The 40+ Best Michelle Williams Movies
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- 1Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Faith WladykaIn Blue Valentine, we are presented with an intricate tapestry of love and loss. The film's central characters are Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams), a couple whose relationship oscillates between the unbridled passion of their early days and the crushing reality of their present struggles. Set in suburban Pennsylvania, the narrative is largely driven by flashbacks that reveal how their once idyllic romance has transformed into a bitter and heartbreaking ordeal. This intense drama, directed by Derek Cianfrance, was recognized for its raw portrayal of love, earning Michelle Williams an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.More Blue Valentine
- #103 of 125 onThe 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
- #92 of 133 onThe Most Utterly Depressing Movies Ever Made
- #38 of 55 onThe Saddest Romance Movies That Will Make You Cry
- 2Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth BranaghIn 1956 England, Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne) lands a job as a production assistant on the set of "The Prince and the Showgirl," starring Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams). Marilyn is also honeymooning with her new husband, playwright Arthur Miller, but the combined pressure of work and the demands of the Hollywood hangers-on is driving her to exhaustion. When Miller departs for Paris, Colin seizes the opportunity, to give Marilyn respite during a week in the idyllic British countryside.
- 3Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Linda CardelliniBrokeback Mountain, a captivating drama that's won three Academy Awards, is set against the sweeping landscapes of Wyoming and Texas. The film tells the story of two young men - Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal). They first meet as sheepherders in summer 1963. Over time, they forge a deep bond that spans years, marked by complex emotions and societal constraints. Ang Lee's nuanced direction coupled with Larry McMurtry's adept screenplay transforms Annie Proulx's novella into an unforgettable cinematic experience. Amidst all its raw beauty and quiet intensity, Brokeback Mountain remains a poignant exploration of love and longing.More Brokeback Mountain
- #755 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #45 of 80 onThe Best Period Romance Movies
- #208 of 675 onThe Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
- 4Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben KingsleyIn the chilling mystery-thriller Shutter Island, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is dispatched to an asylum set on a remote island, along with his partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo). Their mission is to investigate the unexplainable disappearance of a murderess who was a patient there. As they delve deeper into the case, secrets as murky as the surrounding waters begin to surface. The film, directed by Martin Scorsese, weaves a complex narrative that keeps viewers guessing until its final moments. The atmospheric setting and top-notch performances are notable aspects of this gripping cinematic experience.More Shutter Island
- #6 of 252 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #69 of 375 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
- #46 of 133 onThe Most Utterly Depressing Movies Ever Made
- 5Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, Jim BreuerBetsy (Kirsten Dunst) and Arlene (Michelle Williams) are two 15-year-old girls in 1976. When Betsy visits Arlene at the Watergate Motel, the two accidentally stumble into the middle of the infamous Watergate robbery. In order to keep them quiet, Nixon (Dan Hedaya) appoints them as honorary dog walkers. As they travel in and out of the White House, their seemingly innocent actions start a chain of events that may eventually lead to Nixon's resignation as president of the United States.More Dick
- #337 of 703 onThe All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
- #27 of 61 onThe Funniest Movies About Politics
- #193 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
- 6Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth RogenThe Fabelmans is a semi-autobiographical drama directed by Steven Spielberg that paints an intimate portrait of a young man's coming-of-age journey and his burgeoning love for filmmaking. The film centers around the Spielberg-inspired protagonist, Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle), mother (Michelle Williams), and father (Paul Dano); the film also stars Judd Hirsch and Seth Rogen. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II America, the film examines the dynamics of family life, the bittersweet pains of growing up, and the relentless pursuit of a cinematic dream. The film has garnered critical acclaim, including accolades for its direction, screenplay, and performances.
- 7Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle WilliamsThe Greatest Showman is a vibrant musical drama that brings to life the tale of P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman), a visionary who rose from nothing to create the world-renowned Barnum & Bailey Circus. The film showcases Barnum's journey, his struggles, and triumphs, as well as the colorful troupe of performers he gathers along the way. Michelle Williams stars as Charity Barnum, his supportive wife, while Zac Efron and Zendaya play key roles as Phillip Carlyle and Anne Wheeler, two members of his extraordinary circus ensemble. Directed by Michael Gracey, this film won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 2018.More The Greatest Showman
- Dig Deeper...Here's Everything The Greatest Showman Got Completely Wrong About The Real Barnum & Bailey Circus
- #470 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #15 of 204 onMusical Movies With The Best Songs
- 8Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby CannavaleThe life of train aficionado and downcast little person Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) takes an unexpected turn when his boss dies and wills him a railroad depot in New Jersey. He decides to relocate to the small town, where he befriends talkative food vendor Joe Oramas (Bobby Cannavale) and unhappy wife Olivia Harris (Patricia Clarkson). As the trio's interactions deepen, quirky conversations and outcomes ensue. McBride also gains insight from librarian Emily.More The Station Agent
- #33 of 152 onThe Best Movies Of 2003, Ranked
- #15 of 32 onGreat Movies About People Going Through Life Solo
- #12 of 39 onGreat Movies About Sad Loner Characters
- 9James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel WeiszIn Oz the Great and Powerful, Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. He thinks he's hit the jackpot until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into epic problems facing Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it's too late. This fantasy adventure film offers a prequel take on L. Frank Baum's classic tale.
- #250 of 375 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
- #116 of 200 onThe 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies
- #4 of 32 onBlockbusters With No Cultural Impact Whatsoever, Ranked
- 10Vanessa Redgrave, Michelle Williams, Ellen DeGeneresThis follow-up to the abortion-themed "If These Walls Could Talk" tells the stories of three lesbian couples -- who live in the same house at different periods of time -- who are at a crossroads in their lives. In 1961, Edith (Vanessa Redgrave) loses her lover, Abby (Marian Seldes), to a stroke. Linda (Michelle Williams) and Amy (Chloë Sevigny) struggle with feminist issues in 1972. And, in 2000, Kal (Ellen DeGeneres) and Fran (Sharon Stone) try to have a baby with the help of sperm donor.
- 11Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Luke KirbyA young woman (Michelle Williams) is torn between the husband (Seth Rogen) that she loves and a new man (Luke Kirby) in her life, whom she's unable to ignore.More Take This Waltz
- #20 of 37 on25+ Great Movies About Depressing Couples
- #88 of 153 onThe Best Movies Named After Songs
- #6 of 13 onThe Best Movies About Divorce And Custody
- 12Michelle Williams, Will Patton, Will OldhamWendy (Michelle Williams), a near-penniless drifter, is traveling to Alaska in search of work, and her only companion is her dog, Lucy. Already perilously close to losing everything, Wendy hits a bigger bump in the road when her old car breaks down and she is arrested for shoplifting dog food. When she posts bail and returns to retrieve Lucy, she finds that the dog is gone, prompting a frantic search for her pet.
- 13Michelle Williams, John Diehl, Shaun ToubWorld-traveling missionary Lana (Michelle Williams) returns to post-Sept. 11 America from the Middle East and begins work at a Los Angeles homeless shelter. Her Vietnam veteran uncle Paul (John Diehl) passes his days driving on a paranoid and self-styled reconnaissance mission looking for Islamic terrorists. Paul and Lana re-establish an uneasy relationship, but when they witness an act of violence, their divergent points of view force them to reconsider their friendship.
- 14Jamie Lee Curtis, Adam Arkin, Josh HartnettIn Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is back, now a headmistress of a Northern California private school under an assumed name. She's been living in fear, haunted by memories of her murderous brother, Michael Myers. When Halloween rolls around, she becomes increasingly paranoid that Michael will come for her and her teenage son (Josh Hartnett). The suspense builds as the dreaded day approaches, culminating in a thrilling face-off between Laurie and Michael. This horror-thriller marks the twentieth anniversary of the original Halloween, bringing back Curtis in her iconic role and offering fans a nerve-wracking continuation of this infamous saga.
- Dig Deeper...‘Halloween H20’ Is An Underappreciated Horror Gem
- #147 of 397 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
- #28 of 98 onThe Best Movies Of 1998, Ranked
- 15Anna Friel, Michelle Williams, Kyle MacLachlanDuring a long, hot summer in seventies London, young neighbors Holly (Michelle Williams) and Marina (Anna Friel) make a childhood pact to be friends forever. For Marina, troubled, fiercely independent, determined to try everything, Holly stays the only constant in a life of divorcing parents, experimental drugs and fashionable self-destruction. But for Holly, a friendship that has never been equal gradually starts to feel like a trap.
- 16Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz AhmedVenom is an action-packed thriller that dives into the world of alien symbiotes. Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), a tenacious journalist, becomes the host for Venom, an extraterrestrial entity with extraordinary abilities. As Brock grapples with his new-found power, he must also contend with a malevolent organization led by Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed). The movie oscillates between intense action sequences and moments of dark humor. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, Venom explores themes of duality and identity while providing an exhilarating ride full of unexpected twists. Despite its mixed reviews, Venom was a box office success and spawned a sequel.More Venom
- 17Michelle Williams, Gael GarcÃa Bernal, Thomas McCarthyMammoth is a 2009 Swedish film directed by Lukas Moodysson, about a successful New York couple experiencing conditions related to modern day globalization. The couple is played by Gael GarcÃa Bernal and Michelle Williams, in the roles of Leo and Ellen Vidales. The title superficially refers to the mammoth ivory pen Leo receives as a gift. In addition it relates loosely to a quote from one of Moodysson's poetry collections: "Our Savior buried like a Mammoth."
- 18Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Michelle WilliamsLife is looking pretty bleak for theater director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman). His wife and daughter have left him, his therapist is more interested in plugging her new book than helping him with his problems, and a strange disease is causing his body to shut down. Caden leaves his home in Schenectady, New York, and heads to New York City, where he gathers a cast of actors and tells them to live their lives within the constructs of a mock-up of the city.More Synecdoche, New York
- #357 of 675 onThe Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
- #37 of 69 onThe Most Confusing Movies Ever Made
- #8 of 16 onComplicated Movie Storylines No One Truly Understands
- 19Michelle Williams, Ewan McGregor, Matthew McFadyenA suicide bomber kills the husband and infant son of an adulterous woman, destroying her life.
- 20Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl FranklinSeveral actors portray legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan at different stages in his personal life and career. In 1959 a guitar-strumming youth (Marcus Carl Franklin) rides the rails, calling himself "Guthrie." Then a man named Jack (Christian Bale) emerges in New York's Greenwich Village, followed by "Robbie (Heath Ledger)," Jude (Cate Blanchett) and other personalities.
- 21Christina Ricci, Jason Biggs, Anne HecheBased on the best selling novel, set in the mid 1980's before the prevalence of anti-depressants, it follows a young working class woman's (Christina Ricci) bout with depression during her first year at Harvard. The film explores this generation's struggle to navigate the effects of divorce, drugs, sex, and an overbearing mother (Jessica Lange).More Prozac Nation
- #120 of 133 onThe Most Utterly Depressing Movies Ever Made
- #100 of 113 onThe Best Movies Of 2001
- #91 of 97 onThe 90+ Best Drug Movies of All Time
- 22Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle WilliamsVenom: Let There Be Carnage, the 2021 sequel to Venom, dives back into the chaotic life of journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), as he struggles to coexist with the alien symbiote Venom. This time around, they face a new threat: serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson), who becomes host to another symbiote, Carnage. The film escalates into a frenzied clash between the two monstrous entities while exploring themes of duality and acceptance. Directed by Andy Serkis, this action-packed installment amps up the violence and dark humor as it delves deeper into the anti-hero's lore.
- Dig Deeper...25 Killer Twitter Memes and Reactions To 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage'
- #89 of 164 onThe Best Movie Sequels Ever Made
- #100 of 186 onThe Greatest Comic Book Movies Of All Time
- 23Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle ChandlerAfter the death of his older brother Joe, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is shocked that Joe has made him sole guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick. Taking leave of his job as a janitor in Boston, Lee reluctantly returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea, the fishing village where his working-class family has lived for generations. There, he is forced to deal with a past that separated him from his wife, Randi (Michelle Williams), and the community where he was born and raised.More Manchester by the Sea
- #60 of 125 onThe 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
- #68 of 133 onThe Most Utterly Depressing Movies Ever Made
- #36 of 50 onThe Best Movies About Men Raising Kids
- 24Michelle Pfeiffer, Michelle Williams, Jessica LangeA Thousand Acres is an American motion picture drama directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, and starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jason Robards. It is an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Jane Smiley, which itself is a reworking of William Shakespeare's King Lear. The character of Larry Cook corresponds to the title character of that play, while the characters of Ginny, Rose and Caroline represent Lear's daughters Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. The dramatic catalyst in both works is the division of the father's estate among his three offspring, causing bitter rivalry and ultimately leading to tragedy.
- 25Michelle Williams, Alexandra Daddario, Ethan HawkeThe Hottest State is a 2006 drama film directed and written by Ethan Hawke, which he based on the novel of the same name that he had written and published ten years earlier, in 1996. The film debuted at the Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2006, and received a limited theatrical release in the United States on August 24, 2007. It ran for 5 weeks and grossed $137,341 internationally. The film was subsequently issued on DVD in December 2007.
- 26Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood, Will PattonDuring the 1840s, six settlers and their guide are caught in a dangerous situation: They are lost, food and water are running out, and the surrounding desert threatens to claim them all. Meanwhile, their guide, Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood), refuses to acknowledge that they may be several weeks off-course. When a Native American (Rod Rondeaux) is captured, Emily Tetherow (Michelle Williams), one of the settlers, shields him from Meek's wrath, and he offers to lead the group to water in return.
- 27Michelle Williams, Margot Robbie, Kristin Scott ThomasSuite Française is a 2015 romantic World War II drama film directed by Saul Dibb and co-written with Matt Charman. It is based on Irène Némirovsky's 2004 novel of the same name. The film stars Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott Thomas, Matthias Schoenaerts, Sam Riley, Ruth Wilson, Lambert Wilson and Margot Robbie. It centres on a romance between a French villager and a German soldier during the early years of the German occupation of France. Suite Française was filmed on location in France and Belgium. It was released on 13 March 2015.More Suite Française
- #1 of 48 onGreat Romance Movies Set During World War II
- #9 of 74 onThe Best Movies About Forbidden Love
- #87 of 88 on50+ Movies About Cheating & Infidelity
- 28Natasha Lyonne, Cathy Moriarty, Bud CortBut I'm a Cheerleader is a satirical comedy exploring the life of Megan Bloomfield (Natasha Lyonne), a cheerleader who's unwittingly sent to True Directions, a conversion therapy camp. There, she meets Graham Eaton (Clea DuVall), an openly gay teenager. The movie, directed by Jamie Babbit, delves into Megan's journey of self-discovery and acceptance in an environment designed to suppress her true identity. With its vibrant color palette and sharp humor, it offers a unique perspective on sexuality and conformity, challenging societal norms while delivering hearty bouts of laughter.More But I'm a Cheerleader
- #584 of 703 onThe All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
- #28 of 70 onGreat Quirky Movies for Grown-Ups
- #154 of 169 onThe 150+ Best Teen Romance Movies, Ranked
- 29Sigourney Weaver, Emile Hirsch, Jeff DanielsAfter their college athlete son (Kip Pardue) commits suicide, Sandy (Sigourney Weaver) and Ben Travis (Jeff Daniels) re-evaluate their relationship. Their teenage son, Tim (Emile Hirsch), offers some relief from the difficulties when Sandy starts smoking marijuana with him, though Ben feels excluded from their newfound friendship. When Tim realizes he is no longer attracted to his girlfriend, Steph (Suzanne Santo), his interest in neighbor Kyle (Ryan Donowho) takes on a whole new meaning.
- 30Paul Giamatti, Michelle Williams, Michael PittGeorge Gatling (Paul Giamatti) works as an upholsterer, but his true calling is the ancient art of falconry. He shares that passion with his beloved nephew, Fred (Michael Pitt), but their previous attempts to train a wild bird have all met with failure. The two capture a magnificent red-tailed hawk, but then a horrible tragedy devastates George. Utterly grief-stricken, he refuses to eat or sleep until he wins the hawk's trust.
