The Best Zooey Deschanel Movies
Ranked By
3.4K votes
830 voters
1 reranks
Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.
- 1Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, Geoffrey ArendThis indie rom-com follows the bittersweet relationship between Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), an aspiring architect stuck in a mundane greeting card job, and Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel), his charismatic colleague. Directed by Marc Webb, (500) Days of Summer subverts traditional narrative structure, unfolding in a non-linear fashion that mirrors Tom's emotional journey. Notably nominated for two Golden Globe awards, it explores themes of love, fate, and the nature of happiness through its protagonists' tumultuous romance and their contrasting views on relationships.More (500) Days of Summer
- #179 of 675 onThe Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
- #80 of 136 onThe 100+ Best Movies For Date Night
- #46 of 63 onThe Greatest Directorial Debuts Of All Time
- 2Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob NewhartA charming blend of whimsy and comedy, Elf is a festive delight. The film chronicles the journey of Buddy (Will Ferrell), an oversized elf who hails from Santa's workshop in the North Pole. Raised among elves, Buddy discovers he's actually human and embarks on a quest to New York City to find his biological father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan). Encountering a world that lacks Christmas spirit, Buddy is determined to win over his cynical dad while spreading holiday cheer. Directed by Jon Favreau, Elf spins a heartwarming yarn about identity, family, and the magic of Christmas without revealing too much or transforming into a saccharine overdose. This is a movie that has won hearts without claiming any major awards.More Elf
- #63 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #8 of 155 onThe 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies
- #46 of 136 onThe 100+ Best Movies For Date Night
- 3Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley CooperCarl Allen (Jim Carrey) is stuck in a rut with his negative ways. Then he goes to a self-help seminar and learns to unleash the power of yes. Living in the affirmative leads him to all sorts of amazing and transforming experiences; he gets a job promotion, and even finds a new romance. But Carl finds that too much of anything, even positive thinking, is not necessarily a good thing.More Yes Man
- #559 of 704 onThe All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
- #74 of 89 onThe Most Rewatchable Comedy Movies
- #312 of 633 onThe 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time
- 4Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate HudsonAlmost Famous is a semi-autobiographical comedy-drama directed by Cameron Crowe. It follows the journey of 15-year-old William Miller (Patrick Fugit), an aspiring rock journalist who gets his big break when he lands an assignment for Rolling Stone magazine. He goes on tour with emerging band Stillwater, led by charismatic frontman Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup) and experiences the highs and lows of the '70s rock scene. The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and features a breakout performance from Kate Hudson as groupie-with-a-heart-of-gold, Penny Lane.More Almost Famous
- #602 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #134 of 675 onThe Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
- #14 of 54 onThe Best Movies 'Loosely' Based On True Stories
- 5Martin Freeman, Yasiin Bey, Sam RockwellIn the movie The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) finds his world upended when Earth is destroyed by an alien race known as Vogons. Stranded in space, he is rescued by Ford Prefect (Mos Def), a writer for the eponymous guide. Joined by Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell), the two-headed president of the galaxy, and Trillian (Zooey Deschanel), the only other human survivor, they embark on a cosmic adventure to discover the ultimate question of life, universe and everything else. The film, notable for its humorous take on science fiction, won the Empire Award for Best Comedy in 2005.
- #57 of 178 onThe 150+ Best Movies With Aliens
- #146 of 375 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
- #45 of 143 onThe Best Movies of 2005
- 6DJ Qualls, Eliza Dushku, Zooey DeschanelNerdy high school senior Dizzy Harrison (D.J. Qualls) has finally gotten lucky - he has a second chance to be the guy with no past in "The New Guy," a hilarious story about wiping the slate clean and reinventing yourself. Transforming from dud to stud at his new school with the help of inmate Luther, geeky Dizzy becomes the cool Gil Harris and sets out to destroy the popularity-obsessed social system, boost school morale and win the heart of Danielle (Eliza Dushku).
- 7Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey DeschanelJourney with Jesse Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) and Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb) in the award-winning fantasy adventure, Bridge to Terabithia. The tale unfolds in rural Virginia where Jesse, an aspiring artist, befriends new girl Leslie. Together they create an imaginary kingdom, Terabithia, in a forest near their homes. As the duo rules over Terabithia, they navigate through life's challenges and discover courage within themselves. Directed by Gabor Csupo, this film offers a poignant exploration of friendship and imagination, while addressing themes prevalent in adolescence. The movie's rich narrative is complemented by its compelling visual effects that bring Terabithia to life.More Bridge to Terabithia
- Dig Deeper...'Bridge To Terabithia' Is Based On A True Story, And It's Even Sadder Than The Book
- #589 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #7 of 133 onThe Most Utterly Depressing Movies Ever Made
- 8Jennifer Aniston, Jake Gyllenhaal, John C. ReillyJustine (Jennifer Aniston) is the good girl. Thirty years old and working in a Texas discount store, she is dissatisfied by her routine and disgusted by her lazy, pot-smoking husband. Her life is nearly at a standstill, until she suddenly notices Holden (Jake Gyllenhaal) a few cash registers away. He is young and seemingly as disaffected as she, and together the two forge a passionate connection destined to shatter everything Justine stands for, or at least thinks she does.More The Good Girl
- #118 of 152 onThe Best Movies of 2002
- #17 of 27 onThe Best Movies About a Midlife Crisis in Women
- #14 of 43 onGreat Movies About Secret Love Affairs
- 9Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zooey DeschanelA young man (Matthew McConaughey) continues to live at the home of parents who, in desperation to push him out of the nest once and for all, hatch a plan. They hire a beautiful woman (Sarah Jessica Parker) to entice him to assume the mantle of responsibility and get his own place.More Failure to Launch
- #89 of 101 onThe Best Movies Of 2006
- #213 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
- #22 of 27 onThe Greatest Man Child Movies
- 10Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey DeschanelEasygoing, dimwitted slacker Ned Rochlin (Paul Rudd) makes the biggest mistake of his so-far uninspired life when he sells some pot to a cop. Homeless and jobless upon his release from jail, Ned must prevail upon his three sisters (Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer) for help. Though Ned himself is utterly without a shred of ambition or guile, it's a different story with his sisters, who find their carefully ordered lives thrown into chaos whenever he's around.
- 11Shia LaBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Zooey DeschanelSurfing means everything to teenage penguin Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf). Followed by a documentary film crew, he leaves his home in Antarctica for Pen Gu Island, site of the the Big Z Memorial Surf Off. Cody wants to be respected and admired, and he believes that winning the competition will bring him what he craves. However, an encounter with washed-up surfer Geek (Jeff Bridges) teaches Cody about what is truly important.More Surf's Up
- #314 of 452 onThe 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies
- #31 of 139 onThe Best Movies Of 2007
- #78 of 84 onThe Best CGI Animated Films Ever Made
- 12Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John LeguizamoIn The Happening, Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg), a high-school science teacher, experiences a chilling event of inexplicable nature. A mysterious, invisible enemy triggers a wave of mass suicides across the Northeastern United States. As panic ensues, Elliot, along with his wife, Alma (Zooey Deschanel), and friend Julian (John Leguizamo), embark on a desperate journey to outrun this apocalyptic threat. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, this horror-thriller weaves an eerie tale of survival amidst an unknown menace, raising thought-provoking questions about humanity's relationship with nature. No awards were won for this film.More The Happening
- #92 of 138 onThe 100+ Best Disaster Movies Of All Time
- #8 of 14 on14 Movie Villains We Never Actually See
- #37 of 49 onThe Best Horror Movies About Virus Outbreaks
- 13Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie PortmanPrince Thadeous (Danny McBride) has always lived his life in the shadow of his brother, the heir apparent, Prince Fabious (James Franco). Tired of always being passed over, Thadeous is now content to slack off, drink mead and enjoy the company of a maiden or two, while Fabious has fabulous adventures. But when an evil wizard kidnaps Fabious' fiancee (Zooey Deschanel), Thadeous has no choice but to find his inner hero and join his brother's quest to save her.More Your Highness
- #165 of 200 onThe 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies
- #14 of 17 onWhat Actors Said About Their Biggest Flops
- #4 of 15 onOverqualified Actors In Bad Fantasy Movies
- 14Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam ShepardJesse James (Brad Pitt), the most feared outlaw of the American West, lives his final days in this slow-burning drama. Robert Ford (Casey Affleck), a fawning admirer turned resentful associate, yearns for his own taste of fame. The film is a careful examination of their complex relationship leading to James's infamous death. It subtly peels back layers of myth to expose the raw humanity beneath the legend. Directed by Andrew Dominik, it's a western film that won Casey Affleck an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
- #164 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
- #292 of 375 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
- #123 of 241 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
- 15Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Bacall, Zooey DeschanelFollows the fate of Lyle (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a violent adolescent who, in lieu of prison, is placed in a juvenile mental institution where he encounters a group of equally troubled teens. This motley crew - abused, sexually confused, violent, and yet hanging on by their grit and anger - becomes Lyle's last lifeline as he fights to find meaning in a world that seems to defy understanding.
- 16Tim Allen, Rene Russo, Stanley TucciBased on Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist Dave Barry's best-selling first novel, "Big Trouble" tells the story of how a mysterious suitcase brings together, and changes, the lives of a divorced dad, an unhappy housewife, two hitmen, a pair of street thugs, two love struck teens, two FBI men and a psychedelic toad.
- 17Ed Harris, Zooey Deschanel, Will FerrellTired of struggling to be an actress, Reese Holden (Zooey Deschanel) leaves New York and returns to her Michigan home. She has a cash advance from a book editor who wants to publish the love letters of Reese's parents. Reese has a strained relationship with her dad, a washed-up novelist, but she enters the household he shares with an ex-student and a shy friend who takes care of domestic matters.
- 18Zooey Deschanel, Bernadette Peters, Carol BurnettOnce Upon a Mattress is a 2005 romantic comedy film directed by Kathleen Marshall.
- 19Paul Dano, Zooey Deschanel, John GoodmanBrian Weathersby (Paul Dano), a mattress salesman with successful siblings, wants to get more out of life. He makes a decision to adopt a child, and, as he begins the process, strange events begin to occur. First, Brian starts to think he's being stalked. Then the unconventional daughter of one of his customers -- Harriet "Happy" Lolly (Zooey Deschanel) -- begins hanging around. Brian must prepare for potential fatherhood while dealing with Happy's overbearing father, Al (John Goodman).
- 20Paul Schneider, Zooey Deschanel, Patricia ClarksonPaul (Paul Schneider) is living it up as a small-town Casanova, happily hopping from one one-night-stand to the next. When Noel (Zooey Deschanel) -- the virginal younger sister of his best friend, Tip (Shea Whigham) -- returns home, grown up and gorgeous, Paul falls for her. But because of his sordid past, Tip is suspicious of his pal's intentions. To make his relationship with Noel work, Paul will have to prove to his family and friends that he can be a man worthy of her love.
- 21Zooey Deschanel, Bill Paxton, Chris KleinThe Good Life is a 2007 film written and directed by Stephen Berra, starring Mark Webber, Zooey Deschanel, Patrick Fugit, Bill Paxton, Drea de Matteo, Harry Dean Stanton, and Chris Klein.
- 22Hank Azaria, Jesse Bradford, Zooey DeschanelAfter the death of her cranky grandfather (Rip Torn), Kate (Zooey Deschanel) arrives in Rhode Island to deliver the eulogy at his funeral. While she struggles to think of something nice to say, her family begins fighting. Kate's father, Daniel (Hank Azaria), secretly works in pornography, while her mother, Lucy (Kelly Preston), has come out of the closet, outraging Lucy's sister, Alice (Debra Winger). As secrets emerge, Kate fights her attraction to ex-boyfriend Ryan (Jesse Bradford).
- 23Lou Taylor Pucci, Zooey Deschanel, Jena MaloneMercer (Lou Taylor Pucci), distraught after his mother's death, steals a car from a car wash in Oregon. He flees the state, bound for California, in search of his estranged half brother, Arlen (Jsu Garcia). Shortly into Mercer's journey, a cell phone rings inside the stolen car; it turns out that both the phone and the car belong to Kate (Zooey Deschanel). But, instead of calling the police, Kate and Mercer build a relationship through a series of long talks over the course of his road trip.
- 24Loren Dean, Hope Davis, Jason LeeDr. Mumford (Loren Dean) is the new psychologist in a small town. His unique style of therapy draws many patients, including a billionaire (Jason Lee) and a woman with chronic fatigue syndrome (Hope Davis). But Mumford also draws the ire of the town's two established doctors (David Paymer, Jane Adams). Resentful of Mumford's success, they hire an attorney (Martin Short) to impugn his character, and together they reveal shocking secrets from Mumford's past.
- 25Katie Holmes, Benjamin Bratt, Charlie HunnamA psychological thriller about a senior (Katie Holmes) at one of America's most prestigious universities. Under enormous pressure to complete her thesis and earn a top job at one of the world's most competitive consulting firms, Katie is still coping with the sudden unexplained disappearance of her first love two years prior. As the investigation continues, Katie is forced to choose between past passions and new possibilities, even as new facts are uncovered.
- 26Aaron Stanford, Zooey Deschanel, Izabella MikoNeal Downs (Aaron Stanford) is a slacker singer-songwriter who makes his living managing a restaurant that specializes solely in cereal. Owned by Willie (Christopher Lloyd), an aging hippie, the establishment provides Neal with a low-stress work environment, but it also becomes a point of contention with his lovely girlfriend, Miss Pussy Katz (Zooey Deschanel), when he won't hire her. When a similarly themed eatery opens nearby, Neal finds that his lady is happy to side with the competition.
- 27Aaron Stanford, Paul Schneider, Michael RapaportJohn "Rugged" Rudgate (Aaron Stanford) is a petty criminal who is as cowardly as they come, but he would like the residents of his backwoods New Hampshire community to believe otherwise. Teaming up with an old buddy (Paul Schneider), John decides to poison a local bully, but his plans backfire when the man actually dies.
- 28
Raving
Zooey Deschanel, Bill Irwin, Michael WrightRaving is a 2007 American short film written and directed by Julia Stiles. It was produced by Plum Pictures. The film stars Bill Irwin and Zooey Deschanel. - 29Zooey Deschanel
- 30
Wholphin: Issue 5