Marvel has been known to use big-name celebrities but also create them, and whileElizabeth Olsenproved her talent much earlier, her big break came from her role as Wanda Maximoff, AKA the Scarlet Witch. Since then, she has starred in numerous significant titles, further making a name for herself in Hollywood. With Olsen’s rapidly increasing resume, now is the best time to reflect on her ten best movies, fromAvengers: EndgametoWind River.
With Olsen delivering standout performances in almost all of her movies, choosing the best is a difficult task. However, the ranking will bedetermined by a combination of the general quality and Olsen’s role in the film. Thus, a mix of critically acclaimed movies and films where Olsen is the star or at least has a significant role will be discussed.These movies best represent Elizabeth Olsen’s talentand her savvy, choosing projects that will both showcase her ability and further her career.
10’Godzilla' (2014)
Directed by Gareth Edwards
Godzillais the start of the wildly successful MonsterVerse, seeing the titular character’s introduction. After authorities take his father into custody in Japan, Lieutenant Ford (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) reluctantly goes to help. However, he encounters a problem bigger than he ever thought: a battle between monsters, including Godzilla, that will shape humanity forever.
Olsen plays Elle Brody, Ford’s wife. Although she doesn’t have a significant role in this movie,she provides the main human connection and tensionthrough the series of events she experiences. Still, Olsen gives a great performance in this incredible movie.Godzillais one of the best movie monsters, and this movie brings the character back onto the silver screen with the Hollywood treatment and amazing visuals in a thrilling monster movie. Sure, Godzilla is infamously off-screen a lot, but he makes the most out of his appearances.
9’Avengers: Endgame' (2019)
Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Serving as the grand finale for the MCU’s Infinity saga,Avengers: Endgamesends off the original team in a significant fashion, giving everyone time to shine. After Thanos wipes out half of humanity, the Avengers suit up and go back in time to retrieve the infinity stones in an effort to stop his heinous crimes and bring back everyone from the dead. Olsen plays Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff for the film’s last act.
While there is little doubt thatEndgameis a fantastic movie,her limited role prevents it from being higher on her career ranking, especially compared toAvengers: Age of Ultron, where she had a much more significant role. Still,Endgameis simply a better movie, allowing it to stand out in her filmography. Despite a limited role, Olsen gives it her all,setting up her character for major things in the future. Overall,Endgameis one of the best andmost thrilling Marvel movies, with epic fights and moments, including one where Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff wipes the floor with Thanos (Josh Brolin).
Avengers: Endgame
8’Kodachrome' (2018)
Directed by Mark Raso
After his biggest client leaves for another label, Matt Ryder (Jason Sudeikis) is in danger of losing his job. At the same time, his estranged and photojournalist father, Ben (Ed Harris), is dying of cancer and asks for the two to go on a road trip to process his last bit of Kodachrome. Matt, Ben, and his father’s nurse all go on a heartwarming adventure with different goals and mindsets while going on the road trip.
Olsen plays Zooey Kern inKodachrome, Ben’s nurse who tags along on the road trip to ensure that nothing goes wrong health-wise. Olsen does an excellent job in this film, serving as an in-between of the main focus, the father-son dynamic. She has plenty of screen time and adds much to the plot while not getting in the way of Matt and Ben’s relationship, helping it grow slowly.Kodachromeis a wholesome yet tear-jerking filmandone of the best recent road trip movies.
Kodachrome
WATCH ON NETFLIX
7’Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' (2022)
Directed by Sam Raimi
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessis Olsen’s latest appearance as the Scarlet Witch, where she serves as the villain, searching for a teenager with the powers to travel to different universes. Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) must protect the child while facing many horrific dangers in alternative realities.
Multiverse of Madnessis easily Olsen’s most prominent role in the MCU. Unfortunately, it comes at the price of it (potentially) being her last appearance. Either way,she fully embodies the grief, anger, and horror aspectsof the film, proving herselfone of the scariest Marvel villains. Despite this beingOlsen’s best performance in the MCU, the movie leaves a lot to be desired, with many cheap cameos and befuddling choices. Leaning into the spooky side of Marvel,Multiverse of Madnessisessential to watch beforeAgatha All Along, which might very well bring the character back into the fold.
Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness
WATCH ON DISNEY+
6’Ingrid Goes West' (2017)
Directed by Matt Spicer
Ingrid Goes Westfollows the titular character (Aubrey Plaza) after she decides to find and befriend her favorite Instagram influencer. As the two form a peculiar friendship, the truth starts to reveal itself, creating awkward and tense scenarios in this dark comedy about mental health. Olsen plays Taylor Sloane, the Instagram influencer and object of Ingrid’s fixation.
With a leading role, Olsen deliversan incredible performance in her comedic acting. Delving into the dark side of social media and people’s parasocial relationships,Ingrid Goes Westexpertlyhandles serious mental healthissuesin a dark yet comedic way. This may rub some people the wrong way, considering mental health is no joke, but the movie is overall very enjoyable and funny while still shedding light on these important topics. Olsen shares excellent chemistry with Plaza, creating one of the most singular depictions of female friendship in cinema.
Ingrid Goes West
5’Captain America: Civil War' (2016)
Following the devastating events in Sokovia,Captain America: Civil Warinvolves the Avengers and other heroes as they face off in an epic clash. After the Avengers disagree about whether or not the government should regulate superheroes, the team splits up, creating rifts in long-standing friendships that amount to a battle involving many new heroes and villains behind the scenes.
Olsen reprises her role as Wanda Maximoff, with the film exploring her blossoming relationship with Vision (Paul Bettany) and her lingering grief over her twin brother’s death. Asone of the bestCaptain Americafilms,Civil Warisone of the most relevant Marvel movies that would shape the MCU forever. The movie adds much more depth to each character as it builds an intriguing narrative full of entertaining moments, including plot twists and badass superhero fun.
Captain America: Civil War
4’Avengers: Infinity War' (2018)
Kicking off the two-part finale for the MCU’s Infinity Saga,Avengers: Infinity Waris the greatest movie crossover of all time, bringing every fan favorite into one movie. Following multiple buildup movies, Thanos finally makes his move to collect the infinity stones and turn his dream into a reality. This threat leads to the Avengers coming together with every other hero to ensure Thanos doesn’t wipe out half of humanity.
Continuing her role as Wanda, fans seeOlsen’s powerful and emotional performanceas she desperately tries to protect Vision from Thanos' forces. Although it remains an action spectacle throughout,Infinity Warfeatures some of Olsen’s best acting, especially during the final sequence, where a heartbroken Wanda must kill Vision herself.Infinity Warhas an incredibly memorable endingand captivating moments, combining to create one of the greatest superhero movies ever.
Avengers: Infinity War
3’Martha Marcy May Marlene' (2011)
Directed by Sean Durkin
Olsen made her film acting debut inMartha Marcy May Marlene, a disturbing movie depicting the realistic horrors of cults. It follows Martha, an escaped cult member who seeks refuge with her sister after years of abuse from the cult. However, a new life doesn’t come easy, with Martha suffering from paranoia, delusions, and other mental health issues as she struggles to forget the horrors done to her.
Fans wouldn’t think this was Olsen’s first film gig, considering her stellar acting and the depth she gives her character. She does an excellent job of bringing fear, grief, and paranoia to Martha, creating a believable character capable of carrying the entire film.Martha Marcy May Marleneis an unsettling thrillerthat expertly handles mental health and cult life, delivering a gripping dark movie that woulddefine Olsen’s acting career. The actress and her co-star,John Hawkes, received critical acclaim for their portrayals, including nominations forthe 2012 Indie Spirit Awards.
Martha Marcy May Marlene
2’Wind River' (2017)
Directed by Taylor Sheridan
Olsen teams up withJeremy Rennerto star inWind River, a dark mystery in Alaska about an FBI agent and a wildlife service tracker investigating the rape and murder of a Native American woman. As the two travel across the frozen landscape, their investigation leads them through dangerous trails, putting their lives in danger as they slowly inch toward the horrifying truth.
Raising awareness of the prevalent issues Native American women face too often,Wind Riveris an extraordinary and dark filmthat intentionally makes the audience uncomfortable to strike home its messages. Once again,Olsen gives a tremendous and strikingly real performance, showcasing the severity of the situation and sharing an excellent chemistry with her MCU co-star, Jeremy Renner.Wind Riverhas excellent acting and a ruthless plot that will leave fans in shock, making for a tense and riveting thriller that ranks among the best entries in Olsen and Renner’s filmographies..
Wind River
1’His Three Daughters' (2024)
Directed by Azazel Jacobs
Olsen’s most recent film,His Three Daughters, premiered at TIFF 2023 and was made available on Netflix on September 20. It follows three estranged sisters who meet back up to take care of their sick father, often arguing and disagreeing over their different lifestyles.His Three Daughtersis about their bond and mending it one step at a time while processing their grief as their father slowly passes on, creating aheartwarming, funny, and touching movie.
Olsen shines as one of the three sisters in the movie, proving why she is one of the best actresses around. She brings her character to life through an outstanding performance and expertise in acting grief.His Three Daughtersisa poignant exploration of grief, loss, and death, delivering a touchingly sad and funny story, enhanced by the stellar acting and skillfully handled themes.DirectorAzazel Jacobsputs his heart and soulinto it, creating one of the best movies of the year and the greatest of Elizabeth Olsen’s career so far.
