Holly Hunter is an American Academy Award-winning actress with an impressive filmography to her name. She first broke out into the film industry through Broadcast News, which earned her a staggering nine nominations for Best Actress from several awards institutions, winning a total of five and truly making a name for herself on the silver screen. From The Piano to The Firm, there is no genre off the table for Holly Hunter.

While Hunter's career has spanned the past three decades, there are plenty of films to choose from when deciding which of hers to watch next. Whether you feel the need to examine the dysfunctional family dynamic in films like Thirteen, or you're just looking for a good laugh from something like Raising Arizona, every need can be met through one of Hunter's films. These are the best Holly Hunter movies, ranked.

8 The Firm

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Davis Entertainment

The Firm is a classic film that tells the story of young lawyer Mitch McDeere (played by Tom Cruise) who joins a prestigious law firm, but makes the discovery that the majority of the firm's clients work outside the law. From laundering mob money to murdering partners, nothing is off limits for the firm, but when the FBI gets involved, it would seem that Mitch is faced with the realities of his situation. Hunter plays the role of Tammy Hemphill, a secretary who aids Mitch in copying and stealing files. She was nominated for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film.

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7 Copycat

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Regency Enterprises

Copycat is a truly unique film that revolves around Dr. Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver) who offers her services to the authorities to help catch a murderer despite having been previously attacked. However, this new killer's methods have copied those of infamous murderers, hence the name 'copycat'. Hunter plays the role of San Francisco detective M. J. Monahan, who is charged with the task of aiding Dr. Hudson in stopping the killer from taking down his next victim. Copycat was subject to a great deal of praise from critics, with special attention for Hunter's performance in the film.

6 O Brother Where Art Thou

holly-hunter-o-brother-where-art-thou
Touchstone Pictures

O Brother Where Art Thou is an underrated gem that often gets neglected for bigger blockbusters. The film is loosely based on Homer's The Odyssey, and is set during the Great Depression in the deep south of Mississippi. Hunter stars as Penny Wharvey-McGill, main character Everett's ex-wife. The film was praised for its originality as well as the soundtrack, which, per Rolling Stone, won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2002. The film was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards.

5 The Big Sick

holly-hunter-the-big-sick
FilmNation Entertainment

The Big Sick revolves around the blossoming love between aspiring comedian Kumail and grad student Emily, which is suddenly thrown into the wind when she falls into an unexpected coma. Despite their differences, Kumail winds up bonding with Emily's parents over the trauma of Emily slipping into a coma. Hunter plays the role of Beth, Emily's mother who expresses not only her concern for her daughter's well-being, but gets close with Kumail over their shared hardships, overcoming their cultural differences for the sake of a much bigger picture.

4 Thirteen

holly-hunter-thirteen (1)
Working Title Films

Thirteen follows the life of Tracy Freeland (Evan Rachel Wood) who befriends Evie, who shows Tracy that she doesn't have to get good grades to escape her inner turmoil. Experimenting with drugs, sex, and crime, Tracy goes from the ideal girl to a nightmare teen. Hunter plays the role of Melanie, Tracy's mother, who does her best to raise her children alone. While Hunter's role in this coming-of-age drama is somewhat small, it is arguably one of her best performances to date. The dynamic between Melanie and Tracy was praised for being particularly realistic due to the fact that although Tracy is close with Melanie, the two get into arguments. Many moments throughout the film show Melanie's true love for her daughter, as all she wants to do is help her through her problems so that she won't be alone.

Related: These Are the Most Iconic Movies About Motherhood

3 Broadcast News

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Gracie Films

In one of Hunter's earliest films, Broadcast News, Hunter plays the part of Jane Craig, an ambitious news producer who discovers the charm and talent of news anchor Tom Grunick, despite the fact that his vapid persona represents everything she hates about the news industry. Despite the pair's differences, they find themselves attracted to one another. Hunter displays the true hardship of having to choose between your personal beliefs and love. Broadcast News was nominated for a total of seven Academy Awards, but unfortunately did not take any home. Still, the film holds the title as the most acclaimed film of 1987.

2 Raising Arizona

holly-hunter-raising-arizona
Circle Films

This Coen Brothers comedy masterpiece revolves around an unlikely couple who, though desperate to have children, discover they are infertile. Desperate to fulfill his policewoman's dream of being a mother, her ex-con husband kidnaps one of a set of quadruplets. All hell breaks loose when the father of the child sends a bounty-hunter after them. Raising Arizona is arguably the funniest Coen Brothers film to date, praised for its originality. Hunter plays the role of Edwina "Ed" McDunnough, a policewoman who longs to be a mother of a child and raise a family. Despite some rather goofy moments, Raising Arizona is a soulful film with more purpose than mere laughs.

1 The Piano

Holly Hunter in The Piano 1993
Miramax Films

In her best role to date, Hunter shines in The Piano, playing the role of the mute Ada who is married off to a man she's never met and is forced to relocate from her Native Scotland to New Zealand. The only solace in her dreary existence is her piano. Things go awry when local George shows great interest in Ada and takes her piano for himself, which Ada must earn back by playing for him. Winning the Academy Award for Best Actress, Hunter shows off her greatest skills without ever uttering a single word, which is not an easy task by any means. Not only is The Piano a phenomenal film about the restrictions placed on women by Colonialist societies, but it also expresses women sexuality without presenting the woman as overtly sexual.