The 45+ Best Gwyneth Paltrow Movies

Ranker Film
Updated February 1, 2024 40.7K views 48 items
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Vote for your favorite Gwyneth Paltrow movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

The best Gwyneth Paltrow movies of all time prove that sheā€™s one of the top actresses of her generation. Since the 1990s, she hasĀ appeared in plenty of blockbusters and critically-acclaimed movies, earning awards and accolades along the way. HerĀ highest grossing movies have been well-received at the box office as well, as her lifetime box office gross exceeds $1 billion.

A native of Los Angeles, California,Ā Gwyneth Paltrow is the daughter of actress Blythe Danner and director Bruce Paltrow. Her first acting role was in a TV film directed by her father, which was followed by two film roles and several more TV movies. Her breakthrough role was the 1996 movie Emma, in which she played the title character.

Since then, Gwyneth Paltrow has worked with many famous directors, including big names likeĀ Steven SpielbergĀ and Jon Favreau. She has costarred with other A-list actors such asĀ Robert Downey Jr.Ā andĀ Jennifer AnistonĀ .

Needless to say, Gwyneth Paltrow has been in a lot of blockbusters, including Iron Man 3, Mordecai, and more. Because of that, people often debate each other over what the greatest Gwyneth Paltrow movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Gwyneth Paltrow films to end the squabble once and for all.

So what are the best Gwyneth Paltrow movies of all time? Is it Enchanted or The Fighter? See what fans have ranked as their favorite Gwyneth Paltrow movies below. Movie trailers have been included below if you want a preview of the film. If you think the best Gwyneth Paltrow role isn't at the top, then vote it up. Donā€™t see it listed? Add it so that others may vote for it. After all, this list of the best Gwyneth Paltrow movies should be as comprehensive as possible.Ā 

Gwyneth Paltrow has worked with many famous directors, including big names like Steven Spielberg and Joss Whedon. Gwyneth Paltrow has been in some really popular films, and is right up there with stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Jennifer Aniston in terms of fame and success.

Most divisive: Hook
Over 400 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 45+ Best Gwyneth Paltrow Movies
  • The Talented Mr. Ripley
    1
    Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law
    139 votes
    In The Talented Mr. Ripley, a psychological thriller, Tom Ripley (Matt Damon), a man of modest means, is sent to Italy to bring back the wayward son of a wealthy businessman. Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), the playboy heir, and his girlfriend Marge Sherwood (Gwyneth Paltrow) introduce Ripley to a world of elegance and luxury he's never known. As he becomes more entwined in their lavish lifestyle, Ripley resorts to deceit, fraud and even murder to maintain it. Directed by Anthony Minghella, this film earned five Oscar nominations.
  • Seven
    2
    Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow
    159 votes
    In Seven, Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), a seasoned but weary crime fighter, partners with the young and impulsive Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt) to investigate a series of grisly murders. Each murder uniquely represents one of the seven deadly sins - a chilling theme that pervades the movie. The film, directed by David Fincher, is dark and atmospheric, delivering an intense thriller that delves into the heart of human depravity. As the detectives unravel each horrifying crime, they are drawn deeper into a twisted killer's methodical madness. A critical success, this 1995 film won an MTV Movie Award for Best Movie.
  • Iron Man
    3
    Robert Downey, Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow
    180 votes
    Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a genius industrialist and master engineer, builds a powered exoskeleton after a life-threatening incident. The invention transforms him into the armor-clad superhero known as Iron Man. With his new technology, he grapples with his own demons while protecting the world from dangerous threats. Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Tony's dedicated assistant, and James Rhodes (Terrence Howard), a military liaison, play pivotal roles in Stark's journey. Directed by Jon Favreau, this action-packed movie won the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film in 2009.
  • Shakespeare in Love
    4
    Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush
    163 votes
    Shakespeare in Love, a romantic comedy-drama, takes us on a fictional journey into the life of young William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes). Struggling with writer's block, his creative spark is rekindled when he encounters the daring and irresistible Viola De Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow). As their secret romance unfolds, it inspires one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. The film, a rich tapestry of Elizabethan life, won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture. Director John Madden masterfully intertwines love, comedy, and drama in this cinematic ode to the Bard's genius.
  • Sliding Doors
    5
    Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah, John Lynch
    135 votes
    When Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow), a London ad executive, is fired from her job and rushes out to catch a train, two scenarios take place. In one, she gets on the train and comes home to find her boyfriend, Gerry (John Lynch), in bed with another woman. In the second, she misses the train and arrives after the woman has left. In the first scenario, Helen dumps Gerry, finds a new man and gradually improves her life. In the second, she becomes suspicious of Gerry's fidelity and grows miserable.
  • The Royal Tenenbaums
    6
    Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller
    131 votes
    The Royal Tenenbaums is a quirky comedy-drama, directed by the distinctive Wes Anderson. It tells an eccentric tale of a peculiar family, headed by patriarch Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman). His estranged wife, Etheline (Anjelica Huston), and their prodigious but troubled offspring - business savant Chas (Ben Stiller), playwright Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), and tennis star Richie (Luke Wilson) - form the core of this unusual clan. A narrative spun around familial discord, reconciliation attempts, and personal growth, it's a film that's as unpredictable as the Tenenbaums themselves. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, it stands testament to Anderson's unique storytelling prowess.
  • Emma
    7
    Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Northam, Toni Collette
    113 votes
    The movie Emma is a delightful period comedy-drama, set in the tranquil English countryside. Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy), an affluent young woman with a penchant for matchmaking, takes center stage as she navigates the complexities of romance and relationships in her small town. Her well-meaning but often misguided efforts lead to a series of amusing misunderstandings and unexpected outcomes. The film, directed by Autumn de Wilde, won praise for its stunning visuals and sharp wit. It's an adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved novel that brings to life the charm and humor of early 19th-century British society.
  • Iron Man 3
    8
    Robert Downey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle
    131 votes
    Iron Man 3, an action-packed superhero film, follows the journey of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) as he grapples with his past and future. Post-Avengers, he faces a formidable foe in the form of terrorist Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), while battling his own inner demons. Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) return, lending support to Stark's plight. Directed by Shane Black, this third installment won the Saturn Award for Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture. It offers a thrilling blend of stark realities and high-tech fantasy, pushing Iron Man to new limits.
  • Shallow Hal
    9
    Gwyneth Paltrow, Jack Black, Jason Alexander
    134 votes
    The story revolves around Hal (Jack Black) who, taking his dying father's advice, dates only the embodiments of female physical perfection. But that all changes after Hal has an unexpected run-in with self-help guru Tony Robbins. Intrigued by Hal's shallowness, Robbins hypnotizes him into seeing the beauty that exists even in the least physically appealing women.
  • A Perfect Murder
    10
    Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow, Viggo Mortensen
    108 votes
    Wall Street baron Steven Taylor (Michael Douglas) discovers that his pretty young wife, Emily (Gwyneth Paltrow), is cheating on him. But what concerns him more than her infidelity is the hope of profiting from her untimely death. Emily has millions, and Steve's own financial empire is collapsing before his eyes. He hires her lover, David (Viggo Mortensen), to murder her. The plan -- to stage a break-in that will look like a random murder -- turns out to be far from perfect.
  • The Avengers
    11
    Robert Downey, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo
    134 votes
    In The Avengers, the world faces an unprecedented threat. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) are brought together by S.H.I.E.L.D., helmed by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Alongside Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), they form an unlikely team. This action-packed superhero film, marred with tension and conflict amongst its own ranks, sees them battling Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to save humanity. Directed by Joss Whedon, it is a high-stakes blend of adventure and humor that garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards.
  • Great Expectations
    12
    Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hank Azaria
    89 votes
    Loosely based on the Charles Dickens' classic novel, "Great Expectations" is a sensual tale of a young man's unforgettable passage into manhood, and the three individuals who will undeniably change his life forever. Through the surprising interactions of these vivid characters, "Great Expectations" takes a unique and contemporary look at life's great coincidences.
  • Iron Man 2
    13
    Robert Downey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle
    133 votes
    In Iron Man 2, an action-packed sequel, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) grapples with the pressures of being a superhero. He is pursued by the U.S government for his Iron Man technology and faces a formidable new adversary - Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), who has a personal vendetta against him. Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) lend their support as Stark's world unravels. Directed by Jon Favreau, this Marvel production offers thrilling sequences and explores Stark's struggle to balance his public persona with his private vulnerabilities. The film won a Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film in 2011.
  • Proof
    14
    Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Jake Gyllenhaal
    98 votes
    Catherine (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a 27-year-old grieving after the loss of her father (Anthony Hopkins), a genius mathematician whose mind gradually deteriorated from mental illness. With her sister, Claire (Hope Davis), urging Catherine to leave their family home, and an ambitious student (Jake Gyllenhaal) searching through her father's notes, Catherine struggles to keep her composure and her sanity in this drama adapted from the stage play by David Auburn.
  • Possession
    15
    Gwyneth Paltrow, Aaron Eckhart, Jeremy Northam
    67 votes
    Maud Bailey (Gwyneth Paltrow), a brilliant English academic, is researching the life and work of poet Christabel La Motte. Roland Michell (Aaron Eckhart) is an American scholar in London to study Randolph Henry Ash (Jeremy Northam), now best-known for a collection of poems dedicated to his wife. When Maud and Roland discover a cache of love letters that appear to be from Ash to La Motte, they follow a trail of clues across England, echoing the journey of the couple over a century earlier.
  • View from the Top
    16
    Gwyneth Paltrow, Christina Applegate, Mark Ruffalo
    64 votes
    A comedy about a young woman from meager beginnings, who has high hopes for the future. Donna (Gwyneth Paltrow) dreams of becoming a first-class international flight attendant and is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that her dreams come true. The road to success, though, is rarely a smooth flight, and as she begins her trip she encounters more turbulence than even she bargained for.
  • Two Lovers
    17
    Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw
    76 votes
    Following a broken engagement, sometime photographer Leonard Kraditor (Joaquin Phoenix) moves in with his parents in Brighton Beach. He soon becomes involved with Sandra (Vinessa Shaw), an honest and sensible young woman. They appear to be a perfect match, then Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow) enters the picture. Beautiful but manipulative, she wraps him around her finger, even though she has a rich, married boyfriend.
  • Duets
    18
    Gwyneth Paltrow, Huey Lewis, Andre Braugher
    71 votes
    A collection of disparate but equally damaged characters is traveling to Omaha, Neb. to perform in a karaoke competition with a grand prize of $5,000. They include con artist Ricky Dean (Huey Lewis), who finds his long-lost daughter, Liv (Gwyneth Paltrow), and brings her along for the ride, as well as a beleaguered salesman, Todd (Paul Giamatti). These and other people with more than their share of eccentricities invest their hopes and dreams in the competition.
  • Hard Eight
    19
    Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow
    46 votes
    A stranger (Philip Baker Hall) mentors a young Reno gambler (John C. Reilly) who weds a hooker (Gwyneth Paltrow) and befriends a vulgar casino regular.
  • Contagion
    20
    Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne
    106 votes
    In the gripping thriller Contagion, a deadly virus, unknown to mankind, erupts and spreads at an alarming rate. Dr. Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne) leads a team of international scientists in a desperate race against time to find a cure. Meanwhile, everyday life crumbles into chaos as panic ensues globally. Mitch Emhoff (Matt Damon), immune to the disease, navigates through this apocalyptic landscape in search of safety for his daughter. The film is a stark exploration of a world under siege by an invisible enemy, making it both timely and chillingly realistic. Notably, Contagion won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the 17th Screen Actors Guild Awards.
  • Flesh and Bone
    21
    Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan, James Caan
    47 votes
    Haunted by memories of his father murdering a family, Arlis Sweeney (Dennis Quaid) prefers to keep to himself, focusing his energy on his work. One day, the traumatic past that eats away at him returns when he meets Kay Davies (Meg Ryan), a woman connected to the bloody event. Against all odds, Arlis and Kay fall in love. However, when his father, Roy (James Caan), reappears in his life -- with the coldhearted Ginnie (Gwyneth Paltrow) in tow -- Arlis must deal with his past demons.
  • Sylvia
    22
    Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Craig, Jared Harris
    59 votes
    Young Sylvia Plath (Gwyneth Paltrow) dreams of becoming an important writer. Her childhood is scarred by the unexpected loss of her father, and by the time she enrolls in college Sylvia has become emotionally fragile, suffering from depression. In 1955, she travels to Cambridge, England, to study literature, and falls in love with well-known poet Ted Hughes (Daniel Craig). As she struggles to balance a rocky marriage and growing literary success, Sylvia becomes increasingly obsessed with death.
  • Country Strong
    23
    Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Garrett Hedlund
    89 votes
    While recuperating at a rehab facility, country-music superstar Kelly Canter (Gwyneth Paltrow) takes a romantic interest in Beau Hutton (Garrett Hedlund), a talented musician who works there. Kelly includes Beau in her plans as she prepares for a comeback tour orchestrated by her manager husband, James (Tim McGraw), who also has a protege he is grooming for stardom. As the quartet goes on the road, personal demons and romantic entanglements threaten to derail them all.
  • Hook
    24
    Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts
    78 votes
    In the fantastical adventure film Hook, Peter Banning (Robin Williams), a high-powered corporate lawyer, grapples with a world beyond his comprehension. Unbeknownst to him, he is actually the grown-up Peter Pan, a fact revealed by the eccentric Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts). When his children are kidnapped by the nefarious Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman), Banning must rediscover his playful and courageous past life in Neverland to save them. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this whimsical twist on J.M. Barrie's classic tale won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, showcasing magical landscapes and swashbuckling pirate battles.
  • The Anniversary Party
    25
    Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Kline, Jennifer Jason Leigh
    35 votes
    The Anniversary Party is a 2001 American comedy-drama film written, directed, produced by, and starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming.
  • Running with Scissors
    26
    Annette Bening, Gwyneth Paltrow, Brian Cox
    30 votes
    As the son of an alcoholic father (Alec Baldwin) and a mentally ill mother (Annette Bening), young Augusten Burroughs (Joseph Cross) faces a challenging childhood at the very least. His life takes an unexpected turn when his mother gives him to her unorthodox therapist (Brian Cox), and the boy becomes a member of the doctor's own strange, extended family.
  • Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
    27
    Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Angelina Jolie
    40 votes
    When gigantic robots attack New York City, "Sky Captain" (Jude Law) uses his private air force to fight them off. His ex-girlfriend, reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow), has been investigating the recent disappearance of prominent scientists. Suspecting a link between the global robot attacks and missing men, Sky Captain and Polly decide to work together. They fly to the Himalayas in pursuit of the mysterious Dr. Totenkopf (Laurence Olivier), the mastermind behind the robots.
  • Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle
    28
    Jennifer Jason Leigh, Matthew Broderick, Campbell Scott
    44 votes
    They were the literati of the Jazz Age, but their lives weren't as glamorous as the society pages made them seem. Dorothy Parker (Jennifer Jason Leigh), Robert Benchley (Campbell Scott), Charles MacArthur (Matthew Broderick) and the other regulars of the New York City salon known as the Algonquin Round Table publish celebrated pieces of writing and while away hours over boozy lunches. But for Parker, an endless string of droll commentary is a veneer hiding her emotional and romantic troubles.
  • Austin Powers: Goldmember
    29
    Britney Spears, BeyoncƩ Knowles, Tom Cruise
    43 votes
    Austin Powers in Goldmember is a 2002 American spy comedy film. It is the third installment of the Austin Powers film series starring Mike Myers in the title role. The film was directed by Jay Roach, and co-written by Mike Myers and Michael McCullers. Myers also plays the roles of Dr. Evil, Goldmember, and Fat Bastard. The movie co-stars BeyoncƩ Knowles in her theatrical film debut, as well as Robert Wagner, Seth Green, Michael York, Verne Troyer, Michael Caine, Mindy Sterling and Fred Savage. There are a number of cameo appearances including Steven Spielberg, Kevin Spacey, Britney Spears, Quincy Jones, Tom Cruise, Danny DeVito, Katie Couric, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Travolta, Nathan Lane, and The Osbournes. In a self-parody of the Austin Powers series, there is a film within the film in the opening. Austin Powers is featured in a bio-pic called Austinpussy directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise as Austin Powers, Gwyneth Paltrow as Dixie Normous, Kevin Spacey as Dr. Evil, Danny DeVito as Mini-Me, and John Travolta as Goldmember.
  • Hush
    30
    Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Lange, Hal Holbrook
    45 votes
    When the U.S. drops the first atomic bomb on Japan in World War II, it causes horrific destruction.