Florence Pugh has become one of the most exciting actresses in Hollywood. In less than a decade, she has gone from small indie films to major blockbusters. What makes her special is her ability to take on very different roles — from emotional dramas to horror, action, and even big franchise movies.
In this article, we rank Florence Pugh’s best movie roles from 2016 to 2025. These performances not only show her talent but also prove why she is one of the most important stars of her generation.
1. Lady Macbeth (2016) – The Breakthrough Role
Florence Pugh’s career truly began with Lady Macbeth. In this dark period drama, she played Katherine, a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage who slowly turns ruthless.
Her performance shocked critics and audiences. She managed to be both fragile and frightening at the same time. Many people still call this one of her most powerful roles because it announced to the world that a new star had arrived.
Why it’s one of her best: It was her breakthrough, showing her raw acting skills and emotional depth.
2. Fighting With My Family (2019) – The Heartwarming Underdog Story
In this biographical sports comedy, Florence played Saraya “Paige” Bevis, a real-life WWE wrestler. The movie tells the story of how Paige rose from a wrestling family in England to become a star in the United States.
Florence brought charm, humor, and emotion to the role. The movie was funny but also inspiring, and she made audiences cheer for her character’s journey.
Why it’s one of her best: It showed her lighter side and proved she could lead a feel-good movie.
3. Midsommar (2019) – The Horror Classic
One of the roles that made Florence Pugh a household name was in Midsommar, directed by Ari Aster. She played Dani, a young woman dealing with grief who joins her boyfriend on a trip to a strange Swedish festival.
Her performance was haunting and unforgettable. She expressed pain, confusion, and eventually transformation in a way that pulled the audience into her emotions. Midsommar is now considered a modern horror classic, and Florence’s acting is the main reason.
Why it’s one of her best: She carried a disturbing, emotional film almost entirely on her shoulders.
4. Little Women (2019) – The Beloved Classic
In the same year, Florence Pugh showed her range once again by playing Amy March in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women. Amy is often seen as the “least liked” March sister, but Florence changed that with her performance.
She brought humor, depth, and humanity to Amy, making audiences see the character in a new light. Her role earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Why it’s one of her best: She transformed a disliked character into one of the most loved and gave one of her most graceful performances.
5. Black Widow (2021) – The Marvel Hero
Florence Pugh joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Yelena Belova, Natasha Romanoff’s sister. In Black Widow, she stole the show with her mix of action skills, sharp humor, and emotional depth.
Fans quickly fell in love with Yelena, and Marvel decided to bring her back in future projects like Hawkeye (Disney+ series) and the upcoming Thunderbolts movie.
Why it’s one of her best: She proved she could shine in a huge franchise and balance action with comedy.
6. Don’t Worry Darling (2022) – The Controversial Thriller
Though the film itself received mixed reviews, Florence’s performance as Alice was widely praised. She played a 1950s housewife who slowly discovers disturbing truths about her “perfect” community.
Even in a film filled with drama both on and off screen, Florence stood out as the strongest part. Critics agreed that she carried the movie with her intense and believable acting.
Why it’s one of her best: She showed she could elevate even a flawed movie with her talent.
7. Oppenheimer (2023) – The Historical Epic
In Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, Florence Pugh played Jean Tatlock, a psychiatrist and the complicated lover of J. Robert Oppenheimer. While her screen time was limited compared to others, she left a big impact.
Her role added emotional weight and vulnerability to the film, and her chemistry with Cillian Murphy was unforgettable.
Why it’s one of her best: She stood out in one of the biggest films of the decade, showing her power even in smaller roles.
8. Dune: Part Two (2024) – The Sci-Fi Epic
In Dune: Part Two, Florence took on the role of Princess Irulan. Though her part is more important in the upcoming sequels, her presence in the movie made waves. Fans of the book series were excited to see her step into such an iconic role.
With Dune, she joined another major franchise, proving once again that Hollywood trusts her with big projects.
Why it’s one of her best: It marked her entry into a legendary sci-fi universe, showing her versatility.
9. Thunderbolts (2025, upcoming) – The Next Marvel Chapter
Looking ahead, Florence Pugh is set to return as Yelena Belova in Marvel’s Thunderbolts. This movie will give her even more space to shine as a lead superhero. Fans are already excited to see her take charge of the team.
Why it’s one of her best (future pick): It could be the film that cements her as one of the MCU’s biggest stars.
Final Thoughts
From Lady Macbeth to Oppenheimer and Dune, Florence Pugh has built an incredible career in less than 10 years. What makes her unique is her range: she can play a heartbroken girlfriend in a horror film, a beloved character in a classic novel, or a superhero in the world’s biggest franchise.
As we look ahead to her upcoming projects like Thunderbolts, it’s clear that Florence Pugh is not just one of the best actresses of her generation — she’s a star who will continue to shape Hollywood for years to come.
