Jake Gyllenhaal burst onto the Hollywood scene as a child actor in the 90s, but he didn’t get his big break until the 2001 sci-fi thriller Donnie Darko, in which he starred as the titular character. Jake was born in Los Angeles on the 19 of December 1980 to Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Foner, who are both icons in the movie industry as a film director and screenwriter respectively. As of August 2023, Jake Gyllenhaal has a total of 41 acting credits, and other off-screen projects, to his name. He has also starred alongside world renowned movie stars like Robert Downey Jr., Hugh Jackman, Heath Ledger, Ben Kingsley, and Amy Adams among others. Today, we take a look at Gyllenhaal’s top 10 highest-grossing movies, reliving the thrills of his effortless portrayal of iconic movie characters.

10 Life – 2017 ($101.8 Million)

First on the list is the 2017 sci-fi horror movie, Life, directed by Daniel Espinosa. In Life, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Dr. David Jordan, an astronaut who is part of a crew that encounters a dangerous alien life form on a space mission. Boasting a total of $101,815,660 million worldwide, Life projects Gyllenhaal leading the movie with intelligence and wit, alongside other movie stars like Rebecca Ferguson, and Ryan Reynolds.

9 Love and Other Drugs – 2010 ($102.7 Million)

Directed by Edward Zwick, Love and Other Drugs is a 2010 romantic comedy with a touch of drama, in which Jake Gyllenhaal plays Jamie Randall, a charming pharmaceutical salesman, who falls for Maggie Murdock, a free-spirited woman with early on-set Parkinson’s disease, played by Anne Hathaway. Gyllenhaal undoubtedly brought a charm that seemed like only he could bring to a movie. Little wonder Love and Other Drugs grossed a total of $102,716,321 million worldwide.

RELATED: The Highest-Grossing Jim Parsons Movies, Ranked

8 Prisoners – 2013 ($113.3 Million)

Perceived as a modern-day classic by movie lovers around the world, Prisoners is a gripping thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve, in which Jake Gyllenhaal perfectly embodies the determination and intensity of the character, Detective Loki. Prisoners, which grossed a total of $113,310,547, centers around detective Loki passionately investigating the disappearance of two young girls. Jake’s portrayal of this complex character added depth to the suspenseful and intense themed movie, captivating the audience from start to finish.

7 City Slickers – 1991 ($124 Million)

Jake Gyllenhaal made his acting debut in the 1991 Western comedy movie, City Slickers. In this masterpiece directed by Ron Underwood, Jake played Danny Robbins, son of Billy Crystal’s character, Mitch Robbins. The movie, which follows a group of three friends who go on a cattle drive adventure, in an attempt to reignite their masculinity, has Jake bringing in his humorous and relatable personality, providing comic relief throughout the film. City Slickers grossed $124,033,872 worldwide.

6 Source Code – 2011 ($140.4 Million)

Jake Gyllenhaal plays Captain Colter Stevens in the 2011 sci-fi action thriller Source Code, directed by Duncan Jones. Jake’s compelling performance as Colter Stevens, an Army Captain in the US, who wakes up in someone else’s body, and must relive a digital recreation of a real-life train explosion in order to find the culprit. The thought-provoking sci-fi thriller displayed Gyllenhaal’s ability to engage the audience, keeping them invested and propelled Source Code into a worldwide gross of $140,428,499 worldwide.

5 Brokeback Mountain – 2005 ($177 Million)

Jake, alongside the late Heath Ledger graced the screen as Jack Twist in the neo-Western romantic drama movie, Brokeback Mountain released in 2005. The movie, directed by Ang Lee, follows a love story about two cowboys who develop a deep and complicated relationship while working on a ranch. In the $176,980,863 worldwide grossing masterpiece, Gyllenhaal portrays the role of rugged and passionate cowboy Jack Twist, exceptionally, reminding us just how versatile of an actor he truly is.

4 Everest – 2015 ($221.3 Million)

Up next on our list is the 2015 biographical survival adventure, Everest, directed by Baltasar Kormakur. The movie follows two groups; one led by Scott Fischer (portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal), and the other led by Rob Hall (portrayed by Jason Clarke), and it showcases the challenges and dangers of climbing the world’s highest peak. Jake’s investment in his character as an exceptional leader, with a solid determination and a strong sense of teamwork is seen in the worldwide gross of the movie, which is a total of $221,297,061 worldwide.

RELATED: The Highest-Grossing Lucy Liu Movies, Ranked

3 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time – 2015 ($336.4 Million)

In 2010, Gyllenhaal starred as Prince Dastan, the lead character in the action fantasy movie; Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. The movie follows Prince Dastan, as he tries to stop an evil ruler from using a magical dagger that can control time. The thrilling movie is filled with Gyllenhaal’s exceptional display of charisma, action, charm and depth. Directed by Mike Newell, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time grossed a total of $336,359,676 worldwide.

2 The Day After Tomorrow – 2004 ($555.8 Million)

Roland Emerich directed The Day After Tomorrow, a 2004 sci-fi disaster movie where the world is hit by a catastrophic global climate event. Jake Gyllenhaal effectively conveyed the fear, determination and resourcefulness his character required. Jake, as Samuel Hall in this suspense-filled fiction, graced the screen as a student, must navigate the dangers of his new environment, and find a way to survive. His chemistry with the co-stars and his ability to connect with the audience contributed to the film’s worldwide gross of $555,840,117 worldwide.

1 Spider-Man: Far from Home – 2019 ($1.1Billion)

And finally, at the number one spot, we have Spider-Man: Far from Home, the sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming, directed by Jon Watts. In it, Gyllenhaal plays Quentin Beck, also known as Mysterio, a skilled illusionist who becomes a mentor to Peter Parker. Spider-Man: Far from Home grossed a staggering total of $1,132,107,522 worldwide, thanks to Gyllenhaal’s natural, charismatic and in-depth portrayal of Mysterio and perfect chemistry with Tom Holland’s Spider man.

READ NEXT: The Highest-Grossing Winona Ryder Movies, Ranked

Sources: IMDb, The Numbers, The Things, and Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Read Full Article