Steven Spielberg's personal family drama The Fabelmans has just hit theaters worldwide, and Michelle Williams is already gathering a huge amount of attention for her performance as a fictionalized of Spielberg's own mother.
But The Fabelmans certainly isn't Michelle Williams' first success - her filmography is filled with popular blockbusters and underrated gems that make her one of the most reliable actresses working today. Spielberg's new film truly brings out her greatest qualities as an actress, which is sure to incite many audiences to check out the rest of her work.
10 Certain Women (2016) - 3.7/5
Available To Stream On AMC+
Kelly Reichardt's Certain Women tells the story of three powerful women who face daily challenges as they attempt to find success and closure in the American Northwest. Like many of Reichardt's features, the film is an emotional and thoughtful meditation on womanhood and its place in society.
Williams stars opposite Laura Dern and Kristen Stewart in the film, with all three actresses providing some of their best performances to date. The trio has excellent on-screen chemistry, which allows Reichardt to really push her narrative home.
9 The Station Agent (2003) - 3.7/5
Available To Stream On Fubo TV
The effective combination of humor and drama in The Station Agent is exactly what allows the film to thrive so much, propelled by an inspiring narrative about a grieving man who moves to rural New Jersey in search of solitude, only to find that what he really needs is company.
The Station Agent features one of Peter Dinklage's best roles to date, and it's because of his compelling talent that audiences found themselves so engaged with this story. Williams also shines in the film, blending her dramatic and comedic talents in a way that really works with the film's screenplay.
8 Blue Valentine (2010) - 3.8/5
Available To Stream On The Roku Channel
Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star as Dean and Cindy in Blue Valentine, two broken souls whose individual issues begin to break down their marriage from the inside. It's a moving story about how self-absorption and apathy can be some of humanity's most dangerous traits.
Derek Cian really allows Blue Valentine to shine thanks to his inspired direction and poignant screenplay, focusing closely on these characters and never allowing the narrative to drift too far from its true focus. The film remains one of the most underrated projects in either actor's portfolio.
7 Wendy And Lucy (2008) - 3.8/5
Available To Stream On Tubi TV
Michelle Williams and Kelly Reichardt continue their powerful partnership with Wendy and Lucy, which remains one of the director's most acclaimed projects to this date. The story follows a drifter named Wendy who loses her dog after an unfortunate run-in with the law.
Wendy and Lucy is one of the best indie movies streaming right now, and it's a real shame that more people aren't familiar with it. Not only does it display some astounding technical work, but it's also a story that will undoubtedly resonate with countless audiences.
6 Manchester By The Sea (2016) - 4.0/5
Available To Stream On Prime Video
Manchester by the Sea saw Williams presented with her fourth Academy Award nomination, and there are several audiences who still believe she deserved to win. The range of emotions that she captures through her character Randi is extremely impressive, elevating the story into something truly devastating.
Stories about death and grief can often be difficult to watch, but there's something about Manchester by the Sea that's constantly engaging. Whether it's the well-written characters, the unpredictable story, or the atmospheric filmmaking, there's something for all audiences to ire here.
5 But I'm A Cheerleader (1999) - 4.0/5
Available To Stream On Showtime
Michelle Williams' role might only be a small one in But I'm A Cheerleader, but that didn't stop her from stealing the show whenever she appeared. It was one of the first movies to truly put the actress' name on the map, particularly in the comedy genre.
The story centers around a bubbly cheerleader named Megan, whose flirty female friends cause her mother to send her off to "sexual redirection" school, where she's forced to reorientate her sexuality. It's an extremely progressive story, poking fun at the outdated views displayed in the film.
4 Shutter Island (2010) - 4.1/5
Available To Stream On Starz
Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island ranks among the most creative and exciting thrillers ever made, with Scorsese's keen eye for detail elevating the story above many other similar ones. Even today, the film is still ed for its completely unpredictable plot twist and influence on the genre.
The many hidden details throughout the story make Shutter Island one of Martin Scorsese's most rewatchable movies to date, allowing the film to stand the test of time. DiCaprio and Ruffalo shine together in the two lead roles, with their complex relationship keeping things interesting from start to finish.
3 Brokeback Mountain (2005) - 4.1/5
Available To Rent On Apple TV+
There are very few love stories that have stood the test of time as effectively as Brokeback Mountain, which continues to be cited as one of the most influential romance movies ever filmed. Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger forge a fascinating and engaging bond in the film that really makes this story feel real.
Michelle Williams embodies one of Brokeback Mountain's most interesting characters, the tortured wife of Ledger's character who soon finds her life torn apart by her husband's affair. It's a heartbreaking story to watch unfold, but that doesn't make it any less exciting.
2 Synecdoche, New York (2008) - 4.1/5
Available To Rent On Amazon Video
Synecdoche, New York is one of the best movies about the famous city, telling the story of a struggling theater director who attempts to build a complete model of New York as part of his latest drama piece.
Through Charlie Kaufman's thoughtful screenplay and complex ideas, this fairly simple story quickly becomes something much more interesting. There isn't a dull moment in the entire film, which is a testament to the entire cast and crew's work.
1 The Fabelmans (2022) - 4.2/5
No Streaming Information Available
It hasn't been out for long, but many critics and audiences are already calling The Fabelmans one of Michelle Williams' best projects to date. She's already gathering Oscar buzz for the role, with many pundits suspecting that this could be the role that finally grants her the award.
The film itself is a beautiful piece of cinema about family, independence, and the power of filmmaking that's obviously written and filmed directly from Spielberg's heart. There probably won't be a more touching and heartfelt movie released for a long time.
