When it comes to accessible actresses who can play both intelligent reporters ready to break the story of the century and the meanest bully in school, look no further than Rachel McAdams. She's an immense talent with insane range.

She is one of those few people in Hollywood who feel like they can do or be anything. She's a great actress, and if she stars in it, you know it'll probably be good.

But what are the best Rachel McAdams movies? The roles she stands out in and the ones we'll talk about forever?

Let's dive in.

10. Sherlock Holmes (2009)

  • Director: Guy Ritchie
  • Writers: Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, Simon Kinberg
  • Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams

I have such a soft spot for this romp. It's full of intrigue, and Guy Ritchie lets everyone shine. As Irene Adler, McAdams is the only person who can truly outmaneuver Sherlock. She brings a playful, dangerous energy to the role that perfectly balances the chaotic chemistry between RDJ and Law.

9. About Time (2013)

  • Director/Writer: Richard Curtis
  • Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy

This is arguably the most "soulful" of her romantic films. While it involves time travel, the heart of the movie is about appreciating the mundane beauty of everyday life. And it makes me sob when I watch it. McAdams is effortless and charming as Mary. You fall in love with her immediately.

8. Red Eye (2005)

  • Director: Wes Craven
  • Writer: Carl Ellsworth
  • Cast: Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy, Brian Cox

An underrated horror classic. This is a lean, mean 85-minute thriller that rocks. McAdams proves she can lead an action-suspense film with total authority. Her transition from terrified passenger to resourceful survivor is one of the best "final girl" arcs in modern cinema.

7. Wedding Crashers (2005)

  • Director: David Dobkin
  • Writers: Steve Faber, Bob Fisher
  • Cast: Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams

This was her "America's Sweetheart" moment. I legitimately felt my heart skip a beat when I saw her in this film. You are just in love with her. In a movie dominated by high-energy improv from Wilson and Vaughn, McAdams provides the genuine heart that makes the stakes of the comedy actually matter.

6. Game Night (2018)

  • Directors: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein
  • Writer: Mark Perez
  • Cast: Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Jesse Plemons

This is arguably McAdams' funniest performance -- and she's so funny in every comedy. As Annie, she displays incredible comedic timing and a physical comedy prowess that few realized she had. It's genuinely amazing, and maybe should have gotten her awards attention. Her "Oh no, he died!" sequence is an instant classic, and her chemistry with Jason Bateman grounds the high-octane absurdity of the plot.

5. Spotlight (2015)

  • Director: Tom McCarthy
  • Writers: Josh Singer, Tom McCarthy
  • Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams

McAdams earned a much-deserved Oscar nomination for her role as Sacha Pfeiffer in this drama. It’s a masterclass in understated, grounded acting. In a film filled with "big" moments, her quiet tenacity as a journalist provides the movie's moral anchor. And her tenacity and empathy bring the case together.

4. Midnight in Paris (2011)

  • Director/Writer: Woody Allen
  • Cast: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard

For anyone in the industry, this is a must-watch. McAdams plays against type as Inez, the materialistic, antagonistic fiancée who thinks her partner’s novel is a waste of time. It’s a brilliant, sharp performance that serves as the perfect foil to the whimsical, nostalgic world of 1920s Paris. Her bitchy energy here is a testament to her range. She makes you root for Gil to leave her, which is exactly what the story needs to keep you engaged. I love this movie.

3. The Notebook (2004)

  • Director: Nick Cassavetes
  • Writers: Jeremy Leven, Jan Sardi
  • Cast: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner

Look, this was the movie that put her on the map....after our #1 pick did as well. 2004 was a great year for her. The quintessential 21st-century romance. The chemistry between McAdams and Gosling is legendary. She brings such a high-wattage, cinematic presence to Allie that it’s impossible to imagine any other actress in the role.

2. Send Help (2026)

  • Director: Sam Raimi
  • Writers: Damian Shannon, Mark Swift
  • Cast: Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien, Dennis Haysbert

Saw this in a sneak preview and wouldn't be surprised if McAdams gets another Oscar nomination for this movie. In this survival horror-thriller, McAdams plays Linda Liddle, an employee stranded on a deserted island with her sexist boss (Dylan O’Brien) after a plane crash. It’s a darkly comedic role where she gives a physically demanding performance that reminds us why she’s one of the best in the business. And she shines so bright. The movie rocks.

1. Mean Girls (2004)

  • Director: Mark Waters
  • Writer: Tina Fey
  • Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amy Poehler

It's hard to put McAdams' career into context, because any of the top 10 movies could have been number one. And yet....this is the one I think will live on forever. Regina George isn't just a character; she's a cultural icon. McAdams played the "Queen Bee" with such terrifying precision and comedic timing that the performance defined an entire subgenre of high school movies. It remains her most indelible contribution to pop culture and a movie you can go back to forever.

Summing It All Up 

Rachel McAdams is one of our finest actors who knows how to get butts into seats and how to entertain the masses. I'm always excited to see her doing new, great work, and can't wait to see whatever she does next.

Did I leave off any of your favorites?

Let me know what you think in the comments.

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