The best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows prove the Fire Country, SEAL Team, and Bates Motel star has been a powerhouse performer since his youth. Born in California in 1988, Max Thieriot started his career as a fresh-faced kid in early 2000s family fare but quickly carved out a niche playing layered, emotionally complex characters. From psychological thrillers to high-octane action dramas, he’s one of those actors who seems to effortlessly elevate every project he’s in. He achieved success as a teen with the likes of The Pacifier and Nancy Drew, but his career kicked into high gear with his darker, more mature roles in adulthood.
What makes Max Thieriot so compelling to watch is his emotional depth and the quiet intensity he brings to every performance. Whether he’s playing a firefighter with a tortured past, a war-hardened Navy SEAL, or the estranged brother of Norman Bates, there’s always something simmering under the surface. He’s become a staple on network television and continues to expand his talents behind the camera as well. For fans of smart dramas and emotionally grounded performances, the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows offer a goldmine of must-watch material.
10. Chloe (2009)
Max Thieriot Plays Michael Stewart
Directed by Atom Egoyan, Chloe is a steamy psychological thriller about infidelity, manipulation, and fractured relationships. The story centers on Catherine (played by Julianne Moore), a woman who hires an escort, Chloe (Amanda Seyfried), to test her husband’s loyalty, only for things to spiral dangerously out of control. Max Thieriot plays Michael Stewart, Catherine’s teenage son who’s caught in the middle of the emotional hurricane.
Though it’s a supporting role, Thieriot brings a raw vulnerability to Michael that stands out. His scenes help ground Chloe emotionally, offering a glimpse into the collateral damage caused by adult betrayal. He’s especially compelling opposite Julianne Moore, with Thieriot’s performance gives Michael a confused-yet-sympathetic presence that shows a subtler side of his acting range. While it’s not his most prominent role, Thieriot’s emotional sincerity earns Chloe a spot among the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows.
9. Jumper (2008)
Max Thieriot Plays 15-Year-Old David Rice
Before Hayden Christensen’s adult David Rice was teleporting across continents in Doug Liman’s Jumper, Max Thieriot laid the emotional foundation as the younger David discovering his abilities. In this sci-fi adventure about people who can “jump” from place to place in an instant, Thieriot’s screen time is short, but his performance is crucial. He plays the bullied teenager who first discovers his powers, setting off the chain of events that drive the entire film. Thieriot captures the sense of wonder, fear, and rebellion that comes with discovering unimaginable abilities. His version of David is all bottled-up frustration and desperation, making his character’s leap – literally and metaphorically- feel all the more thrilling.
The transition from Thieriot’s performance to Christensen’s adult David feels seamless, thanks to the emotional groundwork Thieriot lays early on. With Liman’s slick direction and a fast-paced, globe-trotting storyline, Jumper is a popcorn movie with a unique premise. Samuel L. Jackson and Rachel Bilson round out the cast, but it’s Thierot’s brief yet memorable opening arc that gives the story a human touch. For fans tracking his early roles, this film remains a pivotal moment in the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows.
8. Disconnect (2012)
Max Thieriot Plays Kyle
In Henry Alex Rubin’s thought-provoking 2012 drama Disconnect, Max Thierot takes on the role of Kyle, a troubled teen who gets caught up in the darker side of internet culture. Disconnect weaves together several interrelated stories exploring how technology can alienate and devastate lives. Thierot stars alongside Jason Bateman, Andrea Riseborough, and Alexander Skarsgård in a film that’s as emotional as it is socially relevant. Kyle is a runaway who’s lured into an adult webcam operation, and Thieriot plays him with haunting sincerity.
Kyle in Disconnect was always a risky role for Max Thieriot, and he commits fully, showing the pain, confusion, and desperation that come with exploitation and loss of control. It’s a heartbreaking performance, and one that marks a clear turning point in his shift from teen roles to more challenging adult material. What makes Disconnect so effective – and what earns it a place among the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows – is how it balances drama with a scathing critique of digital life. Rubin’s direction brings out raw, nuanced performances across the board, and Thierot more than holds his own among an ensemble of drama veterans.
7. The Pacifier (2005)
Max Thieriot Plays Seth Plummer
The Pacifier might be a family comedy, but it’s got some unexpected bite – and Max Thieriot’s performance as angsty teenager Seth Plummer is one of the 2005 movie’s secret weapons. Directed by Adam Shankman and starring Vin Diesel as a Navy SEAL-turned-nanny, The Pacifier sees Diesel protecting a scientist’s children, including Thierot’s rebellious Seth. Seth is moody, artistic, and constantly butting heads with Diesel’s hard-nosed protector.
Max Thieriot infuses Seth with just the right mix of teenage defiance and emotional vulnerability. He brings heart to a character that could’ve easily been one-note, and by the end, Seth’s emotional arc feels earned and sincere. The Pacifier might not have won any awards, but it was a box office success and a key stepping stone for Thierot’s career. It introduced him to a broad audience and showed that even in a comedy-heavy ensemble, he had the chops to make an impression. It may not be the most intense entry among the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows, but it’s definitely one of the most fun.
6. Nancy Drew (2007)
Max Thieriot Plays Ned Nickerson
In Andrew Fleming’s modern take on Nancy Drew, Max Thierot steps into the role of Ned Nickerson – Nancy’s loyal (and smitten) best friend who gets caught up in her latest sleuthing adventure. Starring Emma Roberts as the iconic teen detective, this family-friendly mystery follows Nancy as she moves to L.A. and uncovers a decades-old Hollywood murder case. While Roberts leads the cast, Max Thieriot brings his signature likability and warmth to Ned, who’s both skeptical and protective as Nancy dives into dangerous territory.
Max Thieriot has a naturally easy chemistry with Roberts, and their scenes together give Nancy Drew a sweet, grounded energy. Thieriot balances his role between comic relief and steady emotional support, which helps keep the story relatable even when it veers into camp. What makes Nancy Drew a worthy addition to the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows is how it showcases his early leading man potential. He holds his own in a cast that includes Rachael Leigh Cook and Tate Donovan, and his performance as Ned showed audiences he was ready to break out of supporting roles and into bigger things.
5. House At The End Of The Street (2012)
Max Thieriot Plays Ryan Jacobson
Directed by Mark Tonderai, House at the End of the Street is a psychological horror thriller with a seriously creepy edge – and Max Thieriot delivers a chillingly effective performance as Ryan Jacobson, the mysterious boy next door. When mother Sarah and daughter Elissa (played by Elisabeth Shue and Jennifer Lawrence) move to a new town, they discover that the house next door holds dark secrets, and Thieriot’s Ryan is at the center of it all. Ryan seems like a quiet, misunderstood loner – but as the layers peel back, Thierot dives deep into the character’s darkness.
Max Thieriot delivers a slow-burn performance that’s equal parts vulnerable and menacing, keeping the audience guessing until the final act. His ability to subtly shift from sympathetic to sinister is what elevates the 2012 thriller from a standard horror flick into something genuinely tense. With its twist-heavy script and eerie atmosphere, House at the End of the Street became a cult hit among horror fans. Jennifer Lawrence may have been the breakout star, but Thieriot’s nuanced portrayal is what gives the film its lasting creep factor. It’s one of the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows for anyone who likes their thrills laced with psychological depth.
4. Texas Rising (2015)
Max Thieriot Plays John Coffee Hays
In the sweeping History Channel miniseries Texas Rising, Max Thieriot steps into the boots of legendary Texas Ranger John Coffee Hays – a real-life figure who became one of the most respected lawmen in the American West. The gritty 2015 show chronicles the Texas Revolution and the birth of the Rangers following the Battle of the Alamo. Thieriot’s Hays is young, driven, and already proving himself as a fearless fighter and a natural leader. He brings a grounded authenticity to the role, portraying Hays with a blend of youthful energy and steely resolve.
While many of the older characters in Texas Rising are seasoned warriors, Thieriot’s arc focuses on a man who’s quickly learning what it takes to survive and command in brutal conditions. Texas Rising received multiple Emmy nominations and stood out for its sweeping cinematography, ambitious storytelling, and powerful ensemble. Thieriot holds his own among the all-star cast, delivering a performance that blends historical gravitas with emotional depth. It’s one of the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows for fans of epic storytelling and frontier grit.
3. SEAL Team (2017-2022)
Max Thieriot Plays Clay Spenser
As Navy SEAL Clay Spenser on CBS’s SEAL Team, Max Thieriot proved he could lead in a high-stakes, emotionally driven military drama. Created by Benjamin Cavell, SEAL Team dives into the lives of the elite Bravo Team, balancing adrenaline-fueled missions with the personal struggles of soldiers trying to maintain normal lives. Thieriot joined the show in season 1 and stayed through season 6, delivering one of his most beloved performances to date. Clay begins as a rookie determined to prove himself, and over time, Max Thieriot charts his transformation into a respected warrior and teammate.
What makes Max Thieriot’s SEAL Team performance so compelling is the emotional vulnerability he brings to Clay. Whether he’s in the middle of an explosive firefight or delivering quiet, soul-searching monologs, Thieriot channels raw honesty in every scene. SEAL Team became a hit for its mix of military action and personal drama, and Thieriot’s performance earned him critical praise and a fiercely loyal fan base. Sharing the screen with David Boreanaz and Neil Brown Jr., Thieriot was a standout in an already strong cast. It’s easily one of the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows, especially for fans who like their drama with a side of real-world stakes.
2. Bates Motel (2013-2017)
Max Thieriot Plays Dylan Massett
Before Fire Country, before SEAL Team, Max Thieriot was already making waves in one of TV’s most chilling dramas. In Bates Motel, the contemporary prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Thierot plays Dylan Massett, the half-brother of a young Norman Bates. Dylan starts off as a rebellious outsider but becomes a key emotional anchor as the Bates family spirals into dysfunction and madness. Thieriot masterfully portrays Dylan’s journey from angsty misfit to fiercely protective brother and complex antihero.
Max Thieriot’s scenes with Vera Farmiga (Norma) and Freddie Highmore (Norman) are among the Bates Motel’s most emotionally charged, as Dylan desperately tries to save a family that may be beyond repair. The show was praised for its writing, psychological intensity, and stellar cast, and Thieriot was a huge part of its success. He never overplays the drama – instead, he grounds Dylan in realism, which makes the more twisted elements of the show hit even harder. It’s a gripping, unforgettable performance that ensures Bates Motel will always be considered one of the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows.
1. Fire Country (2022-Present)
Max Thieriot Plays Bode Leone
Max Thierot didn’t just star in Fire Country – he co-created it. This CBS hit, developed alongside Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, follows Bode Leone, a convict who joins a firefighting program in Northern California hoping to redeem himself and shave time off his sentence. Thieriot not only headlines the show playing Bode, but also infuses it with authenticity, drawing inspiration from his own upbringing in fire-prone North California. As Bode, Thierot delivers one of his most emotionally charged performances yet. He’s a man wrestling with guilt, trauma, and the constant need to prove himself – to his family, his crew, and himself.
Whether he’s navigating dangerous blazes or unresolved personal drama, Max Thieriot gives Bode a layered humanity that keeps audiences hooked. What makes Fire Country so standout is its mix of pulse-pounding action and deeply personal storytelling. The cast – including Billy Burke, Kevin Alejandro, and Diane Farr – is top-tier, but Thierot is the heart of the series. With its strong ratings and fan devotion, Fire Country doesn’t just earn a spot – it undisputedly takes the top spot among the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows.
