The Absolute Best Hollywood Actresses of the Past 15 Years

The landscape of Hollywood cinema from 2011 to 2026 has been defined by a diverse array of female talent across various genres. These actresses have garnered Academy Awards, broken box office records, and transitioned seamlessly between independent films and major franchises. Their contributions have shaped modern storytelling and influenced industry standards for performance and production. This list highlights fifty individuals who have made a significant impact on the industry through their dedication to the craft.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis achieved the Triple Crown of Acting by winning an Academy Award, an Emmy, and two Tony Awards. She received critical acclaim for her role as Rose Maxson in the 2016 film ‘Fences’, which earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. In television, she portrayed Annalise Keating in the drama series ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ from 2014 to 2020. Her performance in ‘The Woman King’ showcased her ability to lead action-oriented historical epics. Davis remains the first Black actress to be nominated for four Academy Awards.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett is a two-time Academy Award winner known for her extensive range in both independent and big-budget films. She won her second Oscar for her leading role in the 2013 drama ‘Blue Jasmine’, directed by Woody Allen. In 2022, she received further acclaim for portraying a world-renowned conductor in the psychological drama ‘Tár’. Blanchett also appeared in the ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villain Hela. Her work during this period includes diverse projects such as ‘Carol’ and ‘Nightmare Alley’.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand won two Academy Awards for Best Actress within the last decade for ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ and ‘Nomadland’. In ‘Nomadland’, she also served as a producer, winning the Oscar for Best Picture. Her performance in the miniseries ‘Olive Kitteridge’ earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress. McDormand is recognized for her naturalistic acting style and her frequent collaborations with the Coen brothers. She also voiced a character in the animated film ‘Isle of Dogs’.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep continued her record-breaking career over the last fifteen years with numerous nominations and a third Academy Award win for ‘The Iron Lady’. She portrayed Margaret Thatcher in the 2011 biographical film, earning praise for her transformation. Streep also starred in the film adaptation of the musical ‘Into the Woods’ and the newspaper drama ‘The Post’. On television, she joined the cast of ‘Big Little Lies’ for its second season in 2019. She remains the most nominated performer in the history of the Academy Awards.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone earned her first Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 2016 musical ‘La La Land’. She received a second Best Actress Oscar in 2024 for her performance in ‘Poor Things’, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Stone has balanced blockbuster success in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ series with acclaimed roles in ‘The Favourite’ and ‘Birdman’. She also starred in and produced the television series ‘The Curse’. Her career has been marked by a transition from comedic roles to complex dramatic leads.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence became one of the highest-paid actresses in the world following her success in ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 2012 film ‘Silver Linings Playbook’. Lawrence received additional Oscar nominations for her work in ‘American Hustle’, ‘Joy’, and ‘Winter’s Bone’. She also portrayed the character Mystique in the ‘X-Men’ film series. Recently, she produced and starred in the comedy ‘No Hard Feelings’ and the drama ‘Causeway’.

Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman gained international prominence after winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Queen Anne in ‘The Favourite’. She continued her success with a leading role as Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series ‘The Crown’ during its third and fourth seasons. Colman received further Oscar nominations for her roles in ‘The Father’ and ‘The Lost Daughter’. In 2023, she appeared in the musical film ‘Wonka’ and the miniseries ‘Great Expectations’. Her work is frequently noted for its emotional depth and versatility.

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh made history by becoming the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. Her performance in the 2022 film revitalized her career in Hollywood and earned her several major industry awards. Prior to this, she starred in the 2018 hit ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and the Marvel film ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’. Yeoh also had a recurring role in the television series ‘Star Trek: Discovery’. Her recent projects include the film adaptation of the musical ‘Wicked’.

Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the titular character in the 2021 film ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’. She first rose to prominence in 2011 with a series of acclaimed performances in ‘The Help’, ‘Take Shelter’, and ‘The Tree of Life’. Chastain also starred as a CIA analyst in the 2012 thriller ‘Zero Dark Thirty’, for which she received an Oscar nomination. She has since appeared in major films like ‘Interstellar’, ‘The Martian’, and ‘Molly’s Game’. In 2023, she won a Tony Award for her performance in the play ‘A Doll’s House’.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her film debut in the 2013 historical drama ’12 Years a Slave’. She later joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nakia in the ‘Black Panther’ films. Nyong’o received critical praise for playing dual roles in Jordan Peele’s 2019 horror film ‘Us’. She has also lent her voice to the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy as Maz Kanata. In 2024, she starred in the prequel film ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie gained widespread recognition for her role in the 2013 film ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. She received Academy Award nominations for her performances in ‘I, Tonya’ and ‘Bombshell’. Robbie became a major producer in Hollywood through her company LuckyChap Entertainment, which produced the 2023 blockbuster ‘Barbie’. She has portrayed the DC Comics character Harley Quinn in three different feature films. Her recent work includes starring in Damien Chazelle’s ‘Babylon’ and Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City’.

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan has established herself as a prominent dramatic actress with four Academy Award nominations before the age of 25. She earned acclaim for her leading roles in ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Lady Bird’, and the 2019 adaptation of ‘Little Women’. Ronan first gained international attention as a child actress in ‘Atonement’ and ‘The Lovely Bones’. In 2024, she starred in the films ‘The Outrun’ and ‘Blitz’. Her career is noted for a consistent focus on character-driven independent cinema.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams has received multiple Academy Award nominations for her work in films such as ‘The Fighter’, ‘The Master’, and ‘American Hustle’. She starred as Louise Banks in the 2016 science fiction film ‘Arrival’, which earned her significant critical praise. Adams also portrayed Lois Lane in the DC Extended Universe, starting with ‘Man of Steel’. In 2018, she led the HBO miniseries ‘Sharp Objects’, for which she received an Emmy nomination. Her recent credits include ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ and ‘Disenchanted’.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 2010 film ‘Black Swan’. Over the last 15 years, she received another Oscar nomination for portraying Jacqueline Kennedy in the 2016 biopic ‘Jackie’. Portman returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to play Jane Foster as the Mighty Thor in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’. In 2023, she starred in the critically acclaimed drama ‘May December’. She has also been active in producing and directing, making her feature directorial debut with ‘A Tale of Love and Darkness’.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton is known for her roles in both arthouse cinema and mainstream blockbusters. During the last 15 years, she appeared in several Wes Anderson films, including ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ and ‘The French Dispatch’. She played the Ancient One in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films ‘Doctor Strange’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’. Swinton received praise for her dual roles in the 2018 remake of ‘Suspiria’. In 2022, she starred in ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’ and ‘The Eternal Daughter’.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock continued her box office success with the 2013 film ‘Gravity’, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She starred in the 2018 Netflix thriller ‘Bird Box’, which became one of the platform’s most-watched original films. Bullock also led the ensemble cast of ‘Ocean’s 8’ and starred in the 2022 action-comedy ‘The Lost City’. In 2021, she played a former convict in the drama ‘The Unforgivable’. She remains one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron received an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Megyn Kelly in the 2019 film ‘Bombshell’. She earned critical acclaim for her role as Furiosa in the 2015 action film ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. Theron has established herself as an action star with leading roles in ‘Atomic Blonde’ and the Netflix film ‘The Old Guard’. She also joined the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise as the antagonist Cipher. Recently, she appeared in the fantasy film ‘The School for Good and Evil’.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman has remained a prolific actress in both film and television over the past 15 years. She won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance in the HBO series ‘Big Little Lies’. Her film work includes an Oscar-nominated performance in the 2016 drama ‘Lion’ and portraying Lucille Ball in ‘Being the Ricardos’. Kidman also starred in the television series ‘The Undoing’ and ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’. In 2024, she continued her work in the drama series ‘Expats’.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as a professor with Alzheimer’s in the 2014 film ‘Still Alice’. She appeared in ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay’ parts 1 and 2 as President Alma Coin. Moore also starred in ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ and the 2023 drama ‘May December’. In 2020, she portrayed Gloria Steinem in the biographical film ‘The Glorias’. Her career is distinguished by her work in both independent dramas and major studio productions.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet won an Emmy Award for her leading role in the 2021 limited series ‘Mare of Easttown’. She also starred in the 2011 miniseries ‘Mildred Pierce’, for which she also received an Emmy. Her film roles in the last 15 years include ‘Contagion’, ‘Steve Jobs’, and ‘Ammonite’. In 2022, she reunited with director James Cameron for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’. Winslet is recognized for her frequent portrayals of complex, determined female characters.

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams has received multiple Academy Award nominations since 2011 for her work in ‘My Week with Marilyn’, ‘Manchester by the Sea’, and ‘The Fabelmans’. She won an Emmy Award for portraying Gwen Verdon in the 2019 biographical miniseries ‘Fosse/Verdon’. Williams also appeared as Anne Weying in the ‘Venom’ films. Her performance in the 2010 film ‘Blue Valentine’ set the stage for a decade of high-profile dramatic roles. She is often cited for her work in independent and character-focused cinema.

Carey Mulligan

Carey Mulligan earned Academy Award nominations for her performances in the 2020 thriller ‘Promising Young Woman’ and the 2023 biopic ‘Maestro’. She starred in the 2013 adaptation of ‘The Great Gatsby’ as Daisy Buchanan. Mulligan also appeared in critically acclaimed films such as ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’, ‘Suffragette’, and ‘She Said’. In 2018, she starred in the film ‘Wildlife’, directed by Paul Dano. Her roles often explore societal expectations and personal trauma.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh rose to international fame in 2019 with her roles in ‘Fighting with My Family’, ‘Midsommar’, and ‘Little Women’. Her performance in ‘Little Women’ earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Yelena Belova in ‘Black Widow’ and the series ‘Hawkeye’. In 2023, she appeared in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ and voiced a character in ‘The Boy and the Heron’. Pugh also starred in the 2024 sequel ‘Dune: Part Two’.

Zendaya

Zendaya transitioned from television stardom to major film roles with her appearance in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ and its sequels. She became the youngest two-time winner of the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in ‘Euphoria’. In 2021, she starred in the science fiction epic ‘Dune’ and voiced Lola Bunny in ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’. She returned for ‘Dune: Part Two’ in 2024 and starred in the tennis drama ‘Challengers’. Zendaya is also recognized as a significant figure in the fashion industry.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy gained critical attention for her film debut in the 2015 horror movie ‘The Witch’. She achieved global fame for her leading role in the 2020 Netflix miniseries ‘The Queen’s Gambit’, for which she won a Golden Globe. Her film career includes roles in ‘Split’, ‘Thoroughbreds’, and ‘Last Night in Soho’. In 2022, she starred in ‘The Menu’ and ‘The Northman’. She took on the titular role in the 2024 action prequel ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt starred as the title character in the 2018 musical ‘Mary Poppins Returns’, receiving a Golden Globe nomination. She earned critical acclaim for her performance in the horror-thriller ‘A Quiet Place’ and its 2020 sequel. Blunt also appeared in the action films ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ and ‘Sicario’. In 2023, she portrayed Kitty Oppenheimer in the biographical drama ‘Oppenheimer’, which earned her an Oscar nomination. Her career includes a wide variety of roles in musicals, dramas, and action cinema.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 2015 drama ‘Room’. She then entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the titular character in ‘Captain Marvel’ and appeared in ‘Avengers: Endgame’. Larson also starred in the 2017 blockbuster ‘Kong: Skull Island’. In 2023, she led the television miniseries ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ and starred in ‘The Marvels’. She has also been active as a director, with her debut feature ‘Store Unicorn’ released in 2017.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Fantine in the 2012 musical ‘Les Misérables’. In the same year, she portrayed Selina Kyle in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. She starred in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’ and the comedy ‘The Intern’ alongside Robert De Niro. Hathaway’s recent work includes the 2022 film ‘Armageddon Time’ and the 2024 romantic drama ‘The Idea of You’. She has consistently appeared in both major studio productions and independent films.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close received her seventh and eighth Academy Award nominations during the last 15 years for ‘Albert Nobbs’ and ‘Hillbilly Elegy’. She starred as Nova Prime in the Marvel film ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ in 2014. On television, she led the thriller series ‘Damages’ through its final seasons in 2011 and 2012. Close also received critical praise for her performance in the 2017 film ‘The Wife’. In 2024, she joined the cast of the mystery film ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’.

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in the 2013 stage play ‘The Audience’ and appeared in various film roles including ‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’ and ‘Trumbo’. She joined the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise as Queenie Shaw and appeared in the DC film ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’. In 2023, she portrayed Golda Meir in the biographical drama ‘Golda’. Mirren also starred alongside Harrison Ford in the ‘Yellowstone’ prequel series ‘1923’. She is one of the few performers to have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 2011 film ‘The Help’. She received subsequent Oscar nominations for ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘The Shape of Water’. Spencer starred in the horror film ‘Ma’ and the Apple TV+ series ‘Truth Be Told’. In 2022, she appeared in the musical comedy ‘Spirited’ alongside Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. She is also a successful producer, having worked on the Best Picture winner ‘Green Book’.

Regina King

Regina King won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ in 2018. She also won three Emmy Awards during this period for her roles in ‘American Crime’ and ‘Seven Seconds’. In 2019, she led the critically acclaimed HBO series ‘Watchmen’, winning another Emmy. King made her feature film directorial debut with the 2020 drama ‘One Night in Miami…’. In 2024, she starred in the biographical film ‘Shirley’ as Shirley Chisholm.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Queen Ramonda in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. She became the first actor from a Marvel Studios film to be nominated for an Oscar. Bassett has also been a mainstay of the anthology series ‘American Horror Story’ since 2013. She currently stars in and executive produces the procedural drama series ‘9-1-1’. In 2024, she was honored with an Academy Honorary Award for her career contributions.

Allison Janney

Allison Janney won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of LaVona Golden in the 2017 biopic ‘I, Tonya’. She starred in the sitcom ‘Mom’ from 2013 to 2021, winning two Emmy Awards for her performance. Janney has also appeared in films such as ‘The Help’, ‘Spy’, and ‘Bad Education’. In 2022, she starred in the action thriller ‘Lou’ for Netflix. Her career is characterized by success in both broad comedy and intense drama.

Laura Dern

Laura Dern won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as a divorce lawyer in the 2019 film ‘Marriage Story’. She starred in the HBO series ‘Big Little Lies’, for which she won an Emmy and a Golden Globe. Dern reprised her role as Dr. Ellie Sattler in the 2022 blockbuster ‘Jurassic World Dominion’. She also appeared in the 2017 revival of ‘Twin Peaks’ and the film ‘Little Women’. In 2024, she starred in the Netflix romantic drama ‘Lonely Planet’.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson received two Academy Award nominations in the same year for ‘Marriage Story’ and ‘Jojo Rabbit’. She portrayed Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe from 2010 to 2021. Johansson also starred in the science fiction films ‘Under the Skin’, ‘Lucy’, and ‘Ghost in the Shell’. In 2023, she appeared in Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City’. She remains one of the world’s highest-paid actresses and a major box office draw.

Elizabeth Olsen

Elizabeth Olsen gained mainstream fame for her portrayal of Wanda Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’. She received critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination for the Disney+ series ‘WandaVision’ in 2021. Olsen also starred in the independent films ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’ and ‘Wind River’. In 2023, she led the HBO Max limited series ‘Love & Death’. She is recognized for her ability to bring emotional depth to genre-based storytelling.

Ana de Armas

Ana de Armas rose to international prominence with her role in the 2019 mystery film ‘Knives Out’, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in the 2022 film ‘Blonde’. De Armas also appeared in ‘Blade Runner 2049’, ‘No Time to Die’, and ‘The Gray Man’. In 2025, she headlined the ‘John Wick’ spin-off film ‘Ballerina’. Her career has rapidly expanded from Spanish-language television to Hollywood leading roles.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga successfully transitioned into film acting with her leading role in the 2018 remake of ‘A Star Is Born’. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and won the Oscar for Best Original Song for ‘Shallow’. In 2021, she starred as Patrizia Reggiani in the biographical crime drama ‘House of Gucci’. She portrayed Harley Quinn in the 2024 musical sequel ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’. Gaga is one of the few performers to achieve significant critical success in both music and cinema.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo received two Academy Award nominations for the 2019 film ‘Harriet’, both for her acting and for the song ‘Stand Up’. She is a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner, leaving her one Oscar away from EGOT status. Erivo starred in the 2018 films ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ and ‘Widows’. She portrayed Aretha Franklin in the television series ‘Genius: Aretha’ in 2021. In 2024, she starred as Elphaba in the film adaptation of the musical ‘Wicked’.

Ruth Negga

Ruth Negga received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance in the 2016 biographical drama ‘Loving’. She starred in the television series ‘Preacher’ from 2016 to 2019 as Tulip O’Hare. Negga earned critical acclaim for her role in the 2021 film ‘Passing’, directed by Rebecca Hall. She also appeared in the science fiction film ‘Ad Astra’ alongside Brad Pitt. In 2022, she made her Broadway debut in ‘Macbeth’, receiving a Tony Award nomination.

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara gained international recognition for her role as Lisbeth Salander in the 2011 film ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’. She received two Academy Award nominations for her work in that film and the 2015 romantic drama ‘Carol’. Mara also appeared in ‘Her’, ‘Lion’, and ‘Nightmare Alley’. In 2022, she starred in the ensemble drama ‘Women Talking’. Her career is noted for her collaborations with prestigious directors such as David Fincher and Todd Haynes.

Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role as Amy Dunne in the 2014 thriller ‘Gone Girl’. She won a Golden Globe for her performance in the 2020 film ‘I Care a Lot’. Pike currently stars as Moiraine Damodred in the fantasy series ‘The Wheel of Time’. In 2023, she appeared in the psychological thriller ‘Saltburn’. Her performances are often recognized for their calculated intensity and complex character arcs.

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 2014 film ‘The Imitation Game’. She starred in the 2012 adaptation of ‘Anna Karenina’ and the 2013 musical drama ‘Begin Again’. Knightley also led the 2018 biographical film ‘Colette’ and the 2020 comedy-drama ‘Misbehaviour’. In 2023, she starred in the true-crime drama ‘Boston Strangler’. She remains a prominent figure in historical and period dramas.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the 2015 film ‘Spotlight’. She joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Christine Palmer in ‘Doctor Strange’ and its 2022 sequel. McAdams starred in the 2018 comedy ‘Game Night’ and the 2020 musical film ‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’. In 2023, she appeared in the adaptation of ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’. Her work spans across successful comedies, dramas, and blockbuster franchises.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph

Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 2023 film ‘The Holdovers’. She first gained major attention for her performance in the 2019 film ‘Dolemite Is My Name’. Randolph has a recurring role in the mystery-comedy series ‘Only Murders in the Building’. She also appeared in the 2022 films ‘The Lost City’ and ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’. Her career is distinguished by her background in theater and her versatility in both comedy and drama.

Lily Gladstone

Lily Gladstone received widespread critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for her role as Mollie Burkhart in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’. For this performance, she became the first Native American woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress. Previously, she was noted for her work in the independent film ‘Certain Women’, directed by Kelly Reichardt. In 2024, she starred in the film ‘Fancy Dance’ and the miniseries ‘Under the Bridge’. Gladstone is recognized for her subtle and emotionally resonant acting style.

Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the 2021 film ‘The Power of the Dog’. She won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in Lars von Trier’s ‘Melancholia’ in 2011. Dunst starred in the second season of the series ‘Fargo’, which earned her an Emmy nomination. In 2024, she led the cast of the dystopian action film ‘Civil War’. Her career has transitioned from teen stardom to consistent success in auteur-driven cinema.

Penélope Cruz

Penelope Cruz received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance in the 2021 film ‘Parallel Mothers’. This marked her fourth Oscar nomination and her latest collaboration with director Pedro Almodóvar. During the last 15 years, she also starred in ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and portrayed Donatella Versace in the series ‘American Crime Story’. In 2023, she played Laura Ferrari in the biographical film ‘Ferrari’. She is the first Spanish actress to have won an Academy Award.

Youn Yuh-jung

Youn Yuh-jung became the first Korean actor to win an Academy Award for her performance in the 2020 film ‘Minari’. Her win for Best Supporting Actress followed a long and distinguished career in South Korean cinema and television. She later starred in the Apple TV+ series ‘Pachinko’, which premiered in 2022. Youn has been a regular cast member on several popular Korean reality shows such as ‘Youn’s Kitchen’. Her success in the 2020s has made her a prominent figure in the global film community.

Please share which of these actresses has given your favorite performance of the last 15 years in the comments.