The greatest movie performances leave an unshakable impression that often stands the test of time and finds appreciation from multiple generations of film lovers. All actors who’ve given career-best performances in recent movies are going to be remembered well into the latter half of the century, because word of mouth keeps memorable performances relevant, often even irrespective of awards glory.
The 21st Century has witnessed many incredible performances over the past 25 years that have already made their place in the Hall of Fame of acting, and will undoubtedly be revered for years. For instance, the best performances in A24 movies, which is known for its acting-intensive films, are considered among the greatest showcases of acting talent of all time.
Some movie performances that stole the show in the opening 10 minutes of the ’40s and ’50s are still regularly mentioned in discourse, but the kind of performance that stands out even more is the unexpected one, like when an actor acts against their type, or a performer from another field wins over critics and viewers with a stunning performance.
Kristen Stewart – Spencer (2021)
Despite her varied portfolio of work, Kristen Stewart is a successful actor most known for her breakout role as Bella Swan in the Twilight franchise, which she’ll always be linked to. After it ended in 2012, she diversified and appeared in crime thrillers, social dramas, action comedies, period films, rom-coms, indie films, and biopics, showcasing her range as an actress.
Kristen Stewart was nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award for her performance in Spencer.
However, the standout performance of her career is in Pablo Larraín’s Spencer, where she plays Princess Diana. The casting elicited many skeptical responses, but her performance proved she has the talent for such demanding, serious dramatic roles, too. It helped change the industry’s and audiences’ minds about Stewart, whose public persona has by now moved far from her Twilight era.
Jim Carrey – Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
From The Mask and How the Grinch Stole Christmas to Bruce Almighty and Liar Liar, Jim Carrey has given us some incredibly memorable comedic performances of the late ’90s and the early 2000s. However, one of his earliest roles in the 21st Century stands out in his filmography as a demonstration of his range beyond the type he’s known for.
While 1998’s The Truman Show features a serious performance by Carrey, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind showcases how darkly dramatic and emotionally vulnerable his performances can be. Not only did Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind change everyone’s perception of the actor, but he’s also later proven with the Sonic franchise that even action roles aren’t outside his wheelhouse.
Emma Stone – Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) (2014)
Zombieland, Crazy, Stupid Love, Easy A, and Superbad were Emma Stone’s most famous movies before she portrayed Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man. Teen comedies and rom-coms were her forte in everyone’s eyes, but Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 2014 film permanently changed the trajectory of the actress’ career, who is now known as one of the most versatile performers in Hollywood.
While her role in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a supporting one, Emma Stone delivers an unforgettable, powerful, and intense monologue where she calls out her father (Michael Keaton) on his pretentiousness. It shocked everyone at the time, and despite the incredible variety of movies she’s starred in, it’s still one of Emma Stone’s best movie performances.
Dave Bautista – Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Wrestlers taking up acting jobs isn’t a new phenomenon, but as with John Cena and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Bautista was also known for doing action-comedy. His character, Drax, from the MCU is a beloved comic relief character whose screen presence will forever be charming. However, Bautista has, over the years, changed people’s perceptions with a string of unexpected performances.
Despite playing only a minor role in it, Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 is arguably the best action movie Dave Bautista has been in, and his subtle, nuanced acting proves that he can deliver compelling dramatic performances, despite the typecasting. It stands out as the moment he cemented his legacy as an actor, which has only continued to grow since.
Scarlett Johansson – Iron Man 2 (2010)
Tell anyone who hasn’t seen movies since the 2000s that Scarlett Johansson is one of the biggest action stars in Hollywood today and they’ll dismiss you. Known for romance movies and period dramas, she was the most promising romantic heroine in the industry, but a year after the rom-com He’s Just Not That Into You, her career changed.
It may be the disappointing second film the Iron Man franchise, but Iron Man 2 introduced the world to Johansson’s most famous character of all time, Natasha Romanoff. She surprised everyone with that, and while she’s gone back to doing romance and comedy after her character’s death in the MCU, it’s a standout performance we’ll never forget.
Daniel Radcliffe – Swiss Army Man (2016)
Looking at Daniel Radcliffe’s filmography today reveals a pattern that seems like an intentional move by the actor to detach himself from the reputation that precedes him. He could play a billion different characters, but to most of the world, he’ll forever be The Boy Who Lived, aka Harry Potter. However, for those following his career, that’s not the case.
This extremely entertaining movie with a weird premise shocked many Harry Potter fans and might perfectly summarize the actor’s filmography post-Harry Potter. Radcliffe plays a farting corpse whose body has other uses to help a dying man stranded on an island. It’s in such contrast to his iconic role that no one can forget it once they have seen it.
Janelle Monáe – Hidden Figures (2016)
Over two decades ago, Janelle Monáe made headlines with her debut album and has since been a critically acclaimed musical artist. However, 13 years into working in the music industry, her career took on an entirely different trajectory after she appeared in two Oscar-nominated films the same year, both of which competed for Best Screenplay and Best Picture.
Today, Monáe is equally famous as a musician and an actress, because her performances in Moonlight and especially in Hidden Figures demonstrate her acting talents. While she’s yet to win any of the awards, given that her career will keep growing, she can possibly achieve EGOT status before she retires, and it began about a decade ago with Hidden Figures.
Adam Sandler – Uncut Gems (2019)
Adam Sandler has been in more slapstick comedies and rom-coms than you can account for, but it was likely you’d see him in every mildly funny movie in the 2000s, playing the same role of the somewhat insufferable but adorably goofy man with a lesson to learn, who wins you over by the end of the film.
While he’s still known for that kind of role, the actor has a very different reputation today, because Adam Sandler’s best movies feature dramatic roles. While 2002’s Punch-Drunk Love flew under everyone’s radar, 2019’s Uncut Gems features a standout performance from him that surprised us all and is one of the best in the 21st Century, proving he has range.
Demi Moore – The Substance (2024)
Not only did she make a comeback in Hollywood, but Demi Moore also silenced every critic by demonstrating her talents with a shocking performance that no one expected from her, in 2024’s The Substance. Despite G.I. Jane, Moore has always been inextricably linked to the erotic thriller genre since the ’90s, and her films from then are still popular.
Demi Moore was nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award for her role in The Substance.
However, in Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, Moore delivers a performance that gets under your skin. Her portrayal of her character’s gradually worsening physical and mental health in the body horror film is bound to affect even the aficionados of the genre. Her character’s plight is made believable by Moore’s committed performance, using subtle, effective character choices that prove her prowess.
Tom Cruise – Tropic Thunder (2008)
From hanging off a plane to climbing the tallest building in the world, nothing’s impossible for Tom Cruise. Today, Cruise’s reputation as an action star rightfully precedes him for performing daring stunts regularly. However, anyone who was around in the ’90s knew the kind of versatile roles he played before he became known as the greatest action star in Hollywood.
Yet, it’s in a comedy film that would never be made today that Tom Cruise gave the movie performance that proved he could do something entirely different. His hilariously over-the-top character in Tropic Thunder is still shocking to see. He seems to be in his element as the profane, short-tempered producer whose few minutes of screen time steal the show.
