Charles Melton: Riverdale, May December & More - Ranking His Best Roles

From Riverdale to the Big Screen: Ranking Charles Melton's Amazing Performances!

Charles Melton: More Than Just Reggie Mantle!

You probably know Charles Melton as Reggie Mantle from Riverdale, that awesome (and sometimes crazy) teen drama. But this dude is way more than just a high school bad boy! He’s a seriously versatile actor who's starred in movies and TV shows since 2014 after quitting college to become an actor. Yes, this former high school athlete even did some modeling, which gave him a funny cameo in Glee!

Melton's journey from model to movie star is really cool. While Riverdale gave him serious recognition and fame— and his role as Reggie Mantle earned him major popularity and exposure to wider audiences; allowing him to display talents far exceeding a typical teen drama. Yet the role made a seriously profound and lasting impact for a far longer timeframe. He proved himself totally versatile in various movies and TV shows, getting major recognition in 2023 with his amazing performance in May December! That alone deserves some real recognition, highlighting what this actor truly possesses! His roles demonstrate an ambition which helped raise this formerly little-known talent and established an already hugely respected talent in a way not previously appreciated by a majority of audiences; he deserved a bigger name! It's a pretty impressive climb.

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Charles Melton's Movies and TV Shows, Ranked: From Flops to Fantastic

(Note: Cameos, uncredited roles, and appearances as himself are not included in this ranking. And believe me; there are more.)

11. The Thinning: New World Order (2018): A Dystopian Dud

This dystopian thriller, released on YouTube, featured rising stars like Melton and Peyton List. But it failed badly; featuring a terrible script that was negatively affected by other prominent yet ill-suited actors; causing its reception to flop extremely quickly; creating many viewers to just stop caring for this entire production.

10. Secret Headquarters (2022): A Fun Superhero Adventure

Charles Melton and Logan Paul in a shirtless cage fight in the Youtube movie The Thinning New World Order Image

A straight-to-streaming Paramount+ superhero comedy, this offers a different angle and showcases various unexpected, funny characters. Melton appears in a role as a charming henchman. This film mostly appeals to those involved in that target demographic, which does generate significant positive buzz surrounding its characters and style, creating additional opportunities to release later into the market.

9. Heart of Champions (2021): An Underrated Sports Story

This sports film focuses on a rowing team led by Melton (and other major cast members); these included other established talents. Its cast really made that underdog storyline much better, however; despite those actors having performed incredibly well. It underwhelmed most critics; and did not generate much buzz surrounding its plot and production, although that fact does not undermine the strengths in its casting.

8. History of the World: Part II (2023): A Hilarious Historical Sketch Comedy

Mel Brooks' sequel; a sketch comedy mini-series with Melton in several sketches involving a Jewish family living in Russia—he even romanced Anastasia! The series is a lot of fun; and provides this surprisingly well-written humorous history of major moments throughout time. While this doesn't perform on the same level as those other more widely available and easier to stream options that include more similar comedic plots and storylines. That doesn't quite minimize those stronger parts that make Melton’s appearance enjoyable; allowing Melton to add serious gravitas, to add surprising depth into the absurdist style!

7. American Horror Stories (2021): A Spooky Guest Role

Melton’s one American Horror Stories episode, "The Naughty List,” showcases this actor’s impressive versatility as an actor, using this spooky plot of Santa punishing those who had previously been written down as being "naughty." That comedic take on a holiday horror is just pure fun.

6. American Horror Story: Hotel (2015): A Brief but Memorable Stay

Melton plays a cocky character before his stint in Riverdale, demonstrating a key precursor to what would make his famous Riverdale character become so popular among the many audience members—that confidence and charm before ending as a tragically slain yet memorably funny recurring ghost character!

5. Bad Boys for Life (2020): A Legacy Sequel Success

A Bad Boys legacy sequel adding fresh blood and updated technology – with Melton in an AMMO team; a fresh and new spin that does justify a lot of fan anticipation for those new storylines. While the Melton’s role is short, this hugely successful, popular movie does make an amazing achievement, earning massive profits.

4. The Sun Is Also a Star (2019): A Breakthrough Romantic Lead

Melton’s lead role as a Korean American man was groundbreaking, representing this unique aspect and demographic rarely shown onscreen. His and Yara Shahidi's chemistry makes this romance great! Even if the premise remains divisive; and generated mostly middling critical responses, its success surrounding the actors and overall emotional strength earned him enormous respect and recognition that elevated this rising talent into an ever-popular yet now recognized talent in his own right!

3. Poker Face (2023): A Thrilling Guest Star Turn

A Rian Johnson series which includes various episodic storylines using the "mystery-of-the-week" formula. Melton’s episode appearance offers intense character development; displaying how he moves between arrogance and self-sacrifice! A brief appearance that shows off this serious talent.

2. Riverdale (2017-2023): The Iconic Reggie Mantle

It is easy to believe that most people now remember Melton best for his Riverdale role! His work truly defined Reggie Mantle. And this isn’t simply another teen romance cliché: The depth added to Reggie, explored his dark childhood and other serious issues— highlighting Melton’s range! The reinvention involved also earned enormous respect—even making him play a younger version of his own father!

1. May December (2023): A Star-Making Performance!

Charles Melton at the front of a boat of rowers in Heart of Champions Image

Melton's role opposite Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman is something special! His portrayal made this emotionally complicated movie totally shine! He steals scenes and his work earned countless accolades (12 awards out of 36 nominations!)—plus a Golden Globe nomination. This completely shifted this relatively unknown actor into a celebrated and critically acclaimed rising star, an incredible accomplishment.

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Conclusion: Charles Melton's Journey Continues!

Charles Melton's impressive ascent highlights talent and range! His roles demonstrate ambitious work, demonstrating how various elements of creativity combined with immense dedication to his career earned recognition as he truly developed his capabilities, earning praise across those involved within various genres. And as his roles showcase diversity; he showcases various capacities— from charming bad boys to morally complicated characters. The fact that this previously lesser-known actor grew into such a hugely prominent and powerful individual highlights why he is so deserving and recognized as an immensely popular rising star; ready for the next phases and opportunities available for his long and already impressive career path. And he is only beginning! Get ready to see even more.