The Best Octavia Spencer Movies

Ranker Film
Updated May 28, 2024 24 items
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436 votes
72 voters
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Vote for your favorite Octavia Spencer movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

List of the best Octavia Spencer movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Octavia Spencer's highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world. The order of these top Octavia Spencer movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Octavia Spencer movies will be at the top of the list. Octavia Spencer has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Octavia Spencer movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Octavia Spencer films to end the squabble once and for all.

If you think the best Octavia Spencer role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest Octavia Spencer performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies, but in most cases they go hand in hand.

This list includes Never Been Kissed, The Help and more.

"This list answers the questions, "What are the best Octavia Spencer movies?" and "What are the greatest Octavia Spencer roles of all time?"

Octavia Spencer is no stranger to working with popular directors, including Joel Schumacher, Rob Zombie and Raja Gosnell. Movie fans who love Octavia Spencer have also been known to enjoy films starring Viola Davis and Patricia Clarkson.

  • The Help
    1
    Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard
    32 votes
    The Help, an adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's novel, is a drama set in the racially charged environment of Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s. It introduces Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone), an aspiring writer who decides to write a book from the perspective of African American maids. Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer) are two brave maids who agree to share their stories, risking job security and personal safety. The film garnered critical acclaim for its poignant narrative and strong performances, earning Octavia Spencer an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
  • Being John Malkovich
    2
    John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener
    7 votes
    In the quirky film Being John Malkovich, puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) stumbles upon a bizarre secret: a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich (played by himself). Schwartz's wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz), becomes obsessed with this surreal experience, leading to an unconventional love triangle involving Maxine (Catherine Keener), who exploits the portal for profit. Directed by Spike Jonze and penned by Charlie Kaufman, this dark comedy-drama delves into themes of identity and consciousness. It snagged three Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. The film is a unique exploration of celebrity culture, layered with philosophical undertones.
  • Coach Carter
    3
    Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rob Brown
    10 votes
    In the film Coach Carter, Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) is a high school basketball coach with a controversial yet effective approach to molding his team. Amidst a backdrop of inner-city struggles, Carter imposes an academic contract on his players, sparking a heated debate within the community. The movie delves into themes of discipline, teamwork, and personal responsibility. It's based on a true story, adding an extra layer of authenticity to this sports drama. Its poignant narrative and Jackson's standout performance continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
  • Jesus People: The Movie
    4

    Jesus People: The Movie

    Octavia Spencer, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Laura Silverman
    7 votes
    Jesus People: The Movie is a comedy film directed by Jason Naumann.
  • Ma
    5
    Octavia Spencer, Diana Silvers, Juliette Lewis
    4 votes
    A lonely middle-aged woman befriends some teenagers and decides to let them party in the basement of her home. But there are some house rules: One of the kids has to stay sober, don't curse, and never go upstairs. They must also refer to her as Ma. But as Ma's hospitality starts to curdle into obsession, what began as a teenage dream turns into a terrorizing nightmare, and Ma's place goes from the best place in town to the worst place on Earth.
  • Never Been Kissed
    6
    Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Michael Vartan
    9 votes
    In the heartfelt romantic comedy, Never Been Kissed, Josie Geller (Drew Barrymore) is a Chicago Sun-Times copy editor with dreams bigger than her cubicle. With winning enthusiasm, she's assigned to go undercover at a high school, reliving her own torturous teen years while attempting to pen an exposé on contemporary adolescence. Along the way, she crosses paths with English teacher Sam Coulson (Michael Vartan), leading to unexpected romantic sparks. As Josie grapples with her assignment and newfound feelings, a story of self-discovery and first love unfolds. With a dash of humor and a sprinkle of charm, this film navigates the often choppy waters of high school life and love.
  • Smashed
    7
    Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Nick Offerman
    5 votes
    Los Angeles schoolteacher Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and her husband, Charlie (Aaron Paul), each have a drinking problem. Up to now, her life seems like one big, boozy party, but her latest drinking binge catches up to her at work, and she later spends the night alone on the street. Kate now realizes that she has hit rock bottom. She agrees to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with the school's vice principal (Nick Offerman) and takes her first step on the challenging road to sobriety.
  • Paradise
    8

    Paradise

    Julianne Hough, Russell Brand, Octavia Spencer
    5 votes
    After surviving a plane crash, a young woman (Julianne Hough) experiences the wild side of life in Las Vegas.
  • The Nines
    9
    Ryan Reynolds, Hope Davis, Melissa McCarthy
    5 votes
    Three actors (Ryan Reynolds, Hope Davis, Melissa McCarthy) tackle the principal roles in a trio of stories. In "The Prisoner," a publicist and a neighbor are the only links to the outside world for an actor under house arrest. "Reality Television" charts the production of a TV sitcom. In "Knowing," a video-game designer and his family are stranded in the forest after their car breaks down.
  • Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School
    10
    Robert Carlyle, Marisa Tomei, John Goodman
    5 votes
    Widower Frank (Robert Carlyle), still overcome with grief at the death of his wife, helps stranger Steve (John Goodman) fulfill his dying wish: to reunite with a former love, Marienne (Mary Steenburgen), now the proprietor of a Pasadena, Calif., dance school. Frank's promise to the man sets into motion his own journey of self-discovery when he attends classes at the school and meets the lovely Meredith (Marisa Tomei), a woman beset by her own troubles.
  • Dinner for Schmucks
    11
    Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Bruce Greenwood
    5 votes
    Tim (Paul Rudd) a rising executive, works for a boss who hosts a monthly event in which the guest who brings the biggest buffoon gets a career boost. Though he declines the invitation at first, he changes his mind when he meets Barry (Steve Carell), a man who builds dioramas using stuffed mice. The scheme backfires when Barry's blundering good intentions send Tim's life into a downward spiral, threatening a major business deal and possibly scuttling Tim's romantic relationship.
  • Flypaper
    12
    Patrick Dempsey, Octavia Spencer, Jeffrey Tambor
    6 votes
    Flypaper is a 2011 crime fiction comedy film written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, and directed by Rob Minkoff.
  • Small Town Saturday Night
    13

    Small Town Saturday Night

    Chris Pine, Bre Blair, Shawn Christian
    3 votes
    An aspiring career as a country singer jeopardizes a man's (Chris Pine) relationship with his sweetheart (Bre Blair).
  • Halloween II
    14
    Malcolm McDowell, Tyler Mane, Sheri Moon Zombie
    9 votes
    A year after narrowly escaping death at the hands of Michael Myers (Tyler Mane), Laurie Strode is at the breaking point, pushed to the edge by Dr. Loomis' (Malcolm McDowell) revelation that she's Michael's sister. Little does she know, the unstoppable killer is back in Haddonfield and, driven by visions of their dead mother (Sheri Moon Zombie), he is determined to bring about a bloody family reunion.
  • Pulse
    15
    Kristen Bell, Ian Somerhalder, Steve Talley
    4 votes
    After her boyfriend commits suicide, a psychology student (Kristen Bell) and her friends begin receiving unsettling e-mails and video messages. After a number of disappearances across campus, she teams up with a computer hacker (Ian Somerhalder) to shut down the deadly force before it spreads to the rest of the world.
  • Wannabe
    16

    Wannabe

    Octavia Spencer, Matt Dallas, Tate Taylor
    4 votes
    Wannabe is a 2005 comedy film starring Craig Robert Young, Adam Huss, Anna Becker and Elizabeth Warner. It was written and produced by Young and Richard Keith and directed by Keith.
  • Peep World
    17
    Kate Mara, Sarah Silverman, Taraji P. Henson
    4 votes
    Peep World is a 2010 American comedy-drama film directed by Barry W. Blaustein and starring an ensemble cast, including Ron Rifkin, Lesley Ann Warren, Ben Schwartz, Michael C. Hall, Sarah Silverman, Rainn Wilson, Kate Mara, Judy Greer, Stephen Tobolowsky, Taraji P. Henson, and Alicia Witt.
  • Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!
    18

    Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!

    Kate Bosworth, Topher Grace, Josh Duhamel
    4 votes
    Pete (Topher Grace), the quirky, self-deprecating manager of a grocery store, is madly in love with his best friend, Rosalee (Kate Bosworth). Unfortunately, she has absolutely no idea. When Rosalee wins a date with her favorite actor, the smarmy Tad Hamilton (Josh Duhamel), Pete delays admitting his feelings to her. And when the scheming Hamilton relocates to their small town to pursue Rosalee in the wake of their initial meeting, a horrified Pete must struggle to win her heart.
  • Herpes Boy
    19

    Herpes Boy

    Octavia Spencer, Beth Grant, Ahna O'Reilly
    4 votes
  • Pretty Ugly People
    20
    Melissa McCarthy, Allison Janney, Octavia Spencer
    4 votes
    Pretty Ugly People is a 2008 American comedy drama film written and directed by Tate Taylor, and starring Missi Pyle, Melissa McCarthy, and Octavia Spencer. The film is the story of a group of friends brought together for a four day hike in the Montana wilderness by one their number, Lucy. She is celebrating losing hundreds of pounds of weight after gastric bypass surgery. However, as she quickly realizes while she has become thin and happy, her friends are miserable. The film's title is derived from this realization. The film was filmed in Montana.
  • Luce
    21
    Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer, Kelvin Harrison
    2 votes
    A liberal-minded couple are forced to reconsider their image of their adopted son after he writes a disturbing essay for a class assignment.
  • Sol Goode
    22
    Carmen Electra, Jared Leto, Tori Spelling
    4 votes
    Sol Goode is a 2001 American romantic comedy film directed by Danny Comden. The lead role of Sol Goode is played by Balthazar Getty; other cast include Katharine Towne, Jamie Kennedy, Danny Comden, and Cheri Oteri. The film features cameo appearances including Jared Leto, Carmen Electra, Jason Bateman, and Shannon Leto.
  • Thunder Force
    23
    Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Jason Bateman
    0 votes
    Two childhood best friends reunite as an unlikely crime-fighting superhero duo when one invents a formula that gives ordinary people superpowers.
  • Encounter
    24
    Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer, Janina Gavankar
    0 votes
    Encounter is a sci-fi thriller that follows Malik Khan (Riz Ahmed), a decorated Marine, as he embarks on a mission to save his two young sons from an inhuman threat. As the journey unfolds, it becomes clear that the true danger may be closer to home than it appears. The film examines the blurred lines between reality and delusion. Encounter blends elements of psychological drama with extraterrestrial suspense, creating a tense narrative that keeps viewers questioning.