The career ofNoah Centineospans various genres, from romantic comedies to action and superhero adventures, and his best TV shows andmoviesreflect that variety, whether he appeared briefly or as the protagonist. Starting his career really young starring in 2009’sThe Gold Retrieversand 2011’sTurklesmade Centineo’s first acting experience in family adventures. Centineo went on to appear in multiple shorts, music videos and TV movies. Before breaking out in the iconicNetflix romantic comedyTo All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Centineo appeared in multiple Disney productions, includingAustin & Ally,Shake It UpandJessie.
Playing Peter Kavinsky in theTo All The Boystrilogyand spinoff made Centineoa magnet for romantic comedy roles, which he played throughout the 2010sstarring inSierra Burgess Is a Loser,SwipedandThe Perfect Date. Centineo recently pivoted genre-wise, appearing in the 2022 superhero blockbusterBlack Adamas Atom Smasher and in the 2023 satirical comedyDream Scenario. Finally, Centineo also branched out into action roles, first by playing Langston in 2019’sCharlie’s Angelsand then leading Netflix’s spy-action dark comedyThe Recruitas its chaotic protagonist, CIA lawyer Owen Hendricks, since its season 1 in 2022.
10Austin & Ally
Centineo Appears As Secondary Character Dallas
Among his first roles, Centineo appears in three episodes of the Disney Channel showAustin & Allyoverall. With the comedy really focusing on Austin and Ally’s path to make it as singer and songwriter respectively,Centineo’s role as Dallas isn’t central, with the character teased as Ally’s potential love interestonce her crush on him becomes known by everyone at the mall due to Trish and Ally’s revenge plot against Austin, who read her diary.
Austin & Ally
Cast
Austin & Ally is a Disney Channel comedy series that follows the lives of Austin Moon, an aspiring singer, and Ally Dawson, a talented songwriter, as they navigate the ups and downs of the music industry while balancing their friendship and ambitions. Starring Ross Lynch and Laura Marano, the show explores themes of creativity, teamwork, and perseverance.
While not the most famous Disney Channel comedy,Austin & Allystill delivers as a teen dramedy, with a compelling group of central characters whose shenanigans keep the story fresh. Centineo’s Dallas may only appear in three episodes, also returning toAustin & Allyin season 2, but he still leaves a mark briefly playing Ally’s love interest, showing promise in the kind of role that will make him globally famous years later.
9The Perfect Date
Noah Centineo Plays Protagonist Brooks Rattigan
While not the best among Centineo’s romcoms,The Perfect Datedeserves a spot among his best films, delivering asa romantic comedy and on the timeless theme of self-discovery. Unlike other famous romcoms, Noah Centineo doesn’t play the love interest inThe Perfect Date, instead playing its protagonist, whose entire focus is to make his goal to go to college at Yale a reality.
Netflix’sThe Perfect Datehas lower scores on review aggregators compared to Centineo’s other works, but it was nonetheless well-received by critics.
Brooks’ idea of an app to offer his services as a chaperone lets Centineo showcase his romcom lead talents throughout the film, but it’s unexpectedly finding himself by refusing his goals that sets his story apart. Netflix’sThe Perfect Datehas lower scores on review aggregators compared to Centineo’s other works, but it was nonetheless well-received by critics.
The Perfect Date
The Perfect Date is a romantic comedy directed by Chris Nelson, starring Noah Centineo as Brooks Rattigan, a high school student who creates an app offering his services as a fake date to earn money for college. Camila Mendes and Laura Marano co-star in this Netflix original film that explores themes of identity, ambition, and genuine connections amidst the backdrop of Brooks' entrepreneurial endeavors.
While having a happily-ever-after as romcoms do,The Perfect Datealso doesn’t get its protagonist to achieve his previously established goals. Brooks’ choice to prioritize going to the college most in line with who he is instead of his original goal of Yalesomewhat upends the viewers’ expectations, makingThe Perfect Datea perfectly enjoyable romcom to watch.
8Black Adam
Centineo Portrays Al Rothstein/Atom Smasher
2022’sBlack Adammight have been deemed a failuredue to its critical reception and disappointing box office performance, but the superhero film still deserves a spot among Centineo’s best projects. While its pace could feel dragged at times, the heartwarming inability to execute a plan flawlessly of Centineo’s Al Rothstein/Atom Smasherproved him adorable and one of the few comic reliefs ofBlack Adam.
Black Adam
Black Adam is a feature film centered around the DC Comics antihero Black Adam, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson. The story follows the titular character as he emerges in the modern world, freed after millennia of imprisonment, to deliver his own form of justice.
Its Rotten Tomatoes score of 39 percent among critics makes it difficult to letBlack Adambe thought of as among Centineo’s best films. However, audiences still gaveBlack Adama very high average score of 88 percent. BetweenBlack Adam’s renewed success among its viewers once it debuted on streaming platforms and its entertaining, scenic fights showcasing heroes and villains fighting to the very end, the superhero film still deserves to be among Centineo’s best.
7Charlie’s Angels
Noah Centineo Plays Elena’s Coworker Langston
Rebooting the franchise, the 2019 action-adventure film failed to bring in audiences, resulting inCharlie’s Angels’ box office flop. While its poor results and the critics’ lukewarm response are undeniable, 2019’sCharlie’s Angelsstill proved popular among audiences, and its Rotten Tomatoes audience score reflects that at 78 percent.
Despite the somewhat overused premise of having to flush out moles within the organization,Charlie’s Angels’ three leads shine, making it easy to understand why it’s a movie cherished by audiences. Noah Centineo plays a secondary role inCharlie’s Angels,appearing as Langston, Elena’s colleague and Jane’s love interest.
Charlie’s Angels
Charlie’s Angels is a 2019 reboot of the popular ’70s TV show and the third film in the action crime franchise. This time, Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska star as the titular characters. The 2019 reboot also introduced multiple Bosleys, including characters played by Elizabeth Banks. Patrick Stewart, and Djimon Hounsou.
While not part of the main action,Centineo’s Langston steals the sceneduring Jane, Sabina and Elena’s infiltration into Brok’s headquarters and being taken hostage so that Elena would comply and modify Calisto, convincingly becoming one of the few reasons motivating the Angels in their fight against Brok and John who is still alive byCharlie’s Angels’ ending.
6Good Trouble
Centineo Reprises His The Fosters Role, Jesus Adams Foster
A spinoff toThe Fosters,Good Troublefollowed Callie and Mariana Adams Foster in their new life in Los Angeles as a law clerk and a software engineer respectively. By focusing on Callie and Mariana’s adult lives, the dramaGood Troublegreatly differs from its parent series, if nothing else for its atmosphere and the Adams-Fosters problems.
Good Trouble
Two sisters move to Los Angeles to start their careers and navigate adult life. They settle in a communal living space, where they encounter diverse neighbors and face various personal and professional challenges.
Centineo only appears twice as Mariana’s twin brotherJesus inGood Trouble, making him a much less central character compared toThe Fosters. Still, despite its differences from the parent series,Good Trouble’s reception mirrors howThe Fosterswas well-received, with the drama maintaining a high Rotten Tomatoes audience score and a similarly high score among IMDb users.
5XO, Kitty
Noah Centineo Cameos As Peter Kavinsky In Season 2
Spinoff TV show of the popular YA romcom trilogyTo All The Boys,XO, Kittyfollows Lara Jean’s younger sister Kittyin her bid to find out more about their late mother and love by traveling across the world to Seoul and enrolling in the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS).
Not overshadowing the show’s key storylines, Centineo’s Kavinsky cameo perfectly worked as a bridge betweenXO, KittyandTo All The Boys.
XO, Kitty’s best qualities are acknowledged by critics and audiences alike, with the teen dramedy earning Rotten Tomatoes scores of 80 and 62 percent respectively. WhileXO, Kittyseason 1 focused on setting up Kitty’s life in Seoul, letting few characters from theTo All The Boysfranchise appear and only briefly, season 2 established continuity with a few central characters’ appearances.
XO, Kitty
XO, Kitty is a comedy-drama series from the creator ofTo All The Boys I Loved Before,Jenny Han. Teen matchmaker Kitty Song Covey thinks she knows everything there is to know about love. But when she moves halfway across the world to reunite with her long-distance boyfriend, she’ll soon realize that relationships are much more complicated when it’s your heart on the line.
Peter Kavinsky’s cameo inXO, Kittyseason 2was one of them, providing comfort to Kitty after getting embroiled in Stella and Min Ho’s drama and updating viewers on his and Lara Jean’s romance, still going strong after three years long-distance. Not overshadowing the show’s key storylines,Centineo’s Kavinsky cameo perfectly worked as a bridge betweenXO, KittyandTo All The Boys.
4The Fosters
Centineo Plays Central Character Jesus Adams Foster
A key member of the Foster family, Jesus Adams Foster has been part ofThe Fosterssince its series premiere. However, Noah Centineo onlystarted playing the character inThe Fostersseason 3, taking over from Jake T. Austin after Jesus’ return from boarding school. Unlike other TV shows,The Fostersmanaged to keep its success throughout its five seasons.
The Fosters
Airing between 2013 and 2018, The Fosters is a family-style Drama that was created by Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige and lasted six seasons. The plot revolves around a multi-ethnic blended family and the daily struggles they go through.
Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike,The Fostersboasts a Rotten Tomatoesscore of 97 percentamong the former and 85 percent among the latter. For its portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes,The Fostersearned two GLAAD Media Awards, cementing its stance as Centineo’s TV show most recognized with awards.
3Dream Scenario
Noah Centineo Plays Dylan
2023’sDream Scenariois as odd as it is disturbing in following the story of Paul Matthews, who people all around the world start collectively dreaming about before their innocuous dreams turn into nightmares, having real-life repercussions in Paul’s life.
Focusing on Paul and his immediate family and friends,Dream Scenarioonly has the Matthews and those closest to them at the center of the movie. However, some other characters appear towardsDream Scenario’s end when the Norio bracelet is presented and advertised as something to use to hop in other people’s dreams.
Dream Scenario
Dream Scenario is a dark comedy film by writer-director Kristoffer Borgli and follows the strange occurrences surrounding a man named Paul Matthews. Paul’s simple family life is uprooted when he starts appearing in the dreams of millions of strangers, leaving him to deal with his new celebrity status. However, when the dreams begin to take darker forms, Paul is forced to navigate a strange new world he hardly understands.
Centineo plays Dylan inDream Scenario, one of the Norio influencerspublicizing the company before jumping into Paul’s dreams later on.Dream Scenariois acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, receiving a Rotten Tomatoes score of 91 percent by critics and 68 percent by audiences, easily making it one of Centineo’s best and most renowned movies, despite his small role.
2The Recruit
Centineo Stars As Owen Hendricks
Noah Centineo returns as CIA lawyer Owen Hendricksin the spy-action dark comedyThe Recruitseason 2, continuing to showcase his talents as an action hero after a long string of films only let him dazzle in the part of the charming love interest.
The Recruit Season 2 Review: Noah Centineo Is As Charming As Ever In A Shorter Installment That Rivals Season 1’s Greatness
With impressive action sequences, stunning locations, and Noah Centineo’s charm, The Recruit is better than ever in season 2 despite fewer episodes.
Although less popular than fellow Netflix action thrillers likeThe Night Agent,The Recruitis just as valued by critics as it is by audiences, and itsRotten Tomatoes scoresreflect that at 78 and 83 percent respectively. The way Owen’s personal and professional lives get embedded inThe Recruitlets the spy-action comedy stand out for the best.
The Recruit
The Recruit follows a young attorney recruited by the CIA, navigating the perilous realm of international espionage.
Owen’s need to prove himself and his wish to do the right thinginstead of the most convenient differentiate him from his coworkers and put him in the worst, most chaotic situations, often letting his work resemble that of an operative instead of a lawyer.The Recruit’s battle between duty and morals and the absurd situations Owen finds himself in thus easily make itCentineo’s best TV show.
1To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
Noah Centineo Plays Co-protagonist Peter Kavinsky
Arguably Centineo’s most famous film and among thebest romcoms of recent years,To All The Boys I’ve Loved Beforekicked off the long series of Centineo’s roles as love interestin Netflix romantic comedies and beyond. Focusing on Lara Jean’s high school drama after her younger sister sent out letters to her past crushes,To All The Boys I’ve Loved Beforemasterfully uses the iconic romance trope of a fake relationship to set up Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky’s romance.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Based on the novel by Jenny Han, To All the Boys I Loved Before sees high-school student Lara Jean Covey caught in a terrifyingly awkward situation when her deepest secrets leak out. Lara, who has many passionate crushes, has written confession letters to all of them – with no intention of ever sending them. However, when all five letters somehow reach her five loves, Lara’s high school life becomes an exercise in crisis management as she desperately attempts to gain control of it all.
Lara Jean and Peter’s romance has the chance to develop over the course of the entireTo All The Boystrilogy. However,To All The Boys I’ve Loved Beforeis easily the best of the three films, perfectly functioning by itself thanks to the unusual premise and strong storytelling establishing its protagonists’ personalities effortlessly.To All The Boys I’ve Loved Beforereignited the YA romcom as a genre in the late 2010s and its success persists asa timeless romcom, indubitably making itNoah Centineo’s best movie.
