Born and raised in Australia, Cate Blanchett graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts, and has gone on to become one of the highest-paid actresses of our time, as well as one of the most influential people on the planet. Besides having a rich repertoire of movies and TV series, Blanchett began her career on an Australian stage with theater plays, and continues to do so to this day, but now on Broadway. She has been showered with many industry awards, but also has been appointed and honored by different governments, museums and institutions. In addition to all the exceptional things she’s accomplished, the actress’ also a devoted environmentalist and humanitarian.

Blanchett is known to excel in drama movies, from Carol to The Aviator and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Most recently, the actress has wowed audiences with her performance in Todd Field's latest film Tár, which, per Gold Derby, has pushed her to the front of the Best Actress Oscar race this awards sesason. Vanity Fair even called it the actress' "magnum opus." The film is slated to release in October 2022, so, until then, let's look at Blanchett's best drama movies, ranked.

8 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

Released in 2008, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an American fantasy drama starring Brad Pitt and Blanchett in the lead roles. The plot follows Benjamin Button, played by Pitt, a man who ages in reverse, and his love interest Daisy Fuller as she accompanies him throughout his life. The movie had been planned to release since the mid-80s before Paramount Pictures actually began principal photography in 2006. The movie was a major critical success as it received 13 Academy Awards nominations. Benjamin Button advocates that it's never too late to be whomever you want to. It deals with the concept in great deal, which in turn leaves a grave nostalgic feeling in the audience's hearts.

Related: These Are Cate Blanchett's Best Performances, Ranked

7 I’m Not There (2007)

Directed by Todd Haynes and written by Haynes and Oren Moverman, I’m Not There is an unconventional biographical film about Bob Dylan, starring an ensemble cast that includes Blanchett, Christian Bale, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, and Ben Whishaw. The reason why it's often called unconventional is due to the fact that each actor plays a different persona of the musical legend throughout his life. Blanchett especially was praised for her portrayal of Jude Quinn, following Dylan's mid-60s adventures. It depicts a period of Dylan's life when he was surrounded by controversy and a lot of bad press.

6 Elizabeth (1998)

Released in 1998, Elizabeth is a British biographical period drama directed by Shekhar Kapur, starring Blanchett in the lead role as Elizabeth I of England. Premiering at the 55th Venice Film Festival, the movie follows the early reign of Elizabeth I on the throne after her sister's sudden death. Elizabeth has been imprisoned her whole life and has to earn respect and deal with external threats who seek to tear her down. Following its critical and commercial success, Blanchett gained global recognition and earned a Golden Globe and a British Academy Award for her titular performance. Despite still being new to the film industry and the filmmaker having doubts about casting her, Blanchett showed her talent right away and made it seem like she had been doing it her whole life.

5 The Aviator (2004)

Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Aviator​ is an epic biographical drama movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Blanchett in the lead roles as the aviation pioneer and director Howard Hughes and Katharine Hephburn, respectively. Based on the novel Howard Hughes: The Secret Life, the plot follows the life of Hughes from 1927 to 1947 as he becomes a successful filmmaker and aviation magnate while battling his OCD. Both DiCaprio and Blanchett were immensely praised for their performances, with the latter winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a British Academy Film Award. It's one of the few portrayals of OCD in media that deserves praise and respect.

Related: Cate Blanchett to Receive International Goya Award by Spanish Film Academy

4 Notes on a Scandal (2006)

Directed by Richard Eyre, Notes on a Scandal is a psychological thriller-drama starring Blanchett and Judi Dench in lead roles. Dench plays older teacher Barbara, who gets quickly infatuated with younger art teacher Sheba (Blanchett), who is having an affair with her 15-year-old student. After finding out about the affair, Barbara uses it to manipulate her. Once the scandal swims to the surface, Sheba is chased by the press and sentenced to ten months in prison, finding out that Barbara wanted to be more than friends with her. If you don't understand the widespread obsession with Blanchett as an actress and a person, she'll surely grow on you after watching this movie.

3 The Turning (2013)

As a 2013 anthology drama movie, The Turning is made up of eight different short films based on a 2005 collection of short stories by Tim Winton. 18 different directors in total worked on the anthology, with Blanchett intending to direct as well, but switching to an acting role of Gail Lang at the last minute. Its theme focuses on the past and present and how small incidents can shape the type of people that we are.

2 Blue Jasmine (2013)

Directed by Woody Allen, Blue Jasmine is a comedy drama starring Blanchett in the lead role as Jeanette "Jasmine" Francis. The plot follows her character as a socialite who is forced to move to her sister's working-class life after Jasmine's husband gets exposed as a corporate criminal. Blanchett was highly praised for her acting performance, earning herself an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, the SAG Award, and BAFTA Award. The actress plays the socialite with the right amount of talent and elegance who doesn't respect people's opinions. It truly was an Oscar-deserving performance and is hugely underrated.

1 Carol (2015)

Last but not least, directed by Todd Haynes and written by Phyllis Nagy, Carol is a romantic period drama starring Blanchett and Rooney Mara in the lead roles. It follows a young aspiring photographer (Mara), who forms an intimate loving relationship with an older woman who's going through a hard divorce (Blanchett). The movie had been in development since 1997 and only began production in 2014. It was praised left and right for the direction, as well as the acting performances, and got nominated for numerous major awards. It's been named as one of the best 21st Century movies, as well as one of the best LGBTQ+ movies of all time.