32 Oscar-Winning Actresses and Their Surprising Next Movies!

Each year since 1929, the Academy Award for Best Actress has been given out, with the first recipients being Janet Gaynor for her performances in “7th Heaven,” “Street Angel,” and “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans.” Since then, it’s been awarded 97 times to a total of 79 actresses. Receiving this prestigious statue is often a dream come true for many film actors, but it also brings additional focus on their future projects. Will these next endeavors be as critically lauded or financially successful? Here are 32 films that Oscar-winning actresses made after receiving the award and their receptions.

Emma Stone

The 2018 Oscars controversy surrounding “La La Land” is quite unforgettable, but equally memorable was Emma Stone’s outstanding performance as Mia Dolen, an aspiring actress, opposite Ryan Gosling’s character Seb Wilder, a jazz pianist. One of Stone’s finest films, the role earned her her initial Best Actress award (she would later win another in 2024 for “Poor Things”). Her subsequent performance generated awards buzz as she was nominated for both a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award for playing Billie Jean King in the sports drama “Battle of the Sexes”.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep has had a storied relationship with the Academy Awards, spanning several decades and resulting in a record-breaking 21 Oscar nominations, of which she’s won three times. Her first win was for Best Supporting Actress in Kramer vs. Kramer, followed by her historic Best Actress victory for her unforgettable portrayal of Sophie in the heart-wrenching 1982 drama Sophie’s Choice. Her subsequent performance as Karen Silkwood in the suspenseful 1983 film Silkwood also earned her another Best Actress nomination.

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh not only excelled in her fight scenes but also etched her name in history with her lead role as Evelyn Quan Wang in the 2022 action-comedy-drama film “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” This made her the first Asian actress to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress. After this remarkable achievement in 2023, the star of “Wicked” lent her voice to the science fiction movie “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” where she portrayed Airazor, a Maximal warrior who morphs into a peregrine falcon. This film, however, received mixed reactions and currently holds a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Jessica Chastain

Following her Oscar snub for Zero Dark Thirty, Jessica Chastain triumphed with the Best Actress award for her remarkable portrayal of Tammy Faye Bakker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2022). However, her subsequent project, the action-spy thriller The 355, failed to impress awards committees. The film, which starred a talented ensemble, was both critically panned and commercially unsuccessful, allegedly costing Universal around $93 million. Robbie Collin from The Daily Telegraph remarked that “despite the impressive cast, this film is like a sugary soda being marketed as elegant in sleeker containers.

Frances McDormand

In 1997, three-time Best Actress laureate Frances McDormand garnered her initial Oscar for her unforgettable portrayal of Minnesota police chief Marge Gunderson in the beloved Coen Brothers’ dark comedy, Fargo. Subsequently, this distinguished actress shared the screen with notables like Glenn Close, Cate Blanchett, and Jennifer Ehle in the World War II drama, Paradise Road. Despite the star-studded cast, the film was met with a divided response, earning only 43% approval on Rotten Tomatoes.

Brie Larson

Actress Brie Larson, who transitioned from child roles to becoming a Marvel superhero, reached new heights with her role as Joy “Ma” Newsome, a kidnapping victim in the 2015 survival drama “Room”. This performance earned her numerous awards, culminating in an Oscar for Best Actress. The following year, Larson starred in another survival drama, this time a Ben Wheatley-directed action-comedy titled “Free Fire“. In the opinion of TopMob’s Gregory Wakeman, while the film was entertaining due to its gun fights and violence, it fell short of delivering the unexpected elements or clever twists needed to rise above being just a trivial distraction.

Olivia Colman

At the 2019 Oscars, Olivia Colman’s win as Best Actress for her role as Queen Anne in the dark comedy “The Favourite” was both well-deserved and surprisingly thrilling. However, her subsequent part took a different turn – she starred alongside Kaitlyn Dever, Jim Gaffigan, and Walton Goggins in the horror mystery “Them That Follow,” portraying snake-handling fundamentalists. Despite being nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, this film received mixed reviews from critics.

Cate Blanchett

In the realm of acting, Cate Blanchett stands out as one of the most adaptable performers – she’s portrayed Queen Elizabeth I and Bob Dylan, amazingly enough! In 2014, this eight-time Academy Award nominee clinched her initial Best Actress accolade by embodying a troubled ex-high society woman in the dramedy directed by Woody Allen, Blue Jasmine. Remarkably, Blanchett showcased her versatility once more, lending her voice to the animated fantasy sequel How to Train Your Dragon 2, which also received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.

Sandra Bullock

In 2010, Sandra Bullock, known as the queen of romantic comedies, earned her first Best Actress nomination and win for her role in the biographical football drama “The Blind Side“. Later in 2011, she appeared in the drama film “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, ” directed by Stephen Daldry. This movie was nominated for Best Picture, but not without stirring up some controversy. Critic Chris Krapek from “The Huffington Post” labeled it as “not only the worst reviewed Best Picture nominee of the last 10 years, [but] easily the worst film of 2011.

Katharine Hepburn

Legendary actress Katherine Hepburn garnered four Best Actress Academy Awards from a total of 12 nominations throughout her remarkable cinematic journey, making her the most decorated performer in this category. Her first Oscar victory occurred in 1934 for the Pre-Code drama “Morning Glory,” with subsequent awards coming later during her career. However, John Cromwell’s film “Spitfire” received mixed reactions as some viewers felt Hepburn was not suitable for the role of faith healer Trigger Hicks—a sentiment reflected by the movie’s 35% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Nicole Kidman

I was a supporter who cheered for Nicole Kidman to win the Best Actress Oscar for her captivating portrayal of Satine in “Moulin Rouge!”, but fate had other plans. Instead, she clinched the award a year later for her role as Virginia Woolf in “The Hours”. Right after this victory, the “Babygirl” star embarked on her next project – the 2003 avant-garde thriller “Dogville”, written and directed by Lars von Trier. This film sparked quite a heated debate among critics when it was first released, but it eventually found its place on several best-of-the-decade lists, such as those from “The Guardian” and “Paste”.

Jennifer Lawrence

If people didn’t already adore Jennifer Lawrence due to her performance in the David O. Russell dramedy Silver Linings Playbook, they certainly grew fond of her when she gracefully stumbled while accepting her Best Actress award in 2013. This stumble marked the beginning of her return as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, a film that’s frequently praised as the finest in the series (it boasts an impressive 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and garnered Lawrence a nomination from Critics’ Choice.

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren exudes a majestic screen persona regardless of her character, and her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 film ‘The Queen’ earned her a place among Hollywood’s esteemed Oscar winners. However, contrary to its title, her next venture didn’t bring her any more gold – the adventure movie ‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets,’ starring Nicolas Cage, failed to impress critics as per Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus rating of 35% “Rotten.” The talented cast, which also included Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Ed Harris, and Diane Kruger, didn’t prevent the film from being panned by critics.

Jodie Foster

As a movie buff, I can’t help but marvel at the incredible journey of Jodie Foster. At just 12 years old, she stole the show opposite Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese’s legendary film, “Taxi Driver,” earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Yet, it was her transition into more mature roles that truly left me awestruck.

In 1988, Foster took on the gripping legal drama, “The Accused.” Portraying assault survivor Sarah Tobias, she delivered a performance so powerful that it won her the Best Actress award—the first of many accolades to come. This was followed by another groundbreaking role in the 1991 horror classic, “The Silence of the Lambs,” where she not only reclaimed the Best Actress prize but also etched her name into the annals of cinema history as one of its greatest performances.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry broke new ground when she became the initial African-American actress to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress, which she earned for her moving portrayal of a destitute widow in the 2001 film “Monster’s Ball.” Following this prestigious win, Berry stepped into the role of Bond Girl, playing the character Jinx, an NSA agent who wears bikinis, in the 2002 James Bond movie “Die Another Day,” alongside Pierce Brosnan as 007. This particular Bond film is often criticized as one of the weakest entries in the Bond series.

Julie Andrews

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary career of Julie Andrews. In 1964, she was bestowed with the prestigious Oscar for Best Actress, a recognition well-deserved for her unforgettable portrayal of the extraordinary nanny in Mary Poppins. But that wasn’t all she accomplished – the following year, she received another Academy Award nomination for her enchanting role as Maria, the melodious governess in The Sound of Music, a family we all grew to love. Her filmography is nothing short of epic!

Kathy Bates

One notable performance by Kathy Bates was as the fanatical Annie Wilkes in Stephen King’s 1990 thriller, “Misery.” This role earned her her initial Academy Award nomination and win, with three more nods following throughout her long career. Afterward, Bates took on the role in the South African drama film, “The Road to Mecca,” which was adapted from Athol Fugard’s play of the same name. Her portrayal in this film garnered acclaim for both her acting skills and mastery of the accent.

Hilary Swank

Prior to the emergence of transgender characters like Emilia Pérez, Sin-Dee Rella, or Raymond Rayon, there existed a real-life trans man named Brandon Teena, who was the central figure in the 1999 drama “Boys Don’t Cry”. Hilary Swank delivered a groundbreaking and award-winning portrayal of Teena, with critics such as Owen Gleiberman from Entertainment Weekly praising her as a ‘revelation’ in the film. Critical responses to her next movie, the 2000 supernatural thriller “The Gift”, were more varied. A.O Scott from The New York Times wrote that the film was rescued from being average by the director Sam Raimi’s proficient handling and the exceptional quality of the acting.

Renée Zellweger

Following multiple Best Actress nominations for her outstanding performances in “Bridget Jones’ Diary” and “Chicago”, as well as a win for Best Supporting Actress in “Cold Mountain”, Renee Zellweger ultimately received her long-awaited Best Actress award for her portrayal of Judy Garland in the film “Judy”. In the years to follow, Zellweger took a break from acting. Her next on-screen appearance will be a reprisal of a beloved role in “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy”.

Natalie Portman

In 2010, I found myself completely immersed as a troubled ballerina in the psychological thriller “Black Swan”. So convincing was my portrayal that during filming, I honestly believed it was a docudrama. Unsurprisingly, this intense performance earned me an Academy Award for Best Actress. However, keeping audiences on their toes has always been part of my journey – case in point, my next role was in the 2011 fantasy-comedy “Your Highness”, a stoner film that unfortunately bombed at the box office and received mostly unfavorable reviews from critics.

Cher

Legendary pop star Cher, affectionately known as the “Goddess of Pop,” was honored with an Oscar for Best Actress in 1988 for her outstanding role in the critically acclaimed romantic comedy “Moonstruck.” Two years later, she portrayed Rachel Flax, a feisty single mother to young Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci, in the 1990 dramedy “Mermaids,” which has been praised as a “forgotten gem” of the ’90s coming-of-age genre by The Guardian. Their review highlighted Cher’s performance as nothing short of enchanting.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet, a remarkable actress from her generation, garnered six Oscar nominations before eventually winning the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2008 for her portrayal of a former Nazi camp guard in “The Reader.” Following this success, she appeared in the 2011 dark comedy “Carnage,” directed by controversial filmmaker Roman Polanski. The movie received favorable reviews, with critics commending the cast’s performances, particularly Winslet’s — she was recognized with a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy).

Julia Roberts

Following a decade that cemented her status as the queen of romantic comedies, Julia Roberts demonstrated her dramatic skills by earning an Oscar for Best Actress in the 2000 legal drama “Erin Brockovich,” one of her top performances. America’s beloved actress then ventured back into romantic comedy territory with her subsequent film, aptly titled “America’s Sweethearts.” Unfortunately, critics weren’t as enamored with the movie, giving it a 33% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The site’s general consensus was: “Despite its star-studded cast, the film fails to create relatable characters and is only intermittently funny.

Susan Sarandon

Following nominations for films such as Atlantic City, Thelma & Louise, Lorenzo’s Oil, and The Client, Susan Sarandon eventually won the Best Actress award from the Academy in 1995, for her role as Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking. Subsequently, she appeared in the more light-hearted children’s movie James and the Giant Peach, providing the voice for Miss Spider. This film garnered mostly favorable reviews from critics, with Randy Newman’s score even receiving an Oscar nomination; however, it underperformed financially, earning $300,000 less than its production budget.

Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard, a renowned French actor, was the first to receive an Academy Award for best performance in a foreign language film, which she earned for her exceptional portrayal of iconic singer Édith Piaf in the 2007 biopic La Vie en Rose. Subsequently, she appeared in another biographical drama, Public Enemies, directed by Michael Mann. This film, co-starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, garnered mixed reviews from critics, with a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Marlee Matlin

As a passionate film lover, I can’t help but reflect on the groundbreaking debut of Marlee Matlin in 1986’s “Children of a Lesser God.” This remarkable actress etched her name into cinematic history by not just earning one, but two historic milestones: she was the first deaf actress to ever claim an Oscar, and at the time, she also held the title for the youngest Best Actress winner.

Following this momentous victory, Matlin graced the screen once more in the 1987 Western film “Walker,” sharing the limelight with esteemed actors like Ed Harris, Richard Masur, and Peter Boyle. This historical drama was a contender for the Golden Bear at the 38th Berlin International Film Festival, but it received highly polarized reviews and ultimately flopped at the box office.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Did you know that Gwyneth Paltrow wasn’t originally cast as Viola de Lesseps in the 1998 romantic comedy, “Shakespeare in Love”? Julia Roberts was initially chosen for the role instead. However, it seems that Gwyneth is glad that Julia eventually stepped away from the production because the part earned her an Oscar for Best Actress. Her subsequent project also gained widespread acclaim: “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” directed by Anthony Minghella in 1999, received five Academy Award nominations.

Audrey Hepburn

The esteemed screen icon Audrey Hepburn received her first Oscar in 1953 for her remarkable debut performance as Princess Ann in the timeless black-and-white comedy “Roman Holiday.” Over the years, this radiantly beautiful British actress would be nominated for four additional Oscars, including her follow-up project after winning the award, the 1954 Billy Wilder-directed film “Sabrina,” as well as “The Nun’s Story,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” and “Wait Until Dark.

Sally Field

As a diehard movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride when I think about Sally Field. You see, she’s no stranger to the prestigious Best Actress award; she’s taken it home not just once, but twice! The first time was for her unforgettable portrayal in 1979’s “Norma Rae,” a role that truly resonated with the Academy. Fast forward five years, and she won again for another exceptional performance in “Places in the Heart.”

After her initial victory, Field found herself reprising her role as Carrie, or “Frog,” in the 1980 sequel to “Smoky and the Bandit,” this time alongside the charismatic Burt Reynolds. The film was a commercial hit, even spawning a third installment. However, the critics weren’t quite as impressed, as it seemed to receive almost universally negative reviews.

Charlize Theron

One standout role for Charlize Theron was her transformation into a nearly untraceable character – this was particularly impressive as she played the real-life prostitute and serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 crime drama “Monster“. Subsequently, Theron shared the screen with her then-partner Stuart Townsend in the 2004 war drama “Head in the Clouds“, a film that received mixed reviews both critically and financially. Critic Walter Addiego from the San Francisco Chronicle noted: “Without Charlize Theron’s performance, it’s doubtful this film would have garnered anywhere near the level of attention it did.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon demonstrated her versatility beyond her musical roles by winning an Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in the 2005 biopic “Walk the Line.” Following her success in “Legally Blonde,” she appeared in the intense 2007 political thriller “Rendition” alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep, and Peter Sarsgaard. Unfortunately, despite a strong cast, the film failed to delve deeply into its complex themes, as criticized by reviewers, resulting in a low approval rating of 47% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Elizabeth Taylor

Throughout a significant portion of the mid-1900s, Elizabeth Taylor was one of MGM’s top earning actresses, known as a celluloid icon. In 1960, her last film with the studio, “Butterfield 8,” where she portrayed the glamorous character Gloria Wandrous, won her the first Academy Award for Best Actress. Her subsequent role was equally memorable: that of the Egyptian queen in the 1963 historical epic “Cleopatra.” This movie garnered nine Oscar nominations and four wins, but unfortunately, no specific award went to Taylor herself.

2025-01-26 01:10