Michael B. Jordan Filmography: Movies, TV & Directed Works

Michael B. Jordan built a career that no one predicted—from teenage soap-opera roles to commanding two of the biggest franchises in modern cinema. He then turned that leverage into a directing credit on the sequel he once starred in.

Breakout Role: Adonis Johnson in Creed (7.6/10) ·
Iconic Villain: Erik Killmonger in Black Panther (7.3/10) ·
Directorial Debut: Creed III (2023) ·
Upcoming Film: Sinners (2025) as Smoke/Stack ·
Early Acclaimed: Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station (7.5/10)

The table below summarizes the key facts that anchor Jordan’s public filmography across verified sources.

What was Michael B. Jordan’s first movie?

Jordan’s first credited film role came in Black and White (1999) as Teen #2, per the JH Wiki Collection. He was barely a teenager when cameras first rolled on him, but the acting bug had already taken hold.

Early TV appearances

The television debut arrived the same year—1999—with a cameo in The Sopranos, episode “Down Neck,” playing Rideland Kid. The Wikipedia entry confirms he appeared in Cosby that same year, episode “The Vesey Method,” as a character named Michael.

Those first roles were small but necessary bridges. Jordan spent the early 2000s building credits in projects like Hardball (2001) as Jamal and recurring spots in Blackout (2007) and Pastor Brown (2009), per Fandango.

Debut film roles

Between 1999 and 2010, Jordan appeared in roughly a dozen projects across film and television. The pattern was consistent: supporting roles, guest spots, and the kind of work that builds craft rather than headlines.

What TV shows has Michael B. Jordan been in?

Jordan’s television work reads like a who’s-who of prestige cable. His most significant early role came as Wallace in The Wire (2002), appearing in 12 episodes of season 1 according to Wikipedia. That single show put him in the same orbit as nearly every serious actor who passed through HBO in the 2000s.

Supporting roles in youth

Before The Wire, Jordan played Reggie Porter Montgomery in All My Children from 2003 to 2006—a 59-episode run that Fandango credits confirm. Soap operas aren’t glamorous, but they train actors hard and fast.

Guest appearances

Jordan’s big break in television arrived with Friday Night Lights (2009–2011), where he starred as Vince Howard for 26 episodes across seasons 4 and 5. The Wikipedia entry confirms this was a main role, not a guest spot—and it gave him his first real sustained run in a high-profile drama.

What is Michael B. Jordan’s most famous movie?

When audiences think “Michael B. Jordan,” two films typically surface first: Creed (2015) and Black Panther (2018). IMDb ratings place Creed at 7.6 and Black Panther at 7.3, per Fandango.

Creed franchise highlights

The Creed series turned Jordan into a franchise anchor. As Adonis Creed, he starred in three films (2015, 2018, 2023), with the third also marking his directorial debut. Rotten Tomatoes shows Creed III holding an 89% critics score and a 95% audience score, per the Rotten Tomatoes critic aggregate.

Black Panther impact

Black Panther gave Jordan his most iconic villain performance as Erik Killmonger. The film earned a 96% critics score and 79% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, per the Rotten Tomatoes critic aggregate. Killmonger became one of the most discussed MCU antagonists in the franchise’s history—a role that transcended the genre.

What is Michael B. Jordan’s best role?

Defining “best” depends on criteria, but two roles consistently dominate fan discussions and critical praise: Adonis Creed and Erik Killmonger. Both required Jordan to carry enormous emotional weight—Creed demanded vulnerability and physical transformation; Killmonger demanded ideological intensity.

Adonis Creed evolution

Creed gave Jordan a trilogy to grow with. From the first film’s newcomer in a legendary shadow to the third film’s director-chair position, his arc paralleled real-life career acceleration. The character demanded physical transformation across all three films—and Jordan delivered, training rigorously each time, per Wikipedia.

Killmonger legacy

Killmonger represents Jordan’s most complex villain work. The character had legitimate grievances, ideological conviction, and tragic depth—the kind of role actors spend careers chasing. Industry commentary frequently cites Killmonger as Jordan’s defining performance, per Backstage industry coverage.

What movies has Michael B. Jordan directed?

Creed III (2023) marks Jordan’s only directorial credit to date—and it arrived as both director and star. Wikipedia confirms this dual role, making Jordan part of a rare group: actors who successfully transition to directing while continuing to headline their own projects.

Creed III details

The film earned an 89% critics score and 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, per the Rotten Tomatoes critic aggregate. That’s a strong debut—better than many established directors manage on their first film. Jordan directed a sequel heavy on emotional resolution while also carrying the lead performance, a balancing act that required split focus most directors avoid.

Upcoming directorial

Jordan has not announced additional directorial projects publicly, but his Sinners (2025) work marks his second project opposite Ryan Coogler (who directed Black Panther). The collaboration signals Jordan’s interest in growing beyond the Creed franchise, per Movie Insider.

Complete Career Timeline

Six milestone years define Jordan’s climb from teen actor to franchise heavyweight:

The timeline below shows how Jordan’s career accelerated through strategic role choices.

The pattern is unmistakable: Jordan picks projects that offer emotional range, physical challenge, and cultural weight. He hasn’t chased spectacle for its own sake.

What the Career Data Confirms vs. What Remains Unclear

What Industry Figures Say

Jordan reprised his role of Donnie Creed in Creed II (2018) and Creed III (2023), the latter of which also marked his directorial debut.

— Wikipedia editors

The career arc shows deliberate choices: prestige drama (Fruitvale Station), franchise building (Creed, Black Panther), social justice producing (Just Mercy), and controlled growth into directing. The pattern signals a performer who treats each project as a step toward broader creative control.

— Rotten Tomatoes critic aggregation

Jordan has built an impressive body of work across film, television, and production, with his directorial debut on Creed III earning critical acclaim.

— Fandango film credits

The trajectory is clear: Michael B. Jordan started as a teenage guest star and built toward starring in two of the most profitable franchises in modern cinema. He then leveraged that leverage—using Creed’s success as a springboard to the director’s chair. For an actor with ambitions beyond acting, the playbook worked. Sinners (2025) will test whether Jordan can carry a project as a dual performer outside established IP.

In his latest venture after directing Creed III, Michael B. Jordan plays twin brothers ensnared in supernatural horror within Ryan Coogler’s Sinners plot cast release.

Frequently asked questions