Emma Stone‘s comedy movies highlight how great of an actress she is, although some of them are better than others. A versatile talent, she effortlessly transitions between naturalistic and character-driven roles, all the while infusing each character with a unique blend of wit, grace, vulnerability, intelligence, and strength. Stone possesses a particular gift for comedic timing and portraying unique characters, skills she’s proven in some of the best comedy movies of recent years.
Stone began her career as a teenager, appearing in guest stints on shows like Medium and Malcolm in the Middle before her breakthrough with two high-profile roles in comedy movies that showcased her exceptional talent. Zombieland in 2009 and Easy A the following year won Stone both critical acclaim and the attention of moviegoers, thanks to her captivating presence and unique talent that puts her among the best actors of her generation. While Emma Stone’s movie career includes films of multiple genres and styles, her comedy flicks are a category of their own.
11 Magic In The Moonlight
Emma Stone stars opposite Firth in this Woody Allen rom-com as a con woman posing as a psychic. The two are both delightful, eliciting their natural charms to wondrous effect battling wits in this light 1920s-set romantic farce. The actress adds a layer of sophistication to the role, as well as an impeccable sense of comedic timing and palpable romance which leave a lasting impression.
10 Paper Man
This comedy-drama, which stars Emma Stone and Jeff Bridges, is about the unlikely friendship of two lonely people and their imaginary friends. The actress often excels at playing characters like Abby who have guarded their emotions, and this is a great early example of her playing such a role. Her ability to hold her own alongside Hollywood veteran Bridges in this quirky forgotten gem underscores her captivating talent.
9 Aloha
Directed by Cameron Crowe, Aloha follows a military contractor, played by Bradley Cooper, entangled in a love triangle between a long-lost flame, played by Rachel McAdams, and Stone’s character, an Air Force Pilot. Crowe, known for his sentimental and crowd-pleasing rom-com, does just that with the surprisingly moving Aloha. Stone makes her peppy yet firm character feel truly authentic through her subtle choices, making the audience genuinely care about her character, even in this critically panned film.
8 Irrational Man
Stone’s second collaboration with Woody Allen, just a year later, finds the Oscar winner falling for Joaquin Phoenix and conspiring with Parker Posey in this macabre dark comedy. Her performance in Irrational Man is nothing short of remarkable, showcasing her incredible versatility. She seamlessly navigates between scenes, switching from flirtatious wit to profound emotional turmoil as her character grapples with a major revelation, elevating the material of one of Allen’s lesser-known works.
7 Zombieland: Double Tap
Stone, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Abigail Breslin all reprise their roles from the original film, with the addition of some new faces, in this exciting action comedy. Emma Stone flaunts her action prowess, again showcasing her ability to play characters with tough exteriors while mixing in her vulnerability with her relationship with her sister. The sequel doesn’t necessarily make a case for the continuation of this story, but it’s a bloody and hilarious watch.
6 Zombieland
The original Zombieland is a brilliant takedown of the zombie apocalypse genre, masterfully blending humor with the unexpected warmth from the unique friendship that forms between the four leads. It’s one of the best horror comedies of all time, and Emma Stone’s portrayal of Wichita is a shining example of her exceptional comedic timing. Through her nuanced performance, Stone subtly conveys Wichita’s underlying vulnerability, adding layers to her role in this hilarious and heartwarming film.
5 The House Bunny
This raunchy, hysterical celebration of femininity is led by Anna Faris a Playboy Bunny who has been evicted and ends up the mother of a sorority house. As a socially inept sorority girl, Stone brings an awkward charm and tons of hilarious line readings to the film. With the role, Stone showed her range, as the character shifted from nerdy and insecure to confident and powerful, as well as her knack for comedy.
4 Cruella
In this prequel story to 101 Dalmatians, Stone steps into the shoes of the villainous fashion designer Cruella de Vil. Her performance is a feast, with extravagant outfits and an incredibly convincing English accent. Stone’s interpretation of the larger-than-life character is uniquely her own. Her ability to convey the character’s evolution, from a lonely and misunderstood figure to a fearless and bold fashion maven, is a testament to her exceptional acting prowess. Her mesmerizing performance adds depth and dimension to a character that has long been synonymous with nothing more than villainy.
3 Crazy Stupid Love
In Crazy Stupid Love, Stone finds herself surprisingly falling for a Cassanova-esque womanizer, played by Ryan Gosling. This delightfully dirty and hilarious film brilliantly satirizes the intricacies of the dating and romance landscape, skillfully weaving humor into a poignant narrative. Stone’s performance stands out as she comically expresses her character’s frustrations and endeavors to adopt a more straightforward approach, all while masterfully capturing the character’s intellect and the depths of her compassionate heart, creating a truly memorable and multifaceted portrayal.
2 The Favourite
Stone earned an Oscar nomination for her role as an opportunistic maid to The Favourite‘s real-life figure Queen Anne, here a temperamental grownup child, in Yorgos Lanthimos’ dark comedy. When Stone first appears, the character has a palpable nervous energy, but it’s very different from to shy roles Stone has played before. Stone makes her character feel vividly worn down and on high alert, like a noise might make her jump.
As she grows in status, Stone drops the nervousness to deliver the blunt quips the director’s work is known for, which she does in a painfully direct way, though she plays coyly unaware. It’s a deliciously layered performance in an incredibly unique film. The Favourite sees Stone’s character cattily fighting with Rachel Weisz’s for the Queen’s favor.
1 Easy A
Emma Stone stars as Olive in this modern take on The Scarlet Letter set in a California high school. For her mix of authenticity and wit in this fresh take on teen sex comedies, she earned a Golden Globe nomination. Emma Stone‘s performance not only showcased her talent but also solidified her as a rising star in Hollywood, setting the stage for her career. Easy A is fun, relatable, and full of moments that are referenced, quoted, and “memed” to this day.
