Jennifer Lawrence’s Best Movies Before No Hard Feelings

On the eve of Jennifer Lawrence’s new comedy, No Hard Feelings, let’s delve into the Academy Award-winning actress’s film portfolio and look at her best movies and performances. Surprisingly, since she dazzled audiences with her breakout role in 2010’s Winter Bone, Lawrence has consistently chosen strong scripts that suit her acting style. It’s difficult to find a lackluster performance from her, let alone a subpar film, which speaks volumes about her immense talent.

Without further ado, here are our top five favorite Jennifer Lawrence roles, ranked in ascending order:

Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games series (2012-2015)

We’ll cheat a bit here since Lawrence’s portrayal of the heroic Katniss Everdeen spans four movies. Nevertheless, considering it’s part of one grandiose story, it makes sense to rank them together as an outstanding acting feat. The Hunger Games catapulted Lawrence into the global spotlight, and rightfully so. Katniss is a captivating character, displaying strength, independence, courage, and vulnerability. Lawrence adeptly captures her internal struggles and growth throughout the epic series. While she may not be the first female action icon (nudge), Katniss remains one of the most memorable action heroes of the past decade. Plus, her performances in The Hunger Games surpass anything she did in the X-Men franchise, making the trilogy some of Jennifer Lawrence’s best movies.

Joy Mangano in Joy (2015)

Joy marks Lawrence’s third collaboration with director David O. Russell. Although the dramedy didn’t reach the same heights as their previous efforts, it remains a captivating character study. Lawrence portrays Joy Mangano, a struggling single mother who breaks free from her manic family and becomes a successful entrepreneur. Based on a true story, Joy celebrates the strength and determination of women, and Lawrence delivers a nuanced vulnerability to the character, forging an emotional connection with audiences. It’s a criminally underrated performance.

Rosalyn Rosenfeld in American Hustle (2013)

In David O. Russell’s wild crime caper, Christian Bale and Amy Adams find themselves entangled in a plot to expose corrupt politicians in the 1970s. However, it’s Lawrence who steals the show as the fiery and unpredictable Rosalyn Rosenfeld, the impulsive yet enigmatic wife of Bale’s character. The actress brings Rosalyn to life with a larger-than-life personality, delivering another emotionally charged and captivating performance that earned her rave reviews and a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Academy Awards. The scene involving the microwave is simply priceless.

Ree Dolly in Winter’s Bone (2010)

Lawrence received her first Oscar nomination for her breakout role in the gritty drama Winter’s Bone, portraying Ree Dolly, a determined teenager on a quest to find her missing father. Once again, Lawrence brings a raw and authentic emotional depth to Ree, skillfully conveying a range of emotions through subtle gestures. She navigates the character’s layers, expertly balancing Ree’s determination, vulnerability, and unwavering loyalty to her family. These nuanced elements add depth and richness to her remarkable performance. Lawrence’s incredible portrayal is the primary reason to explore Debra Granik’s bleak drama.

Tiffany Maxwell in Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Even before her captivating performance in David O. Russell’s remarkable Silver Linings Playbook, Lawrence had been making waves in Hollywood. Portraying the emotionally complex Tiffany Maxwell, a young widow facing her own struggles who connects with Bradley Cooper’s troubled Pat, Lawrence skillfully captures her character’s evolution from a volatile widow to someone who finds self-acceptance and redemption. She effortlessly displays her natural comedic talents, and her chemistry with Cooper carries the film to the finish line. It’s no wonder she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Silver Linings Playbook is one of my personal favorites, and Lawrence’s performance is a significant factor in why I keep revisiting this winning sports dramedy.