10 Best Nicole Kidman Movies, According to Ranker

Nicole Kidman's movies have held a designated spot within pop culture over the past few decades, ranging a wide span of genres and styles.

Nicole Kidman's movies have been increasingly popular and successful ever since her debut in 1983, but what is it about the actress that makes her films so watchable? Her filmography ranges a wide spectrum of different genres, from comedies, horrors, and even musicals.

The Australian actress is one that audiences can always rely on for a compelling and unique performance, most of the time pushing herself to be the standout of the cast. No two films of hers are the same, and she often opts to get involved in films that are very different from what she's done in the past.

10 Genius (2016)

Although it might not be Kidman's most famous or well-known film to date, Genius remains an intriguing drama about the complicated relationship between renowned book editor Maxwell Perkins and novelist Thomas Wolfe, played by Colin Firth and Jude Law respectively.

The film is based on a true story - or at least true people. Perkins was a real editor who lived in the 19th Century and grew most famous for discovering famous authors like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Firth does a great job of portraying him in the film, with Kidman's supporting performance as Wolfe's lover also demanding praise.

9 Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Stanley Kubrick's iconic thriller Eyes Wide Shut is based on Arthur Schnitzler's 1926 novella "Dream Story" and follows Tom Cruise's character Bill Hartford as he attempts to infiltrate a mysterious masked society to try and recapture the magic of his failing marriage.

Much like Schnitzler's original story, the film has plenty to say about the nature of marriage, love, and human connections - with all of these themes being elevated by Kubrick's precise and considered direction. Real-life couple Cruise and Kidman have excellent chemistry in the film and both provide great performances.

8 Far and Away (1992)

Far and Away is another Cruise/Kidman 90s romance drama, this time following the relationship between Irish immigrants in America, Joseph and Shannon. The film combines elements of both the Western and romance genres, telling its story in the 1890s deep south.

Naturally, Kidman and Cruise play off each other expertly in the film and their characters' relationship is an extremely believable and compelling one. The story is grounded in these characters' journeys, always focusing on the deep bond and intrinsic fractures between them.

7 To Die For (1995)

To Die For sees Kidman star opposite Matt Dillon and Joaquin Phoenix in this comedy/drama based on the life of Pamela Smart. Nicole Kidman's character Suzanne wants to be a newscaster, and the film proves that there's almost nothing she won't do to achieve her goals.

The film is directed by Gus Van Sant, who was more famous in the 90s for his quiet dramas like My Own Private Idaho and Good Will Hunting - so this film turning out to be one of the best mockumentary comedies of all time was somewhat of a surprise. Kidman's hilariously twisted performance as Suzanne is certainly the highlight of the film.

6 Dead Calm (1989)

Dead Calm is an intense psychological thriller that chronicles the life of Kidman's character Rae Ingram, who has a terrifying experience on vacation that results in a kidnapping, a broken marriage, and a point from which she'll never return. It's one of the last films Kidman worked on in Australia, and is cited by many as one of the best psychological thrillers of the era.

Kidman stars opposite Sam Neill as her husband John Ingram, with whom her character has an extremely tense and complicated relationship. They manage to build this complex dynamic into something totally engaging and compelling, which makes the film twice as fun to watch.

5 Lion (2016)

Lion is a heartbreaking biographical drama that tells the story of Dev Patel's character Saroo Brierly, who was separated from his family at a young age and embarks on a journey to reconnect with them. Kidman plays his adoptive mother Sue, in an extremely emotive supporting role.

Lion was somewhat of a breakout role for Patel, who until that point was best known for his childhood roles in Best Picture-winner Slumdog Millionaire and British cult comedy Skins. The actor does a fantastic job in Lion, and his journey is one that's sure to win over all audiences.

4 The Hours (2002)

The Hours centers around three women who are searching for profound meaning in their lives. One of these women in writer Virginia Woolf, and the other two are women from the future who find solace in the words of her novel "Mrs Dalloway."

The film has plenty to say about womanhood and autonomy, telling an important story in an entirely fresh and unique way. It manages to interweave a fictional story of two modern women seeking purpose with the biographical story of one iconic woman in a completely natural way.

3 The Beguiled (2017)

Directed by Sofia Coppola, The Beguiled tells the story of an injured Civil War soldier who is taken in by a student at an all-girls boarding school. However, the man's arrival brings a wave of lust, desire, and jealousy among the girls at the school.

Kidman plays the headteacher of the school, Martha Farnsworth, and provides an extremely intense and unique performance that perfectly matches the suspenseful and gothic tone of the film. It's a film quite unlike any other, with every member of the cast bringing everything they've got to this individually intense story.

2 Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Directed by musical auteur Baz Luhrmann, Moulin Rouge! tells the story of English poet Christian and cabaret actress Satine as they embark on a romantic relationship. The film unsurprisingly takes place at the Moulin Rouge, Paris' largest cabaret nightclub.

Many cite the film as one of the best movie musicals of the 2000s, most likely thanks to its unwavering dedication to style and flare. It's an extremely glossy and upbeat film that uses bright colors and slick cinematography to tell its story, with a compelling relationship and grounded characters at its heart.

1 The Others (2001)

In one of her first horror roles, Nicole Kidman plays distressed mother Grace Stewart as she moves her two children into a seemingly haunted house in Jersey. The Others was one of the defining horror films of the 2000s, bringing back the supernatural genre after a brief hiatus in the 90s.

Kidman delivers an outstanding performance in the lead role, perfectly capturing the fear and anxiety of being forced to protect your children from a seemingly malevolent evil spirit. It's a film that never gives the audience space to breathe, and has since become famous for its shocking third-act twist.

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