Though Charlize Theron began her professional acting career in the mid-90s, she's continuing to take on leading roles today. Most recently, Theron portrayed Megyn Kelly in the biographical drama Bombshell about the sexual harassment multiple women faced at the hands of CEO Roger Ailes while working for Fox News. Because of her impressive resume and continuing work, we thought it was time to look at Theron's best films to date. To do this, we'll be turning to IMDb.
The popular entertainment website has assigned every one of Theron's films a star rating. This number is based on the votes of registered users on a scale of 1 to 10, and they're what we'll be using to stack up Theron's best movies.
With the logistics out of the way, it's time to grab some popcorn and head to the theater; Here are Charlize Theron's ten best features, according to IMDb.
Prometheus (7.0)
This 2012 sci-fi film follows a crew that sets sail on a futuristic spaceship in hopes of tracking down the origin of life. Unfortunately, a discovery on a far off planet threatens to end all of humanity.
Theron plays Meredith Vickers, a Weyland Corporation employee who sets out to monitor the journey. The film's big budget promised fascinating special effects, beautiful sets, and stunning aesthetics. Though the narrative received some criticism, it didn't stop fans from going out to see the latest Alien installment.
In The Valley Of Elah (7.1)
In 2007, Theron co-starred with Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Sarandon in a mystery-drama about a military police veteran who discovers his son has died. His goal: to track down his murderers. While Jones stars as the father and Sarandon portrays his wife, Theron takes on the role of the detective who helps push the case along.
Fans of the film loved its engrossing story. Additionally, the cast's strong performances could not be overlooked.
Men Of Honor (7.2)
This 2000 drama film recounts the true story of the first African American master diver in the U.S. Navy, Carl Brashear. While Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding Jr. starred, Theron played Gwen Sunday, the wife of De Niro's Master Chief character.
The critic reviews leaned toward the negative side, with many feeling the biopic's narrative felt out of touch with the times. Despite this, the audience reception was much more positive. General viewers found the story to be intriguing and entertaining.
The Road (7.2)
Though The Road never met box office success, it still managed to captivate its audience. The film tells of a father and son who attempt to survive a post-apocalyptic wasteland that has been formed as a result of a global cataclysm. Though Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee star, Charlize Theron plays the former wife and mother of these characters by appearing in flashbacks. The performances were applauded, as was the dark but honest narrative.
North Country (7.3)
This 2005 drama shined light on one of the first class-action sexual harassment lawsuits in the United States, Jenson v. Eveleth Taconite Company. It follows a working mother in Minnesota who is subjected to physical and verbal harassment by her male co-workers at the local iron mine. She decides to turn things around by bringing these issues to court.
Though the film flopped at the box office, its justice-driven narrative engrossed viewers. Theron additionally scored a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards.
Monster (7.3)
Theron both produced and starred in this biographical crime drama about Aileen Wuornos, a real-life street prostitute who turned into a serial killer by murdering several of her male clients between 89 and 90.
Though there was a lot in the film that got critics talking, they couldn't help but be captivated by Theron's strong performance in the leading role. In addition to physical transforming into Wuornos by shaving her eyebrows, gaining weight, and putting in prosthetic teeth, Theron emotionally turned into her by taking on the traits present in people with antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder.
Theron walked away with an Academy Award for Best Actress thanks to her convincing portrayal.
The Cider House Rules (7.4)
This 1999 drama tells of a man who, during World War II in Maine, decides to leave the orphanage he works at after learning that the doctor who mentors him performs illegal abortions. Though he believes heading to a cider farm will keep him away from the issue, he is forced to confront it once again after meeting a pregnant woman who is a rape survivor. Tobey Macguire starred, while Charlize Theron played a woman his character falls for named Candy. The film received a Best Picture nomination, with many citing its pretty visuals and layered themes.
The Devil’s Advocate (7.5)
In 1997, Theron joined Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves for a supernatural horror film about a young lawyer who plans to pick up his work in Florida and move to New York City. Though he's excited by the opportunity to be employed at a big law firm, he soon questions the switch after learning that his wife is being haunted by terrible images that suggest his new boss is evil. Theron plays this woman, Mary Ann Lomax. The interesting characters and building thrill was appreciated by viewers despite the film never blowing up.
Kubo And The Two Strings (7.8)
Theron hasn't limited her talents to live-action films, and it's a good thing; In 2016, she voiced one of the leading characters in the stop-motion animation Kubo and the Two Strings.
This action-fantasy film tells of a Japanese boy named Kubo (Art Parkinson) who must team together with Monkey (Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey) to fight gods and monsters with his magical shamisen instrument. In doing so, he uncovers secrets about his past. Kubo and the Two Strings received much applause for its gripping story and layered themes. It ended up receiving a Best Animated Feature nomination at the 89th Academy Awards.
Mad Max: Fury Road (8.1)
Topping off the list as Charlize Theron's highest-rated projected to date is Mad Max: Fury Road.
This 2015 installment in the Mad Max action series follows a war captain named Furiosa who lives in a post-apocalyptic desert. She decides to escape from the land's vicious cult leader, Immortan Joe, alongside the "five wives" whom he's enslaved. The film was a moderate box office success and a huge critical success, earning itself a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards. Theron's determined portrayal of Furiosa left both critics and general moviegoers impressed.