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Cinema is the stage for several of the most remarkable talents and the most stunning beauties in history. In today's list, we will be listing some of the most beautiful actresses in the history of cinema, based on research and our own opinion, in addition to focusing on actresses with truly relevant roles in renowned works, and with a certain variability of eras. Without further ado, let's get to the list.
(The Most Beautiful Actresses in History)
Natalie Portman
We open the list with the stunning American actress Natalie Portman, best known for her roles in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and V for Vendetta. In Star Wars, Portman portrayed Senator Padmé, the wife of Anakin Skywalker, a pivotal figure in the downfall of the Jedi Knight and his transformation into Darth Vader. In V for Vendetta, she played the young Evey, who becomes fascinated by the vigilante V and decides to aid him in his crusade.
Natalie Portman’s career began with a remarkable rise from a very young age. Born in 1981 in Jerusalem, she was raised primarily in the United States. Her breakthrough role came at the age of 12 in the film Léon: The Professional, directed by Luc Besson, where she played Mathilda, a young girl protected by a hitman portrayed by Jean Reno.
At 43 years old, Portman holds both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Actress, both earned for her role as Anne Boleyn in Black Swan.
Emma Watson
Another expected presence on this list. Emma has had several standout roles in her career, but none come close to the magnitude of her portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, a role she reprised eight times and remains closely connected to through the universe and its fans.
The British actress, now 34, has focused her career more on activism and less mainstream productions. As Hermione, her appearance differs somewhat from the description in the books, but she still won the hearts of all fans—not just with her stunning beauty, but mainly with the charisma of her character. Among her accolades, she won Best British Actress in 2017.
After the Harry Potter series ended in 2011, Emma Watson continued expanding her film career with roles in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Women. She is known not only for her talent as an actress but also for her commitment to humanitarian and environmental causes, solidifying herself as one of the most respected and admired figures of her generation.
Scarlett Johansson
Perhaps the most well-known among the ten selected actresses due to her work in Marvel, Scarlett has played several standout roles in her career, such as Lucy, but none have been as iconic as Black Widow. Originally a second or third-tier character in Marvel comics, her portrayal propelled Natasha Romanoff to become one of the most beloved figures in the MCU.
The character has always relied on her beauty and seductive prowess, which drew a lot of attention in her early appearances in Iron Man 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. However, with each new installment, her layers were further explored, making her one of the most complex characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Scarlett Johansson’s career began in the late 1990s when she started gaining attention in Hollywood as a talented young actress. Born in New York in 1984, Scarlett showed an interest in acting from an early age and began appearing in theater productions and commercials as a child.
Her first major film role came at the age of 12 in Manny & Lo (1996), where she starred alongside Aleksa Palladino. While she received positive reviews for her performance, it was with Ghost World (2001), based on Daniel Clowes' graphic novel, that Scarlett began earning widespread recognition. In the film, she played Rebecca, a sarcastic and rebellious teenager, showcasing her ability to portray complex characters even at a young age.
Michele Pfeiffer
Michelle Pfeiffer’s early career was marked by her gradual rise and ascent as one of Hollywood’s most talented and sought-after actresses. Born in 1958 in California, Michelle initially aspired to a career in music but eventually turned to acting.
Her first significant film role came in 1980 with The Hollywood Knights, but it was in the following years that she truly began to capture the attention of critics and audiences. In 1983, Michelle Pfeiffer gained widespread recognition for her role as Elvira Hancock in Scarface, directed by Brian De Palma. Her performance alongside Al Pacino put her on Hollywood’s radar as a rising star, thanks to her stunning beauty and magnetic screen presence.
However, without a doubt, her most iconic role was as Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992), the second Tim Burton film featuring the Dark Knight. Unlike the seductive thief from the comics, Pfeiffer brought an unprecedented level of insanity to the character, starting with her bizarre origin, where she is seemingly resurrected by cats. Instead of simply stealing, Selina Kyle conducts erratic attacks across Gotham, aligning herself with Danny DeVito’s Penguin to eliminate Batman. As the story unfolds, she becomes romantically involved with billionaire Bruce Wayne, only to later discover that he is, in fact, the Caped Crusader. In this role, Michelle’s beauty is highlighted as an essential aspect of her characterization, but her mannerisms and expressions also showcase her immense acting ability.
Kirsten Dunst
She is the eternal Mary Jane from Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy. Kirsten Dunst's career began with precocious talent, landing a series of roles that established her as one of Hollywood's most promising young actresses. Born in New Jersey in 1982, Kirsten started acting at a very young age, appearing in commercials and small television roles.
However, it was her role as Claudia in Interview with the Vampire (1994), based on Anne Rice's novel, that truly launched her career. At just 12 years old, Kirsten played a child vampire alongside stars like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Antonio Banderas, receiving widespread praise for her mature and impressive performance. Another defining film of her youth was Jumanji, a 1990s classic that introduced her to a broader audience.
But her name was undeniably propelled to mainstream fame in 2002 when she portrayed Mary Jane in Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man trilogy. Despite her solid performance, this version of MJ simply doesn’t sit well with me—nor with many fans.
The script turns Mary Jane into a complete damsel in distress, having her kidnapped in every single movie while also portraying her relationship with Peter as utterly ridiculous. She clearly toys with Spider-Man in a somewhat cruel manner, which doesn’t align with the original personality of the character.
Megan Fox
Megan Fox's career began with her rise as one of the most recognized actresses for her beauty and on-screen presence. Born in Tennessee in 1986, Megan started modeling at a young age and soon transitioned into acting.
Her first significant role came in 2004 when she appeared in the teen comedy Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, starring Lindsay Lohan. Although her role was relatively small, it gained enough attention for Megan to start being noticed in Hollywood.
However, it was her role as Mikaela Banes in Michael Bay’s Transformers (2007) that catapulted her to international fame. Her portrayal of Shia LaBeouf’s love interest in the action-packed sci-fi film was a massive box office success and solidified Megan Fox as a beauty and sex symbol in pop culture at the time.
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie's early career was marked by her rapid rise from a budding actress to one of Hollywood's brightest stars. Born in Australia in 1990, Margot began her career in Australian television, appearing in series such as Neighbours and Pan Am, where she caught attention for her talent and charisma.
However, it was her role as Naomi Lapaglia in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, that truly put Margot Robbie on the international map. Her performance as the fiery and complex wife of Jordan Belfort earned her critical acclaim and established her as an actress with a promising future in Hollywood.
More recently, two roles have defined Margot's career: Harley Quinn and Barbie. Robbie played Harley Quinn in three films and became strongly associated with the character, although she may have deviated somewhat from the original vision of the Queen of Crime. Unfortunately for some, and fortunately for others, it is highly unlikely that she will reprise the role, following the complete reboot of the DCEU under James Gunn's direction. However, her Suicide Squad (2016) makeup helped the film win the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
In addition, her performance as Barbie was another major milestone. Despite being a divisive film among critics, it was a massive box office success, surpassing the $1 billion mark and propelling Margot into Oscar contention.
Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields' early career was marked by a remarkable rise from a very young age, making her a well-known figure in both cinema and fashion. Born in 1965, Brooke started modeling practically from birth, with her first published photograph appearing when she was just 11 months old. Her beauty and charisma quickly made her one of the most sought-after child and teenage models.
However, it was in 1980 that the film that changed her career was released—the Afternoon Session classic The Blue Lagoon, a movie that would certainly not be aired in prime time today. In the film, Brooke plays Emmeline, who, as a child, gets lost on a deserted island with her cousin Richard, forcing them to survive for years. They are briefly assisted by an old sailor named Paddy Button, but he dies shortly afterward. The story focuses on their growth and development, sometimes in rather unsettling ways, as anyone who has seen this controversial film knows. In the end, in a bizarre Luke and Leia in Empire Strikes Back type of moment, they choose to remain on the island rather than be rescued by Emmeline’s father, who is searching for them by boat. Instead, they behave like natives, causing him to leave in frustration—an ending that irritates most casual viewers. Later, they unknowingly eat a poisonous fruit in a symbolic Adam and Eve moment, deciding to await death. However, they are eventually found by a group of travelers, leaving their fate ambiguously unresolved in this infamous Globo afternoon classic.
Brooke Shields' career afterward was relatively quiet, without many standout roles, though she remained widely recognized for her unparalleled beauty, especially during her peak in the 1980s. In recent years, she has stepped away from acting but continues to be a relevant figure in retro pop culture.
Jeniffer Connely
OJennifer Connelly’s early career was marked by her transition from modeling to becoming a recognized actress known for her skill and versatility. Born in 1970, Jennifer began modeling at the age of 10 and quickly gained attention for her unique beauty and captivating presence.
Her first significant film role came at the age of 14 in Once Upon a Time in America (1984), where she starred alongside David Bowie. However, it was her role in Labyrinth (1986), directed by Jim Henson and co-starring Bowie, that earned her wider recognition. In the film, she played Sarah, a teenager on a quest to rescue her brother from a magical labyrinth, showcasing her ability to portray complex characters even at a young age.
However, her most acclaimed role came in A Beautiful Mind, where she won four awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Jennifer Connelly remains a significant force in Hollywood, respected for both her beauty and her dramatic talent. Her ability to reinvent herself and take on challenging roles throughout her career has solidified her as one of the most admired and respected actresses of her generation.
Audrey Hepburn
Voted the most beautiful actress in Hollywood by The Telegraph and featured in almost every list on the subject, the stunning British actress and philanthropist is undoubtedly one of the greatest beauties of all time—and the champion of our list.
Her professional acting career began in theater, and she later moved to England, where she landed small roles in British films. Her big breakthrough came in 1953 when Audrey Hepburn secured the lead role in Roman Holiday, starring alongside Gregory Peck. Her performance as Princess Ann earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, cementing her status as an international star.
From that point on, Audrey Hepburn continued to captivate audiences and critics alike with a series of unforgettable performances in classic films. Among them are Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), where she played the iconic Holly Golightly, and Sabrina (1954), alongside Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. Her distinctive, graceful style, combined with a natural talent for both comedy and drama, made her one of the most beloved actresses of her time.
Beyond her talent as an actress, Audrey Hepburn was admired for her humanitarian work, dedicating much of her life after retiring from cinema to humanitarian efforts as a UNICEF ambassador. Her influence extended far beyond the silver screen, leaving a lasting legacy—not only as one of Hollywood’s greatest stars but also as a symbol of elegance, compassion, and dedication to humanitarian causes around the world.
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