20 Best Natalie Portman Movies
From 'Annihilation' to 'V for Vendetta,' Moviefone counts down the 20 best film's of Natalie Portman's impressive career.
Natalie Portman attends Netflix's 'May December' Los Angeles premiere at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Natasha Campos/Getty Images for Netflix.
Natalie Portman has been acting professionally for over 30 years and has appeared in some of the biggest franchises and most beloved films of all time.
Portman, who won an Oscar for 'Black Swan,' has appeared in such popular movies as 'Leon: The Professional,' 'Heat, 'V for Vendetta,' 'Garden State,' and 'Closer,' as well as playing Padmé Amidala in the 'Star Wars' prequel series, and as Jane Foster in three out of four of the 'Thor' movies.
Her new movie, 'May December,' which was directed by Todd Haynes and also stars Julianne Moore, was released in theaters on November 17th before premiering on Netflix December 1st.
In honor of her latest film, Moviefone is counting down the 20 best film's of Natalie Portman's career, including 'May December.'
Let's begin!
20. 'Thor: The Dark World' (2013)
Chris Hemsworth in 'Thor: The Dark World'
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) fights to restore order across the cosmos… but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster (Portman) and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.
19. 'Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones' (2002)
Following an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala (Portman), Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) investigate a mysterious plot that could change the galaxy forever.
18. 'Cold Mountain' (2003)
In this classic story of love and devotion set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, a wounded Confederate soldier named W.P. Inman (Jude Law) deserts his unit and travels across the South, aiming to return to his young wife, Ada (Nicole Kidman), who he left behind to tend their farm. As Inman makes his perilous journey home, Ada struggles to keep their home intact with the assistance of Ruby (Renee Zellweger), a mysterious drifter sent to help her by a kindly neighbor.
17. 'Thor' (2011)
Against his father Odin's will, The Mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) - a powerful but arrogant warrior god - recklessly reignites an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
16. 'Hesher' (2010)
A young boy (Devin Brochu) has lost his mother and is losing touch with his father and the world around him. Then he meets Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who manages to make his life even more chaotic.
15. 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace' (1999)
(L to R) Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson in 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.'
Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.
14. 'Everyone Says I Love You' (1996)
A New York girl (Natasha Lyonne) sets her father up (Woody Allen) with a beautiful woman (Julia Roberts) in a shaky marriage while her half sister (Drew Barrymore) gets engaged.
13. 'Mars Attacks!' (1996)
A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale (Jack Nicholson) receives assurance from science professor Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan) that the Martians' mission is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total annihilation of the U.S. Congress, military men call for a full-scale nuclear retaliation.
12. 'Annihilation' (2018)
A biologist (Portman) signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply.
11. 'Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith' (2005)
The evil Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid) enacts his final plan for unlimited power -- and the heroic Jedi Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) must choose a side.
10. 'Thor: Love and Thunder' (2022)
Natalie Portman in Marvel's 'Thor: Love and Thunder.' Photo courtesy of Disney Studios.
After his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods, Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth) enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi), and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Portman), who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. Together they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.
9. 'Beautiful Girls' (1996)
During a snowy winter in the small fictional town of Knight's Ridge, Massachusetts, a group of lifelong buddies hang out, drink and struggle to connect with the women who affect their decisions, dreams and desires.
8. 'Closer' (2004)
Two couples (Jude Law and Julia Roberts, Clive Owen and Portman) disintegrate when they begin destructive adulterous affairs with each other.
7. 'Jackie' (2016)
An account of the days of First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy (Portman), in the immediate aftermath of John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963.
6. 'Heat' (1995)
Obsessive master thief Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) leads a top-notch crew on various daring heists throughout Los Angeles while determined detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) pursues him without rest. Each man recognizes and respects the ability and the dedication of the other even though they are aware their cat-and-mouse game may end in violence.
5. 'May December' (2023)
(L to R) Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry and Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo in 'May December.' Photo: Francois Duhamel / courtesy of Netflix.
Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, a married couple (Julianne Moore and Charles Melton) buckles under pressure when an actress (Portman) arrives to do research for a film about their past.
4. 'Black Swan' (2010)
A journey through the psyche of a young ballerina (Portman) whose starring role as the duplicitous swan queen turns out to be a part for which she becomes frighteningly perfect.
3. 'V for Vendetta' (2005)
In a world in which Great Britain has become a fascist state, a masked vigilante known only as “V” (Hugo Weaving) conducts guerrilla warfare against the oppressive British government. When V rescues a young woman (Portman) from the secret police, he finds in her an ally with whom he can continue his fight to free the people of Britain.
2. 'Léon: The Professional' (1994)
Léon (Jean Reno), the top hit man in New York, has earned a rep as an effective "cleaner". But when his next-door neighbors are wiped out by a loose-cannon DEA agent, he becomes the unwilling custodian of 12-year-old Mathilda (Portman). Before long, Mathilda's thoughts turn to revenge, and she considers following in Léon's footsteps.
1. 'Garden State' (2004)
(L to R) Natalie Portman and Zach Braff in 'Garden State.' Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
Andrew (Zach Braff) returns to his hometown for the funeral of his mother, a journey that reconnects him with past friends. The trip coincides with his decision to stop taking his powerful antidepressants. A chance meeting with Sam (Portman) - a girl also suffering from various maladies - opens up the possibility of rekindling emotional attachments, confronting his psychologist father (Ian Holm), and perhaps beginning a new life.
