Not many actresses in Hollywood are as beloved as Emily Blunt. Since the 1990’s, Blunt has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s silent mothers, courageous warriors or stylish fashion-designers, Blunt has portrayed compelling characters. Given amount of movies she has produced, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. A Quiet Place
It’s challenging to survive in a world of silence. At an early age, my family faced bombings causing emotional damage. In 2003, my family endured a bomb blast that caused insomnia in Saudi Arabia. Truth be told, I was five years old. Through a miracle, my family managed to survive the worst disaster imaginable. I was grateful for my family’s survival. However, the aftermath of the bombing stayed with me forever. For several years, deafening bombs would ring loudly in my hears. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the trauma silence families face as powerfully as “A Quiet Place”. Released in 2018, Emily Blunt’s movie focused on a family struggled surviving in a world of silence. In the greatest role of her career, Emily Blunt embodies a protective mother struggling to raise her kids in a world where noise evokes fear. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Blunt has always been skilled conveying strong emotions through her expressions without dialogue, and “A Quiet Place” showcased her strengths as an actress. For instance, the bathtub scene in which Evelyn struggles staying silent as she experiences intense pregnancy is one of the highlights of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “A Quiet Place” Emily Blunt’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about the importance of parenting which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of painful hardships that families face struggling to survive in a quiet place, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress whose unforgettable movies audiences always embrace.
2. Oppenheimer
When it comes to historical figures that changed the world forever, it’s worth discussing Oppenheimer. Several years ago, I developed strong relationships with a teacher that adored the physicist he considered a hero. I vividly remember a school teacher that was fascinated with the iconic bomb inventor. He would always speak fondly about the legendary figure in classes he taught regularly. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that loved the historical figure, I adored “Oppenheimer”. Released in 2023, Emily Blunt’s Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of bringing the innovator’s life to the big-screen. In the most emotional role of her career, Emily Blunt embodies a fierce woman that supported a physicist designing a bomb causing despair. Blunt has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through delivering monologues, and “Oppenheimer” showcased her strengths as a performer. For instance, the interrogation scene in which Kitty is questioned about her husband’s role in war is one of the most memorable moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Oppenheimer” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message that would resonate with everyone facing trauma at an early age. 80 years after an iconic inventor designed an atomic bomb causing consequences proving catastrophic, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actress whose movies are loved by the public.
3. Mary Poppins Returns
Mary Poppins is a magical nanny that I’ve always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a housekeeper that delivered an inspiring message. Dedicated to performing every chore, she was a person that my family had grown to adore. I looked forward to spending every day with a housekeeper that was practically perfect in every way. Like Mary Poppins, she was a magical nanny that shaped my identity. In 2018, Emily Blunt did an extraordinary job of portraying the practically perfect nanny in her film “Mary Poppins Returns”. In the most joyous role of her career, Blunt embodied the larger-than-life personality of a magical nanny that’s precious. It isn’t easy to step into the shoes of an iconic character played by the legendary Julie Andrews, but Blunt succeeded tremendously. Blunt has always had an aptitude for singing, and “Marry Poppins Returns” showcased her musical talents. For instance, the scene in which Mary Poppins teaches the children valuable lessons about where lost things go showcased the actress’ strengths. Ultimately, what makes “Mary Poppins Returns” one of Blunt’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the commemorated roles housekeepers play in shaping families today. A magnificent tribute towards a magical nanny that’s practically perfect in every way, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress whose unforgettable movies deserve to be celebrated today.
4. Edge of Tomorrow
Repetition has shaped my identity. As an Autistic person, I have often liked to follow a rigid routine everyday. Each day has often consisted of exercise, writing and watching movies. While this repetitive routine has given my life structure, it has left little room for any surprises. I have often felt as if I am reliving the same day over and over again without any real meaning. As someone affected by a repetitive routine that I regularly follow, I loved “Edge of Tomorrow”. Released in 2014, Emily Blunt’s blockbuster captured an army general reliving the same day to prevent an alien invasion disaster. In the most fierce role of her career, Emily Blunt embodies a strong feminist warrior that’s determined to prevent an alien disaster. For instance, the scene in which William Cage is trained to conquer an alien invasion disaster by Rita showcased the actress’ strength. Ultimately, what makes “Edge of Tomorrow” a great science-fiction movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about repetitive lifestyles that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of pain faced by army generals forced to relive the same day over again, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has managed to gain a following making movies that entertain.
5. The Devil Wears Prada
Bosses are powerful figures shaping employees’ futures. I remember working for a cruel manager that treated employees in a poor manner. She was a demanding person that would often humiliate employees which showed up to work late. Nevertheless, her strict nature ensured her organization’s success. As someone treasuring memories of a devilish manager with charisma, I loved “The Devil Wears Prada”. Released in 2006, Emily Blunt’s movie depicted managers that shape employees’ destinies. In the most charming role of her career, Emily Blunt embodies a woman working for a fashion manager that’s a heavy burden to bear. Emily Blunt has always been an actress with a sharp sense of humour, and it is clearly evident in “The Devil Wears Prada”. For instance, the scene in which Emily introduces Andrea to the harsh workplace of her company showcased the actress’ strengths. Ultimately, what makes “The Devil Wears Prada” one of Blunt’s finest films is its message. The film delivers a strong message about the roles bosses play shaping employees’ destinies. A dazzling depiction of devilish managers in fashion-design, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost abilities to shine making movies that audiences consider divine.
6. A Quiet Place: Part Two
Horror sequels rarely ever live up to the high standards set by their predecessors. When a film is extremely successful, it’s often challenging to create an effective sequel. The main issue is that the first film sets a high bar that sequels cannot possibly surpass. That being said, “A Quiet Place: Part Two” is an exception. Released in 2021, Emily Blunt’s movie pulled off the tricky feat of living up to the high standard set by its quietly powerful predecessor. In her most silent role, Blunt embodies a mother struggling to raise children suffering from hearing impairment in a world of silence. Blunt brings emotional depth to Evelyn that was missing from the previous film in her second outing. A spectacular sequel about families surviving in silence, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress whose memorable movies have earned a huge audience.
7. Sicario
Emily Blunt has always been one of those actresses that excels at playing fierce feminist characters. Ever since her career began several years ago, Blunt has excelled at playing a female action hero. Blunt’s aptitude for playing fierce women that face sorrow is clearly evident in her film “Sicario”. Released in 2015, Denis Villeneuve’s movie found the actress playing a feminist FBI agent. In the most physically demanding role of her career, Blunt embodies a determined FBI agent that experiences despair. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave the commemorated actress an opportunity to showcase her talent for playing strong feminist characters. As strong as Kate’s desire to stop drug trafficking, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that thrives playing strong feminist heroes in timeless movies that are worth celebrating.
8. My Summer of Love
Lesbian love stories are rarely depicted in movies. Hollywood has long held a tradition of ignoring stories about queer women. A provocative subject matter, lesbian love stories rarely attract audiences to the theatre. However, in 2004 Emily Blunt successfully told a compelling lesbian love story in her film “My Summer of Love”. In her most daring role, Blunt embodies a teenage girl forming a lesbian romance with consequences that are destructive. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a queer teenager, but Blunt succeeded tremendously. It’s a role that gave the actress the chances to step out of her comfort zone playing a lesbian character. A strong portrait of romance between teenagers that are queer, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress without fear that succeeds portraying risky roles in films about which audiences care.
9. Looper
Time travel is a tricky concept that’s challenging to execute in movies. In order for any film about time travel to be successful, it needs to strike a balance between being entertaining and logical. It’s a complicated balance most movies are rarely able to achieve. However, in 2012 Emily Blunt pulled off the complex subject matter successfully in her film “Looper”. In her most thought-provoking role, Blunt portrays a woman stuck in a time loop whose life spirals out of control. It’s a role that gave the actress opportunities to showcase talent playing feminist heroes. Working alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt who is also excellent, Blunt creates a powerful portrait of time travel. As precious as time travel missions loopers seek to fulfill, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actress whose movies always please audiences seeking a thrill.
10. The Fall Guy
Few television shows about stuntmen falling from the sky are as beloved as “The Fall Guy”. Aired during the 1980’s, the show celebrated stunt communities. In 2024, Emily Blunt did an exceptional job of celebrating the beloved show about courageous stuntmen willing to die in her film “The Fall Guy”. In the most hilarious role of her career, Blunt embodies a famous female director making movies about stuntmen that are dangerous. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her sharp humour. Working alongside Ryan Gosling, Blunt paid tribute to commemorated stuntmen in Hollywood. As awe-inspiring as stunts that Colt loves performing, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has built an enduring legacy whose entertaining movies I will forever treasure for shaping my love of filmmaking.
The Film Buff 