Emily Blunt’s All-Time Favorite! Action-Adventure Film Scores 4/5 Stars

A leading actress in contemporary cinema, Emily Blunt rose to prominence in the late 2000s with roles in films like “The Devil Wears Prada” and “The Young Victoria,” quickly climbing the ranks of Hollywood. With recent roles in the horror film series “A Quiet Place,” the live-action Disney remake “Mary Poppins Returns,” and the Oscar-winning film “Oppenheimer,” she has cemented her status as a pivotal actress.

In her early days, Emily Blunt could have easily faded into obscurity. Often typecast as the antagonist or the femme fatale, the shift from fame to anonymity can be surprisingly swift for some actors. However, she managed to defy expectations, using her charisma to land ever more compelling roles. It’s only now that the global audience is truly beginning to appreciate Emily Blunt’s talent.

The British actress has since worked with some of the biggest directors and actors in the industry, which has refined her eye for exceptional films. She now shares her insights on the industry and reveals to Rotten Tomatoes (via Far Out) her list of five favorite films. With eclectic tastes, these choices reflect her own selective approach to roles, drawing inspiration from the works of directors like Steven Spielberg, Robert Benton, Rob Reiner, and Miloš Forman.

Five Classics That Made an Impact

Her first pick is Spielberg’s groundbreaking blockbuster “Jaws,” starring Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss, which she describes as her “all-time favorite movie.” Convinced that the film is much more than just a drama about a great white shark, she states, “I think it’s a film about people and their relationships, and I find the performances absolutely fantastic.” Expressing her enthusiasm, she adds, “The characters are wonderful, and the plot, both commercial and suspenseful, makes it a perfect film.”

The deeply moving drama “Kramer vs. Kramer” ranks second. Emily Blunt shares that the film “made me cry,” as it depicts the fierce custody battle between two former lovers. “I love the contrast,” she explains, “the father, who becomes the primary caregiver, finds his life turned upside down by the need to adapt and care for this little boy.” Referring to the remarkable performance by young Billy (Justin Henry), she adds, “I find this little boy extraordinary; of course, he’s not a little boy anymore, but he always will be to me.”

“’The Princess Bride’ is a must-watch,” the actress continues, placing Rob Reiner’s film in third position. “Everyone loves it and knows lines by heart.” With Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, and Mandy Patinkin, the film became a cult classic upon its release in 1987. Emily Blunt recalls, “I’ve watched it numerous times as a child and it always transported me. I loved it.”

The award-winning classic “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Miloš Forman is also on her list. She describes this feature, starring Jack Nicholson, as a “timeless film”: “Watching it today, it hasn’t aged a bit. I find it incredibly… simply breathtaking and so moving,” she explains, acknowledging Forman as the true genius behind this multi-award-winning film.

The last film on Emily Blunt’s list, and the most recent, is the 2006 post-war drama “The Lives of Others” by German director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. The film follows a secret police agent who monitors a writer in East Berlin in 1984. “I was completely overwhelmed,” the actress confesses, citing a particular scene, “a reading scene,” and expressing her admiration for this modern classic.

Reflecting her passion for cinema, she explains: “You realize there are moments in films that are etched in memory forever; it’s wonderful. We carry enduring memories: a line, a word, a look, and they stay with us forever.”

Emily Blunt’s Top Five Favorite Films:

“Jaws” (Steven Spielberg, 1975)

“Kramer vs. Kramer” (Robert Benton, 1979)

“The Princess Bride” (Rob Reiner, 1987)

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (Miloš Forman, 1975)

“The Lives of Others” (Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, 2006)

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