It's pretty clear that Melissa Benoist is quickly rising as one of Hollywood's brightest and busiest young TV stars. After playing the role of Marley Rose on Glee for 42 episodes from 2012 to 2014, the Colorado native landed the part of a lifetime when cast as Kara Danvers on the CW hit DC Comics series Supergirl. Since 2015, Benoist has played the heroic star for five seasons, 126 episodes, and counting.
In addition to appearing in a bevy of crossover DC series, Benoist has also starred in a dozen or so feature films in her career thus far. For a better look at Melissa Benoist's cinematic career, scroll below!
BEST: Sun Dogs (2017) - 6.2
In Jennifer Morrison's dramedy Sun Dogs, Benoist takes top billing as Tally Peterson, a carefree spirit who helps mentally impaired Ned (Michael Angarano) conduct a stakeout operation after a chance meeting in a casino.
Ned Chipley is emotionally distraught when denied entry into the military, something he's wanted to do since his birth on September 11. Upon meeting Talley, the two begin spying on Ned's boss, whom he suspects to be a secret Al-Qaeda agent. Through a series of misadventures, the two forge an unbreakable bond with one another.
WORST: Band Of Robbers (2015) - 6.0
From brothers Aaron and Adam Nee, Band of Robbers is a contemporary continuation of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn novels. Now grown men, Huck Finn (Kyle Gallner) and Tom Sawyer (Adam Nee) pick up their search for the long-lost treasure that alluded them as kids.
With Huck recently released from prison and his pal Tom a feckless cop, the two set off on a series of adventurous mishaps. Benoist plays Becky Thatcher, a zealous rookie cop who Tom must train in the midst of attempting a heist.
BEST: Danny Collins (2015) - 7.0
In the third feature film of her career, Benoist shared the screen with Al Pacino and Annette Bening in Danny Collins, a character study about an aging rock-n-roll musician inspired to make sweeping changes in his life.
Pacino stars as Danny Collins, a '70s rocker unable to kick old habits. When his manager finds an unsent letter written to Danny from John Lennon, Danny finds inspiration to reconnect with his estranged son in New Jersey. Benoist plays the role of Jamie, a woman who works in a hotel with Danny's new love interest, Mary (Bening).
WORST: Jay & Silent Bob Reboot (2019) - 5.7
Benoist's most recent film was Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, in which she plays the in-universe comic book character Chronic of Bluntman and Chronic fame. To be specific, she's playing an in-universe actress who landed the role of Chronic. Of course, director Kevin Smith worked with Benoist on four episodes of Supergirl, which is how they became acquainted in the first place.
The plot accelerates when Jay and Silent Bob attempt to sue Saban Films for making an unlicensed Bluntman V Chronic movie. As the two set out to destroy the production, they meet a who's who of familiar Hollywood insiders in this celebration of all things View Askewniverse.
BEST: The Longest Ride (2015) - 7.1
Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, The Longest Ride stars Scott Eastwood and Britt Robertson in a young couple who sparks the romantic recollection of an elderly man (Alan Alda) who spent time in their lives.
Luke Collins is a former bull-riding champion desperate to reclaim past glory. Sophia Danko is a college grad embarking on a New York City dream job. Upon meeting and falling in love, the two must overcome their divergent career paths to ensure their longevity together.
WORST: Lowriders (2016) - 5.6
In Ricardo de Montreuil's subcultural character study Lowriders, a mischievous teenager named Danny (Gabriel Chavarria) is torn between working in his father Miguel's (Demian Bechir) auto shop and pursuing self-expression through graffiti art.
Things grow more complicated for Danny with the release of his older brother Ghost (Theo Rossi) when they decide to enter their lowrider in a local competition. Benoist plays Lorelie, a budding photographer who Danny falls for over the course of the film.
BEST: Patriot's Day (2016) - 7.4
Based on real events that transpired during the annual Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, Patriot's Day recounts the domestic terror attack perpetrated by the brothers Tsarnaev. Mark Wahlberg stars as fictitious Boston police officer Tommy Saunders, who is tasked with leading a citywide manhunt after two bombs are detonated during the marathon.
Benoist plays Katherine Russell, the American wife of deceased Soviet-born terrorist Tamerlan Tsarnaev (Themo Melikidze). Many praised the film's tension and direction, though some took issue because it felt as if Patriot's Day was glamorizing or even exploiting a real-life tragedy.
WORST: Tennessee (2008) - 5.5
Tennessee leaps from 1993 to 2007 and in the present, Carter (Adam Rothenberg) learns that his brother Ellis (Ethan Peck) has leukemia. Upon returning to his hometown in Tennessee to find his brother a bone marrow donor and reunite with their estranged and abusive father, a series of obstacles and life lessons greets Carter at every turn.
Benoist made her big-screen debut in Tennessee as Laurel, the girlfriend of a younger Carter.
BEST: Whiplash (2014) - 8.5
According to IMDB, the best movie Benoist has appeared in thus far is Damien Chazelle's Whiplash. Not only is this her highest rated movie, but it also currently ranks #46 on IMDB's Top 250. Whiplash was praised for its intense acting and story, with some even claiming it was robbed of the Oscar for Best Picture, which it lost to the equally revered Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).
Whiplash centers on Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), an aspiring jazz drummer who is subjected to unthinkable cruelty by his ruthless perfectionist teacher, Mr. Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). As Andrew works to defy his mentor and pursue perfection, he cuts ties with his recent love interest Nicole (Benoist).
WORST: Billy Boy (2017) - 4.4
The worst movie of Benoist's career to date, per IMDB, is the crime-thriller Billy Boy. It stars Blake Jenner as troubled teenager Billy Forsetti, a low-level car thief who goes to extremes upon the discovery of his best friend's death.
Benoist plays Jennifer, a romantic interest that has the potential to keep Billy away from a life of crime. However, following a botched heist, Billy's life takes an abject turn for the worst. Though some users had no problems with the cast, Billy Boy was easily dismissed as a run-on-the-mill crime thriller that does nothing new or interesting.