The 11 Best Rachel McAdams Movies, Ranked

Since her breakout role in the popular movie The Notebook in the early 2000s, Rachel McAdams has become known as a remarkably talented and captivating actress. She effortlessly moves between roles, whether bringing audiences to tears or portraying strong, powerful characters. No matter the part, McAdams consistently wins over viewers with her compelling performances.

I’ve always been a huge Rachel McAdams fan! She’s just so good at showing all kinds of feelings in her performances. That’s why she’s been in so many memorable movies – from hilarious comedies like Mean Girls to really moving dramas like The Notebook, and she even does horror, like in Send Help! All these films have really made her a star everyone knows and loves. It’s tough to pick favorites, but I’ve put together a list of what I think are her best movies.

‘Wedding Crashers’ (2005)

New Line Cinema

The 2005 film Wedding Crashers, directed by David Dobkin, is a funny and romantic story starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Vince Vaughn, Isla Fisher, and other talented actors. The movie centers around John and Jeremy, two friends who crash weddings to enjoy the free food and meet women. Their carefree lifestyle gets complicated when John unexpectedly falls in love with a guest named Claire, which tests their established friendship.

McAdams is the heart of the movie, offering a genuine and warm performance that complements Owen Wilson’s more energetic style. Another actress might have played the character as a simple, unremarkable love interest, but McAdams truly shines, bringing an engaging and lovable quality to the kind-hearted Claire, even in a supporting role.

‘Mean Girls’ (2004)

Paramount Pictures

Many consider 2004’s Mean Girls, a comedy directed by Mark Waters and starring Tina Fey, to be Rachel McAdams’ most famous film. It’s become a beloved classic, and McAdams shines as Regina George, the leader of the popular ‘Plastics’ clique, alongside a talented cast including Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, and Daniel Franzese.

Numerous films have attempted to capture the magic of Mean Girls, but none have succeeded. The movie’s success in 2004 relied on a perfect combination of cast, writing, and cultural relevance. Rachel McAdams truly embodies the iconic ‘queen bee’ archetype, and Regina George is likely to remain one of her most memorable roles, cementing Mean Girls as a key film in her career. However, it appears lower on this list due to her supporting role and the impressive growth she’s demonstrated throughout her career since this early success.

‘Midnight in Paris’ (2011)

Sony Pictures Classics

When writer Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) travels to Paris with his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), he unexpectedly finds himself transported back in time to the 1920s. There, he meets famous artists, falls for the captivating Adriana (Marion Cotillard), and starts to wonder if his relationship with Inez is right for him.

Woody Allen is a director people either love or hate, but appearing in one of his films often marks a turning point for actors, bringing out their best work. In this film, Rachel McAdams delivers a standout performance, a departure from her typical romantic comedies. She plays a believable, contemporary woman whose realistic, sometimes cynical, perspective nicely balances Owen Wilson’s more optimistic character. Though it’s a smaller role, McAdams is truly memorable and demonstrates her impressive acting range – it’s a performance you shouldn’t skip.

‘Passion’ (2012)

Entertainment One

Christine, a successful advertising executive in Germany, is involved in an affair. When her young protégé, Isabelle, comes up with a brilliant ad campaign, Christine steals the idea as her own. Hurt and betrayed, Isabelle leaks her original version online, and it quickly becomes a viral hit. Furious, Christine tries to retaliate by threatening Isabelle with a compromising video. However, the situation takes a dark turn when Christine is found murdered, leaving everyone around her to uncover the truth and identify the killer.

Rachel McAdams is perfectly suited to play a dangerous and seductive woman, and she delivers in Brian De Palma’s 2012 thriller, Passion, alongside Noomi Rapace. Although De Palma often updates classic stories for modern audiences, this film wasn’t a commercial success. Despite that, the acting is exceptional, and McAdams’ portrayal of a cold, villainous character is one of the best performances of her career.

‘Disobedience’ (2017)

Bleecker Street

Disobedience is a 2017 romantic drama film directed by Sebastian Lelio and starring Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz. The story follows Esti and Ronit, two women who reconnect after many years apart. As childhood feelings resurface, they begin a passionate relationship and challenge both religious and societal expectations to be together.

This film beautifully portrays the power of love and faith, as the characters test their limits. Rachel McAdams delivers a particularly strong performance, praised for her understated portrayal of inner turmoil. She masterfully uses small gestures to show the character’s struggles within a difficult situation, proving her impressive acting range and making this a performance worth seeing.

‘Game Night’ (2018)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Game Night, released in 2018, is a funny and action-packed movie directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. The film features Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman, Jesse Plemons, Kyle Chandler, and Billy Magnussen. The story centers on Max (Bateman) and Annie (McAdams), whose regular game night takes a wild turn when Kyle Chandler’s character organizes a murder mystery party. What starts as a playful game quickly becomes a real investigation as the group discovers the ‘mystery’ is much more than they bargained for.

Despite a strong cast, Rachel McAdams truly stands out and often steals the show, but always in a playful way. She’s confident and delightfully unpredictable, bringing a lot of energy and humor to the film. If you’re looking for a purely fun performance from McAdams, Game Night is a great pick. Her chemistry with Jason Bateman is fantastic, and they make a really compelling on-screen pair.

‘The Vow’ (2012)

Screen Gems

In the movie The Vow, Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams play a newly married couple whose lives are turned upside down by a car accident. When Paige (McAdams) wakes up from a coma, she has lost her memory, including all recollection of her husband, Leo (Tatum). Determined to win her back, Leo makes every effort to help Paige remember their life together and rebuild their relationship.

Romance movies involving amnesia can often feel contrived and rely on predictable plots. However, Rachel McAdams elevates this familiar storyline with a genuinely warm and heartfelt performance – it’s truly one of her best. She solidifies her reputation as a leading romantic actress, sharing incredible chemistry with Channing Tatum. This role, following her work in films like Passion and Disobedience, demonstrates her continued enthusiasm for romantic parts alongside more challenging, dramatic roles.

‘About Time’ (2013)

Universal Pictures

This charming sci-fi rom-com follows Tim (Domhnall Gleeson), a slightly clumsy guy who discovers his family has a unique ability: they can travel back in time. Tim uses this power when he falls for Mary (McAdams), navigating their relationship with a bit of time-bending trial and error. However, he soon learns that even the ability to revisit the past can’t protect him from life’s inevitable pain.

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About Time is a heartwarming and humorous film that reminds us to appreciate every moment and the people we love. Rachel McAdams shines in her role, sharing wonderful chemistry with Domhnall Gleeson as the story unfolds with a clever time-travel twist. Many viewers felt this film showcased a more sophisticated side of McAdams, solidifying her status as a leading actress in romantic comedies and dramas.

‘Spotlight’ (2015)

Open Road Films

Tom McCarthy’s film, Spotlight, centers on a group of journalists – including Rachel McAdams as Sacha Pfeiffer – who are investigating claims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests. Their investigation reveals that this abuse was much more common within the Church than anyone realized.

The film Spotlight is Rachel McAdams’ most highly praised work, earning Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. It also brought McAdams her first and only Oscar nomination so far, as Best Supporting Actress. This nomination is a key moment in her career and well-deserved, as her honest performance added depth and believability to a complex story about corruption.

‘Send Help’ (2026)

20th Century Studios

After a plane crash leaves them stranded on a deserted island, coworkers Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) and Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien) are the only ones left. Despite the life-or-death situation, Bradley continues to be bossy and unkind to Linda, leading to arguments and occasional clashes as they struggle to survive in the wild.

Before Send Help, Rachel McAdams hadn’t been on screen much, with Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. being her last role in 2023 – which, honestly, was fantastic too. So, coming back with a Sam Raimi horror-thriller felt like a really brave choice, and it totally worked! McAdams is just incredible in this – she’s fierce, totally in control, and it feels like the most challenging role she’s ever taken on, both physically and emotionally. It honestly feels like we’re seeing a new side of her, and I’m here for it!

2026-01-27 04:22