Salma Hayek is an A-List actress/producer and has been international superstar for over two and a half decades. She’s won many accolades for her roles in over 80 acting credits, including receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2021. The Mexican-Lebanese actress has broken through numerous stereotypes in Hollywood and starred in many memorable movies along the way. She has never limited herself to a specific genre. Hayek has been in dramas, comedies, biographies, action films, science fiction, done voice acting, and more during her illustrious career.
While her characters are broad and diverse, you will often see Hayek playing strong-willed, independent women. She is also known for her seductive, deep voice and has been chosen as one of the most beautiful people in the world in numerous polls for many years. Hayek’s work also includes recurring television roles in the shows Ugly Betty and 30 Rock. She’s even a philanthropist and has donated to many charitable causes worldwide. However, what she is best known for is her movie career. She’s starred alongside dozens of elite actors and actresses in her time and yet has always stood out in whatever role she plays. Here are Salma Hayek’s best movies.
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10 Bliss
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9 Savages
In Savages, directed by Oliver Stone, Hayek is Elena “La Reina” Sánchez, a Mexican cartel leader that engages in trying to force a popular California-based cannabis company into a partnership with them. This action-drama escalates into a messy and violent battle between the two sides, who try to outsmart and one-up each other.
8 Bandidas
Canal+
Salma Hayek and Penélope Cruz team up to form a Mexican bank-robbing duo in Bandidas, a Western action-comedy based in the 1890s. Salma portrays Sara Sandoval, a wealthy and highly educated woman. When her father is killed, she goes after revenge, stealing land back for the poor Mexicans whose lands were taken from them by baron Tyler Jackson (Dwight Yoakam).
7 Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Columbia Pictures
Once Upon a Time in Mexico is known as the follow-up film to Desperado and third and final film in Robert Rodriguez’s “Mexico” trilogy. Hayek reprises her role as Carolina, the wife to “El Mariachi,” played by Antonio Banderas. This film has an impressive group of recognizable names: Johnny Depp, Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendez, Danny Trejo, Enrique Iglesias, Cheech Marin, and Willem Dafoe round out an all-star cast.
6 Across the Universe
A wonderfully done movie tribute to the songs of The Beatles. The plot of Across the Universe and its characters are based around the lyrics of many of The Beatles most famous songs. Hayek appears as the Bang Bang Shoot Shoot Nurses (all 5 five of them) and sings backup vocals to the song “Happiness Is a Warm Gun” in a cameo performance. The film stars Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, and Joe Anderson.
5 The Hitman’s Bodyguard
Hayek plays Sonia Kincaid, wife of Darius Kincaid, one of the world’s most infamous hitmen in The Hitman’s Bodyguard. Darius and Michael Bryce (a successful private bodyguard who’s fallen on hard times thanks to Kincaid) are forced to work together to stop a mutual foe. This fun action-comedy film also stars Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Gary Oldman. A sequel arrived in 2021.
4 Fools Rush In
In Fools Rush In, Hayek portrays Isabel Fuentes, a free-spirited Mexican-American photographer, who after a one-night stand with Alex Whitman (played by Friends star Matthew Perry) becomes pregnant with his baby. This romantic comedy goes into the differences between the character’s cultures, careers, and personalities as the two figure out if they truly have a future with one another or are only together because of Isabel’s pregnancy.
3 Traffic
Bedford Falls Productions
The critically and commercially praised Traffic is based on three different stories exploring the illegal-drug trade industry from the perspectives of numerous characters. Hayek plays Rosario, a glamorous mistress to the Juárez drug lord in a cameo role. The movie had lofty goals by trying to be very realistic and detailed while giving time to its talented cast to tell a nuanced story without judging or preaching to the audience. Check out the ensemble cast: Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Douglas, Erika Christensen, Luis Guzman, Dennis Quaid, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Topher Grace, James Brolin, and Benjamin Bratt.
2 Desperado
In the role that put Salma Hayek on the map for most fans, Hayek plays Carolina, the no-nonsense bookstore owner who assists El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas) amidst his battle against Bucho and his gang. Desperado was a hit that not only launched Salma’s career outside of Mexico, but catapulted Antonio Banderas to leading-man status.
1 Frida
Ventanarosa
A passion project of Hayek’s about the acclaimed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo became one of her most famous roles. Frida also was her most awarded too: nominated for 46 awards worldwide. Salma was even nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actress.
