Jessica Chastain has gradually become one of the most exciting and powerful actors working in films today. She quickly made a name for herself in high-profile supporting roles before getting chances to show off her lead actor skills in some big projects.
Chastain brings intensity and complexity to her roles while also showing a desire to try new kinds of roles all the time. She has been impressive in a variety of genres and worked with a slew of impressive filmmakers over the years.
Updated on November 29th, 2022 by Colin McCormick: After winning her first Oscar for The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Jessica Chastain continues to be one of the most in demand actors in Hollywood. This year has seen her appear in a number of high-profile movies such as the true-crime story The Good Nurse and the period drama Armageddon Time. With such exciting new projects in her already impressive career, fans might be interested in checking out some of Chastain’s other popular movies.
15 The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby (2014) - 6.3
- Available to rent on Apple TV
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby took a unique approach to telling a story of a relationship. Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy star as the couple who go through a dark time in their relationship leading to her leaving.
The story was told in three different versions with one focusing on her perspective, one focusing on his, and then both stories presented together. The result is a compelling drama with some great performances from the two leads.
14 The Tree Of Life (2011) - 6.8
- Available to rent on Apple TV
Terrence Malick is a filmmaker of great acclaim even if his movies can divide audiences often. Tree of Life is certainly one of his most debated with some calling it perplexing and others hailing it as a masterpiece.
The movie is set in the 1950s in Texas and follows a young boy who struggles with the conflicting lessons taught by his sensitive and caring mother (Chastain) and his stern father (Brad Pitt). It takes the audience on a beautiful and epic journey that some might enjoy more than others.
13 Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012) - 6.8
- Available on Sling
Chastain took on her first animated movie role voicing a character in the final Madagascar movie. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted finds the animal friends joining a European circus in the hopes of returning to New York City. Chastain plays a female jaguar who becomes a love interest to Alex the lion.
The movie offered the same kind of family-friendly fun that fans had come to expect from the franchise. Laughs and adventure helped make it a fine end to the trilogy.
12 Armageddon Time (2022) - 6.9
- Available in theaters on October 28
One of Chastain's latest roles comes in the drama Armageddon Time from filmmaker James Gray. The partially biographical story follows a young boy in an American Jewish family in the 1980s as the story explores the different perspectives of the American dream. Chastain has a supporting role as Maryanne Trump who runs the private school the young boy attends.
With a personal story and a star-studded cast that also includes Anthony Hopkins and Anne Hathaway, the movie has earned some attention this awards season.
11 The Zookeeper's Wife (2017) -7.0
- Available on Netflix
Chastain took the titular role in the period drama The Zookeeper's Wife based on the best-selling novel. The film is set in Poland in 1939 as the war begins to break out. Chastain plays a woman who runs a zoo in Poland and uses it to save thousands of people and animals from the Nazis.
The film is a powerful and captivating story about one of the darkest times in recent history and the heroism that existed amongst all the evil. Chastain carries the movie with her wonderful performance.
10 A Most Violent Year (2015) - 7.0
- Available on HBO Max, Kanopy and DIRECTV
A Most Violent Year found Chastain paired with another versatile actor, Oscar Isaac. The film is set in New York in 1981 and Isaac plays an ambitious businessman who must grapple with the increasing violence in his world during the city's most deadly year.
Isaac walks a line between hero and villain while Chastain gives a layered performance as his ambitious wife. Though not the bloody crime epic the title suggests, it is nonetheless a captivating story.
9 The Good Nurse (2022) - 7.2
- Available on Netflix
Along with the true crime documentary on Netflix about the case, The Good Nurse offers a fascinating and chilling thriller. The movie centers around Chastain as a nurse who helps the police expose her colleague (Eddie Redmayne) who has been accused of killing countless healthy patience under his care.
Fans of the true crime genre will likely be captivated by this disturbing tale. And having Oscar winners Chastain and Redmayne leading the story makes it all the more exciting.
8 Lawless (2012) - 7.2
- Available on STARZ and DIRECTV
Chastain joined a talented ensemble that helped make up with period crime story. Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, and Jason Clarke play brothers operating a moonshine business in the south during Prohibition. When a sadistic lawman from Chicago goes to make trouble, the brothers must fight back.
Chastain has a solid supporting role as a woman who becomes an ally to the brothers. The cast is marvelous, with Hardy and LeBeouf as the two biggest standouts. It is a violent, engrossing and entertaining pulp adventure.
7 Take Shelter (2011) - 7.3
- Available to rent on Apple TV
Chastain partnered with another huge talent, Michael Shannon, in this fascinating drama. Shannon plays a husband and father who begins having visions of a coming storm that will devastate his community. As he tries to protect his family, his wife (Chastain) struggles with believing him or seeing him as a threat.
Take Shelter is a slow-burn story that carries a tension throughout. Shannon and Chastain are wonderful in the lead roles, selling the inventive premise with honesty and emotion.
6 Zero Dark Thirty (2013) - 7.4
- Available on Netflix
Chastain secured one of her biggest leading roles to date with her Oscar-nominated performance in the political thriller Zero Dark Thirty. The gripping spy movie is based on the real events surrounding the manhunt of Osama bin Laden. Chastain plays a relentless official at the center of the hunt.
The movie is a gripping and engrossing look at the behind-the-scenes events that led to one of the most famous military operations in modern history. Director Kathryn Bigelow crafts a stunning look at the determination and cost behind bringing this man to justice.
5 Molly's Game (2018) - 7.4
- Available on Netflix
Celebrated screenwriter Aaron Sorkin made his directorial debut with this drama based on a true story. Chastain plays Molly Bloom, a former Olympic athlete who gains more of a reputation by hosting high-stakes poker games for celebrities and high-rollers.
Chastain is outstanding in the lead role. She brings humor, vulnerability, and strength to the character, making her an easy person to root for. Sorkin once again crafts a sharp and smart script, as well as proves himself to be skilled behind the camera.
4 Miss Sloane (2016) - 7.5
- Available on Tubi and Pluto TV
Chastain starred in the political drama Miss Sloane, which tackles some very topic hot button issues. Chastain plays one of Washington's most formidable lobbyists who finds her career and more at risk when she targets her most powerful opponent yet.
Chastain gives another winning performance which carries much of the movie. The film itself is an entertaining and clever look at the high-stakes world of power struggles in Washington. It makes for an edge-of-your-set experience.
3 The Martian (2015) - 8.0
- Available to rent on Apple TV
Chastain was part of the impressive ensemble in the excellent science-fiction story, The Martian. Matt Damon stars as an astronaut who was accidentally left behind on a mission to Mars. As NASA struggles to mount a rescue, he must put his skills to work to survive alone on the planet.
The movie is one of Ridley Scott's most rewatchable movies, providing a smart and entertaining survival story. Damon gives a fantastic performance leading the star-studded cast that includes Chastain as the leader of the Mars mission.
2 The Help (2011) - 8.1
- Available on HBO Max, Hoopla and DIRECTV
Chastain scored her breakout role and her first Oscar nomination for her scene-stealing performance in The Help. Based on the best-selling novel, The Help follows an aspiring writer in the 1960s who decides to chronicle the lives of the African American house staff who serve wealthy white families in the South.
The movie is a funny and touching story with an incredible cast. Viola Davis gives a powerful lead performance, Octavia Spencer is excellent in an Oscar-winning role, and Chastain is hilarious and charming in a supporting role.
1 Interstellar (2014) - 8.6
- Available on Paramount+, FX Now and DIRECTV
Chastain returned to the science-fiction world of space exploration, this time helmed by Christopher Nolan. Interstellar is set in the not-too-distant future, in which an engineer (Matthew McConaughey) is recruited for a space mission to find a suitable planet to which humanity can escape.
Nolan once again proves himself to be a visionary director and an inventive storyteller. The complex and thought-provoking story serves as a grand adventure, as well as a touching message of love.