Florence Pughhas swiftly become one of the cinema’s most gifted and likable stars, with the English actress crafting adecorated big-screen resume. At 27 years old, the charming performer has already been nominated for an Academy Award and has starred in some of Hollywood’s most acclaimed pictures includingLittle Women,Midsommar, andBlack Widow.
Lauded for her work in period pieces and praised for her commitment to any character and project, Pugh has continuously demonstrated her phenomenal acting prowess and range, branching out from dramas by appearing in films likeDon’t Worry Darling,Fighting with My Family, andPuss in Boots: The Last Wish.
She is set to share the screen with Cillian Murphy (among countless other stars) in Christopher Nolan’s highly-anticipatedbiographical thrillerOppenheimer,which will hit theaters later this month. These are some of Florence Pugh’s best movies so far, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
10The Commuter - 56%
In the 2018 action thrillerThe Commuter, Liam Neeson portrays an NYPD officer turned insurance salesman who inadvertently finds himself stumbling into a murder plot during his routine daily commute, where he is forced by a stranger (Vera Farmiga) to accurately identify a mysterious passenger or face deadly consequences. Neeson retains his action star status in the adrenaline-fueled flick, with Florence Pugh appearing in a supporting role as train passenger Gwen, who also becomes involved in the dangerous conspiracy while traveling onboard.
Most critics weren’t blown away by the taut film, with many feeling its dynamic cast was underutilized, and they also felt the storyline was thin and the action could have been much more dazzling. However, audiences were more forgiving and gave the thriller a B CinemaScore which helped it earn $119 million at the box office.
9Outlaw King - 62%
Chris Pine delivers a rousing performance as Scottish King Robert the Bruce in the 2018 historical action dramaOutlaw King, which chronicles the valiant warrior’s noble efforts to lead a rebellion against English ruler Edward I during the Scottish Wars of Independence in the 14th century. Aaron Taylor-Johnson appears as Bruce’s fierce ally and chief commander Sir James Douglas, while Pugh shines as the legendary fighter’s queen consort and second wife Elizabeth de Burgh.
The Netflix original film had its worldwide premiere at the Toronto Film Festival where it garnered praise for its stunning visuals and production design, action, and commanding portrayals, thoughOutlaw Kingwas nonetheless criticized for itsnumerous historical inaccuraciesand run-of-the-mill screenplay.
8The Falling - 73%
Florence Pugh made her professional acting debut when she starred opposite Maisie Williams in the 2014 mystery dramaThe Falling, in which the talented leading ladies portray precocious best friends Abbie and Lydia as they attend an elite all-girls school in 1969 England, where a perplexing fainting epidemic begins to spread, causing the students to be psychoanalyzed and school temporarily shut down. After Abbie (Pugh) becomes afflicted by the mass fainting episode, Lydia begins to spiral after facing her own inner demons.
The independent flick debuted at the BFI London Film Festival where Pugh was nominated for the award for Best British Newcomer, with the drama being celebrated for its bewitching premise and performances. Williams also earned the Rising Star accolade at the Evening Standard British Film Awards.
7Black Widow - 79%
After major fan demand and anticipation, Scarlett Johansson finally headlined her own solo film as the titular butt-kicking heroine in the 2021 superhero flickBlack Widow, centering on the expert spy and beloved Avenger Natasha Romanoff as her colored past and origins are finally revealed after a nefarious conspiracy threatens the world and life she has built for herself. Pugh stars as fellow spy and headstrong warrior Yelena Belova, a sister-like figure who helps Natasha alongside savvy soldiers Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) and Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz).
Black Widowbroke multiple pandemic records upon its release and was celebrated for the winning chemistry between Johannson and Pugh, with many acknowledging that Natasha waspassing the batonto Belova in the action-packed blockbuster. A sequel to the Marvel hit,Thunderbolts,iscurrently in the workswith Pugh set to reprise her role alongside Harbour.
6Midsommar - 83%
Pugh delivered one of the most riveting and impressive performances of her career so far when she appeared in the 2019 folk horror pictureMidsommar, following struggling young couple Dani and Christian as they embark on a journey to Sweden to participate in a midsummer festival for a much-needed getaway, only to make the terrifying discovery that a malevolent pagan cult is wreaking havoc on tourists for their own spine-tingling purposes.
Related:These Are 5 of the Most Bizarre Movies to Hit the Mainstream
The horror hitfeatures the additional talents of Jack Reynor, Will Poulter, and William Jackson Harper, and depicts the friends' efforts to escape the violent villagers and remote Swedish town.Midsommarpolarized both audiences and critics due to its graphic nature and premise but was a box office success that showcased Pugh’s impeccable acting prowess.
5The Wonder - 86%
In the 2022 period psychological dramaThe Wonder, Pugh stars as an English nurse in 1862 who travels to a remote Irish village in order to care for and observe a young fasting girl who claims to have not eaten any food in four months and is able to survive. Pugh’s curious and kind character Lib Wright keeps a close eye on the 11-year-old as tourists begin flocking to the rural village to witness the spectacular child, but it doesn’t take long until a more dark and ominous explanation is potentially revealed to be at work.
The Wonderwas a massive hit with critics, with the adaptation of the Emma Donoghue novel receiving appreciation for Pugh’s brilliant portrayal and its thought-provoking plot and theme. She was the recipient of the British/Irish Actress of the Year Award at the London’s Film Critics' Circle for her role in the drama, with theIndependent UK notingin their review, “Pugh is very much at home in this kind of role, but it’s no less arresting in its familiarity.”
4Lady Macbeth - 88%
Based on the Nikolai Leskov novella, the 2016 British period dramaLady Macbethtells the story of the spirited young bride Katherine Lester who is stuck in a loveless and unsatisfying marriage with a significantly older man, and depicts the woman’s sexual awakening as she begins an intense and dangerous affair with a handsome estate worker. After realizing the life chosen for her is not one she wishes to be forever trapped in, Katherine sets out to gain power and the upper hand, no matter the methods or means.
Lady Macbethwas one of Pugh’s earliest roles and helped establish her as both a highly-skilled actress and period drama performer, as she would continue sticking with the genre with much fanfare. She was able to portray a diabolical and chilling character who will do anything necessary to achieve her goals, dazzling audiences with her layered portrayal.
3Fighting with My Family - 93%
Pugh portrayed English professional wrestler Saraya “Paige” Bevis in the 2019 biographical sports dramedyFighting with My Family, which chronicles the athlete’s life and career as she and her brother Zak follow in their parents' footsteps and pursue their dreams of signing with the WWE. Lena Headey and Nick Frost appear as Paige’s famous wrestling parents Julia and Patrick Bavis, who also dominated the professional sport while encouraging their kids to do the same.
The inspiring film was adapted from the Channel 4 documentary of the same name that highlighted Saraya and her fierce family, with the wrestler going on to become the youngest WWE Divas Champion.The Independent praisedPugh’s portrayal and appreciated her for being “completely convincing as the wrestler” and for embodying “the same defiance, scruffy glamour and self-deprecating humour as the real life Paige.”
2Puss in Boots: The Last Wish - 95%
Pugh provided her vocal talent when she joined the 2022 animated adventure comedyPuss in Boots: The Last Wish, appearing alongside returning stars Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek Pinault as the swashbuckling titular feline races against the clock to reclaim the first eight of his nine lives by tracking down a hallowed wishing star. Pugh portrays the equally ambitious Goldilocks and her Three Bears, who also wants to get her hands on the Last Wish so she can be reunited with her true family.
Related:Why Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Is So Good
Not only wasThe Last Wisha knockout with moviegoers, grossing over $480 million at the box office, but it also was lauded for its stylized animation and stunning visuals that many felt was an improvement and more realistic over its previousShrekfilm installments. Audiences awarded the film an A CinemScore and the comedy also won two Annie Awards.
1Little Women - 95%
Greta Gerwig directed the 2019 coming-of-age period dramaLittle Women, an adaptation of the celebrated Louisa May Alcott novel that follows the lives of the spirited March sisters — Jo, Beth, Meg, and Amy — as the diverse young women attempt to find their individuals callings in life and pursue their passions. The star-studded picture features an exceptional ensemble cast including Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen, with Pugh taking on the role of the artistic and complex Amy.
Gerwig’s stunning reimaginingof the Alcott classic was raved about by critics, with her brilliant direction and refreshing screenplay helping the version stay exciting and intriguing despite the story being told multiple times over the years. The cast’s performances also were singled out, and Pugh earned her first Oscar nomination for her portrayal of the youngest March.Little Womentook home numerous accolades such as an Academy Award and Critics' Choice Movie Award, and it was listed on the Writers' Guild of America’s “101 Greatest Screenplays of the 21st Century (So Far).”
