Elizabeth Olsen’s 10 best movies, ranked

As a film enthusiast who’s had the pleasure of witnessing Elizabeth Olsen’s cinematic journey, I must say her transformation from a promising newcomer to a captivating leading lady is nothing short of extraordinary. From her gripping debut in “Martha Marcy May Marlene” to her heart-wrenching portrayal of Wanda Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Olsen’s life experience seems to have been woven seamlessly into each character she plays.

For certain film enthusiasts, Elizabeth Olsen may be recognized primarily as the MCU’s Wanda Maximoff; however, her most impressive films showcase her remarkable acting abilities that extend far beyond the realms of superheroes.

Moving beyond the limelight cast by her well-known family members, who are twin fashion designers and former child stars known as Mary-Kate and Ashley, Olsen has established a significant career that encompasses both critically praised indie films and blockbuster box-office successes.

Since her breakthrough role in the film “Martha Marcy May Marlene” in 2011 that earned widespread acclaim, Elizabeth Olsen has since become a part of major franchises such as Godzilla and, most prominently, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where she portrays Wanda Maximoff (later known as Scarlet Witch). Her first appearance in the MCU was in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” which hit theaters in 2015.

In addition to critically acclaimed series such as “Love & Death” and “Sorry for Your Loss,” along with the beloved “WandaVision,” Olsen’s acting career continues to flourish.

In her newest film titled “His Three Daughters” on Netflix, her exceptional acting abilities are showcased alongside Natasha Lyonne and Carrie Coon, portraying estranged siblings grappling with past grievances and mounting conflicts.

I’m focusing on the top-tier performances of Elizabeth Olsen, leaving out some of her less popular films like the 2013 reboot of “Oldboy” and the horror flick “Silent House”. Let’s dive into her finest cinematic offerings instead!

Actress Elizabeth Olsen collaborated with Ed Harris and the talented actor from ‘Ted Lasso’, Jason Sudeikis, in the Netflix movie called ‘Kodachrome’.

The story follows a troubled executive named Matt, whose life takes an unexpected turn when he learns that his father, a charismatic photojournalist with a rebellious past, is battling cancer and has only a short time left. His dying wish is for Matt to accompany him on a journey from New York to Kansas, accompanied by his nurse (Olsen), to develop his last rolls of Kodachrome film before the lab that processes them closes down forever. This road trip becomes an emotional journey for both father and son as they reconcile their past and create lasting memories together.

According to an article from The New York Times in 2010, the film skillfully combines humorous and emotional elements, largely due to impressive acting by its cast members.

In the year 2012, actor Jason Segel from “How I Met Your Mother” (Josh Radnor’s role) appeared alongside Elizabeth Olsen in the comedy film “Liberal Arts,” a movie that he also directed himself.

The narrative unfolds around Jesse, a 35-year-old university admissions official, who attends a retirement celebration for a professor at his former school in Ohio. During this gathering, Jesse encounters Zibby, a young college student nearly two decades his junior, with whom he finds himself unexpectedly smitten.

The film may not present anything particularly innovative or new, but it effectively portrays a complex and endearing love story, simultaneously examining the romanticization of young adulthood.

A decade back, Godzilla ignited Legendary’s Monsterverse, and it remains one of the top-tier entries in the series.

In contrast to newer films like “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” which feature extensive monster combat, Gareth Edwards’ movie paid tribute to the traditional kaiju genre by emphasizing the massive devastation that these titans cause.

The narrative revolves around Ford Brody, portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who is a Navy bomb specialist. Due to personal circumstances, he finds himself traveling to Japan to aid his father Joe (played by Bryan Cranston), only for Godzilla to make an appearance, wreaking havoc in its wake. His wife, Elle Brody, played by Elizabeth Olsen, also encounters Godzilla when the monster makes its way to San Francisco.

In the film “Captain America: Civil War“, Wanda found herself somewhat overshadowed by the MCU’s elite superheroes, however, she managed to contribute significantly to her team during this major split within the Avengers.

The film introduces Tom Holland as Spider-Man, setting significant events for the series, revolves around the conflict between Captain America’s opposition to government intervention and Iron Man’s advocacy for a monitored team.

Boasting stunning action sequences, an array of remarkable superheroes, and a gripping central political conflict, “Civil War” stands out as one of the top movies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It’s clear that Elizabeth Olsen has a knack for comedy too; this is demonstrated perfectly by her side-splitting scene opposite Aubrey Plaza in the film “Ingrid Goes West“.

After the passing of her mother, Ingrid Thorburn (Plaza) relocates to the Western region in a bid to establish a friendship with an Instagram celebrity she’s infatuated with, named Taylor Sloane (Olsen). Imitating Taylor’s lifestyle, Ingrid pursues an unusual bond with her, which leads to surprising outcomes.

Under the guidance of director Matt Spicer, this film serves as a witty and entertaining critique of contemporary influencer lifestyles and the illusion of reality on social media.

Despite the abundance of superheroes in that film series, it was Elizabeth Olsen’s portrayal of Wanda that truly shone as one of the franchise’s most potent characters.

Truthfully, she was more than capable of taking on Thanos alone, particularly following the anger sparked by the Infinity War’s events. However, it was intended to be a joint operation from the beginning.

In the aftermath of the catastrophic finale of the preceding film, Avengers: Endgame chronicles the journey of the surviving superheroes who go back in time to gather the Infinity Stones with the intention of rescuing the world.

Apart from “WandaVision”, Elizabeth Olsen found the most emotionally challenging roles within the Marvel Cinematic Universe in “Avengers: Infinity War”.

The poignant climactic scene at the movie’s end clearly showcased her exceptional acting skills and her ability to convincingly portray Wanda’s suffering.

Under the guidance of the Russo brothers, the film marked the beginning of a two-part cinematic spectacle where Marvel’s favorite superheroes confronted the greatest danger ever posed to their universe.

In a new film helmed by Taylor Sheridan, creator of the popular series “Yellowstone,” Elizabeth Olsen once again teamed up with her Marvel Cinematic Universe comrade Jeremy Renner for a visually striking neo-western production.

The film, “Wind River,” chronicles the probe into the slaying of a 18-year-old Native American woman on a Wyoming reservation. Wildlife officer Cory Lambert and FBI agent Jane Banner join forces to unearth facts that could jeopardize their lives as they delve deeper into the mystery.

As a hardcore gamer, I can’t stop raving about this mind-blowing movie that’s packed with intense action, stellar acting, and unexpected turns. The violent scenes are gritty and gripping, while the performances are top-notch and keep you hooked from start to finish. And let me tell you, the twists are so unpredictable, they make even the toughest gaming challenges seem like a walk in the park!

Among the standout Netflix films from 2024, “His Three Daughters” showcases yet another exceptional acting feat by Elizabeth Olsen.

As their father nears the end of his life, sisters Katie, Christina, and Rachel find themselves living together temporarily to provide care. This close proximity unearths past disagreements as friction builds among them.

After the Scarlet Witch phase, Olsen discovers enchantment in a small-scale drama penned and helmed by Azazel Jacobs.

Elizabeth Olsen’s initial movie appearance remains her most remarkable screen performance yet, largely attributable to her captivating and breakout role.

In an engaging exploration of the human psyche, the movie titled “Martha Marcy May Marlene” tells the story of Martha (Olsen), a woman who has recently fled from a cult that she had belonged to for quite some time.

In the story, she reaches out to her long-lost sister Sarah Paulson for aid, who graciously opens her home to her. However, ghosts from her past begin to torment her, making it a struggle for her to find peace and leave behind the traumatic events she’s encountered.