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Denise Richards's top 10 movie roles, ranked from worst to best

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - November 29th 2024, 15:00 GMT+1

Cropped About — About this gallery:

For this list, we have decided to focus only on movies where Denise Richards appears, no matter how small her role is. For this reason, don’t expect any of her performances in series, short films, or commercials. And remember, this list is subjective! If you think any movie is not in the right spot, share your opinion!

| © Denise Richards

Cropped Valentine — 10. Valentine (2001)

Oh, Denise, how did we end up here? *Valentine* had all the ingredients for a cult slasher hit – attractive cast, a masked killer, and Valentine’s Day clichés. But instead, we got a forgettable whodunit with cardboard characters. Denise plays Paige, the snarky friend who spends most of her screen time delivering biting one-liners or being stalked by the creepy Cherub killer. Sure, she’s fun to watch, but even her charisma can’t save this cheesy, uneven horror flick. | © Warner Bros.

Cropped Empire — 9. Empire (2002)

If *Empire* is about anything, it’s about drugs, power, and… Denise Richards doing her best in a tiny supporting role. She plays Trish, a character so unremarkable you might blink and forget she was there. It’s a gritty crime drama with a solid lead performance by John Leguizamo, but Denise’s inclusion feels more like a cameo than a fleshed-out role. Honestly, the movie is fine – her role just isn’t. Still, she looks stunning while adding little to the plot. | © Universal Pictures.

Cropped Love Actually — 8. Love Actually (2003)

Denise’s appearance in *Love Actually* is less a role and more of a glorified punchline. She shows up in the final moments as one of the gorgeous American girls Hugh Grant’s character wins over, proving British charm apparently has no limits. It’s funny, sure, but blink, and you’ll miss her. Still, the movie’s charm and her brief moment of screen presence add a little sparkle to this Christmas classic. Just don’t expect her to be a plot-driving force. | © Universal Pictures.

Cropped Undercover Brother — 7. Undercover Brother (2002)

In *Undercover Brother*, Denise Richards leans into her campy side as White She-Devil, a hilariously over-the-top femme fatale working for "The Man." It’s ridiculous, it’s offensive in all the ways it’s meant to be, and Denise somehow makes it work. The movie is a satire of 70s Blaxploitation films, and while Denise isn’t the highlight, her commitment to absurdity is commendable. You might cringe, but at least you’ll laugh along the way. | © Universal Pictures.

Cropped Good Advice — 6. Good Advice (2001)

Denise Richards in *Good Advice* gives us a rom-com performance that’s equal parts charming and frustrating. She plays Cindy, a stockbroker who’s not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, but Denise sells the humor in her cluelessness. Paired with Charlie Sheen (yes, her then-future husband), the movie has its cute moments, but it’s no *When Harry Met Sally*. Denise does her best to shine in a formulaic script, and she almost pulls it off. | © Lions Gate Films.

Cropped The World Is Not Enough — 5. The World is Not Enough (1999)

Oh, Dr. Christmas Jones. The role that launched a thousand jokes. Denise plays a nuclear physicist in this Bond film, and while the idea of casting her as a scientist was ambitious, the execution left much to be desired. Sure, she looks amazing in a tank top, but her delivery feels more like a parody of Bond girls than the real deal. Is it fun? Yes. Is it convincing? Not even close. | © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Cropped Tail Lights Fade — 4. Tail Lights Fade (1999)

This indie dramedy about friends on a road trip is as 90s as it gets. Denise Richards plays Wendy, a character stuck in a subplot about cars and relationship woes. The movie is a mixed bag – quirky but unfocused. Denise does her best with the material she’s given, showing flashes of emotional depth, but the script never quite knows what to do with her. A noble effort, but not her finest hour. | © Lions Gate Films.

Cropped Drop Dead Gorgeous — 3. Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

In *Drop Dead Gorgeous*, Denise Richards is at her comedic best as Rebecca Ann Leeman, the spoiled and overly confident beauty queen who’ll do whatever it takes to win. From her hilariously fake sweetness to her unshakable belief that she’s destined for greatness, Denise steals the show with her sharp timing and dedication to the absurdity of the role. Her infamous scene serenading Jesus with a heartfelt rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” is pure dark comedy gold. This satirical look at pageant culture wouldn’t be the same without her. It’s a rare gem where Denise gets to fully flex her comedic chops, and she absolutely nails it. | © New Line Cinema.

Cropped Starship Troopers — 2. Starship Troopers (1997)

Denise Richards soars – literally and figuratively – in *Starship Troopers* as Carmen Ibanez, a talented pilot caught in an intergalactic war against alien bugs. While some criticized her performance as wooden, it fits the campy, over-the-top tone of the movie perfectly. Carmen is ambitious, driven, and unapologetically focused on her career, which gives her character an interesting edge amid the chaos. The movie itself is a cult classic, blending sci-fi action with biting satire, and Denise stands out in a cast of equally iconic performances. Love her or not, you can’t imagine *Starship Troopers* without her. | © TriStar Pictures.

Cropped Wild Things — 1. Wild Things (1998)

If *Wild Things* taught us anything, it’s that Denise Richards knows how to play a character with layers – and not the innocent kind. As Kelly Van Ryan, she’s sultry, manipulative, and downright dangerous in this steamy neo-noir thriller. Denise perfectly captures the balance between innocent schoolgirl and scheming femme fatale, keeping the audience guessing at every twist. Her chemistry with co-stars Neve Campbell and Matt Dillon is electric, and the infamous pool scene solidified her status as a 90s icon. Love it or cringe at its melodrama, *Wild Things* is a film where Denise truly shines. | © Columbia Pictures.

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Denise Richards – 90s heartthrob, drama queen, and action star rolled into one. From steamy thrillers to campy classics, her filmography is a rollercoaster ride of memorable moments and questionable choices. Whether she’s stealing scenes in a cult favorite or... well, just showing up in something less acclaimed, there’s no denying she’s always unforgettable.

So grab your popcorn (and maybe a touch of nostalgia) as we dive into Denise Richards’s top 10 movie roles – ranked from “What were they thinking?” to “Certified Queen of the Screen.”

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Denise Richards – 90s heartthrob, drama queen, and action star rolled into one. From steamy thrillers to campy classics, her filmography is a rollercoaster ride of memorable moments and questionable choices. Whether she’s stealing scenes in a cult favorite or... well, just showing up in something less acclaimed, there’s no denying she’s always unforgettable.

So grab your popcorn (and maybe a touch of nostalgia) as we dive into Denise Richards’s top 10 movie roles – ranked from “What were they thinking?” to “Certified Queen of the Screen.”