The 5 best Angelina Jolie movies to revisit (no Tomb Raider or Marvel, guaranteed)

For many, Angelina Jolie is synonymous with action-packed blockbusters like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Wanted, and her role as Maleficent. However, reducing her career to big-budget spectacles overlooks her incredible depth as an actress. Over the years, she has delivered performances that are intense, vulnerable, and deeply memorable.

To celebrate her talent beyond mainstream hits, here are five of Angelina Jolie’s best performances—no Tomb Raider, no Marvel, just pure acting mastery.

1. Gia (1998) – A Breakout Performance That Still Resonates

Before she was a household name, Angelina Jolie took on the emotionally charged role of Gia Carangi, a real-life supermodel whose meteoric rise in the 1970s was tragically cut short by addiction and illness. This HBO biopic was a game-changer for Jolie, earning her a Golden Globe and putting her on the radar as a serious actress.

Jolie’s portrayal of Gia is nothing short of mesmerizing—equal parts fierce, fragile, and destructive. She doesn’t just play the character; she inhabits her, capturing the highs of the fashion world and the devastating lows of addiction with unflinching honesty. Even in her earliest work, Jolie showed an ability to balance beauty, intensity, and vulnerability, a skill that would define her career.

2. Girl, Interrupted (1999) – The Role That Won Her an Oscar

Winona Ryder may have been the star and producer of Girl, Interrupted, but it was Angelina Jolie who stole the show. Playing Lisa, a charismatic yet deeply troubled psychiatric patient, Jolie delivered a performance so electrifying that it overshadowed everyone else—including an ensemble cast featuring Brittany Murphy, Elisabeth Moss, Clea DuVall, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Jolie’s Lisa is a force of nature—charming one moment, terrifying the next. She plays mind games with chilling ease, as seen in the devastating scene where she psychologically pushes a fellow patient to the edge. Yet, in moments of raw vulnerability, she exposes Lisa’s pain and fear, making her both magnetic and tragic. The role earned Jolie her first and only Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, proving she was more than just a rising star—she was a powerhouse performer.

3. Alexander (2004) – A Small Role With Immense Presence

Alexander might not have been a critical or commercial triumph, but one thing is undeniable: Angelina Jolie’s performance as Olympias was unforgettable. Playing the mother of Alexander the Great (Colin Farrell), Jolie exudes a regal yet menacing presence. Though she has limited screen time, every moment she appears is hypnotic.

As Olympias, she is equal parts loving and ruthless, a mother whose ambitions for her son border on obsession. Oliver Stone frames her like a mythological figure, and Jolie leans into the role with intensity, making it impossible to imagine anyone else in the part. While the film itself was divisive, Jolie’s performance remains a highlight—a blend of beauty, menace, and raw power.

4. Changeling (2008) – A Heartbreaking True Story

Directed by Clint Eastwood, Changeling is based on the real-life story of Christine Collins, a mother in 1920s Los Angeles whose son is kidnapped. When the police return a different child and insist he is hers, she fights tirelessly against corruption to uncover the truth.

Jolie’s performance here is masterful—subtle yet deeply emotional. Christine isn’t a natural warrior; she is a grieving mother forced into a battle she never wanted. Jolie plays her with restraint, making the moments when she finally breaks down all the more gut-wrenching. Her performance earned her another Academy Award nomination, further proving her ability to anchor a film with sheer emotional weight.

5. Maria (2025) – A Role Destined for Greatness

Though it hasn’t hit theaters yet, Pablo Larraín’s upcoming biopic of Maria Callas has already generated significant buzz, thanks in large part to Angelina Jolie’s casting as the iconic opera singer. Larraín, known for films like Jackie and Spencer, has a knack for bringing complex, historical female figures to life.

Jolie’s performance as Callas is expected to be one of her most nuanced roles yet. The film explores the final days of the legendary soprano, blending past and present through her music and memories. In a fascinating approach, Jolie’s own voice has been mixed with Callas’ for the performance sequences, adding an extra layer of authenticity.

While many expect Maria to be a traditional Oscar-bait biopic, early reports suggest something far more intimate and profound. If Jolie’s recent choices are any indication, this could mark a new peak in her already impressive career.

Angelina Jolie: A Talent Worth Revisiting

Beyond the action movies and tabloid headlines, Angelina Jolie has built an incredible body of work filled with powerful, transformative performances. From tragic biopics to intense psychological dramas, she continues to prove that she’s more than just a movie star—she’s an artist with depth, charisma, and an undeniable presence.

If you’re looking to rediscover Jolie’s acting chops, start with these five films—you won’t be disappointed.