The Best Naomi Watts Movies

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 2.6K votes 536 voters 41.0K views
Over 500 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Naomi Watts Movies
Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

List of the best Naomi Watts movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Naomi Watts'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 Naomi Watts movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Naomi Watts movies will be at the top of the list. Naomi Watts has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Naomi Watts movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Naomi Watts films to end the squabble once and for all.

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

Everything from The Impossible to The Ring is included on this list.

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

David Lynch and Peter Jackson are among those who have directed Naomi Watts at one point or another during their careers in the film industry. Naomi Watts has been in some really popular films, and is right up there with stars like Jennifer Connelly and Evan Rachel Wood in terms of fame and success.

Most divisive: Tank Girl
Ranked by
  • 21 Grams
    1

    21 Grams

    Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Naomi Watts
    112 votes
    • Released: 2003
    • Directed by: Alejandro González Iñárritu
    In a film that plays with the idea of straightforward storytelling, a group of troubled people find that they are linked in unpredictable ways. Paul Rivers (Sean Penn) is an academic dealing with a terminal heart condition, but his life is changed by a car crash that seems unrelated to his ailment. The traffic accident, involving ex-con Jack Jordan (Benicio del Toro) and the husband of Cristina Peck (Naomi Watts), is one that ruins lives but ultimately also resurrects them.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • The Painted Veil
    2

    The Painted Veil

    Naomi Watts, Ed Norton, Liev Schreiber
    106 votes
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: John Curran
    Caught in an affair with another man (Liev Schreiber), a scientist's callow wife (Naomi Watts) accompanies her husband (Edward Norton) to mainland China in the 1920s to fight a cholera epidemic. There, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery that leads to an unexpected chance at redemption.

    Available On:

  • King Kong
    3

    King Kong

    Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody
    141 votes
    • Released: 2005
    • Directed by: Peter Jackson
    In the colossal adventure film King Kong, director Peter Jackson reimagines the classic tale of the gargantuan ape. The ambitious filmmaker, Carl Denham (Jack Black), embarks on a voyage to the treacherous Skull Island with his crew and the unsuspecting actress, Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts). As they delve deeper into the mysterious island, they encounter Kong - a mammoth beast whose fascination with Ann leads to an unexpected bond. This epic drama explores themes of beauty and beastliness against a backdrop of heart-stopping action sequences. Despite its thrilling nature, King Kong is also marked by its underlying poignancy and thought-provoking narrative.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • The Ring
    4

    The Ring

    Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman
    89 votes
    • Released: 2002
    • Directed by: Gore Verbinski
    In the spine-chilling film The Ring, journalist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) stumbles upon a cursed videotape that forebodes a gruesome death to anyone who watches it within seven days. As she investigates, her skepticism wanes and fear escalates when her son Aidan (David Dorfman) unwittingly views the tape. Racing against time, Rachel must unravel the cryptic puzzle behind the curse in order to save herself and her son from impending doom. This eerie horror mystery, laden with supernatural elements, keeps viewers on their toes till the very end.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • The Impossible
    5

    The Impossible

    Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland
    133 votes
    • Released: 2012
    • Directed by: Juan Antonio Bayona
    In December 2004, close-knit family Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand. But the day after Christmas, the idyllic holiday turns into an incomprehensible nightmare when a terrifying roar rises from the depths of the sea, followed by a wall of black water that devours everything in its path. Though Maria and her family face their darkest hour, unexpected displays of kindness and courage ameliorate their terror.

    Available On:

    subscription

    free

  • Eastern Promises
    6

    Eastern Promises

    Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel
    70 votes
    • Released: 2007
    • Directed by: David Cronenberg
    Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen), who is both ruthless and mysterious, has ties to one of the most dangerous crime families in London. He crosses paths with Anna (Naomi Watts), a midwife who has come across potentially damaging evidence against the family, which forces him to set in motion a plan of deceit, death and retribution.

    Available On:

    subscription