The Absolute Best Actresses of the Past Five Years
The landscape of modern cinema and television has been defined by a surge of transformative performances from women who have pushed the boundaries of storytelling. Over the past five years, the industry has transitioned through significant changes, yet the caliber of acting has remained a consistent highlight across streaming platforms and theatrical releases. Major accolades from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Television Academy have recognized a diverse array of talent, from veteran icons to breakout stars. This list evaluates the most impactful actresses based on their critical acclaim, award recognition, and the complexity of the roles they have inhabited since 2021.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep joined the ensemble cast of the mystery-comedy series ‘Only Murders in the Building’ starting in its third season. Her portrayal of struggling actress Loretta Durkin earned her a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress. In 2021, she starred as the narcissistic President Janie Orlean in the satirical film ‘Don’t Look Up’. Streep also provided her voice for the character of the Parakeet King’s daughter in the 2023 English dub of the Academy Award-winning ‘The Boy and the Heron’.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Sheryl Lee Ralph has become a mainstay of modern television through her role as Barbara Howard in ‘Abbott Elementary’. She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in 2022. Ralph’s work on the series has been a central element of the show’s critical and commercial success over several seasons. She has also appeared in the film ‘The Young Wife’, which premiered at South by Southwest in 2023.
Rachel Zegler
Rachel Zegler made her professional film debut as María in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation of ‘West Side Story’. For this performance, she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. She followed this success with a leading role as Lucy Gray Baird in the 2023 prequel ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’. Zegler also starred in the DC Extended Universe film ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ as Anthea.
Teyana Taylor
Teyana Taylor earned significant critical recognition for her lead role in the 2023 drama ‘A Thousand and One’. In the film, she portrays Inez, a mother who kidnaps her son from the foster care system to build a life together in Harlem. Her performance was a central factor in the film winning the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Taylor also appeared in the 2023 remake of ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ and the biographical drama ‘The Book of Clarence’.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Oracene ‘Brandy’ Price in the 2021 film ‘King Richard’. She followed this performance by starring as Isabel Wilkerson in the 2023 biographical drama ‘Origin’. Her work in ‘Origin’ involved depicting the intellectual journey of writing the non-fiction book ‘Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents’. Additionally, she appeared in the 2023 musical adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’ as Mama.
Stephanie Hsu
Stephanie Hsu achieved a career breakthrough with her dual roles as Joy Wang and Jobu Tupaki in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. Her performance in the 2022 film earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Following this success, she starred in the 2023 comedy ‘Joy Ride’ and had a recurring role in the series ‘American Born Chinese’. Hsu also appeared in the 2024 action-comedy ‘The Fall Guy’ alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.
Hong Chau
Hong Chau received widespread acclaim for her supporting role in the 2022 psychological drama ‘The Whale’. This performance, where she played a nurse named Liz, earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. During the same year, she starred as the enigmatic restaurant manager Elsa in the satirical thriller ‘The Menu’. Chau’s recent filmography also includes significant roles in Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City’ and the 2024 anthology film ‘Kinds of Kindness’.
Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey transitioned from a breakout child actor to a leading dramatic presence in the HBO series ‘The Last of Us’. Her portrayal of Ellie Williams in the 2023 debut season earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Ramsey also starred as the titular character in the 2022 medieval comedy film ‘Catherine Called Birdy’. She continues to be a central figure in the television landscape as production proceeds on the second season of ‘The Last of Us’.
Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney earned two simultaneous Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 2022 for her work in ‘Euphoria’ and ‘The White Lotus’. In ‘Euphoria’, she portrays the vulnerable Cassie Howard, while in ‘The White Lotus’, she played the cynical Olivia Mossbacher. Sweeney expanded into film production and starring roles with the 2023 thriller ‘Reality’ and the 2024 horror film ‘Immaculate’. She also starred in the high-grossing romantic comedy ‘Anyone But You’ alongside Glen Powell.
Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega rose to global prominence for her lead role in the Netflix series ‘Wednesday’, which premiered in 2022. Her performance as Wednesday Addams earned her nominations for a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy Award. Ortega has also established herself as a modern figure in horror, appearing in ‘Scream’ (2022) and ‘Scream VI’ (2023). In 2024, she starred in the long-awaited sequel ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ directed by Tim Burton.
Mia Goth
Mia Goth has become a prominent figure in the horror genre through her collaboration with director Ti West. She starred in and co-wrote the 2022 film ‘Pearl’, a prequel to the slasher film ‘X’ released earlier that year. Goth portrayed the characters Maxine Minx and Pearl across the trilogy, which concluded with the 2024 film ‘MaXXXine’. Her performances have been noted for their intense physical and emotional commitment to the psychological horror genre.
Jodie Comer
Jodie Comer concluded her acclaimed run as the assassin Villanelle in the final season of ‘Killing Eve’ in 2022. During the past five years, she has made a significant impact in film with a lead role in Ridley Scott’s ‘The Last Duel’. In that film, she portrayed Marguerite de Carrouges, a performance that was central to the historical drama’s narrative. Comer also starred in the 2023 survival drama ‘The End We Start From’ and the 2024 period film ‘The Bikeriders’.
Jennifer Coolidge
Jennifer Coolidge experienced a career resurgence for her role as Tanya McQuoid in the anthology series ‘The White Lotus’. She won two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for her performances across the first two seasons. This role made her the only cast member to appear as a series regular in both the Hawaii and Sicily installments. Since then, Coolidge has appeared in films such as ‘Shotgun Wedding’ and ‘We Have a Ghost’.
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series for her portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes in ‘The Dropout’. The 2022 series followed the rise and fall of the biotech company Theranos. Seyfried’s performance was noted for its meticulous recreation of Holmes’s unique mannerisms and voice. She also starred in the 2023 psychological thriller series ‘The Crowded Room’ alongside Tom Holland.
Julia Garner
Julia Garner earned her third Primetime Emmy Award in 2022 for her performance as Ruth Langmore in the final season of ‘Ozark’. In the same year, she portrayed the real-life convicted fraudster Anna Delvey in the Netflix limited series ‘Inventing Anna’. This role earned her additional nominations at the Emmys and Golden Globes. Garner has since moved into major film projects, including a lead role in the 2023 thriller ‘The Royal Hotel’.
Imelda Staunton
Imelda Staunton took over the role of Queen Elizabeth II for the final two seasons of the Netflix historical drama ‘The Crown’. Her tenure spanned the series’ fifth and sixth seasons, covering the royal family’s challenges throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. For this performance, she received nominations for a BAFTA TV Award and a Golden Globe. Staunton’s portrayal focused on the monarch’s internal conflicts during a period of intense public scrutiny.
Elizabeth Debicki
Elizabeth Debicki portrayed Diana, Princess of Wales, in the final two seasons of ‘The Crown’. Her performance in the sixth season earned her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2024. Debicki was widely recognized for her physical transformation and nuanced depiction of the Princess during her final years. Outside of television, she appeared in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ as Ayesha.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga starred as Patrizia Reggiani in the 2021 biographical crime film ‘House of Gucci’, directed by Ridley Scott. Her performance earned her nominations for a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2024, she took on the role of Harleen ‘Lee’ Quinzel in the musical psychological thriller ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’. Gaga also continued her work in music and film composition, earning an Oscar nomination for her song in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence starred in the 2022 independent drama ‘Causeway’, where she played a soldier struggling with a brain injury. This role marked her return to character-driven drama and was followed by a comedic turn in the 2023 film ‘No Hard Feelings’. She served as a producer on both projects, showcasing her influence behind the camera. Lawrence’s work during this period has been characterized by a balance between intimate indie projects and mainstream success.
Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of Princess Diana in the 2021 film ‘Spencer’. The film, directed by Pablo Larraín, offered a fictionalized account of a Christmas holiday at the Sandringham estate. Stewart followed this critical success with a role in David Cronenberg’s 2022 body-horror film ‘Crimes of the Future’. In 2024, she starred in the romantic thriller ‘Love Lies Bleeding’, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival.
Penélope Cruz
Penélope Cruz earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance in the 2021 film ‘Parallel Mothers’. This project marked another collaboration with director Pedro Almodóvar and won her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. In 2023, she starred as Laura Ferrari in Michael Mann’s biographical drama ‘Ferrari’. Cruz’s recent work continues to highlight her status as a leading figure in both international and Hollywood cinema.
Greta Lee
Greta Lee received widespread critical acclaim for her lead role in the 2023 film ‘Past Lives’, directed by Celine Song. In the film, she portrays Nora, a woman reconnecting with a childhood friend from South Korea while living in New York. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Lee also provides the voice for Lyla in ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ and stars in the series ‘The Morning Show’.
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman starred in the 2023 psychological drama ‘May December’, directed by Todd Haynes. She portrayed Elizabeth Berry, an actress who travels to Georgia to research a woman she is set to play in a film. The performance explores the manipulative dynamics between her character and the subjects of her research. Portman also reprised her role as Jane Foster in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ in 2022, where she took on the mantle of the Mighty Thor.
Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore appeared alongside Natalie Portman in the 2023 film ‘May December’, playing the role of Gracie Atherton-Yoo. Her performance as a woman whose controversial past is revisited by an actress was a focal point of the film’s critical praise. In 2022, she starred in the film ‘When You Finish Saving the World’, directed by Jesse Eisenberg. Moore also lead the cast of the 2024 period drama series ‘Mary & George’, portraying Mary Villiers.
Danielle Brooks
Danielle Brooks earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Sofia in the 2023 film ‘The Color Purple’. She had previously played the same role in the Broadway revival of the musical, for which she received a Tony nomination. Brooks’s performance in the film was noted for its power and emotional depth. She also stars as Leota Adebayo in the DC Universe series ‘Peacemaker’, which debuted in 2022.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Deirdre Beaubeirdre in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. The 2022 film revitalized her career and led to a series of high-profile projects. She concluded her iconic run as Laurie Strode in the horror franchise with ‘Halloween Ends’ in 2022. Additionally, Curtis won a Primetime Emmy Award for her guest appearance as Donna Berzatto in the series ‘The Bear’.
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett made history by becoming the first actor in a Marvel Studios film to receive an Academy Award nomination for her role as Queen Ramonda in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. Her performance in the 2022 sequel earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. Bassett also continues to lead the procedural drama ‘9-1-1’ as Athena Grant-Nash. In 2024, she received an Honorary Academy Award for her contributions to the film industry.
Ariana DeBose
Ariana DeBose won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 version of ‘West Side Story’. This win made her the first Afro-Latina and openly queer woman of color to receive an acting Oscar. Since her win, she has voiced the lead character Asha in the Disney animated film ‘Wish’. She also appeared in the 2024 action film ‘Argylle’ and hosted the Tony Awards for three consecutive years.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Da’Vine Joy Randolph dominated the 2023-2024 awards season for her performance in Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers’. She won the Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and SAG Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mary Lamb. Her portrayal of a grieving mother managing a school cafeteria was cited as the emotional core of the film. Randolph also has a recurring role in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ as Detective Williams.
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series for her work in ‘Mare of Easttown’. In the 2021 series, she played Mare Sheehan, a detective in a small Pennsylvania town. Winslet also appeared as Ronal in the 2022 blockbuster ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, utilizing her skills in performance capture. In 2024, she starred in and executive produced the political satire series ‘The Regime’ on HBO.
Ayo Edebiri
Ayo Edebiri has experienced a rapid ascent in the industry, highlighted by her role as Sydney Adamu in ‘The Bear’. She won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for the series’ second season. In 2023 alone, she starred in the comedy ‘Bottoms’ and provided voice work for ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ and ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’. Edebiri also hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’ in early 2024, solidifying her status as a leading comedic talent.
Quinta Brunson
Quinta Brunson is the creator, executive producer, and lead star of the acclaimed sitcom ‘Abbott Elementary’. She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2024, as well as an Emmy for writing the series’ pilot. Her portrayal of the optimistic teacher Janine Teagues has been central to the show’s massive popularity. Brunson also portrayed Oprah Winfrey in the 2022 biographical parody ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’.
Jean Smart
Jean Smart won back-to-back Primetime Emmy Awards for her performance as Deborah Vance in the series ‘Hacks’. The show follows a legendary Las Vegas comedian attempting to maintain her relevance with the help of a young writer. Smart’s performance has been praised for its blend of sharp wit and emotional vulnerability. Despite a hiatus for health reasons, she returned for the show’s third season in 2024 to further critical acclaim.
Sarah Snook
Sarah Snook won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the final season of ‘Succession’. Her portrayal of Shiv Roy throughout the series’ four-season run earned her international recognition and multiple accolades. Following the conclusion of the show in 2023, she starred in the horror film ‘Run Rabbit Run’. Snook also received a Laurence Olivier Award for her one-woman performance in ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ on London’s West End.
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie starred as the titular character in the 2023 cultural phenomenon ‘Barbie’, which she also produced. The film became the highest-grossing release of the year and earned Robbie a Golden Globe nomination. In 2022, she led the ensemble cast of Damien Chazelle’s ‘Babylon’ as the aspiring actress Nellie LaRoy. Robbie’s work through her production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, has focused on female-led narratives that achieve both critical and commercial success.
Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh has established herself as one of the most prolific actresses of the 2020s. She starred in the 2022 psychological thriller ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ and provided a critically acclaimed performance in ‘The Wonder’. In 2023, she appeared in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ as Jean Tatlock and voiced Goldilocks in ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’. Most recently, she joined the ‘Dune’ franchise as Princess Irulan in ‘Dune: Part Two’.
Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor-Joy followed her success in ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ with a series of high-profile film roles. She starred in Edgar Wright’s ‘Last Night in Soho’ in 2021 and Robert Eggers’ ‘The Northman’ in 2022. Her performance as Margot in the 2022 satirical thriller ‘The Menu’ earned her a Golden Globe nomination. In 2024, she took over the iconic role of Furiosa in the ‘Mad Max’ prequel ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’.
Zendaya
Zendaya became the youngest two-time acting Emmy winner for her role as Rue Bennett in ‘Euphoria’. Her performance in the show’s second season, released in 2022, received intense critical praise for its depiction of addiction. In film, she starred as Chani in ‘Dune’ (2021) and ‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024). She also led the 2024 sports drama ‘Challengers’, where she played Tashi Donaldson, a tennis prodigy turned coach.
Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan starred in the 2022 mystery-comedy ‘See How They Run’ as Constable Stalker. In 2023, she appeared alongside Paul Mescal in the science fiction drama ‘Foe’. Her performance in the 2024 film ‘The Outrun’, which she also produced, earned her significant acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival. Ronan portrays a woman recovering from alcoholism in the Orkney Islands, a role that showcases her characteristic dramatic range.
Carey Mulligan
Carey Mulligan received Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for her roles in ‘Promising Young Woman’ (2020/2021) and ‘Maestro’ (2023). In ‘Maestro’, she portrayed Felicia Montealegre, the wife of composer Leonard Bernstein, opposite Bradley Cooper. She also starred as Megan Twohey in the 2022 journalism drama ‘She Said’, which chronicled the Harvey Weinstein investigation. Mulligan’s performances during this period have been noted for their subtle intensity and precision.
Sandra Hüller
Sandra Hüller gained international stardom in 2023 for her lead roles in two Academy Award-nominated films. She starred in ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ as a writer accused of her husband’s murder, a role that won her the European Film Award for Best Actress. Simultaneously, she portrayed Hedwig Höss in the chilling drama ‘The Zone of Interest’. For ‘Anatomy of a Fall’, she received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Lily Gladstone
Lily Gladstone made history as the first Native American woman to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her performance as Mollie Burkhart in Martin Scorsese’s 2023 film ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ won her a Golden Globe and a SAG Award. Gladstone also starred in the independent film ‘The Unknown Country’ and the 2024 limited series ‘Under the Bridge’. Her work has been widely praised for its quiet power and historical significance.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams earned her fifth Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Mitzi Fabelman in ‘The Fabelmans’. The 2022 film, directed by Steven Spielberg, featured Williams in a role based on Spielberg’s own mother. During the same year, she starred in Kelly Reichardt’s ‘Showing Up’ as a sculptor preparing for an art show. Williams remains a favorite among critics for her ability to inhabit complex, emotionally resonant characters.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis achieved EGOT status in 2023 after winning a Grammy for her audiobook narration. In the same period, she starred as General Nanisca in the 2022 historical epic ‘The Woman King’. Her performance required significant physical training and was praised for its commanding presence. Davis also portrayed Deloris Jordan in the 2023 film ‘Air’ and reprised her role as Amanda Waller in various DC Universe projects.
Frances McDormand
Frances McDormand won her third Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘Nomadland’, which was the centerpiece of the 2021 awards season. She also took home a second Oscar that year as a producer when the film won Best Picture. In 2021, she starred as Lady Macbeth in Joel Coen’s ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ opposite Denzel Washington. She also played a key role in the 2022 ensemble drama ‘Women Talking’, which she also produced.
Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2022 for her transformative performance in ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’. She followed this victory with an acclaimed portrayal of country music legend Tammy Wynette in the limited series ‘George & Tammy’. This role earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Primetime Emmy nomination. In 2023, she starred in the independent drama ‘Memory’, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Olivia Colman
Olivia Colman continued her streak of critical success with an Academy Award nomination for the 2021 film ‘The Lost Daughter’. In 2022, she starred in Sam Mendes’ ‘Empire of Light’, earning a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. She also lead the cast of the 2024 dark comedy ‘Wicked Little Letters’ as Edith Swan. Colman’s versatility allows her to move seamlessly between period dramas, psychological thrillers, and broad comedies.
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett delivered what many critics consider a career-defining performance as Lydia Tár in the 2022 film ‘Tár’. Her portrayal of a world-renowned conductor facing a professional downfall won her a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and numerous critics’ awards. She also starred in Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Nightmare Alley’ in late 2021 as the chilling Dr. Lilith Ritter. In 2024, she stars in the Alfonso Cuarón-directed psychological thriller series ‘Disclaimer’.
Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh achieved a historic milestone by winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. The 2022 film showcased her range across action, comedy, and drama through the character of Evelyn Wang. This performance made her the first Asian woman to win in that category. Since her win, she has appeared in ‘A Haunting in Venice’ and the Netflix series ‘The Brothers Sun’.
Emma Stone
Emma Stone earned her second Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Bella Baxter in the 2023 film ‘Poor Things’. The role also garnered her a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for her fearless and physical performance. In 2023, she made a significant return to television with the satirical series ‘The Curse’, which she also executive produced. Stone’s ongoing collaboration with director Yorgos Lanthimos continued into 2024 with the anthology film ‘Kinds of Kindness’.
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