My Favourite Saoirse Ronan Movies of All-Time

Not many actresses have earned appreciation of Saoirse Ronan. Since the 2000’s, Ronan has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s passionate writers, rebellious teenagers or immigrants facing dangers, Ronan 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 picks for the best movies of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Little Women

Writing is a passion that I’ve always enjoyed pursuing. As far back as I remember, I have always wanted to become a famous writer. At an early age, I developed lifelong hobbies for writing words written on a page. During childhood, I developed lifelong passions for writing about the art of filmmaking. Despite facing cyberbullying, nothing has stopped me from pursuing passions for writing. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured my passion for writing as powerfully as “Little Women”. Ever since its release in 2019, Saoirse Ronan’s movie has stood the test of time as a coming-of-age classic. In the greatest role of her career, Ronan embodies a fierce feminist writer forming an unbreakable relationship with sisters about whom she grows to care. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Ronan is one of those actresses that has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through delivering monologues, and “Little Women” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Florence Pugh who is also excellent, Ronan created a compelling sister bond. As Jo March, Ronan did an extraordinary job of portraying a legendary literary character. For instance, the scene in which Jo March breaks down crying after her sister Amy burns her book destroying her dreams of writing causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Little Women” a commemorated masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the strong relationships between siblings which would resonate with everyone. Centuries following the publication of a world-famous book about little women pursuing writing passion, it’s a remarkable reminder about an actress with strong dedication whose commemorated movies are worthy of celebration.

2. Lady Bird

Mothers are powerful figures that shape children’s future. As far as I can remember, I have shared complicated bonds with my mother. An authoritative parent, her strict nature nagging me to do things has often been irritating. Despite her strict parenting, I have always admired a mother I find inspiring. Through her inspiring words of wisdom, I was motivated to make my dreams come true. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother that made me feel heard, I adored “Lady Bird”. Released in 2017, Saoirse Ronan’s movie offered a beautiful portrait of teenage girls sharing strong relationships with mothers. In the most emotional role of her career, Ronan embodies a rebellious teenage girl sharing a complicated bond with her mother causing despair. Ronan has always been one of those actresses with a sharp sense of humour, and her comedic talents are evident in “Lady Bird”. For instance, the scene in which Lady Bird has an argument with her mother in a car trip causing despair is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Lady Bird” a commemorated classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about motherhood which would resonate with everyone. A magnificent portrait of motherhood, it’s a strong reminder of an actress that has stood the test of time as an icon in Hollywood.

3. Brooklyn

Immigration is an intense process that impacted my identity. Several years ago, my life forever changed when my family immigrated to Toronto. I recall with nostalgia fond memories of the time when my family migrated to Canada. The decision to immigrate forced me to separate from beloved companions that I had grown to appreciate. Bidding goodbyes to precious companions I had grown to idolize brought tears to my eyes. As someone impacted by immigration, I adored “Brooklyn”. Released in 2015, Saoirse Ronan’s movie celebrated a beloved book about Irish immigration. In the most thoughtful role of her career, Ronan embodies an Irish woman that embarks on a journey of immigration to America causing despair. Ronan has an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through her expressions, and “Brooklyn” showcased her dramatic strengths as an actress. For instance, the scene in which Ellis learns about the upsetting news of her sister Rose’s death in Ireland causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Brooklyn” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about immigration which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships experienced by Irish women that immigrate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress whose unforgettable movies audiences appreciate.

4. The Lovely Bones

Child abduction is a painful process that causes parents to face stress. Years ago, my mother faced panic when she lost my brother in a store that was gigantic. Fearful my brother had been abducted, the incident left my mother affected. When my mother achieved the task of finding my brother, she felt relieved. As someone haunted by child abduction that shook my bones, I adored “The Lovely Bones”. Released in 2009, Saoirse Ronan’s movie offered a powerful adaptation of a beloved book about child abduction. In the most tragic role of her career, Ronan embodies a teenage girl that becomes the victim of child abduction causing despair. With “The Lovely Bones”, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a victim of child abduction. For instance, the scene in which Susie is lured by George Harvey into a basement becoming victim of murder causing despair is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Lovely Bones” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about child abduction which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a book about teenage girls that are abducted, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress whose movies deserve to be appreciated.

5. Atonement

Wrongful conviction has shaped my personality. During my childhood, my life forever changed when I was accused of cheating on a science-fair project. Throwing a tantrum, a girl in my class accused me of plagiarism. A terrible lie, the bullies’ accusation that I had cheated caused me to cry. As someone haunted by memories of a lie that caused resentment, I appreciated “Atonement”. Released in 2007, Saoirse Ronan’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about wrongful accusation. In the most mischievous role of her career, Ronan embodies a young girl that creates a devastating lie causing her sister’s romantic affair to face despair. In the breakthrough role that launched her career, Ronan showcased flair using expressions to capture hardships teen girls go through. For instance, the scene in which Briony catches her sister having sex in the library with a soldier showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “Atonement” one of Ronan’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about wrongful accusation that would resonate with everyone. As strong as Briony’s lie, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has never lost her abilities to make memorable movies that satisfy.

6. The Outrun

Alcohol addiction is a condition rarely portrayed accurately in movies. Hollywood has often struggled depicting a condition that is misunderstood. Movies rarely shine light on barriers alcoholics must fight. In an industry that avoids discussing alcohol addiction, it’s worth praising “The Outrun”. Released in 2024, Saoirse Ronan’s most recent movie offered a powerful portrait of alcoholism causing tragedy. In the most tormented role of her career, Ronan embodies an alcoholic that faces a painful burden to bear. It gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her talent for playing tormented teenagers through strong expressions. A powerful portrait of obstacles alcoholics fight, it’s a bold reminder of an actress that has earned spotlight by making commemorated movies that shine light on sensitive topics hidden in plain sight.

7. Ammonite

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 2020 Saoirse Ronan shined a light on the subject in her film “Ammonite”. In the most provocative role of her career, Ronan embodies a woman that engages in a lesbian romantic affair with consequences causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress the opportunity to step out of her comfort zone by playing a queer character. Working alongside Kate Winslet who is amazing, Ronan creates a lesbian romance that’s compelling. A remarkable portrait of a lesbian love affair, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has built an illustrious career making commemorated movies about which audiences care.

8. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Few filmmakers have earned recognition of Wes Anderson. With their witty dialogue, quirky characters and compelling storytelling, Anderson’s movies have earned a following. Anderson has always had an eye for casting great actors in his movies. In 2014, Anderson showcased his strength as a filmmaker when he cast Saoirse Ronan in his movie “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. In the most quirky role of her career, Ronan embodies a baker engaging in a romantic affair with a hotel lobby man. Ronan has spent most of her career playing troubled teenagers in tense situations. With “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, however, she showcased an aptitude for comedy audiences hadn’t seen before. A grand portrait of a Budapest hotel, it’s a great reminder of an actress with commemorated stories to tell whose memorable movies cast a magical spell.

9. Hanna

Saoirse Ronan is one of those actresses that has always excelled at playing tormented teenagers. Since her career began years ago, Ronan has always excelled at playing girls facing sorrow. Ronan has built an image for playing teenage girls facing damage. Ronan’s strength for playing troubled teenage girls facing trauma is clearly evident in her film “Hanna”. Released in 2011, Saoirse Ronan’s movie depicted an assassin on a dangerous mission. In the most traumatic role of her career, Ronan embodied a teenage assassin facing a painful burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her strength for playing troubled teenage girls. As strong as Hanna’s desire to escape her past trauma, it’s a powerful reminder of an actress with charisma whose timeless movies always attract audiences to the Cinema.

10. The Host

Saoirse Ronan hasn’t always made great movies earning appreciation. While most movies the actress has made have turned out successful, others have fallen short. Unfortunately, “The Host” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2013, Andrew Niccol’s movie was a disaster that failed to adapt a science-fiction book. In the most wooden role of her career, Ronan embodies a woman that becomes the victim of a parasite host causing despair. Ronan brought charisma to the film proving to be the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Host” is a problematic movie, it remains a reminder of Ronan’s enduring legacy. As powerful as hosts that are parasitic, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actress that has built an iconic legacy whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to accomplish dreams of becoming a film critic.