Jennifer Connelly is currently impressing audiences in Tom Cruise's latest action blockbuster, Top Gun: Maverick, Snowpiercer on the small screen, but the actress has been involved in many other successful movies over the past few decades - many of which have flown under the radar of younger audiences.
In order to take a look back at her expansive career, Ranker has put together a list of Jennifer Connelly's ten best movies - as voted for by the site's users. The results display a wide range of different genres and styles, proving Connelly's range as an actress.
Inventing The Abbotts (1997)
Connelly stars opposite Joaquin Phoenix in this '90s drama about two families who find themselves entangled in a dangerous web caused by one patriarch's imagined wrongs. The film might not be the most thrilling ever made, but it tells a story that's easy to lose yourself in for two short hours.
Both Connelly and Phoenix turn in great performances in their respective roles, which makes this story infinitely more compelling and grounded in reality than anybody would initially expect. Neither of the actors' most noteworthy works, but still a hidden gem in Connelly's filmography.
The Rocketeer (1991)
Billy Campbell plays the titular rocketeer in this retro sci-fi, which follows his character as a prototype jetpack grants him the ability to fly. But soon finds himself in conflict when dark forces catch word of the jetpack and attempt to steal it from him.
Connelly plays an aspiring actress named Jenny Blake, whose relationship with the Rocketeer is one of the film's most important aspects. Their chemistry together is fairly believable, and the pair share several memorable scenes that add a much-needed human element to this fantastical narrative.
Hulk (2003)
Ang Lee's Hulk might not be the most critically acclaimed superhero movie in thegenre, but it still has its fair share of fans who will defend it for its stylish reimagining of the famous comic hero. Connelly plays the character of Betty Ross, the love interest of protagonist Bruce Banner.
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The romance element of Hulk is something that hasn't really been effectively explored in the MCU's imagining of the character, and it adds a whole new layer to the story that makes it much more compelling. Her relationship with Bana's Hulk is an unusual and interesting one, but it works thanks to the actors' great performances.
Dark City (1998)
Dark City is an extremely unique kind of film, taking a dark and gritty approach to its unconventional story, which tells the tale of one man's journey to prove his innocence in a series of unexplained killings. In his quest, Rufus Sewell's protagonist finds a group of aliens called the Strangers who hold a dark influence over the city.
Many people consider Dark City to be one of the best and most underrated neo-noir films ever made, presumably thanks to the inventive and unconventional way that it decides to tell its dark story. It's an extremely atmospheric film, presenting a story that you can easily find yourself lost in.
Career Opportunities (1991)
It's films like Career Opportunities that make Jennifer Connelly one of the most iconic rom-com actresses of the 1990s, telling the entertaining story of two individuals who find themselves locked overnight in a store. They build a strong bond over the course of the night, but this is quickly put to the test when a group of robbers break in.
Like many romantic comedies of the era, Career Opportunities draws a lot of laughs from the uncomfortable and unbelievable positions that it places its characters in. It's a funny story that's made all the more amusing by Connelly and Frank Whaley's charming performances.
Blood Diamond (2006)
Directed by Edward Zwick, Blood Diamond is a great war drama that chronicles the unlikely alliance between a local fisherman named Vandy and a professional smuggler named Danny, who work together in order to find Vandy's family and acquire a priceless diamond for Danny.
The film features two incredible performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou, who complement each other's characters in a really interesting and compelling way. Connelly plays an American journalist who joins in with their wild adventure in search of a career-making scoop.
House Of Sand And Fog (2003)
Jennifer Connely plays the lead character of Kathy in this intense psychological drama, which tells the story of an Iranian man named Behrani who moves into Kathy's old home after she's wrongfully evicted. Many will cite this as Connelly's strongest performance to date, as she has plenty of complex emotions and experiences to work through in this role.
Where House of Sand and Fog differs from many other dramas is in its close examination of the characters at the heart of its story. It's much less focused on the intricacies of the narrative and much more concerned with its authentic and human portrayals of the individuals.
Requiem For A Dream (2000)
Requiem For A Dream is still considered one of Darren Aronofsky's best movies to this day, which is a testament to just how immersive and timeless its story is. The film follows Ellen Burstyn's character Sara, as she becomes addicted to her weight loss pills and suffers a severe mental breakdown as a result.
The film takes an extremely unique approach towards its story, exploring themes like mental health, substance abuse, and human psychology - whilst still presenting a story that's incredibly captivating and engaging. The film also boasts two career-best performances from Jennifer Connelly and Jared Leto.
Labyrinth (1986)
Jim Henson's iconic family adventure tells the story of a teenage girl named Sarah, who journeys through a magical maze in order to reclaim her younger brother from the grasp of the Goblin King. Labyrinth is one of the most widely-beloved magical fantasy films of all time, and it's only grown more popular with age.
David Bowie's performance as the Goblin King in Labyrinth is easily one of the most entertaining roles that the actor/singer ever took, and the film gives him plenty of opportunities to run wild with this eccentric character. He's the absolute crux of this film, and it wouldn't work half as well without him.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
A Beautiful Mind tells the captivatingly tragic story of John Nash, a mathematical genius who begins to suffer severe mental trauma that puts both his professional and personal lives at risk. The film follows Nash as his suffering grows worse and worse, eventually culminating in the professor's crushing schizophrenia diagnosis.
Not only does A Beautiful Mind boast one of Russell Crowe's best performances to date, but it's also full of outstanding supporting performances from Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, and Ed Harris. They all bring this story to life in a thrilling and engaging way, turning what could have easily been a simple story into something infinitely more personal and complex.