James Van Der Beek: Movies & Box Office
- films
- 25
- on screen
- 1989–2026
- box office
- $131M
- average score
- 61
- Born
- March 8, 1977 (age 49)
- Birthplace
- Cheshire, Connecticut, U.S.
- Full name
- James David Van Der Beek
- Citizenship
- American
- Occupations
- Actor
- Years active
- 1992-present
- Spouses
- Heather McComb, Kimberly Brook
- Children
- 6
The Best James Van Der Beek Movies
The highest-rated films James Van Der Beek is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. Bad Hair (2020) scores highest, at 73. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.
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Movie Echo Score: Score 73 Bad Hair 2020 · Grant Madison -
Movie Echo Score: Score 67 Sidelined: The QB and Me 2024 · Leroy Lahey -
Movie Echo Score: Score 62 The Gates 2026 · Jacob -
Movie Echo Score: Score 53 Downsizing 2017 · Anesthesiologist -
Movie Echo Score: Score 50 Jay and Silent Bob Reboot 2019 · Comedy
James Van Der Beek's Career in Numbers
James Van Der Beek's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres James Van Der Beek works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Castle in the Sky (1989) to The Gates (2026), and the 2010s were the busiest decade.
James Van Der Beek Movies by Decade
- 1980s 1
- 1990s 4
- 2000s 6
- 2010s 7
- 2020s 3
The 2010s were James Van Der Beek's busiest decade, with 7 films.
James Van Der Beek Movies by Genre
- Drama 5
- Comedy 3
- Thriller 2
- Horror 2
- Tv movie 2
- Adventure 2
- Romance 1
- Sci-Fi 1
- Action 1
- Sport 1
Drama is the genre James Van Der Beek has worked in most, with 5 films, ahead of comedy (3).
James Van Der Beek Career Milestones
- First film
- Castle in the Sky 1989
- Biggest box office hit
- Downsizing $55M worldwide
- Best-rated film
- Bad Hair Movie Echo Score 73
- Newest film
- The Gates 2026
James Van Der Beek Filmography: Every Movie
Every film James Van Der Beek is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 61. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
James Van Der Beek Movies as an Actor
21- 2026
The Gates as Jacob · Thriller Movie Echo Score: 62 - 2024
Sidelined: The QB and Me as Leroy Lahey · Romance Worldwide box office: $2.2K Movie Echo Score: 67 - 2020
Bad Hair as Grant Madison · Horror Movie Echo Score: 73 - 2019
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Comedy Worldwide box office: $4.69M Movie Echo Score: 50 - 2017
Downsizing as Anesthesiologist · Sci-Fi Worldwide box office: $55M Movie Echo Score: 53 - 2017
Sea Oak as Mr. Frendt · Comedy - 2015
Power/Rangers as Rocky · Action - 2012
Backwards Sport Worldwide box office: $61.5K - 2011
Salem Falls as Jack St. Bride · Tv movie - 2010
Inspired by Bret Easton Ellis as Sean Bateman · Drama - 2009
Mrs. Miracle as Seth Webster · Fantasy - 2007
Eye of the Beast as Dan Leland · Thriller - 2007
Robot Chicken: Star Wars as Bush's Aide (voice) (archive sound) · Tv movie - 2006
The Plague as Tom Russell · Horror - 2002
The Rules of Attraction Drama Worldwide box office: $11.8M - 2001
Texas Rangers Adventure Worldwide box office: $764K - 1999
Harvest as James Peterson · Drama - 1999
Varsity Blues Drama Worldwide box office: $54.3M - 1996
I Love You, I Love You Not as Tony · Drama Worldwide box office: $20.7K - 1995
Angus as Rick Sandford · Comedy Worldwide box office: $4.82M - 1989
Castle in the Sky Adventure
Who Is James Van Der Beek?
James Van Der Beek was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, U.S. in 1977 and is 49 years old. Credited on films since 1989, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
James David Van Der Beek is a celebrated American actor, renowned for his portrayal of Dawson Leery on The WB's Dawson's Creek (1998–2003). He has proved his acting mettle in various other characters, such as a fictional version of himself in the cult ABC sitcom Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (2012–2013), as FBI Agent Elijah Mundo on CSI: Cyber (2015–2016), and Matt Bromley in the first season of the FX drama Pose (2018). Adding to his diverse portfolio, his film credits extend to Varsity Blues (1998), Texas Rangers (2001), The Rules of Attraction (2002), Formosa Betrayed (2009), Labor Day (2013), and Bad Hair (2020). Besides his impressive work on screen, James has an interesting background. Born to Melinda, a former dancer and gymnastics teacher, and James William Van Der Beek, an executive and former minor league baseball pitcher, he traces his ancestry to Dutch, German, English, Scots-Irish, and French lineage. His theatrical journey began with his role in a middle school production and later lead him to the big screen. He made impactful appearances in different TV programmes and gained recognitions, such as an MTV Movie Award for Varsity Blues and selection as one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.
Who James Van Der Beek Makes Movies With
The actors and directors James Van Der Beek shares the most films with. Mark Hamill comes first, with 3 films together, followed by Matt Damon (3).
James Van Der Beek: Questions & Answers
How many movies James Van Der Beek has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has James Van Der Beek been in?
James Van Der Beek is credited on 25 films, from 1989 to 2026. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.
What is James Van Der Beek's highest-grossing movie?
Downsizing (2017) is James Van Der Beek's biggest box office hit, with $55M worldwide, ahead of Varsity Blues (1999) ($54.3M). Across every film with box office figures, James Van Der Beek's movies have made $131M.
James Van Der Beek's biggest hits What is the best James Van Der Beek movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, James Van Der Beek's best-rated film is Bad Hair (2020) with a score of 73, followed by Sidelined: The QB and Me (2024) (67).
Best James Van Der Beek movies, ranked How old is James Van Der Beek?
James Van Der Beek is 49 years old, born on March 8, 1977 in Cheshire, Connecticut, U.S..
What is James Van Der Beek's newest movie?
The most recent film on James Van Der Beek's filmography is The Gates (2026), in the role of Jacob.
Who does James Van Der Beek work with most often?
James Van Der Beek shares the most films with Mark Hamill (3 films), Matt Damon (3 films) and Kevin Smith (2 films).
The Best James Van Der Beek Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 25 credits.
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