Top 15 Jamie Lee Curtis Acting Roles in Movies and TV Ranked

1-16

Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - September 12th 2025, 22:00 GMT+2

Jamie Lee Curtis Intro — About This Gallery:

For this list, we’re diving into Jamie Lee Curtis’s long and varied career, covering both her movie and TV roles to rank the 15 best. The focus here is squarely on her acting – the energy, depth, and skill she brings to each character – rather than whether the project itself was flawless. That means you might see a fantastic performance nestled inside a film that didn’t quite win over critics, because sometimes Curtis’s talent shines brightest when she elevates less-than-perfect material. | © Disney / Leon Bennett

Cropped Blue Steel 1990 Jamie Lee Curtis — 15. Blue Steel (1990)

Jamie Lee Curtis's entrée into action-thriller territory sees her grappling with a gun that goes rogue in dramatic slow-mo and a stalker who apparently went to ninja school. The film oozes early-’90s polish and feminist grit – neon shoots, tense cityscapes, and a protagonist who snaps from vulnerable to vengeful in a heartbeat. Some lines land like they were written by a mime, but the real joy is in her steely stare-downs and sudden bursts of badassery. She doesn’t just hold a gun – she *owns* every frame as if it’s both her hoodie and her armor. Oh, and there’s that showdown in the park that somehow doubles as an existential crisis. | © MGM

Cropped Perfect 1985 Jamie Lee Curtis — 14. Perfect (1985)

Imagine a world where Rolling Stone writers get sweaty in leotards for TV ratings – that’s *Perfect*. Curtis plays the tough and tumble fitness instructor defending her turf (and sweatbands) while Travolta’s reporter swoops in with microphones and photogenic eyebrow raises. It’s glossy, it’s neon, it’s an '80s workout infomercial disguised as a romance, complete with crunches and whispered gym-floor confessions. Is the script thin? Absolutely – did that stop us from watching it to this day? No way. It’s that deliciously cheesy blend of romance clichés and aerobics chic that makes it stick. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped The Fog 1980 jamie lee curtis — 13. The Fog (1980)

Jamie shows up as a mysterious hitchhiker in John Carpenter’s mist-haunted coastal horror – because what’s scarier than a town whose welcome mat is literally fogged-in skeletons? The production leaned on Avco Embassy Pictures and producer Debra Hill to spin its low-budget gothic magic using real fog, eerie locations, and moisture-slick tension. Beneath the chilling atmosphere, her performance is dripping in subtle fear – and occasionally eyebrow-raising scream timing. It’s a classic where every creaking floorboard feels like an embrace – or snarls “you’re next.” Atmospheric, chilly, memorably kooky – all while keeping you staring at the mist. | © Embassy Pictures

Nicholas Gift Jamie Lee Curtis — 12. Nicholas' Gift (1998)

Bring tissues – this one hurts. Curtis gives a grounded, heart-wrenching performance as a mother facing unthinkable tragedy and turning it into a story of hope through organ donation. It’s quiet, heavy, and deeply moving, proof that she doesn’t need horror or comedy to command a screen. The role even earned her an Emmy nomination, and rightfully so. Sometimes the scariest thing an actor can do is just stand still and feel, and here, Curtis does exactly that. | © CBS Productions

Anything but Love 1989 1992 jamie lee curtis — 11. Anything but Love (1989–1992)

The office-romance sitcom that let Jamie Lee Curtis and Richard Lewis volley neurotic wit like pros. She’s Hannah, a writer at a Chicago magazine, forever in a “we’re not dating” orbit with Lewis’s endearingly frazzled columnist Marty. The show lives on banter, longing looks, and that cozy late-’80s ABC rhythm that made weeknights feel safe. It’s never revolutionary, but Curtis turns everyday newsroom mishaps into miniature rom-coms with bite. Chemistry is the plot engine; the “will-they-won’t-they” is the fuel. If you want proof she can spin warmth and timing into appointment TV, this is your exhibit A. | © 20th Century Fox Television.

Cropped Trading Places 1983 jamie lee curtis — 10. Trading Places (1983)

Curtis all but steals this social-satire comedy as Ophelia, the gum-chewing sex worker with more sense than everyone else in the room. In a movie bursting with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd’s hijinks, she grounds the chaos with street smarts and sly humor. It’s the role that proved she could do comedy just as easily as horror – and suddenly Hollywood saw her as more than just a scream queen. Plus, the character has become iconic in its own right: practical, unflappable, and unforgettable. | © Paramount

Cropped Freakier Friday 2025 — 9. Freakier Friday (2025)

Talk about coming full circle. Curtis returns to one of her most beloved roles, Tess, in this long-awaited sequel to Disney’s *Freaky Friday*. Swapping bodies with her daughter again – this time with all the modern chaos of TikTok, smartphones, and multigenerational parenting woes – she proves she hasn’t lost a beat. The chemistry with Lindsay Lohan is still there, older but just as sharp, and the film manages to feel nostalgic and fresh at the same time. It’s goofy, heartfelt, and Curtis is clearly having a blast. | © Walt Disney Pictures

Scream Queens 2015 2016 jamie lee curtis — 8. Scream Queens (2015–2016)

Curtis struts through sorority mayhem like she owns the campus – equal parts chic, cunning, and wonderfully unhinged. She skewers her own scream-queen legacy with deadpan menace and runway poise, tossing off one-liners while chaos piles up in pearls behind her. The show is deliberately over-the-top, a frothy cocktail of slasher gags and satire, and she sips it with a smirk. What could’ve been a disposable gimmick becomes a flex of comic control every time she’s on screen. It’s glossy, gory, and just self-aware enough to be addictive. And yes, she makes the absurd feel oddly prestigious. | © 20th Century Fox Television

Cropped Knives Out 2019 jamie lee curtis — 7. Knives Out (2019)

The family drama is practically dripping off the walls of the Thrombey mansion, and Jamie Lee Curtis is the perfect mix of ice and steel amidst it all. Linda Drysdale’s clipped remarks and subtle glares make every conversation feel like a duel you didn’t even see coming. The chaos of lies, secrets, and betrayal swirls around her, but she holds the room with quiet authority. Watching her navigate both absurdity and tension is endlessly entertaining. Even when the murder mystery spins out of control, Curtis’s presence grounds it in wit and elegance. By the final twist, she’s the calm, sharp eye in a storm of dysfunction. | © Lionsgate

Cropped Freaky Friday 2003 — 6. Freaky Friday (2003)

Being stuck in your teenager’s body would be hard enough, but throw in school assemblies, teen slang, and wardrobe disasters, and you get a comedic playground where Jamie Lee Curtis thrives. Every awkward gesture and exaggerated grimace sells the absurdity perfectly, turning the classic body-swap premise into pure entertainment. The humor lands in the little details: her frantic attempts at fitting in, her misread social cues, and her timing in dialogue that makes even the mundane hilarious. The chaos builds, the laughs hit hard, and Curtis’s charm keeps it all grounded. By the finale, the movie is both messy and heartwarming – a total joy to watch. | © Walt Disney Pictures

Cropped A Fish Called Wanda 1988 jamie lee curtis — 5. A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Wanda is trouble with a smile, and Jamie Lee Curtis radiates mischief from the first frame. Every sly glance, whispered lie, or flirtatious nudge is perfectly timed chaos in motion. The heist itself is absurd, but Curtis makes manipulation seem effortless, balancing charm and cunning in equal measure. The supporting cast fumbles hilariously around her, amplifying her brilliance without overshadowing it. Watching her weave through scams and double-crosses is a lesson in comedic precision. By the time the credits roll, she has completely stolen every scene, leaving audiences dazzled and laughing. | © MGM

Cropped True Lies 1994 jamie lee curtis — 4. True Lies (1994)

Explosions and car chases are par for the course, but Helen Tasker’s journey in the middle of it all is where the fun lives. Jamie Lee Curtis nails the balance of terror, comedy, and grit, turning wild stunts into moments that feel both thrilling and oddly relatable. The absurdity of suburban life colliding with espionage is heightened by her reactions – terrified, determined, and occasionally exasperated. Curtis makes the over-the-top action believable and engaging, giving viewers someone to root for amidst the chaos. Every fight, scream, and daring escape lands with flair and humor. It’s an over-the-top thrill ride that wouldn’t work without her. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped The Bear 2023 jamie lee curtis — 3. The Bear (2023)

A kitchen on fire is literal in this show, but the tension comes alive through every glance, sigh, and hurried decision. Jamie Lee Curtis navigates the chaos of orders, yelling, and missteps with grounded humor and sharp timing. She makes the frantic environment feel vivid without ever tipping into caricature, highlighting small victories amid mayhem. The energy is relentless, but Curtis’s presence gives it cohesion and weight. Watching her handle stress, frustration, and brief moments of triumph makes the chaos exhilarating rather than exhausting. Every scene feels both authentic and entertaining because of her touch. | © FX Productions

Cropped Halloween 1978 jamie lee curtis — 2. Halloween (1978)

The quiet suburban streets could never feel more menacing. Laurie Strode runs, hides, and calculates every escape with fear that’s utterly tangible. Jamie Lee Curtis embodies that vulnerability with a precision that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Every footstep, glance, and gasp elevates the suspense, transforming simple tension into iconic horror. The minimalistic settings only make her reactions sharper and the danger more palpable. Curtis doesn’t just survive the terror – she defines it, laying the foundation for the “final girl” archetype. | © Falcon International Pictures

Cropped Everything Everywhere All at Once 2022 jamie lee curtis 1 — 1. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Chaos is everywhere, but Curtis’s presence makes it gleefully digestible. From bizarre universes to absurd confrontations, she delivers humor, menace, and style in perfect doses. Every reaction, every line, lands with comic precision, making impossible scenarios feel thrilling and entertaining. The story jumps across dimensions, yet her character’s energy provides a thread of continuity and delight. Curtis doesn’t just participate in the madness – she elevates it, commanding attention and laughter simultaneously. By the end, the absurdity feels purposeful, and her performance is a highlight of multiversal chaos. | © A24

1-16

Few actors have managed to carve out a career as versatile and enduring as Jamie Lee Curtis. From her unforgettable breakout in Halloween to her sharp comedic timing in Freaky Friday and her award-winning turn in Everything Everywhere All at Once, Curtis has proven time and again that she’s more than just a “scream queen.” Her roles span horror, comedy, drama, and even family-friendly adventures, showing off a range that keeps audiences coming back decade after decade. In this list, we’re ranking the 15 best Jamie Lee Curtis acting roles across both movies and TV, celebrating the performances that cemented her as one of Hollywood’s most beloved and reliable stars.