The fourth and final season of Prime Video’s Jack Ryan series came to a close on July 14, marking the end of John Krasinski’s run as the titular fictional character.
The Jack Ryan show has been wildly popular on Amazon’s streaming service, but it’s not the first time that Tom Clancy’s literary character has been portrayed in film or television.
Ryan is a C.I.A. analyst that is frequently thrust into field work — and more — due to various plots against the government that threaten to destabilize world politics and safety.
Before Amazon picked up the show, Ryan had been the lead character in four feature films played by some very top-notch actors. Let’s rank who has been the best Jack Ryan in honor of the finale.
5
Alec Baldwin (The Hunt for Red October)
Don’t get me wrong: Alec Baldwin isn’t a bad Jack Ryan. It just feels like we’re watching Alec Baldwin give briefings and wear really thick, chunky turtleneck sweaters.
The Hunt for Red October is fantastic, though.
4
Chris Pine (Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit)
This movie was probably my least favorite, but still entertaining. Pine, however, is a delight. He was believable in the “but I’m just an analyst” phase, and they give you a little more of his Marine Corps background that hits home how he is able to fight off a large assassin in his hotel bathroom.
3
Ben Affleck (Sum of All Fears)
I won’t lie to you. I almost put Ben Affleck in the No. 2 spot. He does really well in the hesitant analyst role when he’s thrust into the field, and Affleck benefits from a movie that is strong and actually has massive ramifications midway through (if you haven’t seen it, watch it).
Enough star power without feeling like you’re just watching Ben Affleck.
2
John Krasinski (Jack Ryan)
It could not have been closer at the top between Krasinski and the next guy. When “Jim from The Office” was cast in this role, I didn’t think it was a great fit. Instead, we got four seasons of honestly pretty great television from a really believable Jack Ryan.
Krasinski perfects that balance of analyst turned agent, and you believe that he could more than carry himself in both a brief and a fight.
1
Harrison Ford (Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games)
I mean, come on. Harrison Ford had two movies to really build his version of Jack Ryan, so really everyone except Krasinski is at a pretty big disadvantage. He is really close to being too big of a star to believe as the character, but dang it if Ford isn’t fantastic.
He really hits home the “boy scout” and morality side of Jack Ryan, and I mean that in a positive way.
