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From Dojo To Drama: Tanner Buchanan’s 15 Must-Watch Movies And TV Shows (Latest Updates 2026)

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Tanner Buchanan has cemented his status as a versatile young actor in Hollywood, seamlessly transitioning between intense martial arts dramas, political thrillers, and lighthearted romantic comedies. While he is globally recognized for his complex portrayal of Robby Keene in the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai, his career trajectory in the last few years—including the 2024 Prime Video release of How to Date Billy Walsh and a major 2026 horror project—demonstrates his commitment to diverse roles. This article, updated in late , provides a deep dive into his complete filmography, highlighting the essential movies and TV shows that define his journey from a child actor to a leading man.

The actor’s ability to bring depth to troubled characters, whether as the estranged son of Johnny Lawrence or a political first son, makes his filmography a fascinating study in dramatic range. Beyond the dojo, Buchanan has proven his commercial appeal in the rom-com genre, ensuring his name remains at the forefront of must-watch lists for fans everywhere.

Tanner Buchanan: Complete Biography and Profile

Tanner Emmanuel Buchanan is an American actor best known for his leading roles in major television and film productions. His career began in the early 2010s, quickly establishing him as a prominent young talent.

  • Full Name: Tanner Emmanuel Buchanan
  • Date of Birth: December 8, 1998
  • Place of Birth: Lima, Ohio, USA
  • Occupation: Actor, Dancer, Model
  • Years Active: 2010–Present
  • Breakthrough Role (TV): Leo Kirkman in Designated Survivor (2016–2019)
  • Most Famous Role: Robby Keene in Cobra Kai (2018–Present)
  • Notable Film Role: Cameron Kweller in He's All That (2021)
  • Early Career: Began pursuing acting at age nine, moving with his family to Los Angeles.
  • Skills: Trained in martial arts, which he utilized extensively for his role in Cobra Kai.

The Cobra Kai Phenomenon and Defining TV Roles

Tanner Buchanan’s television career is marked by several long-running and critically acclaimed roles that showcase his ability to handle complex emotional narratives. His work in TV has been crucial in building his global fanbase and topical authority in the drama and action genres.

Robby Keene: The Arc of Redemption in Cobra Kai (2018–Present)

The role of Robby Keene is arguably the most pivotal of Buchanan’s career, transforming him into an international star. As the son of original Karate Kid antagonist Johnny Lawrence, Robby's character arc is one of constant internal conflict, bouncing between the teachings of Miyagi-Do Karate and the aggressive philosophy of the Cobra Kai dojo.

Buchanan masterfully portrays Robby’s descent and eventual path to redemption, dealing with themes of abandonment, mentorship, and generational trauma. His performance, particularly in the later seasons, has been praised for adding emotional weight to the action-packed series.

  • Role: Robby Keene
  • Genre: Action, Comedy-Drama, Martial Arts
  • Platform: YouTube Red (Season 1–2), Netflix (Season 3–6)
  • LSI Entity: Johnny Lawrence's estranged son, Miyagi-Do vs. Cobra Kai rivalry, school brawl sequence, martial arts training.

Leo Kirkman: The Political Drama of Designated Survivor (2016–2019)

Before his martial arts fame, Buchanan was a regular on the ABC political conspiracy drama Designated Survivor, starring Kiefer Sutherland. His role as Leo Kirkman, the rebellious and troubled son of the newly appointed President Tom Kirkman, showcased his dramatic chops in a high-stakes setting.

This role allowed him to explore the pressures of living under a microscope, demonstrating a range that extended far beyond teen drama and into serious political thriller territory.

Key Early and Guest Appearances

Buchanan’s early career is a treasure trove of appearances in popular network shows, which are key to understanding his development as an actor:

  • Fuller House (2016–2018): He played Chad Brad Bradley, a recurring character that brought a touch of teen comedy to the sitcom revival.
  • The Fosters (2016): He held a significant recurring role as Jack Speer, a vulnerable and abused foster child, which was a deeply dramatic and impactful storyline.
  • Game Shakers (2015–2019): His role as Mason Kendall was a fan favorite in the Nickelodeon comedy series.
  • Guest Roles: He also had notable guest spots on major shows like Grey's Anatomy, The Goldbergs, and Girl Meets World, proving his versatility across different genres early on.

From Netflix Rom-Coms to 2026 Horror: Tanner’s Diverse Film Career

Buchanan has strategically chosen film roles that contrast sharply with his intense TV work, particularly leveraging his appeal in the young adult and romantic comedy space, while also looking ahead to darker, genre-specific projects.

The Rom-Com Heartthrob Era: He's All That (2021) and How to Date Billy Walsh (2024)

Tanner Buchanan successfully transitioned to the big screen (or, more accurately, the major streaming screen) with two defining rom-com roles, demonstrating his leading man potential.

1. How to Date Billy Walsh (2024) - Prime Video

This British teen romantic comedy, released on Prime Video on April 5, 2024, is one of Buchanan’s most recent major projects. He stars as the titular Billy Walsh, a new American transfer student who quickly becomes the school heartthrob, much to the chagrin of Archie, who is secretly in love with his best friend Amelia. The film is a classic love triangle, allowing Buchanan to play the charming, yet potentially oblivious, romantic lead.

  • Role: Billy Walsh
  • Genre: Teen Romantic Comedy, British Rom-Com
  • LSI Entity: Prime Video teen romance, Charithra Chandran, Sebastian Croft, love triangle trope.

2. He's All That (2021) - Netflix

As the male lead Cameron Kweller in the gender-swapped remake of the classic 1999 film She’s All That, Buchanan proved his mainstream appeal. The film was a massive commercial success for Netflix, with Buchanan playing the role of the unpopular art student who undergoes a makeover, reversing the original film’s premise. This project solidified his status as a bankable star outside of the Karate Kid universe.

Genre Exploration and Upcoming Projects

Buchanan’s filmography is not limited to mainstream blockbusters. He has actively pursued roles in independent films and genre projects, indicating a desire to stretch his acting muscles.

3. Hide and Don't Speak (Upcoming - Filming Q1 2026)

Looking ahead, one of Buchanan’s most anticipated projects is the supernatural horror film Hide and Don't Speak. This marks a significant pivot to the horror genre. The film, which is scheduled to begin filming in Q1 2026, is set to be a major shift from his previous work, showcasing his readiness to take on darker, more intense material.

  • Role: TBA (Lead)
  • Genre: Supernatural Horror Film
  • LSI Entity: Horror movie debut, supernatural thriller, 2026 film slate.

4. The Hyperions (2022)

In this superhero action-comedy, Buchanan plays Apollo, a member of a dysfunctional family of retired superheroes. Released in 2022, the film is a quirky, independent project that demonstrates his willingness to explore the indie sci-fi and action space.

5. Chance (2019)

A sports drama centered on a talented baseball player, Chance allowed Buchanan to explore a more grounded, emotional role focused on personal struggle and faith.

List of Tanner Buchanan's Essential Movies and TV Shows

For fans looking to explore the full breadth of his work, here is a comprehensive list of Tanner Buchanan’s most essential and notable appearances, spanning over a decade of acting:

  1. Cobra Kai (TV Series, 2018–Present): Robby Keene
  2. Designated Survivor (TV Series, 2016–2019): Leo Kirkman
  3. How to Date Billy Walsh (Film, 2024): Billy Walsh
  4. He's All That (Film, 2021): Cameron Kweller
  5. Hide and Don't Speak (Film, Upcoming 2026): TBA
  6. The Hyperions (Film, 2022): Apollo
  7. Fuller House (TV Series, 2016–2018): Chad Brad Bradley
  8. The Fosters (TV Series, 2016): Jack Speer
  9. Game Shakers (TV Series, 2015–2019): Mason Kendall
  10. Chance (Film, 2019): Colton
  11. Painted Beauty (Film, 2021): Young Peter
  12. Star Wars: Visions (TV Series, 2021): Arluu (Voice Role)
  13. The Goldbergs (TV Series, 2013): Evan Turner
  14. Grey's Anatomy (TV Series, 2013): Lucas
  15. Girl Meets World (TV Series, 2015): Charlie Gardner
tanner buchanan movies and tv shows
tanner buchanan movies and tv shows

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