Natalie Portman’s Greatest Movies Ranked

Not many actresses have earned appreciation of Natalie Portman. Since the 1990’s, Portman has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s psychotic ballet dancers, political leaders or strippers, Portman has portrayed several interesting 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 an actress that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Black Swan

Ballet is a breathtaking profession that my mother loves today. I fondly recall with nostalgia fond memories of a mother that sought to become a famous ballerina. She would always marvel at the way ballet dancers performed dances she treasured in every way. Fond of dancing, she would always love discussing professions that she found inspiring. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured tensions faced by ballet dancers seeking to be a swan as powerfully as “Black Swan”. Released in 2010, Natalie Portman’s best movie captured lives of ballet dancers facing tragedy. In the greatest role of her career, Portman portrayed a ballet dancer seeking to prepare for a tense competition causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Portman has spent most of her career playing likeable heroines in romantic movies. With “Black Swan”, however, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a ballet dancer. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase talent for ballet dancing she hadn’t shown before in her career. For instance, the scene in which Nina seeks to prepare for a ballet competition becoming aware that she has been selected as the White Swan is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Black Swan” Natalie Portman’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about ballet, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of ballet dancing to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about determination which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about ballet dancers with frightening mental health problems experiencing a painful price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout her career that deserve to be celebrated today.

2. V for Vendetta

Vigilantes with a vendetta always inspired my grandpa. I remember my grandfather once acknowledged a legendary comic book about dark vigilantes facing disaster. He would appreciate legendary comic books about dark vigilantes carrying grim vendetta impacting his persona. In 2005, Natalie Portman honoured the iconic comic-book about vigilantes with a vendetta in her movie “V for Vendetta”. In the most emotional role of her career, Portman portrayed a woman seeking to rebel against a government causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under stress. Working alongside Hugo Weaving who is also amazing, Portman honoured a comic-book about vigilantes that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Evey first meets V becoming aware of his plan to destroy the city causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “V for Vendetta” a comic-book classic is its message. It delivers a bold message about government corruption which would definitely resonate with everyone. A captivating tribute towards a comic-book about vigilantes with a cruel vendetta, it’s a compelling reminder of an actress with charisma that has produced unforgettable movies throughout her career that attract audiences to the Cinema.

3. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Star Wars is a spectacular science-fiction franchise that earned my teacher’s appreciation. I remember my teacher was once a huge fan of a series about galaxies in danger. Fascinated by the Jedi, he would always love to explain why he loved a franchise about galaxies that terrify. His classroom was always decorated with large posters of a franchise he appreciated. In 2005, Natalie Portman honoured the iconic franchise about dark sith in her movie “Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith”. In the most heroic role of her career, Portman portrayed a princess facing despair. Portman has always excelled at playing emotional women facing stress, and “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” showcased her strengths as an actress. For instance, the scene in which Padme becomes aware that Anakin has turned over to the Dark Side causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Star Wars movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about dangers of revenge which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute to a franchise created a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies which deserve to be celebrated today.

4. Heat

Bank robbers participating in criminal behaviour always fascinated my brother. I remember my brother was intrigued by frightening bank robbers facing danger. He would marvel at ways bank robbers got away with committing crimes without facing a price to pay. My brother always enjoyed watching movies about intricate bank robberies. As someone treasuring a brother that loved seeing bank robbers catching heat, I adored “Heat”. Released in 1995, Natalie Portman’s movie captured bank robbers facing tragedy. In the most tragic role of her career, Portman portrayed the suicidal daughter of a police cop facing despair. With “Heat”, the actress showcased rare emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Al Pacino who is also amazing, Portman created a bank robbery thriller that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Lauren commits suicide causing her family to face despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Heat” a crime classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about bank robberies, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of frightening bank robbers catching heat, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has produced movies in her impressive career which audiences consider a treat.

5. Avengers: Endgame

The Avengers are an awe-inspiring superhero team that my friend always loved dearly. I remember a friend that admired a superhero team saving the world from grave danger. His room was always decorated with posters of a superhero team he appreciated. In 2019, Natalie Portman honoured the superhero team reaching an endgame in her movie “Avengers: Endgame”. In the most comical role of her career, Portman portrayed a majestic princess unaware she is being deceived by her lover causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Chris Hemsworth who is also amazing, Portman honoured a superhero team that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Jane reunites with Thor after several years of separation in Asgard causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Avengers: Endgame” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. An awe-inspiring tribute towards a team reaching an endgame, it’s an astonishing reminder of an actress that has made great movies throughout her career achieving fame.

6. Annihilation

When it comes to the greatest science-fiction books ever written, it’s worth discussing Annihilation. Since its publication in 2014, Jeff VanderMeer’s book has become a literature classic. In 2018, Natalie Portman honoured the iconic science-fiction book in her movie “Annihilation”. In the most conflicted role of her career, Portman portrayed a scientist seeking to investigate an alien invasion causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under stress. Working alongside Jennifer Jason Leigh who is also outstanding, Portman honoured a science-fiction book that’s inspiring. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about scientists investigating an alien invasion, it’s an amazing reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies that deserve appreciation.

7. Closer

Natalie Portman has always excelled at playing emotional women facing tension. Portman has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing emotional characters facing damage. Portman’s strength for playing women under intense pressure is clearly evident in her movie “Closer”. Released in 2004, Mike Nichols’ movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most mysterious role of her career, Portman portrayed a stripper facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing women under stress. Working alongside Clive Owen who is also amazing, Portman created a prostitution drama that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of extramarital affairs causing marriages to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made great movies which audiences appreciate.

8. Jackie

Few political figures in American history are as tragic as Jackie Kennedy. Following her husband’s sad assassination, Kennedy struggled to become a leader guiding her nation. In 2016, Portman honoured the legendary first lady in her movie “Jackie”. In the most tragic role of her career, Portman portrayed a grief-stricken woman struggling to cope with the loss of a president causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a political figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Peter Sarsgaaard who is also amazing, Portman honoured a first lady that’s inspiring. Nearly 60 years after Jackie F. Kennedy became a first lady seeking to be a political leader, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured great movies throughout her career which audiences treasure.

9. May December

Age gap romance is a tricky subject to tackle. Stories of couples with huge age gaps are rarely told in movies. In an industry that often ignored lovers with huge age-gaps facing disaster, it’s worth praising “May December”. Released in 2023, Natalie Portman’s movie offered a powerful portrait of an age-gap love affair. In the most sensitive role of her career, Portman portrayed a journalist investigating a woman having an age-gap affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a woman in an age-gap romance. Working alongside Julianne Moore who is also amazing, Portman created an age gap romance that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of hardships that couples in age-gap romances face, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress producing movies which audiences embrace.

10. Thor: Love and Thunder

Natalie Portman hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Thor: Love and Thunder” falls into the latter category. Released in 2022, Taika Waititi’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, the actress portrayed a warrior suffering from Cancer causing despair. Portman brought emotion to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Thor: Love and Thunder” is a bad movie, it honoured Portman’s legacy. As strong as Jane’s desire to defend her Asgard kingdom, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has achieved stardom playing characters with wisdom in commemorated movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of film criticism.