Any actress that has received not just one but two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and three BAFTAs would be considered a legend in modern filmmaking. Cate Blanchett is no exception and has proven time and time again that she deserves every ounce of praise that she’s received over the course of her acting career, which has spanned multiple genres, such as fantasy, drama, period pieces, and a foray into children’s movies. Most recently, she played the leading role in 2022’s TÁR, which has been nominated for five Academy Awards.

Blanchett grew up in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, and began expressing her interest in acting while attending high school. In college, she studied economics before dropping out to travel to Egypt, which is coincidentally where she would be offered her first role as an extra in 1990s Kaboria (per Yahoo!). She returned to school to study dramatic arts and began stage acting in 1992 before getting a screen role in 1994’s television series Heartland. It wasn’t long before her talent was recognized, and she began receiving more significant roles in television and film. Her versatility as an actress is one of her biggest strengths that she’s become known for, with leading roles in films like 2022’s TÁR and her incredible performance as Bob Dylan in 2007’s I’m Not There.

With a career spanning over eighty films, it’s hard to pick favorites, but here are the ten quintessential Blanchett movies that show some of the best work from one of the most prominent actresses since the 90s.

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10 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

     Paramount Pictures

Director David Fincher’s 2008 drama, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, was met with outstanding reviews for its impressive special effects and SFX makeup at the time of its release. Blanchett’s performance as leading man Brad Pitt’s love interest in the drama as his character ages backward over the course of the movie, is also memorable.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

9 The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

     Touchstone Pictures

In one of Blanchett’s earlier roles, she acted alongside a star-studded cast that includes Bill Murray, Owen Willson, Willem Dafoe, and Jeff Goldblum. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou was co-written by Wes Anderson and the director of 2019’s Marriage Story, Noah Baumbach. The film wasn’t received well upon release and is viewed as one of director Wes Anderson’s biggest box-office flops, but over the years, the film has earned itself a cult following that shows this film is worth watching.

8 Truth

     Echo Lake Entertainment

Unfortunately, director James Vanderbilt’s 2015 film Truth is another one of Blanchett’s movies that flew under the radar of many viewers. The historical drama follows Blanchett in the role of real-life journalist and television producer Mary Mapes as she and her team uncover political secrets during the 2004 presidential election.

7 The Talented Mr. Ripley

     Mirage Enterprises

A psychological thriller turned romance turned drama set against a stunning backdrop of the Italian coast, The Talented Mr. Ripley makes for a memorable film. Blanchett stars in yet another ensemble cast of 90s heavy hitters alongside Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

6 Thor: Ragnarok

     Marvel Studios

Blanchett’s wide range of acting talent is displayed in Thor: Ragnarok as she departs from dramas and period pieces to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the third installment of the Thor franchise. Marvel has had no shortage of previously-established actors joining their films, but Blanchett’s performance as Thor and Loki’s estranged sister was memorable.

5 Ocean’s Eight

     Warner Bros. Pictures

Bringing the Ocean’s franchise back with this fantastic cast of women leads was deemed an immense success, and Blanchett was a perfect choice as a leading woman in Ocean’s 8. Her edgy style and confidence made this character shine through in this fun heist movie.

4 Lord of the Rings

     New Line Cinema

By the time she appeared in the MCU, Blanchett was no stranger to major film franchises. Alongside Ian McKellen, she was the only other actor to star in all six of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies in her role as the elf Galadriel.

3 I’m Not There

     The Weinstein Company

Director Todd Haynes has never lacked creativity in his films, and 2007’s I’m Not There was no exception. Blanchett starred alongside six other actors, including Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, and Richard Gere, all playing Bob Dylan and his many different public personas at different points in his career in this music drama.

2 Carol

     StudioCanal

Blanchett was enlisted once again by Haynes in a leading role for his 2015 emotional, romantic drama, Carol. Haynes has a long history of directing movies centered around the music industry, but his departure into romance was delicate, beautiful, and masterfully acted by the two leading women.

1 TÁR

     Focus Features

Blanchett’s most recent film, 2022’s TÁR, has been nominated for five Academy Awards, including Blanchett’s nomination for Best Actress. The nominations are well-earned as Blanchett’s performance was profound, haunting, and powerful in this drama that meditates on power and, more specifically, its abuse.