Top five movies starring John Cena
John Cena is a professional World Wrestling Entertainment Inc wrestler, actor, and former rapper (yes, it’s true!) who has had an active career with notable highs and lows. When you can’t see him in the ring, you can see him in one of his many films. Cena is one of many WWE stars who have taken their in-ring skills to the big screen. Stars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dave Bautista (Batista), and Michael “The Miz” Mizanin. Like most of these stars, some of their movies are hits, while others… are definitely movies. Today, we will be looking over some of Cena’s best and worst movies over his 24-year public career, ranking from best to worst.
Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred (2011)
Now listen, I know it has not crossed your mind that John Cena was in Fred: The Movie since you were in elementary school. Since our frontal lobes were not nearly as developed, you may have forgotten about one of the most iconic scenes where Fred Figglehorn is in his jammies wrestling his enemies Mr. Devlin and Kevin. The stunts, the crowd, and the victory performed made this movie for me. I don’t care what anyone says—that scene may be the most iconic moment in cinematic history. Argue with the wall.
Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery (2014)
At the age of 15, I sat down and voluntarily watched this movie intended for children by myself. Best decision I ever made. This only made the list because I love Scooby-Doo, and there is not much to criticize when the franchise comes into mind. Scooby and Shaggy win tickets to Wrestlemania and encounter a ghostly bear that threatens to ruin the show; of course the cast is filled with popular WWE superstars like Kane, The Miz, Triple H, and others, but I just like to imagine John Cena and Matthew Lillard in the same room—two goofy adult men who have truly transformed my perception of comedy over the years. Looking back, I appreciate this movie and the nostalgia it brings.
Barbie (2023)
In July of 2023, Barbie quickly took the world by storm, producing $1.442 billion in the box office. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling take the stage as Barbie and Ken. Barbie was stacked with an astounding cast, with special cast members like Michael Cera, Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, Issa Rae, Dua Lipa, and the one and only: John Cena. You’re probably wondering why this movie is in the top 3, considering that he plays a very minor role in Barbie. Well, Cena is married to Dua Lipa, and they are mermaids. He is also featured with the most stunning wig I have ever seen. Fabio Lanzoni has new competition, and his name is John Cena.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Cena’s role in “The Suicide Squad” is a character called Peacemaker, who is described as a jingoistic and bigoted character. Don’t get me wrong, I love John and I LOVE Idris Elba, but seeing them in the same movie felt very weird. Given his career, it makes sense that he plays the role of an extreme patriot, but it was a bit intense and sometimes it was intimidating. John Cena is a baby face, a nice guy, a humble man. How am I supposed to take this man seriously with the largest deagle I have ever seen and his silly little costume he’s got on?
F9: The Fast Saga (2021)
Where can I possibly begin with this? It’s hard to ignore the downfall that is the Fast and Furious franchise. A franchise that was inspired by street racing and erupted the love for cars has now become the laughing stock of cinema. There is already previous discussion on Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson killing the Fast and Furious franchise, but Cena’s involvement dug the hole that they eventually lay themselves into. I will commend Cena for doing his own stunts, and having a connection with the actors on set, but in what world can I actively sit and watch John Cena and Vin Diesel be estranged siblings while Cena raises hell in a “world-shattering plot.” That has been done in a million other, better made movies.
All-in-all, Cena has had a wide-arrange of appearances on the big screen, though most of them rooted in a comedic angle. He is a public figure that is hard not to appreciate and root for, for his classic status and outstanding showmanship. I look forward to him continuing to have cinematic cameos in the future.
Thumbnail Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons