Awkwafina’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked According To IMDb

Awkwafina has seen a surge of popularity over the past several years, as a result of having starred in multiple major motion picture hits, including Raya and the Last Dragon, Crazy Rich Asians, and, most recently, in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. There is no doubt that she is a star very much on the rise.

While many audiences may be well-versed in Awkwafina’s film career so far, others may be new to the actress’s long catalog of recent works. These viewers have the opportunity to revisit the best projects of her career yet, as rated by the film site IMDb.

10 Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019) – 6.1

Stream On Netflix

Between Two Ferns began as a short-form Internet series starring Zach Galifinakis, who acts as the awkward and demeaning host of a celebrity talk show. In 2019, Netflix commissioned a film based on the series, in which Galifinakis must perform a series of his signature uncomfortable interviews while on the road in order to save his career.

Between Two Ferns: The Movie had no shortage of celebrity cameos, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Matthew McConaughey, Brie Larson, Hailee Steinfeld, and more. Awkwafina herself appeared in one of Galifinakis’s interviews, where he passive-aggressively insults her career, only to make an unceremonious exit when she gives him a taste of his own medicine.

9 Ocean’s Eight (2018) – 6.3

Stream On HBO Max

20182’s Ocean’s 8 is the all-female reboot of the George Clooney Ocean’s heist franchise starring Sandra Bullock as the team leader that gathers a crew of remarkably skilled women in order to steal an antique necklace worth millions. The film was received generally well but the franchise’s future remains uncertain.

Awkwafina joined the ensemble cast of heisting women as Constance, the street thief with an incredible knack for pickpocketing. This film proved to be one of Awkwafina’s breakout roles, setting the actress up for more leading roles in the near future.

8 The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019) – 6.4

Stream On Fubo TV

The Angry Birds 2 is the second animated film in the franchise based on the best-selling puzzle video games of the same name. This film steps up the antics between the green pigs and the titular team of angry aviators, as they are forced to team up in order to take on a threat bigger than they’d ever imagined.

In this film, Awkwafina voices the character of Courtney, a member of the clan of pigs with whom the main characters ally themselves. Courtney is a soft-spoken member of the group (at least comparatively) but proves important in their mission of survival. It was seen as one of the best movies based on a video game.

7 Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) – 6.7

Stream On Starz

2019’s Jumanji: The Next Level is the sequel to the 2017 runaway hit, which was itself a worthy reboot of the Robin Williams classic Jumanji film. In the latest installment of the series, the main cast of teenagers return to the video game world of Jumanji after their friend, Spencer, disappears therein.

Awkwafina joins the cast of video game avatars, which includes Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black, as the character Ming. As a result of the franchise’s signature body-swap comedy, the actress gets to perform a surprisingly accurate Danny DeVito impression for a good chunk of the film.

6 Storks (2016) – 6.8

Stream On Hulu

Storks is an often-forgotten animated film from 2016, despite a star-studded cast including Andy Samberg, Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Aniston, and more. The movie depicted the day-to-day work life of the storks that run a delivery company and the chaos that ensues when some decide that they must get back into the baby-delivering service.

Awkwafina has a relatively small role in this animated film, playing the character of Quail, who is aptly named after her own species, a friend of Tulip (Katie Crown), the only human in the facility.

5 Crazy Rich Asians (2018) – 6.9

Stream On HBO Max

The summer of 2018s surprise hit was Crazy Rich Asians, becoming one of the most talked-about films of the year. Many attribute Hollywood’s increasing inclination to cast more Asian-American leads in their films to the success of this John Chu-directed modern rom-com classic.

The massive ensemble cast for this film included multiple names that have become increasingly popular in Hollywood since the film’s release, such as Gemma Chan, Constance Wu, and Henry Golding, along with several others. Awkwafina rounded out this impressive cast as the scene-stealing Peik Lin Goh, the best friend to Constance Wu’s character Rachel.

4 Raya And The Last Dragon (2021) – 7.4

Stream On Disney+

2021’s Raya and the Last Dragon is a Disney production depicting a dystopian world that has fallen into chaos after the disappearance of the legendary race of dragons that had once protected civilization. In the film, the heroine Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) must put aside her differences with the other surviving tribes in order to save their world.

Here, Awkwafina lends her voice to the character of Sisu, the last dragon left after the other members of her clan were turned to stone by the Druun. The actress’s carefree and overly excitable personality blends perfectly with her character, who often must be wrangled by the no-nonsense Raya.

3 The Farewell (2019) – 7.6

Stream On Prime

From A24 (the studio behind Midsommar, The Green Knight, and Hereditary), the 2019 dramatic comedy The Farewell depicts the story of a Chinese-American family that returns to China in order to say their final goodbyes to their matriarch, who is nearing death but they don’t tell her that she’s dying.

Awkwafina stars as Billie Wang, a member of the main family and the protagonist of the film overall. The role of Billie won Awkwafina a Golden Globe for her performance in the film and is seen by many as her best work.

2 Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021) – 7.6

Stream On Disney+

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, recently released to watch in IMAX quality on Disney+, is the 25th film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starring Simu Liu as the first Chinese-American superhero in the ever-expanding franchise of movies. It was a box office smash, bringing many people back to the theaters after a long absence amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awkwafina’s Katy is the female lead and most common source of comedic relief in the film. Katy has the distinction of being one of the few Marvel leading ladies not to be presented as the main love interest to the corresponding male lead (though some MCU fans may find reasons to change that). Nevertheless, Shang-Chi sets Katy up for a future in the franchise, leaving fans wondering when she will appear next.

1 Swan Song (2021) – 8.1

Stream On Apple TV+ On 12/17/21

Swan Song is an upcoming science-fiction drama film starring Mahershala Ali as a father who learns that he has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Ali’s character later learns, however, that he has the option to clone himself before his passing as a way to cushion the blow for his friends and family.

Joining Ali is Awkwafina in the role of Kate, as well as the carbon copied-clone of the original character. Kate is one of the closest friends and confidants to Ali’s character as he struggles to make this monumental decision. Fans of Awkwafina, as well as viewers keen on dramatic science-fiction, can catch this critically acclaimed film on Apple TV+, beginning December 17th.

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