Most Rewatchable Actresses of All Time

Some performers make you lean in every time they appear on screen, thanks to a mix of craft, versatility, and a track record of memorable roles across genres. This list spotlights actresses whose filmographies are stacked with titles people return to again and again, from classic Hollywood to contemporary global cinema. You’ll find a quick snapshot of their most notable work, industry honors, recurring collaborators, and projects that continue to draw new audiences. Titles are shown in single quotes so you can quickly spot what to add to your queue next.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep’s body of work spans drama, comedy, musicals, and biographical films, with multiple Academy Awards and a record number of nominations. Notable credits include ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, ‘Sophie’s Choice’, ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’, ‘Julie & Julia’, and ‘Doubt’. She frequently collaborates with directors like Mike Nichols, Nora Ephron, and Steven Spielberg. Her stage training and command of accents have supported roles ranging from political leaders to culinary icons.

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn’s filmography bridges romantic comedy, drama, and suspense, supported by an Academy Award and humanitarian recognition later in life. Signature roles include ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, ‘Roman Holiday’, ‘Sabrina’, ‘Funny Face’, and ‘Charade’. She worked with directors such as William Wyler, Billy Wilder, and Stanley Donen, often opposite leading men like Gregory Peck and Cary Grant. Her style influence continues through partnerships with Givenchy and enduring cultural references.

Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn earned a record number of Academy Awards for acting and built a career across stage and screen. Key films include ‘The Philadelphia Story’, ‘Bringing Up Baby’, ‘The African Queen’, ‘On Golden Pond’, and ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’. She had a long professional partnership with Spencer Tracy and collaborated with directors like George Cukor and John Huston. Known for strong-willed characters, she helped define screwball comedy and mid-century drama.

Ingrid Bergman

Ingrid Bergman worked in Hollywood and European cinema, collecting multiple Academy Awards and international honors. Her essential films include ‘Casablanca’, ‘Notorious’, ‘Gaslight’, ‘Anastasia’, and ‘Autumn Sonata’. She collaborated with Alfred Hitchcock and Ingmar Bergman, navigating English- and Swedish-language productions. Her roles often balanced luminous charisma with complex emotional arcs.

Bette Davis

Bette Davis headlined studio-era dramas and thrillers with a formidable range that brought her two Academy Awards. Landmark titles include ‘All About Eve’, ‘Jezebel’, ‘Now, Voyager’, ‘Dark Victory’, and ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?’. She worked extensively with Warner Bros. during Hollywood’s Golden Age and pushed for more substantial roles for women. Her portrayals frequently centered on ambition, resilience, and sharp dialogue.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe combined comic timing with musical and dramatic roles under major studio contracts. Key films include ‘Some Like It Hot’, ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’, ‘The Seven Year Itch’, ‘Bus Stop’, and ‘Niagara’. She trained with the Actors Studio and worked with directors such as Billy Wilder and Howard Hawks. Her screen image intersects with fashion, music, and mid-century pop culture history.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster transitioned from acclaimed child performances to award-winning adult roles, collecting multiple Academy Awards. Notable works include ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘The Accused’, ‘Contact’, and ‘Panic Room’. She has also directed features and television, expanding her influence behind the camera. Her projects often explore moral ambiguity, intelligence, and psychological depth.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts rose to international fame through romantic comedies and dramas, earning an Academy Award along the way. Key films include ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘Erin Brockovich’, ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’, ‘Notting Hill’, and ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. She has worked with directors like Steven Soderbergh and Garry Marshall and co-starred with a broad ensemble of A-list actors. Her career includes both crowd-pleasing hits and prestige projects.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock’s filmography spans action, comedy, drama, and sci-fi, with an Academy Award recognizing her dramatic work. Major credits include ‘Speed’, ‘Miss Congeniality’, ‘The Blind Side’, ‘Gravity’, and ‘Bird Box’. She has produced several of her own projects and collaborated with directors such as Alfonso Cuarón and Paul Feig. Her roles often center on resourceful protagonists navigating high-stakes challenges.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett has earned multiple Academy Awards and international festival honors for roles across period pieces, fantasy, and contemporary drama. Notable titles include ‘Blue Jasmine’, ‘Tár’, ‘Carol’, ‘The Lord of the Rings’, and ‘The Aviator’. She has collaborated with directors like Todd Field, Todd Haynes, Peter Jackson, and Martin Scorsese. Stage work and global co-productions round out a diverse career.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet balances independent cinema with large-scale productions and has received multiple Academy Award nominations and a win. Essential roles include ‘Titanic’, ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, ‘The Reader’, ‘Sense and Sensibility’, and ‘Steve Jobs’. She has worked with directors such as James Cameron, Ang Lee, and Danny Boyle. Television projects like ‘Mare of Easttown’ expanded her reach into limited-series storytelling.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone’s career blends comedy, musical, and drama, highlighted by an Academy Award and additional nominations. Key works include ‘La La Land’, ‘Easy A’, ‘The Favourite’, ‘Poor Things’, and ‘Birdman’. She has collaborated with Yorgos Lanthimos and Alejandro G. Iñárritu while maintaining strong studio and indie ties. Her roles often foreground wit, vulnerability, and offbeat character choices.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson’s credits range from independent dramas to global franchises, alongside stage and voice performances. Notable films include ‘Lost in Translation’, ‘Marriage Story’, ‘Under the Skin’, ‘Her’, and multiple entries in the ‘Avengers’ series. She has worked with Sofia Coppola, Noah Baumbach, and Jonathan Glazer, among others. Her career includes voice roles and motion-capture work that broaden her on-screen footprint.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron earned an Academy Award and built a slate of action, drama, and dark comedy performances. Significant titles include ‘Monster’, ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, ‘Atomic Blonde’, ‘Young Adult’, and ‘Bombshell’. She frequently produces projects through her company, enabling director partnerships and franchise work. Physical transformation and stunt-driven roles are notable features across her filmography.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis is a Triple Crown of Acting winner with acclaimed work in film, television, and theater. Key credits include ‘Fences’, ‘The Help’, ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’, ‘Doubt’, and ‘Widows’. She collaborated with Denzel Washington and George C. Wolfe and headlined the series ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. Her roles often intersect with historical narratives and contemporary social themes.

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan’s career began with award-nominated youth roles and grew into leading performances across period and modern settings. Notable films include ‘Lady Bird’, ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Little Women’, ‘Atonement’, and ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’. She has collaborated multiple times with Greta Gerwig and Joe Wright. Her projects frequently explore coming-of-age perspectives and transatlantic stories.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman balances franchise work, indie cinema, and directing, with an Academy Award recognizing a transformative role. Key titles include ‘Black Swan’, ‘Jackie’, ‘Closer’, ‘Annihilation’, and entries in the ‘Star Wars’ series. She studied at Harvard University and has produced and directed features and shorts. Her roles often combine intellectual rigor with physical performance.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman’s filmography covers psychological thrillers, musicals, and prestige drama, earning her an Academy Award and additional nominations. Notable works include ‘Moulin Rouge!’, ‘The Hours’, ‘The Others’, ‘Eyes Wide Shut’, and ‘The Beguiled’. She has collaborated with Stanley Kubrick, Jane Campion, and Baz Luhrmann. Television projects like ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘The Undoing’ expanded her profile in limited-series formats.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand holds multiple Academy Awards and frequently partners with the Coen brothers and Chloé Zhao. Essential films include ‘Fargo’, ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, ‘Nomadland’, ‘Burn After Reading’, and ‘Almost Famous’. She has produced projects and championed inclusive production practices. Her characters often reflect everyday resilience and sharp observational humor.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton’s career spans avant-garde projects and mainstream films, often with recurring collaborations in European and American cinema. Key titles include ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’, ‘Michael Clayton’, ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’, ‘Snowpiercer’, and ‘Doctor Strange’. She frequently works with directors like Luca Guadagnino, Bong Joon-ho, and Wes Anderson. Her roles range from chameleonic transformations to minimalist, interior performances.

Gong Li

Gong Li is a central figure in Fifth Generation Chinese cinema with international festival acclaim. Notable films include ‘Raise the Red Lantern’, ‘Farewell My Concubine’, ‘Ju Dou’, ‘Curse of the Golden Flower’, and ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. She has collaborated repeatedly with Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige. Her performances helped bring Chinese arthouse cinema to global audiences.

Zhang Ziyi

Zhang Ziyi’s work bridges martial-arts epics, drama, and international co-productions. Key titles include ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’, ‘Hero’, ‘House of Flying Daggers’, ‘The Grandmaster’, and ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. She has collaborated with Ang Lee, Zhang Yimou, and Wong Kar-wai. Her roles often feature rigorous dance-like physicality and period storytelling.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz has earned major awards in European and American cinema, including an Academy Award. Essential films include ‘Volver’, ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’, ‘Parallel Mothers’, ‘Nine’, and ‘Open Your Eyes’. She frequently collaborates with Pedro Almodóvar and has worked in Spanish, English, and Italian. Fashion and philanthropy partnerships complement a cross-continental career.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o won an Academy Award early in her film career and has since expanded into genre and franchise projects. Notable titles include ’12 Years a Slave’, ‘Us’, ‘Black Panther’, ‘Queen of Katwe’, and ‘The Jungle Book’. She has worked with directors like Jordan Peele, Ryan Coogler, and Jon Favreau. Beyond film, she is an author and stage performer with global advocacy initiatives.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams has multiple Academy Award nominations across comedy, drama, and mystery. Key films include ‘Arrival’, ‘Enchanted’, ‘American Hustle’, ‘The Fighter’, and ‘Nocturnal Animals’. She has collaborated with David O. Russell, Denis Villeneuve, and Tom Ford. Television projects like ‘Sharp Objects’ show her range in long-form storytelling.

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren’s career spans stage, television, and film, earning top honors across all three. Notable projects include ‘The Queen’, ‘Gosford Park’, ‘The Long Good Friday’, ‘The Last Station’, and ‘RED’. She trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company and frequently portrays historical figures and complex modern women. Her collaborations include filmmakers like Stephen Frears and Taylor Hackford, along with extensive audiobook and documentary narration.

Judi Dench

Judi Dench is a celebrated stage and screen performer with distinctions in Shakespearean theatre and contemporary cinema. Key works include ‘Philomena’, ‘Shakespeare in Love’, ‘Mrs Brown’, ‘Notes on a Scandal’, and the ‘James Bond’ series. She has a long association with the Royal Shakespeare Company and has also achieved acclaim in television. Her roles often center on authority figures, wry humor, and emotional restraint.

Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith’s filmography and stage résumé stretch across decades, pairing sardonic wit with dramatic depth. Essential titles include ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’, ‘A Room with a View’, ‘Gosford Park’, ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’, and the ‘Harry Potter’ series. She has earned major awards in theatre and film while maintaining a strong presence in British television. Her collaborations span directors like Nicholas Hytner and Robert Altman.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close has led psychological thrillers, period pieces, and contemporary dramas with multiple award nominations. Notable films include ‘Fatal Attraction’, ‘Dangerous Liaisons’, ‘Albert Nobbs’, ‘The Big Chill’, and ‘The Natural’. She has produced stage-to-screen projects and voiced animated features. Her work often explores ambition, identity, and moral ambiguity across varied genres.

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh’s career covers Hong Kong action cinema, international blockbusters, and prestige dramas. Key credits include ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’, ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’, and ‘Supercop’. She is known for performing demanding stunt work and collaborating with directors like Ang Lee and the Daniels. Her roles frequently fuse physical precision with emotional storytelling.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is known for biographical portrayals and commanding dramatic roles across film and television. Significant titles include ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’, ‘Malcolm X’, ‘Waiting to Exhale’, ‘Black Panther’, and ‘Boyz n the Hood’. She has directed television episodes and frequently collaborates with Ryan Murphy. Her work highlights resilience, cultural history, and leadership on screen.

Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly’s concise but influential film career combined Hitchcock thrillers and sophisticated dramas. Essential films include ‘Rear Window’, ‘To Catch a Thief’, ‘High Society’, ‘Dial M for Murder’, and ‘Mogambo’. She worked closely with Alfred Hitchcock and co-starred with Cary Grant and James Stewart. Her transition from acting to public service as Princess of Monaco remains a notable chapter in film history.

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor moved from child stardom to acclaimed adult roles in both epic and intimate dramas. Key works include ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’, ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’, ‘Giant’, and ‘A Place in the Sun’. She collaborated with Richard Burton on multiple projects and advocated for HIV/AIDS awareness. Her career reflects the studio era’s evolution into modern celebrity culture.

Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson has combined acting and screenwriting to earn top awards in multiple disciplines. Notable titles include ‘Sense and Sensibility’, ‘Howards End’, ‘Saving Mr. Banks’, ‘Love Actually’, and ‘Late Night’. She collaborates with filmmakers like Kenneth Branagh and Ang Lee and has written screenplays and children’s books. Her roles often pair literary adaptations with contemporary social commentary.

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley’s filmography blends period dramas, contemporary thrillers, and ensemble comedies. Key projects include ‘Pride & Prejudice’, ‘Atonement’, ‘The Imitation Game’, ‘Bend It Like Beckham’, and the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series. She frequently works with Joe Wright and has performed on the West End. Her roles commonly feature themes of independence, artistry, and historical change.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway has built a versatile slate of musicals, dramas, and comedies with major awards recognition. Notable films include ‘Les Misérables’, ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, ‘Rachel Getting Married’, ‘Interstellar’, and ‘Ocean’s 8’. She has collaborated with Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Demme and participated in animated features. Beyond film, she supports philanthropic initiatives and occasional stage performances.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon combines acting with producing through projects that foreground complex female leads. Significant titles include ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Walk the Line’, ‘Wild’, ‘Election’, and ‘Sweet Home Alabama’. Her production company has adapted best-selling novels for film and television, expanding her influence behind the camera. She often partners with streaming platforms and established directors for literary adaptations.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt’s work spans fantasy, action, and character-driven drama, often balancing studio films with smaller projects. Key works include ‘Sicario’, ‘Edge of Tomorrow’, ‘A Quiet Place’, ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, and ‘Mary Poppins Returns’. She collaborates with directors like Denis Villeneuve, Doug Liman, and John Krasinski. Voice roles and limited-series appearances complement her feature slate.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder rose from indie breakthroughs to major studio features and later high-profile television. Notable titles include ‘Heathers’, ‘Little Women’, ‘Edward Scissorhands’, ‘Girl, Interrupted’, and ‘Reality Bites’. She has collaborated with Tim Burton and Martin Scorsese and has received ensemble recognition for television work. Her roles frequently explore youth culture, gothic romance, and literary adaptations.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence’s career combines franchise leads with award-winning dramatic performances at a young age. Key credits include ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, ‘Winter’s Bone’, ‘American Hustle’, ‘Mother!’, and the ‘The Hunger Games’ series. She has worked repeatedly with David O. Russell and Darren Aronofsky. Her projects often center on survival, class, and morally complex protagonists.

Tell us which actresses you rewatch the most and the roles you never skip in the comments.