Not many stars that gained fame years ago are as beloved as Lupita Nyong’o. Since the 2000’s, Nyong’o has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s slaves facing barriers, scary doppelgangers or quiet survivors, Nyong’o has played many bold characters. Given the sheer number of films she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are the best films made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. 12 Years a Slave
Slavery is a sensitive subject that shaped my friend’s identity. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a friend that possessed immense knowledge about dark slavery causing damage. I remember he grew up to treasure slavery as being an important subject matter. My friend believed that movies were an inferior art that could never capture a grim historical tragedy that tore many lives apart. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured grave realities of the slave trade in American history as powerfully as “12 Years a Slave”. Released in 2013, Lupita Nyongo’s best movie did an extraordinary job of depicting slavery in American history. In the greatest role of her career, Nyong’o embodied a courageous slave that’s mistreated by her cruel owner causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most bold role. Nyong’o has spent most of her career playing strong women in control of their fate. With “12 Years a Slave”, however, the actress took steps out of her comfort zone by playing a mistreated slave. It isn’t easy to embody a slave that’s mistreated by her owner, but Nyong’o succeeded tremendously. Working alongside Michael Fassbender who is also amazing, Nyong’o created a powerful portrait of slavery that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Patsey is whipped under the orders of her cruel slave owner causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “12 Years a Slave” Lupita Nyongo’s best movie is its message. The film delivers a bold message about freedom which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular portrait of slavery in American history that caused lives to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress audiences appreciate.
2. Black Panther
Black Panther is a beloved comic-book character that my friend grew up to treasure. I recall with nostalgia fond memories of a friend that was a huge fan of the kingdom of Wakanda. A member of the African-American community, he adored a hero that shaped his identity. In 2018, Lupita Nyong’o honoured the iconic comic-book character in her film “Black Panther”. In the most heroic role of her career, Nyong’o embodies a fierce female warrior seeking to protect her kingdom from despair. Nyong’o has an aptitude for playing strong black women, and “Black Panther” showcased her strengths clearly. Working alongside Chadwick Boseman who is also extraordinary, Nyong’o honoured a legendary comic-book hero. For instance, the scene in which Nakia witnesses her brother defeated in a fight causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Black Panther” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. As precious as Wakanda, it’s a bold reminder of an actress with charisma that has made great movies attracting audiences to the modern-day Cinema.
3. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars is a spectacular science-fiction franchise that shaped my teacher’s identity. Years ago, I developed powerful bonds with a teacher that was a fan of the franchise. Star Wars was a franchise my English teacher came to cherish. He was a huge fan of a franchise about starry galaxies that made him feel happy. In 2015, Lupita N’yongo honoured the forceful science-fiction franchise in her film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. In the most technical role of her career, N’yongo embodied a mentor that guides Jedis in a galaxy facing despair. It’s a challenging role that required the actress to portray a CGI character through motion-capture. However, N’yongo pulled it off effortlessly. For instance, the scene in which Maz Kanata is first introduced giving Rey valuable advice about being a Jedi overcoming fear is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” a sci-fi classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about finding identity 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 breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable movies which deserve to be celebrated absolutely today.
4. A Quiet Place: Day One
It’s challenging to survive in a world of silence. At an early age, my family faced a bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. To avoid terrorists that were violent, parents told me to stay silent. Through my parents’ abilities to remain silent, I survived a traumatic bombing incident. As someone haunted by bombings causing destruction, I adored “A Quiet Place: Day One”. Released in 2024, Lupita N’yongo’s movie depicted a woman struggling to survive in a world of silence. In the most silent role of her career, N’yongo embodies a woman struggling to survive without noise in an apocalyptic world facing despair. N’yongo has spent most of her career playing strong heroines with talkative personalities. With “A Quiet Place: Day One”, however, the actress showcased subtlety playing a quiet survivor of apocalypse. For instance, the scene in which Samira becomes aware that the world has been invaded by noisy creatures causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “A Quiet Place: Day One” a horror classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about survival which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Samira’s desire to survive in a quiet place, it’s a spectacular reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences commonly embrace.
5. Us
Doppelgangers are terrifying figures that have scared me. As far as I can remember, I have feared doppelgangers causing terror. At an early age, I formed a lifeloong fear of doppelgangers causing damage. The mere idea of meeting a duplicate of one’s self scared me. As someone afraid of doppelgangers that are dangerous, I adored “Us”. Released in 2019, Lupita N’yongo’s movie captured doppelgangers. In the most frightening role of her career, N’yongo embodies a traumatized woman whose family is hunted by doppelgangers evoking fear. Double roles are tricky to pull off effectively in movies. Playing two different characters poses challenges for actors. However, N’yongo pulled it off. Through her commanding voice, N’yongo created a doppelganger that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Adelaide’s family meets their doppelgangers causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Us” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most horror movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a bold message about identity which would resonate with everyone. A dazzling depiction of doppelgangers that are dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of a great actress that thrives playing courageous heroines in unforgettable movies audiences consider to be extremely precious.
6. The Jungle Book
The Jungle Book is a classic cartoon that changed my outlook. The animated cartoon about jungles was a pivotal part of my childhood. I grew up watching an animated cartoon that inspired me to make dreams come true. In 2016, Lupita N’yongo honoured classic animated cartoon about jungles with a scary look in her film “The Jungle Book”. In the most animated role of her career, N’yongo embodies a wolf seeking to care for a young boy in a jungle facing despair. It gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her aptitude for playing animated characters through her voice. Working alongside Ben Kingsley who is also amazing, N’yongo honoured a classic animated cartoon. As strong as Mowgli’s relationship with animals in the jungle, it’s a powerful reminder of an actress whose remarkable movies audiences consider to be extremely special.
7. Non-Stop
Airplanes are soaring vehicles that have always terrified me. At an early age, I developed a fear of planes soaring at high altitudes that faced risk of damage. I would fear that the airplane would be hijacked in a situation becoming a nightmare. As someone fearing airplanes that travel at fast speeds non-stop, I adored “Non-Stop”. Released in 2014, Lupita Nyong’o’s movie captured non-stop airplanes facing catastrophe. In the most anxious role of her career, Nyong’o portrayed a flight attendant seeking to rescue a doomed plane in the air. It gave the actress a rare chance to showcase emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Liam Neeson who is also amazing, Nyong’o created a thriller that’s engaging. As powerful as the airplane, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress making movies which entertain.
8. Queen of Katwe
When it comes to the greatest chess players in African history, it’s worth discussing Phiona Mutesi. Mutesi was a strong chess player that was driven to achieve success. An awe-inspiring African icon, Mutesi built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2016, Lupita N’yongo honoured the girl that loved to play chess in her film “Queen of Katwe”. In the most compassionate role of her career, N’yongo embodied a mother seeking to care for a chess prodigy daughter. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing strong black women. Working alongside David Oyelowo who is also amazing, N’yongo honoured a chess player that achieved success years ago. As strong as Phiona’s desire to become a famous chess player, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made memorable movies which audiences commonly treasure.
9. The Wild Robot
Robots are fascinating figures that always impressed my brother. I remember a brother that was fascinated with robots causing disaster. He would always speak fondly about robots that he felt had personality. As someone treasuring a brother that loved robots, I admired “The Wild Robot”. Released in 2024, Lupita N’yongo’s movie captured a robot struggling to survive on an island. In the most robotic role of her career, N’yongo embodied a compassionate robot facing a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her strengths for creating compelling motion-capture characters. Through her commanding voice, N’yongo created a compelling robot. As strong as Roz’s desire to be a robot that’s wild, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made memorable movies leaving audiences commonly beguiled.
10. The 355
Lupita N’yongo hasn’t always made great movies. While most movies the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The 355” falls into the latter category. Released in 2022, Simon Kinberg’s espionage blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, N’yongo embodies a female agent that experiences a heavy burden to bear. N’yongo brought strong authority to the role, standing out as the bright spot of an otherwise bad movie. Although “The 335” is a disastrous movie, it celebrated N’yongo’s long-lasting legacy. As strong as Khadijah’s desire to become a successful agent, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actress with strong commitment making unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of entertainment.
The Film Buff 