Poor Things and the best Emma Stone movies to watch

It’s fantastic to consider that in just 15 years, Emma Stone has gone from a struggling actress to one of the biggest in Hollywood. She’s done it all, dramas, comedies, musicals, superhero fare like The Amazing Spider-Man films, even Broadway and TV. It’s paid off with numerous accolades, including a Best Actress Oscar. 

Sure, she’s had her share of flops (Aloha, anyone?), but Stone has enjoyed success thanks to her charm, her relatability, and her willingness to take on any role. Narrowing down a list of her best is tricky, not just ones she does big supporting turns like Birdman but putting her talent front and center. As she seems on the verge of adding a second Oscar to her resume, here’s a look at the best Emma Stone movies to enjoy and love her fantastic drive in film. 

Poor Things

Topping the list is Stone’s latest film, which might earn her a second Oscar. Yorgos Lanthimos directs this wild modern-day Frankenstein story with Stone as a woman whose brain is replaced by an infant’s. It’s a crazy plot, but it works thanks to Stone’s incredible performance.

She goes all out in the role, from dancing to dramatic moves to some very risque scenes, all clicking nicely. Stone vanishes into the role perfectly, and it’s no wonder it’s already earned her several awards, including the BAFTA. If she does end up in the two-time Oscar club, it’s well-deserved for this wild romp. 

La La Land

Stone’s first Oscar win came in this 2016 musical, which sadly is better known for the infamous Best Picture mix-up with Moonlight. Stone is great as Mia, the aspiring actress who connects with Ryan Gosling’s jazz player, the pair having wonderful chemistry as they dance and sing across L.A.

Stone anchors the movie with her beautiful charm, pulling off dramatic scenes of Mia facing her dreams being crushed as well as the complex musical numbers. Her waltzing off with the Oscar proves why this was a major career highlight and still a delightful modern-day musical.

Easy A

Stone took off into stardom with her first leading role in this 2010 comedy. She’s a typical high schooler whose friend asks her for a favor by making people think they had sex. Before long, she’s the go-to “fake girlfriend” for other guys, which earns her a sordid reputation.

Backed by a first-rate supporting cast of Lisa Kudrow, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley, and more, Stone is a delight, from killer lines to a wicked outfit. Its success made her an A-list star and the movie remains one of her all-time best. 

Cruella

Casting Stone as the iconic Disney villainess was a daring idea, yet it worked wonderfully. Set in the 1970s, she plays Estella, an aspiring designer convinced a powerful fashion boss (Emma Thompson) is responsible for her mother’s death. To get closer, Estella takes on the wild persona of Cruella de Ville to go after her. 

It’s a crazy film with Stone leaning into the outlandish character from her accent to the outfits, yet making it work so much better than it should. It pays off in a crazy last act with plenty of twists and Stone adding a Disney icon to her long list of great credits. 

The Favourite

Stone played against type for this 2018 drama that first paired her with director Yorgos Lanthimos. Loosely based on history, she’s Abigail, a cousin to Rachel Weisz’s aide to Queen Anne (Olivia Colman in her Oscar-winning performance). Out to make something of her life, Abigail is determined to become part of the Queen’s inner circle by any means necessary.

It’s a dark comedy with Stone shifting from conniving witch to pratfalls with ease and her banter with both Colman and Weisz is fantastic to watch. Stone in a period drama may seem offbeat but she’s part of why this movie remains a gem and bouncing off her two co-stars makes it a true favorite for her fans. 

Battle of the Sexes

It’s pretty much inevitable that some A-list actress will do a biopic in her career. Stone’s first big movie after her Oscar win was taking part, playing legendary tennis star Billie Jean King as she prepared for her epic tennis game with Bobby Riggs (Steve Carrell). Stone nicely nails King’s look, playing style and speaking tone. 

She also handles the struggles King had being in the closet in this time period as she takes on the boorish Riggs. It’s a fun showcase for how easily Stone slips into a role, and the real King praised this turn, with Stone doing a fine job replicating her appeal. 

Crazy Stupid Love

Before La La Land, Stone and Ryan Gosling showed their great chemistry in this 2010 rom-com. They appear to be the “B” plot with the focus on Gosling teaching divorcee Steve Carrell to get back into the dating scene. Gosling and Stone hit it off with Stone doing a beautiful job, including her now famous “we’re gonna bang” scene. 

The supporting cast is outstanding with Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon getting involved. There’s also a truly surprising twist bringing the storylines together while the Stone-Gosling banter alone makes this one of the best rom-coms of the 2010s. 

The Help

With a cast boasting six Oscar winners, it’s no surprise this 2011 movie is on the list. Stone is an aspiring writer in 1963 Mississippi who befriends some maids for the rich ladies in town. As she gets closer to telling their stories, she helps inspire these women to fight back against the racism of the times. 

Yes, it can come off a bit of the “white savior” trope, but Stone is wonderfully engaging in the role. The cast is stunning, with Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Octavia Spencer in her Oscar-winning turn. That Stone more than holds her own with these talents shows her own amazing skill in films. 

Zombieland

Stone got a fine showcase in this now-classic 2009 horror-comedy. Her turn as Wichita, the con artist who with little sister Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) takes on our heroes is packed with wonderful sass and great banter with the other actors. She also more than holds her own in the action scenes fighting the undead. 

From its wit and style to its hysterical cameo, the movie remains a success. Stone reprised her role for the sequel, Double Tap, showing a bit more edge yet still showcasing how, even fighting the undead, Stone has a style all her own. 

Superbad

To wrap up the list, what better film than Stone’s movie debut, which also showcased her amazing talent? As Jules, she’s the popular girl hosting a party everyone wants to get to. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are among them, beginning an epic adventure to get the best party favorites before arriving.

From the beginning, Stone is a movie star, nailing the comedy, playing the “unattainable” gal but also relatable and scoring some great lines. It’s the movie that opened up so many doors for her and is still one of the best comedies of its time and worth watching to see how far the actress has come.