If you think Johnny Orlando is just another kid who got lucky on YouTube with a few Justin Bieber covers, you’re kinda missing the whole picture. Most people know him for the music—the Juno nominations, the MTV EMA wins, the sold-out tours. But honestly, his run through movies and TV shows is where you actually see the transition from a "social media kid" to a legitimate performer.
It wasn't just a sudden jump into acting. It was a slow burn. He’s been doing voice work since he was basically a child, and if you look at the Johnny Orlando movies and tv shows list, it’s surprisingly deep. He didn't just show up to look pretty on a Brat TV set; he’s been the voice of iconic characters and carried entire digital series on his back.
The Brat TV Era: More Than Just "Total Eclipse"
You can’t talk about Johnny’s acting career without starting with Total Eclipse. This was the peak of the "influencer show" era. He played Sam Parker, and honestly, the chemistry between him and Mackenzie Ziegler was the only reason half the audience tuned in.
People forget that Total Eclipse wasn't just a one-off thing. It ran for five seasons. That’s a massive commitment. Johnny’s character, Sam, was the classic "boy next door" with a bit of a complicated edge, and it allowed him to grow up on screen.
But here’s what most people miss: his character actually crossed over into other shows in the "Brat Universe."
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- Chicken Girls: He popped up as Sam in the episode "Seven Minutes in Heaven."
- Baby Doll Records: Another cameo as Sam, connecting the dots between the different shows.
It was basically a mini-Marvel Cinematic Universe for Gen Z. If you were a fan in 2018, you weren't just watching a show; you were following a character across an entire digital ecosystem. It's easy to dismiss web series, but Total Eclipse was pulling millions of views per episode. It proved Johnny could hold a lead role and keep people coming back for years.
The Voice Acting You Probably Heard But Didn't Realize
This is the part that usually shocks people. Long before he was "Sam" or a pop star, Johnny was a working voice actor.
If you grew up watching Super Why! on PBS Kids, you've heard him. He was the voice of Whyatt Beanstalk (Super Why) in Season 3. Think about that for a second. A massive, educational show that’s a staple for millions of kids, and the lead character was a young Johnny Orlando.
He didn't stop there. He voiced Oliver in the Amazon Original series Wishenpoof! from 2014 to 2019. This wasn't a hobby. He was consistently booking roles while building his music career on the side.
The Big Screen Roles
Johnny’s voice work eventually hit the movies too. In 2017, he voiced Travis Barclay in Bunyan and Babe, starring alongside John Goodman. Then, in 2018, he landed the lead in the English version of Pinocchio.
More recently, he’s been involved in Butterfly Tale (2023), where he didn't just voice a character but also contributed to the soundtrack with "Anywhere With You." It’s a smart move—blending the two things he’s best at.
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Reality TV and Guest Spots: The "Himself" Era
As he got more famous, the roles shifted from "playing a character" to "being Johnny Orlando." This is a tricky phase for any young star. You want to stay relevant, but you don't want to be a caricature.
He’s done the circuit of Nickelodeon guest spots. We’re talking:
- The Substitute: Where he went undercover to prank students.
- All That: Appearing as a guest performer in the revival of the classic sketch show.
- Nickelodeon's Unfiltered: Playing the guessing game along with other teen stars.
There’s also his appearance on The Masked Singer Canada (or the fan-led iterations associated with it). He appeared as Jack-In-The-Box, which, if you know Johnny, fits his personality perfectly—a mix of high energy and a little bit of mystery.
Why He Hasn't Done a Major Hollywood Feature (Yet)
You might be wondering: "If he’s so good, why isn't he in a Marvel movie or a Netflix rom-com?"
The truth is, Johnny has been very vocal about his music being the priority. When you’re signed to a major label like Universal Music Canada and you're touring the world, you can’t exactly disappear to a film set for four months.
However, looking at the trajectory of Johnny Orlando movies and tv shows, there’s a clear evolution. He started with small voice roles, moved to digital leads, and then into major voice-over work for feature films.
The industry is different now. You don't need a theatrical release to be a "movie star." His work on Brat TV has more views than many indie films that go to Sundance. He’s building a resume that shows range—from educational kids' TV to teen drama.
Tracking the Filmography: A Quick Breakdown
If you're trying to binge-watch everything he’s done, here is the basic roadmap of his screen career:
The Early Voice Years
- Super Why! (Whyatt Beanstalk) – The PBS powerhouse.
- Wishenpoof! (Oliver) – His longest-running voice role.
The Brat TV Peak
- Total Eclipse (Sam Parker) – The core of his acting career.
- Chicken Girls (Sam Parker) – The crossover event.
The Movie Projects
- Bunyan and Babe (Travis Barclay) – Voice acting with Hollywood legends.
- Pinocchio (Pinocchio) – A lead role in a classic story.
- Butterfly Tale (2023) – Modern animation and music integration.
The Reality & Variety Phase
- The Substitute (Nickelodeon)
- Bizaardvark (Disney Channel guest spot)
- Group Chat with Jayden & Brent
What’s Next for Johnny Orlando?
Honestly, the next logical step is a streaming original. Whether it’s Netflix, Hulu, or Paramount+, Johnny has the "built-in audience" that studios crave.
He’s matured significantly since the Total Eclipse days. His music videos for songs like "blur" or "everyone wants you" feel like mini-movies. They show a much more cinematic, moody side of him that hasn't really been explored in his acting roles yet.
If you want to catch up on his acting, start with Total Eclipse on YouTube. It’s free, it’s nostalgic, and it’s the best way to see how he handles a script. After that, go find the Butterfly Tale soundtrack to see how he’s merging his two worlds. He’s not just a singer who acts; he’s a performer who’s been in the game longer than most people realize.
Next steps for you: Go to the Brat TV YouTube channel and watch the first season of Total Eclipse. Pay attention to how the production value increases each season—it’s a wild ride through 2010s internet culture. After that, check out his voice work in Bunyan and Babe on streaming platforms to see his range.