Who knew a mouthy, fast-talking, pint-sized comedian and a gargantuan former WWE wrestler could pair so well together? Well, apparently, Hollywood executives figured they would, and the rest is history.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart at the premiere of Jumanji: The Next Level in London, England on December 5, 2019 (Credit: Matt Crossick / PA Images / INSTARimages)
Since their first collaboration in 2016 with Central Intelligence, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart have gone on to act alongside one another in a total of five films, with their most recent movie DC League of Super-Pets having premiered in July of 2022.
However, not all of the Kevin Hart and The Rock films have received the same level of positive reception among critics and general audiences.
How Did Kevin Hart and The Rock Meet? Are They Friends in Real Life?
You might be wondering just how these two Hollywood stars first met. While the two have undoubtedly become great professional collaborators, they also have a good relationship in their personal lives.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart at the Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle premiere in Berlin, Germany on December 6, 2017 (Credit: BREUEL-BILD / DDP / INSTARimages)
In an interview with Cinemablend, Kevin Hart has described Dwayne Johnson as a “brother for life,” and Johnson considers Hart one of his best friends.
While it’s unknown how exactly the prolific duo met, it’s clear to see that they have maintained not only a successful working relationship but an important friendship, as well.
Ranking All of Kevin Hart and The Rock’s 5 Films
If you’re planning on binging all of the films starring Kevin Hart and The Rock, we’ve got you covered.
On this list, we’ve ranked all five films of Kevin Hart and The Rock, so you’ll know which ones will be worthy of your time and which ones are worth a skip.
Real-life friends Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart have starred together in a total of five films, and they’re showing no signs of ending their partnership (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
5. Central Intelligence (2016) – 71% Critics Score, 62% Audience Score
The first collaboration between Kevin Hart and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also happens to be their weakest film of the bunch.
While Central Intelligence is far from a bad movie, its main highlight is the instant chemistry created by Hart and Johnson onscreen.
Dwayne Johnson as Robbie Weirdicht / Bob Stone and Kevin Hart as Calvin Joyner in the 2016 buddy action-comedy film Central Intelligence (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
The film follows a stereotypical buddy cop story. Hart plays Calvin Joyner, a former high school athlete turned forensic accountant with a failing marriage and a longing for something more.
Meanwhile, Johnson plays Robbie Weirdicht, a formerly obese nerd who turns into a rugged CIA agent. Weirdicht is tracking down a group of criminals, who are set on selling satellite codes on the black market, and he enlists Joyner to help him.
Dwayne Johnson as Robbie Weirdicht / Bob Stone and Kevin Hart as Calvin Joyner in the 2016 buddy action-comedy film Central Intelligence (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Central Intelligence is good for a few laughs, some action, and some decent popcorn-worthy entertainment. However, the film is also a largely forgettable affair, which makes it worthy of the fifth spot on this list.
4. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw (2019) – 68% Critics Score, 88% Audience Score
A spinoff from the original popular film series Fast and Furious, Hobbs and Shaw is set after the eighth installment of the main series, The Fate of the Furious (2017).
In this film, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars as Luke Hobbs, a popular character who first appeared in the fifth franchise installment, Fast Five (2011).
Dwayne Johnson as Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw in the 2019 buddy action-comedy film Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw (Credit: Universal Pictures)
Starring alongside Johnson is Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw, an MI6 agent, who first appeared in the series as a villain in Furious 7 (2015). Hobbs and Shaw are forced to work with each other, despite their personal differences, in order to track down a missing virus known only as “Snowflake.”
While Kevin Hart does not have a starring role in this movie, he does appear in a cameo role as Air Marshal Dinkley, who encounters Hobbs and Shaw on a flight and offers to help join their operation. The pair accept his help, and Dinkley assists them in traveling to Samoa.
Hobbs and Shaw, like most movies in the Fast and Furious series, was a big hit with audiences but received a rather lukewarm reception from film critics. It’s big on action and set pieces, but it’s rather slight on dialogue and character development.
3. Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) – 71% Critics Score, 87% Audience Score
The third film in the popular Jumanji series (and the sequel to the 2017 reboot of the film franchise), Jumanji: The Next Level, continues the previous movie’s plot of turning the original Jumanji board game into a video game.
Dwayne Johnson as Dr. Xander “Smolder: Bravestone and Kevin Hart as Franklin “Mouse” Finbar in the 2019 fantasy adventure comedy film Jumanji: The Next Level (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)
In the game, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays Dr. Xander “Smolder” Bravestone, an Indiana Jones-esque character, who acts as the in-game avatar for Spencer Gilpin (Alex Wolff), an awkward college student.
Kevin Hart plays another avatar in the Jumanji video game, Franklin “Mouse” Finbar, a zoologist and weapon carrier for the in-game group.
The chemistry between Johnson and Hart is palpable in this film, as the two actors draw plenty of laughs and entertainment from one another’s performances.
Dwayne Johnson as Dr. Xander “Smolder: Bravestone and Kevin Hart as Franklin “Mouse” Finbar in the 2019 fantasy adventure comedy film Jumanji: The Next Level (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)
This film proved to be an immediate success for the dynamic duo (much like the first film), as Jumanji: The Next Level grossed a whopping $962.5 million against a budget of $150 million.
While Jumanji: The Next Level isn’t something that’s going to win any Academy Awards, it proves to be a fun-filled, worthy successor for the Jumanji franchise.
2. DC League of Super-Pets (2022) – 73% Critics Score, 88% Audience Score
DC League of Super-Pets is the latest in the shared filmographies of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart, and it brings the duo into the DC universe, albeit in an animated film created for children.
Promotional art for the 2022 3D computer-animated superhero comedy film DC League of Super-Pets (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Johnson stars as Krypto, a golden Labrador and the closest companion of DC’s famous superhero, Superman.
Feeling lonely due to Superman’s blossoming romance with Lois Lane, Krypto befriends a dog named Ace (played by Hart) at a pet shelter.
After an accident causes all of the animals in the shelter to gain superpowers, Krypto allies with Ace to defeat a group of evil super-powered guinea pigs that have captured Clark Kent.
Dwayne Johnson as Krypto / Superdog and Kevin Hart as Ace / Bat-Hound in the 2022 3D computer-animated superhero comedy film DC League of Super-Pets (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
This film is the latest in the trend of having celebrities do voice acting in animated films for children – a trend that has proved popular with audiences.
DC League of Super-Pets managed to be a box-office success, and the film, overall, has proven to be popular among critics and general audiences alike.
1. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) – 76% Critics Score, 87% Audience Score
The triumphant return to the world of Jumanji was finally announced on August 1, 2015 after decades of rumors that the original cult-favorite film would receive a sequel.
Kevin Hart as Franklin “Mouse” Finbar, Dwayne Johnson as Dr. Xander “Smolder” Bravestone, Karen Gillan as Ruby Roundhouse, and Jack Black as Professor Sheldon “Shelly” Oberon in the 2017 fantasy adventure comedy film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)
In April of 2016, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart announced that they would be cast in the film, both in the starring roles of “Smolder” Bravestone and “Mouse” Finbar, respectively.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle takes place decades after the events of the original film and sees the iconic Jumanji boardgame being transformed into a new videogame version.
The main characters are a group of teenagers, who unwittingly decide to play Jumanji when they find the old console and game. After being sucked into the Jumanji world, they turn into their Jumanji avatars and are thrust into a life-threatening challenge.
Dwayne Johnson as Dr. Xander “Smolder” Bravestone, Kevin Hart as Franklin “Mouse” Finbar, and Nick Jonas as Jefferson “Seaplane” McDonough in the 2017 fantasy adventure comedy film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)
While many were critical of the fact that a Jumanji sequel was being produced so shortly after the untimely death of Robin Williams, who starred in the original film, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle still managed to be a huge success financially and won over critics and audiences alike with its fun brand of comedy and action.
What Is the Next Film Starring Kevin Hart and The Rock?
So far, these five films are the only ones that feature both Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart. It remains to be seen when their next film together will be released.
In August of 2021, Jumanji producer Hiram Garcia confirmed that there will be another sequel to the new series, although no recent news regarding the film has surfaced.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart at the premiere of Central Intelligence in Los Angeles, California on June 10, 2016 (Credit: Vince Flores / Startraksphoto)
It’s clear that these two friends enjoy working together and will produce another movie at some point.
We’ll just have to wait and see!