Emma Stone is one of Hollywood’s most beloved and versatile actresses. Known for her sharp wit, emotional depth, and undeniable charm, Stone has delivered memorable performances across a wide range of genres—from laugh-out-loud comedies to heart-wrenching dramas. With her signature raspy voice and natural charisma, she has become a standout in the film industry. In this blog, we’ll explore the 10 best Emma Stone movies that showcase her talent and versatility.
1. La La Land (2016)
Description: A heartwarming musical about love, ambition, and the pursuit of dreams in Los Angeles.
Overview and Features
Directed by Damien Chazelle, "La La Land" is a modern musical romance that follows Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a jazz musician, as they navigate their careers and relationship. As their love for each other grows, their dreams start pulling them in different directions, leading to a bittersweet conclusion. The film’s vibrant cinematography and infectious musical numbers make it a love letter to classic Hollywood.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
Emma Stone’s portrayal of Mia earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her performance is both heartfelt and magnetic, perfectly capturing the struggle between love and ambition. Stone’s singing and dancing add another dimension to her already stellar acting, making La La Land a must-watch for musical and romance lovers.
Unique Description: Stone’s Oscar-winning performance in this modern musical masterpiece.
IMDb Score: 8.0
2. The Help (2011)
Description: A drama set in the 1960s about a young writer who shines a light on the lives of African-American maids in the South.
Overview and Features
Directed by Tate Taylor, "The Help" is a powerful drama based on the novel of the same name by Kathryn Stockett. Emma Stone stars as Skeeter, an aspiring journalist who returns to her Mississippi hometown and becomes determined to write about the struggles of African-American maids. She secretly interviews the maids, including Aibileen (Viola Davis) and Minny (Octavia Spencer), to expose the racism and injustices they face.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
Emma Stone’s performance as Skeeter showcases her ability to handle dramatic material with grace and empathy. The film’s ensemble cast, led by Stone, delivers powerful performances that shed light on the civil rights movement and the courage of women fighting for equality. The Help is both emotionally moving and thought-provoking, making it a standout in Stone’s career.
Unique Description: Stone leads a powerful drama about courage and social justice.
IMDb Score: 8.1
3. Easy A (2010)
Description: A witty high school comedy about a student whose life spirals out of control after a rumor spreads.
Overview and Features
Directed by Will Gluck, "Easy A" is a clever and refreshing take on high school life, loosely inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Emma Stone plays Olive Penderghast, a sharp-witted high schooler who pretends to have scandalous relationships to boost her popularity. As rumors about her promiscuity spread, Olive’s life becomes more complicated than she anticipated.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
"Easy A" marked Emma Stone’s breakthrough as a leading lady in Hollywood. Her comedic timing, coupled with her ability to bring depth and heart to Olive’s character, makes this film a fan favorite. Stone’s performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination and established her as a force to be reckoned with in the world of comedy.
Unique Description: Stone’s breakout role in this witty, modern high school comedy.
IMDb Score: 7.0
4. The Favourite (2018)
Description: A dark and biting historical drama about power, manipulation, and betrayal in 18th-century England.
Overview and Features
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, "The Favourite" is a historical drama that focuses on the rivalry between two cousins, Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) and Abigail Masham (Emma Stone), as they vie for the favor of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman). Abigail starts as a servant but quickly uses her wit and charm to climb the ranks of the royal court, all while manipulating those around her to gain power.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
Emma Stone’s portrayal of Abigail is both cunning and vulnerable, showcasing her range as an actress. Her character’s transition from innocent to ruthless is fascinating to watch, and Stone masterfully captures every nuance. The film’s dark humor and intricate power dynamics make The Favourite one of Stone’s most critically acclaimed performances, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Unique Description: Stone’s cunning portrayal of a power-hungry servant in a royal court.
IMDb Score: 7.5
5. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Description: A romantic comedy about a man trying to rebuild his life with the help of a suave young bachelor.
Overview and Features
Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, "Crazy, Stupid, Love" is a romantic comedy that follows Cal (Steve Carell), a man going through a divorce, as he receives a makeover and dating lessons from the charismatic Jacob (Ryan Gosling). Emma Stone plays Hannah, a smart and witty law student who becomes entangled in Jacob’s world of casual relationships.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s chemistry lights up the screen in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Stone’s portrayal of Hannah is funny, relatable, and charming, making her one of the standout characters in the film. The movie’s blend of humor, romance, and heartfelt moments makes it a modern rom-com classic, and Stone’s performance is a major reason why.
Unique Description: Stone’s chemistry with Gosling steals the show in this rom-com gem.
IMDb Score: 7.4
6. Zombieland (2009)
Description: A comedic horror film about a group of survivors navigating a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies.
Overview and Features
Directed by Ruben Fleischer, "Zombieland" is a comedy-horror film that follows a group of misfit survivors as they make their way across a zombie-infested America. Emma Stone plays Wichita, a tough and resourceful young woman who, along with her sister, teams up with the awkward Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) and the gun-toting Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) to survive.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
Emma Stone brings her trademark wit and charm to the role of Wichita, making her character both tough and endearing. Zombieland is a hilarious and action-packed film, and Stone’s performance adds a perfect balance of humor and badassery. The film’s unique blend of comedy and horror has made it a cult favorite, and Stone’s role was a key part of its success.
Unique Description: Stone’s wit and toughness shine in this zombie-filled comedy-horror.
IMDb Score: 7.6
7. Birdman (2014)
Description: A black comedy about a washed-up actor trying to revive his career with a Broadway production.
Overview and Features
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, "Birdman" is a dark comedy-drama that follows Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), a former superhero actor trying to stage a comeback on Broadway. Emma Stone plays Sam, Riggan’s troubled daughter and assistant, who is recovering from addiction and struggling to connect with her father. The film is shot to appear as one continuous take, creating a unique and immersive viewing experience.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
Emma Stone’s performance as Sam is raw, emotional, and powerful. Her character’s complex relationship with her father adds depth to the film, and Stone’s portrayal of a young woman grappling with her own demons earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Birdman is a visually stunning and thought-provoking film, and Stone’s performance is one of its many highlights.
Unique Description: Stone’s emotional portrayal adds depth to this visually stunning drama.
IMDb Score: 7.7
8. The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Description: A reboot of the Spider-Man franchise, focusing on the origin story of Peter Parker and his first love.
Overview and Features
Directed by Marc Webb, "The Amazing Spider-Man" reboots the iconic superhero story, with Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Peter’s first love. The film explores Peter’s journey to becoming Spider-Man while balancing his relationship with Gwen and uncovering secrets about his parents’ mysterious past.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
Emma Stone’s portrayal of Gwen Stacy brings intelligence, warmth, and depth to the character, making her one of the most beloved iterations of Peter Parker’s love interest. Stone’s chemistry with Garfield is electric, and their relationship is at the heart of the film. The Amazing Spider-Man may be a superhero film, but Stone’s performance elevates it with emotional stakes and genuine romance.
Unique Description: Stone’s portrayal of Gwen Stacy adds heart to this superhero reboot.
IMDb Score: 6.9
9. Battle of the Sexes (2017)
Description: A sports biopic about the famous 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
Overview and Features
Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, "Battle of the Sexes" is a biographical sports drama about the 1973 tennis match between women’s tennis champion Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and former men’s champion Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell). The film explores the societal and gender dynamics of the time, as well as King’s fight for equality in women’s sports.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
Emma Stone’s portrayal of Billie Jean King is nuanced, powerful, and inspiring. Stone captures both King’s athletic prowess and her determination to fight for women’s rights, making the film a compelling watch. The chemistry between Stone and Carell, combined with the film’s exploration of gender politics, makes Battle of the Sexes both entertaining and important.
Unique Description: Stone’s powerful portrayal of a tennis icon in a fight for equality.
IMDb Score: 6.7
10. Aloha (2015)
Description: A romantic drama set in Hawaii, where a military contractor rekindles relationships while working on a classified mission.
Overview and Features
Directed by Cameron Crowe, "Aloha" follows Brian Gilcrest (Bradley Cooper), a defense contractor who returns to Hawaii for a top-secret mission. While there, he reconnects with an old flame, Tracy (Rachel McAdams), and develops a new relationship with Allison Ng (Emma Stone), an Air Force pilot assigned to assist him.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
Although Aloha received mixed reviews, Emma Stone’s performance as the bubbly and ambitious Allison Ng is a standout. Stone brings her usual charm and energy to the role, creating a memorable character in an otherwise uneven film. While not her most acclaimed work, Aloha is still worth watching for fans of Stone’s magnetic screen presence.
Unique Description: Stone brings charm and energy to this romantic drama set in Hawaii.
IMDb Score: 5.4
FAQs
1. What are the best Emma Stone movies?
Some of the best Emma Stone movies include La La Land, The Help, The Favourite, Easy A, and Crazy, Stupid, Love.
2. Has Emma Stone won an Academy Award?
Yes, Emma Stone won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in La La Land (2016).
3. What is Emma Stone’s most iconic role?
Emma Stone’s role as Mia in La La Land (2016) is widely considered her most iconic role.
4. What genre does Emma Stone excel in?
Emma Stone excels in a variety of genres, including comedy (Easy A), drama (The Help), musicals (La La Land), and even superhero films (The Amazing Spider-Man).
5. Has Emma Stone worked with Ryan Gosling?
Yes, Emma Stone has worked with Ryan Gosling in multiple films, including La La Land, Crazy, Stupid, Love, and Gangster Squad.
Conclusion
Emma Stone’s filmography is filled with a wide variety of roles that showcase her incredible range and versatility as an actress. From her breakout performance in Easy A to her Oscar-winning role in La La Land, the 10 best Emma Stone movies listed here highlight her ability to captivate audiences in any genre. Whether you’re a fan of comedies, dramas, or musicals, Stone’s films offer something for every movie lover.
