Scarlett Johansson is one of the most successful actors today, and she has played a part in some of the most successful films and franchises of recent memory. After beginning her career as a child actress, Johansson found critical acclaim in films such as The Horse Whisperer and Sofia Coppola’s introspective Lost in Translation. From there, her career continued to soar, and she continued her success from childhood into adulthood. Johansson initially made a name for herself as an ingénue in several Woody Allen films, like Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Match Point, before making a foray into the mainstream with her roles as Black Widow in the MCU franchise.

Update August 23, 2023: Following the release of Scarlett Johansson's latest film, Asteroid City, this article has been updated with even more great films starring the incredible star.

Though her time as Black Widow has come to an end, Johansson is still very much part of the Marvel family. Alongside her MCU success, Johansson has garnered acclaim for her more serious work and, in 2019, secured two Academy Award nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress (for Netflix's Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit, respectively) along with starring in Avengers: Endgame, one of the highest grossing films of all time. Here are Scarlett Johansson's best movies, ranked.

14 Girl with a Pearl Earring

Girl with a Pearl Earring
UK Film Council

Peter Webber’s adaptation of Tracy Chevalier’s novel (which was itself inspired by the Johannes Vermeer painting of the same title), Girl with a Pearl Earring, was released in 2003 and was the second of two breakout roles for Johansson alongside Lost In Translation. Johansson plays Griet, a servant at the home of Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), who is the subject of the famous painting. It’s a strong breakout role for Johansson, and although her dialogue is limited, she is very expressive in her acting, showcasing her strong talent at the beginning of her career.

13 Lucy

Scarlett Johanson in Lucy
Europacorp, Universal Pictures

Scarlett Johansson has made a name for herself by starring in several high-budget action films, and 2014’s Lucy was no exception. The story follows Lucy, a woman who develops the ability to use all parts of her brain at maximum capacity after a drug is absorbed into her bloodstream. After obtaining these superhuman powers, she becomes somewhat of a superhero and fights against the scientists that are responsible for her condition. Lucy was extremely successful at the box office and is a great example of Johansson as strong lead in an action-packed film and proved she could carry an action film without the Marvel branding.

12 The Other Boleyn Girl

Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson are the stars of The Other Boleyn Girl
Sony Pictures/Universal

Scarlett Johansson starred alongside Natalie Portman in 2008’s The Other Boleyn Girl, directed by Justin Chadwick. Portman plays Anne Boleyn and Johansson is her sister Mary. The film depicts their competing affections for King Henry VIII (Eric Bana), and has been critiqued for its historical inaccuracy. Nevertheless, Portman and Johansson give compelling performances and exude strong chemistry with each other.

11 Vicky Cristina Barcelona

VickyCristinaBarcelona (1)
Mediapro

Johansson gave an undeniably strong performance in 2008’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona. She starred alongside Penélope Cruz, who ended up receiving an Oscar for her role. However, Johansson’s performance was just as strong. Johansson plays Cristina, who finds herself at odds with Cruz’s character after they sleep with the same man. Her performance is believable as a carefree character, and she performs it without surrendering to clichés.

10 Black Widow

Scarlett Johansson in Black Widow
Marvel

Scarlett Johansson joined the MCU as Black Widow back in 2010 in Iron Man 2. Since then, the character has appeared in several more additions to the MCU universe, most recently in her (only) solo film Black Widow. This movie picks up after the events of Captain America: Civil War and sees Natasha Romanoff reunited with her sister, Yelana (Florence Pugh), as they set out on a journey of reconnecting with the family they once knew.

Related: Here Are Our Favorite MCU Siblings

Black Widow was well received by critics and finally gave more depth to the character of Natasha Romanoff. Johannsson confirmed this would likely be her last time playing the role, and Black Widow is certainly a strong send-off. After years of fans waiting to see her finally get a film of her own, it was worth the wait.

9 Asteroid City

Scarlett Johansson in Asteroid City
Focus Features

Asteroid City focuses on the story of a family who recently lost one of their most important members. The grief after the passing of their mother and wife sits deep, but during a trip to a stargazing event in Asteroid City, they learn how to deal with their emotions. Considering that Asteroid City's producer is Wes Anderson, viewers are in for an extraordinary cinematic experience, diving into stunning visuals and magnificent characters.

While Jason Schwartzman steps into the role of widower Augie Steenbeck and Tom Hanks portray his father-in-law, Stanley Zak, Scarlett Johansson can be seen as Midge Campbell, who is a dedicated mother, famous actress, and Augie's later love interest. Johansson used stars from Old Hollywood as an inspiration to form her character, and she clearly succeeded in conveying that energy of standing in the spotlight. Johansson fits right at home with the pace and rhythm of Wes Anderson's style, and hopefully, she returns for more collaborations.

8 Hail, Caesar!

Hail, Caesar! with Scarlett Johansson
Universal Pictures 

In the Coen brothers' movie Hail, Caesar!, Scarlett Johansson shows herself from a different side yet again, revealing her inspiring versatility. She takes on the role of fictional DeAnna Moran, who is an absolute swimming sensation and, among other stars, works together closely with studio fixer Eddie Mannix. While her on-screen image is that of a squeaky clean, good girl, her off-screen antics have gotten her into trouble in one of the film's funniest subplots.

The movie, which falls into the genres of comedy, drama, and mystery, is set in Hollywood in the 1950s, allowing for overly sparkling and extravagant visuals. Hence, it is no surprise that Johannson looks more than stunning, representing the glamour of the previously mentioned time, and gracefully delivers extraordinary performances while being underwater or in the dry.

7 Ghost World

Scarlett Johansson and Thora Birch in Ghost World
United Artists

Even though Terry Zwigoff's comedy Ghost World was released over 20 years ago, it still holds a special place regarding Johansson's career. While she had already gained experience in the field of acting as a young girl, her breakthrough came in the year 2001 with her role as Rebecca in Ghost World. It tells the story of two best friends, Rebecca and Enid (Thora Birch), who finally leave school and have the goal of moving in together.

Considering themselves as outcasts and focusing on the unique side of things, they back each other up in any scenario. However, when the two friends cross paths with an older man called Seymour, their friendship is put to the test. This movie shows that even as a young teenager, Johansson is thriving when put in front of a camera, and that is exactly where she belongs to this day.

6 Avengers: Endgame

Avengers Endgame Black Widow and Hawkeye

It is needless to say that Johansson delivered an incredible performance in any of her movies in the Marvel franchise, but Marvel's The Avengers or Captain America: The Winter Soldier, among many other successful superhero adventures, allowed her to show off her astounding talent, perfected skills, and utter dedication to her role, Avengers: Endgame is her crowning achievement in the franchise.

Related: MCU: Is Scarlett Johansson Done with Marvel Movies?

The movie, which was released back in 2019, has a lot in store (even though it starts off with the better part of the universe wiped out), but Johansson's contribution ensures that lots and lots of tears will be spilled. A heartbreaking final sacrifice to save the universe shows how far this character had come. She went from an assassin with red on her ledger to a hero who gave her life to save the entire universe. Surely her impeccable performances will be missed; however, it is always a delight to look back on her appearances as Black Widow, especially in Avengers: Endgame.

5 Lost In Translation

Lost in Translation
Focus Features

Sofia Coppola’s Lost In Translation was released in 2003 and was a huge critical success, winning Best Original Screenplay and being nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Johansson was only 19 at the point of the movie's release, and she delivers a performance far beyond her years. Johansson plays Charlotte, and Bill Murray is Bob Harris. The pair is in Tokyo and find an escape from their foreign surroundings in an unlikely relationship with each other. Lost In Translation remains an excellent film that stands the test of time.

4 Jojo Rabbit

scarlett johansson jojo rabbit
Fox Searchlight Pictures

2019 was a strong year for Johannsson as she received nominations in both the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories in the same year. Her Best Supporting Actress nomination came for her work in Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit. Roman Griffin Davis portrays the titular character, and Johansson plays his mother, who is hiding a Jewish girl during World War II in Germany. The film is satirical and daring, presenting Johansson in a different, comedic light.

3 Her

Her Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson

Even though she can't be physically seen in the science-fiction drama Her, Scarlett Johansson leaves an impact on the movie. It is her voice which has the ability to not only enchant the main character, Theodore but also the entire audience. When Theodore, who is portrayed by none other than Joaquin Phoenix, finds himself struggling and lonely due to his recent divorce, he comes across an AI system, Samantha (Johansson), and eventually falls in love with her. With just her voice, Johannson gives one of her best performances and shows the wide range she has as a performer.

2 Under the Skin

Scarlett Johansson in Under the Skin
A24

Johansson gave one of the strongest performances of her career with 2013’s Under the Skin, Jonathan Glazer’s 2013 sci-fi drama. Johansson plays Laura, an extra-terrestrial who has disguised herself as a human female and lures men to another dimension where they are used as meat. Johansson gives a performance void of emotion, and it’s a challenge that she succeeds in, pulling off such an emotionless character without making it seem deliberate.

1 Marriage Story

Scene from Marriage Story
Netflix

Johansson continued to receive acclaim for her performances in 2019 when she starred in Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story alongside Adam Driver as a couple going through a turbulent divorce. Marriage Story focuses on the all too familiar story of a breakdown in a couple’s relationship, and Johansson’s character has several dramatic scenes alongside Adam Driver’s where they discuss all the resentment they hold against each other.

Both actors are able to express their acting abilities in their purest forms, and Johansson’s performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Marriage Story might be the best Scarlett Johannson movie for now, but she has a long career ahead of her, and there is always time for another movie to come along and top this list.