Let's Rank Emma Stone's Best 25 Performance In Movies, Based On Rotten Tomatoes

Jessica Wilson

As one of the best actresses of her generation, Emma Stone has been nominated for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. She has even won a BAFTA Award for Best Actress!
Prolific actress, Emma Stone has appeared in a huge number of films. Some of her most notable roles are Gwen Stacy in "Spider-Man", Allison Ng in "Crazy Rich Asians", Olive Penderghast in "Easy A", and Abigail Masham in "The Favourite". Her latest movie is called "Bird Box."
Having appeared in many movies, Emma Stone is a very popular actress and even a critic’s darling. But what is her best performance?
We have some of her best performances on this list. Read on to know more about which Emma Stone’s movies are her best performances. At least based on their critical scores from Rotten Tomatoes.

#1 "The Favourite" (2018): 93%

Source: Fox Searchlight

This historical drama is set in early 18th-century England, and examines the relationships of Queen Anne with her closest confidants. The film received multiple nominations, including an Oscar nod for Stone. The film received largely positive reviews from critics, with one calling it a "dryly humorous historical movie."

#2 "Birdman" (2014): 91%

Source: Fox Searchlight via YouTube

Stone appeared as Sam, a production assistant, in the critically acclaimed "Birdman," among actors such as Michael Keaton and Zach Galifianakis. The film earned several accolades and was dubbed a "technical accomplishment" by reviewers.

#3 "La La Land" (2016): 90%

Source: Summit Entertainment

"La La Land" is a drama, comedy, and musical all rolled into one. The film follows aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) and jazz musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) as they try to make it in Los Angeles. The movie garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, with one calling it "a warm blast of music and color."

#4 "Zombieland" (2009): 89%

Source: Columbia Pictures

Stone played zombie hunter Wichita in this horror-comedy mashup opposite Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Abigail Breslin. The film received a sequel. The film was universally praised by critics, who described it as "a continuous, sardonic ride."

#5 "Superbad" (2007): 88%

Source: Columbia Pictures

"Superbad" follows three adolescent males as they try to get booze for a party to appear cool. Stone portrayed the love interest, of Jules in her debut Hollywood picture. This picture helped launch Stone's career, with some critics describing it as "near-perfect."

#6 "Battle of the Sexes" (2017): 85%

Source: Melinda Sue Gordon/20th Century Fox

Based on the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King (Stone) and Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell), this drama-comedy retells the rivalry between King and Riggs.
Both actors were nominated for various awards for their roles in the film.

#7 "Easy A" (2010): 85%

Source: Screen Gems

Stone portrays Olive Penderghast, an adolescent who lies about having sex with others to be more popular – until it backfires.
Stone's performance was praised by critics, who said she "conquered me from the first A" and "gives a superb performance." Others feel the picture stands up to classic teen flicks like "The Heathers" (1988) and "Mean Girls" (2004).

#8 "Crazy, Stupid, Love" (2011): 79%

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures

Stone participated in this star-studded rom-com alongside Gosling, Carell, and Julianne Moore. Critics rated it as "hilarious" and "among the finest" films of 2011.

#9 "The Croods: A New Age" (2020): 77%

Source: DreamWorks Animation

Stone provided her voice once more to Eep, the caveman's daughter. In this sequel, the family deals with new neighbors who are further along the evolutionary ladder than they are, as well as other threats. The film was deemed pleasant and entertaining by critics, but also a little stale.

#10 "The Help" (2011): 76%

Source: Disney

Stone played the white Southern girl who defied traditional norms by cooperating on a literary project with "the assistance" in this film based on a novel. The film won multiple accolades and was praised by critics for being "terribly acted" and "heartfelt," yet some condemned it for "glossing history."

#11 "The Croods" (2013): 72%

Source: DreamWorks

Stone voiced Eep, the daughter of a caveman who leads his family on a trek through an unfamiliar area in search of a new home. This film, which also stars Nicolas Cage and Ryan Reynolds, has been described as "boisterous" by reviews.

#12 "The Amazing Spider-Man" (2012): 72%

Source: Columbia Pictures

Stone played Spider-love Man's interest, Stacy, in her debut superhero film, ditching her signature red hair for a new blonde haircut.
Critics had varied feelings about the picture, with some calling it "dumbed down, started up, and almost shockingly unimaginative," while others praised it for bringing "fresh energy" to the "Spider-Man" franchise.

#13 "Zombieland: Double Tap" (2019): 69%

Source: Columbia Pictures

This picture, a sequel to "Zombieland," did not fare quite as well as the first. Although moviegoers appreciated this horror film, numerous critics criticized it for its "lazy writing" and predictable themes.

#14 "Friends With Benefits" (2011): 68%

Source: YouTube

Stone appeared in the rom-com "Friends With Benefits" as Kayla, a John Mayer devotee who breaks up with Justin Timberlake's character because she missed the live performance of "Your Body Is a Wonderland."
Critics praised the chemistry between the main characters, played by Timberlake and Mila Kunis, in this R-rated picture.

#15 "Magic in the Moonlight" (2014): 51%

Source: Sony Pictures Classics

This star-studded picture follows Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth), a magician and clairvoyant skeptic, as he strives to prove Sophie Baker (Stone) is a fraud.
Although critics praised the star-studded ensemble, they found the tale "repetitive" and stated that Firth and Stone had "no type of connection," making their relationship difficult to believe.

#16 The Amazing Spider-Man 2" (2014): 51%

Source: Sony

This film, a sequel to the 2012 film of the same name, follows Peter Parker as he tries to reconcile his obligations as Spider-Man with his personal life. The film was described by critics as "overstuffed with the storyline" and "running alarmingly short on energy."

#17 "Irrational Man" (2015): 47%

Source: Sony Pictures Classics

"Irrational Man" is a drama about a womanizing, alcoholic professor named Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls connected with a student named Jill Pollard, played by Stone.
This film, directed and written by Woody Allen, was not well received by reviewers or fans, with one critic calling it "turgid to the point of silliness and laughably archaic."

#18 "The House Bunny" (2008): 43%

Source: Sony

Stone played an awkward, virginal sorority sister in "The House Bunny," one of Stone's first notable cinematic roles. The comedy garnered mixed reviews, with some critics calling it "dim" and others calling it "saucy."

#19 "The Rocker" (2008): 41%

Source: 20th Century Fox

"The Rocker" follows a washed-up drummer (Rainn Wilson) as he pursues a new chance at global glory. Stone played Amelie, one of the new bandmates who aspire to be famous, in the film. Some critics have stated that the picture lacked "warmth."

#20 "Paper Man" (2009): 32%

Source: MPI Media Group

Stone played Abby, a 17-year-old girl who strikes up an odd connection with a failing writer in search of inspiration. Despite the presence of A-list actors such as Ryan Reynolds, Lisa Kudrow, and Jeff Daniels, reviewers were unimpressed with the picture.

#21 "Gangster Squad" (2013): 31%

Source: Gangster Squad

This period piece is set in 1949 Los Angeles and provides the audience with a dramatic inside look at the battle to bring Cohen and his gang down. The film's critics dubbed it "superficial" and full of clichés.

#22 "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" (2009): 28%

Source: New Line Cinema

Stone appears briefly opposite Matthew McConaughey in this 2009 rom-com as one of the ghosts of permed-girlfriends past. The film was critically panned, with some dubbing it "95 minutes of vanilla sloth."

#23 "Aloha" (2015): 20%

Source: Columbia Pictures

"Aloha," set in Hawaii, is half action movie, part romantic comedy. The narrative revolves around defense contractor Brian Gilcrest (Bradley Cooper), who is ordered back to his home on a Hawaiian military post, with junior fighter pilot Allison Ng (Stone) watching his every move as the two scheme to disrupt a satellite launch.
The picture garnered a lot of criticism because Stone was cast to play a character who was one-quarter Chinese and one-quarter Hawaiian. In addition to criticizing, the film for whitewashing, they called it "a twisted mess."

#24 "Marmaduke" (2010): 9%

Source: 20th Century Fox

Stone is one of the stars in this picture about family, friendship, and dogs, lending her voice as Mazie, an Australian Shepard with a crush on the Great Dane Marmaduke. The film's animation was ripped apart by critics, with one calling it "a Scooby-Doo nightmare flashback."

#25 "Movie 43" (2013): 4%

Source: Relativity

The R-rated comedy immerses viewers in the thoughts of a producer pitching out-of-the-box concepts to famous Hollywood actors such as Gerard Butler, Anna Faris, Hugh Jackman, and others. Stone appeared in the film just briefly as Veronica did. The film was hailed as "utterly filthy" by critics, with some calling it the worst picture they'd ever seen.