Kevin Hart and The Rock movies have entertained audiences with a combination of high-energy comedy, action-packed adventures, unexpected character transformations, and memorable on-screen rivalries. Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson have established a recognizable Hollywood partnership through films such as Central Intelligence, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level, and DC League of Super-Pets. Their different comedic styles have helped them create entertaining stories for audiences who enjoy both action and humor.
Their partnership is preparing for another major moment with Jumanji: Open World, scheduled to arrive in U.S. theaters on December 25, 2026. The upcoming film reunites familiar cast members while introducing a new challenge that takes the franchise beyond its traditional video-game setting. From their first major collaboration to their next holiday adventure, the actors’ shared filmography demonstrates how a successful screen partnership can work across several genres.
How Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson Built Their Movie Partnership
Kevin Hart became widely recognized for his energetic stand-up comedy, expressive delivery, and ability to turn everyday situations into humorous stories. Dwayne Johnson, formerly known as a professional wrestling superstar, developed a successful film career through action movies, family adventures, and comedy.
Their contrasting strengths created an opportunity for a distinctive partnership. Johnson often plays confident characters who appear capable of overcoming almost any obstacle, while Hart frequently portrays characters who react to extraordinary situations with rapid dialogue, nervous humor, and determination.
Instead of relying on the same formula in every movie, their collaborations place this dynamic in different environments. They have worked together in spy comedies, fantasy adventures, action-franchise stories, and animated superhero entertainment.
Their most recognizable shared project remains the modern Jumanji series, where their performances contribute to an ensemble that combines adventure, comedy, and fantasy.
1. Central Intelligence (2016): The Movie That Established Their Chemistry
Genre: Action comedy
Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber
Central Intelligence introduced Hart and Johnson as leading partners in a story built around an unexpected reunion between former high school classmates.
Johnson plays Bob Stone, a former student who has transformed himself into a highly capable CIA operative. Hart portrays Calvin Joyner, an accountant whose adult life looks considerably more ordinary than the future he imagined during his school years.
When Bob reconnects with Calvin, their meeting quickly becomes complicated. Calvin finds himself caught in a dangerous mission involving espionage, suspicious characters, and a situation that is far removed from his professional experience.
The film draws much of its humor from the contrast between the two men. Bob approaches danger with remarkable confidence, while Calvin struggles to understand why an old acquaintance has suddenly brought chaos into his life.
Why audiences remember it
The movie gives both actors room to demonstrate their strengths. Johnson combines physical action with a playful performance, while Hart uses quick reactions and verbal exchanges to create a believable comedic partnership.
The story also explores identity and personal growth. Bob’s transformation challenges Calvin’s assumptions about their school years, while Calvin must reconsider his own confidence and abilities.
For viewers discovering the pair’s movies, Central Intelligence remains a strong starting point because it introduces their chemistry without requiring knowledge of a larger franchise.
2. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017): A Fantasy Adventure That Became a Franchise Favorite
Genre: Fantasy, adventure, and comedy
Director: Jake Kasdan
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle introduced a new generation to the franchise through a video-game premise. Four teenagers discover an old console and find themselves transported into a virtual world, where they must survive as characters with different abilities and appearances.
Johnson plays Dr. Smolder Bravestone, a powerful adventurer who serves as the avatar for Spencer Gilpin. Hart plays Franklin “Mouse” Finbar, a zoologist and weapons specialist associated with Spencer’s friend Anthony “Fridge” Johnson.
The characters’ new appearances create an immediate source of comedy. Fridge, who is tall and athletic in real life, becomes a much shorter avatar. Hart uses this contrast to deliver some of the film’s funniest exchanges.
Bravestone provides the opposite personality. He is strong, confident, and seemingly prepared for every danger the game can produce. The difference between his heroic image and the teenager controlling him creates additional humor.
The film’s lasting appeal
The adventure includes dangerous animals, puzzles, jungle environments, and challenges that require the group to cooperate. Jack Black and Karen Gillan also contribute to the ensemble, helping the story move beyond a simple two-person comedy.
The movie explores friendship, self-confidence, and the difference between physical appearance and personality. Its mixture of adventure and humor helped establish Jumanji as the franchise most closely associated with Hart and Johnson’s partnership.
3. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019): Kevin Hart’s Surprise Appearance
Genre: Action and adventure
Director: David Leitch
Although Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw is primarily an action movie, it deserves a place in a list of the actors’ shared screen appearances.
Johnson returns as Luke Hobbs, a government operative who joins forces with Deckard Shaw, played by Jason Statham. Their mission involves a dangerous adversary, advanced technology, and a threat that demands extraordinary measures.
Hart appears briefly as Air Marshal Dinkley. His role provides a comedic interruption during the action-driven story, but he is not a leading member of the cast.
The film also features Idris Elba and Vanessa Kirby, adding further action and suspense to the adventure.
Is this a full collaboration?
Not in the same way as Central Intelligence or the Jumanji movies. Johnson carries a major role, while Hart makes a brief cameo.
Nevertheless, the appearance is relevant for viewers tracking their shared movie history. It also illustrates how their existing screen partnership can extend into a franchise where Hart is not one of the principal stars.
4. Jumanji: The Next Level (2019): New Characters, More Comedy
Genre: Action, fantasy, and comedy
Director: Jake Kasdan
Following the success of Welcome to the Jungle, the cast reunited for Jumanji: The Next Level. The sequel brings back the familiar characters but introduces unexpected changes that make the game more difficult to navigate.
When Spencer returns to Jumanji, his friends follow him into the virtual world. However, the game’s unpredictable behavior changes their circumstances and creates new challenges.
Johnson reprises Bravestone, while Hart returns as Finbar. Their performances become particularly entertaining when the characters are influenced by personalities different from those associated with their usual avatars.
Hart incorporates mannerisms associated with Danny Glover’s Eddie, while Johnson adjusts his performance to reflect Danny DeVito’s character. The changes allow both actors to explore different comic styles.
What separates the sequel from the original?
The sequel expands the adventure while maintaining the central themes of cooperation and personal growth. Its character changes also prevent the story from relying entirely on the first film’s jokes.
For fans, watching the two Jumanji movies in sequence provides a clearer understanding of how the characters develop and how Hart and Johnson adapt their performances to the franchise’s changing situations.
5. DC League of Super-Pets (2022): The Duo Enters the Animated Superhero World
Genre: Animated superhero comedy
Director: Jared Stern
DC League of Super-Pets gave Hart and Johnson an opportunity to work together in animation. Rather than appearing as live-action characters, they provide the voices of two superpowered animals.
Johnson voices Krypto the Super-Dog, Superman’s loyal companion. Hart voices Ace, a shelter dog who becomes part of Krypto’s team.
When Superman and other members of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must work with a group of animals that have acquired extraordinary abilities. Together, they attempt to rescue the superheroes and learn how to use their powers effectively.
Why the animated format works
The movie preserves the contrast that audiences recognize from the actors’ live-action collaborations. Krypto is powerful and confident, while Ace brings a different personality and comedic energy to the group.
The story also focuses on loyalty, friendship, and teamwork. These themes make the film accessible to younger viewers while providing superhero action for audiences familiar with DC characters.
It is a useful choice for families looking for a different kind of Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson collaboration.
6. Jumanji: Open World (2026): Their Next Major Movie Together
Genre: Fantasy adventure and comedy
Director: Jake Kasdan
U.S. theatrical release: December 25, 2026
The upcoming Jumanji: Open World is the next major collaboration between Hart and Johnson. The film is scheduled for release in U.S. theaters on Christmas Day 2026.
Johnson and Hart return alongside Jack Black and Karen Gillan. Other returning cast members include Alex Wolff, Madison Iseman, Morgan Turner, Ser’Darius Blain, Rhys Darby, Nick Jonas, and Danny DeVito.
What Is Jumanji: Open World About?
The previous movies transported their characters into a dangerous video-game environment. This time, the central problem changes: Jumanji escapes its console and brings its chaos into the real world.
The new premise creates opportunities for the franchise to combine its familiar fantasy elements with recognizable everyday environments. Characters who previously had to survive inside the game must now confront the consequences of the game entering their world.
Johnson returns as Dr. Smolder Bravestone, while Hart reprises Franklin “Mouse” Finbar. Their established roles give the new story continuity with the earlier films.
Why the 2026 Release Matters
The returning cast is a major attraction for longtime viewers. Johnson and Hart have developed a recognizable comedic partnership, while Black and Gillan help preserve the ensemble dynamic that made the previous installments popular.
The new setting also offers a different direction for the franchise. Instead of repeating the same video-game survival scenario, the story introduces a conflict that brings Jumanji’s dangers closer to ordinary life.
As of the latest official information, the film remains scheduled for December 25, 2026, in U.S. theaters. Release plans can change, but the announced date makes the movie an important holiday title for fans of the series.
Kevin Hart and The Rock Movies Ranked by Release Order
The following list makes it easy to identify the actors’ released collaborations and their next scheduled reunion.
| Movie | Release year | Kevin Hart’s character | Dwayne Johnson’s character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Intelligence | 2016 | Calvin Joyner | Bob Stone |
| Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle | 2017 | Franklin “Mouse” Finbar | Dr. Smolder Bravestone |
| Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw | 2019 | Air Marshal Dinkley, cameo | Luke Hobbs |
| Jumanji: The Next Level | 2019 | Franklin “Mouse” Finbar | Dr. Smolder Bravestone |
| DC League of Super-Pets | 2022 | Ace, voice | Krypto, voice |
| Jumanji: Open World | 2026 | Franklin “Mouse” Finbar | Dr. Smolder Bravestone |
Jumanji: Open World is an upcoming film as of October 18, 2026.
Which Movie Should You Watch First?
The best choice depends on the type of entertainment you prefer.
- For action comedy: Start with Central Intelligence to see the actors establish their screen partnership.
- For fantasy adventure: Choose Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle for its imaginative setting and ensemble cast.
- For a sequel: Watch Jumanji: The Next Level after the 2017 film.
- For family entertainment: Select DC League of Super-Pets for its animated superhero story.
- For an action franchise: Watch Hobbs & Shaw for Johnson’s leading role and Hart’s brief appearance.
- For their upcoming reunion: Keep an eye on Jumanji: Open World, scheduled for December 25, 2026.
A viewing order that begins with Central Intelligence and continues through the two Jumanji films provides a strong introduction to their partnership.
Why Their On-Screen Partnership Continues to Attract Fans
One reason the duo remains recognizable is that their characters rarely have identical approaches to a problem. Johnson often provides physical confidence and action-oriented performances, while Hart contributes fast dialogue and expressive comedy.
Their films also move between different genres. The spy setting of Central Intelligence differs considerably from the fantasy world of Jumanji, while DC League of Super-Pets demonstrates how their partnership can work through voice acting.
The characters’ relationships are another important factor. They frequently have to overcome misunderstandings, cooperate under pressure, and discover that their different strengths are valuable. These storylines give the comedy a foundation beyond jokes and action sequences.
With Jumanji: Open World scheduled for the 2026 holiday season, their partnership remains a recognizable part of contemporary action-comedy entertainment.
Final Thoughts
Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson have created a varied collection of movies that combines humor, adventure, action, and family entertainment. Central Intelligence introduced their leading-man chemistry, the Jumanji films developed it into a successful franchise partnership, and DC League of Super-Pets brought their performances into animation.
Their next major collaboration, Jumanji: Open World, is scheduled to arrive in U.S. theaters on December 25, 2026. Its new premise and returning cast give longtime fans another adventure to anticipate.
Which movie featuring Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson is your favorite? Share your choice in the comments and stay tuned for more entertainment updates!