Marion Cotillard is known for her work in films such as La Vie en Rose and Two Days, One Night, quickly establishing herself as an iconic actor in French — and eventually English — cinema. Born in Paris, she began acting as a child in one of her father’s films and kicked off her acting career with an uncredited role in the English series Highlander. She achieved her big screen debut in 1996 when she starred in the French comedy La Belle Verte.
Quickly, she became an established actor and earned her first Cesar award nomination in 1998 when she starred in Luc Besson’s Taxi. She would then skyrocket in success, working with directors such as Tim Burton, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan and Michael Mann. She would cement her status as an international force of acting when she won her Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in the 2007 biopic La Vie En Rose. Here’s a look at Marion Cotillard’s best movies, ranked.
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10 Contagion
Image Nation
In 2011, Marion Cotillard would star in a Steven Soderbegh thriller, which has now become our reality. Contagion is a movie about a pandemic that ravages the world, showing the different emotional and political responses to the catastrophe. Cotillard plays Dr. Leonora Orantes, who is an investigator for the World Health Organization. The film features performances from huge names like Jude Law, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne, and Gwyneth Paltrow, who all deliver excellent performances. Cotillard gives a convincing performance in a film, which has become eerily similar to our reality over the past few years.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
9 Public Enemies
Universal Pictures
In 2009, Marion Cotillard starred in Michael Mann’s Public Enemies, which is set in the Prohibition Era. She plays Billie Frechette, the girlfriend of a gang mobster named John Dillinger (Johnny Depp). The story centers around the final days of Dillinger’s crime spree as the FBI work to take him down. The movie, in fact, is based on a real-life story, and Cotillard embodies the era and her character perfectly, making this a standout in her filmography.
8 Annette
In 2021, Marion Cotillard starred in Leos Carax’ English-language debut Annette, which tells the story of Henry (Adam Driver), a stand-up comedian who falls in love with Ann (Cotillard), a world-renowned opera star. After they give birth to a child, their lives are forever changed. The film underperformed at the box office, however, it’s a strong one in Cotillard’s repitorie.
7 Innocence
Mars Distribution
In 2004, she starred in Lucile Hadžihalilović’s mystery drama Innocence, which focuses on a private school that is full of mystery, and the students arrive in coffins. She stars as Mademoiselle Eva, who is one of the teachers operating the strange school. She teaches them strange lessons that feel sinister and eerie at the same time, and her performance helps to make the film a completely unique viewing experience.
6 Macbeth
StudioCanal
In 2015, Justin Kurzel released an interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Macbeth. The film is a visual masterpiece and features frames which showcase great cinema in all its glory. The story tells that of a Scottish military soldier who becomes tempted by power and murders his way to the throne with the help of his wife, but, along the way becomes overcome by insanity. Cotillard plays Lady Macbeth and her performance is a highlight of the whole film. She plays the role in a way which feels new and fresh, using strong facial expressions to embody a character solely motivated by power.
5 Midnight in Paris
Pathé
Midnight in Paris was released in 2011 and features a romance story that stars Cotillard as Adriana, a costume designer living in Paris. Owen Wilson plays Gil, a screenwriter who is dissatisfied with his life and career. While in Paris, he reminisces about how writers and artists of the past lived the ideal life of creative pursuit. Magically, every midnight, a car from Paris’ takes Gil back in time to the period he loves most. There, he meets all sorts of characters from F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gerstrude Stein, Slavador Dalí, and, ultimately Adriana. The two have great chemistry, and it’s a charming film which explores the myth of nostalgia.
4 The Immigrant
TWC
In 2013, Cotillard would star in James Gray’s historical drama The Immigrant, set in 1921 when millions of immigrants would come to the USA through Ellis Island. Cotillard plays the main character who is a Polish immigrant named Ewa Cybulski. She faces struggles after she arrives after her sister, Magda, experiences lung issues and is confined to an infirmary. She is able to survive in the world she arrives in due to help from Bruno Weiss (Joaquin Phoenix), who offers her a place to live in exchange for a role in his show. It’s an excellent performance which sees her conflicted over her faith and financial stresses, which only Cotillard could embody.
3 Rust and Bone
Canal+
In 2012, Cotillard starred in Jacques Audiard’s drama about self-discovery Rust and Bone. She plays a former whale trainer who ends up losing her legs in an accident. She also forms a close bond with a bouncer who steps in for her during a barroom incident (played by Matthias Schoenaerts). Their relationship lacks sentimentality which makes for an interesting understanding to the complexity of the characters. Her performance is truly incredible, and it’s easily one of her best films.
2 La Vie En Rose
Légende Films
It wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss Cotillard’s filmography without considering her Academy Award-winning role in La Vie En Rose. She plays the cultural French icon Edith Piaf, telling the story of her dramatic life through different decades across her successful career while showcasing her songs spectacularly. Her embodiment of Piaf is incredible and truly illustrates how amazing an actress Cotillard is.
1 Two Days, One Night
Les Film du Fleuve
The Dardenne brothers directed 2014’s Two Days, One Night, which is a social-realist drama. She plays Sandra, who is a working-class wife and mother. She had to return to work after a nervous breakdown, and discovers that it’s likely that she will lose her job. A vote is then conducted by the company, where the employees can vote to keep her position at the expense of their own bonuses. She then has to campaign to her co-workers for her own livelihood. The performance is much more stripped back than her work in La Vie En Rose, however, the subtle emotions that she can portray are incredible and tell a story of our inhumane modern culture.
