Anna Kendrickhas been acting since she was a child. She got her start on Broadway and had her first big role in 1988’sHigh Society, for which she won a Theater World Award and was nominated for a Tony Award. Her big break in film came in 2008 when she was cast as Jessica Stanley, a friend of Bella Swan in theTwilightfranchise. The series went on to be an enormous success at the box office and put Kendrick on the radar of Hollywood casting agents.
From there, Kendrick’s career took off. She appeared inUp in the Airopposite George Clooney. She was nominated for the Oscar, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, and BAFTA as Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Jason Reitman film. From there she starred in the cultfavoriteScott Pilgrim vs. the World,50/50,and the following installments of theTwilightsaga. Kendrick’s next big breakthrough role was in the musical comedyPitch Perfect.
Let’s take a look at Anna Kendrick’s best movies, ranked.
Update June 14, 2025: Anna Kendrick is having a big weekend, as her latest film,Trolls Band Together,was released in theaters on the same day thatScott Pilgrim Takes Offaired on Netflix, so this article has been updated with even more great Anna Kendrick movies and where you can stream each title.
10Stowaway (2021)
So far, Kendrick’s only venture into the world of sci-fi is 2021’sStowaway.The movie sees the actress portraying a doctor called Zoe aboard a spacecraft on a mission to Mars. Along with her two fellow crew members (played by Toni Collette and Daniel Dae Kim), Zoe is shocked to discover a stowaway in the form of Shamier Anderson’s Michael has snuck aboard the vessel. With only enough resources aboard to sustain three people, the inclusion of an unplanned fourth person puts the entire crew in danger.
What Makes it Great
Stowawayis science fiction at its most basic and intimate. It’s claustrophobic, tense, and thought-provoking, with the story revolving around a well-conceived moral dilemma. While the science seen in the film may be questionable, there’s enough suspense and well-acted drama by a talented cast, to makeStowawayan entertaining watch. What matters here is the emotion and moral quandary at hand, rather than the scientific details.
Stream on Netflix
9Into the Woods (2014)
Into the Woods
Anadaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musicalof the same name, Disney’sInto the Woodstells the fantastical story of a baker and his wife (played by James Corden and Emily Blunt) who, unable to have children, follow the demands of a vengeful witch (Meryl Streep) in the hope of reversing the curse put upon their family. Kendrick plays Cinderella, whose golden slipper the couple needs for their potion. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Chris Pine, Johnny Depp, Tracey Ullman, and Christine Baranski, among others.
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What Makes It Great
Like the Broadway musical it’s based on,Into the Woodsis a delightful mishmash of everyone’s favorite fairytales. With an excellent score, beautiful production design, and committed performances from the cast, the film is reminiscent of classic musicals from the middle of the last century. As its final act might not live up to what came before it,Into the Woodsranks lower on the list. However, it is, nevertheless, a delightfully fun watch with a charming turn by Kendrick, who is perfectly cast as everyone’s favorite fairytale princess.
Stream on Disney+
8Drinking Buddies (2013)
Drinking Buddies
In 2013, Anna Kendrick starred opposite Olivia Wilde, Ron Livingston, and Jake Johnson in the comedy-dramaDrinking Buddies. The film is set in Chicago and revolves around two coworkers, Kate and Luke (Wilde and Johnson), who work at a craft brewery. Despite clearly having chemistry, both are in committed relationships with Chris and Jill (Livingston and Kendrick), respectively. The couples go on a weekend trip that highlights who should really be together.
A light-hearted romp from theindie film king, director Joe Swanberg,Drinking Buddiesis smarter, classier, and more well-observed than your average American comedy film. While its focus might be romantic relationships, this is no rom-com, with Swanberg opting to tell a more nuanced tale about relationship dynamics and the role alcohol plays in allowing people to be honest about their feelings. The cast is on fine form, including Kendrick who manages to make an impression, despite playing a secondary character. What makes her performance even more impressive is that the majority of the movie’s dialogue is improvised.
Stream on Prime Video
750/50 (2011)
2011 comedy-drama,50/50,sees Kendrick playing a Ph.D. candidate called Katharine who becomes romantically involved with Joseph Gordon-Levit’s Adam, a patient who she is treating. Set in Seattle, Adam is experiencing a rare form of cancer that is upending his life. Over the course of their sessions, Katherine helps Adam deal with his illness. The film, which was directed by Jonathan Levine, also stars Seth Rogen, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Anjelica Huston.
Based, in part, on screenwriter Will Reiser’s own cancer story,50/50is an honest depiction of what living with the disease is like which, among other things, is a good basis for humor here. With a great script, and magnificent performances from the cast,particularly Gordon Levitt, Kendrick, and Rogen, the film manages to find the right tonal balance between comedy and tragedy and, in doing so, tells a beautiful story about a dark yet very human experience. Furthermore, the chemistry between the two romantic leads is simply winning.
6Happy Christmas (2014)
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmasreunites Kendrick with frequent collaborator Joe Swanbeg for a surprisingly good holiday film that deserves more attention. Kendrick plays Jenny, an irresponsible 20-something who arrives in Chicago to move in with her brother Jeff (Swanberg himself) and his wife Kelly (Melanie Lynskey). Her boisterous personality disrupts the couple’s previously cozy and quiet home. Jenny and her friend Carson (Lena Dunham) plot to makeover Kelly’s life — with or without her approval.
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What Makes it Great?
It’s hard to makea Christmas moviethat stands out, but with Swanberg’s magic touch,Happy Christmasis a smart, funny, and original holiday film that makes good use of its talented stars. Yet again, the cast improvised most of their dialogue, which gives a very authentic and honest touch to the drama. While each player is great, it’s Kendrick who ultimately steals the show with a hilarious and enigmatic performance as a truly dysfunctional character. Undoubtedly,Happy Christmaswon’t be everyone’s idea of a good Christmas film, but it’s hard to deny its accuracy.
Stream on Paramount+
5A Simple Favor (2018)
A Simple Favor
A Simple Favoris a 2018 film based on the novel of the same name by Darcey Bell. Anna Kendrick plays Stephanie, a mom and small-town vlogger who becomes friends with the glamorous Emily, played by Blake Lively. When Emily goes missing, Stephanie tries to solve the case and gets into a world of mystery and crime that is way over her head or journalistic skills. When Emily’s drowned body is uncovered, Stephanie dives further into the history of Emily and her life. Directed by Paul Fieg, the film also stars Henry Golding, Linda Cardellini, Andrew Rannells, Jean Smart, and Rupert Friend.
With an intriguing premise, flashes of dark comedy, and a healthy dose of suspense,A Simple Favorremains a stylish and delightfully effective thriller. Criminally underrated, it features one of Kendrick’s best performances to date as a sweet, naive, yet determined woman who finds herself at the center of a dark mystery. Moreover, the chemistry between the two leads will make you forgive the film’s slightly underwhelming third act. Witha sequel apparently in the works, it’ll be interesting to see if Kendrick and Lively can repeat their success.
4ParaNorman (2012)
ParaNorman
In 2012, Anna Kendrick voiced the character of Courtney Babcock, the 17-year-old sister of the title character in the animated family horror film,ParaNorman,Courtney is a cheerleader and the bright and bouncy nature of her personality is at odds with the darker nature of 11-year-old Norman’s world. Norman speaks with the dead, including family members who’ve passed away, and several ghosts around his town. Almost no one believes this though, which isolates him from his family and peers, and ultimately leads to him trying to save his town from an evil curse all by himself. The film co-stars Kodi Smit-McPhee, Casey Affleck, Leslie Mann, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, among others.
ParaNormanis a children’s comedy-horror that delivers on both the humor and the scares. It’s a gloriously entertaining watch, with well-drawn characters, a high gag count, and a solid plot. Moreover, that’s all held together by some truly stunning stop-motion animation. With a committed cast and a kooky tone,ParaNormanis an intelligent and unique family film thatdeserves more love.
Stream on Starz
3Pitch Perfect (2012)
Pitch Perfect
Possibly the film Kendrick is most associated with, 2012’sPitch Perfectwas both a critical and commercial hit that led to two equally successful sequels and a TV spin-off. Kendrick leads an ensemble cast that includes Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Adam DeVine, and Elizabeth Banks, in a film about an all-girl university a cappella group called the Bellas who work hard to compete with their all-male revivals. Kendrick plays a rebellious and reluctant college student, Bec, who’d rather be developing her career as a DJ rather than attending classes. After being urged by her father to join the group, she finds her spunky nature is at direct odds with the traditional values and style of the group’s leader.
Though there might be more intelligent or more sophisticated films out there, few are as infectiously joyous asPitch Perfect. From beginning to end, it’s a wild and charming musical extravaganza, filled with catchy tunes, hilarious moments, and a warm tone that leaves you wanting more. Kendrick holds the piece together, giving the film its emotional backbone with a sweet and rounded central performance. She wouldcontinue to shine in the film’s two follow-ups, but the original is not only still the best, but the film that catapulted the actress to stardom.
2Up in the Air (2009)
Up In The Air
An early entry in Kendrick’s filmography, 2009’sUp in the Airis a comedy-drama based on the novel of the same name by Walter Kirn. Directed by Jason Reitman, it stars George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a human resources executive who specializes in helping companies terminate employees. Kendrick plays Natalie, an ambitious young employee at Bingham’s firm who argues that terminations can happen via videoconferencing and therefore save the cost of Bingham flying all over the country. The two challenge each other on their respective viewpoints on life and their jobs, while the film subtly explores the ramifications of the 2008 economic crisis in human terms.
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Up in the Air’ssubject matter could’ve easily made it a boring film, but withReitman’s assured directionand an excellent script by Reitman and Sheldon Turner, the comedy-drama manages to be charmingly engaging from start to finish. Furthermore, the performances of the cast, especially those of Clooney, Kendrick, and Vera Farmiga, bring pathos and vulnerability to a story about one man’s loneliness. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards at the 82nd annual ceremony, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress for Kendrick.
Stream on Fubo
1Alice, Darling (2023)
Alice, Darling
The best entry in Kendrick’s lengthy filmography is 2022’sAlice, Darling. The psychological thriller follows the titular character (Kendrick), a woman in an emotionally abusive relationship, who goes on a vacation with her two friends, only to discover that the trip is actually a staged intervention organized with the aim of helping Alice to see her relationship for what it really is. However, things don’t go as planned, particularly when Alice’s boyfriend, Simon (Charlie Carrick), unexpectedly shows up.
What Makes It The Best
Alice, Darlingis a grounded and harrowing portrait of what it’s like to be in a psychologically abusive relationship and how an abuser’s grip can be so tight that it’s difficult to leave. The film’s honesty makes it more terrifying than many horror films, with director Mary Nighy doing an excellent job of building up tension to create some edge-of-your-seat moments. It’s dark, twisted, and uncomfortable to watch at times, butAlice, Darlingis a story that feels urgent. Kendrick delivers a career-best performance here as a woman in denial about her boyfriend’s abusive nature. Alice is tortured, wounded, and confused, and Kendrick expertly conveys all the character’s conflicting emotions in a psychological thriller that really does thrill.
