With Rachel McAdams recently receiving praise for her role as Christine Palmer, the iconic surgeon and former love interest of Stephen Strange, in the Multiverse of Madness, some fans might be curious as to what other movies or projects she might have been involved in.
Over the years, McAdams has been involved in so many influential movies, whether that’s heartfelt romances, rousing dramas, or thrillers. Plenty of her most loved movies have reached cult-classic status thanks to their endlessly quotable scripts and immovable positions within pop culture. But which ones are the best? While every person’s opinion will differ, users on Ranker have attempted to vote on which movies are the most memorable and worth watching.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
- Available To Stream On Netflix
In Guy Ritchie’s acclaimed adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s works, Rachel McAdams plays anti-hero Irene Adler, with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as the iconic Holmes & Watson. The film manages to capture the overall style of Doyle’s stories whilst still maintaining a fresh voice of its own.
Much like the original Sherlock stories, Ritchie’s film is full of twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the very last frame. It’s completely unpredictable and utterly compelling, with a mystery at its heart that even the best detectives would struggle to crack. McAdams herself also puts in a memorable performance, capturing Irene Adler’s mysterious and calculating nature perfectly, with critics also praising the dynamic between Law, Downey Jr. and her as well.
Morning Glory (2010)
- Available To Stream On Paramount Plus
In Morning Glory, Rachel McAdams plays a TV producer named Becky, who is tasked with reviving a terminally low-rating program. In order to do so, she ropes in Harrison Ford’s character Mike, with whom she quickly begins to clash and argue.
The comedic dynamic between McAdams and Ford is one for the ages, with their completely clashing personalities making for a hilarious relationship. The story may be predictable and formulaic at times, but it’s worth a watch just for their scenes alone.
The Vow (2012)
- Available to stream on Hulu
Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum play husband and wife Paige and Leo in The Vow, which sees McAdams’ character lose all memory of her husband after a terrible accident. The film follows Leo as he attempts to make Paige fall in love with him again.
McAdams and Tatum both do a great job in their roles, with their layered performances making the film so much more engaging and gripping. Fans truly come to care about their characters through the romantic subtleties of their relationship.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
- Available To Stream On Netflix
Midnight in Paris is one of the most iconic romance films of this generation, starring Rachel McAdams and Owen Wilson as an engaged couple on vacation in Paris. From there, the story takes a magical turn and sees Wilson’s character transported to a hypnotic version of the city in the past.
There’s no denying that Midnight in Paris is an extremely original film, with a premise that fans had never really seen from a rom-com like this. The romance at the heart might not be as compelling as the actual surrounding narrative, but the film still has a charming dreamlike quality that makes it easy to watch. Unlike her character in the MCU, audiences also get to see McAdams test out her skills some more, this time playing a less likable and materialistic character.
Southpaw (2015)
- Available To Buy On Amazon Video
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Southpaw tells the story of Billy “The Great” Hope, a boxing champion who loses everything in the wake of a sudden tragedy. From there, Billy is forced to train amongst the real greats to regain the trust and love of those he holds dear.
McAdams gives a great supporting performance as the wife to Billy Hope, but it’s Jake Gyllenhaal that really steals the show in one of his best movie performances to date. Together, they elevate this somewhat simple story into something incredibly intense and emotional.
Game Night (2018)
- Available To Stream On DIRECTV
Despite not receiving much acclaim upon its release, Game Night has recently gathered a reputation as one of the most underrated studio comedies of the last few years – and justifiably so. McAdams and Bateman are hilarious together, and the film makes so many bold decisions that pay off incredibly fittingly.
The film also stars Jesse Plemmons in one of his best roles to date, where he completely steals the show every single time he appears. Its unpredictable and exciting story also makes it an incredibly rewatchable film, with a cast that captivates and entertains at every moment.
About Time (2013)
- Available To Buy On Amazon Video
As far as British rom-coms go, About Time is considered by many fans to be one of the most inventive and engaging ones out there. McAdams stars alongside Domhnall Gleeson, who plays a character with the ability to travel back in time – which he uses to find himself a girlfriend.
The story is an extremely sweet and optimistic one, despite dealing with plenty of mature and emotional themes that contrast its hypnotically colorful style. It’s this stark contrast that makes About Time such a gripping and thrilling film, in spite of its relatively simple narrative. Many also love the dynamic that McAdams had with Gleeson’s character and the love story between the two.
Mean Girls (2004)
- Available To Stream On Paramount Plus
Mean Girls is one of the most popular feel-good “chick flicks” of all time, with a story that’s become endlessly quotable and iconic over the years. McAdams’ performance as Regina George is endlessly entertaining, as she creates a character that audiences can’t help but love to hate.
When it comes to early 2000s teen comedies, Mean Girls has pretty much held the crown ever since its release almost twenty years ago. It’s a timeless story that everybody can relate to, regardless of your own situation or even generation.
Spotlight (2015)
- Available To Buy On Amazon Video
Many people consider Spotlight to be one of the greatest Best Picture winners of the 2010s, and it’s honestly difficult to disagree. Not only does Spotlight have an incredible cast, but Tom McCarthy’s script is also one of the most compelling and detailed of the past decade.
McAdams was even nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film, despite narrowly missing out on the trophy to Alicia Vikander for The Danish Girl. It’s undoubtedly one of the best roles of her career, both due to her performance and the level of detail that went into writing her character.
The Notebook (2004)
- Available To Stream On Netflix
If there’s one film that Rachel McAdams will always be known for, it’s The Notebook. Nick Cassavetes’s timeless love story follows the tale of Allie and Noah, two young lovers separated by fate. Not only does the film feature an extremely compelling romance at its heart, but the story is also told in a truly clever way that makes it all the more emotional and engaging.
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are the embodiment of romantic chemistry in this film, with their characters Allie and Noah coming across as truly in love throughout the whole story. They draw the audience into their romantic story, which makes the film’s heartwrenching ending even more solemn and impactful.
