Cover Then and now, Angelina Jolie remains one of cinema’s most captivating and influential figures. (Photo: Sylvain Lefevre / Getty Images)
Then and now, Angelina Jolie remains one of cinema’s most captivating and influential figures. (Photo: Sylvain Lefevre / Getty Images)
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Actress, director, humanitarian—Angelina Jolie continues to lead with grace, fire and impact
As Angelina Jolie turns 50 on June 4, her career shines not just with stardom, but with the rare glow of Hollywood royalty. From her early days as a rebellious ingénue to her current status as a global icon, humanitarian powerhouse and creative force, Jolie has consistently chosen roles that entertain and transform.
Her journey through cinema is a masterclass in artistry, where each performance adds another jewel to her many achievements. These nine films represent more than just career highlights; they’re the defining moments that elevated Jolie, a two-time Academy Award-winning actress, from promising talent to queen of the silver screen. Each film demonstrates why she remains, then and now, one of cinema’s most captivating and influential figures.
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1. ‘Gia’ (1998)
Above ‘Gia’ (1998) marked the moment Hollywood truly took notice of Angelina Jolie’s extraordinary talent.
This HBO biopic about supermodel Gia Carangi’s meteoric rise and tragic fall was possibly the first major demonstration of Angelina Jolie’s acting talent. Her portrayal of the troubled fashion icon was nothing short of revelatory, and the deeply nuanced performance earned Jolie the Best Actress trophies from the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Critics were unanimous: the Los Angeles Times wrote that her performance “stands up and demands attention as the work of an impressive young talent.” This wasn’t just a breakthrough—it was a star-making moment.
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2. ‘Girl, Interrupted’ (1999)
Above ‘Girl, Interrupted’ (1999) earned Jolie the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress along with Golden Globe and SAG Awards
If Gia announced Jolie’s arrival, then her scene-stealing turn in Girl, Interrupted officially crowned her Hollywood royalty. Based on Susanna Kaysen’s bestselling memoir about her experience in a mental institution for troubled young women, the movie featured Jolie as the magnetic yet dangerous Lisa Rowe opposite Winona Ryder’s Kaysen. Jolie delivered a performance so compelling that legendary critic Roger Ebert described her as “one of the great wild spirits of current movies, a loose cannon who somehow has deadly aim”.
Angelina Jolie’s role wasn’t simply supporting work—it was a masterclass in commanding attention, earning her Best Supporting Actress nods from the Academy Awards, along with Golden Globe and SAG Awards.
3. ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ (2001)
Above Angelina Jolie’s role ’Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ (2001) established the character as a new archetype for female empowerment in cinema
While critics may have been divided on the film itself, there was universal agreement that Angelina Jolie was perfect as Tomb Raider’s video game adventurer. This role catapulted her to international superstardom and redefined what a female action hero could be on the big screen.
Despite mixed reviews, the film’s massive commercial success, earning US$274.7 million worldwide, proved Jolie’s incredible bankability as a leading lady. More than just an blockbuster action film, Tomb Raider established a new archetype for female empowerment in Lara Croft.
4. ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ (2005)
Above ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ (2005) was a pop culture moment that cemented Jolie’s status as a bankable Hollywood star
The thermonuclear screen chemistry between Jolie and Brad Pitt turned what could have been a standard action-comedy into a cultural phenomenon that grossed US$487.3 million worldwide. As Jane Smith, the deadly assassin masquerading as a suburban housewife, she brought a perfect blend of sophistication, danger and wit that made the screen sizzle. The movie was a pop culture moment that further bolstered her status as one of the most fascinating and bankable stars in Hollywood.
5. ‘A Mighty Heart’ (2007)
Above ‘A Mighty Heart’ (2007) showcased Jolie’s depth and commitment to meaningful storytelling
In A Mighty Heart, Jolie was cast as Mariane Pearl, the widow of journalist Daniel Pearl. Jolie showcased her dramatic depth and commitment to meaningful storytelling in the biopic, which was based on Mariane’s book about the murder of her husband by jihadist militants in 2002. Jolie used her platform to illuminate human courage in the face of unimaginable loss, as Newsweek praised her “delicate, powerful and human-scale performance”, whilst The Hollywood Reporter described her work as “well-measured and moving”. Her Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations demonstrated how she could bring global attention to important geopolitical events whilst delivering a powerfully authentic performance.
6. ‘Changeling’ (2008)
Above In ‘Changeling’ (2008), Jolie portrayed maternal strength and defiance against systemic injustice
Under Clint Eastwood’s masterful direction, Jolie delivered an emotionally devastating performance as Christine Collins, a mother who challenges a corrupt police force after they try to pass off another boy as her missing son. Her Academy Award nomination for Best Actress was richly deserved for this portrayal of maternal strength and defiance against systemic injustice. Shining best in quieter moments, the actress proves her dramatic range could carry even the most emotionally gruelling narratives with grace and power.
7. ‘Salt’ (2010)
Above ‘Salt’ (2010) showed that Jolie could single-handedly carry a major action thriller
Originally written for Tom Cruise, the role of CIA agent Evelyn Salt became a perfect showcase for Jolie’s unique magnetism as an action star. The Hollywood Reporter called it “a better Bond movie than most recent Bond movies”, whilst Empire noted that “when it comes to selling incredible, crazy, death-defying antics, Jolie has few peers in the action business”. The film’s US$294 million worldwide gross proved that Jolie could single-handedly carry a major action thriller with genuine gravitas.
8. ‘Maleficent’ (2014)
Above ‘Maleficent’ (2014) is Jolie’s highest-grossing film at over US$758 million worldwide
Jolie’s transformation into the iconic Disney villain brought magnetic power to what became her highest-grossing film at over US$758 million worldwide. While the film received mixed reviews, her performance was universally praised as the heart and soul of this visually stunning reimagining.
She brought depth and maternal feeling to a character traditionally portrayed as pure evil, creating a complex figure that appealed to audiences of all ages. Maleficent proved her gift for commanding the screen in spectacular fashion.
9. ‘Maria’ (2024)
Above ‘Maria’ (2024) received an eight-minute standing ovation at the Venice International Film Festival
Jolie’s transformative portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s biographical film has been hailed as a highlight in her impressive filmography. The film’s eight-minute standing ovation at the Venice International Film Festival moved Jolie to tears, demonstrating the profound impact of her latest work. With a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress and multiple festival honours, this role proves that Angelina Jolie continues to evolve as an artist with unmistakable star quality.
