There is perhaps no actor with as impressive of a reputation in the business as Meryl Streep. Her name is synonymous with excellence in acting and her filmography backs up that reputation with decades of incredible performances in a wide range of films and roles.
Streep holds the record for the most Oscar nominations for an actor with a stunning 21 nominations to date of which she has won three. She is an actor who can play commanding authoritative roles, heartbreaking dramatic roles, and hugely entertaining comedic roles without missing a beat. Here are Meryl Streep’s best movies according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Kramer Vs Kramer (88%)
Streep’s reputation as a promising actor started to rise in the late 1970s and her role in Kramer vs. Kramer cemented that reputation. The family drama stars Dustin Hoffman as a work-focused man who becomes a single parent when his wife (Streep) suddenly leaves. As he struggles with fatherhood, the boy’s mother comes back into their lives and further complicates things.
The film is a wonderful mix of comedy and heart as we see the unglamorous side of parenthood as well as the tragedy of divorce. Hoffman is charming and complex in the lead role, but Streep steals the show in the smaller yet powerful role of the boy’s mother.
Florence Foster Jenkins (88%)
Part of Streep’s charm is that, despite her immense talents, she’s not afraid to look a little ridiculous. Florence Foster Jenkins is a delightful comedy based on a true story in which Streep plays the titular heiress who has dreams of singing opera despite having no talent for the art whatsoever.
Streep delivers a charming performance that is funny without ever going too far into ridiculousness. The movie has fun with the strange true-life tale which makes for a crowd-pleasing story with a lot of heart.
One True Thing (89%)
Streep’s legacy might make her seem like a larger-than-life icon, but she still has the ability to be completely authentic on the screen. In One True Thing, Renee Zellweger stars as an ambitious young woman who must care for her sick mother (Streep) which causes her to reevaluate her relationship with her parents.
The film is the kind of simple family drama that gives talented actors a chance to shine. Streep and Zellwegger make for a compelling duo and their performances help to elevate the familiar story.
The Bridges Of Madison County (90%)
Streep partnered with fellow movie icon Clint Eastwood in this compelling romance story. Set in the 1960s, Streep plays a reserved housewife who has a chance meeting with a photographer (Clint Eastwood) working in the area. Soon they form a bond that develops into a passionate affair.
Critics pointed out that the film does not shy away from the sentimentality of the love story, yet still delivers a satisfying romance. The adaptation of the renowned novel is made more engrossing thanks to the leads who bring emotion and wit to their roles.
Adaptation (91%)
The combination of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and filmmaker Spike Jonze is a unique and brilliant filmmaking duo. Adaptation is their second film together and stars Nicolas Cage as a fictionized version of Kaufman as he attempts to overcome writer’s block while adapting a novel from a bestselling author (Streep).
The movie is a twisty and mind-bending comedy that is completely original. The cast, including Cage and Streep, help bring emotion to the wild story that is funny, charming and thought-provoking.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (92%)
Streep has worked with some of the best filmmakers around and got the chance to team with Wes Anderson for his stop-motion animated gem Fantastic Mr. Fox. George Clooney provides the voice of the titular fox who tries to balance his family life with a desire to return to his outlaw ways. Streep voices his loving yet concerned wife.
Anderson brings his signature style and charm to this new format. The animation is mesmerizing to watch, the humor is unique and entertaining, and the film is filled with all kinds of colorful characters that brighten up this touching adventure.
The Deer Hunter (93%)
Streep received her first Oscar nomination for her breakout role in this harrowing war drama. The Deer Hunter stars Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken as friends who leave their hometown to fight in Vietnam. After the war is done, the friends find that they cannot escape the horrors of their experiences. Streep plays the woman who comes between the two friends.
The movie is not easy to watch as it does not shy away from the brutality of war. However, the epic is beautifully shot and filled with powerful, unforgettable moments that are elevated by the work of the amazing cast.
A Cry In The Dark (93%)
Streep has been known for bringing incredible real-life stories to the big screen. A Cry in the Dark is the powerful true story of an Australian mother (Streep) whose child is killed by a wild animal and she becomes a suspect in the death leading to her emotional fight for justice.
Streep once again delivers a powerful and commanding performance that elevates the material to another level. The drama avoids sensationalism or overly Hollywood storytelling in order to deliver a fascinating and gripping story.
Little Women (95%)
Even with a reputation as one of the greatest actors of all time Streep still works equally as well as part of an ensemble cast. In 2019’s Little Women, Streep joined an all-star cast to bring to life the beloved book which tells the story of a group of sisters in the 1800s who struggle with the expectations of women in this era.
Greta Gerwig wrote and directed this the claimed adaptation that plays around with the timeline of the story as well as some of the established storytelling elements. The result is a funny heartbreaking and poignant film that was regarded as one of the best of last year.
Defending Your Life (97%)
While Streep can be known for her powerful and intense dramas she can also really shine in romantic comedies like Defending Your Life. This inventive comedy was written, directed and stars Albert Brooks as a man who recently died and meets the girl of his dreams while awaiting judgment in the afterlife.
Streep and Brooks make for an excellent pair and both give sweet, funny performances. The film itself is a unique and clever take on the romantic comedy genre with plenty of laughs and thought-provoking moments.
