The Many Faces of Meryl Streep: Her 10 Best Roles of All-Time

First on our list of the best Meryl Streep roles was a relatively more recent film, her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.

The role allowed Streep to portray Thatcher across several decades. Her attention to detail brought Thatcher to life on screen. Streep nailed every aspect of the Iron Lady’s persona, from the iconic hairstyle to the mannerisms to the distinctive voice. She also conveyed Thatcher’s determination and controversial political stance. Additionally, Streep depicted Thatcher’s vulnerability in her later years with dementia, adding depth to the character.

Critics agree that this role was one of her finest performances to date. The Academy awarded Streep her third Oscar for this role. The Iron Lady showcased Streep’s ability to inhabit complex historical figures. It also demonstrated her skill in balancing strength and vulnerability within a single character, cementing Streep’s status as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and talented actresses.

Next, another of Meryl Streep’s best roles was Joanna Kramer in Kramer vs. Kramer, which was her breakout role in the film industry, and this performance earned her first Academy Award.

In this movie, Streep played a mother who left her husband and young son and returned to fight for custody. She gave Joanna a mix of vulnerability and determination, making the potentially unlikable character surprisingly relatable and sympathetic. Streep’s performance highlighted a woman’s internal struggle between personal fulfillment and maternal responsibilities.

Despite her limited screen time, Streep’s impact on the film was significant. Streep’s ability to convey Joanna’s feelings through subtle expressions and body language demonstrated her talent. This role established Streep in Hollywood and set the stage for her truly iconic career.

As a lover of all things cooking-related and a member of Gen-Z, I had to include Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Julia Child in Julie & Julia. Like in The Iron Lady, Streep captured Child’s distinctive voice, mannerisms, and, of course, enthusiasm for cooking with remarkable accuracy.

In this role, Streep balanced humor and heart. She depicted Child’s determination to succeed in the male-dominated culinary world of 1950s France while also showing her relationship with her husband. Streep’s performance highlighted Child’s joy in cooking and her perseverance.

This portrayal earned Streep yet another Oscar nomination. She made Child feel genuine and relatable rather than a caricature. Streep’s performance reminded audiences why Julia Child became such a beloved figure in American culture.

Another one of Meryl Streep’s best roles was Lindy Chamberlain in A Cry in the Dark, where she played a real-life figure caught in a tragic and controversial situation.

In this movie, Streep played an Australian mother accused of murdering her baby after claiming a dingo took the child. She gave Lindy a mix of grief and resilience, making the misunderstood character deeply sympathetic. Streep’s performance highlighted a woman’s struggle against public opinion and a flawed justice system while dealing with the loss of her child.

Streep’s mastery of the Australian accent and ability to convey complex emotions through subtle expressions showcased her true talent and earned her another Academy Award nomination.

Next, one of Meryl Streep’s top roles was Sister Aloysius Beauvier in Doubt, where she played a tough Catholic school principal.

In this film, her character suspected a priest of inappropriate behavior with a student. She made Sister Aloysius strong but also unsure, showing how hard it is to know what’s right when you’re not certain. Streep showed how the nun struggled between her faith and her suspicions. Additionally, this role earned Streep her 15th Academy Award nomination.

Francesca Johnson in The Bridges of Madison County was another one of Meryl Streep’s most moving performances. She played an Italian war bride living in Iowa.

The story followed Francesca‘s affair with a traveling photographer, Robert Kincaid. Streep showed the conflict between family duty and unexpected love. She captured both the desperation of Francesca’s routine life and the excitement of new possibilities.

She mastered an Italian accent for this role. Additionally, her chemistry with Clint Eastwood created a powerful sense of real romance. Of course, this role earned Streep another Oscar nomination and proved again her ability to bring real humanity to every character she plays.

Next, Streep tackled another challenging real-life role as Karen Silkwood in Silkwood. She played the nuclear plant worker and union activist with determination (also secured Streep another Oscar).

The film’s plot followed Silkwood’s efforts to expose safety violations at her workplace. Streep depicted Karen’s journey from an average employee to a fearless whistleblower. She conveyed Karen’s anxiety and courage as she discovered hazardous practices at the facility.

Streep’s portrayal of Silkwood stood out for its authenticity and emotional depth. This performance not only earned critical acclaim, but also helped bring wider attention to workplace safety issues and the risks faced by whistleblowers.

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Of course, this list of Meryl Streep’s best roles would not be complete without including her turn as Donna in Mamma Mia! This role showcased Streep’s singing talents and ability to shine in a feel-good musical comedy.

As Donna, Streep played a free-spirited single mother running a hotel on a Greek island. Streep’s performance captured Donna’s zest, her love for her daughter, and conflicted feelings about her former lovers.

Without a doubt, Streep’s renditions of ABBA classics like “Dancing Queen” and “The Winner Takes It All” impressed both audiences and critics. This role proved Streep could also hold her own in a high-energy musical, adding another dimension to her already diverse resume. It also allowed her to reach new audiences, showing she could be as entertaining in lighthearted musicals as in serious dramas.

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Next on our list was Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly in the movie adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada showed off her range as an actress.

Her character was a cold, demanding boss of a top fashion magazine. But Streep made Miranda more than just a villain, as she balanced her power with hints of vulnerability. Miranda became a symbol of female power in the workplace.

This role let Streep be funny while still being dramatic. Her sharp comebacks and icy stares became famous. Not surprisingly, she got another Oscar nomination for this part and won over younger viewers. Yet again, the role proved that Streep could shine in modern settings.

Capping our list of Meryl Streep’s best roles was her portrayal of “Sophie” Zawistowski in Sophie’s Choice. The film followed a Polish immigrant in post-World War II Brooklyn as she dealt with her tragic past. Streep’s nuanced acting brought Sophie’s complex emotional journey to life.

To prepare for the role, Streep learned both Polish and German, demonstrating her commitment to realism. Her accent work added depth to the character, while her ability to convey Sophie’s trauma, guilt, and vulnerability captivated audiences. The “choice” scene highlighted Streep’s talent for expressing intense emotion without overacting.

Ultimately, this performance earned Streep her second Academy Award and was regarded as career-defining. Decades later, Streep’s portrayal of Sophie still resonates with viewers and critics, placing it at the top of our list of her best roles.

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