A little over a decade ago, it was hard to imagine Emma Stone becoming one of Hollywood’s leading actresses. Back then, she was known as a young star from Arizona who excelled at playing witty heroines. Today, Emma Stone is a two-time Oscar winner among actresses of her generation. She received her first statuette for her role in “La La Land.” The second was for her captivating performance in “Poor Things.” However, looking back at her earlier roles, it becomes clear: everything that makes her beloved today was present in her work from the very beginning. She has always possessed a vibrant physicality, a precise comedic sense, and the boldness necessary to tackle major roles. In this feature, we recall the most memorable films of the actress’s career.
“Superbad,” 2007
Emma Stone and Jonah Hill in “Superbad,” 2007
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Emma Stone made a significant debut at the age of 18. In Greg Mottola’s candid teen comedy, she played Jules, a sharp-tongued, darkly witty girl whom Jonah Hill’s character falls for. Jules quickly demonstrates that she is no less intelligent or strong-willed than he is. It was after “Superbad” that it became evident: this actress was one to watch.
“Easy A,” 2010
Emma Stone in “Easy A,” 2010
Her walk down the school hallway. The simulated sex scene. The episode where she spends the entire weekend singing “Pocketful of Sunshine.” All of it has become an iconic part of pop culture. Will Gluck’s comedy, loosely inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel “The Scarlet Letter,” is a true masterclass in comedic acting. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role of Olive. She is quirky, awkward, funny, but ultimately very strong. This film deservedly propelled Emma Stone to stardom.
“Crazy, Stupid, Love,” 2011
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” 2011
This marked the first of several collaborations between Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. In this romantic comedy by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, an undeniable on-screen chemistry sparked between them immediately. Emma Stone plays a law school graduate, while Ryan Gosling portrays a confident womanizing expert. Their meeting sets off a series of amusing events. And the scene referencing “Dirty Dancing” remains one of the most delightful reasons to rewatch this film.
“The Amazing Spider-Man,” 2012
Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield in “The Amazing Spider-Man,” 2012
In Marc Webb’s film, Emma Stone played Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s first love, portrayed by Andrew Garfield. Her Gwen is intelligent, brave, witty, and self-assured. It was thanks to Emma Stone that this character received more attention than romantic interests typically do in superhero films. Emma’s lightness, sarcasm, and natural charisma helped revitalize the franchise.
“Birdman,” 2014
Emma Stone in “Birdman,” 2014
For her role as Sam in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s black comedy, Emma Stone earned her first Oscar nomination. The film is set on Broadway. Sam is the daughter of Riggan Thomson, played by Michael Keaton. She is recovering from addiction and trying not to relapse into her old life. One of the film’s most powerful moments is her monologue about her father no longer mattering to the world around him. In mere seconds, Emma Stone’s face shifts from rage to pain and regret. This is one of those scenes that clearly showcases her talent.
“La La Land,” 2016
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in “La La Land,” 2016
In Damien Chazelle’s grand romantic musical, Emma Stone plays Mia, an aspiring actress dreaming of a career in Hollywood. Stone easily performs tap and waltzes with Ryan Gosling, but the main strength of this role isn’t just in the dancing and music. She very accurately portrays Mia’s pain. Her career isn’t taking off. Her relationship is under threat. And a dream that once seemed within reach gradually drifts away. It’s a nuanced, sincere, and deeply human performance. It was for this role that Emma Stone won the Oscar for Best Actress.
“Battle of the Sexes,” 2017
Emma Stone and Steve Carell in “Battle of the Sexes,” 2017
A dark bob, artificial tan, and gold-rimmed glasses. In the film by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, Emma Stone transforms into tennis legend Billie Jean King. The film recounts her historic 1973 match against Bobby Riggs, played by Steve Carell. Riggs was a former world number one and an overt chauvinist. This match became a significant event for women’s tennis. Emma Stone is convincing both on and off the court. She effectively conveys Billie Jean King’s strength in the game, but no less accurately portrays the press conference scenes where her character is forced to respond to sexist remarks and constant attempts to diminish her significance.
“The Favourite,” 2018
Emma Stone in “The Favourite,” 2018
When Abigail Hill first appears at Queen Anne’s court, she seems naive, poor, and almost defenseless. Queen Anne, in Yorgos Lanthimos’s quirky historical drama, is played by Olivia Colman. Her character is infantile, capricious, and emotionally unstable. Lady Marlborough is played by Rachel Weisz. She is sophisticated, powerful, and knows well how the court operates. Against this backdrop, Abigail initially appears like an outsider. But it quickly becomes clear that she is capable of more. Witnessing her rise to power is a true delight. She schemes, manipulates, and uses her closeness to the queen as a tool for influence. Emma Stone plays this character brilliantly. This role earned Emma Stone her third Oscar nomination.
“Cruella,” 2021
Emma Stone in “Cruella,” 2021
Black and white hair, red lipstick, and a dangerous glint in her eyes. In Craig Gillespie’s film, Emma Stone plays Cruella de Vil. This is the origin story of the infamous villainess. However, here Cruella is not yet the glamorous and terrifying figure audiences know. We meet an orphan forced to survive. She becomes a con artist because she cannot get ahead otherwise. But her true dream is fashion. When a cold couturier, played by Emma Thompson, gives her a chance, the character gradually realizes that this woman is connected to her past. Emma Stone fully commits to this role. She plays Cruella as a person in whom pain, talent, malice, and the desire to be seen merge into one image.
“The Curse,” 2023
Emma Stone in “The Curse,” 2023
In the hilarious, absurd, and deeply uncomfortable satire by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, Emma Stone plays Whitney Siegel. Her character is a real estate developer who strives to appear better than her exploitative parents. She is engaged in gentrifying a town in New Mexico but presents it as helping the local community. Along with her husband, played by Nathan Fielder, Whitney begins filming a reality show about their projects. Things then become increasingly strange, awkward, and unsettling. Emma Stone plays a character who speaks the right words, but behind them, there is almost no genuine empathy. This performance proves that in her second decade of a career, Emma Stone’s roles are becoming even more complex, sharp, and interesting.
“Poor Things,” 2023
Emma Stone in “Poor Things,” 2023
The best evidence of Emma Stone’s professional growth is Yorgos Lanthimos’s surreal yet remarkably vibrant coming-of-age film. Emma Stone plays Bella Baxter, a Victorian-era woman brought back to life with the brain of an infant. She escapes the control of her guardian, played by Willem Dafoe, and embarks on a whirlwind journey with a rakish aristocrat, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo. This is an exceptionally detailed and physically precise performance. Her Bella learns to speak, move, desire, err, and understand the world anew. This is, without a doubt, Emma Stone’s defining role to date, and one of the most powerful acting performances of recent years. It’s no wonder that “Poor Things” earned her a second Oscar for Best Actress, just seven years after her first win.
“Bugonia,” 2025
Emma Stone in “Bugonia,” 2025
In Yorgos Lanthimos’s peculiar film “Bugonia,” Emma Stone once again commands all attention. She plays Michelle Fuller, a CEO who speaks in corporate clichés and trendy business jargon. She is abducted by an unhinged conspiracy theorist, portrayed by Jesse Plemons. Subsequently, the character’s head is shaved, and her body is covered in white cream. However, Michelle is far from a helpless victim. She is tough, cold, calculating, and almost invulnerable. She easily outmaneuvers her captors. And Emma Stone is in excellent form in this role. She plays Michelle with evident enjoyment and once again proves that her most interesting work may still be ahead.