All of Jamie Lee Curtis' movies, ranked
Kirstie Renae
- Oscar-nominated actor Jamie Lee Curtis has been in many films throughout her decades-long career.
- Her highest-ranked films include "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "Halloween."
Jamie Lee Curtis' lowest-rated movie is "Christmas With the Kranks" (2004).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 5%
Summary: Married couple Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora Krank (Curtis) plan to skip all Christmas traditions and take a cruise. But they quickly become outcasts in their holiday-obsessed neighborhood.
Critics felt the Christmas movie was pretty unoriginal.
"This grim holiday-themed comedy is the movie equivalent of getting socks and underwear for Christmas," Moira Macdonald wrote for The Seattle Times.
In "Halloween: Resurrection" (2002), she returned as Laurie Strode.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 10%
Summary: After teenagers win a contest to spend a night in the childhood home of Michael Myers (Brad Loree) for a reality internet show, the villain returns and begins yet another killing spree.
Curtis played Laurie Strode, her character from the original film.
Some reviewers called the sequel "an embarrassment to a franchise" and an "insult to fans."
Aja Romano wrote for Vox, "Stay away unless you like kitschy early internet nostalgia and lots of blurry found-footage trickery."
In "House Arrest" (1996), the actor played Janet Beindorf.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 10%
Summary: Janet Beindorf (Curtis) and her husband Ned (Kevin Pollak) plan to separate, but their kids have different plans. They lock their parents in the basement to force them to work it out, prompting other neighborhood kids to do the same to their parents.
Many critics found the movie dull and unoriginal and argued that it didn't make the most of its cast.
"[A] predictable and sugarcoated (even criminally negligent) take on 'The Parent Trap,'" wrote Erin Richter for Entertainment Weekly.
Curtis starred as Rachel in the political thriller "An Acceptable Loss" (2018).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 12%
Summary: Former US security adviser Libby Lamm (Tika Sumpter) decides to risk her career to expose a political cover-up. But she faces threats from associates of her dark past, including Rachel Burke (Curtis).
Generally, reviewers felt the film lacked a thrilling plot.
Teo Bugbee wrote for The New York Times, "Unfortunately, the plot is as lackluster ideologically as the picture is visually."
In the sci-fi film "Virus" (1999), the actor starred as Kit Foster.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 12%
Summary: After narrowly escaping a typhoon, a tugboat crew stumbles upon a deserted ship that turns out to have been taken over by aliens.
Curtis starred as crew member Kit.
Despite thinking the special effects were largely well-done, many critics said "Virus" was too predictable.
"A derivative sci-fi shocker that isn't likely to spark much interest beyond its target audience of undemanding genre fans," Joe Leydon wrote for Variety.
She played Gail in the romantic comedy "You Again" (2010).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 19%
Summary: When Marni (Kristen Bell) finds out her brother is marrying her high-school bully (Odette Annable), she decides to reveal his fiancée's true colors. Things get more complicated when Marni's mom Gail (Curtis) discovers the fiancée's aunt is her own high-school rival (Sigourney Weaver).
Although many critics liked the all-star cast, most felt the script didn't fully capitalize on the talent.
"Curtis and Weaver put on their game faces," Tim Robey wrote for The Telegraph. "But the script is consistently intent on embarrassing them."
In the drama "Perfect" (1985), Curtis played the leading aerobics instructor.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 19%
Summary: Aerobics instructor Jessie (Curtis) is seduced by a Rolling Stone investigative reporter (John Travolta) who's working on a story about the fitness craze.
Although generally liked for its campiness, "Perfect" didn't wow every critic.
"It's an unintentionally hilarious mixture of muddled moralizing and all-too-contemporary self-promotion," Vincent Canby wrote for The New York Times.
The actor returned as Shelly in "My Girl 2" (1994).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 27%
Summary: In the sequel to "My Girl," now 13-year-old Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky) travels to LA to stay with her Uncle Phil (Richard Masur) to research her late mother's life. But she finds more than she bargained for when Nick (Austin O'Brien) starts showing her around the city.
Curtis played Vada's stepmom, Shelly.
"My Girl 2" was criticized by reviewers for not capturing the same emotional depth as the original.
"The original 'My Girl' was a charming gem, a movie that was really about something — about an 11-year-old discovering some of the secrets of life, death, love and unselfishness," film critic Roger Ebert wrote. "'My Girl 2' seems inspired mostly by the opportunity to recycle the title of a successful film."
She was Rona Mace in "Drowning Mona" (2000).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 29%
Summary: When Mona Dearly (Bette Midler) mysteriously dies, everyone in Verplanck, New York, becomes a murder suspect.
In the film, Curtis played Rona Mace.
Despite the film's stacked cast, including stars like Danny DeVito, Casey Affleck, and Will Ferrell, reviewers generally felt that the whodunit plot failed to deliver.
"Talented cast wasted in an awful movie," Nell Minow wrote for Common Sense Media.
"Queens Logic" (1991) featured Curtis as Grace.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 30%
Summary: A group of friends, each struggling with their own issues, reunite in Queens for Ray's (Ken Olin) bachelor party and find the groom is having second thoughts.
Curtis played Grace, who's tangled in a plot with Ray's married friend Al (Joe Mantegna).
Although a handful of critics seemed to enjoy the romantic comedy, most gave it less-than-positive reviews.
Ebert wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times, "I suspect the movie owes more to the tradition of the coming-of-middle-age film than it does to specific Queens details."
She reprised her role as Laurie in "Halloween II" (1981).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 32%
Summary: Picking up right where "Halloween" left off, "Halloween II" follows Laurie (Curtis) as she tries yet again to escape the murderous wrath of Michael Myers (Jonathan Prince) despite being admitted to a hospital.
Most reviewers felt it was impossible for the sequel to compare to the original.
James Berardinelli wrote for ReelViews, "'Halloween' is a classic and its first sequel is a sloppy afterthought."
The actor made a cameo as herself in "The Kid & I" (2005).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 33%
Summary: Aaron Roman (Gores), a teen with cerebral palsy, gets the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to star in a major action movie with a washed-up comedian (Tom Arnold).
Curtis and Arnold Schwarzenegger made a joint cameo in the film.
Critics called "The Kid & I" a "well-intentioned" film that ultimately didn't deliver on its message.
"This wan attempt at inspirational comedy doesn't bother to look closely at anything," wrote Robert Denerstein for the Denver Rocky Mountain News.
Curtis played Laurie again in "Halloween Kills" (2021).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 38%
Summary: Just when Laurie Strode (Curtis), her daughter Karen (Judy Greer), and her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) think they've killed Michael Myers for good, he escapes Laurie's burning home and continues his path of bloodshed throughout Haddonfield.
Some critics felt it didn't properly resurrect the horror franchise.
"There are interesting ideas for vivisection here," wrote Noah Berlatsky for Splice Today. "But the execution's a mess."
The actor appeared in the drama "Amazing Grace and Chuck" (1987).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 38%
Summary: After Little League player Chuck Murdock (Joshua Zuehlke) goes on strike against the use of nuclear weapons, basketball star "Amazing Grace" (Alex English) decides to join the boycott in solidarity.
Curtis played Lynn Taylor in the film.
Some reviewers thought the film was hopeful, but others were less impressed.
"The film's style is as doggedly ordinary as its story is preposterous," Janet Maslin wrote for The New York Times.
"Halloween Ends" (2022) brought a conclusion to Curtis' 40+ years of playing Laurie Strode.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%
Summary: Years after her most recent battle with Michael Myers, Laurie (Curtis) lives with her granddaughter (Matichak) while writing a memoir. But when a local man (Rohan Campbell) is accused of killing a child he was babysitting, a saga nearly 50 years in the making unfolds.
Some reviewers weren't left totally satisfied with the end of Michael Myers' story, but others were entertained.
"'Halloween Ends' is a greatly dissatisfying close to a chapter that hopefully lives up to its name," wrote Annie Banks for Chuck Load of Comics. "This sluggish culmination does exactly what the title declares: ends 'Halloween.'"
"Beverly Hills Chihuahua" (2008) featured Curtis as Aunt Viv.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%
Summary: When a pampered Chihuahua from Beverly Hills named Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore) gets lost in Mexico, she seeks help from street dogs Delgado (voiced by Andy Garcia) and Papi (voiced by George Lopez) to find her way back home.
Curtis played Chloe's owner, Aunt Viv.
Critics enjoyed the film for its family-friendly comedy, but some didn't like the embedded "patronizing racial stereotypes."
"In a triumph of animal wrangling and CGI tinkering, the canine cast turn in better performances than some of the humans," wrote Wendy Ide for the Times.
The actor played the main antagonist in "Mother's Boys" (1994).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 43%
Summary: Jude Madigan (Curtis) is an unstable wife and mother who recently left her husband, Robert (Peter Gallagher), and three kids without notice. When she returns three years later, she finds Robert in love with a new woman (Joanne Whalley) and begins to torment her family by stalking and harassing them.
Many critics disliked the movie, saying that Curtis was not believable in the role.
Marc Savlov wrote for the Austin Chronicle, "She grins the grins and tries her darnedest to look devious, but it's just no good, she's still the same old lovable Jamie Lee and the film sputters to a confusing halt a scant thirty minutes in."
She appeared in the comedy "Homegrown" (1998) as Sierra Kahan.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 44%
Summary: Three marijuana farmers (Billy Bob Thornton, Hank Azaria, and Ryan Phillippe) decide to grow and sell their own product after their boss is murdered. But the new job doesn't come without risks.
In the film, Curtis played Sierra Kahan.
Some critics only found the comedy "mildly enjoyable."
David Kronke wrote for the Los Angeles Times, "'Homegrown' provides more of a contact high than the real thing."
In the horror film "Terror Train" (1980), Curtis played Alana Maxwell.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 44%
Summary: After a group of college fraternity brothers pull a prank that goes terribly wrong, one of the students (Derek McKinnon) is institutionalized. Years later, those who were involved become the target of a killer at a New Year's Eve party on a train.
In the horror film, Curtis played Alana.
"Terror Train" was received as average at best.
"A run-of-the-mill slasher film whose central gimmick is setting its action on a train," wrote Nick Schager for Lessons of Darkness.
In the horror slasher "Prom Night" (1980), the actor starred as Kim.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 48%
Summary: Six years after a student died, a killer comes to a high-school prom for revenge on the teens who were responsible for her death.
Curtis played high-school student Kim.
Though it has become a cult classic, most reviewers thought "Prom Night" didn't have enough mystery or suspense to be a truly great slasher flick.
Canby wrote for The New York Times, "Because it's quite easy to figure out the killer's identity by simply keeping track of who is off screen a lot, much of the movie is just vamping for time."
Curtis played a funeral home makeup artist in the coming-of-age drama "My Girl" (1991).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%
Summary: Eleven-year-old Vada Sultenfuss (Chlumsky) makes friends with a boy named Thomas J. Sennett (Macaulay Culkin). But after an already troubling childhood, she faces yet another shocking loss.
Curtis played Shelly, the makeup artist at the funeral home Vada lives in.
The film is a classic, but some reviewers found it too sad.
Fred Topel wrote for About.com, "Dreadful coming of age movie about kids and death. Kudos for the effort, but it's just depressing."
The actor starred as Susan Elliott in "A Man in Love" (1987).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%
Summary: Also known as "Un homme amoureux," the film follows American actor Steve Elliott (Peter Coyote) as he falls for a British actress while shooting a movie in Rome. But when Steve's wife Susan (Curtis) finds out about his affair, things take a turn.
Critics were fairly split on "A Man in Love."
David Robinson wrote for the Times, "The characters by and large are tediously shallow and egocentric."
In "Halloween H20: 20 Years Later" (1998), Curtis played Laurie Strode after she's taken on a new identity.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%
Summary: Decades after Laurie (Curtis) survived the rampage of Michael Myers, she's reinvented herself as Keri Tate, the headmistress of a private school. But on the cusp of Halloween, Myers returns to take his revenge.
"H20" was hit or miss for reviewers, with some calling it the best of the "Halloween" sequels and others lamenting the lack of John Carpenter's direction.
"It's a fitting enough capstone for one of horror cinema's more memorable series, I suppose," wrote Savlov for the Austin Chronicle. "But when it ended I wanted, more than anything else, to go peruse the original."
In the comedy "Fierce Creatures" (1997), Curtis played Willa Weston.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%
Summary: After a new owner (Kevin Kline) buys a zoo in London, the staff struggles to adjust to the new direction and resulting challenges.
Curtis appeared in the film as business executive Willa Weston.
Although the movie was a reunion of the cast from "A Fish Called Wanda," reviewers didn't think the movie lived up to the hype.
"It lacks the hair-trigger timing, the headlong rush into comic illogic, that made 'Wanda' so special," wrote Ebert for the Chicago Sun-Times. "But it does have a charm of its own, and moments of wicked inspiration.
In the romance "Forever Young" (1992), she played Claire Cooper.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 54%
Summary: After a 1930s pilot (Mel Gibson) is cryogenically frozen as a part of a military experiment, he wakes up in 1992 when a young boy (Elijah Wood) frees him. The boy's mother (Curtis) begins to fall for the man despite the fact that he's aging rapidly.
Some reviewers thought the film was good, but others commented that the plot was too contrived.
"Looked at with a jaundiced eye, the scenario is slushy and full of holes; surrendered to in a spirit of careless romanticism, it works," wrote Nigel Floyd for Time Out.
In "Spare Parts" (2015), Curtis played a school principal.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%
Summary: Four Hispanic students and members of a robotics club band together to win a national contest and beat the reigning champion of MIT.
In the film, Curtis played a school principal.
Most critics found something to like about "Spare Parts," which was based on a true story.
Michael Rechtshaffen wrote for the Los Angeles Times, "While the appropriately titled 'Spare Parts' might feel like it has been assembled from bits and pieces of other inspirational movies, that doesn't mean the fact-based drama is any less effective."
She played Helen Tasker in James Cameron's "True Lies" (1994).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%
Summary: Harry Tasker (Schwarzenegger) appears to be a dull family man who works in sales. But he's really a secret agent taking on the most dangerous of terrorists. When he realizes his wife (Curtis) may be having an affair, Harry has to save his marriage as well as the world.
Despite the film's absurdity, "True Lies" was received as an entertaining action comedy.
"Proves that throwing everything at the camera sometimes works a treat," wrote Caroline Westbrook for Empire magazine.
The actor was Louisa Pendel in "The Tailor of Panama" (2001).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
Summary: Based on the novel by John le Carré, the film centers on tailor Harry Pendel (Geoffrey Rush) who becomes a spy for the British government in Panama after MI.6. agent Andy Osnard (Pierce Brosnan) comes to town.
Curtis played Harry's wife, Louisa.
Most critics enjoyed the film's satire and the performances, but some still found the movie unsatisfying.
Peter Rainer wrote for New York Magazine, "If you think the spy-thriller genre has been streamlined and spoofed and subverted until nothing new can be done to it, think again."
Curtis played rookie cop Megan Turner in "Blue Steel" (1990).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
Summary: A rookie cop (Curtis) becomes engrossed in a game of cat and mouse with an armed psychopath following a deadly shootout.
Reviewers generally enjoyed director Kathryn Bigelow's style as well as the film's cast.
"It works because it's so audacious in combining elements that don't seem to belong together," wrote Ebert for the Chicago Sun-Times.
In Carpenter's "The Fog" (1980), she played a hitchhiker named Elizabeth Solley.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
Summary: Exactly a century after a ship mysteriously sank off the coast of a small town, an odd fog begins to engulf the town and people begin to die. Those at risk include a hitchhiker named Elizabeth (Curtis).
Like many of Carpenter's horror films, "The Fog" was well-reviewed for its slow build and eerie feel.
Will Lawrence wrote for Empire magazine, "Ghoulish, tense and utterly fantastical, John Carpenter's tale of shipwrecked specters squelching their way through a fluorescent fog to wreak vengeance on a seaside town is a classic campfire yarn."
She appeared in "Dominick and Eugene" (1988).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%
Summary: Eugene (Ray Liotta) lives with and looks after his twin brother Nicky (Tom Hulce), who has a mental disability. Nicky works as a garbage man to help put his brother through medical school. But when a nurse (Curtis) enters the picture, Eugene must choose between his brother and his own relationship and career aspirations.
Though the film could easily fall into the "too sentimental" category, critics felt it did a good job navigating the difficult subject matter.
"Overly sentimental perhaps," wrote Alan Jones for Radio Times. "But grippingly compassionate and superbly played by the two leads."
Four decades after the original film, Curtis returned to the big screen as Laurie Strode in "Halloween" (2018).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%
Summary: Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney) escapes police custody and hunts down Laurie (Curtis) 40 years after his first attack on Haddonfield. But this time, Laurie had decades to prepare.
Critics applauded the film for overruling some of the not-so-loved sequels and bringing back what fans loved so much about the franchise.
"'Halloween' embraces the simplistic fear of the original and crafts a 40-years-in-the-making follow-up that will scare the crap out of you," wrote Wenlei Ma for News.com.au.
In the dark comedy "Daddy and Them" (2001), she starred as Elaine Bowen.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
Summary: In America's Heartland, Claude (Thornton) and Ruby (Laura Dern) Montgomery must help their uncle (Jim Varney) after he's arrested.
Curtis appeared in the film as Elaine Bowen.
Reviewers agreed the performances and deadpan humor worked for the movie.
"With only modest expectations in mind, this dysfunction-palooza turns out to be a loosely knit, affable enough treat," wrote Brent Simon for Entertainment Today.
In the English version of the anime film "From Up on Poppy Hill" (2011), Curtis voiced Ryouko Matsuzaki.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
Summary: A group of teens in Yokohama move to save their school's clubhouse from being demolished as the city prepares for the 1964 Olympics.
Curtis voiced one of the characters in the English dub of the anime.
Reviews for the Studio Ghibli film were largely positive, with critics enjoying its nostalgia and gentleness.
"Arrives with the vast reserves of patience, optimism, and artistry we've come to expect from this studio," wrote Mike McCahill for The Guardian.
She starred in "Freaky Friday" (2003) as Tess Coleman.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
Summary: Tess Coleman (Curtis) and her daughter, Anna (Lindsay Lohan), are total opposites who find themselves trapped in each other's bodies after a magical moment at a Chinese restaurant. The two must find appreciation for one another in order to switch back.
Most reviewers thought it was a cute remake that was strengthened by great performances from Curtis and Lohan.
Ted Shen wrote for the Chicago Reader, "The premise provides a fine showcase for the two appealing actresses, who appropriate each other's vocal and physical mannerisms with dead-on accuracy."
In "Trading Places" (1983), Curtis played Ophelia.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
Summary: Loosely based on Mark Twain's "The Prince and the Pauper," the film follows a snobby executive (Dan Aykroyd) and a street-wise con artist (Eddie Murphy) who switch places as the result of a bet made by two rich brokers.
Curtis appeared in the movie as Ophelia.
Most critics enjoyed the social satire of the film as well as Murphy and Aykroyd's comic timing.
"'Trading Places,' in this of all Hollywood years, is a joy to behold — clever without being smart, affectionate without being sentimental," wrote Derek Malcolm for The Guardian.
Curtis participated in the "Psycho" documentary "78/52" (2017).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
Summary: The documentary breaks down one of Alfred Hitchcock's most iconic film moments: the shower scene in "Psycho" (1960).
Curtis was interviewed for the film as the daughter of "Psycho" star Janet Leigh.
Most critics were fascinated by the in-depth look at the classic film.
"'Psycho''s accepted greatness means we can leave it on the shelf as we look for newer sensations. This prompts an urgent desire to revisit it," Dan Jolin wrote for Empire magazine.
The actor had a leading role in "Road Games" (1981).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Summary: A truck driver (Stacy Keach) in Australia picks up an heiress (Curtis) while she's hitchhiking, and they start tailing a green van driven by a suspected killer.
Most critics enjoyed the film, which paid homage to Hitchcock's "Rear Window" (1954).
Rod McShane wrote for Time Out, "It's precisely its pretensions which make this a surprisingly agreeable cross of angst-ridden '70s road movie with Hitchcockian thriller."
She earned an Oscar nomination for playing Deirdre Beaubeirdra in "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (2022).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
Summary: Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh) is an everyday business owner, wife, and mother just trying to finish her taxes. But she finds herself caught between dimensions as she finds out new things about herself and becomes an unlikely hero for the world.
Curtis played the supporting role of Deirdre Beaubeirdra.
Reviewers and fans alike loved the sci-fi comedy film, praising its incredible cast and unique story.
"The most brilliantly bananas movie of 2022 absolutely lives up to its title," wrote Larushka Ivan-Zadeh for Metro Newspaper. "Michelle Yeoh kicks all types of butt as a time-traveling laundromat manager in a multiverse of madness."
"A Fish Called Wanda" (1988) featured Curtis in the titular role.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Summary: In London, four unlikely teammates (Tom Georgeson, Michael Palin, Curtis, and Kevin Kline) take on a jewel heist and attempt to double-cross each other.
The heist comedy garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics.
Matt Brunson wrote for Film Frenzy, "The bright characterizations, vivid performances, and unexpectedly uproarious set-pieces have lost little of their luster over the ensuing decades."
Curtis made a name for herself playing Laurie Strode in the original horror classic "Halloween" (1978).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Summary: Michael Myers (Nick Castle) returns to wreak havoc on his hometown of Haddonfield 15 years after killing his older sister.
Curtis originated her leading role as Laurie in the film and the slasher classic is well-loved by critics and fans alike.
David Gonzalez wrote for The Cinematic Reel, "The film set the standard for horror and the slasher film genre and is one of the most influential, imitated, and commercially successful independent films in history."
The actor starred as Linda Drysdale in "Knives Out" (2019).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Summary: Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) sets out to investigate the death of novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) as his dysfunctional family battles for his estate. But each family member must first prove they didn't cause his death.
Curtis played Linda Drysdale (née Thrombey), Harlan's daughter.
Nearly every critic who reviewed "Knives Out" enjoyed it for its talented cast, intriguing murder-mystery plot, and sharp wit.
"The film has a sense of glee that's infectious. It's pleasurable and occasionally silly but it's consistently fun," wrote Anupama Chopra for Film Companion.
Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change. Films without critical ratings were not included.
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