Over the past few years, Steven Yeun has become one of the most popular and in-demand actors currently working. The Korean-American actor first gained recognition thanks to his role as Glenn Rhee on the hit zombie show The Walking Dead, and his career has only gone uphill from there. Yeun is now an accomplished actor who has starred in independent films, unique blockbusters, animated programs, and award-winning series.
Steven Yeun isn’t slowing down as he has more projects in the works, including sci-fi films like Love Me and Mickey 17. Fans familiar with his work or people who want to check out more of his resume have a plethora of acclaimed movies and TV shows to choose from. From animated series like Invincible and Voltron: Legendary Defender to ambitious films like Okja and Nope, these are the best movies and TV shows starring Steven Yeun.
10 Audiences Were Surprised by the Weirdness of Sorry to Bother You
Sorry to Bother You
In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success, propelling him into a universe of greed.
- Director
- Boots Riley
- Release Date
- July 13, 2018
- Cast
- LaKeith Stanfield , Tessa Thompson , Jermaine Fowler , Omari Hardwick , Terry Crews
- Runtime
- 1 hour 52 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 6.9
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
- Rent on Prime Video
As the feature film debut of director Boots Riley, Sorry to Bother You mixes themes of class with surrealist elements to create a story that has to be seen to be believed. LaKeith Stanfield stars as Cassius Green, a telemarketer living in an alternate version of Oakland, California. To climb up the corporate ladder, Cassius uses a “white voice” to connect with his customers. However, when his friends and co-workers organize a protest against corporations, Cassius must decide which side he’s on.
Along with Stanfield and a solid cast – including Tessa Thompson, Jermaine Fowler, and Danny Glover – Steven Yeun has a small role as Cassius’ co-worker Squeeze. Squeeze may not be in the film as long as the other main characters, but he still fights for a good cause and wants Cassius to be at his side after the protagonist falls deeper into some shady business. At first, Sorry to Bother You is a film that tackles capitalism, but it gets increasingly more bizarre, complete with a jaw-dropping midway twist that is best to experience without being spoiled.
9 Tuca & Bertie Ended Too Soon
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From BoJack Horseman to Futurama, some hilarious animated sitcoms have become pop cultural staples, thanks to clever writing and great characters.
- IMDB Rating: 7.4
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
- Watch on Netflix and MAX
Steven Yeun has gained several voice-acting credits across his career, with the adult-animated show Tuca & Bertie being one of them. Starring Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong, the series centers on the friendship between two anthropomorphic female birds who live in the same apartment in Bird Town. Their relationship gets tested when Bertie moves in with Speckle, causing Tuca to move upstairs from them.
Tuca & Bertie blends its comedic gags and colorful animation with realistic themes of friendship and adult anxiety. Haddish and Wong share great chemistry as the two characters, delivering sharp humor in every episode. Yeun also does splendid voice work as Speckle, a respectful supporting character that works well with the outlandish duo. Even with its critical acclaim, Tuca & Bertie had a short life span, only lasting three seasons. Still, Yeun and Wong would later work together again in Netflix’s hit miniseries Beef.
8 Burning is a Slow But Intriguing Watch
Burning
Jong-su bumps into a girl who used to live in the same neighborhood, who asks him to look after her cat while she’s on a trip to Africa. When back, she introduces Ben, a mysterious guy she met there, who confesses his secret hobby.
- Director
- Chang-dong Lee
- Release Date
- May 17, 2018
- Cast
- Ah In Yoo , Steven Yeun , Jong-seo Jeon , Soo-Kyung Kim
- Runtime
- 148 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
- Watch on Netflix and Peacock
The Korean-Japanese film Burning follows a young delivery man named Jong-su as he reconnects with his childhood friend Hae-mi. After meeting up with each other, Hae-mi takes a trip to Africa and meets an intriguing young man named Ben, who she introduces to Jong-su. However, Jong-su grows highly suspicious of Ben and his strange hobbies, leading to him believing that Hae-mi might be in danger.
With its long runtime, Burning takes its time laying out its story, but those willing to stick around will be left with an impactful psychological drama. Steven Yeun’s involvement makes the film more intense and better as a whole. He plays Ben with such ambiguity and mystery that it will have viewers guessing his intentions. Burning received tons of acclaim and was regarded as one of the best films of 2018, but considering how popular Yeun has become, not many people know of this film’s existence.
7 Okja Blends Tragic Themes With Glimmers of Hope
Okja
A young girl risks everything to prevent a powerful, multinational company from kidnapping her best friend – a fascinating beast named Okja.
- Director
- Bong Joon Ho
- Release Date
- June 28, 2017
- Cast
- Tilda Swinton , Paul Dano , Seo-Hyun Ahn , Jake Gyllenhaal
- Runtime
- 120 minutes
- Main Genre
- Adventure
- IMDB Rating: 7.3
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
- Watch on Netflix
Bong Joon-Ho earned plenty of deserved recognition for his Oscar-winning film Parasite, and fans of the film have been checking out the director’s previous work, including Netflix’s Okja. The titular creature is a genetically modified pig who is cared for by Mija, a young girl from South Korea. When a powerful multinational company takes Okja away to New York, Mija goes on a high-stakes journey to get her friend back.
While traveling across the world, Mija meets an animal rights activist group called the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), and one member is played by Steven Yeun. Much like Squeeze in Sorry to Bother You, Yeun plays K, who is fighting for a good cause and wants to help Mija with her mission. Yeun also shares several scenes with Paul Dano, who puts in an equally sympathetic performance as ALF leader Jay. A well-paced adventure and awareness message about animal rights, Okja will be hard for some people to stomach, but its central themes are powerful enough to make an impact.
6 The Walking Dead Was Steven Yeun’s Big Break
The Walking Dead
Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma to learn the world is in ruins and must lead a group of survivors to stay alive.
- Release Date
- October 31, 2010
- Cast
- Andrew Lincoln , Norman Reedus , Melissa McBride , Lauren Cohan , Christian Serratos , josh mcdermitt , Danai Gurira , Seth Gilliam
- Seasons
- 11
- Creator
- Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Tony Moore
- Streaming Service(s)
- AMC+ , Netflix
10 Best Post-Apocalyptic TV Shows of All Time
The post-apocalyptic genre is one of the most popular genre is recent years. There are countless shows that are amazing and well worth watching.
- IMDB Rating: 8.1
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
- Watch on Netflix
In 2010, the world was introduced to the zombie phenomenon The Walking Dead, based on Robert Kirkman’s comic book series. Across its eleven seasons, the show followed a survivor group as they searched for safety in a gritty and bleak post-apocalyptic wasteland populated by zombies. Together, the survivors face off against armies of the undead and human villains who are just as deadly.
The Walking Dead had an enormous ensemble cast, with many people joining the show and leaving it to pursue more projects. For Steven Yeun, The Walking Dead was the series that started his rise in popularity. Yeun plays Glenn Rhee, a reliable member of the Alexandria survivor group and romantic partner to Maggie Greene. Glenn is hesitant about killing people and has narrowly escaped death a few times, which always leaves fans nervous about his fate. Glenn was such a beloved character that his controversial death in Season 7 caused many fans to stop watching the show. Since exiting The Walking Dead, Yeun has gone on to do greater things.
5 Voltron Found New Fans With Legendary Defender
Voltron: Legendary Defender
Five teenagers become the last line of defense for the galaxy in an intergalactic battle against the evil alien force led by King Zarkon.
- Release Date
- June 10, 2016
- Cast
- Jeremy Shada , Bex Taylor-Klaus , Tyler Labine , Kimberly Brooks
- Seasons
- 8
- Creator
- Lauren Montgomery, Joaquim Dos Santos, Tim Hedrick
- Production Company
- DreamWorks Animation Television, DreamWorks Animation, World Events Productions
- IMDB Rating: 8.1
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
- Watch on Netflix
Voltron is a franchise that first debuted in the 1980s and has maintained its popularity over the years. Netflix’s Voltron: Legendary Defender was one of the franchise’s best series as it appealed to old fans and brought in new ones. The show follows an unlikely group of five teenagers who are chosen to pilot mechanical lions who make up the giant robot Voltron. Together, the Voltron pilots save the world from intergalactic threats.
Like the best entries in the Voltron franchise, Legendary Defender is full of the same stunning action, colorful animation, and likable characters for viewers to be interested in. Steven Yeun voices Keith, the hotheaded teenager who also acts as the Black Paladin of the Voltron team. While Keith has a rebellious attitude and chooses to be a lone wolf sometimes, he still respects his teammates. He has great friendships with other characters, especially Lance and Allura. Voltron: Legendary Defender managed to last for eight seasons, proving that the fanbase is still thriving.
4 Nope is Jordan Peele’s Biggest Film Yet
Nope
The residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.
- Release Date
- July 18, 2022
- Cast
- Daniel Kaluuya , Keke Palmer , Brandon Perea , Steven Yeun , Michael Wincott , Keith David
- Runtime
- 2 hours 10 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 6.8
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
- Watch on Peacock
Jordan Peele has become a defining modern filmmaker with films like Get Out and Us, but 2022’s Nope is his biggest and most ambitious project to date. The film follows sibling duo OJ and Emerald Haywood – played by Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer – as they discover a UFO is hiding in the clouds above their California ranch. Meanwhile, theme park owner Ricky “Jupe” Park – played by Steven Yeun – tries to use this unusual phenomenon as a new profitable attraction.
Nope became one of the most talked-about movies of 2022 and another win in Peele’s filmography. It presented themes of spectacle and the dangers of exposing it by using science fiction and horror elements. While OJ and Emerald are the main characters, the subplot surrounding Jupe is equally interesting. Jupe is a former child star who was involved in a horrifying incident while shooting a TV show and has been traumatized for years. As a way to make more profit for his park, Jupe hopes to use the UFO as an attraction, unaware that it leads to disastrous and terrifying results. Nope is a fascinating and unconventional summer blockbuster worthy of praise and deserves to be analyzed further.
3 Minari Earned Steven Yeun an Oscar Nomination
Minari
A Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. Amidst the challenges of new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.
- Director
- Lee Isaac Chung
- Release Date
- January 26, 2020
- Cast
- Alan Kim , Steven Yeun , Han Ye-ri , Young Yuh-jung
- Runtime
- 1 hour 55 minutes
10 Saddest A24 Movies, Ranked
With movies like The Iron Claw, The Whale, and Moonlight, film studio A24 has made several acclaimed yet heartbreaking films.
- IMDB Rating: 7.4
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
- Watch on Netflix
Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari is a heartbreaking look at how immigrant families are faced with tough challenges when moving to the United States. The film follows a Korean family in the 1980s as they move to Arkansas in hopes of finding the American Dream. While father Jacob and mother Monica argue whether the move was the right decision, their kids David and Anne make the best of their situation with grandmother Soon-ja.
Independent film studio A24 is known for creating some very sad movies and Minari carries a lot of emotion in this journey of a family facing a new chapter in their lives. Steven Yeun plays the father, Jacob, who wants to start growing a garden in hopes of selling his products. Despite his optimism, Jacob faces pushback from his wife Monica, which causes some strain in their marriage and family life. Minari became one of the best films of 2020, earning several Oscar nominations, including Best Actor for Yeun.
2 Invincible is One of the Best Superhero Shows – Animated or Live-Action
Invincible (TV Show)
An adult animated series based on the Skybound/Image comic about a teenager whose father is the most powerful superhero on the planet.
- Release Date
- March 26, 2021
- Cast
- Steven Yeun , J.K. Simmons , Sandra Oh , Zazie Beetz , Grey Griffin , Gillian Jacobs , Walton Goggins , Andrew Rannells , Kevin Michael Richardson
- Main Genre
- Superhero
- Creator
- Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley and Cory Walker
- Writers
- Robert Kirkman
- Streaming Service(s)
- Prime Video
- IMDB Rating: 8.7
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
- Watch on Prime Video
Another show adapted from Robert Kirkman’s work, Amazon Prime’s Invincible features some of Steven Yeun’s best voice acting work. In the animated superhero series, Yeun plays Mark Grayson, a teenager who discovers he has superpowers and dons the superhero alter-ego Invincible. Following in the footsteps of his father, Omni-Man, Mark learns the benefits and challenges of being a superhero while meeting other powerful heroes and villains. However, Mark also finds that his father may not be as heroic as he says.
With all the personal obstacles and dangerous battles Mark has to deal with, the character needs a proper voice actor to portray his complicated mindset. Thankfully, Yeun perfectly pulls off this task by balancing Mark’s human life problems and the responsibility of saving the day as Invincible. While Mark is front and center in Invincible, the show has a ton of other storylines with interesting heroes and villains for viewers to follow. The series never feels overstuffed, providing a lot of stellar character moments and action sequences, and that’s what makes Invincible one of the best superhero shows on television.
1 Steven Yeun Won Multiple Awards For Beef
Beef
Two people let a road rage incident burrow into their minds and slowly consume their every thought and action.
- Release Date
- April 6, 2023
- Cast
- Steven Yeun , Ali Wong , Joseph Lee , Young Mazino
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator
- Lee Sung Jin
- IMDB Rating: 8
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
- Watch on Netflix
In 2023, the miniseries Beef caught many Netflix subscribers off-guard by how incredible and addictive it was. The show centers on strangers Danny Cho and Amy Lau after the two get involved in a road rage incident. After this anger-filled encounter, the two become obsessed with ruining each other’s lives, and their escalating antics lead to a lot of unimaginable chaos.
Both Steven Yeun and Ali Wong deliver two masterful performances as Danny and Amy, two people who let their anger get the better of them. As Danny and Amy’s lives fall apart, viewers can’t help but become hooked on the show and binge through each episode to see what happens next. Beef picked up numerous wins at the Golden Globes, Emmys, and Screen Actor Guild Awards, including multiple for Yeun and Wong’s performances. Considering how many awards he has earned, Beef is a series that will define Steven Yeun’s incredible career.