My Favourite Toni Collette Films of All-Time

Not many actresses are as hard as to forget as Toni Collette. Since the 1990’s, Collette has become an icon. Whether it’s grief-stricken mothers, suspects of murders or guilty jurors, Collette has portrayed many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies that she has made, 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. Hereditary

It’s always challenging to face the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my housekeeper passed away causing my family to face sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, she became the victim of a horrific murder. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t recover from the death of a housekeeper that tragically died. It was easier said than done to move on. Few movies I’ve ever seen have captured families struggling to face tragedy as powerfully as “Hereditary”. Ever since its release in 2018, Toni Collette’s movie has stood the test of time as a horror masterpiece. In the greatest role of her career, Collette embodies an emotionally disturbed woman struggling coping with the death of her daughter causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and frightening in her most memorable role. Collette is one of those actresses that has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through monologues, and “Hereditary” showcased her strengths as a performer. Working alongside Alex Wolff who is also amazing, Collette creates a portrait of family tragedy that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Annie experiences a frightening possession during a seance causing her family to face despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Hereditary” a horror masterpiece is its message. It delivers a profound message about loss that would resonate with everyone. A frightening portrait of loss causing a family to begin deteriorating, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.

2. The Sixth Sense

Psychologists have shaped my personality. At an early age, I began seeing a psychologist delivering an inspiring message. When I was diagnosed with anxiety, I began meeting a therapist that helped me cope with adversity. His valuable guidance allowed me to cope with a painful life experience. As someone treasuring fond memories of a psychologist that had sense, I adored “The Sixth Sense”. Released in 1999, Toni Collette’s horror movie captured child psychologists haunted by tragedies. In the most thought-provoking role of her career, Collette embodies a grief-stricken mother raising a child with capabilities to communicate with dead people. With “The Sixth Sense”, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by making a horror movie. Working alongside Haley Joel Osment who is also amazing, Collette created a portrait of family tragedy that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Lynn discovers her son can communicate with dead people causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Sixth Sense” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. As powerful as Cole’s sixth sense, it’s a sensational reminder of an actress with intense commitment achieving a following which is immense.

3. Knives Out

Social class has impacted my family. Several years ago, my family faced grief when we discovered that our housekeeper was a thief. I remember a housekeeper treating my family nicely in a generous manner. My grandparents were shocked when they found the housekeeper they trusted fully had stolen jewelry. As someone that has witnessed housekeepers facing barriers without a doubt, I adored “Knives Out”. Released in 2019, Toni Collette’s movie offered an engaging murder mystery about social class. In the most comical role of her career, Collette embodies a woman that becomes entangled in a murder mystery causing despair. Collette has spent most of her career playing serious women in intense dramas. With “Knives Out”, however, the actress showcased an aptitude for comedy that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Joni is interrogated by detectives following the murder of her father causing despair is one of the funniest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Knives Out” a murder mystery masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about social class which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic portrait of families with knives out, it’s a fabulous reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable movies which deserve to be talked about without a doubt.

4. Juror #2

Courtroom dramas are a genre of movies that my cousin always loved dearly. I recall with nostalgia fond memories of a cousin that adored the courtroom genre. My cousin grew up to embrace a genre in which 12 angry men would solve a courtroom case. He would believe that being a lawyer was a noble profession worthy of celebration. As someone treasuring fond memories of a cousin that grew up to value courtroom dramas, I adored “Juror #2”. Released in 2024, Toni Collette’s most recent movie depicted a guilty juror facing legal catastrophe. In the most authoritative role of her career, Collette embodies a dedicated lawyer solving a case causing despair. Collette has always had an aptitude for playing women in positions of authority, and “Juror #2” showcased her strengths clearly. Working alongside Nicholas Hoult who is also amazing, Collette created a lawyer fighting injustice that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Faith delivers a monologue in court about justice to jurors facing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Juror #2” a courtroom classic is its universal appeal. The film delivers a meaningful message about guilt which would resonate with everyone. A captivating of jurors solving a courtroom case, it’s a compelling reminder of an actress that has made movies audiences embrace.

5. The Way Way Back

Mothers are powerful figures that shape children’s future. As far as I can remember, I have often shared complicated bonds with my mother. An authoritative parent, her strict nature by nagging me to do things has often been irritating. Despite her strict parenting, I have always admired a mother I find inspiring. Her wise words of wisdom inspired me to pursue a career in film criticism. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother with whom I bonded way back in adolescence, I adored “The Way Way Back”. Released in 2013, Toni Collette’s movie depicted mothers that shape teenagers’ destinies. In the most caring role of her career, Collette embodies a concerned mother seeking to care for a teenage son that’s a burden to bear. Collette excels at playing mothers, and “The Way Way Back” showcased her strengths clearly. For instance, the scene in which Pam is confronted by her son Duncan about her husband having an affair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Way Way Back” a coming-of-age classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about teens which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of mothers guiding teenagers to find identity in adolescence, it’s a bold reminder of an actress with experience that has made memorable movies earning a huge audience.

6. Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock is a legendary filmmaker that I’ve always loved dearly. An icon in Hollywood, Hitchcock made movies that shaped my childhood. With their awe-inspiring action, suspenseful storytelling and timely themes, Hitchcock’s movies are regarded as celebrated classics today. In 2012, Toni Collette honoured the legendary filmmaker in her movie “Hitchcock”. In the most theatric role of her career, Collette embodies an assistant that worked with an iconic filmmaker to create movies that are fantastic. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting part. Despite limited screen-time, Collette left an impression. 90 years after Alfred Hitchcock became a legend in Hollywood, it’s an inspiring reminder of an actress that thrives portraying real-life celebrities that are misunderstood.

7. The Hours

Suicide is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often ignored stories of people committing suicide that are misunderstood. A sensitive subject matter, suicide rarely attracts audiences to the theatre. In an industry that has often ignored suicide over hours, it’s worth praising “The Hours”. Released in 2002, Toni Collette’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about suicide. In the most subtle role of her career, Collette embodies a neighbour that witnesses depressed women facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase a sensitive side to herself audiences hadn’t seen before. A spectacular adaptation of a beloved book about suicide, it’s a strong reminder of an actress that has never lost her abilities to make timeless movies leaving audiences satisfied.

8. Little Miss Sunshine

Toni Collette has always excelled at making movies about dysfunctional families. Collette has built an image of being an actress that excels at playing characters facing emotional damage. Collette’s strength for playing women in families facing decline is evident in her film “Little Miss Sunshine”. In the most anxious role of her career, Collette portrays a woman taking care of a dysfunctional family facing a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase aptitude for playing members of dysfunctional families. Working alongside Steve Carell who is also amazing, Collette created a portrait of a broken family that’s compelling. A dazzling portrait of a dysfunctional family facing a decline, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to shine making movies audiences consider divine.

9. Muriel’s Wedding

Weddings are captivating ceremonies that make for memorable movies. Audiences have always been drawn to stories of weddings which are entertaining. Movies have used backdrops of weddings to capture romance occurring. In 1994, Toni Collette captured the enduring appeal of wedding ceremonies in her movie “Muriel’s Wedding”. In the most joyous role of her career, Collette embodies an enthusiastic woman seeking to organize a wedding that becomes a burden to bear. It’s the breakthrough role that proved Collette to be an actress with a bright future. Collette showcased charisma in one of her first roles that made her an icon in Cinema. As precious as weddings that Muriel seeks to organize, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to surprise making timeless movies that audiences prize.

10. Velvet Buzzsaw

Toni Collette hasn’t always made great movies that are hard to forget. While most movies that the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences sorely disappointed. Unfortunately, “Velvet Buzzsaw” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2019, Collette’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Collette embodied a narcissistic artist with a love for painting facing a burden to bear. Collette brought energy to the role standing out as the bright spot of an otherwise bad movie. Although “Velvet Buzzsaw” is a flawed movie, it honoured Collette’s enduring legacy. As strong as Morf’s love for paintings that are artistic, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actress that has built an iconic legacy whose timeless films I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of becoming a film critic.