Movie stars, like true movie stars, are rare these days. There’s too much noise, too much to do, too many fragmented segments of the population – and there are only a handful of actors who can headline a movie and put butts in seats. However, Ryan Gosling is just about as close as you can get. Plus, he’s hot and talented! So, what are Gosling’s hottest performances?
10. The Big Short
Rich hot. Maybe you’re thinking, “this is the least hot Gosling!” That would probably be Lars and the Real Girl to be honest. Is this the hottest Gosling? No. However, this is a list and something had to be number 10. What he lacks in looks he gains in pure unadulterated shameless money grabbing. He plays a smart, rich man. Ladies love wealth! What’s hotter, some young dude model who lives on a floor with 12 other dudes, or a man with millions of dollars at his disposal? Easy choice.
9. The Nice Guys
Gosling goes ’70s hot in this one. The open shirt, the gold chain, the goatee! The casual “IDGAF” attitude. The swagger. This is Gosling at cop hot, and there are few things better than ’70s cop hot. He’ll protect you but also make you scrambled eggs in the morning before chasing some perp down an alley after drinking 17 beers last night. Ah, the ’70s. Feels like ages ago! (That’s a joke, it was ages ago).
8. Half Nelson
Are you thinking, “wait what’s hot about a guy who smokes crack?” Well, somehow he pulls this one off. He always feels like he’s going to jump out of his skin, but he’s such a sympathetic character. He’s “help me” hot, which is a hot that only someone with a face like Gosling can pull off. No random schmoe walking down the street can quite capture the dangerous despair of a drug addict and make it look attractive. No one except Gosling, that is.
7. La La Land
This is old Hollywood hot. Light on his feet, some flashy dance moves, the hat juggle. No part of him is trying too hard. It’s that laissez-faire attitude that makes it so hot. Here’s a man who will sing you to sleep after he takes you out dancing. You’re drinking martinis. You’re meeting celebrities. You’re wishing you wore more comfortable shoes, you know what I mean.
6. Blade Runner 2049
Future hot. As someone in the comments of the video above said, “Ryan Gosling is a genius at playing quiet loners who get pushed to their breaking point.” You know what? That’s an attractive quality in a character. Technically this is cop hot, but with all the atmosphere of this movie Gosling almost moves like smoke. A dangerous smoke that will kill you but smoke nonetheless. Under-rated level of hot here.
5. The Gray Man
This is Gosling, the later years. Sort of a pained, “I’ve seen some s**t” hot. Sort of a, “I kill people for a living but I have a heart of gold” hot. Let’s soften it. He’s handsome but not too handsome, which makes him ten times more handsome. It’s a complicated equation, but we did the math so you wouldn’t have to.
4. The Place Beyond The Pines
Ah, yes. Here we go. The motorcycle, the ripped T-shirt. The bleached hair and the constant cigarette just dangling from his mouth. Gosling likes to play tragic characters and make you love them before tragedy arrives. Watch him ride the bike, too. That adds mucho hotness to the mix. Honestly, we’re not doing this justice.
3. The Notebook
Let’s talk about wholesome hot. The type of attractive that’s unassuming but also very, very real. Who doesn’t like a man who’s so into you that he would hang off the side of a Ferris Wheel? Well, not if he wasn’t Gosling I get that that would be an issue. This one hits the sweet spot for all the gorgeous Gosling characters ever. It checks every box on the hot punchcard. It lands right in the middle of the Gosling Venn diagram.
2. Drive
Hear us out. The intensity. The confidence. This is getaway driver hot. He fears nothing and he dresses impeccably. You feel safe in his presence because he’s a professional who knows exactly what he’s doing all the time. The worst part of this movie is that it’s not a heist getaway driver movie. It’s an art film with a dope ’80s-inspired soundtrack, but boy does it work. No hair is out of place until all of them are. Me Ow!
1. Barbie
Are you surprised? Did you think it was going to be another role? He’s chiseled. Every muscle sparkles in the sun. The wardrobe is impeccable. Is he a douche? Maybe. But he’s also a product of his environment and only wants to be noticed by one woman. Is he Kenough? You’re G-Damn right he is!
