The Most Influential Actresses of the 2010s

The 2010s reshaped the screen landscape, and a generation of actresses helped drive that change through boundary-pushing roles, awards-season milestones, franchise leadership, and visible work behind the camera. Their projects expanded what kinds of stories reached global audiences, from indie dramas and prestige TV to record-setting superhero films. Many launched production companies, advocated for inclusion, and partnered with emerging directors and showrunners. Here are 40 actresses whose bodies of work and industry moves defined the era.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep remained a fixture of prestige cinema and expanded into high-profile television ensembles. She earned multiple major award nominations across the period. Her roles spanned biographical portrayals, musical comedy, and ensemble drama. She also used public platforms to support gender-equity initiatives in filmmaking.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis became the first Black woman to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. She won an Academy Award for a supporting role adapted from a noted stage work. Davis co-founded a production company focused on inclusive storytelling. She has been an advocate for equitable opportunities for actors of color.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence led the global ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise to major box-office results. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for a contemporary dramedy and earned additional nominations for subsequent collaborations with the same director. Lawrence balanced tentpoles with auteur-driven projects. She publicly addressed pay-equity issues affecting leading women in Hollywood.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of Natasha Romanoff anchored multiple entries in the Marvel franchise. She received dual acting Oscar nominations in the same year for separate films. Johansson shifted among action, indie drama, and voice performance. She later headlined a standalone Black Widow film following sustained audience demand.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone won the Academy Award for Best Actress for a modern musical romance. She earned further nominations for biographical and ensemble work. Stone moved into producing, including projects for limited series. Her filmography bridged studio releases and director-led features.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for a historical drama that became widely studied. She joined the ‘Star Wars’ saga and led a landmark horror film from a rising auteur. Nyong’o’s career includes stage, film, and voice roles. She authored a bestselling children’s book addressing self-image and representation.

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan earned multiple Academy Award nominations across period and contemporary roles. She headlined ‘Lady Bird’ and later led a fresh adaptation of ‘Little Women’. Ronan frequently collaborated with female filmmakers. Her projects emphasized literature-based stories and character-driven narratives.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson won the Academy Award for Best Actress for a harrowing indie drama adapted from a bestselling novel. She later starred as the title character in ‘Captain Marvel’, a major superhero launch. Larson directed a feature film and has spoken about inclusive press access. She participates in initiatives supporting filmmakers from underrepresented groups.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman earned major nominations for a transformative biographical performance. Her work included collaborations in science-fiction and art-house projects such as ‘Annihilation’. Portman has produced films centering women and literary adaptations. She has addressed gender gaps and pay disparity in public forums.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett received significant recognition for ‘Blue Jasmine’ and ‘Carol’. She joined franchise ensembles including ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and ‘Ocean’s 8’. Blanchett also maintained a strong stage career and international festival presence. She served in leadership roles at major festivals during key industry reform moments.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron redefined action leads with ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, earning extensive acclaim for physical performance. She portrayed a prominent media figure in ‘Bombshell’, receiving top awards recognition. Theron founded a production company developing female-driven stories. She supports programs through the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams earned multiple Academy Award nominations for roles including ‘American Hustle’ and ‘Arrival’. She bridged film and prestige TV with the limited series ‘Sharp Objects’. Adams frequently collaborated with major directors on complex characters. Her work sustained a strong awards-season presence across genres.

Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain earned widespread recognition with ‘Zero Dark Thirty’. She co-founded a production company to champion underrepresented voices. Chastain has advocated for pay transparency and equity in negotiations. Her projects often engage political, historical, or social themes.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman expanded her influence by starring in and executive producing ‘Big Little Lies’. She continued to receive awards recognition for film and television roles. Kidman worked with international auteurs across English-language and global productions. Her producing slate advanced multi-lead, women-centered series.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine developed and starred her in ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘The Morning Show’. The company focuses on adapting women-authored books and building female-led ensembles. Witherspoon’s business model helped accelerate premium limited-series adaptations. She expanded into podcasting and unscripted formats linked to book communities.

Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot’s portrayal of Diana Prince in ‘Wonder Woman’ marked a milestone for female-led superhero films. The character returned in multiple franchise entries and crossovers. Gadot’s global profile led to action-thriller and international productions. She supports philanthropic initiatives connected to education and disaster relief.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie earned major awards recognition for ‘I, Tonya’ and portrayed Harley Quinn across multiple films. She co-founded LuckyChap Entertainment to produce female-driven stories. Robbie backed emerging writers and directors across features and limited series. Her slate includes literary adaptations and distinctive genre projects.

Zendaya

Zendaya won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for ‘Euphoria’. She appeared in major franchises including ‘Spider-Man’ and collaborated with auteurs on intimate films. Zendaya serves as a producer on select projects. Her fashion and brand partnerships expanded visibility across global markets.

Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke’s role as Daenerys Targaryen helped make ‘Game of Thrones’ a worldwide phenomenon. She branched into romantic drama and franchise films after the series. Clarke publicly shared recovery from serious health issues and supported related charities. She engages in theater work alongside screen roles.

Elisabeth Moss

Elisabeth Moss led ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, which became a cultural reference point. She produced the series, contributing to creative and production decisions. Moss continued to star in independent films with festival premieres. Her television work gathered multiple major awards across categories.

Sandra Oh

Sandra Oh headlined ‘Killing Eve’, earning significant awards recognition. She made historic strides for Asian actors at major ceremonies. Oh co-hosted the Golden Globes and continued advocacy for broader representation. She followed network success with lead roles in international and streaming projects.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra Jonas transitioned from Bollywood stardom to a U.S. network lead with ‘Quantico’. She produced features and series across Indian and international markets. Her work spans English- and Hindi-language projects. Chopra Jonas serves with UNICEF and supports education and health initiatives.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson’s Cookie Lyon powered ‘Empire’ to notable ratings and soundtrack sales. She starred in ‘Hidden Figures’, highlighting the contributions of Black women in NASA history. Henson founded a nonprofit focused on mental health in the Black community. She published a memoir detailing her path through the industry.

Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy became a box-office force following ‘Bridesmaids’, leading multiple studio comedies. She earned an Academy Award nomination for a dramatic biopic, signaling range beyond comedy. McCarthy produces projects through a company she runs with Ben Falcone. Her films helped sustain demand for female-led comedy vehicles.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson headlined ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and joined the ensemble of ‘Little Women’. She served as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and helped launch HeForShe. Watson founded a popular book club that amplified women-authored works. She balances acting with activism and education initiatives.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway won major awards for ‘Les Misérables’ and maintained box-office appeal with large-scale releases such as ‘Interstellar’. She sustained franchise visibility with ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and later joined ‘Ocean’s 8’. Hathaway has worked in theater and voice performance. She supports fundraising and campaigns related to gender equality and family support.

Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman earned top prizes for ‘The Favourite’ and expanded her global profile with ‘The Crown’. She previously led acclaimed British series including ‘Broadchurch’. Colman collaborates frequently with UK and European directors. She supports independent productions and charities focused on refugees and children.

Alicia Vikander

Alicia Vikander broke through with ‘Ex Machina’ and ‘The Danish Girl’, earning major awards recognition. She later led the action reboot ‘Tomb Raider’. Vikander works across multiple languages and European co-productions. She co-founded a production company developing filmmaker-driven projects.

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara gained wide attention with ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ and earned acclaim for ‘Carol’. She alternated between minimalist indies and larger auteur dramas. Mara co-founded a fashion label emphasizing ethical manufacturing. She supports nonprofit efforts focused on animal welfare and food issues.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh emerged with ‘Lady Macbeth’ and moved into mainstream visibility through ‘Fighting with My Family’ and ‘Midsommar’. She joined literary adaptations and later franchise entries. Pugh works across period drama, horror, and action. She received major award nominations early in her career.

Shailene Woodley

Shailene Woodley shifted from indie acclaim in ‘The Descendants’ to YA leadership in the ‘Divergent’ series. She fronted the hit romance ‘The Fault in Our Stars’. Woodley returned to prestige TV with ‘Big Little Lies’ as part of an award-winning ensemble. She participates in environmental activism, especially water-protection efforts.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart transitioned from franchise fame to an auteur-driven path with ‘Clouds of Sils Maria’ and ‘Personal Shopper’. She took on biographical and experimental projects while maintaining a festival presence. Stewart frequently collaborates with European filmmakers. She received major critics’ awards and international honors for independent work.

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley paired period-drama expertise with contemporary roles, earning recognition for ‘The Imitation Game’ and ‘Begin Again’. She led ‘Colette’, introducing a literary icon to new audiences. Knightley continued franchise participation and animation voice work. She supports theater and philanthropic initiatives, including children’s health.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton worked across indies and tentpoles, appearing in ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’, ‘Snowpiercer’, and ‘Doctor Strange’. She collaborates with visionary directors across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Swinton often undertakes transformative roles and multi-part performances. She supports film-festival programs and experimental cinema.

Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike’s lead turn in ‘Gone Girl’ became a major cultural reference for contemporary thrillers. She followed with ‘A Private War’ and continued prestige television roles. Pike alternates between historical biopics and modern suspense. She narrates and produces audio projects connected to literary works.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer won top honors for ‘The Help’ and anchored ensembles in ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘The Shape of Water’. She moved into producing inclusive stories for film and streaming. Spencer has led limited series and family features. She mentors emerging talent through industry programs.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand received major awards for ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’. She produced projects that elevated underrepresented perspectives. McDormand’s film work emphasizes collaborations with distinctive directors. She maintains an active presence in theater and independent film advocacy.

Regina King

Regina King earned acclaim for ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and starred in ‘Watchmen’. She directed episodic television and later a feature film. King’s roles frequently address American social history and justice. She mentors emerging filmmakers through labs and festival programs.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock headlined ‘Gravity’, noted for technical innovation and strong international grosses. She returned to heist ensembles with ‘Ocean’s 8’. Bullock produced films and streaming hits such as ‘Bird Box’. She supports disaster-relief efforts through repeated philanthropic contributions.

Carey Mulligan

Carey Mulligan sustained critical momentum with ‘Drive’, ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’, and ‘Suffragette’. She earned significant stage honors in London and New York. Mulligan frequently selects literature-based and music-adjacent material with distinctive directors. She serves as a war-child charity ambassador and participates in advocacy campaigns.

Share which additional actresses you’d add—or which single performance from this era you think defined the decade—in the comments.