Zac Efron movies on Netflix offer a fascinating look at one of Hollywood’s most versatile performers. From his early breakthrough in musicals to his bold experiments in drama, thrillers, comedies, and even survival stories, Efron has proven that his career is not defined by a single genre. Over the years he has built a reputation as both a charismatic leading man and a risk‑taking actor willing to surprise audiences with unexpected choices. His filmography reflects an impressive range, and Netflix makes it easy to explore these highlights in one place.
Efron’s streaming lineup brings together lighthearted rom‑coms, intense biographical dramas, high‑energy comedies, and heartfelt romances. He moves seamlessly between roles that ask for charm, vulnerability, and raw intensity, always keeping viewers entertained. Whether he’s portraying a teenager trapped in adult regret, a DJ chasing his big break, or a lone wanderer fighting the desert, his performances remain magnetic. This guide to Zac Efron movies on Netflix gathers 22 standout titles, each described with the plot in detail so you know exactly what to expect before pressing play.
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Streaming Playbook: Zac Efron movies on Netflix that actually deliver
1. A Family Affair (2024)
- Runtime: 113 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman, Joey King, Kathy Bates
- Director: Richard LaGravenese
- Genre: Rom‑Com
- IMDb Rating: 5.7
The Netflix original lets Efron send up superstar ego while still feeling oddly endearing. Kidman’s grounded elegance gives the farce a beating heart that keeps landing. Joey King plays the frustrated assistant with spark and sincere warmth. Scenes move quickly, which suits a breezy weeknight watch. Physical comedy mixes with honest conversations that never stall momentum. The romance builds through awkward reveals instead of big speeches. It is easy to rewatch because the jokes keep a light bounce. As an opener for Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it sets the tone: glossy, playful, and human.
2. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
- Runtime: 110 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Lily Collins
- Director: Joe Berlinger
- Genre: Crime, Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.7
Efron underplays with unnerving restraint, reminding us charisma can mask dark intent. The film frames events through the girlfriend’s perspective, tightening emotional stakes. Courtroom rhythms keep exposition taut and readable. Period detail adds texture without showboating. The performance choices avoid mimicry and chase motivation instead. Editing privileges cause‑and‑effect over shock value. You come away debating perception as much as guilt. It’s a vital counterweight inside Zac Efron movies on Netflix, proving range matters.
3. Neighbors (2014)
- Runtime: 97 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne
- Director: Nicholas Stoller
- Genre: Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 6.3
The suburban prank war stays funny because everyone is a little bit right. Efron leans into alpha swagger, then undercuts it with fragile pride. Rogen and Byrne work as a true duo, never a sitcom mismatch. Gags escalate but remain tied to character needs. The party sequences have propulsive rhythm and clean geography. Small running bits pay off in satisfying loops. It’s easy to quote without losing story shape. As one of the briskest Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it’s a reliable laugh engine.
4. 17 Again (2009)
- Runtime: 102 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Matthew Perry
- Director: Burr Steers
- Genre: Fantasy, Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 6.4
The body‑swap conceit doubles as a soft reset on grown‑up regret. Efron’s physical comedy sells the “dad in a teen body” paradox. Mann brings warmth that keeps the wish‑fulfillment grounded. High‑school subplots move fast and stay light on their feet. Needle drops keep the tone sunny without turning syrupy. The script hits moral notes without sermonizing. Jokes land but never crowd out feeling. It earns a comfy spot among Zac Efron movies on Netflix for family‑night balance.
5. Baywatch (2017)
- Runtime: 116 min
- Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Priyanka Chopra Jonas
- Director: Seth Gordon
- Genre: Action, Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 5.5
The movie’s secret is that it knows it’s ridiculous and sprints anyway. Johnson and Efron bounce like dueling PE teachers with clashing philosophies. Set‑pieces blend lifeguard heroics with candy‑colored caper beats. The beach is photographed like an arena where stamina tells the joke. Ensemble chemistry keeps banter buoyant even when gags push the edge. Villain plotting stays simple so summer vibes can shine. It’s fizzy background fun that still pops on a big TV. In rotation for Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it’s pure popcorn.
6. The Lucky One (2012)
- Runtime: 101 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling
- Director: Scott Hicks
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.4
A found photograph becomes a compass for healing and second chances. Efron plays restraint as strength, letting quiet beats carry weight. Schilling adds warmth that makes small-town routines feel cinematic. The Louisiana setting bathes scenes in soft gold. Conflicts track with character history instead of forcing twists. Side players give the story a lived‑in porch‑swing feel. The ending chooses grace over surprise. For gentle Zac Efron movies on Netflix nights, it’s easy to recommend.
7. We Are Your Friends (2015)
- Runtime: 96 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Emily Ratajkowski, Wes Bentley
- Director: Max Joseph
- Genre: Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.2
A San Fernando Valley DJ chases a signature track and adulthood. Party energy hides a sharp look at hustle culture. Efron sells ambition without sanding off rough edges. The movie uses sound design like a second narrator. Friendship pressures feel honest, not melodramatic. Visual flourishes arrive, then step back to let scenes breathe. The finale favors earned catharsis over easy wins. For music‑tinged Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it’s a vibe with a pulse.
8. Hairspray (2007)
- Runtime: 117 min
- Starring: Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron
- Director: Adam Shankman
- Genre: Musical, Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 6.7
The numbers are joyous, the politics are clear, and the hair is tall. Efron’s teen‑idol charm slots neatly into the film’s buoyant optimism. Choreography reads beautifully on a living‑room screen. The ensemble plays generous, leaving space for every voice. Songs do true narrative work, not just spectacle. The humor keeps sharp edges without going mean. Production design is candy‑store precise and playful. It’s a feel‑good pillar for Zac Efron movies on Netflix dance‑along nights.
Halfway Pulse: Zac Efron movies on Netflix that broaden the palette
9. The Paperboy (2012)
- Runtime: 107 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey
- Director: Lee Daniels
- Genre: Thriller, Drama
- IMDb Rating: 5.8
Steamy Southern noir lets Efron play wounded curiosity with edge. The camera lingers on faces like crime scenes of feeling. Kidman swings for the fences in electric fashion. McConaughey’s gravity keeps the spiral plausible. The plot’s messiness mirrors the characters’ inner weather. Colors and sweat make the atmosphere tactile. It’s thorny, risky, and hard to shake. As deeper‑cut Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it rewards adventurous queues.
10. Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
- Runtime: 99 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Amanda Crew
- Director: Burr Steers
- Genre: Fantasy, Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.4
Grief becomes a compass that points toward second chances. Efron plays softness without losing presence. Maritime imagery gives the story a meditative hum. The romance grows in the shadow of healing. Supernatural touches arrive gently and leave space for silence. The film respects ritual as a form of love. Its small surprises feel earned and kind. For reflective Zac Efron movies on Netflix, this is a quiet anchor.
11. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (2012)
- Runtime: 86 min
- Starring: Zac Efron (voice), Taylor Swift (voice), Danny DeVito (voice)
- Director: Chris Renaud
- Genre: Animation, Family
- IMDb Rating: 6.4
Color bursts and tidy songs deliver an eco‑parable kids can actually hum. Efron’s vocal turns feel earnest and spry. DeVito’s Lorax roughens sweetness with comic bark. The art direction keeps textures plush and readable. Gags aim low enough for little ones yet wink at adults. The lesson is clear but never scolding. Pacing respects short attention spans. For family‑friendly Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it’s a safe, bright pick.
12. Dirty Grandpa (2016)
- Runtime: 102 min
- Starring: Robert De Niro, Zac Efron
- Director: Dan Mazer
- Genre: Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 5.8
Crass on purpose, the road trip also sneaks in genuine loosen‑up notes. Efron plays the buttoned‑up foil with elastic timing. De Niro commits to the bit like a professional chaos agent. Jokes swing wide; a fair share connect cleanly. Beneath the wildness sits a tidy growth arc. Music cues keep energy high between set pieces. The supporting cast steals small, sharp moments. In raunch‑leaning Zac Efron movies on Netflix, this scratches the itch.
13. Parkland (2013)
- Runtime: 93 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Paul Giamatti
- Director: Peter Landesman
- Genre: Historical Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.4
The day‑of perspective paints history with triage immediacy. Efron’s young doctor embodies purpose colliding with shock. Tight runtimes keep threads clear and humane. Period detail serves story rather than cosplay. The film trusts quiet faces more than speeches. It honors competence under impossible pressure. The closing notes ache without cynicism. As grounded Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it earns respect.
14. That Awkward Moment (2014)
- Runtime: 94 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller
- Director: Tom Gormican
- Genre: Comedy, Romance
- IMDb Rating: 6.1
The bromance‑to‑romance pipeline gets a knowingly silly treatment. Efron plays denial as a sport and still lands sincerity. Jordan and Teller add rhythm and contrast. The New York setting keeps the walk‑and‑talks lively. Dialog favors quips that reveal character tells. Setups pay off with nimble reversals. It’s light but not empty. In casual Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it fits the Friday slot.
15. Me and Orson Welles (2008)
- Runtime: 114 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Christian McKay, Claire Danes
- Director: Richard Linklater
- Genre: Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.7
Backstage nerves, first love, and the joy of making something great. Efron plays the dreamer’s impatience with winning openness. Christian McKay’s Welles is magnetic and a little terrifying. The period detail feels breathed‑in, not dusty. Theater craft becomes cinematic without losing intimacy. Sound and silence share equal billing. The ending lands with bittersweet truth. For cinephile‑leaning Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it’s a gem.
16. The Disaster Artist (2017)
- Runtime: 104 min
- Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Zac Efron (cameo)
- Director: James Franco
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- IMDb Rating: 7.3
A loving, mischievous look at the creation of a midnight‑movie legend. Efron’s small turn adds spice without stealing focus. The film understands friendship as fuel and friction. Hollywood dreams get punctured yet somehow stay afloat. Jokes bloom from detail, not cheap shots. The tone walks a tightrope and rarely slips. You leave oddly inspired to make something weird. As meta‑flavored Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it’s delightful.
17. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)
- Runtime: 98 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Adam DeVine, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza
- Director: Jake Szymanski
- Genre: Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 6.0
Two lovable disasters hunt for dates and find reality checks. Efron and DeVine volley like brothers who prank from love. Kendrick and Plaza keep the chaos witty and agile. Wedding hijinks escalate but keep character logic intact. The best gags spring from sincere apologies. Tropical vistas add postcard brightness. The last act delivers tidy, earned growth. In party‑centric Zac Efron movies on Netflix, this stays breezy.
Final Stretch Lift: Zac Efron movies on Netflix you might have missed
18. The Beach Bum (2019)
- Runtime: 95 min
- Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Zac Efron
- Director: Harmony Korine
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- IMDb Rating: 5.5
Sun‑dazed vignettes follow poets, pirates, and party philosophers. Efron arrives like an agent of chaotic friendship. McConaughey floats through trouble with cosmic shrugging. Colors are loud; the vibe is louder. The story chooses mood over map and wins on honesty. Small gestures resonate after the glitter fades. Jokes feel like postcards from bad decisions. As wander‑minded Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it’s oddly soothing.
19. Gold (2022)
- Runtime: 97 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Susie Porter
- Director: Anthony Hayes
- Genre: Thriller
- IMDb Rating: 6.3
A desert survival tale pares cinema down to sun, sand, and will. Efron’s near‑solo turn is all grit and flickers of hope. Time becomes an enemy you can taste. The camera studies skin, tools, and weather like clues. Choices shrink until each one feels seismic. Sound design weaponizes wind and hunger. The ending leaves a sting you keep revisiting. As spare Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it’s a strong curveball.
20. The Derby Stallion (2005)
- Runtime: 98 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Bill Cobbs
- Director: Craig Clyde
- Genre: Family, Sports
- IMDb Rating: 5.5
A quietly charming early role pairs Efron with a wise mentor. The horsemanship arc plays like confidence training. Rural textures give the story steady rhythm. Stakes stay small but sincere. The friendship feels patient and kind. Wins and losses both teach gently. It’s comfort viewing with honest sweat. In wholesome Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it’s an easy add.
21. The Paperboy: Extended Cut Featurettes (2013)
- Runtime: 20–30 min (var.)
- Starring: Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman
- Director: Behind‑the‑scenes
- Genre: Documentary Shorts
- IMDb Rating: —
Supplemental pieces deepen the film’s humid mood and artistic choices. Efron discusses character posture and emotional timing. Costume and palette notes enrich rewatch value. Brief interviews clarify why messy feelings were left messy. Editing featurettes show restraint as an art. You pick up tiny tells you missed before. The result is renewed respect for performance craft. For process‑curious Zac Efron movies on Netflix, these are nimble primers.
22. Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)
- Runtime: 92 min
- Starring: Zac Efron, Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Chloë Grace Moretz
- Director: Nicholas Stoller
- Genre: Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 5.7
The sequel finds new jokes by flipping power dynamics. Efron’s Teddy grows up just enough to be hilarious. Byrne remains a stealth MVP with laser timing. Moretz brings fresh chaos with purpose. Party mayhem comes with thoughtful boundaries. Sight gags stack cleanly without drowning character. The last beat lands with surprising sweetness. As a capper for Zac Efron movies on Netflix, it ends on a grin.
Conclusion: Explorer’s map for Zac Efron movies on Netflix
Build double features that mix a glossy Netflix Original with a grounded drama, then slot a rowdy comedy for release—that blend keeps Zac Efron movies on Netflix feeling fresh week after week. To keep tabs on rotations and reviews, check the actor hub at Rotten Tomatoes and scan streaming notes from Decider’s Neighbors guide for platform context and timing.
