Top 10 Charlize Theron Performances

Kicking off our list is one of Theron’s earliest Hollywood roles. In this supernatural drama, she stars opposite Keanu Reeves as the loving wife of a lawyer who is unwittingly working for the devil. Used as a pawn by Al Pacino’s Satan, Charlize convincingly plays a woman who becomes increasingly isolated, mentally disturbed and driven to suicide. One thing is for sure; Hollywood took notice of her when she bone-chillingly appeared naked and completely covered in cuts.

Few can deny that Charlize was born to star as this rebel assassin on a mission to overthrow an oppressive government! Even though this film adaptation of a popular animated series used a poor script and boring dialogue, Charlize proves herself a true action star, and makes the movie watchable with her sexy jet-black hairdo and breathtaking outfits!

Charlize and Keanu reunite in this romantic melodrama, where Theron to change Reeves’ life in one month. As the title suggests, she becomes smitten with Mr. November – but a painful plot twist means a happy ending may not be for them. Though you could call this a sappy performance, Charlize manages to shine past the script’s shortcomings and move us with her infectious charm, mysterious and complex character. We’re thankful she chose this role over the lead in “Pearl Harbor”, not even she could have kept that disaster afloat.

An ex-con, played by Ben Affleck, takes on his dead friend’s identity in order to date his dreamy pen pal. Three guesses as to who that is: and who can blame him!? The entire film is filled with deception, and Charlize’s vixen-like Ashley makes this thriller, and its twists, so deliciously enjoyable!

This remake of a family-friendly ‘40s classic has Theron playing a jungle girl, who is the soul mate of a two-ton Gorilla. Since they were raised together since birth, she is also the only one who can communicate with the creature to calm him when he gets pissed off while travelling to a sanctuary in America. Despite this film’s lush locations and then-fantastic special effects, the real attraction is Charlize’s intoxicating charm, enchanting innocence, all around sweet nature and well acted fish out of water performance that mirrored the one given by her animatronic companion. Man…we’d jump at the chance to be that Gorilla…

This suspense thriller has Charlize play a stay-at-home mom and former nurse whose life is turned upside down when her asthmatic daughter is held for ransom. This allows the actress to shine as a desperate, yet incredibly strong woman who will do anything to save her child, including using seduction and a scalpel to threaten Kevin Bacon’s bacon!

In this homage to the original 1969 classic, Charlize plays the daughter of a professional criminal who was betrayed and killed by one of his crew while on a gold heist. As a result, she plays an overconfident, yet professional safe and vault technician with a score to settle. This role showed off her wilder side, while giving her the chance to shift gears alongside the boys in her own high-powered Mini-Cooper!

As the prom queen who never grew up, Charlize plays an immature woman dealing with her divorce. The only logical thing to do is return to her hometown to rekindle a romance with her ex-boyfriend; she just ignores the fact that he has a wife and a newborn. This bad girl role is so entertaining and multi-dimensional that it earned Theron a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Actress.

Charlize’s role as a mother out to feed her hungry children by joining the stereotypically male mining profession earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Her strong and heartfelt performance shows her dealing with abuse from her colleagues, and proves Theron’s ability to tackle sensitive subject matter, while serving as an inspiration for other women who face similar real-life struggles.

Taking the top spot on our list is the role that won Theron 17 Awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress. In this film, Theron depicts real-life prostitute-turned serial killer Aileen Wuornos and follows her through her crimes and execution. Roger Ebert hailed this as “one of the greatest performances in the history of cinema,” but we know what you’re really thinking: how did she manage to make herself so gritty and unattractive!?

Agree with our choices? Which Charlize Theron film performance is your favorite? Be sure to check out more great Top 10 countdowns at WatchMojo.com.