Image credit: The Weinstein Company, Twentieth Century Fox, Palm Pictures, Focus Features, Paramount Pictures, ABC, Warner Bros., Rock Capital Films
We all know Michael B. Jordan from smash hits like "Black Panther" and the "Creed" series, but what about the lesser-known flicks that didn't get the limelight?
1. "Fruitvale Station" (2013) Before he was a superhero, Jordan starred in this heart-wrenching drama based on real events. Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old from San Francisco, is just trying to get his life back on track. He's got a daughter to look after and a job he's trying not to lose.
On New Year's Eve, he gets into a scuffle at the Fruitvale BART station and is fatally shot by transit police. The day's events leading up to the shooting paint a vivid picture of a young man full of life, making the climax all the more devastating.
2. "Chronicle" (2012) Yeah, this one's got some sci-fi vibes, and we're here for it. Jordan plays Steve Montgomery, one of three high schoolers who discover a mysterious object underground. They start developing telekinetic powers, lifting objects and even flying.
At first, it's all fun and games — imagine the pranks you could pull with mind powers! But as their abilities grow, things take a dark turn. One of them starts using his powers for darker deeds, forcing Steve and the third friend to confront him.
3. "That Awkward Moment" (2014) Switching gears to a rom-com, we meet Mikey, played by Jordan, who joins his two pals in making a pact to stay single and just have fun after his wife asks for a divorce. Life has other plans, though. As each guy navigates the dating world, they realize that love isn't something you can schedule or avoid.
It's hilarious and poignant in equal measure, showing that relationships are messy but worth the struggle.
4. "Red Tails" (2012) Set during World War II, this action-packed film showcases the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American aviators in the U.S. military. Jordan plays Maurice Wilson, a fighter pilot dealing with institutional racism within the military while fighting for his country abroad.
This film has dogfights, bomber escorts, and near-death experiences. It's a war movie through and through, giving us a look at the people who put their lives on the line for a country that didn't fully accept them.
5. "Hardball" (2001) Going way back to one of his earlier roles, Jordan plays Jamal, a member of a Little League baseball team in inner-city Chicago. The team's coach is a gambler in debt who initially takes the job just to pay off his bookies. As the team starts winning, the stakes get higher both on and off the field.
For these kids, the game is more than just a pastime; it's a brief escape from the hardships they face in their daily lives.
6. "Just Mercy" (2019) In this legal drama, Jordan plays Bryan Stevenson, a Harvard Law graduate who heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned. His main focus is Walter McMillian, a man sentenced to death for a murder he insists he didn't commit. Stevenson hits roadblock after roadblock, facing overt racism and a legal system that seems hell-bent on keeping McMillian on death row.
Stevenson digs deeper and finds crucial evidence proving McMillian's innocence, including testimonies that were suppressed during the original trial.
7. "Vampire in Brooklyn" (1995) Okay, this is a deep cut, but totally worth it. Jordan was just a kid when he played a minor role in this horror-comedy. Maximillian, the last of a dying breed of vampires, comes to Brooklyn searching for a half-vampire, half-human woman to keep his lineage going.
The film is a rollercoaster ride of funny and frightening moments as Maximillian employs various supernatural powers and tricks to find his potential mate, all while dodging a detective who is on to him.
8. "Pastor Brown" (2009) In this family drama, Jordan takes on the role of Tariq Brown, son of a dying pastor who wishes for his estranged daughter, Jessica, to take over his church. Tariq has his reservations and struggles with family tensions exacerbated by his father's impending demise.
The film delves into the dynamics of a religious family coping with the heavy expectations of their community while navigating their complicated relationships with one another.
9. "All My Children" (2003–2006) This one's not a movie, but a TV soap where Jordan cut his teeth. He plays Reggie Porter, a troubled teen who gets adopted by Jackson Montgomery.
This isn't just background music for your grandma; the show dives deep into Reggie's life, involving gang violence, drugs, and family drama. He's wrongly accused of murder at one point and is put on trial, forcing him to navigate a criminal justice system that's often set against him.
10. "Black and White" (1999) Another early work, but this one's a hidden gem. Jordan plays Mike, a high school basketball player navigating the intricate socio-economic and racial divides in his New York City community. Mike's life becomes the focal point of a documentary by a rich white kid, complicating his relationships and future prospects.
