Lewis Pullman, the son of actor Bill Pullman, is making a name for himself throughout Hollywood. Pullman has recently starred in one of the biggest movies of 2022, with his role as Bob in Top Gun: Maverick being a fan favorite due to how soft-spoken his character was. The actor has gained steady roles over the past 10 years, and he’s becoming recognizable for the way he acts — versatile but also steady in his own way. He resembles his father, Bill Pullman, quite a bit, and many people compare the two since they look so much alike and act in similar ways as well. Lewis Pullman is steadily pulling in large roles after the success of Top Gun: Maverick, such as Salem’s Lot and Lesson in Chemistry. He’ll be the male lead for both projects, and it’s exciting to see where Pullman’s career is going to take him as he makes an even bigger name for himself. That being said, here’s a list of Lewis Pullman’s best performances in both movies and TV, ranked.
10 Pink Skies Ahead (2020)
In Pink Skies Ahead, Pullman plays the sweet love interest, Ben, opposite Jessica Barden’s Winona. The plot revolves around a coming-of-age story about Winona and her life, and the age-old tale of not knowing who you truly are. Pullman appears in and out of this film and offers some distinct dialogue to help the movie along, and it’s a bit of a sleeper hit.
9 Battle of the Sexes (2017)
Battle of the Sexes features Lewis Pullman in a smaller role but still just as memorable as he plays Larry Riggs, the son of Bobby Riggs. Larry is Bobby’s slightly estranged adult son, whom the tennis player turns to when things go wrong at home. Pullman succeeds in telling the story of how awkward it can become when you suddenly have to support your parents instead of the other way around. Pullman is seen in several scenes in the background, but his speaking parts are great, and he added the right amount of energy to this movie that’s flanked by massive stars.
8 The Starling Girl (2023)
The Starling Girl is a movie where you might have to separate the artist from the art when it comes to Pullman’s character. The film is a great portrayal of the abuse that can happen within a church and its leaders, with Pullman playing a youth pastor named Owen who returns from a mission trip and takes an interest in one of his 17-year-old members of the youth group. Pullman will make you dislike him by the time the movie is halfway through, but it proves how good of an actor he is, especially when you compare this character to one of his lighter roles.
7 The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018)
The Strangers: Prey at Night is the sequel to the home invasion horror movie The Strangers, and there are enough jump scares in both films to get your adrenaline pumping. Pullman plays the role of Luke, the oldest child of the couple, who heads out to an abandoned trailer park to stay the night during a road trip, not realizing what a sinister situation lies ahead. Pullman proves that he can handle himself as he and his family are preyed upon by masked strangers, even falling into a pool at one point and having to fight off his attacker in weighted-down movements.
6 Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
In Bad Times at the El Royale, Pullman plays Miles Miller, the bellhop of the insidious hotel that houses people from all walks of life. We meet his character early on in the movie, and right away you can tell that there’s something off about him, as he appears worried and anxious about the guests who stay with the hotel. Pullman plays the role of this nervous and scarred man very well, as his bottom lip wobbles and his eyes get glassy at the sight of conflict. Miles Miller is a memorable character for Pullman, since it shows his range as an actor.
5 Them That Follow (2019)
Another dark role for Pullman that centers around heavy religious themes, Them That Follow is a slow burn of a horror movie, set in the middle of the woods to really set the tone. Mara (Kaitlyn Dever) is courted by a member of the church, Garrett (Pullman), and out of peer pressure she agrees to marry him. Garrett proves to be a terrible person and character, as he essentially abuses Mara and treats her terribly, especially when he finds out she loves someone else. Pullman has a certain way of approaching these characters who are unsavory, and it’s worth watching to see him perfect his craft.
4 Catch 22 (2019)
Based on the book of the same name, Catch 22 became a miniseries and was accepted as an accurate adaptation of the novel. Pullman plays Major Major Major, a name given to him by his father as a joke, and when he moved up in rank within the Air Forces, he was promoted to Major. So his full name is Maj. Major Major Major. Pullman pulls off the personality Major Major is supposed to have – not liked by his fellow peers and a bit out of his league when it comes to his job. If you’ve read the book, you’ll be happy to know that this character was brought to life in the correct way.
3 Press Play (2022)
You might be surprised when you reach for tissues by the time Press Play ends, and you’re left dabbing your eyes from the performance Pullman and Clara Rugaard give. The plot follows two lovers who quickly fall into a relationship that lasts the summer before a tragedy strikes and Pullman’s character dies in a car crash. Don’t worry, that’s not a spoiler, since the movie revolves around him dying multiple times and Laura (Rugaard) time-traveling in order to find a way to save him. Harrison (Pullman) is kind and unsuspecting, and you’ll wish you could save him yourself as he gets taken out by different situations each time.
2 Outer Range (2022-Present)
Outer Range balances the western genre with supernatural elements in a way that’s so real, it doesn’t appear cheesy or outdated. Outer Range features a great cast, such as Josh Brolin and Imogen Poots, and Lewis Pullman is among these heavy hitters. Pullman plays Rhett Abbott, the son of Royal and Cecilia, and he’s the youngest child. Rhett is intense and deeply loyal, helping out on the family ranch as well as constantly coming to his older brother’s aid, which sadly blows up in his face. With season two coming in the future, it’s exciting to see where the plot is going to take Rhett’s character and what the future holds for the Abbott family.
1 Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Everyone loves Bob Floyd, a.k.a. Baby on Board. With the Top Gun sequel released 30 years after the original, there was bound to be a crew of fresh faces that made up the cast this time around. They’ve become a memorable group among audiences, especially during award season, but Lewis Pullman’s Bob Floyd is memorable in a different way. Fans enjoyed the way he was different from his squad members: soft-spoken and kind to basically everyone, unlike Glen Powell’s Hangman. Bob might not be the MVP of Top Gun: Maverick, but he’s certainly a fan favorite, and many people would be glad to see him again if the franchise continued.
