Naomi Watts’ Greatest Movies Ranked

Not many actresses have built a legacy as strong as Naomi Watts. Since the 1990’s, Watts has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s tsunami survivors, L.A. actors or frustrated mothers, Watts has portrayed several 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 favourite films made by a fantastic actress that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Mulholland Drive

L.A. is a beautiful city my brother always loved dearly. During my childhood, I bonded with a brother appreciating Hollywood. I remember a brother that was a fan of a city about filmmaking he grew up to treasure. He would always marvel at the way great actors prepared for roles in L.A. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the strong drive of great actresses to be successful in L.A. as powerfully as “Mulholland Drive”. Released in 2001, Naomi Watts’ best movie captured actresses that seek success in Los Angeles. In the greatest role of his career, Watts portrayed a psychotic actress in L.A. facing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Watts has spent most of her career playing romantic heroines in period pieces. With “Mulholland Drive”, however, the actress took a huge step out of her comfort zone by playing a disturbed L.A. actress. Working alongside Laura Harring who is also amazing, Watts created a portrait of Los Angeles that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Betty first enters Los Angeles becoming aware of the beauty of the city is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Mulholland Drive” Naomi Watts’ best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Los Angeles, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about the importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a classic film about strong actresses seeking to find a way to be successful in L.A., it’s a riveting reminder of a great movie-star that has made movies in a wide variety of genres which are without a doubt worth celebrating today.

2. King Kong

King Kong is a monstrous ape that my grandfather always found inspiring. I remember a grandfather that adored a monstrous ape putting lives of people in grave danger. He would always gape in awe at the sight of a monstrous ape. A huge fan of King Kong, he would always speak fondly about a monster that he felt could do no wrong. In 2005, Naomi Watts honoured the inspiring ape in her movie “King Kong”. In the most anxious role of her career, Watts portrayed a Broadway actress that forms a romantic affair with a monstrous ape causing despair. Watts has always had an aptitude for playing emotional women under stress, and “King Kong” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Kyle Chandler who is also amazing, Watts honoured an iconic ape that’s frightening. For instance, the scene in which Ann witnesses King Kong be killed in New York by police authorities causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “King Kong” a masterpiece is its commemorated appeal. Unlike most monster movies, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. A magnificent tribute towards a frightening ape that’s monstrous, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a world-famous actress that has always manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences consider to be precious.

3. The Impossible

Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced a bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. I recall with nostalgia memories of a bombing that caused trauma in Saudi Arabia. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bombing without a scratch alive. As someone grateful for surviving a disaster that was impossible, I appreciated “The Impossible”. Released in 2012, Naomi Watts’ movie captured a family surviving an impossible tsunami. In the most tragic role of her career, Watts portrayed a mother struggling to protect her family from a tsunami disaster causing despair. Watts has always had an aptitude for playing emotional women under intense pressure, and “The Impossible” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Ewan McGregor who is also amazing, Watts created a portrait of survival that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Maria first becomes aware that a tsunami has struck causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Impossible” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about survival which would resonate with everyone. As powerful as the Bennett family’s desire for survival, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress that has made movies which audiences consider special.

4. The Glass Castle

Mothers are strong figures that shape children’s futures. As far as I remember, I have admired my mother. An inspiring role model, she motivated me to achieve dreams that I am pursuing. Despite her strict nature, I have always admired a mother that has ensured my bright future. As someone treasuring a mother that’s inspirational, I adored “The Glass Castle”. Released in 2017, Naomi Watts’ movie captured mothers struggling to raise dysfunctional families. In the most thoughtful role of her career, Watts portrayed a frustrated mother struggling to raise a dysfunctional family facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing strong women that serve as role models. Working alongside Brie Larson who is also outstanding, Watts created a portrait of a dysfunctional family that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Jeanette tells her parents she never wants to see them again causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Glass Castle” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about motherhood which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about motherhood, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made memorable movies becoming a celebrated icon in Hollywood.

5. Birdman

Broadway actors have figures that fascinate my father today. I remember a father that was fascinated with lives of actors in theatre. He would marvel at the way theatre actors created a memorable stage play. As someone treasuring a father that adored Broadway performers with a plan, I admired “Birdman”. Released in 2015, Naomi Watts’ Oscar-winning movie captured theatre performers. In the most theatrical role of her career, Watts portrayed a Broadway actress struggling to mount a stage production causing despair. It’s a personal role that gave the actress a chance to draw from her own experiences. Working alongside Michael Keaton who is also outstanding, Watts created a portrait of Broadway performers that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Lesley is publicly humiliated when Mike attempts to rape her during a stage show causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Birdman” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about fame which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking portrait of barriers experienced by Broadway actors that perform on stage, it’s a phenomenal reminder of an actress that has produced movies delivering an unforgettable message.

6. 21 Grams

Naomi Watts has always excelled at playing emotional women that face tragedy. Watts has built an image of being an actress that excels at playing women facing emotional damage. Watts’ strength for playing women facing grams of tension is clearly evident in her movie “21 Grams”. Released in 2003, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most emotional role of her career, Watts portrayed a woman that becomes victim of a hit-and-run accident causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women. Working alongside Sean Penn who is also amazing, Watts created a portrait of grief that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of a hit-and-run accident, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with commitment that has made memorable entertainment.

7. Vice

Dick Cheney is a controversial president in American history. While some supported his policies, others criticized Cheney’s involvement in the war against terrorism. In 2018, Naomi Watts honoured the controversial vice-president in her movie “Vice”. In the most political role of her career, Watts portrayed a news anchor reporting political events causing despair. It’s a brief role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show as a supporting character with limited screen-time. Working alongside Christian Bale who is also amazing, Watts honoured a vice-president that’s inspiring.  30 years after Dick Cheney became a controversial vice-president that forever changed America, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress with charisma whose unforgettable movies attract audiences to the Cinema.

8. The Ring

Over the past decade, the horror movie genre has declined in quality. With their cheap jump scares, nonsensical storytelling and lack of surprises, most horror movies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that’s no longer frightening, it’s worth praising “The Ring”. Released in 2002, Naomi Watts’ movie offered a fresh take on a bygone genre. In the most frightening role of her career, Watts portrayed a woman that becomes possessed by a supernatural ring causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by making her first ever horror movie. Watts showcased rare emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. As precious as the videotape, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has produced unforgettable movies at which audiences always gape.

9. Eastern Promises

Sex trafficking is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often shied away from a subject that’s misunderstood. In an industry avoiding a topic with false promises, it’s worth praising “Eastern Promises”. Released in 2007, Naomi Watts’ movie painted a powerful portrait of sex trafficking. In the most provocative role of her career, Watts portrayed a conflicted woman that becomes involved in a lifestyle of sex trafficking causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her talent for playing anxious women under intense pressure. Working alongside Viggo Mortensen who is also amazing, Watts created a compelling portrait of sex trafficking. A captivating portrait of sex trafficking, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress making engaging movies which are worth celebrating.

10. Diana

Naomi Watts hasn’t always made great movies. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Diana” falls into the latter category. Released in 2013, Oliver Hirschbiegel’s biopic about Princess Diana was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Watts portrayed a princess carrying a heavy burden to bear. Watts brought her usual charisma to the role of Princess Diana, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Diana” is a bad movie, it honoured Watts’ enduring legacy. Nearly 30 years after Princess Diana died in a devastating car accident tragedy, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has built a lasting legacy making memorable movies which I will always treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.