Meryl Streep best movie performances have captivated audiences and critics for decades, earning her a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and powerful talents. Since her stage debut in the 1970s, Streep has demonstrated a remarkable ability to bring complex, emotionally charged characters to life, making her an enduring icon in the film industry.
With more than fifty years of memorable roles across drama, comedy, and musical genres, Streep’s career showcases her immense range and depth. The following five films highlight the very best of her craft, each a cinematic masterpiece that demonstrates why she stands at the pinnacle of acting excellence.
A Transformative Role in ‘Out of Africa’
In 1985, Meryl Streep teamed up with director Sydney Pollack for Out of Africa, an epic romance inspired by Karen Blixen’s autobiographical account of her life in colonial Kenya. The screenplay, adapted by Kurt Luedtke, places Streep in the central role of Blixen, whose journey from Denmark to Nairobi begins with a marriage of convenience and dreams of starting a dairy farm, only to find her life reshaped by love, loss, and the sweeping beauty of the African landscape.
The film, shot on location in Kenya, is celebrated for its lush cinematography and evocative portrayal of both the natural world and the tensions between European colonists and local communities. Streep’s depiction of the Danish baroness is marked by nuance, resilience, and a vulnerability that grounds the film’s romantic and cultural themes. Her chemistry with Robert Redford, who plays the adventurous Denys Finch Hatton, comes alive against the backdrop of a land at once breathtaking and perilous. Competing for the spotlight alongside Hollywood legends such as Audrey Hepburn, Streep’s performance in this film stands out for its subtle strength and emotional clarity.
Set in the early 20th century, the story follows Blixen’s affair with Finch Hatton as she navigates the complications of privilege, colonialism, and the search for personal fulfillment. Klaus Maria Brandauer and Michael Kitchen round out the gifted cast, contributing to a film that not only captures a romance but reflects on the broader impact of European settlement in Africa. This role earned Streep critical acclaim and further cemented her status as a transformative actor capable of anchoring epic narratives.
Unraveling Identity in ‘Adaptation’
Streep’s 2002 collaboration with director Spike Jonze on Adaptation delivered a performance that demonstrated her ability to step inside deeply layered, unconventional characters. The film is a darkly comedic exploration of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman’s real-life attempts to adapt Susan Orlean’s book The Orchid Thief. Within this labyrinth of metafictional storytelling, Nicolas Cage portrays both Charlie and his fictional twin brother Donald, their creative rivalry driving the offbeat plot.
Streep takes on the role of Susan Orlean, a journalist drawn to the enigmatic John Laroche, played by Chris Cooper. As the film blurs the boundaries between reality and the imagined world of Kaufman’s writing, Orlean’s character shifts according to Charlie’s evolving interpretation, offering Streep an opportunity to move between grounded journalist and a version shaped by another’s perception. The fictionalized connection between Orlean and Laroche becomes increasingly chaotic, as Kaufman’s script leans into the unpredictable, adventurous elements craved by film producers and audiences alike.
The supporting cast, including Tilda Swinton as Valerie Thomas, helps to weave a narrative about the struggle for inspiration and the lengths to which artists will go for creative fulfillment. Adaptation not only comments on the artistic process but artfully satirizes Hollywood’s demands, with Jonze’s direction giving Streep a complex role that showcases both her dramatic and comedic sensibilities.
Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of both Kaufman brothers intensifies the film’s exploration of duality, ambition, and insecurity, while Streep’s character is central to the film’s thematic questions. This role further solidifies her place among the industry’s most innovative performers, proving her chemistry with actors and directors who push narrative boundaries.
Musical Magic in ‘Into the Woods’
Meryl Streep brought her formidable talents to musical cinema in Rob Marshall’s 2014 adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s beloved Broadway hit, Into the Woods. Joining an ensemble cast that included Emily Blunt, James Corden, and Johnny Depp, Streep starred as the witch whose curse sets the story in motion, launching the baker and his wife (Blunt and Corden) on a quest filled with classic fairy-tale characters.
Marshall, well known for revitalizing movie musicals with works such as Chicago, crafted a visually striking film that paid homage to the source material’s complexity. Streep’s witch is by turns menacing, tender, and deeply human, revealing layers of pain and longing beneath her mystical exterior. Her performance stood out even among a strong cast, bringing pathos and humor to a role that could easily have become a one-dimensional villain.
The production’s meticulous attention to costumes, makeup, and special effects created a fairy-tale world both enchanting and treacherous. Streep’s singing in the role—particularly notable in numbers like “Stay with Me”—added emotional weight, and although a powerful solo scene, “She’ll Be Back,” was ultimately cut from the final release, it was evidence of the depth brought to the character. While some critics took issue with changes made for the Disney film, especially regarding the fate of Rapunzel (played by Mackenzie Mauzy), Streep’s witch contributed to a cinematic experience praised for its ambition and artistry.
Into the Woods reaffirmed Streep’s ability to shine in musical roles and demonstrated her adaptability, moving seamlessly from dramatic gravitas to sly wit. The ensemble included key actors like Johnny Depp, who played the wolf, and the film remains a testament to their collective skill under Marshall’s direction.
Dark Comedy in ‘Death Becomes Her’
Few films showcase Meryl Streep’s comedic prowess as delightfully as Death Becomes Her, released in 1992 and directed by Robert Zemeckis. The satirical comedy, written by David Koepp and Martin Donovan, satirizes society’s fixation with eternal youth through a campy, visually inventive narrative. Streep stars opposite Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis, making for a dazzling trio whose performances perfectly strike a balance between farce and social commentary.
Streep plays Madeline Ashton, an egotistical actress who becomes entangled in a bizarre rivalry with Helen Sharp (Hawn), with both women vying for the affections of Dr. Ernest Menville (Willis). Their rivalry turns otherworldly when they consume a wondrous youth serum, leading to a series of surreal and grotesque transformations. The film’s blend of practical effects and early CGI was groundbreaking for its time, giving physical form to the film’s darkly comic excesses.
Isabella Rossellini appears as the enigmatic socialite who tempts Madeline and Helen into embracing immortality, while the themes lampoon Hollywood’s obsession with appearance and the competitiveness often caricatured in female relationships. The absurd extremes reached by Streep and Hawn’s characters, and the visual spectacle surrounding them, have earned the movie a devoted cult following.
The cast, including the likes of Isabella Rossellini, demonstrate a sharp comedic timing that pairs perfectly with the film’s sendup of showbiz vanity and the quest for everlasting youth. Streep’s comedic drive in this movie underscores her command of tone and her readiness to play against type with exuberance and flair.
An Iconic Performance in ‘Sophie’s Choice’
Streep’s role in Sophie’s Choice (1982), directed by Alan J. Pakula, is widely recognized as the most devastating and powerful performance of her career. Based on William Styron’s acclaimed novel, the movie explores the enduring trauma of the Holocaust, focusing on the heartbreaking experiences of its Polish protagonist, Sophie Zawistowska.
The narrative is set in Brooklyn in 1947, where struggling writer Stingo, portrayed by Peter MacNicol, befriends Sophie and her tempestuous lover Nathan, played by Kevin Kline. Through her conversations with Stingo, Sophie reveals the depths of her suffering: the loss of her family to the Nazis and her internment at Auschwitz, where she faced an unthinkable personal decision separating her from her children. The profound themes of loss, guilt, and the search for solace are woven into every scene, with Streep embodying Sophie’s trauma and resilience in an unforgettable manner.
Streep’s nuanced portrayal of Sophie’s haunting past and unstable present underlines the film’s emotional intensity. The performance is punctuated by Stingo’s recitation of Emily Dickinson’s poem “Ample Make This Bed,” adding poetic poignance to the film’s heartrending conclusion. Kevin Kline’s volatile Nathan, along with the cautious hope personified by Stingo, provide a dramatic counterbalance to Streep’s deeply etched sorrow and strength.
As Sophie, Streep not only gave voice to the survivors of concentration camps but also delivered a searing meditation on the human capacity for endurance. The film remains a vital work both as a tribute to Styron’s vision and as a testament to Streep’s unmatchable artistry.
Why These Films Endure
The singular achievements in these five films—Out of Africa, Adaptation, Into the Woods, Death Becomes Her, and Sophie’s Choice—capture the essence of Meryl Streep best movie performances. Each role features a distinct character, from historical figures and literary heroines to fairy-tale villains and satirical icons. Streep’s seamless transitions between genres and styles highlight her exceptional range, inspiring both fans and fellow actors across generations.
The significance of these performances goes beyond box office success or critical acclaim. They have shaped the way audiences perceive cinematic storytelling, revealing new possibilities for female roles and redefining standards for emotional expression on screen. With collaborators like Sydney Pollack, Spike Jonze, Rob Marshall, Robert Zemeckis, and Alan J. Pakula, and working alongside renowned co-stars, Streep’s masterpieces set a benchmark for depth and authenticity in acting.
Her influence continues to echo, ensuring that future artists and viewers will return to these films for inspiration, insight, and the extraordinary power of Meryl Streep at her best.
