Saoirse Ronan's movies range the gamut from blockbusters to romantic comedies to historical epics. The American-born Irish actress made her acting debut in The Clinic, an Irish medical drama. Ronan's career breakthrough came in 2007 with Joe Wright's romantic period drama Atonement, an adaptation of the 2001 novel of the same name by Ian McEwan. Her role as aspiring writer Briony Tallis brought her critical acclaim, including an Oscar nomination for Best ing Actress.

Ronan has enjoyed a long and fruitful career since then, working with noted directors such as Wes Anderson and Greta Gerwig. She remains a versatile actress, appearing in comedies, action thrillers, sci-fi movies, and fantasy films. Since Atonement, Ronan has received three additional Oscar nominations, all in Best Actress, while flexing her comedic chops, and has also gained acclaim for her work on the stage.

32 The Host (2013)

As Melanie Stryder / Wanderer "Wanda"

The Host is an adaptation of the 2008 Stephenie Meyer sci-fi novel of the same name. In the world of The Host, the human race has been taken over by parasitic aliens called “Souls.” Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan) is captured and infused with a Soul called “Wanderer.” However, Melanie isn’t willing to give up her autonomy, and she and Wanderer end up fighting for control of her body.

The Host takes a fascinating sci-fi premise and turns it into a melodramatic young adult movie. The backstory behind the “Souls” and the details of the world after the alien takeover aren't delved into, robbing the story of necessary worldbuilding. The performances aren’t as compelling as other young adult movies, and Ronan doesn’t seem to have much chemistry with either Max Irons or Jake Abel.

However, Ronan does her best with what she’s given, trying to bring life into her dual role as Melanie and Wanderer. Diane Kruger also elevates the movie somewhat as Seeker, the antagonist determined to make sure every human is inhabited by a “Soul.”

31 Foe (2023)

As Hen

Saoirse Ronan teamed up with fellow Oscar nominee Paul Mescal for the quiet sci-fi drama Foe. The movie follows Hen (Ronan) and Junior (Mescal), a couple living a simple and peaceful life on their farm amidst a world that is filled with uncertainty and fear. However, that outside world soon finds its way to their home with the unannounced arrival of a stranger (Aaron Pierre) who comes with a proposal that will shatter their existence.

Foe has some interesting sci-fi ideas that are initially introduced but they soon become lost in the clunky story. Ronan and Mescal offer their considerable combined talents to sell the story, but they simply aren't given strong enough material to work with. As a result, Foe unfortunately turns into a rather tedious and dull movie that cannot find enough interesting to say. It is a shame that Ronan and Mescal's first collaboration was not on par with their talents.

30 Justin And The Knights Of Valour (2013)

As Talia

The animated film focuses on Justin (The Good Doctor's Freddie Highmore), a teen who dreams of being a knight like his grandfather, Sir Roland. However, his stern father, Reginald (Alfred Molina), is not ive and wants Justin to be a lawyer instead. When his grandfather’s sword goes missing, Justin is determined to train to be a knight and go on a quest to retrieve it. Justin And The Knights Of Valour promises a tale of adventure, but the story doesn't always deliver.

Justin And The Knights Of Valour boasts a talented voice cast, including Antonio Banderas and Charles Dance. However, they’re given subpar material to work with compared to other fantasy films that balance comedy with emotional depth. The most interesting character is Saoirse Ronan’s Talia, a teenage barmaid who’s adept at fighting and has a quick wit. Ronan infuses the character with plenty of charisma and charm and does her best in this lesser fantasy tale.

29 Muppet's Most Wanted (2014)

As Ballerina

One of the surprise hits of 2011 was when The Muppets returned to theaters in what was a delightfully funny movie. This also allowed the movie franchise to return with a sequel in 2014. In the sequel, a criminal Muppet named Constantine, an exact double for Kermit, escapes from prison and ends up replacing Kermit and causing all sorts of trouble.

The movie had several huge cameos, including singer Lady Gaga, actors like Salma Hayek and Christoph Waltz, and even Saoirse Ronan, all appearing as themselves. Ronan's small cameo was as a guest for their Irish live show, where she dances to The Nutcracker with the Mutations. It's a fun movie, but Ronan's part is small.

28 Violet & Daisy (2011)

As Daisy

Violet & Daisy follows the hardened Violet (Alexis Bledel in a post-Gilmore Girls role) and sweet but airheaded Daisy (Saoirse Ronan), a pair of young assassins who take down New York City criminal figures. Needing money to buy the newest dress designed by their favorite pop star, Barbie Sunday, the duo accepts a job to kill an unnamed loner (James Gandolfini) who stole from Donnie, a rival crime boss. Violet and Daisy think the job will be easy until they make the mistake of getting to know their target.

Director Geoffrey Fletcher was influenced by Quentin Tarantino, but the film feels more like an imitation that tries too hard to be quirky and edgy. Violet & Daisy is worth a watch thanks to the efforts of its central trio; the late Gandolfini gives a quietly great performance, and Bledel and Ronan have scenes where they get to shine. Violet & Daisy has a premise with potential but unfortunately falls short compared to other Saoirse Ronan movies.

27 Stockholm, Pennsylvania (2015)

As Leia Dargon

Stockholm, Pennsylvania focuses on Leanne Dargon (Saoirse Ronan), who was kidnapped as a four-year-old by Ben McKay (Jason Isaacs) and renamed Leia. After 17 years, Leia is reunited with her biological parents, Marcy (Cynthia Nixon) and Glen (David Warshofsky).

However, Leia is suffering from Stockholm syndrome and considers her captor her true parent, while her biological parents are strangers to her. Like the Brie Larson movie Room, another 2015 drama, Stockholm, Pennsylvania chronicles an abduction victim’s adjustment to “normal” life. However, this film doesn’t broach the topic with nearly as much depth or sensitivity.

The first half of Stockholm, Pennsylvania does delve into some interesting psychological drama, but the second half devolves into something bizarre, with an out-of-left-field villainous transformation from Marcy and an ambiguous ending that’s truly unsettling. Ronan is good as a young adult suffering from Stockholm syndrome and trying to process her new life outside of captivity and holds her own against Cynthia Nixon, but even she can’t elevate this tonally inconsistent film.

26 Death Defying Acts (2007)

As Benji McGarvie

Set in 1926, Death Defying Acts focuses on Mary McGarvie (Catherine Zeta-Jones), a Scottish con artist, and her daughter, Benji (Saoirse Ronan). When illusionist Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) offers $10,000 to anyone who can quote his deceased mother’s last words to him, Mary and Benji set their sights on the reward and begin growing closer to the notably private man.

The premise has hints of intrigue, but the romance between Mary and Houdini underwhelms with its lack of chemistry and seems needlessly shoehorned into the film. However, Death Defying Acts isn’t without its bright spots. Like most of Ronan's movies, she gives another charming performance as a precocious young character, and Timothy Spall is intriguing as Houdini’s gruff yet protective manager.

25 Weepah Way For Now (2015)

As Emily (Narrator)

Unlike other Saoirse Ronan movies, Weepah Way For Now only features her in a small role, as she delivers the voice of Emily, the dead sister of Elle and Joy, played in this movie by real-life sisters, Aly and AJ Michalka. The movie follows Elle and Joy, separated by two years and tied together by the death of their sister, Emily, who was the middle sister born without a heartbeat.

They set out to become musicians, planning a European tour at the time of the movie's events. Interestingly, the movie has Ronan as the narrator of the story. The movie works well concerning sibling rivalry, but it is also a slow-moving drama and might not be to everyone's tastes.

24 Lost River (2014)

As Rat

Lost River, Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut, focuses on a teen boy named Bones (Iain De Caestecker) and his single mother, Billy (Christina Hendricks), as they struggle to make ends meet in the crumbling town of Lost River. Bones dreams of leaving the town, though his mom is attached to the place she grew up in. While Bones discovers a secret underwater town, Billy's new job introduces her to a seedy criminal underworld.

The unsettling dark fantasy atmosphere is intriguing and there are some eye-catching visual touches. However, Lost River doesn’t quite live up to its potential. There are some solid performances here; Hendricks brings a determined strength to Billy, Matt Smith's villain Bully is convincingly menacing, and Saoirse Ronan is captivating as Rat, a withdrawn teen who cares deeply for her grandma. Lost River may be an uneven film with more style than substance, but despite the lackluster script, the cast makes this film watchable.

23 I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007)

As Izzie Mensforth

Saoirse Ronan's movie debut came in this rom-com/showbiz satire focused on Rosie (Michelle Pfeiffer), a scriptwriter and producer for the teen show You Go Girl as well as a divorced single mother to her 13-year-old daughter Izzie (Ronan). After her boss Marty (Fred Willard) decides that the show can no longer cover controversial subjects, Rosie decides to cast a new character.

The highlight of I Could Never Be Your Woman is Ronan; in her first role, she already displays great comedic timing and is a winsome young actress.

She’s charmed by Adam (Paul Rudd), a natural comedian, and starts to fall for him despite the age difference between them. Meanwhile, Izzie deals with her own struggles, especially her crush on classmate Dylan (Rory Copus). According to director Amy Heckerling (via the Clueless TV show.

I Could Never Be Your Woman has great casting and Pfeiffer and Rudd are both charming, but their relationship doesn’t have the depth and chemistry to truly be compelling. It’s nice to see a mini Clueless reunion with the casting of Stacey Dash as Brianna, the self-centered star of You Go Girl. The highlight of I Could Never Be Your Woman is Ronan; in her first role, she already displays great comedic timing and is a winsome young actress.