Established Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones has an excellent filmography, but some of her best titles stand out more than others. Zeta-Jones’ career contains some of the best movies of all time, although some of her other projects are less prominent. However, these lesser-known films still demonstrate just why she is so talented. Zeta-Jones is best known for her roles in The Mask of Zorro and Chicago, two very different movies that highlight how versatile a performer she is.
In recent years, Zeta-Jones has slipped into the character of Morticia Addams, and the fact that Wednesday season 2 is taking so long has audiences begging to see the actress as the iconic Addams matriarch again. She is amazing in Wednesday, but this is only because of the skills and experience she has from appearing in several flicks. Catherine Zeta-Jones has starred as all manner of different characters in works from a wide range of genres, which form a collection of her very best movies.
10 America’s Sweethearts (2001)
Role: Gwen Harrison
Zeta-Jones appears as Gwen Harrison in America’s Sweethearts, a famous actress who is married to John Cusack’s Eddie Thomas. While the pair’s titular label fuels their reputations, it all falls apart when Gwen’s affair with her co-star, Hank Azaria’s Hector Gorgonzolas, sends Eddie spiraling. America’s Sweethearts focuses on the attempts to repair Gwen’s career while also trying to keep up appearances in the press and pretend that her marriage is still afloat. Despite America’s Sweethearts’ star-studded cast, which also includes the likes of Julia Roberts and Billy Crystal, it isn’t exactly a critic favorite.
Although the film isn’t exactly groundbreaking, she still stands out in America’s Sweethearts. Zeta-Jones’ ability to portray the fame-hungry actress is fantastic and believable, and she truly encapsulates the character. Zeta-Jones’ chemistry with Azaria is great, and their interactions provide some amazingly funny moments throughout. While America’s Sweethearts isn’t Zeta-Jones’ most notable movie, it is still a solid watch and proves her versatility as a comedic performer.
9 Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
Role: Isabel Lahiri
Ocean’s Twelve, the second of the 5 Ocean’s movies, sees Zeta-Jones take on the role of Isabel Lahiri, a Europol detective who is brought in to investigate the theft of the first-ever stock certificate. The character also has a fascinating romance storyline with Brad Pitt’s Rusty, which raises the stakes and complicates the dynamics of Danny Ocean’s crew. Rather than being against Rusty’s lifestyle choices, Isabel throws herself in at the deep end, and her advice to the group in their shared hunt for the Night Fox and LeMarc is detrimental to the film’s plot.
Zeta-Jones’ character isn’t essential to Ocean’s Twelve, but she does add to the overall charm of the movie. Isabel introduces a significant plot twist halfway through the film when she announces that LeMarc had previously been successful in the famously near-impossible theft of the Faberge egg, which changes the crew’s outlook and what their next steps are. The shocking reveal that Isabel is LeMarc’s daughter and her first meeting with him in Ocean’s Twelve’s ending is astounding, and Zeta-Jones’ performance in these scenes is fabulous.
8 No Reservations (2007)
Role: Kate Armstrong
No Reservations is one of many excellent movies where food is the true star, with Zeta-Jones portraying Kate Armstrong, a brutally intense chef. The actress appears alongside Aaron Eckhart as the bold sous-chef Nick Palmer, and their rapport throughout is stellar. Nick and Kate’s heated arguments and fierce connection are perfect for a rom-com, but the sudden death of Kate’s sister and her new role as guardian of her niece complicates things even further.
While No Reservations isn’t exactly one of the best romantic comedies of all time, it is generally an enjoyable title in the genre. Zeta-Jones is praised for bringing Kate’s struggles to life beautifully, and No Reservations is frequently applauded for its depiction of balancing a high-pressure job with familial responsibilities. Kate’s fearless attitude and determination to be just as good a parent as she is a chef is great, and Zeta-Jones’ performance in No Reservations is absolutely the driving force of the film.
7 Entrapment (1999)
Role: Virginia “Gin” Baker
Zeta-Jones stars opposite Sean Connery in the 1999 film Entrapment as Virginia “Gin” Baker, an insurance investigator who pursues Connery’s master thief, Mac. However, Mac quickly realizes Gin has taken an interest in him, and he plays along with her lies when she tries to set him up for another theft. Gin attempts to blend into this criminal world in the hopes that she can retrieve a painting she is stubbornly convinced he has stolen, but she gets caught up in more chaos than she could have ever expected.
Even though Entrapment isn’t one of Sean Connery’s best movies, it is one of Zeta-Jones’. Their chemistry is decent, and Connery’s performance isn’t bad whatsoever, but Zeta-Jones’ presence is far more prominent. Gin is always the source of the twists and turns, and she is mainly the one to keep things interesting. The laser scene is a particularly notable moment in Entrapment, and Gin’s incredible ability to move around the dangerous beams of light is the most memorable part of the entire movie. Entrapment still divides critics, but Zeta-Jones definitely doesn’t deserve her Golden Raspberry Award nomination for it.
6 Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
Role: Marilyn Rexroth
Intolerable Cruelty is an unbelievably underrated George Clooney movie in which Zeta-Jones plays Marilyn Rexroth. After she files for divorce from her cheating husband, she meets Clooney’s character, Miles, her ex’s lawyer. Marilyn has a massive reputation for being a gold digger, but she doesn’t expect to fall for Miles while she tries to rinse her husband for every cent he has. Clooney and Zeta-Jones’ back and forth is captivating in Intolerable Cruelty, and the contrast in their personalities creates a fascinating dynamic between them.
Marilyn and Miles’ beliefs are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Marilyn just wants money, whereas Miles is renowned for protecting his client’s assets, yet their differences end up pulling them together. While there are always feelings at hand, it doesn’t stop either of them from playing dirty when needed. Zeta-Jones’ talents as both a comedic and dramatic actress are apparent in Intolerable Cruelty , and her performance highlights just how good she is at adapting to whichever character she is presented with.
5 The Terminal (2004)
Role: Amelia Warren
2004’s The Terminal is inspired by a true story in which Zeta-Jones plays Amelia Warren, a flight attendant who catches the attention of Tom Hanks’ Viktor Navorski. After he is refused entry to the US, Viktor becomes stuck in John F. Kennedy Airport, and he slowly falls in love with Amelia, who believes him to be a local contractor. The Terminal is one of Steven Spielberg’s movies, and while it isn’t as action-packed as some of the legendary director’s biggest hits, it is deeply profound and moving.
Zeta-Jones’ character initially seems to be a plot device, and her only purpose appears to be a love interest to Hanks. However, Amelia’s personal issues, such as her affair with her married friend, plague her and make her a flawed yet endearing figure. In a morbid and incredibly serious story, which also involves Viktor’s fears of a military coup and his struggles to understand his place in the world, Zeta-Jones’ performance lightens the mood while ensuring The Terminal’s plot isn’t downplayed.
4 Side Effects (2013)
Role: Dr. Victoria Siebert
Zeta-Jones stars as Dr. Victoria Siebert in the 2013 title Side Effects, the ex-psychiatrist of Rooney Mara’s socialite Emily, who she prescribes experimental drugs following her husband’s release from prison. However, the medication she produces ends up being incredibly dangerous and sends Emily into a murderous sleepwalker. Zeta-Jones’ performance in Side Effects is easily one of the strongest of her career, and the slow reveal that Victoria isn’t as honorable as she appears is absolutely phenomenal.
The tense interactions between Emily’s former and current doctors are brilliant. Jude Law as Dr. Jonathan Banks is fantastic, and the most dramatic moments between him and Victoria are some of the film’s best. It’s hard to predict Victoria’s next move or what she’s thinking, and Zeta-Jones’ nail-biting portrayal makes every second that she is on the screen even more nerve wracking. The most shocking thing about Zeta-Jones in Side Effects, however, is that she has never been nominated for any significant awards for her amazing role.
3 The Mask Of Zorro (1998)
Role: Elena Montero
Elena Montero in The Mask of Zorro, the 1998 addition to a long list of Zorro movies and TV shows, is one of Zeta-Jones’ most notable roles to date. The Mask of Zorro is one of her earliest films, and it is also considered the beginning of the actress’ breakthrough in Hollywood. The spirited Elena becomes Zorro’s love interest, and their fight against Las Californias’ oppressive governor is spectacular. Zeta-Jones has astonishing chemistry with Zorro actor Antonio Banderas, which adds even more to the growing bond between their characters.
While there’s a focus on the titular character, Elena steals the spotlight. Zeta-Jones does a great job as the heroine of The Mask of Zorro , and she’s also a breath of fresh air in comparison to other archetypal examples. Elena is similar to Robin Hood’s Maid Marian, but she’s even braver and feistier. The Mask of Zorro is a highlight in Zeta-Jones’ filmography and is the movie that first exemplifies her versatility as an actress. This is proven in her accolades, specifically her nominations for Best Actress at the Saturn Awards and Best Breakthrough Performance at the MTV Movie Awards.
2 Chicago (2002)
Role: Velma Kelly
2002’s Chicago is the reason why Zeta-Jones is an Oscar winner. Her nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the role of Velma Kelly is a staple of her career, and it’s immediately clear why. Zeta-Jones stars alongside Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart, and the film focuses on the two women awaiting trial for murder. Chicago is one of the best musicals of all time, and Velma’s solo track, “I Can’t Do It Alone,” is an absolute scene stealer. Zeta-Jones isn’t especially known for her singing voice, but she proves in Chicago that she is capable of anything.
Velma is charismatic and enthralling as a character. She thrives as a vaudevillian and is overly passionate, perhaps too much, as her rage results in her murdering her husband and sister. Velma is complicated and flawed, two crucial factors that can help create a successful character, and Zeta-Jones embodies this beautifully. Her rapport with Zellweger is amazingly strong and realistic, to the point that it’s easy to forget that their characters are initially strangers. Chicago is a shining gem in Zeta-Jones’ career, but her performance is even more impressive considering that the film is one of her earlier projects.
1 Traffic (2000)
Role: Helena Ayala
If there is any movie that encapsulates Zeta-Jones’ outstanding acting talents, it is Traffic. The actress plays Helena Ayala, the pregnant wife of Steven Bauer’s Carlos Ayala, a notorious drug lord. While Traffic is from the earlier days of her career, Zeta-Jones is an exceptional addition to the film’s cast. Helena’s discovery of her husband’s illegal profession is heartbreaking, but her decision to hire an assassin to protect herself and her child is astonishing. However, Zeta-Jones depicts Helena’s struggles perfectly, and her ability to play a character who’s both determined and petrified is fantastic.
Traffic is one of the best movies with intertwining stories, but this doesn’t stop Zeta-Jones from shining. Each of the film’s storylines is powerful, but Helena’s story is the most compelling. The way she accepts the shocking details of her husband’s dealings and seeks help, all so she can keep her family together, is astounding. Zeta-Jones’ usual characters are rather different from Helena’s, but she slips into the scared woman’s shoes with such ease. Traffic is by far the best movie starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, and her several award nominations, including Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globes, affirms this.
