My Favourite Rachel McAdams Movies of All-Time

Not many actresses in Hollywood are as beloved as Rachel McAdams. Since the 1990’s, McAdams has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s news reporters, caring mothers or time-travelling writers, McAdams has portrayed many characters. Given the number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the greatest movies of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Spotlight

Journalism is a profession my cousin regards with admiration. I remember forming bonds with a cousin seeking to become a successful news reporter. An aspiring news reporter, he would love uncovering the truth behind each story. He was a journalist that was dedicated to writing stories which were realistic. Through his lifelong love for journalism, my cousin encouraged me to pursue a career in film criticism. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the importance of journalists shining spotlight on stories as powerfully as “Spotlight”. Released in 2015, Rachel McAdams’ movie captured the lives of journalists uncovering a shocking scandal about the Catholic Church. In the greatest role of her career, McAdams embodies a dedicated news reporter determined to uncover a shocking scandal that becomes a burden to bear. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, focused and emotional in her most memorable role. McAdams has spent most of her career playing heroines in romantic dramas. With “Spotlight”, however, she showcased emotional range she hadn’t shown in her career before. Working alongside Michael Keaton who is also excellent, McAdams honours real-life journalists that uncovered a shocking scandal with commitment. For instance, the scene in which Sasha speaks with a survivor of sexual abuse disclosing shocking practices of the Catholic Church is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Spotlight” McAdams’ greatest movie is its message. Unlike most movies about journalism for an intellectual audience, it discusses themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a commemorated message about abuse resonating with everyone. A spectacular portrait of scandals hidden in plain sight about which reporters sought to write, it’s a groundbreaking reminder about an actress that succeeds making movies shining a spotlight on back-breaking hardships journalists fight.

2. About Time

Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl with dreams of marriage. However, fate caused our bond to deteriorate. After my family immigrated to Canada, I lost touch with a girl that I had appreciated. Years later, I would wonder if I would still be in contact with my crush if I could time travel. If I had the chances to go back in time, I would have expressed my feelings towards my crush. As someone treasuring a childhood crush that I lost over time, I adored “About Time”. Released in 2013, Rachel McAdams’ movie offered a beautiful exploration of romantic relationships affected by time travel. In the most joyous role of her career, McAdams embodies a woman that engages in a romantic affair with a time-travelling lover facing despair. McAdams has always excelled at playing romantic heroines in love, and “About Time” showcased her strengths. For instance, the scene in which Tim and Mary have their first encounter is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “About Time” a romantic masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about time that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrayal of time travel causing romance to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder about an actress whose timeless movies audiences consider to be special.

3. Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret

Religion has played strong roles shaping my personality. Several years ago, I turned towards religion to cope with immigration causing sorrow. When my family immigrated to Canada, I became religiously affiliated. Religion gave my clueless life greater direction allowing me to cope with challenges of immigration. As someone sharing a strong connection with religion that’s hard to forget, I adored “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret”. Released in 2023, Rachel McAdams’ movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about religion. In the most compassionate role of her career, McAdams embodies a fierce mother seeking to care for a teenage daughter that faces fear. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing strong women. For instance, the scene in which Barbara breaks down in tears revealing her relationship with her devout Christian parents to her daughter is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about religion which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a commemorated book about religion giving teenage girls direction, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actress whose movies are worthy of celebration.

4. Mean Girls

Bullying has had a negative impact on my identity. At an early age, I faced traumatic bullying in high school that caused emotional damage. In high school, I was often picked on by bullies which were cruel. Facing bullying of mean girls became a part of my routine at the age of fifteen. As someone haunted by memories of being bullied by mean girls, I loved “Mean Girls”. Released in 2004, Rachel McAdams’ movie depicted the lives of teenage girls facing cruel bullying in high school. In the most mean role of her career, Rachel McAdams embodies a self-centred popular girl that bullies her school peers facing despair. McAdams has spent most of her career playing likeable heroines. With “Mean Girls”, however, she took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a despicable school bully. For instance, the scene in which Cady is introduced for the first time towards Regina and the Plastics is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Mean Girls” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about bullying that would resonate with everyone. A magnificent portrait of bullying by girls that are mean, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actress whose timeless movies deserve to be seen on the big-screen.

5. The Notebook

Dementia is a devastating disease that’s rarely depicted accurately in movies. I remember my grandmother becoming forgetful facing a disease that caused disaster. She struggled to remember places, events and things in her life that were important. It was heartbreaking seeing a grandmother I loved dearly losing memory. As someone cherishing a grandmother with memory loss that changed her outlook, I adored “The Notebook”. Released in 2005, Rachel McAdams’ movie captured the impact of memory loss on romance facing tragedy. In the most tragic role of her career, McAdams embodies a woman whose romance is threatened by memory loss despair. McAdams excels at playing heroines that are madly in love, and “The Notebook” illustrated her strengths. For instance, the unforgettable scene in which Noah and Ally kiss in the rain showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “The Notebook” a great romantic drama is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about memory loss that would resonate with everyone. As precious as Ally and Noah’s kiss in the rain, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actress that has managed to achieve a massive following making movies that always entertain.

6. Disobedience

Lesbian love stories are rarely depicted in movies. Hollywood has the tradition of ignoring stories about queer women. A provocative subject matter, lesbian love stories rarely ever attract audiences to the theatre. However, in 2017 Rachel McAdams successfully tackled the controversial subject with experience in her film “Disobedience”. In the most courageous role of her career, McAdams embodies a queer woman engaging in a doomed romantic affair that faces despair. It gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a lesbian. Working alongside Rachel Weisz, McAdams created a compelling lesbian romance. A powerful portrait of queer women experiencing a doomed romantic affair, it’s a profound reminder about an actress that has built a commemorated career taking on risky roles without fear.

7. Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange is a strange superhero that audiences have grown to treasure. With his strange personality, sharp sense of humour and magical powers, Strange has become a beloved comic-book character. In 2016, Rachel McAdams did an exceptional job bringing the strange hero to the big-screen in her film “Doctor Strange”. In the most heroic role of her career, McAdams embodies a neurosurgeon taking care of a strange sorcerer casing despair. It’s a character that gave the actress the chance to step out of her comfort zone in her first ever comic-book movie. McAdams turned what could have been a stereotypical love interest into a compelling character. As strong as Doctor Strange’s desire to become a heroic sorcerer, it’s a spectacular reminder about a strong actress whose memorable movies audiences treasure.

8. Midnight in Paris

Few filmmakers in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Woody Allen. With their witty dialogue, compelling characters and strong storytelling, Allen’s movies have earned a tremendous fan following. Allen has always had a great eye for casting actors in his movies. In 2011, Allen showcased his strength as a filmmaker when he cast Rachel McAdams in his movie “Midnight in Paris”. In the most thoughtful role of her career, McAdams embodies a romantic woman roaming streets of Paris with her fiancee about whom she has grown to care. It’s a role that gave McAdams a chance to showcase her flair for playing romantic characters in her career. As precious as walks that are taken by writers in Paris, it’s a remarkable reminder about a commemorated actress that has become an icon in the entertainment business.

9. Southpaw

Sometimes, the sign of a great actor comes across when they steal the show in a supporting role. Rachel McAdams has always been one of those actresses with the ability to leave a strong impression in a small role with limited screen-time. McAdams’ ability to shine in supporting roles inspiring awe is clearly evident in her film “Southpaw”. Released in 2015, Antoine Fuqua’s movie found the actress playing the deceased wife of a boxer. In the briefest role of her career, McAdams leaves a strong impression as the wife of a conflicted boxer facing despair. Despite having a short role in the movie with limited screen-time, McAdams leaves a strong impression showcasing emotion. A breathtaking portrait of boxers without a flaw, it’s a brilliant reminder about an actress whose commemorated movies always leave audiences in awe.

10. Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is a strong detective my father has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a father that loved a detective with courage. In 2009, Rachel McAdams did an excellent job bringing the legendary sleuth to the big-screen in her film “Sherlock Holmes”. In the most seductive role of her career, McAdams embodies a woman pursuing romantic relationships with a detective experiencing fear. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her sex appeal. Working alongside Robert Downey Jr. who is also excellent, McAdams celebrated a detective in entertainment. As strong as murders inspected by Sherlock, it’s a spectacular reminder about an actress whose timeless movies to which audiences flock I’ll forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong passion for filmmaking about which I love to talk.