20 Actors Who Consistently Make Great Movies

Some performers build filmographies that feel dependable because their projects regularly earn strong reviews, awards, or passionate audiences. The names below show up again and again in acclaimed work, often partnering with top directors and staying selective about roles. You will see frequent collaborations, major wins, and films that get taught, rewatched, and quoted. Here are twenty actors whose bodies of work make them safe bets whenever their names appear on a poster.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day-Lewis is a three-time Academy Award winner for lead performances. He is known for long gaps between films and careful partnerships with directors like Paul Thomas Anderson and Martin Scorsese. Key titles include ‘There Will Be Blood’, ‘Lincoln’, ‘My Left Foot’, ‘Gangs of New York’, and ‘Phantom Thread’. His projects often become awards-season fixtures and industry reference points.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett has won two Academy Awards and regularly headlines international co-productions and auteur dramas. She works with directors such as Todd Haynes, Peter Jackson, and Woody Allen, while balancing studio projects and art house films. Notable films include ‘Tar’, ‘Carol’, ‘The Aviator’, ‘Elizabeth’, and ‘Blue Jasmine’. Her roles often lead major festival runs and year-end top lists.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington holds two Academy Awards and a steady record of box office leadership across drama and action. He has collaborated repeatedly with filmmakers like Spike Lee, Antoine Fuqua, and Tony Scott. His filmography features ‘Training Day’, ‘Glory’, ‘Fences’, ‘Malcolm X’, and ‘Inside Man’. He also directs, and his projects frequently appear in awards conversations.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks won back-to-back Academy Awards for lead performances and remains a top choice for historical and character-driven films. He has ongoing partnerships with Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis. Major titles include ‘Forrest Gump’, ‘Saving Private Ryan’, ‘Cast Away’, ‘Captain Phillips’, and the ‘Toy Story’ series. His releases often combine critical approval with broad audience reach.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand has three Academy Awards for lead performances and an additional producing Oscar. She collaborates often with the Coen brothers and works across independent films and prestige studio projects. Important films include ‘Fargo’, ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, ‘Nomadland’, and ‘Burn After Reading’. Her choices frequently align with festival winners and best-of-year lists.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio pairs with directors like Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Christopher Nolan. He has a Best Actor win and multiple nominations across his career. Standout films include ‘Inception’, ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, ‘The Revenant’, ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, and ‘Shutter Island’. His releases routinely draw global audiences and sustained critical attention.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis is an EGOT and a consistent presence in acclaimed dramas. She has led adaptations, biographical stories, and ensemble pieces with strong theatrical roots. Notable films include ‘Fences’, ‘The Help’, ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’, and ‘Widows’. Her projects frequently gather major nominations across acting, writing, and production categories.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix has a Best Actor win and a filmography that spans independent and large-scale studio work. He works often with directors like James Gray, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Ridley Scott. Key films include ‘Joker’, ‘Her’, ‘The Master’, and ‘Walk the Line’. His releases regularly feature prominent festival premieres and significant awards traction.

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins holds two Best Actor Oscars and a career that bridges classic and contemporary cinema. He has delivered acclaimed performances in literary adaptations and psychological dramas. Major titles include ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, ‘The Father’, ‘The Remains of the Day’, and ‘Nixon’. His films frequently anchor awards seasons and critical retrospectives.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet has a Best Actress Oscar and a track record of prestige projects across studios and independents. She often collaborates with directors like James Cameron, Michel Gondry, and Danny Boyle. Notable films include ‘Titanic’, ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, ‘The Reader’, and ‘Steve Jobs’. Her choices often lead to repeated nominations and long-tail audience discovery.

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan has multiple Academy Award nominations across lead and supporting categories. She works frequently with Greta Gerwig and Joe Wright and often anchors literary adaptations. Significant films include ‘Lady Bird’, ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Atonement’, and ‘Little Women’. Her projects tend to perform strongly with critics and in year-end awards circles.

Christian Bale

Christian Bale has an Academy Award for supporting performance and several additional nominations. He is known for director partnerships with Christopher Nolan, David O. Russell, and James Mangold. Key films include ‘The Dark Knight’, ‘The Fighter’, ‘The Big Short’, and ‘Ford v Ferrari’. His releases often combine strong reviews with durable box office appeal.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton has a supporting Oscar and a global slate of auteur collaborations. She frequently appears in boundary-pushing projects while also joining major franchises. Notable films include ‘Michael Clayton’, ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’, ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’, and ‘Snowpiercer’. Her filmography shows steady festival presence and international recognition.

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali has two supporting Oscars and a career that moves between intimate dramas and larger studio titles. His work often centers on character-driven stories with strong ensembles. Important films include ‘Moonlight’, ‘Green Book’, ‘Hidden Figures’, and ‘Swan Song’. His projects consistently attract awards attention and sustained critical discussion.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman is a Best Actress winner with additional nominations spanning decades. She collaborates with filmmakers like Darren Aronofsky, Pablo Larraín, and Mike Nichols. Major films include ‘Black Swan’, ‘Jackie’, ‘Closer’, and ‘Annihilation’. Her releases commonly feature festival debuts and robust year-end recognition.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro has two Academy Awards and long-standing collaborations with Martin Scorsese. His body of work includes crime epics, biographical dramas, and character studies. Notable films include ‘Raging Bull’, ‘The Godfather Part II’, ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Goodfellas’, and ‘The Irishman’. His projects remain staples of film history courses and critical canons.

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh is a Best Actress winner with a career spanning Hong Kong cinema and global productions. She has led action, drama, and science fiction films with international reach. Key titles include ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, and ‘Sunshine’. Her projects often show strong crossover appeal and awards visibility.

Tony Leung Chiu-wai

Tony Leung Chiu-wai is a Cannes Best Actor winner and a central figure in modern Asian cinema. He frequently collaborates with Wong Kar-wai and appears in both art house and commercial hits. Notable films include ‘In the Mood for Love’, ‘Chungking Express’, ‘Infernal Affairs’, and ‘Lust, Caution’. His work is widely cited in discussions of performance craft and cinematic style.

Song Kang-ho

Song Kang-ho is a Cannes Best Actor winner and a frequent collaborator with Bong Joon-ho. He stars in films that have achieved major festival wins and international awards. Key titles include ‘Parasite’, ‘Memories of Murder’, ‘The Host’, and ‘Broker’. His projects are often credited with expanding the global audience for Korean cinema.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams holds multiple Academy Award nominations and a filmography that blends prestige fare and mainstream releases. She has recurring partnerships with directors like David O. Russell and Denis Villeneuve. Major films include ‘Arrival’, ‘American Hustle’, ‘The Fighter’, and ‘Enchanted’. Her projects consistently appear in awards discussions and maintain strong long-term viewership.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which actors you think rarely miss.