My Favourite Hayley Atwell Movies of All-Time

Not many actresses in Hollywood tell stories as compelling as Hayley Atwell. Since the 1990’s, Atwell has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s political leaders, frustrated mothers or singers, Atwell has portrayed several characters. Given the number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films produced by a fantastic star that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1

Mission: Impossible is a spectacular franchise that always earned my father’s appreciation. I remember my father always adored a franchise demonstrating spies facing danger. A huge fan of Tom Cruise, he adored movies that forever changed his worldviews. Through lifelong love for Mission: Impossible, my father inspired me to believe film criticism dreams were possible. In 2023, Hayley Atwell honoured the iconic franchise about spies experiencing missions in her movie “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1”. In the greatest role of her career, Atwell portrayed a female agent experiencing an impossible mission causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Atwell has spent most of her career playing romantic heroines in period pieces. With “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1”, however, the actress showcased aptitude for action movies she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also amazing, Atwell created an action movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Grace first becomes aware Ethan Hunt’s life is in grave danger causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1” Hayley Atwell’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike commemorated M:I movies targeted towards action junkies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma which will resonate with everyone. Nearly two years after the release of a commemorated action film about spies on missions that are impossible, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress making entertaining movies that are special.

2. Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America is a legendary superhero that always inspired my grandpa. I remember my grandfather was once a huge fan of the iconic comic-book character. He would always marvel at a superhero holding a place in his heart that was special. In 2011, Hayley Atwell honoured the iconic comic-book character in her movie “Captain America: The First Avenger”. In the most heroic role of her career, Atwell portrayed a female agent seeking to prepare soldiers for warfare. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a comic-book heroine that’s well-known. Working alongside Chris Evans who is also amazing, Atwell honoured a hero that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Peggy first meets Steve Rogers seeking to prepare him for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Captain America: The First Avenger” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. A captivating tribute towards the legacy of Captain America, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated actress demonstrated undeniable charisma that has made commemorated movies throughout her larger-than-life career that commonly attract audiences towards Cinema.

3. Cinderella

Cinderella is a legendary character that always inspired my grandma. I remember a grandmother that was once a huge fan of the magical character. She would always praise a magical princess wearing shining shoes that shaped her worldviews. My mother would always speak fondly about an animated film about princesses that were enchanted. In 2015, Hayley Atwell honoured the iconic princess with charisma in her movie “Cinderella”. In the most fantastical role of her career, Atwell portrayed the biological mother of a princess facing despair. It’s a 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 Lily James who is also amazing, Atwell honoured a princess that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Ella’s mother gives her valuable advice seeking to prepare her for the real world is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Cinderella” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Disney movies targeted towards children only, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about social class which would resonate with everyone. A captivating tribute towards a Disney princess, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated actress that manufactures great films which impress.

4. Blinded by the Light

Bruce Springsteen is a legendary musician that always made my aunt feel seen. I remember my aunt was once a huge fan of an iconic singer she would treasure. She would always speak fondly about a singer dancing in the dark that left a lasting mark. Fond of Bruce Springsteen, she often yearned to see the musician’s life depicted on the big-screen. In 2019, Hayley Atwell honoured the iconic musician blinded by light in her movie “Blinded by the Light”. In the most musical role of her career, Atwell portrayed a high school teacher that seeks to care for a teenager facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under stress. Working alongside Viveik Kalra who is also amazing, Atwell honoured a musician that’s awe-inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Ms. Clay becomes aware of Javed’s musical talents is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Blinded by the Light” a musical masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Bruce Springsteen’s music to appreciate it. A powerful tribute towards Bruce Springsteen, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actress that has manufactured great movies that deserve to be seen on the big-screen.

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. My friend grew up to marvel at a team holding a place in his heart which was special. In 2019, Hayley Atwell honoured the iconic superhero team reaching an endgame in her movie “Avengers: Endgame”. In the most emotional role of her career, the actress portrayed a woman engaging in a doomed love affair with a superhero facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase emotional range she hadn’t shown in her career before. Despite appearing in the film for a brief scene with limited screen-time, Atwell left a strong impression. For instance, the scene in which Peggy bids tearful farewell to Steve Rogers causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Avengers: Endgame” a comic-book classic is its message. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. A great tribute towards a bold team reaching an endgame, it’s an amazing reminder of an actress that has produced great movies achieving fame.

6. Ant-Man

Few superheroes have earned a fan following as huge as Ant-Man. Since 2015, the hero with abilities to shrink in size has become a character audiences idolize. In 2015, Hayley Atwell honoured the iconic superhero with a huge fan following in her movie “Ant-Man”. In the most authoritative role of her career, Atwell portrayed an agent seeking to resolve a global crisis 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 Paul Rudd who is also amazing, Atwell created a comic-book movie that’s engaging. An astonishing tribute towards a superhero with the abilities to shrink in size, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to surprise manufacturing unforgettable movies which audiences prize.

7. Brideshead Revisited

When it comes to the most celebrated books ever written about women, it’s worth discussing Brideshead Revisited. Since its publication in 1945, Evelyn Waugh’s book has become a literary classic. In 2008, Hayley Atwell honoured the celebrated book about conflicted women in her movie “Brideshead Revisited”. In the most aristocratic role of her career, Atwell portrayed a wealthy woman engaging in a doomed love affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under stress. Working alongside Ben Whishaw who is also amazing, Atwell created a period piece that’s compelling. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about women that are conflicted, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made unforgettable movies which deserve to be celebrated.

8. Christopher Robin

When it comes to beloved cartoon characters that children value, it’s worth discussing Winnie the Pooh. Since his creation in the 1920’s, the teddy bear has appeared in several memorable movies. In 2018, Hayley Atwell honoured the iconic character in her movie “Christopher Robin”. In the most magical role of his career, Atwell portrayed the wife of a renowned author that created the teddy bear about which children care. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary author that’s well-known. Working alongside Ewan McGregor who is also outstanding, Atwell honoured a commemorated teddy bear that’s inspiring. A wonderful tribute towards Winnie the Pooh, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actress that has always manufactured movies in her career which audiences value.

9. Testament of Youth

Hayley Atwell has often excelled at playing emotional women that feel unwell. Atwell has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing emotional women facing damage. Atwell’s strength for playing women unable to overcome their youth is clearly evident in her movie “Testament of Youth”. Released in 2014, James Kent’s period piece showcased the actress at her best. In the most compassionate role of her career, Atwell portrayed a nurse facing warfare. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women facing a toll. Working alongside Alicia Vikander who is also amazing, Atwell created a period piece that’s captivating. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved memoir about women that are English, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences cherish.

10. Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway

Hayley Atwell hasn’t always made great movies that excel. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” falls into the latter category. Released in 2021, Will Gluck’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, the actress portrayed a rabbit facing despair. Atwell brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Atwell’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Peter’s desire to become a runaway rabbit, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has manufactured memorable movies throughout her career that I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong habit of writing movie reviews which I will never quit.