Jeremy Renner Movies: A Comprehensive Look at His Film Career

t films. From his breakout performance as a war hero in The Hurt Locker to his portrayal of the sharp-shooting Avenger, Hawkeye, Renner has earned a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most compelling actors. Over the years, he has worked across different genres, from action films and thrillers to dramas, earning recognition for his ability to immerse himself in every role he tackles.

This article will explore the career of Jeremy Renner through a deep dive into his most notable movies, his evolution as an actor, and the impact his roles have had on the industry.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born on January 7, 1971, in Modesto, California, Jeremy Renner didn’t enter the world of acting with immediate fame. Instead, his journey to Hollywood stardom was a gradual one. After completing his studies at Modesto Junior College, Renner moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. He began with small roles in television shows, landing guest appearances on shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and The West Wing. However, it wasn’t until his breakout role in 2009 that his career truly took off.

1. The Hurt Locker (2008)

Renner’s career-defining role came in 2008 with The Hurt Locker, a war thriller directed by Kathryn Bigelow. In the film, Renner plays Sergeant First Class William James, a bomb disposal expert who thrives in the dangerous, high-stakes environment of the Iraq War. Renner’s performance was praised for its intensity, subtlety, and complex portrayal of a man addicted to the thrill of war. The film went on to win six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Bigelow. Renner was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for his role, solidifying his place in Hollywood.

The success of The Hurt Locker marked Renner as a leading man in both dramatic and intense roles. His ability to portray a man under extreme pressure with emotional depth impressed critics and audiences alike, leading to further opportunities in big-budget films.

2. The Town (2010)

In 2010, Renner starred in The Town, a crime drama directed by and starring Ben Affleck. Based on Chuck Hogan’s novel Prince of Thieves, the film follows a group of Boston bank robbers, with Renner portraying James Coughlin, the volatile and unpredictable best friend of Affleck’s character, Doug MacRay. Renner’s portrayal earned him widespread critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

The role showcased Renner’s ability to play characters with a raw, explosive energy, contrasting sharply with the more cerebral, calculating nature of his previous roles. The film was also a commercial success, further cementing Renner’s status as one of Hollywood’s most bankable actors.

3. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

In 2011, Renner joined the Mission: Impossible franchise with Ghost Protocol, marking the beginning of his association with big-budget action films. Directed by Brad Bird, this installment of the popular spy series saw Renner play William Brandt, an analyst who is forced to step into the field when the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) team is compromised.

Renner’s performance added a fresh dynamic to the series, bringing a more grounded, relatable character into the high-octane world of international espionage. While Tom Cruise remained the central figure of the franchise, Renner’s portrayal of Brandt hinted at a potential future leading role in the series. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $694 million worldwide.

4. The Avengers (2012)

Renner’s biggest mainstream success came in 2012 when he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Clint Barton, also known as Hawkeye, in The Avengers. Though initially introduced in a cameo in Thor (2011), Renner’s portrayal of the highly skilled archer in The Avengers solidified his place in the MCU, where he would reprise his role in several subsequent films, including Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019).

Hawkeye, unlike many of the other Avengers, is a human with no superhuman abilities. Renner’s grounded portrayal brought a sense of relatability and humanity to the character, balancing out the more fantastical elements of the team. Over the course of the MCU films, Renner’s Hawkeye would evolve from a supporting role into a more prominent character, particularly in the Disney+ series Hawkeye (2021).

5. The Bourne Legacy (2012)

Renner also stepped into the Bourne franchise in 2012 with The Bourne Legacy, directed by Tony Gilroy. In this film, Renner plays Aaron Cross, an agent with enhanced physical abilities, as he attempts to escape the shadow of the CIA’s covert operations. While The Bourne Legacy wasn’t as universally praised as the previous films in the franchise, Renner’s performance as the rugged and resourceful Cross received positive reviews.

Despite mixed reactions to the film’s plot, Renner’s action chops and charisma were evident, and he showcased his ability to carry an action franchise on his own. This role further cemented his place in the action genre and would lead to more similar opportunities in the years to come.

6. American Hustle (2013)

In 2013, Renner starred alongside a stellar ensemble cast, including Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, and Amy Adams, in American Hustle, a period crime drama directed by David O. Russell. Based loosely on the Abscam scandal of the late 1970s, the film follows a con artist duo and their entanglements with the FBI. Renner plays Carmine Polito, the well-meaning but morally compromised mayor of Camden, New Jersey.

While Renner’s role was not as central as those of Bale or Adams, his performance brought a depth of authenticity to the character of Polito, highlighting his ability to excel in both dramatic and comedic moments. The film was both a critical and commercial success, receiving ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and winning three.

7. Wind River (2017)

In 2017, Renner starred in Wind River, a neo-Western crime thriller written and directed by Taylor Sheridan. The film, which also stars Elizabeth Olsen, is set on a Native American reservation in Wyoming, where Renner plays Cory Lambert, a wildlife officer and former FBI agent who is drawn into the investigation of a young woman’s murder.

Renner’s portrayal of the grieving, yet determined Lambert earned widespread praise, with many considering it one of his most compelling performances. Wind River explored themes of loss, justice, and the harsh realities of life in remote, underserved communities. The film received critical acclaim, particularly for its gripping storytelling and Renner’s nuanced performance.

8. Tag (2018)

Not all of Renner’s roles have been in dramatic or action-packed films. In 2018, he starred in Tag, a comedy based on the real-life story of a group of adult friends who have been playing an elaborate game of tag for over 30 years. Renner played Jerry, the only member of the group who has never been tagged. The film was lighthearted, and Renner’s comedic timing added a layer of fun to the character.

While Tag was a far cry from the intense roles that Renner is known for, it showcased his range as an actor and his ability to bring charm and wit to more comedic performances. The film was well-received for its humor and ensemble cast.

9. Arrival (2016)

One of the most thought-provoking films in Renner’s career came in 2016 with Arrival, a science fiction drama directed by Denis Villeneuve. In this film, Renner plays Ian Donnelly, a theoretical physicist working alongside linguist Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams) to communicate with extraterrestrial beings who have landed on Earth.

Though Renner’s role in Arrival was secondary to that of Adams, his performance was integral to the film’s success. His character brought a grounded, intellectual presence to the film, which explored complex themes of language, time, and human connection. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning Best Sound Editing and receiving widespread critical acclaim.

10. Tag (2018)

Not all of Renner’s roles have been in dramatic or action-packed films. In 2018, he starred in Tag, a comedy based on the real-life story of a group of adult friends who have been playing an elaborate game of tag for over 30 years. Renner played Jerry, the only member of the group who has never been tagged. The film was lighthearted, and Renner’s comedic timing added a layer of fun to the character.