Reese Witherspoon’s 10 best movies, ranked

For more than thirty years, Reese Witherspoon Has been at the forefront of Hollywood with incredible roles in comedies, biopics and dramas. Known for her petite stature and big performances, Witherspoon’s incredible charm and onscreen charisma have made her a household name. While Witherspoon is often associated with lighthearted performances in beloved rom-coms, she excels with impressively poignant and emotional turns in powerful biopics and insightful dramas.

As one of the most iconic actresses of the 1990s, Witherspoon’s career has gone from strength to strength over the past three decades. From impressive early turns in underrated satirical comedies like highway Straight to you Academy Award-winning performance in walk the lineWitherspoon has shown her skills in various genres. Witherspoon even created her own opportunities through her production company, Hello Sunshine, where she produced and starred in several female-led productions, such as Wild.

10

sing (2016)

Reese Witherspoon as Rosita

Although not primarily known for her voiceover work, Reese Witherspoon has had several roles in animated features such as The Trumpet of the Swan And Monsters vs Aliens. However, her greatest voice role came as Rosita, the disaffected housewife and mother of 25 piglets, in the musical Jukebox sing. This family-friendly film was set in a world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. Female pig Rosita participated in the movie’s singing competition, where she competed for a prize of $1,000.

With a talented ensemble cast that included the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Seth MacFarlane and Scarlett Johansson, Witherspoon’s role was the film’s emotional center as Rosita found meaning away from her busy life as an overburdened mother in a world of music and excitement. With impressive animation, an infectious sense of humor and a warm, poignant narrative, sing was a comedy for people of all ages. Witherspoon’s role was a particular highlight, and she returned to reprise Rosita for sing 2.

9

Just Like Heaven (2005)

Reese Witherspoon as Elizabeth

No genre suits Reese Witherspoon’s unique cinematic charm better than a rom-comWhich is proven by her role in the highly underrated 2000s comedy Just like heaven. With Witherspoon as Elizabeth, a busy doctor with no time to spare, and Mark Ruffalo as David, the man who moved into her apartment, it was only natural that romance would blossom between the pair. However, things are not quite so straightforward, as Elizabeth was in a car accident, and it was her spirit that haunted the apartment of its new tenant.

This unique concept proved the perfect template for comedic gold as Witherspoon and Ruffalo butt heads, only to soon find themselves falling for one another. With plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor and a self-aware understanding of how ridiculous his story was, Just like heaven Rose transcends his outrageous narrative to deliver a heartfelt rom-com. While it may not be as well known as the best rom-coms of the 2000s, it’s worth checking out for lovers of a good fantasy-based romance.

8

Freeway (1996)

Reese Witherspoon as Vanessa Lutz

Reese Witherspoon gave a spellbinding performance as Vanessa Lutz in the black comedy highway. As a dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm story “Little Red Riding Hood,” highway Taking things into much darker territory as Witherspoon played an illiterate teenager who avoids foster care after her drug-addicted mother is arrested for prostitution. On her way to seek refuge with her grandmother, Vanessa meets Bob Wolverton (Kiefer Sutherland), a despicable serial killer who was helpful at first before turning evil and being shot in the face by Witherspoon.

With many twists and turns, highway has a unique sense of humor as it effortlessly shifts through genres, including coming-of-age teen comedy, serial killer horror, and, eventually, courtroom drama. From writer and director Matthew Bright, highway Really got the best of WitherspoonWhich was an early indication of her incredible star power. Although it was a box office bomb upon release, highway has since gained a cult following due to his wicked sense of humor and accomplished campy style.

7

Cruel Intentions (1999)

Reese Witherspoon as Annette Hargrove

The steamy teen romance Cruel intentions was a modern adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 novel Les Liaisons DangereusesA story of deep corruption and depravity. With a star-studded cast including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair, and Reese Witherspoon, this cult film saw two vicious step-siblings conspiring to destroy an elite Manhattan headmaster’s daughter who staunchly opposes sex before love. As Annette Hargrove, Witherspoon perfectly captured the girl-next-door charm of the seemingly eternally virginal object of Ryan Phillippe’s underhanded desires.

With hormones raging and a wonderfully twisted story, Cruel intentions was the kind of erotic-fueled movie that isn’t really produced for mainstream audiences anymore. While Laclos’s novel has already been adapted as Dangerous links In 1988 with Glenn Close and John Malkovich, this teen reimagining added to its sensual appeal. With a sequel, prequel and even a jukebox musical, Cruel intentions Also led to the development of an unlikely franchise.

6

Pleasantville (1998)

Reese Witherspoon as Jennifer/Mary Sue Parker

While the domestic bliss portrayed in 1950s sitcoms like Leave it to Beaver And I love Lucy Looking aspirational, the truth behind the images is explored in the 1990s teen fantasy Pleasantville. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire as twin siblings transported into a black-and-white 1950s TV sitcom, this unique film addressed the stark difference between fact and fiction and the disadvantages of romanticizing a fantasy world. Addressing themes of personal and political oppression, Pleasantville was a tongue-in-cheek look at contemporary American society.

Witherspoon’s performance as Jennifer, the hot-headed sister who takes the place of the fearsome good girl Mary Sue Parker in Pleasantville, was the perfect contrast to the oppressed tendencies of the idyllic fictional town. By flaunting her modernity and Refuse to conform to Pleasantville’s Stifled sexual expectationsShe brought color to the black and white world and shook the values ​​of the community. Witherspoon was perfectly cast as Jennifer and carefully walked the fine line between 1950s faux innocence and modern rebellion.

5

Inherent Vice (2014)

Reese Witherspoon as Deputy District Attorney Penny Kimball

Reese Witherspoon reunited with her walk the line Co-star Joaquin Phoenix for Paul Thomas Anderson’s outrageous neo-noir mystery Inherent vice. Based on the book by the notoriously dense and cryptic writer Thomas Pynchon, Inherent vice Saw Phoenix portray stoner hippie private detective Doc Sportello trying to uncover three disappearances in 1970s Los Angeles. Witherspoon played the district attorney with a soft spot for hippies who had a crush on Doc, who provided him with confidential files to help with his case.

While it must be admitted that Inherent vice Made for convoluted and confusing viewing, like the best film noirs, it was the journey and not the destination that mattered in this complex and slowly unraveling mystery. From Director Anderson, Inherent vice Once showed his ability to capture the 1970s As he had previously done in boogie nights And would later reach with Licorice pizza. Inherent vice is truly weird, uniquely funny, and one of the most underrated movies of the 2010s.

4

wild (2014)

Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl Strayed

The biographical drama Wild was based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of adventure, grief and recovery as she embarked on an 1,100-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail to overcome her difficult personal problems. As Cheryl, Witherspoon captured the longing and searching in her character as she struggled with the death of her mother and tried to numb her pain with heroin use and mindless sex. Wild Showed how renewed determination and an adventurous spirit helped Cheryl out of her difficult circumstances to find purpose in life again.

Witherspoon also acted as a producer on WildWhich was the first film made with her production company Pacific Standard, now known as Hello Sunshine. Witherspoon described Wild like “The hardest movie I’ve ever made in my life“(by Vulture) as they filmed in remote locations while she and the crew “Pulled each other up the mountains and carried each other’s equipment.” However, it was the natural settings that gave Wild A realistic and believable feeling, which, mixed with the emotional intensity of Witherspoon’s performance, made for a truly effective story.

3

election (1999)

Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick

With a combination of dark humor and some truly intelligent writing, Election was one of the most underrated comedies of the 1990s. Starring Reese Witherspoon as the overarching high schooler Tracy Flick and Matthew Broderick as her teacher determined to sabotage her candidacy for student government president, this engaging political satire showed how the cutthroat nasties of politics can easily find their way into the realm of high school elections. .

With one of Withspoon’s best performances, Election was not a commercial hit upon release. However, it fared better with critics and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Director Alexander Payne also revealed (via HuffPost) what President Barack Obama told him Election was his favorite political film. With so many accolades and recommendations to consider, it is clear that Election was a must-watch entry in Witherspoon’s impressive filmography.

2

walk the line (2005)

Reese Witherspoon as June Carter

The life story of country music legend Johnny Cash was told in this incredible biopic walk the line With Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. Star-crossed lovers Johnny and June Carter have a whirlwind romance with many ups and downs made all the more difficult by the country icon’s excessive use of drugs and alcohol. As June, Witherspoon captured the emotional turmoil of watching Johnny destroy himself and the challenges of trying to reconcile their fractured relationship.

walk the line was as much the story of June’s hardships as Loving Johnny, and Witherspoon earned the Academy Award for Best Actress for her extraordinary performance. A country legend in her own right, it was exciting to see how Johnny’s personal issues and their tumultuous relationship inspired June to write one of his most famous songs, “Ring of Fire.” walk the line was the perfect example of what a great biopic can achieveHow it turned new listeners on the legacy of Johnny Cash and happy longtime lovers of the man in black.

1

Legally Blonde (2001)

Reese Witherspoon as Al Woods

Reese Witherspoon was perfectly cast as Elle Wood in Legally blondeHer definitive movie and her most recognizable character. As the story of a seemingly ditzy and underachieving sorority girl trying to win back her boyfriend by earning a Harvard law degree, this beloved rom-com addressed the dumb blonde stereotype and the idea that just because someone is interested in beauty And fashion does not mean that they are automatically dumb. While pursuing her degree, Elle confounds everyone’s expectations of her to prove that she is anything but dark.

The success of Legally blonde rested firmly on Witherspoon’s performance, which exuded sunny energy and made her character not too lovable. With a clever and engaging script, Reese Witherspoon Elevated the material through a cheerful performance and impeccable comic timing. A sequel with the title Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde was released in 2003 and an upcoming prequel series titled Everyone Is set for release in 2025, proven interest in Legally blonde Has not disappeared in the more than 20 years since it was released.

Sources: Vulture, HuffPost