Reese Witherspoon is one of the most beloved and successful actresses in Hollywood. She’s won Academy Awards, starred in numerous box office hits, and produced a long list of popular films. But what makes Witherspoon great? It’s her versatility. She can take on a variety of roles, from romantic comedies to highly-rated, dark dramas, and always bring something new to the screen. Her ability to bring out the best in her characters, combined with her easy charm, makes her one of the most compelling actors in the business. Her roles are also a reflection of her own life and experiences, which adds an extra layer of authenticity to each performance. She has become a powerful voice for women in Hollywood and a symbol of strength and resilience. Witherspoon is an inspiring example of a successful actress who is always pushing boundaries and inspiring us to do the same.
Witherspoon started with her breakout role as Tracy Flick in the 1999 political satire Election. Tracy Flick is an overachieving high school student who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She is ambitious, ruthless, and fiercely determined, and these qualities make her a perfect foil for the other characters in the film. This role established Witherspoon as an edgier actress, who was capable of taking on more complicated roles and laid the groundwork for her future success. She has become renowned for her portrayals of strong, confident women with complex personalities. She is best known for her romantic comedies and is also often seen playing characters with a darker edge. Witherspoon is also highly acclaimed for her depictions of Southern women, particularly in movies such as Walk The Line and Sweet Home Alabama. Witherspoon’s upcoming film Your Place or Mine with Ashton Kutcher is set to be a lighter romance film. Without further ado, let’s dive in to Witherspoon’s best movies.
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10 Water for Elephants (2011)
Fox 2000 Pictures
Water for Elephants is full of romantic and inspirational elements, talented cast members, and a captivating story. The film is based on the bestselling novel by Sara Gruen. Set in the 1930s, it follows a former veterinary student who takes a job in a traveling circus. The cast includes both Robert Pattinson and Christoph Waltz, making for an incredible lineup of actors. The story follows the forbidden love between Jacob and Marlena, played by Witherspoon, and is filled with compelling drama, romance, and heartache.
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Even though it got mixed reviews from critics, Water for Elephants still makes for an engrossing watch and provides a captivating experience. The story and its characters provide a beautiful insight into the Great Depression, and serves as a reminder of the power of love and perseverance. Allegedly, Witherspoon and Pattinson formed a close relationship while filming the movie.
9 Just Like Heaven (2005)
DreamWorks Pictures
The plot of Just Like Heaven follows a widowed architect named David (Mark Ruffalo), who moves into a new San Francisco flat and discovers that it’s haunted by the ghost of a woman Elizabeth (Witherspoon). With the help of a local psychic, David and Elizabeth try to work out what exactly happened to her, and during their journey, they begin to develop feelings for one another. As their love story progresses, they uncover the truth and find a way to be together despite the spiritual plane keeping them apart. Ultimately, their connection overcomes the differences between their worlds, and they realize that love truly can transcend the physical realm.
8 Sing (2016)
Illumination
For those who haven’t yet experienced this film, Sing follows a koala entrepreneur named Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey), who owns a struggling theater. In order to save his theater, he hosts a singing competition with a promised prize of 100,000. The competition invites animals from all over the city, including Rosita, a mother pig voiced by Witherspoon, Ash, a punk-rock porcupine voiced by Scarlett Johansson, and Mike, a street musician mouse voiced by Seth MacFarlane. As the animals audition and rehearse for their biggest performance yet, they all have their eye on the prize — until there isn’t one.
7 Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)
DreamWorks Animation
Monsters vs. Aliens is entertaining and has a light-hearted plot combined with the great performance of Witherspoon voicing the character of Ginormica. This animated movie takes viewers on an exciting journey of adventure and comedy, featuring a unique and thrilling story of a woman named Susan, who is transformed into a giant after being struck by a meteorite on her wedding day.
Witherspoon’s impressive voice acting brings life to the character of Ginormica, and her performance is a highlight of the movie. Additionally, this was the first DreamWorks animated film to be produced in 3D, and the visual effects and 3D animation add to the movie’s overall enjoyment. Furthermore, critics were split in their opinion of the movie, but the majority of them praised Witherspoon’s performance and her comedic timing.
6 Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Touchstone Pictures
In Sweet Home Alabama, New York fashion designer Melanie (Witherspoon) is swept off her feet by the perfect proposal from Andrew (Patrick Dempsey), but before she can begin planning the wedding, she discovers she must return to Alabama to divorce her estranged husband Jake (Josh Lucas). Upon returning to her small hometown, Melanie faces a number of obstacles, including her confusing feelings for both Andrew and Jake, as well as the many secrets that come to light. As she navigates this difficult and complicated situation, Melanie is ultimately forced to make a choice between her past and her future. Lucas has been campaigning Witherspoon to do a Sweet Home Alabama sequel, but no one knows how likely that is.
5 The Man in the Moon (1991)
Pathé Entertainment
The Man in the Moon is a coming-of-age story set in Elvis-era Louisiana and follows 14-year-old Dani Trant (Witherspoon), a rebellious girl who lives with her distant and strict father Matthew (Sam Waterston), her pregnant mother Abigail (Tess Harper), and her smart and beautiful older sister Maureen (Emily Warfield). Over the summer, Dani forms a relationship with Court Foster (Jason London), an older boy who has recently moved into town. However, Court begins to develop feelings for Maureen, putting Dani through her first heartbreak. Dani and her family must then grapple with the complicated emotions of an unexpected love triangle, as Dani and her sister try to find their way in the world. As Dani navigates love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, she soon discovers the beauty of life’s complexity and learns valuable lessons about relationships. Witherspoon’s very young role shines a light on how ready she was for acting, even as a teenager.
4 Wild (2014)
Hello Sunshine
Wild is an emotionally charged, gritty, and powerful drama about Cheryl Strayed’s (Witherspoon) 1100-mile journey of self-discovery across the Pacific Crest Trail. It is an exploration of grief, addiction, and personal growth, and Witherspoon delivers an Oscar-nominated performance that is both raw and vulnerable.
The film is a beautiful collaboration between Witherspoon and director Jean-Marc Vallée, and stands out from her other works as a career-defining performance. Witherspoon’s portrayal of Cheryl is powerful and captivating, and she captures the pain, strength and courage of Strayed’s story in a memorable and gripping way. Wild is a powerful and inspiring film that shows the power of resilience and determination, and is an unforgettable movie experience thanks to Witherspoon’s performance.
3 Mud (2012)
Everest Entertainment
Mud is a powerful drama film written and directed by Jeff Nichols. The film follows two young boys, Ellis and Neckbone, who befriend a fugitive by the name of Mud (McConaughey), and set out to help him be reunited with his true love, Juniper (Witherspoon). As the story progresses, Mud and Juniper’s relationship is tested, and the boys learn about the struggles and hardships of life.
Witherspoon does an incredible job of capturing the emotional depth and complexity of her character, Juniper. Witherspoon is able to portray Juniper as a strong, resilient woman with a hint of vulnerability, which resonates with viewers. The film is visually stunning with its setting along the Mississippi River in rural Arkansas, and the performances by the cast, especially McConaughey and Witherspoon, are heartfelt and sincere.
2 Legally Blonde (2001)
Type A Films
Come on, you can’t argue with this one. Legally Blonde stars Witherspoon in one of her most iconic roles. She plays the lovable, fashionable Elle Woods, a sorority girl who applies to Harvard Law School to prove herself and win back her ex-boyfriend. This movie is a great example of Witherspoon’s charm and wit, and her strong performance is part of what makes this movie so beloved. It also has an empowering message and an inspiring story that continue to resonate with viewers today.
Additionally, the movie features an iconic finale, where Elle triumphantly wins her court case. This moment provides a powerful message of resilience and strength that viewers have connected with, making it a true classic. Legally Blonde is an incredibly successful movie, both commercially and critically. Although the film became so popular, Witherspoon never thought so many people would watch Legally Blonde. It has been praised for its wit and charm, making it one of the best Witherspoon movies to date.
1 Walk the Line (2005)
20th Century Studios
Walk the Line was such a great movie due to Witherspoon’s captivating performance in the role of June Carter Cash. With her portrayal of the country music legend, Witherspoon won her first Oscar and was highly praised by critics. The film itself is also an incredible biopic, with a wide canvas that captures Cash’s early days as a son of an Arkansas cotton farmer, his first marriage to Vivian Liberto (Ginnifer Goodwin) as well as his struggles with substance abuse. In addition, the chemistry between Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash is undeniable, making Walk the Line a must-watch movie. Witherspoon signed up for the film never intending to sing June Carter Cash’s songs, but ultimately rocked them. This film was Witherspoon’s best movie to date.
