Reese Witherspoon’s Best Movies, According To IMDb

Reese Witherspoon’s first appearances on the big screen date back to 1991, but it was only after Legally Blonde was released in 2001 that she skyrocketed to success and worldwide fame. So far, she has appeared in 61 movies, ranging from heart-wrenching dramas to adventurous animations. She has also produced 27 TV series and movies.

Reese Witherspoon used to be associated with rom-coms, such as Sweet Home Alabama, Four Christmases, and Just Like Heaven – movies that might be fun to watch, but didn’t receive the highest rankings on IMDb. Her most recent roles in TV series, such as  Little Fires Everywhere and Big Little Lies, reminded us yet again that she is an extremely talented actress and producer. A quick trip down the memory lane of her filmography will quickly remind us just how

10 The Importance Of Being Earnest (6.8)

Oscar Wilde’s hilarious comedy criticizes the superficiality of Victorian society. In 2002, The Importance of Being Earnest was adapted for the big screen and it stars Colin Firth and Rupert Everett. Two men both go under the same pseudonym, Ernest, and introduce themselves as such to different women. Naturally, there is a whole lot of confusion, but nobody calls them out as everyone is too busy keeping up appearances of their own.

Since Wilde’s play was hugely tweaked for the adaptation, the movie wasn’t a major success.

9 Cruel Intentions (6.8)

Cruel Intentions is a dark teenage drama starring Reese Witherspoon (Annette), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Kathryn), and Ryan Phillippe (Sebastian). Two step-siblings make a bet: Ryan will take start dating the headmaster’s daughter Annette in order to take her virginity.

As the plan is set in motion, Sebastian finds himself falling in love with the beautiful girl. In its premise, it’s similar to Ten Things I Hate About You, only that it’s way darker and controversial.

8 Water For Elephants (6.9)

Water For Elephants is a romantic drama about star-crossed lovers: a young veterinarian Jacob (Robert Pattison) joins the circus, ran by heartless and intimidating August. Since the circus is financially struggling, he buys an elephant in hopes to make it the new biggest attraction. Jacob is told to train the gentle giant, so August’s beautiful and timid wife Marlena (Reese Witherspoon) could perform with it. The mutual attraction between these two melancholic souls is undeniable.

The movie transports us back to the dark, yet magical world of the 1930s. A story about longing, passion, love, and loss, Water For Elephants makes for a far better love story than Twilight.

7 Wild (7.1)

Based on Cheryl Strand’s autobiographical novel, Wild is a story of self-discovery and a meditative journey of a newly divorced woman who embarked on the Pacific Crest Trail in hopes to cleanse her soul. It’s kind of like Eat, Pray, Love, but more raw and realistic.

Not only did she deliver one of the greatest performances of her career, Reese also established herself as a noteworthy producer. Since then, she has produced several TV shows that feature strong female characters, one of the most recent ones being Little Fires Everywhere.

6 Election (7.2)

Before there was Elle Woods, there was Tracy Flick: Election is a dark comedy in which Reese Witherspoon plays a ruthless go-getter, hell-bent on winning the high school election. Matthew Broderick plays her ethics teacher, Jim McAllister, who can’t stand the overachieving girl and wants to sabotage her. Pretty ironic considering he should know everything about morals!

The movie is also a provocative political satire: would Jim find Tracy equally annoying if she were a man? Time will fly right by as you’ll be watching this incredibly well-written and witty comedy.

5 The Good Lie (7.4)

The Good Lie is a moving drama based on true events. It’s about a group of heavily traumatized Sudanese refugees who get a second chance at life when they emigrate to Kansas City. Carrie (Reese Witherspoon) is their employment agency counselor and helps them find jobs. The trailer sets up Carrie as the main character, but it actually revolves around the difficult lives of brave young Sudanese boys – and rightfully so.

Many decided to watch this riveting story just because it stars Reese Witherspoon, but were left overwhelmed by the main themes, such as the pursuit of happiness and gratitude.

4 Mud (7.4)

The titular star of Jeff Nichol’s drama Mud is played by Matthew McConaughey. The story revolves around the unlikely friendship between a fugitive and two teenage Arkansas boys: they agree to help him evade the law and thus enable him to see his girlfriend Juniper, played by Reese.

This character-driven story is intense, yet slow paced – just like the Mississippi river where Mud takes refuge. As the story unfolds, the movie reflects upon the nature of life and love.

3 Pleasantville (7.5)

In this suburban satire from 1998, Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon play two teenagers, David and Jennifer, who are transported into a 1950’s TV show called Pleasantville after fighting over the remote control. David urges his sister to stick to the status quo, but in order to keep the plot going, she has sex with her schoolmate – something that is otherwise not done on this TV show.

This event snowballs into other people starting to get in touch with their true emotions and sexuality. Slowly, the black-and-white world of Pleasantville starts becoming colorful, which makes the movie especially delightful to watch.

2 American Psycho (7.6)

We typically associate Reese’s work as an actress with light-hearted comedies like Legally Blonde or Sweet Home Alabama. Many seem to forget that she also starred in some pretty dark movies. Based on Bret Easton Ellis’s book, American Psycho is one of the best serial killer movies of the 2000s. It stars Christian Bale and Justin Theroux.

The then 24 year-old Reese played Evelyn Williams, Patrick Bateman’s girlfriend.

1 Walk The Line (7.8)

The role of June Carter brought Reese an Academy Award for the Best Actress and a BAFTA in 2005. It was arguably her best role to date. Walk The Line is a biopic about the legendary Johnny Cash, played by Joaquin Phoenix. While the movie also offers glimpses into his tragic childhood and his loveless marriage, the central theme of the story is his relationship with June Carter. It’s a must-watch for all love story aficionados as well as country music fans.

Phoenix and Witherspoon covered the original songs in the movie and the album even received a Grammy.

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