Catherine Zeta-Jones has appeared in a variety of iconic performances throughout her career, which itself has spanned several decades. What's more, she has worked alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood from Sean Connery to Renée Zellweger. After beginning her career as a West End actress, Zeta-Jones would eventually achieve her big break when she appeared in The Mask of Zorro in 1998. It was clear when this film hit the screens that she would have a long and successful career in Hollywood.

With her newfound success, Jones began to star in more high-budget Hollywood successes, including Chicago, for which she would win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The passion she brings to her roles has often been remarked on by critics, and she’s delivered some excellent moments in both film and TV over the years. Recently, Zeta-Jones has been attached to star in the National Treasure series on Disney+ and as Morticia Addams in Tim Burton's Wednesday series on Netflix. Here’s a look at her best performances, ranked.

Related: Prodigal Son Season 2 Release Date Announced, Catherine Zeta-Jones Joins the Cast

8 Feud: Bette and Joan

catherine-zeta-jones-feud

In 2017, Ryan Murphy brought the real-life public feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford to life with his miniseries Feud: Bette and Joan. Jessica Lange stars as Joan Crawford and Susan Sarandon is Bette Davis. The series depicts the events which were widely publicized during their time filming the 1962 movie What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?. The series is campy and explores themes such as ageism and misogyny, which were a huge part of life for the two actresses. Zeta-Jones plays Olivia de Havilland, a fellow actress and confidante of Bette Davis. The series was well received, even though the real-life de Havilland ended up suing the production company.

7 Entrapment

entrapment

Catherine Zeta-Jones took the lead role of Virginia Baker in Jon Amiel’s Entrapment, released in 1999. The story follows Insurance investigator Gin Baker (Zeta-Jones) as she investigates a stolen painting, which she suspects has been stolen by an accomplished thief known as Robert ‘Mac’ MacDougal, and she then goes undercover as an accomplice of his and things quickly become heated. Zeta-Jones gives a strong performance, and it’s a classic time capsule of her 90s era.

6 Side Effects

side effects

Side Effects was directed by Steven Soderbergh and is one of his most gripping dramas. The movie co-stars Channing Tatum, who plays Martin Taylor, and Rooney Mara, who plays his wife Emily. Martin returns to his wife after a stint in prison; however, his wife is now severely depressed, and things are not the same. She undergoes a new experimental treatment, which ends up having dangerous side effects. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays one of the psychiatrists alongside Jude Law, and it’s a new venture for the actress, differing from her usual roles.

5 The Mask of Zorro

catherine-zeta-jones-the-mask-of-zorro
TriStar Pictures

The film responsible for putting Catherine Zeta-Jones on the mainstream map was 1998’s The Mask of Zorro. Antonio Banderas played the titular character, and Zeta-Jones starred alongside him as Elena Montero. Zorro escapes prison to find his daughter (Zeta-Jones), and sets out on a mission of vengeance. The film was a huge success and sparked several sequels and there are even talks of a new spin-off TV show with a female character at the center. It’s still a great film and Zeta-Jones shines in her breakout role.

4 Intolerable Cruelty

intollerable cruellty

Intolerable Cruelty was directed by Ethan and Joel Coen, and Zeta-Jones plays Marilyn Rexroth, a woman who goes up against a slick divorce lawyer. She intends to extract revenge through divorce, and this quickly descends into romance between the two as it sparks life to their monotonous lives. Their chemistry is strong, and they both deliver heated and passionate performances which makes for a great viewing experience.

3 Traffic

traffic

Jones starred alongside Benicio Del Toro and Michael Douglas in Traffic, directed by Steven Soderbegh. The film tells the story of groups of people who were impacted by the drug trafficking trade between Mexico and the USA. Zeta-Jones plays the unknowing wife of a drug lord and gained a lot of critical praise for her role. Steven Soderbegh took home the Best Director award at the 2001 Academy Awards, and it’s an excellent addition in Zeta-Jones’ filmography.

2 The Terminal

catherine-zeta-jones-the-terminal
Amblin Entertainment

Zeta-Jones would work with director Steven Spielberg in 2004’s The Terminal. The story follows Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks) who is a citizen of a fictional European nation while he visits the USA. He finds himself in the airport when a civil was breaks out in his home country and his passport is revoked. He is now unable to fly home or leave the airport, ad while there he becomes enamored by flight attendant Amelia Warren (Zeta-Jones). The film is sentimental and has the classic Spielberg touch, making it a strong addition in Zeta-Jones’ work.

Related: These Are the Best Steven Spielberg Movies, Ranked

1 Chicago

chicago

Catherine Zeta-Jones began her career on stage, and she returned to these roots when she starred in the film adaptation of the musical Chicago. The film focuses on the media frenzy which ensues after lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) and his two defendants have stirred up controversy. Zeta-Jones plays one of these clients, who has been imprisoned for killing her husband and sister who were having an affair. She won an Oscar for this role, and it’s remembered as a classic film adaptation of a musical.