Few modern actors have built a career as varied and fascinating as Scarlett Johansson’s. From indie breakthroughs and prestige dramas to massive blockbusters and daring experimental films, she’s repeatedly proven that she can disappear into just about any role. Whether she’s leading a quiet character study or anchoring a global franchise, Johansson brings intelligence, emotional depth, and an unmistakable presence to the screen. Ranking her performances isn’t easy; her filmography is stacked, but some roles linger longer than others. These performances showcase her range, her willingness to take risks, and her ability to elevate even flawed material. From subtle supporting turns to career-defining leads, here are Scarlett Johansson’s best performances, ranked.
15. The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
In The Other Boleyn Girl, Scarlett Johansson steps into period-drama territory as Mary Boleyn, a woman often overshadowed by both history and her more ambitious sister. Acting opposite Natalie Portman’s fiery Anne, Johansson plays Mary with restraint, leaning into softness rather than spectacle. Her portrayal emphasizes emotional endurance over courtly ambition, giving the character a quiet dignity.
While the film itself leans heavily into melodrama, Johansson grounds it with empathy. She makes Mary’s heartbreak feel earned, charting her evolution from innocence to disillusionment with subtle emotional shifts. Even when the story veers toward soap opera, Johansson’s performance remains sincere, offering a human anchor in a turbulent royal drama.
14. Chef (2014)
In Jon Favreau’s feel-good indie hit Chef, Johansson appears in a relatively small role, but she makes a lasting impression. Molly, a sharp and supportive hostess, brings warmth and ease to a film built on comfort, creativity, and reinvention. Every scene she’s in feels lighter and more grounded because of her presence.
Johansson’s chemistry with Favreau is effortless, and her performance never feels showy. Instead, she leans into natural charm and emotional honesty, reminding viewers that supporting roles still matter. Chef thrives on likability, and Johansson plays a big part in why the movie feels so inviting and rewatchable.
13. The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)
One of Johansson’s earliest standout roles came in the Coen brothers’ noir The Man Who Wasn’t There. As Birdy Abundas, a teenage piano prodigy yearning for escape, Johansson brings surprising depth to a character caught in a bleak, morally gray world. Her performance is restrained yet emotionally loaded.
Birdy represents hope and vulnerability in a story dominated by detachment and fatalism. Johansson infuses the role with longing and quiet intensity, making her scenes linger long after they end. Even surrounded by seasoned actors and stylized storytelling, she manages to leave a strong emotional imprint.
12. Isle of Dogs (2018)
As Nutmeg in Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs, Johansson proves once again that her voice alone can carry emotional weight. Nutmeg is elegant, poised, and mysterious, and Johansson leans into those qualities with precise vocal control and warmth.
Though Nutmeg isn’t the most prominent character, Johansson makes her feel essential. Her voice performance adds heart to Anderson’s meticulously crafted world, blending humor with melancholy. It’s a reminder that voice acting requires the same commitment and nuance as live-action work.
11. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
By the time Infinity War arrived, Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow was already an MCU staple. In this massive ensemble film, she brings grit and emotional resolve to Natasha Romanoff, portraying a hero shaped by loss and responsibility.
Johansson’s performance helps ground the spectacle. Her interactions with Captain America and the rest of the team reveal a quieter strength beneath the action. Even in a movie packed with larger-than-life moments, she ensures Black Widow remains human, loyal, and deeply felt.
10. Hail, Caesar! (2016)
In Hail, Caesar!, Johansson clearly relishes the chance to play DeeAnna Moran, a glamorous yet razor-sharp movie star navigating 1950s Hollywood absurdity. She moves effortlessly between old-school movie magic and sharp-tongued comedy.
Her comedic timing is impeccable, and she fully commits to the role’s physicality and wit. Johansson’s DeeAnna feels like a throwback performance filtered through modern self-awareness, making her one of the film’s most entertaining elements.
9. Rough Night (2017)
Johansson leads the chaos in Rough Night as Jess, a bride whose bachelorette party spirals wildly out of control. She plays the straight-faced center of the storm, allowing the comedy to unfold naturally around her.
What makes her performance work is balance. She embraces physical comedy and absurdity without losing the emotional core of the character. Johansson shows she can anchor a raucous ensemble comedy while still making the stakes feel personal.
8. Don Jon (2013)
In Don Jon, Johansson transforms into Barbara Sugarman, a bold, demanding, and unapologetically specific character. Her exaggerated accent and mannerisms could have turned cartoonish, but Johansson fully commits, making Barbara feel real and intentional.
Her chemistry with Joseph Gordon-Levitt crackles, and she uses humor to expose deeper emotional expectations beneath the surface. The performance is funny, sharp, and surprisingly revealing, showcasing Johansson’s fearlessness as an actor.
7. The Prestige (2006)
Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige places Johansson in a morally complex love triangle, and she rises to the challenge. As Olivia Wenscombe, she plays intelligence and vulnerability in equal measure, never letting the character fade into the background.
Johansson gives Olivia emotional agency, making her more than just a plot device. Her presence adds depth to the film’s exploration of obsession and sacrifice, and she holds her own against two powerhouse performances from Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman.
6. Isle of Dogs (2018) — Revisited
Nutmeg deserves another mention because Johansson’s vocal performance deepens with repeat viewings. The nuance in her delivery reveals layers of tenderness and resolve that quietly shape the film’s emotional arc.
Her work here reinforces how effective she is without physical presence. Through tone alone, Johansson conveys loyalty, wisdom, and longing, proof that she can command attention in any format.
5. Ghost World (2001)
As Rebecca in Ghost World, Johansson delivers a performance defined by subtlety. She plays the more grounded half of the central friendship, capturing the quiet sadness of growing apart without dramatic flourishes.
Johansson’s restraint makes Rebecca incredibly relatable. Her performance perfectly reflects the discomfort of early adulthood, and it remains one of the most authentic portrayals of teenage transition in modern cinema.
4. Her (2013)
In Her, Johansson creates a fully realized character using only her voice. As Samantha, an AI discovering consciousness and desire, she delivers a performance full of curiosity, warmth, and emotional evolution.
Her chemistry with Joaquin Phoenix is astonishing despite never appearing onscreen. Johansson’s voice work carries the film’s emotional weight, redefining what a leading performance can look like.
3. Lost in Translation (2003)
Johansson’s Charlotte in Lost in Translation remains iconic for a reason. She captures loneliness and introspection with remarkable sensitivity, portraying a young woman adrift in both geography and identity.
Her understated connection with Bill Murray feels intimate and unforced. Johansson’s performance helped define early-2000s indie cinema and announced her as a major dramatic talent.
2. Marriage Story (2019)
In Marriage Story, Johansson delivers one of the most emotionally raw performances of her career. Nicole Barber, she navigates heartbreak, anger, and rediscovery with painful honesty.
Her scenes with Adam Driver, especially the explosive argument, are devastatingly real. Johansson’s portrayal earned well-deserved awards recognition and cemented her status as one of her generation’s most powerful actors.
1. Under the Skin (2014)
At the top of the list is Under the Skin, a role unlike anything else in Johansson’s career. As an alien predator observing humanity, she strips away familiarity and comfort, replacing them with eerie detachment.
Her performance is bold, unsettling, and unforgettable. Johansson uses silence, physicality, and minimal expression to create something truly alien. It’s a fearless, transformative turn, and the clearest example of her willingness to push boundaries.
Scarlett Johansson’s career is defined by risk, versatility, and emotional intelligence. She moves effortlessly between genres and scales, never allowing herself to be boxed in by expectations or past success. Whether she’s speaking volumes in silence or carrying a film with just her voice, Johansson continues to surprise audiences. These performances don’t just highlight her talent; they show why she remains one of the most compelling actors working today.