Margot Robbie’s rise hasn’t been fueled by safe choices or one-note roles. From indie dramas to massive blockbusters, she’s consistently sought out characters that challenge expectations—sometimes glamorous, sometimes messy, often unforgettable. What makes Robbie special isn’t just her screen presence, but her willingness to disappear into wildly different worlds and personalities. This ranking looks at her most compelling performances so far, from overlooked gems to career-defining turns. Whether she’s commanding the screen with explosive energy or barely saying a word while stealing the spotlight, each role below highlights a different side of her talent.
12. Dreamland (Allison Wells)
In Dreamland, Margot Robbie plays Allison Wells, a bank robber hiding out in small-town America, and she brings a quiet magnetism to the role. Set against a dusty, Depression-era backdrop, the film leans heavily on mood and atmosphere, and Robbie fits seamlessly into its slow-burning tone. She plays Allison as someone constantly balancing charm and caution, never fully letting her guard down.
Robbie’s accent work and subtle physical choices give the character texture, especially in scenes where vulnerability begins to peek through the tough exterior. Her chemistry with Finn Cole adds emotional tension, grounding the story in fleeting moments of trust and longing. Even when the film drifts, Robbie remains its emotional anchor.
Though Dreamland didn’t make a big splash on release, her performance lingers. It’s another example of Robbie elevating smaller projects, proving she doesn’t need spectacle to leave an impression, just space to explore a complicated character.
11. Z for Zachariah (Ann)
Z for Zachariah strips storytelling down to its bare essentials, and Margot Robbie rises to the challenge. As Ann, a woman living in isolation after a nuclear catastrophe, Robbie communicates volumes through silence, posture, and restraint. It’s a performance built on loneliness rather than dialogue.
When other survivors enter Ann’s world, Robbie subtly shifts the character’s emotional center. Hope, fear, jealousy, and trust flicker across her face, often within the same scene. Her interactions with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Chris Pine are tense and intimate, making the film’s emotional stakes feel deeply personal.
The movie’s quiet pacing allows Robbie’s nuance to shine. Ann’s journey isn’t about heroics; it’s about survival and emotional endurance, and Robbie handles it with remarkable sensitivity.
10. Birds of Prey (Harley Quinn)
With Birds of Prey, Margot Robbie fully reclaims Harley Quinn on her own terms. Gone is the grim tone of earlier appearances; here, Harley is chaotic, colorful, and completely unhinged in the best way. Robbie leans into the character’s comic-book roots while giving her genuine emotional agency.
Her physical comedy and stunt work are central to the film’s energy. Whether she’s skating through mayhem or narrating the story with gleeful unpredictability, Robbie commits 100 percent, never winking at the camera. Harley feels fully lived-in, not just performed.
More importantly, Birds of Prey reframes Harley as something more than a sidekick. Robbie’s performance helps transform her into a symbol of independence and reinvention, making this one of her most crowd-pleasing roles.
9. Mary Queen of Scots (Queen Elizabeth I)
As Queen Elizabeth I, Margot Robbie takes a restrained, inward approach. Rather than playing Elizabeth as purely regal or domineering, Robbie explores the insecurity and emotional isolation behind the crown. Her scenes are charged with internal conflict.
Opposite Saoirse Ronan’s fiery Mary Stuart, Robbie plays control and repression. Every glance and pause feels intentional, especially as Elizabeth grapples with the cost of power and femininity in a male-dominated world. The performance thrives on what’s left unsaid.
Though the attention was limited, Robbie’s Elizabeth remains quietly haunting. It’s a reminder that she doesn’t need grand speeches to command the screen, sometimes stillness is enough.
8. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Sharon Tate)
Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Sharon Tate is defined by warmth and presence rather than dialogue. Quentin Tarantino gives her a few lines, but Robbie fills the space with joy, curiosity, and lightness. She plays Tate as someone savoring life in small, intimate moments.
One of the film’s most memorable scenes, Tate watching herself in a movie theater, perfectly captures Robbie’s approach. There’s no irony, just pure delight, which makes the performance unexpectedly emotional.
In a film crowded with big personalities, Robbie leaves a lasting imprint through simplicity. Her Sharon Tate feels like a celebration of life rather than a reminder of tragedy.
7. Barbie (Barbie)
Taking on Barbie could have easily been a gimmick, but Margot Robbie turns it into something thoughtful and emotionally grounded. She starts as the picture-perfect doll, then gradually peels back the layers to reveal insecurity, curiosity, and self-awareness.
Robbie’s comedic timing is razor-sharp, but it’s her sincerity that holds the film together. She anchors the satire with genuine emotion, allowing the story’s larger themes about identity and purpose to land without feeling preachy.
As both star and producer, Robbie helped shape Barbie into a cultural event. Her performance proves she can lead a massive blockbuster while still delivering something personal and meaningful.
6. Babylon (Nellie LaRoy)
In Babylon, Margot Robbie goes full throttle as Nellie LaRoy, a woman determined to conquer Hollywood at any cost. The role is loud, reckless, and emotionally exhausting, and Robbie embraces every chaotic beat.
She captures Nellie’s hunger for success alongside her deep insecurity, often within the same breath. Whether she’s dominating a party or unraveling on set, Robbie gives the character raw unpredictability.
The film itself is divisive, but Robbie’s performance is undeniable. Nellie LaRoy feels like a tragic echo of Hollywood ambition, brought to life through fearless commitment.
5. The Wolf of Wall Street (Naomi Lapaglia)
Naomi Lapaglia announced Margot Robbie as a star the moment she stepped onscreen. Confident, sharp, and unapologetic, Naomi could have been a stereotype, but Robbie gives her authority and bite.
Her chemistry with Leonardo DiCaprio crackles, driven by power dynamics rather than romance alone. Robbie ensures Naomi is never just an accessory; she’s fully aware of her leverage and isn’t afraid to use it.
The performance remains iconic years later. It’s bold, unforgettable, and a masterclass in commanding attention in a crowded film.
4. Bombshell (Kayla Pospisil)
In Bombshell, Margot Robbie portrays Kayla Pospisil, a fictional composite character navigating a toxic workplace. Her performance charts Kayla’s transformation from eager ambition to emotional devastation.
Robbie plays the character’s moral confusion with care, showing how power structures trap people into silence. Her scenes are deeply uncomfortable, but intentionally so.
The role earned her an Oscar nomination and underscored her interest in socially relevant storytelling. It’s one of her most emotionally raw performances.
3. I, Tonya (Tonya Harding)
As Tonya Harding, Margot Robbie delivers one of the most complex performances of her career. She captures Harding’s toughness and fragility without simplifying her story.
Robbie’s physical commitment to the skating sequences is impressive, but it’s her emotional honesty that makes the film resonate. She allows Tonya to be contradictory, defensive, and deeply human.
The role earned widespread acclaim and cemented Robbie as a serious dramatic force. I, Tonya, remain a defining moment in her career.
2. The Legend of Tarzan (Jane Porter)
Margot Robbie’s Jane Porter is far from a passive love interest. She brings intelligence, empathy, and strength to the role, redefining the character for a modern audience.
Her chemistry with Alexander Skarsgård gives the film emotional grounding, turning their relationship into a partnership rather than a rescue narrative. Though the film had mixed reviews, Robbie’s Jane stands out as a refreshing take on a classic character.
1. Wuthering Heights (Catherine Earnshaw)
Margot Robbie’s upcoming turn as Catherine Earnshaw is already one of her most anticipated performances. Known for emotional intensity and volatility, Catherine is a role that demands fearlessness, and Robbie seems perfectly suited for it.
Early buzz highlights the chemistry between Robbie and Jacob Elordi, hinting at a passionate, turbulent dynamic central to Brontë’s novel. Robbie’s ability to balance vulnerability and ferocity could redefine the character for a new generation.
If the film delivers on its promise, Wuthering Heights may become another landmark in Robbie’s career, one that fully embraces her dramatic depth.
Margot Robbie’s career is a study in range, risk, and reinvention. She’s equally compelling in indie dramas, prestige projects, and blockbuster spectacles, never allowing herself to be boxed into one image. What makes her performances resonate is her commitment to complexity; she’s drawn to characters who are flawed, ambitious, and emotionally raw. As her filmography continues to grow, it’s clear she’s only getting started. If this list proves anything, it’s that Margot Robbie isn’t just a movie star; she’s an artist constantly pushing herself forward.