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Brandon Routh

Brandon Routh

Actor, also producer · Born October 9, 1979 (47) · Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Brandon James Routh (born October 9, 1979) is an American actor and former fashion model. He grew up in Iowa before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, and subsequently appeared on multiple television series throughout the early 2000s. In 2006, he gained greater recognition for his role as the titular superhero of the 2006 film Superman Returns. He also had a recurring role in the TV series Chuck, as Daniel Shaw. Following this, he had notable supporting roles in the films Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. In 2010, he portrayed the eponymous protagonist of another comic book film, Dylan Dog: Dead of Night. He is currently portraying another iconic DC superhero, Ray Palmer/The Atom, in CW's superhero TV series Arrow and upcoming Legends of Tomorrow.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 9, 1979 (47)
From
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
40 on MovieCove · 58 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 35% in 30 days

What are Brandon Routh's films like?

Across their 21 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 11th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
39%
Morality
18%
Self
17%
Survival
15%
Ideas
5%
Power
4%
Society
2%
Romantic love8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 12 · Serious 2 · Dark 4

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 10 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 9 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 8 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 10 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 9 of 10 analyzed roles.

Hero
9 of 10
Shadow
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Thrilling
6
Warm
5
Absurd
5
Hopeful
6
Other
26

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Brandon Routh's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 29 of their 40 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Brandon Routh's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

58 credits, 40 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • A Keller Christmas Vacation(2025)

    as Cal Keller

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Out of Order (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Producer · as John Slater

  • Ick(2024)

    Executive Producer · as Hank

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Scott Pilgrim Takes Off(2023)

    Show 8 episodes · as Todd Ingram (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Quantum Leap(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as XO Alexander Augustine

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Slugfest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 10 episodes · as Joe Simon

  • With Love(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · as Leo

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • The Nine Kittens of Christmas(2021)

    as Zachary Stone

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Happily(2021)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Home Movie: The Princess Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Westley / Princess Buttercup

  • Anastasia(2020)

    as Czar Nicholas

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Are You Afraid of the Dark?(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Gavin's Dad (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Batwoman(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Ray Palmer / The Atom / Clark Kent / Superman

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • The Rookie(2018)

    Show 5 episodes · as Doug Stanton

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Vixen(2017)

    as Ray Palmer / The Atom (voice)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Lady Dynamite(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Lost in the Pacific(2016)

    as Chef Mike

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Legends of Tomorrow(2016)

    Show 75 episodes · as Ray Palmer / The Atom · as Ray Palmer / The Atom / Clark Kent / Superman

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • 400 Days(2015)

    as Theo

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Supergirl(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Ray Palmer / The Atom / Clark Kent / Superman · as Superman (Earth-96) (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Vixen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 3 episodes · as The Atom (voice)

  • The Nine Lives of Christmas(2014)

    as Zachary Stone

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Flash(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ray Palmer · as Ray Palmer / The Atom · as Ray Palmer / The Atom / Clark Kent / Superman

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Black-ish(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Banner Copeland

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Missing William (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as James Anderson

  • Enlisted(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Brandon Stone

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • The Millers(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Officer Dixon

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Chosen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 12 episodes · as Max Gregory

  • Arrow(2012)

    Show 20 episodes · as Ray Palmer · as Ray Palmer (voice)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Partners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 13 episodes · as Wyatt Plank

  • Crooked Arrows(2012)

    as Joe Logan

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Exes(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · as Steve

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Cost of Living (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Silas

  • Dylan Dog: Dead of Night(2010)

    as Dylan Dog

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Scott Pilgrim vs. the World(2010)

    as Todd Ingram

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Miss Nobody(2010)

    as Milo Beeber

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Unthinkable(2010)

    as Agent D.J Jackson

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Stuntmen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Kirby Popoff

  • Kambakkht Ishq(2009)

    as Brandon Routh

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Life Is Hot in Cracktown(2009)

    as Sizemore

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Table for Three(2009)

    as Scott Teller

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Fling(2008)

    Producer · as James

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Zack and Miri Make a Porno(2008)

    as Bobby Long

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Fear Itself: Community (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Bobby

  • Fear Itself(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Bobby

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Chuck(2007)

    Show 12 episodes · as Daniel Shaw

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Superman Returns(2006)

    as Clark Kent / Superman

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Denial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Man

  • Karla(2006)

    as Tim

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Batman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Everywhere Man (voice)

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Phillips (1964)

  • Oliver Beene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Brian

  • Gilmore Girls(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Jess

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Odd Man Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Connor

  • Will & Grace(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Sebastian

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Ethan Almighty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Magic: The Gathering (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show as Gideon Jura (Voice)

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 58 titles, 56 of them dated from 1992 to 2025; peak year 2011.

Biggest box office

Superman Returns (2006)

$391M worldwide

Highest rated

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)

Midcredits 82nd

Most popular right now

Legends of Tomorrow (2016)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19922025

Peak 2011 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 11 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting57 of 58: 54 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score49thProducing3 of 58: 0 only producing, 3 with another roleOther crew1 of 58: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

58 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1990s3 · acting2000s16 · 16 acting · 1 crew2010s26 · acting2020s11 · 10 acting · 3 crew

Billing

usually 1st · top billed in 56% of 18 roles
0611

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Brandon Routh's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 43rd percentile, the median of all 21; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 45th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Midcredits score across 40 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 40 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · actor

Lost in the Pacific (2016)

92nd percentile spread · 50% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Midcredits 93rd · 80% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 17 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 32. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Brandon Routh's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles28–75 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles12–55 · median 29 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles26–84 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles28–39 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles25–70 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Brandon Routh work with?

People who share at least 2 of Brandon Routh's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Sheila Roberts shares the most, 2.

Writers

Actors

Producers

Mixed roles