Top 20 Outstanding Movie Performances of the Last Decade

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the most captivating and distinguished acting in films released from 2014 to 2023. What are your favorite film performances in recent memory? Take the spotlight in the comments.

#20: Brendan Fraser

“The Whale” (2022)
Brendan Fraser’s stardom had sadly declined through the years. Despite his range with genre movies, his incredible return to form was a Darren Aronofsky drama. “The Whale” follows a morbidly obese recluse’s struggle to reconnect with the daughter he abandoned. Even with heavy prosthetics, Fraser put on a lot of weight for the role. Equally impressive is how he humanizes the self-destructive Charlie with empathy and tragedy. He subtly expresses the dying man’s self-loathing and remorse, before it all explodes. The emotional rollercoaster earned Fraser many accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Actor. Certainly, “The Whale” was a demanding vehicle for several fresh talents. Fraser still commanded the ship in one of the decade’s great acting comebacks.

#19: Rosamund Pike

“Gone Girl” (2014)
After many notable supporting roles, Rosamund Pike truly arrived as a Hollywood headliner with “Gone Girl.” Pike plays Amy Dunne, whose husband is believed to be responsible for her sudden disappearance. But this missing person case, and Amy herself, are not as they seem. As shocking as “Gone Girl” consistently is, Pike leads dramatic tension alongside the psychological. Flashbacks show a strong-willed woman slowly unraveling under a dysfunctional marriage. The twists reveal a crafty femme fatale with a dangerous plan. This chilling evolution was named the highlight of David Fincher’s enthralling thriller. With Pike soon riding her Oscar nomination into a major career as a lead, she’s not going anywhere.

#18: Song Kang-ho

“Parasite” (2019)
One of South Korea’s most celebrated actors is in top form in Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite.” Song Kang-ho plays Kim Ki-taek, the patriarch of an impoverished family that infiltrates a wealthy estate by becoming servants. The Kims’ increasingly bizarre hustle inspires great performances throughout the all-star cast. But Ki-taek is the heart of the outfit. The shame of his failures and the realization of social inequality drive him to one of the most devastating breakdowns in modern film. Song conveys it all with his distinct relatable charm and subtle range. The sensational “Parasite” propelled him into a household name around the world. Even for his many established fans, Song gave one of the defining performances of his career.

#17: Kristen Stewart

“Spencer” (2021)
American superstar Kristen Stewart has been renowned for indie and art projects for years. She really showed the full measure of her talent as Diana, Princess of Wales, in “Spencer.” A fictional Windsor family Christmas delved into the maddening pressures from the reluctant noble’s title and in-laws. It was also very candid about her struggles with eating disorders. Stewart grounded the intense psychodrama with all the grace and agony that defined this glamorous tragic figure. Diana’s own staff praised the performance’s authenticity. Stewart was nominated for an Oscar and showered with critics association awards. The whole world took notice of her doing justice to Princess Diana, as well as the burdens of womanhood and public life at large.

#16: Andrew Garfield

“Tick, Tick… BOOM!” (2021)
Only after his death at age 35 was Jonathan Larson recognized as a revolutionary genius on Broadway. Andrew Garfield’s portrayal in “Tick, Tick… Boom” gave his life the grandeur it deserved. The adaptation of Larson’s autobiographical musical even showcased the beloved actor's explosive singing skills. His comedic and dramatic range may not have been as much of a revelation. But Garfield still managed to exceed fans’ expectations on those fronts. The show-stopping performance encapsulated Larson’s sacrificial dedication to his art and giving a voice to the marginalized. It also won Garfield a Golden Globe and many other awards, as an iconic display of just how versatile his talent is.

#15: Lily Gladstone

“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023)
Lily Gladstone was well-regarded for her smaller projects when she joined “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Martin Scorsese's immense western and crime epic boasts a seasoned cast to hold the drama together. Gladstone still stands out as an oil heiress at the center of a conspiracy to claim her family’s fortune. She plays the real-life Mollie Cobb with an enchanting charisma. Her committed portrayal of diabetes before proper medication is suspenseful enough. But as the violence escalates, Mollie’s grief and terror maintain the humanity in this chapter of injustice against Native Americans. Much of the film’s sweeping acclaim was directed at Gladstone, delivering what is already being named one of the most important performances of the 2020s.

#14: Daniel Kaluuya

“Judas and the Black Messiah” (2021)
British actor Daniel Kaluuya first captivated America with Jordan Peele’s “Get Out.” But he achieved greater esteem for playing a controversial American icon in “Judas and the Black Messiah.” The thrilling biopic follows an FBI informant’s infiltration of the Black Panther Party. The spotlight is nonetheless commanded by Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton, recognized for his left-wing political activism and rhetoric until his assassination. Kaluuya projects that larger-than-life persona with a fiery intelligence, between quieter moments of humanity. His vocal, physical, and psychological immersion into the role won nearly every major award for Best Supporting Actor. If anything, Kaluuya leads “Judas and the Black Messiah’s” complex representation of an often misunderstood movement and man.

#13: J. K. Simmons

“Whiplash” (2014)
J. K. Simmons’s sprawling filmography has always made him synonymous with lovably abrasive figures. With Terence Fletcher in “Whiplash,” he truly turned that role into a work of art. The volatile jazz orchestra conductor pushes his musicians to their limits by any means necessary. Fletcher’s progression from encouragement to verbal, if not physical abuse downplays ethics in the name of art. Few actors can sell the appeal of such twisted mentorship like Simmons. His pitch-perfect performance is a suite of catchy, terrifying tonal shifts. Beyond sweeping the award circuit, Fletcher gained recognition as a pop culture sensation and Simmons’ definitive role. It also launched the already prolific character actor’s career into double-time.

#12: Amy Adams

“Arrival” (2016)
Amy Adams leads “Arrival” as Dr. Louise Banks, a linguist tasked with establishing communication with alien visitors. This delicate process not only explores the philosophy of language and sentience, but eventually meditates on the very nature of reality. Adams keeps these grand ideas down to earth with the passion and terror of scientific inquiry. She also sells incredible plot twists with the most human qualities of love and grief. “Arrival” was praised as a whole for pulling off the daunting concept of a metaphysical sci-fi blockbuster. But Adams was singled out for anchoring the deep emotion in its intelligence. While she has always been a noted dramatic talent, many consider Dr. Banks to be the role of a lifetime.

#11: Chadwick Boseman

“Ma Rainey's Black Bottom” (2020)
From “Black Panther” to great historical figures, Chadwick Boseman’s tragically brief career leaves an endless legacy. But the full caliber of his talent was revealed shortly after his passing with “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” The drama traces trumpeter Levee Green’s collapse under the pressure of his life and ambition during a recording session with a blues legend. Green himself is fictional, but represents a whole generation of artists destroyed by hubris and injustice. Boseman projects that with a theatrical intensity, underlined by quiet desperation. The performance received unanimous acclaim and many accolades, with some solemnly saying it would have changed the trajectory of the actor’s career. “Ma Rainey” nonetheless announced Boseman as a once-in-a-generation talent.

#10: Joaquin Phoenix

“Joker” (2019)
One of the most iconic supervillains inspiring genuinely great acting isn’t new. One of cinema’s greatest actors still raised the role to new prestige in Todd Phillips’ “Joker.” Joaquin Phoenix depicts Arthur Fleck as an aspiring comedian struggling with poverty and psychosis. As Gotham’s cruelty drives him over the edge, Joker becomes a symbol of revolution at its ugliest. The film’s themes have been deeply debated, though there’s no debating Phoenix’s commitment. He lost 52 pounds for the role, seamlessly carrying a madman between heartbreaking tragedy and terrifying brutality. This performance, alongside Heath Ledger’s, made the Joker the second role ever to win two Oscars. While it may just be an affirmation of Phoenix’s brilliance, “Joker” showed how bold genre movies can get.

#9: Olivia Colman

“The Favourite” (2018)
By the late 2010s, veteran British talent Olivia Colman was on track to become Hollywood royalty. Her ultimate ascension was in taking British royalty down a peg in “The Favourite.” Yorgos Lanthimos’ dark comedy satirizes the vindictive culture and politics within the court of Queen Anne. The Queen herself is depicted as petty and oblivious, with scandalous speculations about her sexuality. Despite this irreverence, Colman delivers genuine charm and grace. That is until her more human moments marry the tragic with the absurd. This perfectly composed performance won the lioness’ share of the awards showered on “The Favourite.” Just as the film inspired a trend of boldly subversive period pieces, it established Colman as a favored actor of her generation.

#8: Cillian Murphy

“Oppenheimer” (2023)
Christopher Nolan may have achieved his own technical breakthrough with his blockbuster biopic on J. Robert Oppenheimer. But Cillian Murphy held the equally monumental task of humanizing the Father of the Atomic Bomb. He certainly nailed the physicality and charisma of a true innovator in a time of war. Of course, the realities of his potentially apocalyptic innovation take their psychological toll. “Oppenheimer” depicts a man conflicted by his own ambition and pressured by the modern world he helped usher in. Murphy is the very soul of that drama. The epic spectacle of everything else in Nolan’s masterpiece holds little for one of the most complex performances in an increasingly distinguished acting career.

#7: Cate Blanchett

“Tár” (2022)
Cate Blanchett has dominated the last decade alone with vehicles like “Carol.” While there’s nothing surprising about her carrying every scene of a two-and-a-half-hour-long movie, she is still most of what makes “Tár” so hypnotic. The symphonic slow-burner follows renowned composer Lydia Tár as she gradually loses everything to scandal. Blanchett conducts that process with almost unreal charisma, then a harrowing fall from grace. Her subtle gestures and emotional commitment truly shaped the meticulous drama. “Tár’s” lead was naturally the star of the award season. It’s the kind of solo performance that would distinguish any classical actor. For Blanchett, it may just be the definitive role of a legendary talent.

#6: Michael Keaton

“Birdman” (2014)
Some could argue that Michael Keaton’s talent was once overshadowed by his classic genre movies. He effectively disputed that myth by embracing it in Alejandro Iñárritu’s “Birdman.” Keaton was the only choice to play Riggan Thomson, a former superhero actor who tries to reinvent himself on the stage. He handles the meta and dark comedy with his usual impeccable technique, especially given the movie’s notorious long takes. In portraying Riggan’s personal and psychological turmoil, though, Keaton truly soars. The heavily accoladed performance did indeed reinvent his career. He went on to lead a number of award-winning dramas while making a comeback to superhero movies. Still, no project encompasses his incredible range quite like “Birdman.”

#5: Frances McDormand

“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (2017)
Frances McDormand has always risen above conventions as a character actor. There's still something truly special about her character at the head of “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” This lengthy title refers to a chain of billboards that Mildred Hayes commissioned to condemn the inefficient investigation into her daughter's murder. That certainly plays to the no-nonsense attitude that McDormand always plays to perfection. At the same time, she carries Mildred’s anger and grief with a force that drives the film's urgency. McDormand rode her second Oscar win into some of the most daring projects of her career, landing yet another Oscar for “Nomadland.” Of course, “Three Billboards” stands out for promoting the full depth of her ability.

#4: Jake Gyllenhaal

“Nightcrawler” (2014)
As a freelance photojournalist with a macabre eye, Lou Bloom represents the darkest interests in modern culture. Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the few actors capable of carrying such a slimy character with irresistible charm. He starved himself 30 pounds lighter to convey Bloom’s desolate disposition. He still delivers the snappy delivery and steely gaze of an unfeeling hustler. It’s been cited as a highly authentic portrayal of a high-functioning sociopath, though Bloom is never formally diagnosed. The award-winning Gyllenhaal simply encompasses the horror of American entrepreneurship being consumed by desperation and sensationalism. As deeply as “Nightcrawler” still crawls under the audience’s skin, that’s mostly for Gyllenhaal delivering one of his most intensely realized performances.

#3: Mahershala Ali

“Moonlight” (2016)
Best Picture winner “Moonlight” shows how big of an impact a small movie can have. Mahershala Ali showed the impact of a seemingly small role. Juan is a drug dealer who bonds with the film’s protagonist as a child. This paternalistic relationship influences a coming-of-age defined by crime and a desperation to be recognized. It also sets “Moonlight’s” complicated tone about connection in a despondent community. Though Juan doesn’t live past the first act, Ali’s sternness and sensitivity define the figure’s significance. The character actor immediately became a household name. His Academy Award win settled him as one of the most sought-after charismas in Hollywood. More importantly, Ali’s brief appearance in “Moonlight” epitomizes the movie's revolutionary portrayal of race and manhood.

#2: Toni Collette

“Hereditary” (2018)
Films like Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” popularized horror as a dramatic art form, with Toni Collette at the heart of that. She plays Annie Graham, who is driven mad with grief over the deaths of her mother and daughter. Her breakdown after a séance in fact reveals a horrific conspiracy surrounding her lineage. What makes the film so nightmarish is how it supernaturalizes the real horrors of trauma and family. Collette leads these themes with a visceral balance between unhinged terror and dramatic expression. While stigma against horror limited major award buzz, critics hailed the performance as one of the best in Collette’s distinguished career. It was key to “Hereditary” breaking that stigma to make elevated horror a major vehicle for respected actors.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Carey Mulligan, “Promising Young Woman” (2020)

An Icon of Feminist Drama Was Affirmed by a Morally Complex Form of Femme Fatale

Adam Driver, “Marriage Story” (2019)

A Breakout Superstar Explores the Full Range of Humanity Through a Bitter Divorce

Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk” (2018)

The Pain & Steadfastness of a Desperate Mother Revealed the Extent of This Talent’s Intensity

Ethan Hawke, “First Reformed” (2017)

A Priest’s Crisis of Faith Confirmed One of the Great Character Actors of His Era

Alicia Vikander, “Ex Machina” (2015)

One of the Decade’s Defining Stars Broke Out with the Chilling Evolution of a Calculating Machine

#1: Michelle Yeoh

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022)
The versatile Michelle Yeoh has shown herself to be capable of playing anything. She proved that just with “Everything Everywhere All At Once” The genre-defying epic follows Evelyn Quan Wang’s journey across countless universes to stop her daughter’s plot to destroy all existence. This wild concept was driven by Yeoh’s mastery of comedy and action. At the same time, her emotional scope anchored grand themes of existential angst and family dysfunction. The performance was hailed as Yeoh’s magnum opus, winning scores of awards. Ke Huy Quan also rightly got a lot of publicity for his Oscar-winning comeback in “Everything Everywhere.” But Yeoh’s was a dynamic performance to define both an era and an iconic career.