The Best Emma Thompson Movies

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 2.9K votes 535 voters 46.9K views
Over 500 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Emma Thompson Movies
Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

List of the best Emma Thompson movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Emma Thompson's highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world. The order of these top Emma Thompson movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Emma Thompson movies will be at the top of the list. Emma Thompson has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Emma Thompson movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Emma Thompson films to end the squabble once and for all.

If you think the best Emma Thompson role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest Emma Thompson performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies, but in most cases they go hand in hand.

The Winter Guest and Brideshead Revisited are only the beginning of the films on this list.

"This list answers the questions, "What are the best Emma Thompson movies?" and "What are the greatest Emma Thompson roles of all time?"

If you're a fan of Emma Thompson, then check out our lists of the best Maggie Smith and Margo Martindale movies as well.

Most divisive: We Know Where You Live. Live!
Ranked by
  • Sense and Sensibility
    1

    Sense and Sensibility

    Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet
    118 votes
    • Released: 1995
    • Directed by: Ang Lee
    Set in the world of English nobility, Sense and Sensibility unfolds the tale of two Dashwood sisters - Elinor (Emma Thompson) and Marianne (Kate Winslet). Their lives take a dramatic turn when their father's sudden demise leaves them financially strained. As they navigate societal norms and personal passions, their contrasting personalities come to light. Elinor, rational and reserved, contrasts with the romantic and impulsive Marianne. The film won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, showcasing director Ang Lee's deft handling of Jane Austen's classic novel. This period drama explores love, loss, and the stark divide between sense and sensibility.

    Available On:

    subscription

    free

  • Nanny McPhee
    2

    Nanny McPhee

    Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Kelly Macdonald
    105 votes
    • Released: 2005
    • Directed by: Kirk Jones
    Widower Cedric Brown (Colin Firth) hires Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson) to care for his seven rambunctious children, who have chased away all previous nannies. Taunted by Simon (Thomas Sangster) and his siblings, Nanny McPhee uses mystical powers to instill discipline. And when the children's great-aunt and benefactor, Lady Adelaide Stitch (Angela Lansbury), threatens to separate the kids, the family pulls together under the guidance of Nanny McPhee.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • Saving Mr. Banks
    3

    Saving Mr. Banks

    Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Paul Giamatti
    107 votes
    • Released: 2013
    • Directed by: John Lee Hancock
    Saving Mr. Banks is a biographical drama centered on the making of the classic Disney film, Mary Poppins. The narrative unfolds as Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) seeks to obtain the movie rights from author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson). Travers, a stern and uncompromising woman, proves a tough negotiator due to her personal attachment to her creation. As Disney tries to charm the reluctant author, flashbacks reveal Travers's troubled childhood in Australia that inspired Mary Poppins. Directed by John Lee Hancock, this 2013 film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • Love Actually
    4

    Love Actually

    Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Colin Firth
    105 votes
    • Released: 2003
    • Directed by: Richard Curtis
    In the heartwarming film Love Actually, nine intertwined stories explore the complexities of love during the festive Christmas season. The ensemble cast includes characters like Prime Minister David (Hugh Grant), writer Jamie (Colin Firth), and aging rock star Billy Mack (Bill Nighy). Their tales of romance, heartbreak, and discovery unfold against a backdrop of London's charming streets and homes. Directed by Richard Curtis, this multi-narrative comedy-drama offers a humorous and touching exploration of love's many forms. Its deft storytelling and memorable performances earned it a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for Bill Nighy.

    Available On:

    subscription

    free

  • Howards End
    5

    Howards End

    Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter
    87 votes
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: James Ivory
    Helen Schlegel falls for Paul Wilcox, but is rebuffed. Her sister Margaret becomes friends with his mother, who promises her the family house, Howards End. Unfortunately, after her death, the will disappears and it appears the inheritance will disappear. Until the widower, Henry Wilcox, becomes attracted to Margaret.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • The Remains of the Day
    6

    The Remains of the Day

    Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, James Fox
    81 votes
    • Released: 1993
    • Directed by: James Ivory
    During the 1930s, James Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) serves as a proper English butler to the doltish Lord Darlington (James Fox). Stevens is so dedicated that he forgoes visiting his father on his deathbed in order to serve, and overlooks Darlington's Nazi sympathies and growing anti-Semitism. Twenty years after his employer's death, Stevens tries to reconnect with Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson), Darlington's head housekeeper, and begins to regret his loyalty to his former master.

    Available On:

    subscription