Though Greta Gerwig has recently come back into the spotlight for creating the latest big-screen remake of Louisa May Alcott's book, Little Women, the filmmaker has had a long history with Hollywood.
Gerwig first took on a small role in the indie mumblecore film LOL in 2006. She slowly picked up larger roles, and eventually, directed and wrote her own films.
She achieved mainstream directorial success in 2017 for Lady Bird, and her influence on the movie industry has grown ever since. Because of this, we thought it was time to look at her best movies to date. To do so, we'll be ranking Gerwig's films with the star scores on IMDb. These ratings are based on the votes of registered users on a scale of 1 to 10. It's additionally worth noting that in this lineup, we'll be considering any film in which Gerwig has served as an actor, screenwriter, or director.
With the logistics out of the way, it's time to head to pull out some popcorn and head to the movies. Here are Greta Gerwig's best films to date, according to IMDb.
To Rome With Love (2012) - 6.3
In 2012, Gerwig took on a role in Woody Allen's 2012 magical realist romantic comedy, To Rome with Love.
The film features four separate stories that take place in Rome. Gerwig is featured in the one of these, which focuses on an architect named John (Alec Baldwin) who visits the city with his wife and friends. Wishing to find the apartment he used to live in 30 years ago, John searches the streets. There he meets Jack (Jesse Eisenberg), an architecture student who lives in the old building. It's also not long before John falls for Monica (Ellen Page), a young woman visiting the apartment.
Gerwig plays Sally, the girlfriend of Jack and the best friend of Monica.
Eden (2014) - 6.4
Gerwig was featured in a supporting role in the 2014 French drama Eden.
Set in 1990s France, the film focuses on a literature student (Félix de Givry) who takes on the role of DJ as the EDM genre begins to ascend. Gerwig plays a married woman he falls for during his music journey.
Though the film's release was limited, its reviews came back strong.
The House Of The Devil (2009) - 6.4
Gerwig is not limited to dramatic roles; she proved as much in 2009 by scoring a part in the horror film The House of the Devil.
Taking place in the '80s, the story follows a college student who gets a new babysitting job (Jocelin Donahue). However, the house she is to work at contains a series of terrifying surprises.
Gerwig plays Samantha's best friend, Megan. Let's just say that being a friend in a horror film doesn't always give your character the best outcome.
Jackie (2016) - 6.7
First Lady Jackie Kennedy received a movie inspired by her life events. The 2016 film follows her days in the White House following the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, in the '60s.
While Natalie Portman starred as Jackie, Greta Gerwig supported as Nancy Tuckerman, the woman who acted as the White House Social Secretary during the Kennedy administration.
The film received many positive reviews, with critics commending the earnestness of the cast.
Mistress America (2015) - 6.7
Gerwig's longtime partner Noah Baumbach directed and produced this 2015 comedy film. He additionally teamed up with Gerwig to write it — and yes, she also starred.
The movie follows a college freshman (Lola Kirke) who has trouble adjusting to her new life. Hoping to make things better, she gets in touch with her future stepsister Brooke (Greta Gerwig), who takes her on a tour of life's more exciting aspects.
Many critics felt that Gerwig's role aligned perfectly with her personality.
20th Century Women (2016) - 7.3
This 2016 coming-of-age drama tells of a 15-year-old boy named Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann) who lives in a boarding house run by his mother (Annette Bening) in late '70s California. Inching toward rebellion, Jamie's mother asks one of the house residents (Greta Gerwig) and Jamie's best friend (Elle Fanning) to help get him back on track.
Gerwig's Abbie Porter is a fiery feminist female who thrives on punk culture. Though she aspires to be a successful photographer, she's forced to deal with the setbacks of cervical cancer.
Frances Ha (2012) - 7.4
Before Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach teamed up for Mistress America, they were making Frances Ha together.
This 2012 black and white comedy-drama sees Gerwig as a co-writer and co-star. It follows the life of 27-year-old Frances Halladay, who hopes to achieve her dreams of becoming a successful dancer and struggles to settle down.
The film was well-enjoyed, with critics applauding Gerwig as a stand-out.
Lady Bird (2017) - 7.4
Greta Gerwig both directed and wrote the 2017 coming-of-age drama, Lady Bird. It explores the life of a Sacramento teenager (Saoirse Ronan) who deals with a troubled relationship with her mother, young love, and friendship in the early 2000s. Her biggest dream, however, is to run away from her sleepy hometown and reach a culture-filled city.
The film is semi-autobiographical for Gerwig. Though the events of the story are fictitious, the feeling of the narrative mirrored that held by the Sacramento native.
Though Lady Bird didn't go home with any Academy Awards, it received a handful of nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.
Isle Of Dogs (2018) - 7.9
Gerwig hasn't limited herself to live-action pieces; in 2018, she also voiced a character in the stop-motion sci-fi comedy, Isle of Dogs.
The film tells of a futuristic Japan hat has broken out with a disease spread through dogs. To keep contain the illness, all the pups of Megasaki City are sent to their own garbage-filled home known as Trash Island. Missing his bodyguard-dog, Spots, young Atari sets out to bring him back.
Gerwig takes on the role of Tracy Walker, an American exchange student from Ohio who is searching for flaws in the dog-exile plan. The film received a Best Animated Feature nomination at the Academy Awards following its release.
Little Women (2019) - 8.2
Topping off the list as Gerwig's highest-rated film is her latest hit, Little Women.
The 2019 coming-of-age period drama recounts the lives of the March sisters who live during and after the Civil War in Concord, Massachusetts. While Jo (Saoirse Ronan) chases after her dreams of becoming a writer in New York, Amy (Florence Pugh) deals with her crush on childhood friend Laurie (Timothée Chalamet) while studying art in Paris. Meanwhile, Meg (Emma Watson) deals with her unglamorous married life and Beth (Eliza Scanlen) attempts to overcome a lasting illness.
Gerwig both wrote and directed the film, which is nominated for six awards at the upcoming Oscars ceremony including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.