This weekend, Neighbors 2 comes to theaters. The film is about a married couple that must go head to head with a sorority to keep them well-behaved, so that they can successfully sell their house and move to the suburbs as they welcome their second child. But mostly? The film is a display of how hot Zac Efron is. That’s it. It’s a 90-minute reminder that Zac Efron is a national treasure, and his entire body is so powerful that it can draw any and all eyes upon it within a 1,000 yard radius.
This was not always the case. Sure, Zac has always been a good looking dude. But at first, it was only the young women that understood his allure. Throughout his career, Zac has set out to prove he can be a leading man by honing his acting skills, working with interesting people, and really, just getting ridiculously hot.
When did this happen? When did he go from Disney Channel to DAMN? We took a very scientific approach (there are charts involved) to figure out when Zac Efron became the beautiful specimen that we love, lust after, and celebrate today. Study the timeline, think about it, and then follow us on a journey though his sexual evolution in pictures. It’s for science!
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No matter what your beliefs are, we can all believe in this evolution as proof that there is a God.
2006: High School Musical
People started to pay attention to Zac when High School Musical premiered on Disney Channel in 2006. Because look how cute he is! It'd be impossible not to take note. Yes, it was mostly tweens noticing, but he was adorable! And it was only the beginning. Everett Collection
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2007: Hairspray
Not a total departure from Troy Bolton in High School Musical. Still very cute! Obviously attractive enough as a teen to call him that and not have it be weird. We're not quite at H-O-T yet, but barring any facial mishaps, he's on the way. Everett Collection
2007: High School Musical 2
Still cute. The hair was probably a good idea at the time. Everett Collection
2008: Me and Orson Welles
Let's go so far as to call Zac "handsome" in this film. The parted hair, the attempt to move towards starring roles in feature films, all very commendable. Zac proves to be "very easy on the eyes" at this point in his life. Madman Entertainment
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2008: High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Another one of these. Hurry up and make it though puberty already, Zac!Everett Collection
2009: 17 Again
Ok. The transition is happening, both into a studly guy and a real leading man. Zac showed off his comedic acting chops and his adorable yet still kinda scrawny physique in the charming 17 Again. Everett Collection
2010: Charlie St. Cloud
It appears that Zac is starting to get hotter. No one can know for sure at this point because this movie was too much of a tearjerker to even be able to see clearly. It looks like some muscles are starting to sprout though. Everett Collection
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2011: New Year's Eve
You know that thing where a guy in your class gets a haircut over the weekend and you look at him totally differently on Monday than you did on Friday? We're at that point with Zac. He's brushed those Troy locks out of his blue eyes and we all can see clearly now. Congrats Zac, you are officially hot. And congrats to his co-star in this movie, Michelle Pfeiffer for being there to witness it. Everett Collection
2012: Liberal Arts
Imagine if this dude was just hanging around your college...Damn. Many people will point to this as one of Zac's finest acting moments, and that might be because it took them almost the entire length of his screen time to realize it was him. Zac shows up in Josh Radnor's delightful film as a totally chill bro and it's some of the finest casting of the decade. His sexiness here lies not underneath that hat, but from the charm he exudes. IFC Films
2012: The Lucky One
Oh my God, it happened. Zac has reached peak sexiness! He has never been hotter than he is in the Nicholas Sparks adaptation of The Lucky One. He shares steamy shower scenes and boat rides opposite Taylor Schilling while wearing tight t-shirts and standing up to bullies when he's not caring for animals. Swoon city! Everett Collection
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2012: The Paperboy
If you don't recognize the name of this movie, maybe you know it as "the movie where Nicole Kidman peed on Zac Efron." Hey, there was a jellyfish sting involved! While it was named one of the worst movies of the year, it features Zac dancing around in tighty whities, and so it's almost worth watching for that reason. Everett Collection
2013: At Any Price
The same can not be said for this film. He drives fast cars and makes out in a barn and stuff, but yeah, the sexiness dips just a bit. Everett Collection
2014: That Awkward Moment
Zac ditches the country for the big city and tries rom coms on for size. They work. He looks great. There is nothing at all awkward about this moment for him. Everett Collection
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2014: Neighbors
Zac spends a really generous portion of this movie shirtless or wearing tight sweatpants and it's like, this is really as hot as it can ever get.
2015: We Are Your Friends
Thank you for the tank tops, Zac. They weren't enough to draw many people to theaters to watch him DJ in them, so the hotness takes a small dip, but it happens. Nothing to be concerned about. Still looking great. Everett Collection
2016: Dirty Grandpa
Zac in sunglasses is never a bad thing. But the preppy clothes? The hotness can't be denied, but in this movie it's Aubrey Plaza's hotness that really stole the show. Lionsgate
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2016: Neighbors 2
The writers, producers, and entire cast of this film understand Zac's hotness and spend all 85 minutes celebrating it. Bravo, and congratulations. Everett Collection
Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
