My Favourite Anna Kendrick Movies of All-Time

Not many actresses have built a legacy as iconic as Anna Kendrick. Since the 2000’s, Kendrick has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s pitch-perfect singers, rebellious teenagers or corporate managers, Kendrick has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.

1. 50/50

Terminal illness has impacted my family. Several years ago, my family learned that our beloved uncle had been diagnosed with grim Cancer that caused sorrow. I remember that my uncle was always an optimistic person that looked at the world from a positive perspective. He often looked at his life from a positive perspective until the day he was diagnosed with a grim disease that was destructive. His devastating death left my family mourning. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the struggles of terminally ill patients with a 50/50 chance of living as powerfully as “50/50”. Released in 2011, Anna Kendrick’s best movie captured a terminally ill patient with Cancer facing tragedy. In the greatest role of her career, Kendrick played a caring therapist that seeks to assist a terminally ill man which faces despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Kendrick has spent most of her career by playing sweet heroines in comedies. With “50/50”, however, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a therapist of terminal illness. Working alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt who is also great, Kendrick created a portrait of terminal illness that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Katharine attempts to console Adam on the phone when he faces a panic attack causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “50/50” Anna Kendrick’s best movie is its appeal. Unlike most movies about terminal illness, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a bold message about illness which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 15 years after the release of a great film about terminally ill men with a 50/50 chance of living, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress making engaging movies which are worth celebrating.

2. Up in the Air

Travelling can impact the lives of families. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always shared a strong bond with my father. However, long-distance became a barrier stopping us from spending time together. When he got a job in Saudi Arabia, it was hard to stay in touch with a great dad located on the other end of the world. As someone treasuring a father pursuing his career, I loved “Up in the Air”. Released in 2009, Anna Kendrick’s movie depicted businessmen up in the air. In the most corporate role of her career, Kendrick portrayed a manager facing despair. It gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a corporate worker. Working alongside George Clooney who is also amazing, Kendrick created a portrait of the corporate world that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Natalie has a breakdown at work after she is dumped by her boyfriend causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Up in the Air” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about travel that would resonate with everyone. A bold portrait of men up in the air, it’s a great reminder of an actress that has created a bold career producing movies about which audiences care.

3. Pitch Perfect

Girls with pitch perfect singing shaped my identity. I remember forming a friendship with a girl in school that sought to become a famous singer. Born with the pitch perfect voice of an angel, she loved singing melodies at which people would marvel. She would always love delivering a musical performance that left people in my school stunned in silence. As someone treasuring memories of a friend whose voice was pitch perfect, I adored “Pitch Perfect”. Released in 2012, Anna Kendrick’s movie captured pitch perfect teen girls. In the most musical role of her career, Kendrick portrayed an adolescent singer seeking to compose melodies people love to hear. With “Pitch Perfect”, the actress showcased rare aptitude for singing melodies she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Rebel Wilson who is also amazing, Kendrick honoured the art of singing. For instance, the scene in which Beca gives an audition seeking to prepare for a concert is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Pitch Perfect” a perfect movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about following one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Beca’s love for music, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated actress that has made iconic movies which have captivated the public.

4. ParaNorman

Paranormal characters always fascinated my mother. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a mother that was fascinated with people facing paranormal damage. She would always enjoy watching movies about strange characters born with special abilities. As someone treasuring a mother that adored paranormal characters with affection, I appreciated “ParaNorman”. Released in 2012, Anna Kendrick’s movie captured the lives of paranormal kids with special abilities. In the most animated role of her career, Kendrick portrayed the sister of a kid with abilities to communicate with dead people causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for creating strong animated characters through her powerful voice. Working alongside Casey Affleck who is also amazing, Kendrick created a stop-motion animated movie that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Courtney bullies her brother when she becomes aware of his special abilities is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “ParaNorman” a classic is its appeal. Unlike most stop-motion movies targeted to children, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of kids with abilities that are paranormal, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress manufacturing movies which audiences consider special

5. Twilight

Twilight is a bright book series that always fulfilled my friend’s appetite. At an early age, I formed a friendship with a girl in school that adored a series about vampires causing damage. In 2008, Anna Kendrick honoured the bright book series about obstacles vampires fight in her movie “Twilight”. In the most supportive role of her career, Kendrick portrayed a girl that forms a friendship with an outcast facing despair. Kendrick has an aptitude for playing women under stress, and “Twilight” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Kristen Stewart who is also outstanding, Kendrick honoured a book about vampires. For instance, the scene in which Jessica first meets Bella seeking to prepare her for high school is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Twilight” a great adaptation is its appeal. Unlike most movies about vampires, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about a vampire experiencing obstacles that are dire, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a bright actress that has manufactured commemorated movies audiences admire.

6. Woman of the Hour

When it comes to the most notorious serial killers in America, it’s worth discussing Rodney Alcala. A frightening serial killer, Alcala appeared on television evoking terror. In 2024, Anna Kendrick honoured the killer at his darkest hour in her movie “Woman of the Hour”. In the darkest role of her career, Kendrick portrayed a female journalist that interviewed a serial killer causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a television host that’s well-known. Kendrick showcased her abilities behind the camera in her first ever directorial debut. A powerful portrait of a serial killer that appeared on television evoking terror, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has always manufactured memorable movies about interesting characters which audiences treasure.

7. The Accountant

Autism is a mental condition that shaped my identity. At an early age, my life changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing damage. As someone that has faced Autism causing resentment, I adored “The Accountant”. Released in 2016, Gavin O’Connor’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most technical role of her career, Kendrick portrayed a mathematical accountant engaging in a life of crime causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her strength for playing women with an intelligent nature. Working alongside Ben Affleck who is also amazing, Kendrick created a portrait of Autism that’s compelling. A marvellous depiction of a misunderstood illness, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has become an icon in the business producing movies raising mental health awareness.

8. A Simple Favour

Anna Kendrick has always excelled at playing women facing situations that are tragic. Kendrick has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing women facing damage. Kendrick’s strength for playing emotional women under pressure is clearly evident in her movie “A Simple Favour”. Released in 2018, Paul Feig’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most emotional role of her career, Kendrick portrayed a woman seeking to solve her friend’s disappearance causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing women under stress. Working alongside Blake Lively who is also amazing, Kendrick created a mystery that’s engaging. As strong as Stephanie’s desire to resolve her friend’s disappearance, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with presence making movies that attract an audience.

9. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Few graphic novels have impressed the world like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.  Since its creation, the graphic novel has gained immense recognition. In 2010, Anna Kendrick did an amazing job adapting the world-famous graphic novel in her movie “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”. In the most unusual role of her career, Kendrick embodied a woman facing ex-boyfriends that are a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase aptitude for comedy she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Chris Evans who is also remarkable, Larson celebrated a legendary graphic novel. As powerful as Scott Pilgrim’s love for Ramona, it’s a spectacular reminder of a commemorated actress with undeniable charisma that has always manufactured memorable movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.

10. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

Anna Kendrick hasn’t always made great movies captivating the public. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1” falls into the latter category. Released in 2011, Bill Condon’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Kendrick portrayed a teenage girl facing despair. Kendrick brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1” is a bad movie, it honoured Kendrick’s legacy. As strong as Edward’s vampire bite, it’s a riveting reminder of a bright actress that has earned the spotlight by producing timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of movie reviews I write on my website.