Since making her appearance as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Natalie Portman has starred in a wide variety of different movies. It has been nineteen years since her final appearance in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, and since then, she has had an incredibly prolific career. Even before appearing as Padmé, Portman had been acting as early as 1994 in Léon: The Professional.

Ranging in everything from drama to romance and even horror, Natalie Portman is an actor with incredible range. Aside from starting in feature films, she has made appearances in short films and music videos as well. These are the films that she has starred in since her time in Star Wars.

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19

Free Zone Is A Dark Film Set In Israel

It Was Released The Same Year As Revenge Of The Sith

Natalie Portman in Free Zone

Originally released only a month after Revenge of the Sith, Free Zone is a film about an American woman living in Israel. In this film, Rebecca, who is played by Natalie Portman, meets a woman named Hanna shortly after divorcing her husband. The two plan to pick up a sum of money owed to Rebecca’s husband, located in the Free Zone near the border.

18

V For Vendetta Is A Memorable Cult Classic

Natalie Portman Plays An Important Part In Its Legacy

Taking place in a dystopian future marked by fascism and oppression, the film follows a freedom fighter named V as he attempts to start a revolution that will overthrow the current regime. Natalie Portman plays the role of Evey Hammond, who is rescued by V from an attack by the secret police. The two get further and further caught up in the fight to save the UK as the film progresses.

V For Vendetta

R
Thriller
Drama
Action
Sci-Fi

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Based on the comic series by Alan Moore, V for Vendetta is directed by James McTeigue with a screenplay by the Wachowskis. The film stars Natalie Portman as Evey Hammond, a young woman living in a dystopian future who becomes involved with the vigilante V, an anarchist working against the Fascist government and attempting to rally support from the general population. Hugo Weaving portrays V, with a further cast that includes Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry, and John Hurt. 

Director

James McTeigue

Release Date

March 17, 2006

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Writers

Lana Wachowski
, Lilly Wachowski

Cast

John Hurt
, Hugo Weaving
, Stephen Fry
, Stephen Rea
, Natalie Portman

Runtime

132 minutes

Budget

$54 million

17

Goya’s Ghosts Is Historical Fiction With A Twist

The Film Is Tense And Deals With Christianity

Natalie Portman in Goya’s Ghosts

Revolving entirely around the Spanish Inquisition, Goya’s Ghosts follows the story of the painter Francisco Goya. When his muse Inés, played by Natalie Portman, is arrested for heresy against the church, he attempts to coordinate her release. Despite the fictional nature of the film, it depicts Goya, who was a real artist during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

16

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium Is A Whimsical Children’s Movie

A Magical Toy Store Comes To Life

Natalie Portman and Dustin Hoffman lean in a toy store.

Following the story of Molly Mahoney, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium is a magical toy store run by the eccentric Mr. Magorium. After over two centuries of running the store, he transfers ownership of it to Molly. However, once he retires, the store begins to change in dark and unexpected ways.

15

The Other Boleyn Girl Is Another Piece Of Historical Fiction

And The Film was Based On A Novel

The Other Boleyn Girl is a fictional account of the lives of historical figures such as Henry VII of England and Anne Boleyn, played by Natalie Portman. Because the king has only produced a daughter as an heir, he takes Anne as a mistress in the hopes of producing a son. When the king eventually falls in love with Mary, who is already married, plenty of drama ensues revolving around the Boleyn family.

14

The Other Woman (2009) Is Hard Hitting And Tragic

The Film Is Based On The Novel Love and Other Impossible Pursuits

Natalie Portman in The Other Woman

In this film, Natalie Portman plays Emilia, a lawyer from New York whose life has been mired in tragedy. After the death of her daughter, Emilia and her husband divorce, only for Emilia to find out that she is sterile. Throughout this tragic process, she is verbally attacked by her husband’s ex-wife, called a homewrecker and taunted about her pregnancy.

13

In Brothers (2009) She Stars Alongside Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal

It Is A Remake Of The Danish Film

Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman looking at each other in Brothers 2009

Brothers (2009) is a story of war, following a marine named Sam, his wife Maggie, and his brother Tommy. A few days before Sam is sent overseas to Afghanistan, Tommy is released from prison, only for Sam to then be captured by the Taliban and declared killed in action despite still being alive. Once he does return home, the film explores the tension of their new family dynamic and Sam’s trauma.

Brothers (2009)

R
Drama
Thriller
War

Director

Jim Sheridan

Release Date

December 4, 2009

Writers

David Benioff
, Susanne Bier
, Anders Thomas Jensen

Cast

Jake Gyllenhaal
, Natalie Portman
, Tobey Maguire
, Sam Shepard
, Mare Winningham
, Bailee Madison
, Taylor Geare
, Patrick John Flueger

Runtime

105 Minutes

Main Genre

Drama

12

Black Swan Is Psychological Horror At Its Finest

Natalie Portman’s Performance Is Intense And Cerebral

Black Swan follows a production of the ballet Swan Lake in which Nina Sayers fights to earn the main role in the production. She is the perfect choice for the innocent White Swan, but her competitor Lily is perfect for the much less innocent Black Swan. One ballerina must play both roles, so the two continue to dive deeper into their obsession and competition until things finally fall apart.

Black Swan

R
Thriller
Documentary

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In Darren Aronofsky’s 2010 psychological thriller Black Swan, talented ballet dancer Nina Sayers struggles with her mental health while preparing for her performance in a production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Natalie Portman earned a Best Actress Oscar in the lead role, and the cast made up of Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, and Winona Ryder received high praise from critics and audiences.

Director

Darren Aronofsky

Release Date

December 3, 2010

Studio(s)

Searchlight Pictures

Distributor(s)

Searchlight Pictures

Writers

John J. McLaughlin
, Andres Heinz
, Mark Heyman

Cast

Natalie Portman
, Mila Kunis
, Vincent Cassel
, Barbara Hershey
, Winona Ryder
, Benjamin Millepied

Runtime

108 minutes

Budget

$13 million

11

No Strings Attached Is An Explicit Romantic Comedy

It Is Different From Many Of The Films Portman Starred In Before

Beginning with a strictly “friends with benefits” relationship, Adam and Emma are going through rough patches in their lives. Adam’s ex-girlfriend is living with his dad and Emma’s father has recently passed away. The two of them try their best to leave emotions out of their relationship, but it isn’t long before the two of them start falling in love.

no strings attached poster

No Strings Attached

r
Romance
Comedy

Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher star in Ivan Reitman’s rom-com No Strings Attached as Emma and Adam, two friends who decide to start a casual and non-exclusive relationship. As the story progresses, the couple slowly develops real feelings for each other.

Director

Ivan Reitman

Release Date

January 11, 2011

Studio(s)

Paramount Pictures

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures
, Disney

Writers

Ivan Reitman

Cast

Ashton Kutcher
, Natalie Portman
, Jake Johnson
, Lake Bell

Runtime

110minutes

Budget

$25 million

10

Your Highness Is Equal Parts Fantasy And Raunchy Comedy

Coming From The Director Of Pineapple Express

Isabel aiming her bow and arrow in Your Highness.

Thaddeus, the deadbeat younger son of the king, must go on a journey to save his brother’s fiancée from the evil wizard Leezar. Working alongside his brother Fabious and a mysterious warrior named Isabel, who is played by Portman, the group encounters all manner of dangers on their quest to save Fabious’ betrothed. Through these dangers, they also find themselves in several ridiculous scenarios involving plenty of alcohol and even wizard’s weed.

your higness

Your Highness

pg-13
Adventure
Fantasy

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Your Highness is a fantasy comedy movie that follows slacker prince extraordinaire Thadeous, who lives in pure indulgence while his brother, Prince Fabious, casts an ever-growing shadow over him. However, when an evil sorcerer kidnaps Fabious’ fiancee, Thadeous is given the opportunity to redeem himself by joining the quest to save his brother’s betrothed. Joined by Thadeous’ best friend and servant, Courtney, the three embark on a quest that will inevitably go awry unless Thadeous can keep his slacker nature in check.

Director

David Gordon Green

Release Date

April 8, 2011

Studio(s)

Universal Pictures

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures
, Entertainment One

Writers

David Gordon Green

Cast

James Franco
, Danny McBride
, Natalie Portman

Runtime

102minutes

Budget

$50 million

9

Jane Foster In The Marvel Cinematic Universe Has Appeared In Several Films

The Role Shot Portman Back To Super Stardom

Appearing as the love interest of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Natalie Portaman has appeared in a variety of different films in the same role. An incredible scientist in her own right, she discovers Thor as he falls from the Bifrost, which transported him from Asgard to Earth. In the most recent installment in the franchise, Thor: Love and Thunder, she even becomes her own superhero when she picks up the hammer and takes on the mantle of Thor.

Thor

PG-13
Superhero
Action
Fantasy

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Chris Hemsworth’s MCU debut as the Asgardian God of Thunder saw him navigating the ultimare sibling rivalry and parental expectations. Kenneth Branagh’s theatrical adaptation of the long-running Marvel Comics deals with Thor’s quest to prove himself worthy. Banished to Earth for his impulsiveness and tendency to violence, Thor must earn his destiny, while Tom Hiddleston’s Loki tries to destroy him.

Director

Kenneth Branagh

Release Date

May 6, 2011

Writers

Zack Stentz
, Ashley Miller
, Don Payne

Cast

Chris Hemsworth
, Natalie Portman
, Tom Hiddleston
, Kat Dennings
, Stellan Skarsgård
, Idris Elba
, Clark Gregg
, Colm Feore

Runtime

115 minutes

Sequel(s)

thor 2
, thor 3
, Thor 4
, Thor 5

Budget

$150 million

Split image of Jane Foster in Thor: The Dark World in Thor: Love and Thunder

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8

A Tale Of Love And Darkness Is A Dark And True Story

Based On The Memoir Of Amos Oz

Natalie Portman in A Tale of Love and Darkness

Written and directed by Natalie Portman in her directorial debut, A Tale of Love and Darkness explores life during the British Mandate of Palestine and the early years of civil war between Arabs and Jews in Palestine in the 1940s. Natalie Portman plays the mother of Amos Oz, who was the main focus of the film and the memoir upon which it was based. The film follows his life during this tumultuous time, showing what it was like to live through such an important moment in history.

7

Jane Got A Gun Is Full Of Exciting Western Action

The Movie Was Something Different, And It Payed Off

Constantly harassed by the Bishop Boys gang of outlaws, Jane Hammond is forced into action when her husband is attacked and her family is threatened. With no one else willing to help, Jane goes to her ex-fiancé Dan Frost for help. Together, the two fight against the gang in an effort to save Jane and her family permanently.

Jane Got A Gun

R
Drama
Action
Western

Jane Got a Gun is a Western drama film centering on Jane Hammond, who begrudgingly asks her ex-lover to help her save her new husband from a violent gang. Natalie Portman stars as Jane Hammond alongside Joel Edgerton, Ewan McGregor, and Rodrigo Santoro. The film is directed by Gavin O’Connor, who previously directed the Oscar-nominated film Warrior.

Director

Gavin O’Connor

Release Date

January 29, 2016

Studio(s)

The Weinstein Company

Distributor(s)

The Weinstein Company

Writers

Brian Duffield
, Joel Edgerton
, Anthony Tambakis

Cast

Boyd Holbrook
, Ewan McGregor
, James Burnett
, Joel Edgerton
, Todd Stashwick
, Rodrigo Santoro
, Noah Emmerich
, Alex Manette
, Natalie Portman

Runtime

98minutes

Budget

$ 25 million

6

Jackie Is A Powerful Biographical Drama

Natalie Portman’s Performance As The First Lady Is Powerful

Jackie is the story of Jackie Kennedy, wife of John F. Kennedy and First Lady of the United States. The film documents her life in the White House, but it focuses on the horror and grief of her husband’s assassination. The film is a visceral look at how the assassination has affected her, diving deep into the pain that comes with experiencing something so traumatic.

jackie

Jackie

R
Drama
Biography

Starring Natalie Portman as the iconic political figure Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy, Jackie is a 2016 biographical drama directed by Pablo Larraín. Written by Noah Oppenheim, the plot follows an interviewer as they speak with Mrs. Kennedy after the assassination of her husband.

Director

Pablo Larrain

Release Date

December 2, 2016

Studio(s)

Searchlight Pictures

Distributor(s)

Searchlight Pictures

Writers

Noah Oppenheim

Cast

Max Casella
, Billy Crudup
, Corey Johnson
, Richard E. Grant
, Peter Sarsgaard
, Beth Grant
, John Hurt
, Greta Gerwig
, Caspar Phillipson
, Sunnie Pelant
, Natalie Portman
, John Carroll Lynch
, Georgie Glen

Runtime

100minutes

Budget

$9million

See at Amazon

natalie-portman-movies-ranked

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5

Planetarium Is A French-Belgian Drama About Sisters

The Film Is Both Thrilling And Haunting

Natalie Portman in Planetarium

Also known as The Summoning in the UK, Planetarium is about a pair of sisters who work as spiritual mediums in the 1930s. The two catch the attention of a French film producer who is desperate to catch any evidence of the paranormal on film. But are the sisters really contacting the paranormal, or are they simply putting on a performance?

4

Annihilation Is A Haunting Tale Of Environmental Horror

This Science-Fiction Thriller Shows The Destructive Power Of Humanity

Telling the story of a group of dedicated scientists, Annihilation shows a world haunted by “The Shimmer,” an area that has been quarantined due to rapidly mutating plants and animals. When Lena’s husband disappears in “The Shimmer,” she leads an expedition into the dangerous and mysterious zone. Here, she finds all sorts of terrifying mutations, as well as a world where nature has started to reclaim its territory.

Annihilation

R
Sci-Fi
Documentary
Mystery
Thriller

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Alex Garland’s Annihilation is based on the novel of the same name by Jeff VanderMeer. It follows a group of explorers – comprised of biology professor Lena (Natalie Portman), psychologist Dr. Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh), physicist Josie Radek (Tessa Thompson), geomorphologist Cassie Sheppard (Tuva Nvotny), and paramedic Anya Thorensen (Gina Rodriguez) – as they enter “the Shimmer”, a quarantined zone of mutated plants and animals caused by an unknown extra-terrestrial phenomenon. Lena agrees to enter the Shimmer in search of her husband, Kane (Oscar Isaac), who was sent in as part of a special forces operation.

Director

Alex Garland

Release Date

February 22, 2018

Studio(s)

Paramount Pictures

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures
, Netflix

Writers

Alex Garland
, Jeff VanderMeer

Cast

Sonoya Mizuno
, Kola Bokinni
, Jennifer Jason Leigh
, Gina Rodriguez
, Cosmo Jarvis
, Oscar Isaac
, Tessa Thompson
, Tuva Novotny
, Natalie Portman
, David Gyasi

Runtime

2hours

Budget

40–55 million

3

Vox Lux Is A Tale Of The Effects Of Super Stardom

The Film Follows The Life Of Fictional Pop Star, Celeste

Natalie Portman in Vox Lux

After lending her voice to a tragic memorial service, a teenage Celeste quickly shoots to stardom as a pop star. By the time 2017 comes around and Celeste is an adult, she is recovering from a scandal and grappling with the media surrounding her career. The film covers a variety of topics, holding a magnifying glass to see how celebrities are shaped and later treated.

Vox Lux
R
Musical
Drama

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Director

Brady Corbet

Release Date

December 7, 2018

Writers

Brady Corbet

Cast

Jennifer Ehle
, Stacy Martin
, Allison Winn
, Maria Dizzia
, Matt Servitto
, Micheál Richardson
, Willem Dafoe
, Raffey Cassidy
, Sophie Lane Curtis
, Jude Law
, Natasha Romanova
, Natalie Portman
, Christopher Abbott
, Daniel London

Runtime

110 minutes

Main Genre

Musical

2

Lucy In The Sky Is A Reality-Bending Experience

It Is Inspired By The Life Of Astronaut Lisa Nowak

Lucy Cola’s story begins with her journey as an astronaut, her entire world changing after her experience in space. But after she returns home, the world feels much too small after feeling the eternity of the galaxy in person. Lucy’s world begins to unravel then, with her reality slowly falling apart.

Lucy in the Sky

R
Sci-Fi
Drama

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After having a transcendent experience on a recent mission, Atstronaut Lucy Cola returns home and has a hard time reconnecting with reality. Despite having huge stars such as Natalie Portman, Jon Hamm, and Zazie Beetz, Lucy in the Sky was mostly negatively received and was also a huge box-office bomb in 2019. 

Director

Noah Hawley

Release Date

October 4, 2019

Studio(s)

Searchlight Pictures

Distributor(s)

Searchlight Pictures

Writers

Brian C. Brown
, Noah Hawley
, Elliott DiGuiseppi

Cast

Dan Stevens
, Zazie Beetz
, Colman Domingo
, Ellen Burstyn
, Jon Hamm
, Pearl Amanda Dickson
, Nick Offerman
, Tig Notaro
, Natalie Portman

Runtime

124 minutes

Budget

$27 million

1

May December Is A Modern Dark Comedy

The Film Started Streaming On Netflix In December 2023

May December sees Natalie Portman starring as an actress named Elizabeth, who has been tasked with portraying a woman embroiled in a controversial scandal. The woman in question is Gracie, who has been in a 24-year-long relationship with her husband, who she met when he was 13 years old, and she was 36 years old. Elizabeth meets with Gracie, wanting to get to know her better before portraying her in a film.

May December Poster

May December

R
Drama
Romance

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May December is a drama romance film that follows a married couple who once controlled the headlines with their tabloid romance. Two decades later, the couple’s supposed marital bliss begins to crack under the weight of an actress researching them, preparing to star in a film about their lives.

Director

Todd Haynes

Release Date

December 1, 2023

Studio(s)

Gloria Sanchez Productions
, Killer Films
, MountainA

Distributor(s)

Netflix

Writers

Samy Burch
, Alex Mechanik

Cast

Natalie Portman
, Julianne Moore
, Charles Melton

Runtime

113 Minutes