Although Saoirse Ronan might be 28, the Irish actress has already established herself as a successful Hollywood hitter with the range of fantastic movies she did. TechTrends decided to make a list of the best Saoirse Ronan movies of all time.
Saoirse Ronan has become one of the most promising talents of Hollywood, with her exceptional performances starting at the age of 13. She has played in wide different varieties of movies and can take up a diverse range of characters. Moreover, she has received a Golden Globe Award and has received four Oscar nominations. At such a young age, receiving these many awards and nominations means she is on the right track and has something to be proud of. In addition, she and director Greta Gerwig have created a strong partnership, working together for Lady Bird and Little Women. She is quickly establishing herself as one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation, with her first Oscar nomination coming at the age of 13.
Ronan has not stopped showing off her talents in the movies she appeared in. TechTrends made a list of the best must-see Saoirse Ronan performances, and if you choose to see them all, we don’t blame you!
Best Saoirse Ronan Movies of All Time
Having received multiple Oscar nominations during her career, Saoirse Ronan is now one of the most successful actresses of her time. Her versatility as an actress is easily seen in her work. She can be funny, badass, heartbreaking, and lovable. At the rate she is going, she will make more interesting and acclaimed work in the future without a doubt. Here are the best Saoirse Ronan movies of all time. Note that the list is in reverse chronological order.
Little Women 2019
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- Director: Greta Gerwig
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, Meryl Streep, Laura Dern
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 95%, IMDb 7.8
This is a new adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic, and Saoirse Ronan co-stars with Timothee Chalamet. Greta Gerwig directed the movie in which Chalamet plays Laurie, the love interest of Ronan’s Jo March. The movie has an amazing cast with other star players featuring, like Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Meryl Streep. Laurie, who lives next door, charms his way into many of the scenes. The part where the two actor’s performance peaks are our favorite. “I have loved you ever since I’ve known you, Jo. I couldn’t help it!” He cries, admitting his love and pleading for her adoration. Ronan and Chalamet pull off an extraordinarily great performance in that scene when Laurie’s gaze flits between longing and devastation as he bows his head to internalize the rejection.
Ronan got her fourth Academy Award nomination for the amazing portrayal of Jo March in Little Women. This is for sure one of the best Saoirse Ronan movies of all time. You do not want to miss it, so add it to your watchlist.
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The Seagull 2018
- Genre: Drama/Romance
- Director: Michael Mayer
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Annette Bening, Elisabeth Moss, Corey Stoll, Billy Howle, Glenn Fleshler
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 67%, IMDb 5.7
The Seagull is an adaptation of Chekhov’s play, and despite receiving many mixed reviews, the Performance of its a-list cast was fascinating. Saoirse Ronan played the role of Nina, who is the daughter of a rich landowner. She begins to fall in love with Boris, played by Corey Stoll, who is a novelist. It is a story of a family get-together turning up when a famed novelist is present. While not breaking any new ground, The Seagull showcased Ronan’s ability and talent as an actor, making this one of the best Saoirse Ronan films of all time.
Mary, Queen of Scots 2018
- Genre: Drama/History
- Directors: Josie Rourke
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 62%, IMDb 6.3
Another one of the best Saoirse Ronan movies of all time is the historical drama Mary Queen of Scots. She portrays the role of the titular ruler of Scotland. Ronan plays alongside another in-demand actress Margot Robbie, who played the role of Queen Elizabeth I. The two queens were cousins who turned rivals in this movie. Ronan’s character tries to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I, culminating in Ronan’s Mary being imprisoned for years before execution. Although the movie received mixed responses from critics, the two actor’s performances were praised.
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Lady Bird 2017
- Genre: Drama/Comedy
- Director: Greta Gerwig
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet, Laure Metcalf
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 99%, IMDb 7.4
This heartfelt story depicts the bittersweet transition from adolescence to adulthood. Lady Bird is among the best Saoirse Ronan movies of all time, and it keeps a perfect balance between drama and comedy. This soon-to-be high school graduate, Christine MacPherson, played by Ronan, is longing for a life far from her home. She does not want to be called Christine but Lady Bird. The director tried to shed light on her character, being rebellious and raucous, by making her relatable. Moreover, the film is greatly carried by the dynamic between a mother/daughter duo. Lady Bird is keen on doing more cultured things and has a strained relationship with her mother. It is sometimes tense and sometimes hilarious. Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, who played her mother, performed spectacularly, which earned them Oscar nominations.
Brooklyn 2015
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- Director: John Crowley
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Emily Bett Rickards
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 97%, IMDb 7.5
Not a stranger to the plot of Brooklyn, Saoirse Ronan is quite good at starring in the movie. She plays the role of Eilis Lacey, who is an Irish immigrant. Eilis came from Ireland to New York, looking for a new life in which she can find prosperity. However, she misses home and the life she had so badly. Brooklyn’s message is to not look into the past and dwell upon what we had but rather look into the future and find happiness and joy in new people and situations. The movie is serious while also being lighthearted, showing the everyday life of an immigrant, which can be hard, particularly if one is coming of age. Brooklyn is one of the best Saoirse Ronan movies of all time. Make sure to watch it; it is worth your while.
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The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014
- Genre: Comedy/Drama
- Director: Wes Anderson
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Owen Wilson
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 92%, IMDb 8.1
Before the 2021 movie The French Dispatch, Saoirse Ronan had her debut in a movie directed by Wes Anderson in 2014. The Grand Budapest Hotel is set in 1985, with author Zero, played by Tony Revolori, telling his story at the dinner table. This self-made man was once a lobby boy at a hotel when the head concierge (Ralph Fiennes) inherits a valuable painting, which leads to chaos. Ronan has a supporting role and portrays Agatha, who is Zero’s love interest. Agatha is a baker who assists the concierge and Zero evade the police as they are being hunted for that priceless painting. This comedy/drama movie got nominated for nine Oscar awards. The Grand Budapest Hotel is one of Saoirse Ronan’s greatest movie roles.
How I Live Now 2013
- Genre: Drama/Romance
- Director: Kevin Macdonald
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, George MacKay, Tom Holland, Harley Bird, Danny McEvoy
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 66%, IMDb 6.4
This drama/romance movie might not have gotten a lot of attention, but it is worth watching for Saoirse Ronan fans. She portrays the role of a troubled teenager who suffers from anorexia. She travels to Europe to see her family, but she understands that she is in the middle of an apocalyptic war. How I Live Now is among the best Saoirse Ronan movies ever.
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Byzantium 2012
- Genre: Horror/Fantasy
- Director: Neil Jordan
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton, Sam Riley, Jonny Lee Miller, Caleb Landry Jones
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 65%, IMDb 6.5
In Byzantium, Neil Jordan’s fantasy movie, a vampire mother and a daughter have to hide at the rundown Byzantium Hotel because a hunter is after them for violating the vampiric code. Saoirse Ronan plays the role of Eleanor Webb, who is a teenage vampire born in 1804. Her mother is Clara, portrayed by Gemma Arterton. Eleanor decides to write down her story, throwing each finished page to the wind to scatter her very existence. She begins to feel for Frank, who is a young waiter on the verge of dying of leukemia. She wants to turn him into a vampire. When the two are finally found by the vampires, they have to fight for their lives. Ronan’s performance is as great as always, which makes this yet another one of the best Saoirse Ronan films ever.
Hanna 2011
- Genre: Action/Thriller
- Director: Joe Wright
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana, Jessica Barden, Tom Hollander, Olivia Williams
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 71%, IMDb 6.8
Taking a title role in the movie Hanna, Saoirse Ronan shines once again, making this one of her best movies. She plays a teenage girl who is raised to be a great assassin, trained by her father since the age of 2. When her father sends her on missions, CIA agent Marissa Wiegler, played by Cate Blanchett, starts to pursue Hanna. She is ordered to eliminate Hanna and her father, Erik Heller. Ronan’s performance in this action/thriller was astonishing; make sure to add this to your watchlist as it is one of the best Saoirse Ronan movies of all time.
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The Way Back 2010
- Genre: Drama/Adventure
- Director: Peter Weir
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, Jim Sturgess, Dragoș Bucur, Gustaf Skarsgård
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 74%, IMDb 7.3
Saoirse Ronan shines alongside Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, and Jim Sturgess in the movie The Way Back, directed by Peter Weir. The story is inspired by a true one about Sławomir Rawicz, a Polish prisoner of war. The movie revolves around a group of Siberian gulag prisoners in World War II. When they break free, they have to go against the elements while finding their way home. Ronan features as Irena, who is a young Polish girl. Her parents are said to have been murdered by Russian soldiers. Irena flees the communal farm they sent her to for their crucial treatment. Then, she joins the men who are on their way home. She once again demonstrates her talent in acting and adds this to the list of the best Saoirse Ronan movies of all time.
The Lovely Bones 2009
- Genre: Drama/Fantasy
- Director: Peter Jackson
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 32%, IMDb 6.6
An American society’s fear is captured in the movie The Lovely Bones, and that is what happens if a young child goes missing? The movie is an adaptation of a book written in 2002 with the same name by Alice Sebold. Saoirse Ronan plays the role of Susie Salmon, who is a high schooler. She gets raped and murdered by Stanley Tucci’s character, her neighbor. Unable to move on to what is beyond our world, she gets trapped in purgatory. She then watched her family and loved ones mourn her death. Ronan and Tucci’s performances in the movie are outstanding. The Lovely Bones is one of the best Saoirse Ronan movies of all time.
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Atonement 2007
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- Director: Joe Wright
- Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Romola Garai, Juno Temple, Benedict Cumberbatch
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 83%, IMDb 7.8
Saoirse Ronan’s breakout role was in the movie Atonement, where she plays the role of Briony Tallis, the younger sister to Cecilia, played by Keira Knightley. Ronan’s character is eager to be a writer, but she is naïve when it comes to the world around her and how things work. When she sees her sister having a romantic relationship with the housekeeper’s son, played by James McAvoy, she misinterprets it. It is due to the fact that she sees the world around her with a filter, creating a predicament than might end badly. She got nominated for an Academy Award for her outstanding performance at that age. Atonement is one of the best Saoirse Ronan movies of all time.