Anya Taylor-Joy is well-known for playing Beth Harmon in the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Queen's Gambit. Her role as in the show, however, is only one in a list of many great performances. Throughout her still blossoming career, the actress has had the opportunity to work with many acclaimed directors, such as M. Night Shyamalan, Edgar Wright, and Roberts Eggers, and has been lucky enough to work on both lower-budget films such as The Witch and The Menu, and big-budget blockbusters and franchises including The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the X-Men spin-off, New Mutants.

Update November 9, 2023: This article has been updated to include even more great performances by Anya Taylor-Joy and where each film can be streamed.

Named by Time Magazine on the Time 100 Next list, Taylor-Joy has also received a Golden Globe, Critics' Choice Television Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and multiple nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards and BAFTA Film Awards. As one of Hollywood's most sought-after actresses, Taylor-Joy's career shows no signs of slowing down. Here are Anya Taylor-Joy's ten best performances, ranked.

10 The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
PG
Animation
Action
Adventure
Release Date
April 7, 2023
Director
Aaron Horvath , Michael Jelenic
Main Genre
Animation
Studio
Illumination Entertainment, Nintendo, Universal Pictures
Writers
Matthew Fogel
Tagline
Let's-a go!

While some might think an animated movie belongs on a list for performances, voice-over work is still work, and Taylor-Joy's role as Princess Peach is one of the film's highlights. Adapted from the popular video game, The Super Mario Bros. Movie tells the story of Mario (Chris Pratt) being transported to the Mushroom Kingdom to save his brother Luigi (Charlie Day) from Bowser (Jack Black) and teams up with Princess Peach to save the day.

Why It's Great

Princess Peach in the original games left a lot to be desired, so the filmmakers reimagined her character as a more proactive character. Anya Taylor-Joy does a lot in making Princess Peach's new characterization work, as she lands the perfect mix of commanding and naturing. She is welcoming but also has a bit of attitude and a wicked sense of humor. She has remade the character for an entire generation of fans and has left a lasting legacy on this iconic video game hero.

Stream on Peacock

9 Thoroughbreds (2018)

Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
R
Release Date
March 9, 2018
Director
Cory Finley
Main Genre
Drama

The film Thoroughbreds is an underrated gem that stars Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke. Thoroughbreds is about two teenage friends, Lily (Taylor-Joy) and Amanda (Cooke), who reconnect and plan to kill Lily's stepfather. At the beginning of the film, Lily is portrayed as an upper-class, popular, academically gifted girl while Amanda is a social outsider, someone who seemingly does not feel emotion. Their time together leads to parts they initially hide about themselves rising to the surface, ultimately revealing the destructive forces within.

What Makes It Great

Throughout her career so far, Taylor-Joy has displayed a mastery of portraying both the inner light and darkness within her characters. The character work surrounding Lily in Thoroughbreds is no exception. Thoroughbreds put her alongside an equally talented performer like Olivia Cooke and shows them both to be some of the most exciting actors working today.

Stream on Hulu

8 The Witch (2015)

The Witch
The Witch
R
Release Date
January 27, 2015
Director
Robert Eggers
Cast
Anya Taylor-Joy , Ralph Ineson , Kate Dickie , Harvey Scrimshaw , Ellie Grainger , Lucas Dawson
Main Genre
Horror

In Robert Eggers 2015 horror The Witch Taylor-Joy plays the film's lead character Thomasin, in what was the actress's feature film debut. From her first film role, Taylor-Joy's filmography was off to great start. In the supernatural horror, Thomasin is continuously accused of witchcraft by her peers and her family, who disregard Thomasin's kind heart. Thomasin is the scapegoat for everything that goes wrong during the film.

What Makes It Great

The film is violent and full of suspense, presenting the story of a broken family falling into madness. The Witch may be too slow-paced for some audiences, but the film features a fantastic performance from its lead. It launched Taylor-Joy onto the Hollywood A-list and much of her career since has stemmed from wowing audiences in this film.

Stream on Max

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7 The Menu (2022)

The Menu
The Menu
R
Release Date
November 18, 2022
Director
Mark Mylod
Main Genre
Comedy

Read Our Review

2022 black comedy The Menu sees Taylor-Joy teaming up with fellow Brits Nicholas Hoult and Ralph Fiennes for a horror-filled social commentary about the world of fine dining. Directed by Succession's Mark Mylod, the film follows a food enthusiast as he and his date travel to a private island for a unique gastronomic experience laid on by one of the world's most famous chefs. However, once the diners begin to learn what's actually on the menu, they're suddenly not that hungry.

What Makes It Great

As the far from enthusiastic Margot, a plus one who is initially only along for the ride, Taylor-Joy excels. It is through her eyes that we learn about the ridiculous world of fine dining, and the actress does a good job of guiding us through it. Furthermore, when things start to turn wild, Margot more than stands her ground, with Taylor-Joy throwing herself into the darkly comedic tone of the film, ultimately, she grounds a movie that would otherwise feel muddled and intangible.

Stream on Max

6 The Northman (2022)

the Northman
The Northman
R
Action
Adventure
Drama

From director Robert Eggers comes The Northman, an action-filled epic that follows a Viking prince on his quest to avenge his father's murder.

Release Date
April 22, 2022
Director
Robert Eggers

Read Our Review

Taylor-Joy's second collaboration with filmmaker Robert Eggers, The Northman, tells the story of a Viking warrior named Amleth who sets out to avenge the murder of his father. Co-starring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Willem Defoe, and Ethan Hawke, the film received critical acclaim, with many critics praising the direction, cinematography, and performances of the main cast.

What Makes It Great

Despite being jam-packed with acting talent, Taylor-Joy is far from overshadowed, and manages to do great work with the material she's given. She plays a Slavic sorceress known as Olga of the Birch Forest who first encounters Amleth on a slave ship, before becoming his lover. It's a strong performance by the actress, who imbues the character with a sense of mystery and intrigue, as well as a wealth of pain. And as always, she makes it look effortless.

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5 Peaky Blinders (2013 - 2022)

peaky blinders
Peaky Blinders
Release Date
September 12, 2013
Cast
Cillian Murphy , Sam Claflin , Helen McCrory , Sophie Rundle
Main Genre
Crime

Crime drama Peaky Blinders introduces Taylor-Joy to the cast during its fifth season. Taylor-Joy plays the role of Gina Gray, the wife of Michael Gray. While Taylor-Joy often plays main characters, she plays a more antagonistic role, here, in Peaky Blinders. Gina Gray is a character that antagonizes Cillian Murphy's Tommy Shelby, seeking to overthrow the Shelby family business.

What Makes It Great

Gina is a very ambitious woman. She even uses her husband for her own gain, demonstrating a willingness to manipulate and purposely sabotage others to get what she wants. Gina Gray brings out qualities in Michael that wouldn't emerge otherwise. She makes an excellent addition to the character roster of Peaky Blinders.

Stream on Netflix

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4 Split (2017)

Split
Split
PG-13
Release Date
November 15, 2016
Cast
James McAvoy , Sebastian Arcelus , Ameerah Briggs , Betty Buckley , Izzie Coffey , Nakia Dillard
Main Genre
Thriller

James McAvoy is well-known for his performance in Split as Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man struggling with dissociative identity disorder. The beating heart of the film is the relationship between Kevin and Anya Taylor-Joy's character in Casey Cooke. Casey becomes a victim of one of Kevin's alternate personalities when his disorder causes him to kidnap Casey and two other girls. However, Kevin's alter ego comes to realize that Casey is not like the other people he kidnaps.

What Makes It Great

McAvoy and Taylor-Joy's performances bouncing incredibly well off of each other, supporting and working together in unison, is what ultimately allows the film to work. Taylor-Joy might have been overshadowed a bit by McAvoy's more over-the-top and showy scene-stealing turn, but she leaves an impression, and the movie would not be as scary without her ability to convey fear, anxiety, and empathy.

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3 Emma (2020)

Emma.
Emma.
PG
Release Date
February 13, 2020
Director
Autumn DeWilde
Cast
Anya Taylor-Joy , Johnny Flynn , Bill Nighy , Mia Goth , Myra McFadyen , Josh O'Connor
Main Genre
Comedy

Emma shares the same name as the Jane Austen novel it is based off of. The film features Taylor-Joy in the titular role, playing a wealthy woman living in 19th-century England. Emma takes great pleasure in interfering with other people's romantic lives. She is a young woman, and over the course of the film, she learns more about herself, and learns about love and companionship.

What Makes It Great

Before Emma, Taylor-Joy was often recognized as a horror star. A film like Emma, however, demonstrates that she can just as easily star in period pieces and romantic comedies. As one of the final movies many people saw before theaters shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Emma was a good final film for theaters for a long time.

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2 Last Night in Soho (2021)

last night in soho
Last Night in Soho
R
Release Date
October 29, 2021
Director
Edgar Wright
Main Genre
Drama

Baby Driver director Edgar Wright creates a film that takes advantage of Anya Taylor-Joy's many talents in Last Night in Soho. Ellie Turner harbors a love for the music of the sixties and decides to move to London to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer. While in London, Ellie experiences visions that transport her back in time, following the life of Anya Taylor-Joy's aspiring singer Sandie. Ellie quickly discovers that the past is not as glamorous as it seems.

What Makes It Great

An acapella cover of Petula Clark's 1964 song, "Downtown", highlights Anya Taylor-Joy and her character's singing talent. However, Sandie enters a world of darkness, presenting Ellie with mysteries she has to unravel. Anya portrays the singer that Ellie wants to learn more about, creating a character that is equal parts mysterious and charming.

Stream on DirecTV

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1 The Queen's Gambit (2020)

A bored and beautiful Anya Taylor-Joy playing chess in The Queens Gambit
Netflix

Taylor-Joy shared with Deadline that Beth Harmon from The Queen's Gambit is the character closest to her of all the characters she has played. The mannerisms of the actress are present in the chess prodigy; Taylor-Joy gives everything she has and pours all of herself into Beth. The strong connection between the actress and the character shows in the performance. Over the course of the series, Beth explores her passion for chess while struggling with addiction and a set of complex personal issues.

What Makes It Great

The Queen's Gambit is not simply about a woman who is skilled at chess, but is the story of a lonely woman who, while being extraordinarily talented, is still struggling to find their place in the world. Anya Taylor-Joy proves her deep understanding of the character and proves she is the perfect actress to tell Beth's story. Taylor-Joy has plenty of great roles in her career, but for many, there is no doubt that The Queen's Gambit is what she will be forever known for.

Stream on Netflix