My Favourite Emma Thompson Films of All-Time

Few actresses have achieved appreciation of Emma Thompson. Since the 1990’s, Thompson has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s spellbinding teachers, dedicated housekeepers or fashion-designers, Thompson has portrayed many characters. Given the sheer number of movies, she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for best movies of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen is a legendary author that my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that was a big fan of the author in English literature. She took pride rather than prejudice reading books written by an author that left her satisfied. My mother grew up to value books written from a feminist point-of-view. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother drawn towards the sense and sensibility of Jane Austen, I loved “Sense and Sensibility”. Released in 1995, Emma Thompson’s movie did an extraordinary job of adapting Jane Austen’s beloved book to the big-screen. In the greatest role of her career, Thompson embodies a woman seeking to save her poverty-stricken family from despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and charismatic in her most memorable role. Thompson has always been one of those actresses with aptitude for delivering dramatic monologues, and “Sense and Sensibility” showcased her strengths as a performer. Working alongside Kate Winslet who is also excellent, Thompson honours Jane Austen’s literature in entertainment. For instance, the scene in which Elinor breaks down crying after Edward Ferrars proposes to her is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Sense and Sensibility” Emma Thompson’s best movie is its message. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. Unlike most Jane Austen adaptations, the film tackles universal themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a profound message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries following publication of timeless literature published by a legendary author about women with sense and sensibility experiencing societal danger, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress whose timeless movies audiences treasure.

2. The Remains of the Day

Housekeepers are powerful figures impacting families. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a housekeeper that delivered an inspiring message. I remember bonding with a loyal butler that shaped my family’s future. A housekeeper that was dedicated to performing every chore, he was a person that my family came to adore. As someone reminiscing memories of a housekeeper that changed my family in a huge way, I adored “The Remains of the Day”. Released in 1993, Emma Thompson’s movie celebrated housekeepers that shape families’ destinies. In the most caring role of her career, Thompson embodies a devoted housekeeper. Thompson has always been an actress with an aptitude for playing authoritative characters, and her strengths as a performer are evident in “The Remains of the Day”. For instance, the scene in which Miss Kenton invades the private space of Stevens causing him to throw a tantrum is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Remains of the Day” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about butlers which would resonate with everyone. A brilliant adaptation of a book about butlers recalling the remains of the day, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actress that thrives given chances to play compelling characters whose movies deserve to be celebrated today.

3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter is a magical series that impacted my identity. As far as I remember, I’ve grown to treasure J.R. Rowling’s literature. I fell in love with a book series about wizards casting spells with timeless stories to tell. I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter books and adore all the films that have adapted the source material. However, my favourite film in the franchise has always been “The Prisoner of Azkaban”. Released in 2004, Emma Thompson’s movie celebrated the third book in the Harry Potter series. In the most magical role of her career, Thompson embodies an ominous school teacher forecasting warnings about dangerous events causing wizards to face fear. Thompson has spent most of her career playing heroic women with likeable personalities. With “The Prisoner of Azkaban”, however, she took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a school teacher that’s scary. For instance, the scene in which Professor Trelawney gives the prophecy to Harry is one of the scariest scenes the actress has ever done. Ultimately, what makes “The Prisoner of Azkaban” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Harry Potter movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A beautiful adaptation of a book about wizards that are magical, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actress whose timeless movies audiences consider special.

4. Howard’s End

Merchant Ivory movies have shaped my father’s identity. I vividly remember forming a strong bond with a father that loved movies about British social structure. He would often speak fondly about movies capturing social class disparity that he loved dearly. My father loved to spend time watching all of Merchant Ivory’s movies, but his favourite film was always “Howard’s End”. Released in 1992, Emma Thompson’s movie did an exceptional job of adapting a beloved book. In the most aristocratic role of her career, Thompson embodies a woman engaging in a romantic affair in a family that’s a burden to bear. Thompson has always excelled at playing quiet women that communicate emotions through expressions, and “Howard’s End” showcased her strengths as an actress. For instance, the scene in which Margaret forgives Henry for engaging in an extramarital affair threatening their marriage is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Howard’s End” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about social class which would resonate with everyone. A lovely tribute towards legendary literature about landowners managing a wealthy estate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to captivate audiences whose memorable movies audiences appreciate.

5. Cruella

“101 Dalmations” is a dazzling Disney animated movie that I have always appreciated. I fondly recall with nostalgia heartwarming memories of watching a cartoon that gave me a lifelong appreciation of Cinema. Arguably, the main reason why I loved the cartoon so much was because of Cruella. With Cruella de Vil, Disney created one of its most iconic animated villains. In 2021, Emma Thompson celebrated the iconic animated movie with nostalgia in her live-action film “Cruella”. In the most stylish role of her career, Thompson embodies a devilish fashion-designer that humiliates her employees preventing them from achieving goals they seek to accomplish. Thompson has always been one of those actresses with a sharp sense of humour, and her comedic talents are evident in “Cruella”. For instance, the scene in which the Baroness publicly humiliates Estella for clothes she is wearing is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Cruella” a great remake is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about workplace abuse that would resonate with everyone. As precious as clothes designed by Cruella, it’s a captivating reminder of an actress with charisma whose movies are worth watching in the Cinema.

6. Wit

Terminal illness is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell compelling stories about terminally ill patients facing tragedies. A sensitive subject matter, movies about Cancer rarely attract audiences to the theatre. However, in 2001 Emma Thompson managed to tackle the sensitive subject with a sharp sense of wit in her film “Wit”. In the most tragic role of her career, Thompson embodies an intelligent English professor that faces despair when she’s diagnosed with Cancer that’s a burden to bear. It’s an emotional role that gave the actress a chance to showcase a sensitive side to herself audiences hadn’t seen before. A powerful portrait of terminal illness, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has become an icon in the entertainment business.

7. Saving Mr. Banks

Few producers in Hollywood history are as celebrated as Walt Disney. During the 1930’s, Disney produced unforgettable animated movies. A larger-than-life figure with a legacy that’s lasting, Disney gained a huge following. In 2013, Emma Thompson celebrated the legendary film producer earning high ranks in her film “Saving Mr. Banks”. In the most animated role of her career, Thompson embodies a world-famous author that collaborated with Walt Disney to create a commemorated movie that’s celebrated. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her natural charisma. Working alongside Tom Hanks who is also excellent, Thompson honours a commemorated figure in entertainment. A dazzling tribute towards Walt Disney, it’s a riveting reminder about a celebrated actress whose timeless movies audiences love dearly.

8. Nanny McPhee

Nannies have shaped my family. At an early age, I developed a strong bond with a nanny that delivered an inspiring message. She was a caring person that always dedicated her life towards assisting my family. As someone treasuring fond memories of a nanny that shaped my family’s destiny, I loved “Nanny McPhee”. Released in 2005, Emma Thompson’s movie paid tribute towards nannies shaping kids’ identities. In the most eccentric role of her career, Thompson embodies a magical nanny with compassion about whom children grow to care. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing eccentric characters. A magical tribute towards nannies that are practically perfect in every way, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actress whose unforgettable movies deserve to be celebrated today.

9. In the Name of the Father

When it comes to the most shocking wrongful conviction in history, it’s worth discussing Gerry Conlon. An innocent Northern Irish man, Conlon was convicted of being an IRA bomber during the 1980’s. Conlon spent 15 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. In 1993, Conlon’s story was beautifully brought to the big-screen in Emma Thompson’s movie “In the Name of the Father”. In the most focused role of her career, Thompson embodies a female lawyer fighting for a convict accused of a crime he didn’t commit causing despair. It’s a dialogue-driven role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for delivering monologues in the courtroom. 30 years after an Irish man was accused of being a member of the IRA in wrongful conviction, it’s a captivating reminder of an actress whose movies are worthy of celebration.

10. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Professor Trelawney is a fascinating character in literature. With her charming personality, ominous predictions and strong presence, Trelawney has gained a huge following. Trelawney played a pivotal role in all the Harry Potter films but she is most prominent in “The Order of the Phoenix. Released in 2007, Emma Thompson’s fifth Harry Potter movie found the actress playing a teacher facing catastrophe. In her most emotional role as the teacher, Thompson captured a witch whose life spirals out of control. It gave the actress chance to showcase an emotional side to the teacher audiences hadn’t seen before. As strong as Professor Trelawney’s love for teaching, it’s a spellbinding reminder about an actress that has built a lasting legacy whose captivating movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking.