Florence Pugh had taken zero acting classes before auditioning for her debut film, 2014’s The Falling. Despite this, the British actress is undoubtedly one of her generation’s most prominent movie stars.
At age 28, Pugh’s accolades have been staggering. She’s already starred in a slew of box office hits, Oscar winners, and indie classics, pushing the boundaries of her range with every performance. This list dives into the best Florence Pugh movies, factoring in both the quality of the film and Pugh’s performance.
10. ‘Lady Macbeth’ (2017)
Set in 1860s England, Lady Macbeth follows Katherine, a bitter young woman who is betrothed to a much older man (Paul Hilton) by her father (Christopher Fairbank). The film chronicles Katherine’s descent into moral insanity as she feels increasingly trapped in her circumstances. Pugh’s performance as Katherine is the clear highlight.
The film is a serious slow-burn, but considering the first half is challenging to get through, the conclusion is less than satisfying. However, Pugh’s undeniable screen presence makes Lady Macbeth worth the watch. There is a reason this was her breakout film: she’s cold, calculated, ostensibly evil, and a treat to watch. This is an absolute staple in Pugh’s filmography.
9. ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ (2022)
It would be remiss not to include Don’t Worry Darling, the 2022 psychological thriller directed by Olivia Wilde. The film follows Alice (Pugh), a housewife who finds herself in a seemingly idyllic midcentury neighborhood called The Victory Project with her husband Jack (Harry Styles). When the walls of this paradise begin to crack, Alice takes it upon herself to uncover the true intentions behind the community.
While this film will be remembered for its dramatic press tour, it’s a good time if you keep your expectations at bay. It’s nowhere near as thrilling or thought-provoking as it attempts to be, but it’s still enjoyable. This film also contains one of Florence Pugh’s best movie moments in her entire career, taking place during the climax of the film. She performs with just her facial expression, reacting to everything with such disdain without ever having to open her mouth.
8. ‘The Wonder’ (2022)
The Wonder deserved more attention upon release. Set in the 1860s, Pugh plays an English nurse named Lib tasked with determining how a young Irish girl (Kila Lord Cassidy) has survived for months without eating. Her main foil is the young girl’s hyper-Christian family, who are dead set on believing their daughter is a Saint.
Similar to Lady Macbeth, this film is a slow-burn period piece. While Pugh’s performance is stronger in the former, the latter offers a more complete package regarding premise, pacing, and resolution. Thought-provoking in more ways than one, The Wonder explores religion, science, and the power of storytelling.
7. ‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)
The Boy and the Heron, the latest Oscar-winning outing from esteemed director Hayao Miyazaki, tells the story of a young boy named Mahito who’s thrown into a fantastical world alongside a talking blue heron. In one of Florence Pugh’s best movies, she voices Kiriko, a strong woman who helps Mahito on his journey.
The breathtaking animation and top-notch voice performances from its English dub cast make this a solid watch. However, the film introduces many different characters, places, and themes in a short time, yet none of these are given enough time to shine.
Miyazaki has always been one to leave themes up to interpretation, however, his previous work (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle) strikes a better balance between explaining its themes and leaving said themes up to interpretation.
6. ‘Black Widow’ (2021)
Image Credit: Marvel Studios.
Black Widow‘s biggest flaw is its release timing. This film should’ve been released before 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, so the events would have had more of an emotional impact than they already do. Besides that, it’s such a great time. In her MCU debut, Pugh’s Yelena Belova is effortlessly funny and charming, cementing herself as one of the best and brightest new additions to the franchise post-Endgame. Yelena also shares amazing chemistry with her sister Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), who deserved to share the screen in more than one film.
The film has a lot to offer outside of the sibling bond as well. Dreykov doesn’t need six infinity stones to be one of the scariest villains in the MCU, treating girls and women like commodities in a way that mirrors reality a little too closely. The Taskmaster reveal works better than it is given credit for, as it adds an extra layer of depth to both Natasha and Dreykov’s arcs. Overall, this is a strong entry into the MCU that doesn’t get the love it deserves.
5. ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish gained a massive following upon release; word-of-mouth helped the film gross $481.7 million worldwide. In a sequel that was one of the best animated movies of 2022, the fearless feline hero (Anthony Banderas) learns to reckon with life’s only guarantee: death. Pugh voices Goldilocks, a cockney-voiced version of the classic character who embarks on a journey to find her true family.
The Last Wish was such a lovely surprise. It’s incredible to watch a Puss in Boots movie that presented such a beautiful message about the fragility of life. This message is also infused in every storyline and character arc found in this film, which is an incredible feat considering the volume of characters. This deserves to be hailed as a cult classic one day.
4. ‘Little Women’ (2019)
A project like Little Women being fourth speaks volumes to the caliber of Florence Pugh’s filmography. The 2019 adaptation of the classic Louisa May Alcott novel follows the March sisters as they navigate girlhood through the Civil War era. Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, Pugh portrays Amy, the youngest of the March sisters.
Readers and fans of Little Women have always viewed Amy less favorably, framing her as a bit of a spoiled brat. Gerwig and Pugh work to break down this notion, portraying Amy as more misunderstood, leading her to be more of a complete character than in past iterations. Of course, this fresh take wouldn’t be possible without Pugh’s performance, whose Best Supporting Actress loss was one of the biggest Oscar snubs of the decade thus far and unquestionably one of the best Florence Pugh movies.
3. ‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.
Starting the top three is Best Picture winner Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring a list of notable actors as long as a CVS receipt. The film follows J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), his creation of the atom bomb, and the moral repercussions that befall him after his creation wreaks havoc on the Japanese population. Pugh has a small role here as Jean Tatlock, however her impact on the story is immense.
One of the best movies to come out last year, Oppenheimer is a beast of a film. Clocking in with a three-hour runtime, the film never slows down, even if most scenes are strictly dialogue. The script, direction, score, and performances all work to create a masterclass in filmmaking, transforming a harrowing event in U.S. history into a heart-pounding thriller which is undoubtedly one of the best Florence Pugh movies.
2. ‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)
Dune: Part Two is a true epic that more than deserves all the praise it’s received following its release. Dune Pt. 2 chronicles the tale of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his rise to godlike power on the planet Arrakis. Pugh takes on another smaller role here as Princess Irulan, however, her role is set to be expanded greatly in a potential Dune Pt. 3.
This is a monumental piece of filmmaking. Everything from the sets and performances to the stakes and cinematography, is larger than life. However, it balances its grandiosity with a set of deeply personal character arcs and dynamics that make the world feel smaller. As a result, Dune: Part Two is a film that succeeds with fervent passion.
1. ‘Midsommar’ (2019)
Not even Dune: Part Two recency bias could surpass Florence Pugh’s best movie. Midsommar is the sophomore directorial outing from twisted genius Ari Aster. The film follows grief-stricken Dani (Pugh) as she ventures to a remote Swedish village that hosts a bizarre Midsummer festival every 90 years. A horrifying set of rituals and sacrifices ensue that put Dani and her friends in grave danger.
What makes this film utterly genius is that almost every horrifying moment takes place beneath a bright sun and a blue sky. Nothing is hidden, no creatures or monsters creep behind shadows. Rather, the horrors are in the open, basking in the Midsummer sun. As Ari Aster says in the screenplay, “It is horrible and it is beautiful.” That sums it up pretty well.
What’s Next for Florence Pugh?
Image Credit: Marvel Studios.
Currently, Pugh is filming Thunderbolts, her next film as Yelena Belova and her first MCU appearance since 2021’s Hawkeye, alongside big names such as Sebastian Stan, Julia-Louis Dreyfus, David Harbour, and Wyatt Russell. While many plot details are being kept under wraps, we do know that the film will follow the story of a rag-tag team of anti-heroes. Directed by Jake Schreier (Paper Towns), Thunderbolts is slated to release on May 2, 2025.
Pugh is also appearing in a romance drama film titled We Live In Time alongside Andrew Garfield. Pugh commented on her experience working on the film by saying:
“We just had the most beautiful time making it — we made a real story about real people and I got to work with the most unbelievable actor…I feel so honored to be in his presence and shout lines back to him.”
— Florence Pugh on working with Andrew Garfield on We Live in Time.
While a plot summary has yet to be revealed, We Live In Time is sure to be a devastating film with two powerhouse performances.
What was your favorite film on the list? Do you agree with these picks? Let us know on the Agents of Fandom socials and follow for all the latest entertainment news and reviews.
