Josh Hutcherson's Best Roles, From "The Hunger Games" to "Five Nights at Freddy's"

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16:  Josh Hutcherson arrives at the Go Campaign's 13th Annual Go Gala at NeueHouse Hollywood on November 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic)
Gregg DeGuire | FilmMagic
Gregg DeGuire | FilmMagic

If you were a kid or teen in the 2000s, it's likely that you watched at least one movie featuring Josh Hutcherson, and it's also likely that you had a favorite movie with him in it. Hutcherson began acting in the early 2000s and had minor roles in a variety of TV shows before making his film debut in 2003's "American Splendor." From there, Hutcherson was launched into stardom and starred in a number of popular films throughout the decade, including "Kicking & Screaming," "Zathura: A Space Adventure," and "Journey to the Center of the Earth." By the 2010s, Hutcherson took on more mature roles and arguably landed his most popular role as Peeta Mellark in "The Hunger Games," which he would reprise for the remaining three movies in the beloved film series.

Most recently, Hutcherson is set to star in "Five Nights at Freddy's," the film adaptation of the popular video-game franchise of the same name. The frightening flick, which hits theaters on Oct. 27, features Hutcherson as Mike Schmidt, a security guard who takes on a night job at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, an abandoned family entertainment center. During his shifts, Mike finds that the animatronic mascots have their own evil plans, and he must defend himself from their violent ways.

If you plan to see "Five Nights at Freddy's," here's a refresher of Hutcherson's best movies and TV shows.

Josh Hutcherson Movies

"The Hunger Games"

THE HUNGER GAMES, Josh Hutcherson, 2012. ph: Murray Close/Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection
Gregg DeGuire | FilmMagic

Image Source: Everett Collection

Based on the best-selling-novel series of the same name, "The Hunger Games" stars Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, a boy from District 12, one of the 12 districts that make up what once was North America. Two people from each district, controlled by those in the capital of Panem, are forced to fight to the death in an event called The Hunger Games. But when Peeta meets Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), love complicates the game.

"The Disaster Artist"

Starring James and Dave Franco, "The Disaster Artist" is inspired by the true story of Tommy Wisseau, the eccentric actor and director behind the cult classic 2003 film "The Room." The film centers around the ups and downs of Wiseau's journey making the movie, with Hutcherson playing the role of Philip Haldiman, the actor who portrays Denny in "The Room."

"Journey to the Center of the Earth"

Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) is a volcanologist who, outside of his job, is on a journey to find his missing brother. After discovering a series of notes left behind by his brother, Max, he travels to his last known destination in Iceland with Max's son, Sean (Hutcherson), and falls into a hole leading them to the center of Earth. During their journey, the two discover hidden secrets and must fight against time before nature takes over.

"The Kids Are All Right"

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, Josh Hutcherson, 2010, Ph: Suzanne Tenner,  Focus Features/courtesy Everett Collection
Gregg DeGuire | FilmMagic

Image Source: Everett Collection

Married couple Nicole (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) Good are parents to two children: Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Hutcherson), whom they had with the help of sperm donor Paul Hatfield (Mark Ruffalo). As Joni prepares to leave for college, she and Laser inquire about their biological parents, which creates an interesting dynamic between the children, Paul, and Nicole and Jules.

"Bridge to Terabithia"

Based on the 1977 novel of the same name, "Bridge to Terabithia" stars Hutcherson as Jess Aarons, a 5th grader who befriends a new student named Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb). The two form a strong bond and go on various adventures in the nearby woods and creek and invent a imaginary world called Terabithia. As their friendship develops, the pair are struck by a tragedy that affects them and their town forever.

"Tragedy Girls"

True-crime bloggers McKayla Hooper (Alexandra Shipp) and Sadie Cunningham (Brianna Hildebrand) have an unhealthy obsession with crime and murder and will go to extreme lengths to grow their social media following. When they get a tip about a serial killer on the loose, they hold him hostage and turn to violent crime to fulfill their dreams of going viral. In the film, Hutcherson plays Toby Mitchell, McKayla's ex-boyfriend who falls victim to their evil hobby.

"Escobar: Paradise Lost"

In Colombia, surfer Nick Brady (Hutcherson) meets a beautiful young woman named Maria (Claudia Traisac). As the two begin dating, Nick discovers that Maria is the niece of the world's most famous drug kingpin, Pablo Escobar. When he is swept into a criminal underworld, Nick has to play his cards right or risk being the next person on Escobar's hit list.

"RV"

R.V., Robin Williams, Josh Hutcherson, 2006. Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
Gregg DeGuire | FilmMagic

Image Source: Everett Collection

Hutcherson stars alongside Robin Williams, Jeff Daniels, and JoJo in this 2006 film. It follows Bob Munro, an executive at Pure Vibe soda company, as he and his family, including his son, Carl (Hutcherson), rent an RV to embark on a road trip from Los Angeles to the Colorado Rockies. Along the way, the family encounters an eccentric community of campers and have a handful of memorable experiences that range from unclogging the RV toilet to taking the RV through a bumpy, four-wheel-drive trail.

"In Dubious Battle"

In this 2016 film, Hutcherson reunites with James Franco, who stars in and directed the film. "In Dubious Battle" is loosely based on the book of the same name by John Steinbeck and centers around a group of working-class men during the Great Depression that form a union to fight for minimum wage and workers' rights.

"Detention"

At Grizzly Lake High School, a serial killer named Cinderhella preys on the students. On the night of prom, the school's principal puts all the students, including Clapton Davis (Hutcherson), in detention, determined to find the killer. While in detention, they discover that the school's mascot is a time machine that can transport them to the year 1992, when the world was supposed to end.

"57 Seconds"

Hutcherson stars alongside Morgan Freeman in "57 Seconds," which hit theaters on Sept. 29. The film follows blogger Franklin Fox (Hutcherson), who helps to prevent an attack against tech guru Anton Burrell (Freeman). When he discovers a ring from Burrell that gives him the ability to travel 57 seconds in the past, Franklin seeks revenge on the pharmaceutical company that was behind his sister's death.

57 SECONDS, Josh Hutcherson, 2023.  The Avenue Entertainment / Courtesy Everett Collection
Gregg DeGuire | FilmMagic

Image Source: Everett Collection

"Five Nights at Freddy's"

Based on the beloved video game franchise of the same name, "Five Nights at Freddy's" centers around security guard Mike Schmidt (Hutcherson), who takes on a new job at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, a once-popular family restaurant. As he settles into the job, Mike discovers that the animatronic mascots, Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, come to life and go on murderous rampages after midnight.

click to play video

"The Beekeeper"

Hutcherson is set to star in the upcoming action thriller "The Beekeeper," which hits theaters on Jan. 12, 2024. The film, which also features Jason Statham, follows Mr. Clay, "a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as 'Beekeepers,'" per Deadline. After a powerful organization wrongs his friend, Mr. Clay goes on a rampage of violence that ends up having grave consequences.

Josh Hutcherson TV Shows

"Future Man"

FUTURE MAN, Josh Hutcherson, 'Pilot', (Season 1, ep. 101, airs Nov. 14, 2017). photo: Brandon Hickman / Hulu  / Courtesy: Everett Collection
Gregg DeGuire | FilmMagic

Image Source: Everett Collection

In the Hulu series "Future Man," Hutcherson plays the role of Josh Futturman, a janitor who loves video games. After completing the unbeatable "Biotic Wars" video game, the game's characters, Tiger and Wolf, come to life and enlist Josh to help save humanity from the real Biotic Wars.

"Ultraman"

Hutcherson voices the character Shinjiro Hayata in the English version of "Ultraman," which premiered on Netflix in 2019. After a new enemy force threatens the future of Earth, the son of Ultraman must follow in his father's footsteps and save the world from evil.