The 2010s were an incredible time for movies. Nearly every genre experienced an overflow of worthy entries, with a few even rising to become bonafide cinematic icons. A large reason behind these movies' undeniable success was the efforts of the actors involved, especially the women who starred in them.
Indeed, the decade was defined by a slew of hard-working leading women who starred in some of the most successful films of the 2010s. These actors left a huge impression on critics and audiences, delivering compelling and exciting work that cemented their place as Hollywood legends.
Despite being only twenty-six years old, two-time Emmy winnerZendayahas a collection of impressive films on her resumé. The actor rose to prominence with the Disney Channel showsShake It UpandK.C. Undercoverbefore making her big-screen debut withSpider-Man: Homecoming.
RELATED:Movies You Didn’t Know Zendaya Appeared In
Success quickly followed with films likeThe Greatest ShowmanandSpider-Man: Far From Home. She starred in the HBO showEuphoria, winning the aforementioned Emmys for her performance as teenage drug addict Rue Bennett. Coleman’s career will surely keep growing in the 2020s, with 2023 shaping up to be a banner year for the young actor.
9Melissa McCarthy
After appearing in beloved tv shows likeGilmore GirlsandSamantha Who?,Melissa McCarthymade the jump to films with her hilarious performance in 2011’sBridesmaids. McCarthy earned one of the most out-of-the-box Oscar nominations for her work in the comedy, launching her career as one of the 2010s' most influential actors.
McCarthy starred in box-office hits likeThe HeatandSpy,action films that rank among the funniest of the 21st century. She earned a second Oscar nomination for her acclaimed performance in 2018’sCan You Ever Forgive Me?ending the decade on a high note, despite more than a few duds in her filmography.
8Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt’s breakthrough performance came in 2006 withThe Devil Wears Prada. The actor entered the 2010s as a leading lady, starring in a wide variety of films that confirmed her range and broad appeal with audiences.
The English actor did everything, from thought-provoking sci-fis likeLooperandEdge of Tomorrowto Disney musicals likeInto the WoodsandMary Poppins Returns. Blunt experimented with fantasy blockbusters likeThe Huntsman: Winter’s War, intense dramas likeThe Girl on the Train, and horror hits likeA Quiet Place.
7Viola Davis
Viola Davisis among her generation’s finest and most accomplished performers. A bonafide star of the stage by the time she got her first Oscar nomination for 2008’sDoubt, Davis quickly became a leading lady, starting with her Oscar-nominated turn in 2011’sThe Help.
RELATED:The Best Viola Davis Performances
What followed was a string of critical hits that cemented Davis as one of the most talented actors in Hollywood. From revered dramas likeFences, which earned her the 2017 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, andWidowsto superhero fare likeSuicide Squad, few shined as brightly throughout the 2010s as Viola Davis.
6Meryl Streep
Beginning the decade with an Oscar win isn’t something every actor can do; then again,Meryl Streepisn’t any actor. The prolific actor, often considered the best living actor, has had a long and successful career full of critical and commercial hits.
Following her Oscar-winning role inThe Iron Lady, Streep achieved four nominations more for her leading roles inAugust: Osage County,Florence Foster Jenkins, andThe Post, and her supporting turn inInto the Woods. With a record-breaking twenty-one Oscar nominations and a career that successfully mixes commercial movies with awards favorites, Streep dominated the 2010s.
5Cate Blanchett
Known for her versatility and intensity as a performer,Cate Blanchettis the definition of Hollywood royalty. The Australian actor had several commercial hits throughout the 2010s, includingThe Hobbittrilogy, Disney’sCinderella, and Marvel’sThor: Ragnarok.
The 2010s also sawBlanchett give several of her most acclaimed performances. The actor won the 2014 Oscar for her tour-de-force inBlue Jasmineand received another nod for her quiet and arresting turn in 2015’sCarol. Films likeHannaandManifestofurther confirmed Blanchett’s reputation as a brilliant performer, unlike few others.
4Amy Adams
The 2000s introducedAmy Adamsas a leading lady, but the 2010s solidified her as a cinematic icon. The actor received Oscar nominations for her work inThe Fighter,The Master,American Hustle– for which she won her first Golden Globe – andVice.
RELATED:Ranking Film and TV’s Best Portrayals of Lois Lane
Aside from her Oscar-nominated turns, Adams delivered numerous other compelling performances. Some of her other hits includeThe Muppets,Big Eyes– which earned her a second Golden Globe –Arrival,Nocturnal Animals, and her stint as Lois Lane in the DCEU. Finally, Adams also delivered career-best work in the HBO miniseriesSharp Objects, spreading her dominance to television.
3Scarlett Johansson
It could be easy to reduceScarlett Johansson’s filmography in the 2010s to her work asthe iconic assassin Black Widowin the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Indeed, films likeThe Avengers,Captain America: The Winter Soldier, andAvengers: Endgamewere overwhelming box-office hits, turning her into one of the all-time highest-grossing actors.
However, such an assertion would be a disservice to Johansson, who gave some of her most interesting performances in the decade. 2013 was a banner year for her, with the trifecta ofHer,Don Jon, andUnder the Skinconfirming her as one of her generation’s biggest talents. Johansson ended the decade withMarriage StoryandJojo Rabbit, for which she received her first Oscar nominations at the 2020 ceremony.
2Emma Stone
Emma Stonewas a familiar but underrated name before her star-making turn in the 2010 teen comedyEasy A. Her performance resulted in her first Golden Globe nomination and launched her into stardom, with commercial hits likeThe Help,Crazy Stupid Love, and theAmazing Spider-Manduology following.
In 2014, Stone entered a more mature stage in her career, earning her first Oscar nomination for her biting work inBirdman. Two years later, she won the statuette for her lead performance in the musicalLa La Land, sweeping the 2017 awards season. In 2018, Stone gave arguably her finest performance to date inThe Favourite, one ofthe best black comedies of the 21st century. Stone also went into TV with the underrated Netflix miniseriesManiac.
1Jennifer Lawrence
Despite tough competition, no leading woman dominated the 2010s likeJennifer Lawrence. The actor rose to prominence in 2010 thanks to her gripping work in the indie dramaWinter’s Bone, earning her first Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Lawrence won the trophy two years later for her performance in the romantic comedySilver Linings Playbook; that same year, she took the box office by storm with the YA adaptationThe Hunger Games.
Lawrence soon became the undefeated it girl in Hollywood, reigning over the box office with futureHunger Gamessequels and theX-MenFox franchise. The actor received two further Oscar nominations for her roles inAmerican HustleandJoyand attracted praise for her performance in 2017’sMother!
NEXT:The Most Iconic Actresses Of Hollywood’s Golden Age (& Their Best Role)
