Top 10 Movies That Were So Good They Launched Careers

Before her standout role in this Broadway adaptation, Jennifer Hudson showed off her voice on “American Idol.” Her natural talents as a vocalist translated perfectly to her role as Effie White in “Dreamgirls.” Hudson also managed to offer up a passionate acting performance in this entertaining musical. Playing the complex role with tremendous emotion, she really won audiences over with her singing of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” It could even be argued that she won the Academy Award for that scene alone. The multi-talented artist would go on to a prosperous career of music and hosting, hitting new highs with her unbeatable range.

John Carpenter’s “Halloween” helped introduce the slasher genre to fans of horror in the late 1970s. It also featured the breakthrough performance of Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie. Her work as the terrified hero brought immense reality to the character, with her performance in the movie’s final chapter being especially notable. Curtis demonstrates what seems to be natural ability in this project, that has translated to her storied career. She eventually transcended scary flicks for comedy and action, but would later return to the series that made her a star. The Oscar winner never forgot her roots as she created an iconic role that earned her the title “scream queen.”

At a young age, Tatum O’Neal shocked viewers with her witty performance in “Paper Moon.” The period comedy starred the actress alongside her father as an unlikely pair of con artists. Director Peter Bogdanovich brought together a wonderful cast to deliver the fantastic script, shepherding the younger O’Neal to an eventual Oscar win. She absolutely stole the movie with her precocious part, so it’s unsurprising to hear she stole the award, even if she was just ten years old at the time. With lots more time to pursue her passion, the actress continued performing into adulthood and proved she was much more than a one-off talent.

In the year that Jim Carrey became a mega-star, Cameron Diaz also found herself in the part of a lifetime. “The Mask” allowed her to go toe-to-toe with the comedy master. Diaz’s inviting persona clearly got the attention of the entertainment industry. Bringing a charm to her supporting role, the actress exudes electricity every minute of her screen time. Within just a handful of years, she was a household name with roles in “There’s Something About Mary” and “Charlie’s Angels.” As for her former co-star, Carrey obviously did more than fine for himself. His breakout movie came only months before, with “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.” If the former two endeavors weren’t enough to solidify his star status in 1994, the release of “Dumb and Dumber” the same year likely did it.

After proving herself on the stage, Julie Andrews was more than ready to become a movie star. Her lead role as “Mary Poppins” is a truly star-making performance from start to finish. She’s able to sing like an angel, charm her castmates, and even perform some comedy for good measure. Andrews fits perfectly into the part of the English maid who brings a little magic to the Banks family. Following her award-winning turn in the Disney film, she did miraculous work in more classics like “The Sound of Music.” The actress has become nothing short of an international treasure for her extensive work in all sorts of musicals and comedies.

Even though they’d both acted in movies before, “Good Will Hunting” established Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as something more. They actually co-wrote the screenplay together and their performances both prove just how well they work off each other. Damon plays the role of a damaged genius, while Affleck is his best friend who wants him to do better. Each actor jumps off the screen with their authenticity. Their Boston roots lend more legitimacy to the project, making the story all the more compelling. The duo won the Oscar for their script before running off to further fame in their respective careers. One became an action star and the other, an award-winning filmmaker. Through it all, they’ve also stayed close friends.

As the Duchess of Bay Ridge, Margot Robbie wowed audiences with her breakthrough role in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” She was even able to steal scenes away from the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio. In a bold performance, Robbie arrived as a fully-formed movie star in a wild exploration of wealth and excess. Her role allowed her to showcase a range of emotions, while still being able to lean into the humor of it all. The performer ultimately played her supporting part like a lead character, and she was all the better for it. Following the collaboration with Martin Scorsese, she continues to excite audiences with characters like Tonya Harding, Harley Quinn, and Barbie.

According to multiple actors, Marlon Brando changed the face of acting in the 20th century. He lit up the Broadway stage as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” before claiming the role in the film adaptation. For the next several decades, many actors followed his lead and were inspired by his vulnerable performances. His turn as Kowalski showcased his ability to explore the darkest depths of masculinity. Brando’s blend of charisma and rage was rarely seen on the silver screen before and barely has been since. He did win multiple awards for his work, but no award could properly describe his impact on the acting scene as a whole.

In just his second film, Dustin Hoffman immediately set himself apart from the pack. His performance in Mike Nichols’ “The Graduate” still pops with a spontaneous energy all these years later. Hoffman was nominated for an Oscar for his leading role as Benjamin Braddock, and it’s easy to see why. In a movie about a college graduate having an affair with an older woman, Hoffman is able to find the drama and humor in the story masterfully. This includes several laugh-out-loud moments of his character awkwardly fumbling through relationships. While he didn’t win an Academy Award for this film, he went on to win two for other undertakings and become one of the most critically-lauded actors of his generation.

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

Frances McDormand, “Blood Simple” (1984)
This Future Oscar-Winner Shines in the Coen Brothers’ Impressive Debut

Edward Norton, “Primal Fear” (1996)
The Standout Work from This Courtroom Drama Comes with Norton’s Multi-Faceted Killer

Hailee Steinfeld, “True Grit” (2010)
Young as She Was, Steinfeld Steals Every Scene in This Engaging Western

Anya Taylor-Joy, “The Witch” (2015)
Before “Split” & “The Menu,” Joy Proved Herself in a Chilling & Slow-Burn Horror

Michael Cera & Jonah Hill, “Superbad” (2007)
This Duo Cemented Themselves as Kings of Awkward Comedy with This Classic

Few success stories can compete with Orson Welles’. In his feature film debut, the performer directed himself in one of the most acclaimed works to grace Hollywood history. His layered performance as the wealthy Charles Foster Kane tracks the title character from his early years to his death. It’s a moving tale about a man slowly losing his grip with reality and pining for the days of his youth. Critics were wowed by Welles’ take on the material, making him the wonder boy of the entertainment industry, and his brilliant screen persona would only continue to elevate many films afterwards. Despite some problems he had making future films, the performer remained an esteemed artist known for progressing filmmaking as a medium.