
25 Most Groundbreaking Female Performances Of The Last 30 Years

25. Naomi Watts - 21 Grams
Naomi Watts delivers a deeply affecting performance as Christina in 21 Grams, channelling raw pain and emotion so powerfully that we will never be thankful enough for this. | © Focus Features

24. Tilda Swinton - Orlando
Tilda Swinton’s performance in Orlando is a testament to her unparalleled talent, flawlessly tackling a role so complex it seems only she could bring it to life. | © Momentum Pictures

23. Kristin Scott Thomas - I've Loved You So Long
Kristin Scott Thomas delivers a deeply moving performance in I’ve Loved You So Long, leaving audiences in awe and proving her talent transcends any Hollywood standards. | © UGC

22. Angelina Jolie - Girl, Interrupted
Girl, Interrupted is an amazing work still at the top of Angelina Jolie's career. Has Jolie identified herself with the character too much? We will never know for sure, but she undoubtedly gave her character the rudeness, the anger and the hardness she deserved. | © Columbia Pictures

21. Winona Ryder - The Age of Innocence
Winona Ryder's magnetic performance in The Age of Innocence completely deserved an Oscar, leaving audiences captivated and hoping for her triumphant return to roles of this calibre. | © Columbia Pictures

20. Judi Dench - Notes on a Scandal
The gripping performance by Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal showcases her mastery of complex, commanding roles, which cemented her status as one of the most versatile British actresses. | © Searchlight Pictures

19. Michelle Pfeiffer - Chéri
Michelle Pfeiffer’s brilliant and seductive performance in Chéri recaptures the splendour of her early years, bringing Lea to life with passion, fire, and charm. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

18. Julia Roberts - Erin Brockovich
Julia Roberts shines in Erin Brockovich with a performance so natural and authentic that it feels as though she is simply being herself and doing it beautifully. | © Universal Pictures

17. Halle Berry - Monster's Ball
Halle Berry’s heartbreaking performance in Monster’s Ball showcases her brilliance, delivering raw emotion and unforgettable chemistry with Billy Bob Thornton. | © Lionsgate Films

16. Julianne Moore - Far from Heaven
Julianne Moore delivers a captivating performance in Far from Heaven, portraying an unhappy housewife and proving once again why she’s one of the finest actresses of her time. | © Focus Features

15. Annette Bening - American Beauty
Annette Bening is an actress capable of delivering exceptional performances, even in less-than-stellar films, but thankfully, American Beauty is not one of them. | © DreamWorks Pictures

14. Felicity Huffman - Transamerica
Felicity Huffman’s performance in Transamerica remains unconventional and touching, and it still sparks year after year. The Academy saw her as a TV star, which probably hurt her chances of winning. | © IFC Films

13. Sharon Stone - Casino
Forget all other performances by Sharon Stone, she reached the peak of her career in Casino, delivering a powerful performance that far surpasses anything else she’s known for. | © Ariane Films

12. Kate Winslet - The Reader
Kate Winslet should have won in the "supporting role" category for her performance in The Reader. Still, it was a remarkable performance that showcased her brilliant and vibrant talent at its finest. | © The Weinstein Company

11. Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth
Cate Blanchett’s portrayal in Elizabeth is a shining example of her unmatched versatility, delivering one of the finest performances ever in the role of a reigning monarch. | © PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

10. Susan Sarandon - Dead Man Walking
Susan Sarandon is another acting goddess delivering her peak performance in Dead Man Walking, and shame the Golden Globes members who never gave her an award. Well, she earned an Oscar, cementing her status as an acting legend. | © Gramercy Pictures

9. Meryl Streep - Doubt
Meryl Streep delivered an astonishing performance in Doubt, showcasing her unmatched ability to captivate, intimidate, and evoke sympathy all at once. And yeah, she should have won her third Oscar for this. | © Miramax Films

8. Emily Watson - Breaking the Waves
Young Emily Watson debuted with one of the most remarkable performances of the 90s in Breaking the Waves, delivering a performance so raw and heartfelt that it left nothing more to ask of an actor. | © October Films

7. Kathy Bates - Misery
After years of struggle, the Award-winning role in Misery was a triumphant breakthrough for Kathy Bates. It was proof that revenge is indeed a dish best served cold. | © Columbia Pictures

6. Nicole Kidman - Moulin Rouge!
Moulin Rouge has to be one of the best pictures of the entire decade, with Nicole Kidman’s performance bringing beauty, charm, and hypnotic allure to the screen, capturing hearts with her flawless dedication and talent. | © 20th Century Studios

5. Hilary Swank - Boys Don't Cry
Words can't describe such a glorious performance by Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry. This was nothing short of extraordinary, earning her first well-deserved Oscar with little competition. | © 20th Century Studios

4. Marion Cotillard - La Vie En Rose
Marion Cotillard made portraying The Little Sparrow look effortless, which would have been impossible for most actresses of her time. It's all thanks to her raw talent and, maybe, a matter of make-up. | © Icon Productions

3. Helen Mirren - The Queen
The stunning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II by Helen Mirren deserves to be the subject of studies in schools, an incredible performance that fits royalty. | © Pathé Distribution

2. Holly Hunter - The Piano
The role of Holly Hunter in The Piano is the epitome of masterful acting which marks the peak of her career and earns her a well-deserved Oscar. | © BAC Films

1. Charlize Theron - Monster
With her jaw-dropping transformation in Monster, Charlize Theron still holds the crown for one of the most talked about performances of her time. | © Newmarket Films
Related News
More