Our team compiled the best Meryl Streep movies and here is what they came up with
Meryl Streep is a Hollywood icon known for her versatility and range as an actress. Over the years, she has appeared in numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, earning numerous awards and accolades for her performances. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best Meryl Streep movies, highlighting 20 of her most memorable and iconic performances.
Here are the 20 best Meryl Streep movies to check out on the streaming service.
1. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Streep stars as Miranda Priestly in this comedy-drama film directed by David Frankel. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $326 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Priestly received widespread acclaim and a number of awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
2. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Streep stars as Joanna Kramer in this drama film directed by Robert Benton. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $106 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Kramer earned her widespread acclaim and a number of awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress.
3. Sophie’s Choice (1982)
Streep stars as the title character in this drama film directed by Alan J. Pakula. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $40 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Sophie earned her widespread praise and a number of awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress.
4. The Iron Lady (2011)
Streep stars as Margaret Thatcher in this biographical drama film directed by Phyllida Lloyd. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $122 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Thatcher earned her widespread acclaim and a number of awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress.
5. Mamma Mia! (2008)
Streep stars as Donna Sheridan in this musical film directed by Phyllida Lloyd. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $609 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Sheridan received praise from critics and audiences alike.
6. The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981)
Streep stars as Sarah Woodruff in this romantic drama film directed by Karel Reisz. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $12 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Woodruff received widespread acclaim and a number of awards, including a BAFTA Award for Best Actress.
7. Ironweed (1987)
Streep stars opposite Jack Nicholson in this drama film directed by Héctor Babenco. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $3 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance received widespread acclaim and a number of awards, including a BAFTA Award for Best Actress. In the film, Streep plays the role of Helen Archer, a homeless woman struggling with addiction and mental illness. Streep’s raw and vulnerable portrayal of Archer earned her widespread praise and solidified her reputation as one of the greatest actresses of her generation.
8. A Cry in the Dark (1988)
Streep stars as Lindy Chamberlain in this biographical drama film directed by Fred Schepisi. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $35 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Chamberlain received widespread praise and a number of awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress. In the film, Streep plays the real-life Lindy Chamberlain, a woman falsely accused of murdering her infant daughter in 1980. Streep’s powerful and emotional portrayal of Chamberlain earned her widespread acclaim and demonstrated her ability to tackle complex and challenging roles.
9. Postcards from the Edge (1990)
Streep stars as Suzanne Vale in this drama film directed by Mike Nichols. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $36 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Vale received widespread praise and a number of awards, including a BAFTA Award for Best Actress. In the film, Streep plays a recovering drug addict trying to rebuild her life and career in Hollywood. Streep’s nuanced and emotional portrayal of Vale earned her widespread praise and demonstrated her versatility as an actress.
10. Defending Your Life (1991)
Streep stars as Julia in this comedy-drama film directed by Albert Brooks. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $23 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Julia received praise from critics and audiences alike. In the film, Streep plays a woman on trial in the afterlife, where she must defend her life and the choices she made while on earth. Streep’s comedic timing and ability to bring warmth and depth to her character earned her widespread praise and solidified her place as one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
11. The River Wild (1994)
Streep stars as Gail in this action-thriller film directed by Curtis Hanson. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $109 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Gail received widespread praise and a number of awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. In the film, Streep plays a former white-water rafting guide who must use her skills and wits to survive when she and her family are taken hostage by a group of armed criminals. Streep’s physical and emotional performance as Gail earned her widespread acclaim and demonstrated her ability to tackle action roles with authenticity and depth.
12. Marvin’s Room (1996)
Streep stars opposite Diane Keaton in this drama film directed by Jerry Zaks. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $24 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance received widespread praise and a number of awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. In the film, Streep plays the role of Bessie, a woman struggling with cancer who must reconnect with her estranged sister (Keaton) in order to save her life. Streep’s emotional and nuanced portrayal of Bessie earned her widespread acclaim and demonstrated her ability to tackle difficult and emotional roles with grace and poise.
13. One True Thing (1998)
Streep stars as Kate Gulden in this drama film directed by Carl Franklin. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $44 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Gulden received widespread praise and a number of awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. In the film, Streep plays the role of a terminally ill woman whose relationship with her daughter (Renée Zellweger) is tested when she is forced to return home to care for her. Streep’s emotional and nuanced portrayal of Gulden earned her widespread acclaim and demonstrated her ability to bring depth and authenticity to complex and challenging roles.
14. Music of the Heart (1999)
Streep stars as Roberta Guaspari in this biographical drama film directed by Wes Craven. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $36 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Guaspari received widespread praise and a number of awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. In the film, Streep plays the real-life Roberta Guaspari, a violin teacher who transforms the lives of her students through music. Streep’s emotional and inspiring portrayal of Guaspari earned her widespread acclaim and demonstrated her ability to bring warmth and humanity to her characters.
15. Adaptation (2002)
Streep stars as Susan Orlean in this comedy-drama film directed by Spike Jonze. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $32 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Orlean received widespread praise and a number of awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. In the film, Streep plays a New Yorker journalist whose life is turned upside down when she is asked to write a story about a reclusive horticulturist (Nicolas Cage). Streep’s comedic and dynamic portrayal of Orlean earned her widespread acclaim and demonstrated her ability to bring wit and charm to her characters.
16. The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
Streep stars as Eleanor Prentiss Shaw in this political thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $96 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Shaw received widespread praise and a number of awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. In the film, Streep plays the role of a ruthless and manipulative political operative who will stop at nothing to further her own agenda. Streep’s chilling and convincing portrayal of Shaw earned her widespread acclaim and demonstrated her ability to bring depth and complexity to even the most villainous of characters.
17. Prime (2005)
Streep stars as Rafi Gardet in this romantic comedy film directed by Ben Younger. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $42 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Gardet received widespread praise and a number of awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. In the film, Streep plays a divorcee who falls in love with a much younger man (Bryan Greenberg) and must deal with the challenges and complications that come with their age difference. Streep’s charming and charismatic portrayal of Gardet earned her widespread acclaim and demonstrated her ability to bring warmth and humor to her characters.
18. A Prairie Home Companion (2006)
Streep stars as Yolanda Johnson in this musical comedy film directed by Robert Altman. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $21 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Johnson received widespread praise and a number of awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. In the film, Streep plays a radio host whose life is turned upside down when her radio show is threatened with cancellation. Streep’s dynamic and musical performance as Johnson earned her widespread acclaim and demonstrated her versatility as an actress.
19. The Deer Hunter (1978)
Streep plays the supporting role of Linda in this drama film directed by Michael Cimino. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $48 million at the box office and winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Streep’s performance as Linda earned her widespread praise and a number of awards, including a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
20. Julie & Julia (2009)
Streep stars as Julia Child in this biographical comedy-drama film directed by Nora Ephron. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning over $118 million at the box office, and Streep’s performance as Child received widespread praise and a number of awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. In the film, Streep plays the real-life Julia Child, a pioneering chef and television personality who inspired countless home cooks with her passion for French cooking. Streep’s charming and dynamic performance as Child earned her widespread acclaim and demonstrated her ability to bring wit and humor to her characters.
Meryl Streep is widely considered to be one of the greatest actors of all time, with a career spanning over five decades and a vast array of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.