Amy Adams is one of the most talented and celebrated American actresses of the 21st century. The award-winning actress has starred in an array of movies across genres, including as a fairytale princess in the comedy-musical Enchanted and as an interpreter for new alien creatures in the sci-fi drama Arrival.
Check out some of Amy Adams’ best film performances below, and find out where you can watch all the movies on the list below!
Arrival
Denis Villeneuve’s 2016 sci-fi drama Arrival features Amy Adams as a linguist brought in to find a way to communicate with aliens who arrived on a ship from outer space. Throughout the film, Adams brings an emotional and thought-provoking performance as Dr Louise Banks, as she uses her knowledge and empathy to develop a radical approach to communicating with beings beyond human comprehension.
Nocturnal Animals
In this 2016 psychological-thriller from writer-director Tom Ford, Adams stars opposite Jake Gyllenhaal as his character’s estranged ex-wife, Susan. After Susan receives a copy of the book written by her ex-husband, Edward, as she reads she starts to understand the book and its dark nature mirror their relationship and the pain it left in its wake. Adams’ performance as a wealthy gallery owner, now neglected by her current husband, trapped within her own patterns is not one to miss.
Enchanted
Moving on to lighter fare, Enchanted stars Adams as Giselle, a fairytale princess from the land of Andalasia. When her evil mother-in-law-to-be, in an attempt to stay in power, pushes her into the ‘real world’, Giselle finds herself lost in the live-action New York City trying to get back to Andalasia. In this 2007 rom-com musical, Adams stars opposite Patrick Dempsey and James Marsden — the first as a divorce lawyer who helps her navigate NYC, and the latter as her Prince Charming from Andalasia singing and dancing his way through the city trying to find her. In this film, and its 2022 followup Disenchanted, Adams shows off her comedic and vocal chops.
Big Eyes
Amy Adams stars in director Tim Burton’s 2014 comedy-drama about the true story of American artist Margaret Keane, whose second husband, Walter Keane, took credit for her distinguished paintings featuring characters with large eyes. Adams’ performance captures Margeret’s journey from trusting wife to empowered artist, as she attempts to claim mastery over her own success.
Nightbitch
This 2024 black comedy adapted by Marielle Heller from Rachel Yoder’s novel of the same name stars Adams as an artist turned stay-at-home mother caring for her young son. While she processes the change in the direction of her career, body, and relationships, she also starts to realise she may be turning into a dog. This film brings together Adams’ comedic prowess along with her ability to capture the complex emotional stages in a woman’s life.
Junebug
This 2005 comedy-drama from director Phil Morrison features Amy Adams in the role that launched her career and gave her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She plays Ashley, the bubbly, young, pregnant sister to George. When George brings his new wife Madeleine to visit the family in South Carolina, Ashley and Madeleine strike up a friendship. In this film, Adams brings an infectious enthusiasm and raw emotion to her performance that makes Junebug for that reason alone worth watching.
American Hustle
In this 2013 black comedy, Adams stars opposite Christian Bale as a con artist forced to participate in an elaborate FBI sting operation after getting caught. The film also stars Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Jeremy Renner, and was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture and a Best Actress nod for Adams. Her performance as Sydney sees her expertly playing a variety of roles as she goes undercover, and really brings home just how talented a performer she is.
Disenchanted
This 2022 follow-up to the beloved 2007 film Enchanted sees Giselle, now married to Robert, some 10 years after the events of the first film. After having a baby, the couple decide to move to the suburban town Monroeville, which sees them confront the mundanity of everyday life. But when Giselle wishes for her life to become a fairy tale, the town transforms into Monrolasia, and in that land Giselle goes up against the domineering Malvina Monro while discovering she might be somewhat of a baddie herself.
Doubt
John Patrick Shanley’s 2008 acclaimed drama Doubt saw Adams star opposite Meryl Streep in a performance nominated for Best Supporting Actress by the Academy. In this film Adams plays Sister James, a nun and confidant to Streep’s Sister Aloysius Beauvier who accuses Philip Seymour Hoffman as Father Brendan Flynn of abusing an altar boy at their parish. While Streep and Hoffman’s performances dominate the film, Adams more than holds her own as the meek history teacher trying to keep her faith in the face of doubt.
The Woman in the Window
In this 2021 psychological-thriller from director Joe Wright, Adams stars as Anna, an agoraphobic child psychologist who, in the aftermath of a disintegrated marriage, retreats into her brownstone apartment and finds entertainment watching her neighbours from a safe distance. But when she witnesses one neighbour seemingly being murdered, she finds herself in a state where the lines between reality and illusion are increasingly blurred.
Honourable mentions
Amy Adams has starred in an impressive number of films since the start of her career, so make sure you also check out the following:
- The Master
- Catch Me If You Can
- Man of Steel
- Vice
- Her
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
- Julie & Julia
Where to watch all the best Amy Adams movies
Find out how (and where) to watch the best Amy Adams movies streaming online by scrolling down to the list below. The films are all available to stream online across a variety of platforms, including ITVX, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and more!
