The Best Maggie Gyllenhaal Movies

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Updated August 11, 2023 667 votes 146 voters 21.2K views
Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Maggie Gyllenhaal Movies
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List of the best Maggie Gyllenhaal movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Maggie Gyllenhaal'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 Maggie Gyllenhaal movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Maggie Gyllenhaal movies will be at the top of the list. Maggie Gyllenhaal has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Maggie Gyllenhaal movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Maggie Gyllenhaal films to end the squabble once and for all.

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

Away We Go and The Patron Saint of Liars are included on this list.

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

Notable directors that have worked with Maggie Gyllenhaal include names like Christopher Nolan, Roland Emmerich and Marc Forster. Maggie Gyllenhaal has been in some really popular films, and is right up there with stars like Cate Blanchett and Laura Linney in terms of fame and success.

Most divisive: Happy Endings
Ranked by
  • Stranger than Fiction
    1

    Stranger than Fiction

    Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman
    32 votes
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: Marc Forster
    In Stranger than Fiction, Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) leads an ordinary life as an IRS auditor until a voice begins narrating his existence. Little does he know, he's the protagonist in author Karen Eiffel's (Emma Thompson) latest novel. As the narration predicts his imminent death, Crick seeks help from literary professor Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) to change his fate. This intriguing blend of comedy, drama, and fantasy won Thompson a Saturn Award for Best Actress. A unique exploration of life, death, and the power of storytelling, it keeps viewers riveted till the end credits roll.

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  • The Kindergarten Teacher
    2

    The Kindergarten Teacher

    Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gael García Bernal, Michael Chernus
    24 votes
    • Released: 2018
    • Directed by: Sara Colangelo
    A teacher sees such great promise in her 5-year-old student that she goes to unreasonable lengths to protect his talent.

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  • The Dark Knight
    3

    The Dark Knight

    Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart
    34 votes
    • Released: 2008
    • Directed by: Christopher Nolan
    In The Dark Knight, Gotham City's vigilante, Batman (Christian Bale), faces his greatest adversary yet - the Joker (Heath Ledger), a criminal mastermind with a twisted sense of humor. Under the guidance of mentor Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and ally Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman), Batman navigates a web of chaos spun by the Joker. The Christopher Nolan directed crime drama won two Academy Awards, including one for Ledger's posthumous performance. Brimming with high-stakes action scenes and moral dilemmas, this second installment in Nolan's Batman trilogy is a captivating exploration of heroism in times of anarchy.

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  • Donnie Darko
    4

    Donnie Darko

    Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore
    25 votes
    • Released: 2001
    • Directed by: Richard Kelly
    In the eerie, yet fascinating movie Donnie Darko, Jake Gyllenhaal portrays the titular character; a troubled, sleepwalking teen who is plagued by visions of an apocalyptic future. Guided by Frank (James Duval), his prophetic and sinister bunny-costumed friend, Donnie grapples to understand the complex web of time travel and parallel universes that unfold before him. The film, masterfully directed by Richard Kelly, is a blend of psychological thriller and science fiction genres. It has won several awards for its innovative storytelling and compelling performances, making it a cult classic in contemporary cinema.
  • Mona Lisa Smile
    5

    Mona Lisa Smile

    Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles
    22 votes
    • Released: 2003
    • Directed by: Mike Newell
    Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) is a recent UCLA graduate hired to teach art history at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, in 1953. Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students including Betty (Kirsten Dunst) and Joan (Julia Stiles) to challenge the lives they are expected to lead.

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  • A Dangerous Woman
    6

    A Dangerous Woman

    Debra Winger, Barbara Hershey, Gabriel Byrne
    16 votes
    • Released: 1993
    • Directed by: Stephen Gyllenhaal
    Martha Horgan (Debra Winger) is a withdrawn, mentally disabled woman who lives with her aunt, Frances (Barbara Hershey). One of Martha's unusual traits is that she doesn't lie, a quality that leads to her getting fired from a dry-cleaning shop thanks to the actions of the shifty Getso (David Strathairn). Conflict seems to follow Martha, since she also becomes romantically involved with local fix-it man, Mackey (Gabriel Byrne), who is sleeping with Frances as well.

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