Every single Brie Larson movie, ranked
Alani Vargas
- Brie Larson has been in many movies that have been both well-received and ripped apart by critics.
- The star has been in a few movies that critics didn't like, such as "Remember the Daze" (2008), "Hoot" (2006), and "The Glass Castle" (2017).
- She's also starred in critical darlings including "Short Term 12" (2013) and Avengers: Endgame" (2019).
Although Brie Larson is known for being in some major Marvel hits, she's actually been acting for years.
To see where her movies stand, Insider ranked Larson's past films based on critic scores from Rotten Tomatoes. It's worth noting that the critic scores were up to date as of publication but are subject to change.
Read on for Brie Larson's films ranked from worst to best, per critic reviews.
Larson's worst-rated film is "Remember the Daze" (2008).
"Basmati Blues" (2018) is a controversial musical film.
Critic score: 10%
"Basmati Blues" follows a scientist (Larson) who realizes her work on an invention will cause more harm than good for the people in India it's designed to help. To try to fix everything, she heads to India and gets help from a local farmer.
Critics ripped apart the film, calling it out as having a white-savior plot and racist undertones.
She had a role in the teen film "Sleepover" (2004).
Critic score: 15%
In "Sleepover," four friends have an epic slumber party before high school begins. But once the popular girls (Sara Paxton, Larson) get involved, the night becomes filled with risks and drama.
Critics felt the film was "utterly forgettable" and unoriginal.
She played Kate in "Tanner Hall" (2011).
Critic score: 16%
The film takes place in an all-girls boarding school and the manipulation and follows the drama that happens there.
Critics felt the coming-of-age drama had a few somewhat strong performances but didn't add much to the genre.
A young Larson helped the owls in "Hoot" (2006).
Critic score: 26%
In this 2006 adaptation of the book by the same name, a group of kids are on a mission to save owl habitats.
Larson played Beatrice "The Bear" Leep, a girl whose brother is trying to stop the destruction of these animals' homes.
Overall, critics felt the film wasn't very funny or well-paced.
Larson played a high-school student in "The Trouble With Bliss" (2011).
Critic score: 33%
An unemployed 35-year-old man (Michael C. Hall) finds his life starting to change when he begins having a fling with a high-school student (Larson), who turns out to be his former classmate's daughter.
The film was not well-received by critics, who felt it was trying to be quirky but ended up just being boring.
She appeared in the crime drama "The Gambler" (2014).
Critic score: 43%
In "The Gambler," professor Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) lives a secret life as a high-stakes gambler and he eventually gets into hot water with a risky bet.
In the film, Larson plays a student who develops a strong relationship with Bennett.
Critics praised the smooth pacing of the film but felt like "The Gambler" didn't know what it was trying to be.
Larson played a journalist and author in "The Glass Castle" (2017).
Critic score: 52%
Based on a true story, this film starred Larson as Jeannette Walls, an author and journalist.
Jeannette had a very tumultuous upbringing with toxic parents and an unstable lifestyle and though she is able to bring herself up in the world, she grapples with her true identity.
The critics' consensus on Rotten Tomatoes is that the cast of this film is "hard-working," but that the movie's material is "fundamentally misguided."
Larson made her directorial debut with "Unicorn Store" (2017) and she starred in it.
Critic score: 64%
This is a special one on the list because Larson starred in the film and it's her directorial debut. It was filmed in 2017 but first began streaming on Netflix in April 2019.
"Unicorn Store" is about Kit, a not-so-put-together adult who takes a temp office job when her art dreams seem to fall through. Samuel L. Jackson shows up in the film as The Salesman trying to get Kit a unicorn.
Critics felt the film was whimsical and earnest — but some argued it didn't have much to say or contribute to the genre as a whole.
She appeared in the ensemble drama "Digging for Fire" (2015).
Critic score: 66%
After finding mysterious objects while on a trip, a married couple and their friends go on separate adventures.
Starring Rosemarie DeWitt, Jack Johnson, Orlando Bloom, Anna Kendrick, Larson, and other celebrities, "Digging for Fire" is an ensemble film that critics had mixed feelings about.
Critics found the film to be comedic and charming, but some felt it lacked depth and wasted its A-list cast.
"Free Fire" (2016) is an action movie that critics didn't totally love.
Critic score: 69%
In this movie about an arms deal that backfires, Larson played Justine, a businesswoman who's part of a black-market deal that results in a massive shootout.
Per the Rotten-Tomatoes critics' consensus, the film is a "spectacular parody — and biting critique — of the insanity of gun violence."
Larson was one of many celebrities in "Between Two Ferns: The Movie" (2019).
Critic score: 74%
A movie version of actor Zach Galifianakis' talk show of the same name, "Between Two Ferns: The Movie" features a slew of actors — including Larson and Paul Rudd — reacting to the host's antics.
Critics praised the comedy for being surprisingly heartwarming and overall pretty hilarious.
The actress also appeared in "Rampart" (2010).
Critic score: 74%
Starring Woody Harrelson as Officer Dave Brown, "Rampart" follows the cop as his violent tendencies begin to get him in big trouble. Larson played Brown's daughter, Helen.
Many critics found the film to be compelling but others weren't impressed by the characters in it.
She was a photojournalist in "Kong: Skull Island" (2017).
Critic score: 75%
In the film, Larson played Mason Weaver, a photojournalist on an expedition to explore the recently discovered Skull Island, which houses a giant ape.
In their reviews, many critics commended the film's fast-paced storyline.
The actress had a small role in "Greenberg" (2010).
Critic score: 76%
In "Greenberg," Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller), a failed musician who's working as a carpenter in New York, heads to Los Angeles to house-sit for his brother. Since he can't drive, his brother's assistant (Greta Gerwig) comes to his rescue in more ways than one.
Larson had a small role in the film as Roger's niece.
Critics praised Stiller's performance and the movie's "brilliant dialogue."
She was the titular character in "Captain Marvel" (2019).
Critic score: 79%
Larson played the titular character in this Marvel film about an extraterrestrial warrior who's torn between her people and the Skrulls, a race of shapeshifters.
Critics felt the movie was packed with tons of action and humor. It doesn't have the best scoring for a Marvel movie, but as far as origin stories go, the film seemed to be a pretty solid foundation for what Carol Danvers has in store for the next phase of films.
Larson appeared in "Don Jon" (2013).
Critic score: 79%
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Scarlett Johansson, "Don Jon" follows a porn-obsessed man who must figure out how to put aside his infatuation with erotica in order to form a genuine relationship.
Larson played Monica, an unbothered character who spent most of her time on her phone.
Critics mostly enjoyed the coming-of-age film but had a few issues with the caricature-like characters.
She was a famous ex-girlfriend in "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" (2010).
Critic score: 82%
Based on a comic book of the same name, "Scott Pilgrim" doesn't take itself too seriously, which is part of its appeal.
Larson played Pilgrim's ex, Envy Adams, who used to be sweet before she was changed by fame.
Many critics praised the film for being funny and unique.
Larson made viewers laugh in "21 Jump Street" (2012).
Critic score: 84%
Bringing it back to another high-school character, Larson played the confident, funny, and naïve Molly, who Schmidt/Doug (Jonah Hill) falls for.
"21 Jump Street" is a comedy film that critics praised for its "balance of humor and heart."
Larson was one of the leads in "Just Mercy" (2020).
Critic score: 84%
Based on a true story, "Just Mercy" follows Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) on a mission to defend those who can't afford legal representation.
In one of his biggest cases yet, Stevenson defends Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), who's been sentenced to death for murder despite there being evidence that proves he's innocent.
Larson played Eva Ansley, an advocate who is working with Stevenson.
Critics praised the strong performances in the film and were impressed by how "Just Mercy" responsibly covered its source material.
She played a younger sister in "Trainwreck" (2015).
Critic score: 85%
In this comedy, which was a pretty big hit at the box office at the time, Larson appeared as Kim, the very meticulous and responsible younger sister to Amy Schumer's character, Amy.
Many critics praised this film's use of the "classic rom-com formula."
Larson appeared as a supporting character in "The Spectacular Now" (2013).
Critic score: 91%
Starring Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley, "The Spectacular Now" featured Larson as a supporting character.
In the coming-of-age drama, Larson played the popular girl-next-door who is the original love interest of Teller's character, Sutter.
Many critics praised the premise of the film and the "fantastic performances" of its cast.
She really made a name for herself with "Room" (2015).
Critic score: 93%
Larson was the lead in this harrowing film about a kidnapped woman and her son who she gave birth to while she was in captivity.
This is also the movie that helped her win her Golden Globe for best actress in a drama motion picture.
The critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes is that the film features "incredible work" by both Larson and Jacob Tremblay, the actor who played her son in the film.
She's one of many high-flying stars in "Avengers: Endgame" (2019).
Critic score: 94%
This conclusion to the "Infinity" saga and this era of MCU films brings together just about every single major Marvel film character to date and features Larson in her second movie as Captain Marvel.
The film was praised by critics for its strong emotional impact and fast-paced, exciting plot.
In "Short Term 12" (2013), Larson played a counselor.
Critic score: 98%
In the film, Grace (Larson) works at a facility for at-risk kids and supervises them to the best of her ability. She has to overcome her own trauma while working through theirs.
Critics praised the film for its powerful performances and perspective.
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