Jennifer Connelly began her career as a model before making her acting debut in 1984's Once Upon a Time in America. The cult film Labyrinth and the neo-noir sci-fi Dark City helped establish her as an actress, but it was Darren Aronofsky's jarring 2000's drama Requiem for a Dream that established her as a critical darling.
With the release of Top Gun: Maverick, Connelly scores one of the biggest critical hits of her career. However, her filmography is full of acclaimed projects, a mix of indie efforts and mainstream films. Many have high scores on IMDb, cementing Connelly as one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation.
10 Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) - 7.4
Spider-Man's first solo outing in the MCU, Spider-Man: Homecoming, placed him against Michael Keaton's Vulture in a story about learning to be a hero. Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark acted as a mentor throughout the film, a choice that left some fans puzzled.
It wouldn't be a stretch to say many fans don't know that Jennifer Connelly is part of the film. The actress, who is married to Vision actor Paul Bettany, provides the voice for the AI in Peter's suit. However, Connelly did not reprise the role for Spidey's next MCU appearances.
9 House Of Sand And Fog (2003) - 7.5
House of Sand and Fog is an intense and powerful 2003 drama that follows the fight between a recovering drug addict and an Iranian immigrant family over the ownership of a house. The film stars Connelly opposite Ben Kingsley and Shohreh Aghdashloo.
Praised by critics for its thought-provoking themes, House of Sand and Fog earned Kingsley and Aghdashloo Oscar nominations at the 2004 ceremony. Heartbreaking and raw, House of Sand and Fog is far from one of the most rewatchable drama movies, but the story is powerful and poignant, elevated by the performances of its talented cast.
8 Little Children (2006) - 7.5
Todd Field's 2006 drama Little Children, based on the novel of the same name, follows the lives of a group of people living in a quiet suburban neighborhood. Connelly plays Kathy, a filmmaker whose stay-at-home husband is having an affair with a fellow stay-at-home mother, played by Kate Winslet.
Little Children earned praise from critics. Winslet's performance, in particular, received significant acclaim, earning her a fifth Oscar nomination in the best actress category. The film's deep dive into suburbia also attracted praise, and many critics considered it one of the best pictures of 2006.
7 Dark City (1998) - 7.6
The neo-noir sci-fi Dark City follows John Murdoch, an amnesiac man suspected of murder and pursued by the police and a group of mysterious men calling themselves the Strangers. Connelly plays Murdoch's wife, Emma, playing a crucial role in the story.
Dark City received mainly positive reviews from critics but was a disappointment at the box office. However, it has become a cult classic, with many critics praising its distinctive visual style. Many consider Dark City an influential inspiration for The Matrix, one of the all-time great sci-fi movies.
6 Only The Brave (2017) - 7.6
Joseph Kosinski's 2017 biographical drama Only the Brave tells the story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a crew of firefighters who fought the Yarnell Hill Fire, losing nineteen of its twenty crew members. Connelly plays Amanda, the wife of the Hotshots' leader, Eric.
Only the Brave received positive reviews from critics. Particular praise went to the film's ensemble cast and how it honored the real-life story. However, the film was a major disappointment at the box office, grossing only $26.3 million worldwide.
5 Blood Diamond (2006) - 8.0
Mixing elements of the political thriller and action genres, Blood Diamond stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, and Connelly. The film, set during the decade-long Sierra Leone Civil War, centers on a South African mercenary who joins a Mende fisher and an American journalist to recover a rare gem.
Blood Diamond received mixed reviews from critics. The film earned praise for its social commentary and the performances of its cast. DiCaprio and Hounsou even earned Oscar nominations for their work. However, the storytelling and pacing attracted significant criticism.
4 A Beautiful Mind (2001) - 8.1
A Beautiful Mind is one of Ron Howard's best directorial efforts. The film stars Russell Crowe as John Nash, a mathematician struggling with severe paranoid schizophrenia that affects his life and that of his wife, Alicia.
The film dominated the 2002 awards season, eventually claiming the best picture Oscar. Connelly received considerable praise for her performance, earning a plethora of awards for her efforts. However, her placement throughout the season was contentious. She won the Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe in the best supporting actress category despite playing a substantial role in the film almost equal to Crowe's. Indeed, the SAG nominated her as a lead actress, but she lost to Halle Berry for Monster's Ball.
3 Once Upon A Time In America (1984) - 8.3
Jennifer Connelly's acting debut came in 1984 with Sergio Leone's masterpiece Once Upon a Time in America. The then 14-year-old actress played the younger version of Deborah, the film's female lead, played in adulthood by Elizabeth McGovern.
Critics widely consider Once Upon a Time in America a classic and one of the best gangster movies of all time. However, the praise goes entirely to the film's European cut, nearly four hours long. The shortened American cut received harsh criticism, with many considering it a disservice to Leone's original vision.
2 Requiem For A Dream (2000) - 8.3
Raw, visceral, and nearly unforgiving, Darren Aronofsky's 2000 drama Requiem for a Dream is one of the most sharing film experiences of the new millennium. The story follows the physical and emotional deterioration in the lives of four New York City drug addicts.
Praised for its uncompromising portrayal of addiction, Requiem for a Dream launched Aranofsky's directorial career. The cast received acclaim for their work, particularly Ellen Burstyn, whose performance earned her an Oscar nomination in the best actress category.
1 Top Gun: Maverick (2022) - 8.7
Top Gun: Maverick is, of course, the 2022 sequel to 1986's Top Gun. It follows Pete "Maverick" Mitchell as he returns to the Top Gun program to train a young generation of pilots, among them the son of his deceased best friend, Goose. Connelly plays Maverick's love interest, Penny Benjamin.
Top Gun: Maverick earned near-universal praise from critics, with many considering it vastly superior to the original film. Particular praise went to the electrifying flying sequences and the performances of Cruise and the young cast.
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