Ryan Gosling's 12 best films: From Drive to Barbie

Although Gosling had already appeared in a handful of films, it was his turn as Noah in The Notebook that really established him as a bona fide movie star. Of course, you'll need to have the tissues at the ready for this one – the famously weepy romantic drama sees him star as the younger version of an old man as he recounts his love story to his wife who is suffering from dementia.

This film saw Gosling earn his first Academy Award nomination, and for good reason – he's tremendous as a young Brooklyn school teacher who forms a bond with a pupil who discovers his secret drug habit. It's an understated and slow-burning drama, but it packs a real punch as Gosling's character slowly takes the precocious youngster's advice on board and tries to fix his self-destructive ways.

This offbeat comedy from Cruella director Craig Gillespie sees Gosling star as a lonely man who – devoid of genuine companionship – orders a lifestyle mannequin who he pretends is his girlfriend, a delusion which is indulged by his sympathetic family and neighbours. It's a whimsical, rather strange film with another great performance from Gosling at its centre.

Gosling and Michelle Williams are in superb form as a married couple whose relationship is dramatically falling apart in this gripping drama – which can sometimes make for uncomfortable viewing. It follows the pair as they push to repair their deteriorating connection while trying to raise their daughter, with some gut-wrenching results.

The first of three big-screen collaborations between Gosling and Emma Stone, this joyous romcom deserves to be seen as a modern classic of the genre. Gosling plays Jacob Palmer, a young man who encourages his recently divorced new friend Cal (Steve Carell) to pick up women at their local bar, only for things to turn complicated when Jacob embarks on a romantic relationship of his own...

Nicolas Winding Refn's neon-drenched neo-noir thriller has emerged as one of the cult classics of the 21st century – thanks to its sublime aesthetics and pitch-perfect performances. Gosling plays the practically wordless stunt performer turned getaway driver who finds himself trying to protect his new neighbour from an abusive partner – with some violent results.

Gosling reteamed with Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance for this unconventional film that jumps around genres and characters in three distinct chapters. As with Drive, Gosling plays a stunt driver – a motorcyclist this time around – who turns to crime in order to care for his new son, before the focus shifts to the cop on his tail, played by Bradley Cooper.

Gosling is undoubtedly a fine dramatic actor, but he's arguably never more entertaining than when he's utilising his comedic chops – as he does to great effect in Shane Black's terrifically entertaining crime comedy. Gosling stars as a hapless private eye who pairs up with Russell Crowe's violent enforcer to hunt down a missing porn star in '70s LA, with comedic shenanigans ensuing as a result.

Forever remembered as the film that almost won Best Picture, Damien Chazelle's modern ode to classic Hollywood musicals remains a delightful if bittersweet experience from start to finish. Gosling and Oscar-winner Emma Stone are perfect as couple Sebastian and Mia – Gosling even learned piano for the part – and there are numerous showstopping moments, from song and dance numbers to dinner table confrontations.

Few people thought it would be possible to pull of a sequel to sci-fi classic Blade Runner more than 30 years after its release – but Denis Villeneuve proved himself more than up to the task with this intelligent, beuatiful epic. Gosling takes the lead as a stoic replicant named 'K' as he attempts to track down Harrison Ford's legendary LAPD cop Rick Deckard.

Following on from the success of La La Land, Gosling once again joined forces with Damien Chazelle for this accomplished, technically impressive account of Neil Armstrong's famous trip to the moon. A family drama as much as a film about interstellar travel, Gosling is brilliant as the introspective and taciturn astronaut, while there are some dazzling special effects and an excellent theremin-led score.