List of 15 Best Reese Witherspoon Movies You Need To See

Quick Facts

There is no doubt that Reese Witherspoon is one of the finest actresses that the world has ever seen, we’ll be needing no soothsayer to affirm this as it’s pretty obvious from her career attainments. This actress has been able to gain innumerable fans across the globe over the course of her career.

Reese can brag about winning no fewer than 32 coveted awards as much as she can boast of attracting over 80 nominations. Way back in 1994, her performance in Jack the Bear earned her the Young Artist Award. A few years later (in 1999), she picked up the Young Hollywood Awards; this was for her performance in 1998’s comedy-drama film, Pleasantville. In 2002, 2003, and 2006, she took home the Teen Choice Awards in various categories. She won the Satellite Award twice, in 2005 and 2017. The actress also has the People’s Choice Awards lined up on her shelf; she won it thrice in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

In addition to the above, Reese has the New York Film Critics Circle Awards and the National Society of Film Critics Awards to her name. That’s not all, she won the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards, two Independent Spirit Awards, the Florida Film Critics Awards, and the Boston Society of Film Critics Awards. More so, the actress has four MTV Movie Awards to her name, two Critics’ Choice Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Primetime Emmy Awards. The list goes on to include two Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA and an Academy for her work in Walk the Line. We told you, she’s one of the finest. Her long list of fans prove this in so many ways and you aren’t one of them if you haven’t seen any of the following films, they are the Best Reese Witherspoon movies.

Best Reese Witherspoon Movies You Need To See

15. The Man in the Moon (1991)

This was Reese’s first role on film and she absolutely killed it. You wouldn’t believe she was a newcomer unless someone told you, that’s how refreshing and spectacular her acting was. Her performance was critically acclaimed and earned her excessive praise as a name to watch out for. Reese played Dani Trant, a tomboyish country girl who develops romantic feelings for the first time for her neighbor. It’s a story about family and the impossible beauty of young love, and Reese makes sure we never forget that.

14. Just Like Heaven (2005)

Romantic comedies will always have a sweet spot in our hearts and with Reese in it, it gets even better. In Just Like Heaven, she plays Elizabeth, a ghost who lives in the house that ‘s character moves into after his wife died. She is tough and mean to him in the beginning, but as time goes by, she loosens up and starts to fall in love with him. Yes, the plot is a bit complicated, but watching Reese do her thing makes you warm and fuzzy inside

13. Cruel Intentions (1999)

Cruel Intentions is of the best Reese Witherspoon Movies you should watch because she is an absolute vision in it. Starring opposite her former husband, Ryan Phillips, she plays Annette, an inexperienced teenager who falls for his womanizing character. However, unknown to her, he’s only chasing after her to win a bet. Reese executes the character so completely well that it becomes impossible not to root for happiness despite what it takes.

12. American Psycho (2000)

Although Resse Witherspoon only cinched a small role in this movie, she finessed the little she was given and made a mighty gem out of it. Reese put on a goosebumps-inducing performance as Evelyn Williams, a wealthy and self-centered socialite engaged to a man who is secretly a serial killer. There’s enough suspense in the movie to keep your blood awake.

11. Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

In this movie, Reese struts her stuff as a sophisticated and classy New York fashion designer who is set to marry ‘s character. However, before she can say “I do” and have her happily ever after, there’s a loose end in the person of an estranged husband that needs to be tied up once and for all. This takes her back home to Alabama, where we get to see a different side of her that steals our breaths away. It’s one of the best Reese Witherspoon Movies ever.

10. Pleasantville (1998)

Reese scored one of her earliest roles in the movie Pleasantville. The story follows two siblings, Reese and her brother, played by , who find themselves mysteriously in a 50s television show. She shows off her sassy, smart, no-nonsense side, and it’s one of her very best performances till this day.

9. Election (1999)

This fun and brilliant comedy is one of Reese’s earliest roles and she killed it. She played a devious, smart, and adorable young girl who wants to win the election that would make her student body president. Her character is full of big dreams and nothing is going to keep her from achieving them even if it means using dirty tricks to ensure her victory. It’s probably her most playful role to date, and it earned her numerous awards including her first Golden Globe nomination, the Independent Spirit awards nomination, and a Best Actress win from the National Society of Film Critics.

8. Vanity Fair (2004)

In a society where social standing determines a lot, Reese Witherspoon uses her undeniable good looks and savviness to climb up the social ladder and make something of herself. Her humble beginnings as the daughter of a struggling artist were not going to tie her down for much longer if she had any say in it. She doles out brains and soul in equally scintillating measures, searing her face into the minds of the viewers and other characters.

7. The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

This live adaptation of the famous comedy by Oscar Wilde is not just one of the best Reese Witherspoon movies, it’s also a brilliant work of cinema. The blonde actress puts her degree in English Literature to good use in The Importance of Being Earnest. She stared as Cecily Cardew and it turned out to be one of her more memorable roles.

6. How Do You Know (2010)

How Do You Know is yet another romance movie that Reese dazzles in. These roles seem to come naturally to her and she doesn’t shy away from exploring their full potential. In this movie, Reese takes on the character Lisa, a woman who has no idea what to do with her love life or career. Her performance was very relatable because who really has their life figured out? She knew she was flawed and she wore that badge proudly.

5. Mud (2012)

Although Reese stars alongside in this epic coming of age movie, he often gets most of the attention whenever the film is being discussed. However, her character deserves a huge chunk of the credit too. She gives a riveting performance as Matthew’s ex-girlfriend and it’s no surprise Mud found its way to our list of best Reese Witherspoon movies you should absolutely see.

4. Legally Blonde (2001)

This is arguably the movie that Reese Witherspoon is most famous for. The award-winning actress plays the role of a feminist heroine. Her character Elle has the misguided idea to abandon her sorority girl shenanigans in pursuit of a law degree in Harvard in order to get back her man who dumped her because she was too blond. However, in a surprising turn of events, she develops a real passion and talent for her chosen career and it begins to matter more to her than being in a relationship. Reese’s performance steps away from the dumb blonde stereotype and it’s a refreshing pace.

3. Walk the Line (2005)

The phenomenal actress pulled her weight as June Carter, the award-winning singer who was also Johnny Cash’s wife in Walk the Line. Reese’s performance changed everything and became the gold standard for music biopics. It was hard to believe that Reese wasn’t actually June Carter thanks to her incredible acting skills. What she did with the role was so transcendental that it earned the movie five Oscar nominations and helped her take home the Best Actress win.

2. A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

Despite being in the midst of a star-studded cast, Reese Witherspoon still managed to stand out with her performance as Mrs. Whatsit, a powerful leader who travels across the universe on a mission with her two newest recruits. It’s a very fun and entertaining movie to watch.

1. Wild (2014)

This is arguably Reese’s toughest and most challenging role to date. She portrayed the real-life writer Cheryl Strayed in the throes of addiction and her struggle to find a way out of that dark and narrow tunnel. Reese’s performance is moving, heartbreaking, and evokes all sorts of emotions in the viewers. Even the Academy Awards fell in love with it and nominated her for an Oscar. If there is any best Reese Witherspoon Movies that you absolutely must see, this is it.

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