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One can always aspire to become an actor, and with rigorous training, reading a book or two on Stanislavski’s method, entering yourself in improv classes, and training your voice and your body, you might perform quite well in your local theatre troupe’s play. However, training until your fingers bleed might still not be enough, as you have to have that certain charisma and that magnetism that will make your performance a real success. And those two, sadly, do not come together with training. However, to be a truly great actor, you have to have both - the charm and the training, and the ladies on our list succeeded tremendously in their quest to become the best actresses possible. And, to celebrate them, we’ve created a follow-up list to our best actors article, where the ladies take center stage. So, here we are with our list of the best actresses whose performances have blown us, the critics, and the masses away. Of course, you might not agree with our ranking - in that case, give the famous actresses who you think deserve to be on the top of this list your vote.

All of these popular actresses have created memorable characters, made us laugh with their amazing wit, and cry watching their stellar performances. Some of them, like Maggie Smith, started their careers in theatre and found their cinema fame only later in life. With some, though, it’s exactly the opposite. Some have been in dozens of movies, and the younger actresses might’ve only performed in a couple, but that might’ve been just enough to put them under our radar. Any way you look at it, though, these actresses are basically incapable of sub-par performances!

So, scroll on down below to check who made it onto our list of the best actresses! And, if we’ve missed someone worthy to be here - let us know in the comments section! 

#1

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep

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Hilary Mol
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She absolutely deserves the top spot. She's been in a couple not-so-great movies, but she was still absolutely stellar in her role in those films.

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    #5

    Helena Bonham Carter

    Helena Bonham Carter

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    #10

    Emily Blunt

    Emily Blunt

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    J F
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She kinda looks like Nicholas Cage in this picture lol

    #11

    Natalie Portman

    Natalie Portman

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    #14

    Margot Robbie

    Margot Robbie

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    #15

    Sandra Bullock

    Sandra Bullock

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    #18

    Sigourney Weaver

    Sigourney Weaver

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    Turt_Le
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Her portrayal of Ripley in Alien was the first time I'd seen a woman as a lead role and a hero. What's more Ripley wears clothes I would consider suitable for her escapades. I believe it was because the character was written gender neutral until Sigourney got the part. I wish it had started a revolution of how women are portrayed in action/horror movies, but I'm still waiting

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    #21

    Sally Field

    Sally Field

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    #22

    Susan Sarandon

    Susan Sarandon

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    #23

    Jodie Foster

    Jodie Foster

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    #24

    Octavia Spencer

    Octavia Spencer

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    #25

    Keira Knightley

    Keira Knightley

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    #27

    Jessica Lange

    Jessica Lange

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    Jay Mason
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Frances Farmer portrayal one of best in all filmmaking. Shoulda shed the cowboy playwright Shephard (sp?)

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    #29

    Glenn Close

    Glenn Close

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    #30

    Angela Bassett

    Angela Bassett

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    #32

    Julianne Moore

    Julianne Moore

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    #34

    Emma Watson

    Emma Watson

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    Andrew Pugg
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry love the HP series but if you had said her eyebrows were best actress would agree. Far more ďeserving actresses than her.

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    #35

    Toni Collette

    Toni Collette

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    Turt_Le
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She's come such a long way from Muriel, she has a great acting range. I feel proud by proxy just by being a fellow countryman

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    #36

    Michelle Pfeiffer

    Michelle Pfeiffer

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    #37

    Winona Ryder

    Winona Ryder

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    #38

    Emilia Clarke

    Emilia Clarke

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    #42

    Natalie Dormer

    Natalie Dormer

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    #44

    Julia Roberts

    Julia Roberts

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    #47

    Alfre Woodard

    Alfre Woodard

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    #48

    Charlize Theron

    Charlize Theron

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    #51

    Uma Thurman

    Uma Thurman

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    #52

    Allison Janney

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    #54

    Sarah Paulson

    Sarah Paulson

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    #56

    Jennifer Connelly

    Jennifer Connelly

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    Turt_Le
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I admire her eyebrows, they've been a stable feature since the 80s, even during the fashion phases of pencil thin between then and now, she's kept them just as they are and are an iconic part of her look. They're up there with Tim Selleck's moustache.

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    #58

    Lupita Nyong'o

    Lupita Nyong'o

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    #60

    Drew Barrymore

    Drew Barrymore

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    #61

    Marion Cotillard

    Marion Cotillard

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    #62

    Laura Linney

    Laura Linney

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    #63

    Vera Farmiga

    Vera Farmiga

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    #66

    Rosamund Pike

    Rosamund Pike

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    #70

    Anya Taylor-Joy

    Anya Taylor-Joy

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    #71

    Diane Keaton

    Diane Keaton

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    #72

    Jennifer Garner

    Jennifer Garner

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    #74

    Millie Bobby Brown

    Millie Bobby Brown

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    #75

    Catherine Deneuve

    Catherine Deneuve

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    #76

    Elizabeth Banks

    Elizabeth Banks

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    #77

    Kristen Bell

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    #78

    Karen Gillan

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    #79

    Famke Janssen

    Famke Janssen

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    #84

    Amanda Seyfried

    Amanda Seyfried

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    #87

    Annette Bening

    Annette Bening

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    Jay Mason
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So much range, made ever movie she was in better, and not done

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    #90

    Isabelle Huppert

    Isabelle Huppert

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