13 Must-See Films Starring Meryl Streep

13 Must-See Films Starring Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep stands as one of Hollywood’s greatest actresses, with a career spanning over four decades. Her incredible ability to transform into any character has earned her more Oscar nominations than any other actor in history. From heartbreaking dramas to delightful comedies, Streep brings magic to every role she takes on. Here are thirteen essential films that showcase her remarkable talent and prove why she’s considered the queen of cinema.

1. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

This powerful courtroom drama earned Streep her first Academy Award and established her as a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. Playing Joanna Kramer, a mother who leaves her family only to fight for custody later, she delivers a performance that cuts straight to the heart.

The film explores the painful realities of divorce and how it affects everyone involved, especially children. Streep’s emotional range shines as she portrays a woman torn between personal freedom and maternal love.

Her famous courtroom scene remains one of cinema’s most gripping moments, showcasing raw emotion that feels completely authentic and unforgettable.

2. Sophie’s Choice (1982)

Widely considered Streep’s greatest performance, this haunting drama showcases her incredible ability to disappear completely into a character. As Sophie Zawistowski, a Polish Holocaust survivor living in Brooklyn, she masters a flawless Polish accent while carrying the weight of unspeakable trauma.

The film follows Sophie’s relationship with a young writer and her troubled boyfriend Nathan. Streep navigates between past and present, revealing her character’s devastating secret through flashbacks that build to an emotionally shattering climax.

Her Oscar-winning portrayal demonstrates why she’s considered the greatest actress of her generation, delivering a performance that stays with viewers long after the credits roll.

3. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Miranda Priestly became an instant cultural icon thanks to Streep’s deliciously cold yet captivating performance as the ruthless fashion magazine editor. Her icy stare and perfectly delivered put-downs make her both terrifying and strangely admirable.

Working alongside Anne Hathaway’s eager assistant Andy, Streep creates a character who’s simultaneously the villain and the most interesting person in every scene. Her quiet moments reveal glimpses of vulnerability beneath the designer armor.

The film’s success launched countless memes and quotes, but Streep’s nuanced portrayal elevates what could have been a simple mean boss into a complex, fascinating character study of power and ambition.

4. Out of Africa (1985)

Set against the breathtaking landscapes of Kenya, this epic romance pairs Streep with Robert Redford in a sweeping tale of love and loss. Playing Karen Blixen, a Danish baroness who moves to Africa to start a coffee plantation, she embodies both strength and vulnerability.

Streep’s Danish accent is flawless, and she captures the complexity of a woman caught between two worlds. Her relationship with big-game hunter Denys Finch Hatton unfolds with passionate intensity against the backdrop of colonial Africa.

The film won seven Academy Awards, and Streep’s performance anchors every emotional moment. Her final scenes, as she prepares to leave Africa forever, showcase her ability to break hearts with subtle, understated acting.

5. Doubt (2008)

Sister Aloysius Beauvier showcases Streep’s ability to play morally complex characters who exist in shades of gray rather than black and white. As a stern Catholic school principal in 1964, she suspects a priest of inappropriate behavior with a student.

The film crackles with tension as Streep faces off against Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Father Flynn. Her steely determination and unwavering conviction create a character who might be protecting children or destroying an innocent man.

Streep’s performance raises uncomfortable questions about certainty, faith, and the price of doing what you believe is right. Her final scene delivers a powerful emotional punch that redefines everything that came before.

6. Julie & Julia (2009)

Streep brings infectious joy and warmth to her portrayal of legendary chef Julia Child, capturing both her distinctive voice and her passionate love of cooking. Her towering height and enthusiastic personality fill every frame with delightful energy.

The film alternates between Child’s time in Paris learning French cuisine and a modern food blogger cooking her way through Child’s cookbook. Streep’s scenes sparkle with humor and heart, showing a woman who found her calling later in life.

Her chemistry with Stanley Tucci as husband Paul Child feels genuine and loving. Streep transforms what could have been mere impersonation into a fully realized character study of determination, creativity, and the courage to start over.

7. The Iron Lady (2011)

Streep’s transformation into Margaret Thatcher earned her a third Academy Award and stands as one of cinema’s most complete physical and vocal transformations. She captures both the young politician and the elderly former Prime Minister battling dementia.

The film jumps between Thatcher’s rise to power and her final years, with Streep seamlessly shifting between different ages and mental states. Her portrayal avoids simple hero worship or vilification, instead presenting a complex human being.

Whether delivering fiery political speeches or quietly grieving her husband’s death, Streep finds the humanity within one of history’s most polarizing figures. Her performance transcends politics to explore themes of power, loss, and memory with remarkable sensitivity.

8. Mamma Mia! (2008)

Who knew Streep could sing and dance with such infectious enthusiasm? As Donna Sheridan, the free-spirited mother running a Greek island hotel, she throws herself into musical numbers with abandon that’s absolutely delightful to watch.

The film’s plot about a bride trying to identify her father serves mainly as an excuse for ABBA songs and spectacular Greek scenery. Streep embraces the movie’s silly, joyful spirit while still grounding her character in real emotion.

Her rendition of “The Winner Takes It All” provides the film’s emotional centerpiece, proving she can belt out a power ballad as convincingly as she delivers Shakespeare. This role revealed a playful side that fans had rarely seen before.

9. The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

Francesca Johnson represents one of the most quietly powerful performances, playing an Iowa housewife whose life changes during a brief but intense love affair. Her chemistry with director Clint Eastwood creates genuine romantic magic on screen.

The film unfolds slowly, allowing Streep to build her character’s emotional journey from contentment through passion to heartbreaking sacrifice. Her Italian accent and immigrant background add layers to a woman torn between duty and desire.

Streep’s final scene, sitting in a truck during a rainstorm while deciding whether to abandon her family, showcases her ability to convey internal struggle without words. Her choice and its consequences resonate with quiet, devastating power throughout the film’s emotional conclusion.

10. Adaptation (2002)

Susan Orlean might seem like a departure for Streep, but she brings fascinating complexity to this real-life New Yorker writer who becomes obsessed with orchid thieves in Florida. The film’s meta-narrative structure allows her to play both character and caricature.

Working within Charlie Kaufman’s bizarre, self-referential screenplay, Streep navigates between the “real” Susan Orlean and a fictionalized version who spirals into drug use and murder plots. Her performance balances intellectual curiosity with unexpected wildness.

The role showcases Streep’s willingness to take risks with unconventional material. She finds truth within the film’s surreal elements while maintaining the dignity and intelligence that define her best work, proving her versatility extends to experimental cinema.

11. Silkwood (1983)

Based on the true story of Karen Silkwood, this gripping drama showcases the ability to portray real-life heroism without sentimentality. As a nuclear plant worker who discovers safety violations, she creates a character driven by conscience rather than glory.

Streep captures both Silkwood’s working-class background and her growing determination to expose dangerous conditions at her workplace. The role requires her to balance ordinary humanity with extraordinary courage as corporate pressure mounts.

Her performance builds steadily toward Silkwood’s mysterious death, creating a sense of inevitable tragedy while celebrating one woman’s refusal to stay silent. Streep brings dignity and authenticity to a story that could easily have become preachy or exploitative.

12. The Post (2017)

Katharine Graham comes to life through her nuanced portrayal of the Washington Post publisher who risked everything to publish the Pentagon Papers. Her performance captures a woman finding her voice in a male-dominated world during a crucial moment in American history.

The film’s urgency about press freedom resonates strongly in today’s political climate, and Streep anchors the story with quiet authority. She shows Graham’s transformation from uncertain widow to confident leader without losing sight of her character’s vulnerability.

Working alongside Tom Hanks, Streep creates a character study about courage, responsibility, and the price of truth-telling. Her final scene, walking through a crowd of admiring young women, provides a powerful statement about breaking barriers and inspiring others.

13. Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)

This delightful biographical comedy-drama allows Streep to showcase her comedic timing while exploring themes of dreams, delusion, and the power of believing in yourself. Playing the wealthy socialite who couldn’t sing but dreamed of Carnegie Hall, she finds humanity in apparent absurdity.

Streep’s intentionally awful singing provides laughs, but her performance reveals the genuine passion behind Florence’s musical aspirations. The character’s relationship with her devoted husband adds emotional depth to what could have been simple mockery.

The film becomes a meditation on art, ambition, and the kindness of those who support impossible dreams. Streep brings dignity to a woman who might seem ridiculous, creating a character who’s both funny and deeply touching.