The 15 Greatest Actresses in Film History, According to Fans

The 15 Greatest Actresses in Film History, According to Fans

Cinema has given us some of the most talented performers who have captured our hearts and changed the way we see storytelling. Fans around the world have their favorites, and these actresses have earned their place through unforgettable performances and lasting impact.

From classic Hollywood icons to modern-day stars, these women have shaped the film industry in remarkable ways. Here are the 15 greatest actresses in film history, as chosen by devoted fans everywhere.

1. Meryl Streep

With more Oscar nominations than any other actor in history, Meryl Streep has become the gold standard for acting excellence. Her ability to disappear into roles ranging from a stern fashion editor to a British Prime Minister shows incredible range.

Fans admire how she masters different accents and embodies characters so completely that you forget you are watching the same person. Whether she is singing in a musical or portraying a real historical figure, her dedication shines through.

Streep continues to take on challenging roles even after decades in the industry, proving that talent and passion never fade with time.

2. Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn brought a unique combination of grace, charm, and genuine kindness to every role she played. Her performance in Breakfast at Tiffany’s created one of cinema’s most recognizable images that still influences fashion today.

Beyond her beauty, Hepburn possessed remarkable acting skills that earned her an Academy Award early in her career. She could make audiences laugh, cry, and fall in love with her characters effortlessly.

Later in life, she dedicated herself to humanitarian work, showing that her compassion extended far beyond the silver screen and into real-world causes that mattered.

3. Elizabeth Taylor

Those famous violet eyes made Elizabeth Taylor instantly recognizable, but her fierce talent kept audiences coming back for more. She won two Academy Awards and starred in some of the most expensive and ambitious films ever made.

Taylor never shied away from complex, difficult roles that challenged both her and viewers. Her performance in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? showed a raw, unpolished side that critics praised for its honesty.

Off-screen, she became one of the first celebrities to openly support AIDS research and raised millions for the cause during a time when few would speak about it.

4. Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett has built a reputation for choosing roles that push boundaries and challenge conventional storytelling. Her transformative performances range from playing a regal elf queen to a troubled conductor losing everything.

Critics consistently praise her technical skill and emotional depth, which have earned her multiple Academy Awards. She brings intelligence and intensity to every character, making even small moments feel significant.

Blanchett also champions independent cinema and theater, using her influence to support emerging filmmakers and important stories that might otherwise go untold. Her commitment to the craft inspires younger actors everywhere.

5. Nicole Kidman

Some actors protect themselves from pain on screen — Nicole Kidman walks straight into it. She becomes every heartbreak, every longing, every wound her characters carry, and lets us feel them through her.

Her Oscar-winning portrayal of Virginia Woolf required her to transform physically and mentally, showing dedication that goes beyond surface-level acting. Kidman continues to work with visionary directors who appreciate her willingness to take creative risks.

She balances blockbuster films with smaller, character-driven projects, demonstrating range that keeps her career fresh and exciting after more than three decades in the industry.

6. Jodie Foster

Starting as a child actor, Jodie Foster grew into one of Hollywood’s most respected performers and directors. She won her first Oscar before turning 30 and continued to choose roles that showcased strength and complexity.

Foster excels at playing intelligent, determined characters who face extraordinary circumstances with courage. Her performances feel grounded and real, never relying on exaggeration or melodrama to make an impact.

Beyond acting, she has directed several films and uses her platform to advocate for privacy and professionalism in an industry often obsessed with celebrity culture rather than craft.

7. Barbara Stanwyck

Barbara Stanwyck dominated Hollywood’s golden age with a toughness and authenticity that set her apart from other leading ladies. She could play everything from cunning femme fatales to warm-hearted mothers with equal conviction.

Directors loved working with her because she arrived prepared, hit her marks perfectly, and rarely needed multiple takes. Her professionalism became legendary in an era when filmmaking required precision due to technical limitations.

Stanwyck received four Oscar nominations but never won, though the Academy later honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing her immense contribution to cinema history and influence on generations.

8. Florence Pugh

Audiences didn’t ease into recognizing her talent — they felt it immediately. Her breakout role in a historical film displayed layers of vulnerability, strength, and wisdom well beyond her age.

She brings raw emotion and fearlessness to characters, never afraid to look vulnerable or messy on screen. Pugh has quickly become known for choosing interesting projects rather than chasing blockbuster paychecks alone.

Fans appreciate her authenticity both on and off camera, as she speaks candidly about the industry and maintains a refreshingly down-to-earth presence. Her career trajectory suggests she will remain a powerhouse for decades to come.

9. Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman started acting as a child and grew into one of the most educated and articulate performers in Hollywood. She earned a psychology degree from Harvard while maintaining a successful film career, proving intelligence and talent can coexist.

Her Oscar-winning performance as a troubled ballerina required months of intensive physical training and psychological preparation. Portman commits completely to roles, often learning new skills or languages to bring authenticity to her characters.

She also directs and produces projects that highlight women’s stories and perspectives, using her influence to create opportunities for underrepresented voices in the industry.

10. Greta Gerwig

Her rise didn’t begin with blockbuster budgets, but with raw, intimate storytelling in independent cinema. Through offbeat comedies driven by personality and perspective, she built a foundation rooted in authenticity — later evolving into one of today’s most celebrated directors.

She writes and directs films that explore growing up, relationships, and identity with humor and honesty that resonates across generations. Gerwig’s work feels personal yet universal, capturing specific moments that somehow speak to everyone’s experiences.

Her recent blockbuster success proved that films centered on female experiences can dominate the box office when given proper support and creative freedom, breaking long-held industry assumptions about audience preferences.

11. Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet became a household name early in her career but has consistently chosen substance over celebrity throughout the years. She refuses to let Hollywood dictate how she should look, speaking openly about body positivity and realistic beauty standards.

Her performances carry emotional weight that stays with viewers long after the credits roll. Winslet excels at portraying complicated women facing moral dilemmas or personal crises with nuance and depth.

She has worked with many of cinema’s greatest directors and continues to challenge herself with diverse roles that showcase different aspects of her considerable range and commitment to authentic storytelling.

12. Julianne Moore

Known for portraying intelligent, multilayered women who resist simple labels, she has cultivated a career defined by emotional truth and nuance. While her striking red hair makes her instantly recognizable, it’s her artistry that leaves the deepest impression.

She finally won an Oscar after multiple nominations, playing a woman facing early-onset Alzheimer’s with heartbreaking honesty. Moore researched the condition extensively to portray the experience with dignity and accuracy.

Her career spans independent art films and big-budget franchises, showing versatility that few actors achieve. Moore also advocates for gun control and other social causes, using her platform to promote change beyond entertainment.

13. Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson brings sharp wit and emotional depth to everything she touches, whether acting, writing, or speaking about important issues. She has won Oscars for both acting and screenwriting, demonstrating rare talent across multiple disciplines.

Her performances balance humor and heartbreak, often within the same scene. Thompson can make you laugh one moment and reach for tissues the next without the transitions feeling forced or manipulative.

She speaks candidly about aging in Hollywood and refuses to conform to industry pressures about appearance. Thompson’s honesty and talent have made her beloved by fans who appreciate authenticity over artifice.

14. Monica Bellucci

Known around the world for her work on both sides of the Atlantic, she combined unforgettable beauty with undeniable acting talent. Her screen presence has consistently kept audiences engaged long after first impressions faded.

She has portrayed everyone from ancient goddesses to modern women facing contemporary challenges with equal conviction. Bellucci brings sensuality and strength to roles, creating characters who are both alluring and formidable.

As she has aged, Bellucci has spoken about how European cinema treats older actresses with more respect than Hollywood typically does. She continues working regularly, proving that talent and charisma transcend age when the industry allows it.

15. Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy has captivated audiences with her distinctive look and intense performances in both film and television. Her breakout horror role introduced her unique screen presence that commands attention in every scene.

She excels at playing characters with hidden depths and dark secrets, bringing psychological complexity to genre films. Taylor-Joy also showed her range by leading a major streaming series about chess that became a cultural phenomenon.

Born in multiple countries and fluent in several languages, she brings international perspective to her work. Young audiences see her as a voice for their generation while older viewers appreciate her old-Hollywood glamour and professionalism.