Hilarious John Cena movies to watch on OTT before Jackpot!

It’s impossible that comedy fans aren’t aware of John Cena’s next rollercoaster of laughs, Jackpot! which drops on Amazon Prime Video on August 15, 2024. The film’s set in the near future where California introduces a high-stakes “Grand Lottery” with a deadly twist: to claim the multi-billion dollar jackpot, you must eliminate the winner before sundown. The film stars Cena as the man who tasks himself with protecting Awkwafina’s character from potentially being killed in the most creative fashion possible by a city full of accidental assassins. This chaotic adventure is set to be a hilarious ride and will showcase Cena’s ability to lead a comedy with his unique charm and irreverent wit.Cena’s journey from WWE superstar to Hollywood comedy icon is a testament to his talent and versatility. His onscreen turns have not only entertained audiences but also proven his ability to adapt and excel in a variety of comedic styles. So before you watch Jackpot!, here are a few films to binge on that trace Cena’s evolution as Hollywood’s favourite funny man.

Trainwreck (2015)

John Cena’s foray into comedy began with Trainwreck, where he played Steven, the hapless boyfriend to Amy Schumer's character. Though his role was not central to the plot, Cena managed to showcase his comedic timing. His portrayal was a mix of physical comedy and awkward charm, laying the groundwork for his future roles and proving that he could bring humour and heart to the big screen. Trainwreck is available to stream on Netflix.

Blockers (2018)

In Blockers, Cena took on a more significant comedic role as Mitchell, a dad determined to prevent his daughter and her friends from losing their virginity on prom night. Cena managed to deliver a dozen dad jokes with a sharp poker face and his performance was deemed both hilarious and heartfelt. He also proved that he can balance over-the-top humour with genuine emotion. This film was a critical moment in Cena’s career, illustrating his ability to handle more complex comedic roles and setting the stage for a whole new career. Blockers is available to stream on Jio Cinema.

Playing with Fire (2019)

Playing with Fire cast Cena as Jake Carson, a fireman who finds himself in over his head when he has to babysit three wild children. The film is a family-friendly romp that allowed Cena to showcase his talent for physical comedy and his ability to connect with younger audiences. The film also stars Keegan-Michael Key (of Key & Peele fame) and John Leguizamo. Playing with Fire is available to stream on Netflix.

Vacation Friends (2021)

Next up, we have Vacation Friends, a film where Cena really got to shine and demonstrate his comedy chops. He plays Ron, an eccentric and wildly entertaining man who, along with his wife, disrupts the life of a couple they encounter during a vacation. Now, ‘disrupt’ would be putting it mildly and how! Cena delivers outrageous humour and showcased his ability to bring energy and hilarity in equal measure. His performance was a high point of the film, proving his knack for both physical comedy and pulling off outlandish characters with inimitable conviction. The popularity of the film led to Vacation Friends 2 (2024), the sequel where Cena returns as Ron, continuing the misadventures of his character. The film amplifies the humour and chaos from the first installment and Cena’s comedic presence is what elevates the film from just another madcap comedy. This sequel cemented Cena’s status as a comedy star who can lift a film on his own. Both films are available to stream on Disney+Hotstar.

Ricky Stanicky (2024)

Now, if you loved Vacation Friends, Ricky Stanicky packs the same oddball humour and hilarious antics that will blow your brains out. The film revolves around a group of friends who create a fictional character called Ricky Stanicky only to pull him in as an alibi when they need to slip out of sticky situations. But when things take an unexpected turn, they must hire a struggling stripper and sideshow performer to play this fictional character. Needless to say, Cena’s character steps up to the job as this unwitting hero and adds a comedic twist on the classic “wrong man” trope. The film’s packed with unexpected and hilarious situations and Cena’s Stanicky is a riot to remember. Ricky Stanicky is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Well that's all we got for this episode, until the next one it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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Written by Kunal Guha