The best Anna Kendrick movies feature a strong mix of romantic dramas and comedies and some fantasy and thriller films along the way. Kendrick first rose to prominence with a ing part in The Twilight Saga and, since then, has grown into one of the most prominent actors in Hollywood. She has led a franchise, been nominated for an Academy Award, and lent her voice to some beloved animated characters.

Kendrick has such a versatile filmography that her movies vary pretty heavily in quality, with some being honored during the awards season and others mostly remaining in comfort food guilty pleasure cinema. However, one of the key things about her film releases is that she is often one of the best things in them, delivering great performances every time she appears on the big or small screen, elevating anything she appears in.

20 The Hollars (2016)

Rebecca

Before he was helming the A Quiet Place movies and If, John Krasinski directed this small comedy-drama with a large ensemble. The Hollars stars Krasinski as John, a young man expecting twins with his girlfriend, Rebecca (Kendrick), but first has to return to his hometown when his mother (Margo Martindale) falls ill. The visit forces him to confront his dysfunctional family and his own insecurities about being a parent himself.

Kendrick is sweet and grounded as the young mother-to-be who is dealing with the uncertainty of her partner in this next stage in their relationship while also dealing with her own concerns. She fits nicely into the quaint family drama that also features the likes of Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Charlie Day, and Richard Jenkins. It is a heartfelt story that entertains even if there is nothing groundbreaking throughout.

19 Noelle (2019)

Noelle Kringle

Anna Kendrick has appeared in a handful of holiday-themed movies over the years, but Noelle stands a chance of becoming a favorite to rewatch each year. Kendrick plays Noelle Kringle, the optimistic and whimsical daughter of Santa Claus who gets somewhat overlooked in the North Pole as her brother Nick (Bill Hader) gets ready to take over as the new Santa. However, just as the holidays are approaching, Nick disappears, and it is up to Noelle to travel to Los Angeles to find him.

The fish-out-of-water element makes for some big laughs, especially with Kendrick's excited yet bewildered performance.

Kendrick's cheerful and energetic performance is perfect for this holiday movie that is paying homage to Elf in a lot of ways. The fish-out-of-water element makes for some big laughs, especially with Kendrick's excited yet bewildered performance. There is also a touching story about sibling bonds, as well as Noelle finding her purpose in life.

18 Trolls (2016)

Poppy

Anna Kendrick has brought her musical talents to a number of her movies, which worked quite well in the animated world in the Trolls film franchise. The first entry remains the best of the series as it introduces the audience to the fun and colorful world of Troll Village. However, the fun-loving community is broken when Troll Village is invaded and many of the trolls are captured. This leads the happy troll Poppy (Kendrick) to team up with the cranky troll Branch (Justin Timberlake) as they attempt to get their friends back.

Once again, Kendrick's bubbly personality is perfect for the role as she brings so much charm, humor, and likability to Poppy, making her an instantly lovable character. The movie is an ideal family-friendly adventure with bright colors, catchy songs, and a wild sense of humor that will appeal to the younger audience and also make for a fun time for all ages.

17 Drinking Buddies (2013)

Jill

Anna Kendrick took on a terrific ing role in the indie comedy Drinking Buddies. The movie stars Olivia Wilde and Jake Johnson as two best friends who work at a brewery together, spending their time drinking and hanging out before going home to their respective partners. However, as their romantic lives get more complicated, the two friends gradually begin to blur the lines of their friendship.

Kendrick plays Jill, the girlfriend of Johnson's Luke, who struggles with her love for him and the fact that they are not always the most compatible couple. While there have been many movies about friends becoming lovers, Drinking Buddies is a more honest take on the material, exploring the idea that some people are just better as friends even if there is a romantic connection. The movie is almost entirely improvised, giving it a captivating and fun energy.

16 Another Simple Favor (2025)

Stephanie Smothers

While A Simple Favor was not a massive hit at the box office, it gradually gained a strong cult following, which has led to this anticipated sequel. Another Simple Favor finds Anna Kendrick returning to her role as Stephanie Smothers, the small-town vlogger turned sleuth whose investigation led to the arrest of her former friend, Emily Nelson (Blake Lively). However, when Emily is released from prison, she surprises Stephanie by inviting her to be her maid of honor at her Italian wedding. Stephanie now must decide if Emily has changed or if she is being lured into a trap.

Seeing Kendrick facing off with Lively again makes for a very fun ride, especially given the new tension between the characters. The sequel maintains the tricky tone of the original movie, mixing thriller aspects with comedy to great effect. It makes for an elaborate and entertaining edge-of-your-seat sequel.

15 The Voices (2014)

Lisa

Although she has shined in a fair share of serious roles, Anna Kendrick seems to be at her best in a comedic setting. The Voices is right up her alley and the same can be said for the film's lead, Ryan Reynolds, who is also great in this wacky tale. The Voices centers on Jerry Hickfang (Reynolds), a man who has schizophrenia and doesn't take his meds, leading him to hear his pets advise him to become a killer.

The film is done in a way that keeps everything light and Kendrick appears as Lisa, Jerry's co-worker who is also a potential love interest and victim. The entire film is a strange one, though it has a critical rating of 75% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, thanks mostly to Reynolds' performance. However, the ing cast of Kendrick, Gemma Arterton, Jacki Weaver, and more are great in their roles opposite Reynolds' unhinged serial killer.

14 A Simple Favor (2018)

Stephanie Smothers

One of the most notable films to star Anna Kendrick is A Simple Favor. Audiences were drawn to this film thanks to a trailer that never let anyone in on what was truly going on and the plot itself unravels in an unexpected fashion. Kendrick plays vlogger Stephanie Smothers, a mother who befriends a wealthy and mysterious woman (Blake Lively) after their kids become friends.

Reviews were strong, with Lively and Kendrick receiving lots of praise, the film sitting at a high 84% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Nothing is as it seems in this twisted mysterious tale about infidelity that will leave viewers shocked, confused, and blown away. Reviews were strong, with Lively and Kendrick receiving lots of praise, the film sitting at a high 84% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film was a box office success as well, and it seems there might be a sequel in the works, with both Kendrick and Lively returning to reprise their roles.

13 Into The Wolds (2014)

Cinderella

In 2014, Rob Marshall brought the Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical to the big screen with Into the Woods. The movie/musical tells the story of a childless couple seeking to break a curse placed on them by a witch. The entire story is based around the original Grimm Fairy Tales, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel. In this movie, Anna Kendrick takes on the role of Cinderella, with Chris Pine starring as her Prince.

The entire cast was great, with Meryl Streep as the Witch, and names like Emily Blunt, Johnny Depp, Tracey Ullman, and James Corden in various ing roles. The musical movie received mixed reviews, with a 70% Rotten Tomatoes score, with praise going to the cast, but some critics counting off for its dark final act. It did pick up three Oscar nominations, with Meryl Streep nominated for Best ing Actress. Kendrick and her cast-mates also won Best Ensemble at the Satellite Awards.

12 Rocket Science (2007)

Ginny Ryerson

Other than a role in 2003's Camp, Rocket Science is the first film for Anna Kendrick, coming when she was just 22 years old. The movie tells the story of a teen with a stutter (Reece Thompson) who s his school's debate team after developing a crush on one of the team . Although this was an early role for Kendrick, she showed why she would become a sought-after actor.

She ended up as the perfect choice, as she was nominated for Best ing Female at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Kendrick's performance as debate team star Ginny Ryerson was a highlight that helped make her someone to watch out for. Despite this being a very early career role for Kendrick, she was one of the first cast to sign onto the film, with the director saying that he knew she would be in the movie after her very first audition (via More About Movies). She ended up as the perfect choice, as she was nominated for Best ing Female at the Independent Spirit Awards.

11 Stowaway (2021)

Zoe Levenson

Stowaway is a 2021 sci-fi thriller about four people on a space mission trapped aboard a canister without enough oxygen to get them to Mars before they all die. This is a small personal movie. While there is a plot of mission control trying to find a way to save them, what carries the film is the relationship and conversations between the four trapped people trying to survive the situation. These are Anna Kendrick as the ship's doctor, Toni Collette as the commander, Daniel Dae Kim as the biologist, and Shamier Anderson as a stowaway.

Critics gave the movie average to positive reviews, as it sits at 76% positive on Rotten Tomatoes. The main complaints went to pacing problems of the movie and its script, but most critics praised the performances, calling it an engaging and well-acted movie that requires the characters to take moral decisions. For her part, Kendrick takes on a tragic role that allows her to deliver one of her most heartbreaking performances.