Pick These Actors' Best Films And We'll Guess Your Favorite Movie
- by Daniel Deakin
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Picking an actor’s best film is an incredibly subjective procedure. There might be obvious choices when an actor or actress wins so many awards for a particular role that it would be fruitless to argue against it being their best part ever. For instance, Adrien Brody won almost every award under the sun for his role in The Pianist. But did he miss out on a second Academy Award for Best Actor when he turned up as a pumped-up intimidating ex-special forces mercenary in Predators? It could be easy to scoff at that statement, but there will be many film fans who would rather watch Brody blow away aliens in the latter film than escape from ruthless Nazis in the former.
So, the choices you will find in this quiz might seem strange to some and obvious to others. Leonardo DiCaprio was clearly impressive in The Departed and his role in Inception was pivotal and moving. But does that mean his part as Josh in Critters 3 was not his best performance? Try looking genuinely terrified whilst evading dangerous Krite aliens (hand puppets with too many teeth) – it takes years of acting training, skill and method. Kudos, Mr DiCaprio, on your much overlooked masterful performance in that classic horror flick.
Choose the best film where you think these great actors and actresses entertained you the most and we will guess your favorite movie!
Leonardo DiCaprio
There's no denying Leo has been in some great movies, many of which could be considered his best. The star pulls out one great performance after another - even in almost forgotten horror movies like Critters 3.
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson has successfully shaken off her unwanted sex symbol label to become one of the best actresses around. She is never afraid to take on a challenging role – or Iron Man!
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman has starred in many great movies, and there is no sign of the Academy Award winner slowing down! It is hard to believe the Australian actress turned 50 in 2017.
Emma Stone
Don’t let Emma Stone’s youthful looks fool you, this great actress has been around for many years and will be around for many more. But which of these choices features her best performance? You decide!
Ian McKellen
This British knight of the realm is always ready to chew the scenery apart whenever he appears in a film. Why be an average actor when you can be a great one? Do you prefer him as Gandalf, Magneto or Sherlock Holmes?
Ryan Gosling
It seems Ryan Gosling can't put a foot wrong at the moment, which is a good job considering the amount of dancing he had to do in La La Land! But was that his best film or do you prefer one of these other choices?
Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer's star just keeps rising and shining. Horror, fantasy, romance, comedy - this actress can take on any genre and provide a great performance. Which one is your favorite?
Kate Winslet
Kate featured in a TV series called Shrinks...way back in 1991. It seems incredible this radiant actress has been working for over 25 years in the entertainment industry. Which is your favorite film of hers out of this selection?
Chris Hemsworth
It's hard to imagine anyone else playing the God of Thunder now Chris Hemsworth has the role of Thor perfected. However, he showed some great comedic timing in Ghostbusters and seems to have a thing for filming in forests.
Ewan McGregor
If Disney decide to make an Obi-Wan Kenobi film then who else could play the legendary Jedi but Ewan? This fine actor has put out some wonderful performances over the years. Which one have you enjoyed most?
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan bounced back from the relative disaster that was Green Lantern to enjoy worldwide success in Deadpool (sequel coming soon). But the popular wise-cracking actor can also turn his hand to romantic films and horror movies.
Emma Watson
Emma clearly stood out in the Harry Potter series (sorry, boys!) and has continued to fine-tune her acting skills in a number of well-received movies. Are any of these choices your favorite?
Meryl Streep
Arguably the greatest actress around. Meryl Streep has already won three Academy Awards and who would bet against her winning another at some point? It will be tricky to pick a favorite out of these choices.
Chris Pine
Chris has made a fine James T. Kirk in the rebooted Star Trek movies but will be keen to appear in a wide variety of films before donning the captain's yellow jersey again. Choose your favorite from this list.
Cate Blanchett
If there is one actress who could possibly rival Meryl Streep's almost mythic status, it would be Cate. She already has two Academy Awards under her belt and was a terrific villain in Thor: Ragnarok.
Robert Downey Jr
Robert will be forever associated with Iron Man, and rightly so! But perhaps you preferred him as a psychiatrist in the creepy film Gothika, or as an architect in the comedy Due Date?
Johnny Depp
There was a time when Johnny Depp only appeared in odd independent movies playing bizarre characters. But clearly the bills needed paying, so now the actor is content with roles such as Jack Sparrow and Gellert Grindelwald.
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington appeared in a TV movie called Wilma in 1977! But when you are as talented as this man, you can expect to have a long and highly successful career. Pick his best film from this eclectic group.
Evangeline Lilly
Canadian actress Evangeline Lilly made her name in the popular TV series Lost. She is starting to forge a very credible film career, including playing an elf, a superhero and being part of a robot boxing team (Real Steel).
Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt has starred in a wide variety of roles that demonstrate the actress' versatility. At least one of these films is bound to have given you a good evening's entertainment!
Anna Kendrick
Film fans will be familiar with Anna Kendrick from the Twilight series or the Pitch Perfect movies. But the actress is also happy to get her teeth into grittier roles for films like End of Watch or The Accountant.
Morgan Freeman
It might feel like Morgan Freeman has been around forever; the actor made his film debut in The Pawnbroker in 1964! He has enjoyed an incredible career and has one of the most recognizable voices on the planet.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry has gone from beauty queen to Oscar winner. In her impressive film career she has had highs (Monster's Ball) and lows (Movie 43 - so bad it will eventually become a cult favorite).
Salma Hayek
Salma was born in Coatzacoalcos (try saying that without your teeth in), Mexico. Roles in films like Wild Wild West and Frida easily demonstrate how willing she is to take on a challenging part, regardless of genre.
Tom Cruise
Love him or hate him, there are few bigger stars on the planet. Tom Cruise has an enviable body of work which can be seen from the options available here. Did you prefer his singing in Rock of Ages or while driving in Jerry Maguire?
Angelina Jolie
There is so much news and gossip constantly swirling around Angelina Jolie that it is easy to forget she is actually a talented actress. Maleficent fans (wasn't she perfect as the Disney villain?) will be overjoyed to hear a sequel will be filmed in 2018.
Robert De Niro
Few actors can hope to enjoy a career like that of Robert De Niro's. He has been in pivotal roles in classics like Raging Bull, The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, Cape Fear, The Untouchables, and the Little Fockers. OK, maybe not that last one.
Chris Evans
Chris Evans is one of the few actors who got to play more than one Marvel superhero. Of course, everyone knows how great he is as Captain America...but do you remember him as the cocky Human Torch in 2005's Fantastic Four?
Al Pacino
Al Pacino's filmography contains very few career blips (although you have to wonder why he turned up for the pretty awful film Jack and Jill). But we still offer this brilliant actor a mighty "hoo-ah!" for the great films he has appeared in.
Samuel L. Jackson
There are conspiracy theories that state Samuel L. Jackson has appeared in every movie made since 1990. Well this professional certainly puts the "pro" in prolific! He is never an unwelcome addition to a movie's credits.
Will Smith
There was a time when any film Will Smith appeared in became a huge global blockbuster. Although he has had to endure some flops (Winter's Tale, The Legend of Baggar Vance) you just know this bankable star will soon bounce back.
Ken Jeong
The funniest parts of The Hangover had Ken Jeong in them. This licensed medical doctor (graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine) can make your sides split from laughter and then sew them up for you!
Donald Glover
Donald Glover is enjoying incredible success with the TV show Atlanta and will further cement his appeal when he stars as Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Under the name "Childish Gambino" he's also a Grammy award-winning singer!
Viola Davis
Viola Davis has achieved the Triple Crown of Acting: She has won an Academy Award, an Emmy Award and a Tony Award (she has two of those). Why? Because she is awesome.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington has had her successes on TV and in film. The hit show Scandal has brought her many plaudits, and her performances in Ray and Django Unchained weren't too shabby either.
Emma Thompson
British actress Emma Thompson is a true queen of the silver screen. Not only has she won an Oscar for acting (Howards End), she also won one for screenwriting (Sense and Sensibility).
Gerard Butler
Gerard Butler roaring "This is Sparta" in 300 has become one of the most iconic movie moments of the 21st century. But apart from creating memorable memes, the actor has also featured in films like The Phantom of the Opera and Gamer.
Colin Firth
Colin Firth clearly has a nose for a good script as he keeps popping up in wonderful movies (except the sequel to St. Trinian's). Reliable, enjoyable and huggable - three crucial qualities Mr. Firth brings to a movie production.
Rebel Wilson
Australian actress Rebel Wilson's real name is Melanie Elizabeth Bownds. But why be a Mel when you can be a Rebel? The actress is also a writer, producer, singer and all-round fabulous person.
J. K. Simmons
J. K. Simmons absolutely nailed the role of J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy. But not everyone loves superhero movies, so there is a fine selection of his movies to choose from.
Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx can act, sing, dance, tell jokes, produce, write and probably bakes a pretty nifty cake if you ask him nicely. Which one of these movies did you enjoy him in?
Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper has been around in acting circles since 1999, when he appeared as Jake in Sex and the City. He's gone from bit-part player to full-fledged movie star since then! If you're wondering who he was in Guardians of The Galaxy, he was Rocket, the Raccoon.
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried is a model, actress, singer and mom. She will be appearing in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again in 2018 along with the rest of the all-star cast from the 2008 hit musical comedy, Mamma Mia!
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Catherine Zeta-Jones was born in Swansea, Wales. The Welsh actress has crafted a fine film career for herself, including winning an Oscar for her show-stopping performance in Chicago.
Luke Evans
Luke Evans has enjoyed roles in big movies such as Beauty and the Beast, Dracula Untold and The Hobbit series. The actor perfected his craft in theater work before attempting the move to film.
Harrison Ford
Indiana Jones, Han Solo, Rick Deckard, Jack Ryan, Harrison Ford. There's really little else to add to that, so choose the Ford movie from the options below that you liked the most!
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender has been a Spartan, an assassin, a supervillain, an android, a soldier, a spy and a king during his time in the movies. He's also currently married to Alicia Vikander who will star as Lara Croft in 2018's Tomb Raider reboot. Their walk-in wardrobe must be huge...
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is a real movie powerhouse. With a career stretching back to 1987, Julia still retains a magnetic appeal due to her talent and understated comedic skills.
Matt Damon
Matt Damon has successfully managed to avoid being typecast, regardless of his frequent forays into Bourne territory (he was sorely missed in 2012's The Bourne Legacy). Damon is one of the most bankable film stars around.
Chloë Grace Moretz
You may remember seeing Chloë Grace Moretz in her very first acting role in a TV series called The Guardian (2004). She's never looked back since then and is renowned for star turns in the Kick-Ass movies and Carrie and for not being afraid of taking on controversial parts.
