock subjected to his hubris. When he bets his friends that he can change the school’s unpopular girl, Janey Briggs (Chyler Leigh), enough to take her to prom, the dynamic between the two develops as their outer personas slowly shed.
Not Another Teen Movieincorporates the raunchiness ofAmerican Pie, archetypal cliques found inThe Breakfast Club, and an unlikely romance similar to10 Things I Hate About You(among others). It’s a comedy first with many absurd moments, yet has become abeloved coming-of-age moviein its own right. This served asEvans' first blockbuster film where he played the role so wellthat it’s a miracle the actor wasn’t typecast early on in his career.
Not Another Teen Movie
1’Before We Go' (2014)
Directed by Chris Evans
Before We Gois a classic meet cute; one formed out of desperation and loneliness. Nick Vaughan (Evans) has all the time in the world as a struggling musician playing his music in Grand Central, while the mysterious Brooke Dalton (Alice Eve) rushes to catch a train departing for Boston. She misses it, though, and is stranded in New York with no money or phone. Their love develops slowly (considering it plays out in a single night).Nick and Brooke find one another during a time of desperation for both. It’s raw and emotional without taking itself too seriously.
Nick clearly possesses talent, but it’s apparent that he lacks direction and his encounter with Brooke awakened this passion again.It’s somewhat similar toBefore Sunrisein that way, where two people spend one night together traversing a city and falling in love.While Nick and Brooke go their separate ways in the end, the two leave reminders for one another of their fateful night in New York City.Before We Goserved as Evans’ directorial debut,meaning it was done with a lot of care. 2014 was a big year for Chris Evans. BetweenCaptain America: The Winter SoldierandBefore We Go, he was everywhere (for the entire 2010s, actually). But this is Evans at his best: brooding, thoughtful, and hopelessly romantic.
