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.” But if we look back at her early roles, it becomes clear: everything we love about her today was present in her work from the very beginning. She has always possessed a lively expressiveness, a precise comedic timing, and a boldness essential for conquering 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 bold 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 proves she’s his equal in intelligence and character. 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 scene with the fake sex. The episode where she sings “Pocketful of Sunshine” all weekend. All of it has become an iconic part of pop culture. Will Gluck’s comedy, loosely inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter,” is a true masterclass in comedic acting. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role of Olive. She’s quirky, awkward, funny, but ultimately very strong. This film rightfully turned Emma Stone into a star.
“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, their on-screen chemistry was immediate and palpable. Emma Stone plays a law school graduate, while Ryan Gosling portrays a confident flirtation expert. Their encounter sparks 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’s thanks to Emma Stone that this character received more attention than romantic interests usually do in superhero films. Emma’s ease, sarcasm, and natural charisma helped revitalize the franchise.
“Birdman,” 2014
Emma Stone in “Birdman,” 2014
For her role as Sam in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s black comedy, Emma Stone received 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 to avoid returning to 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 a matter of seconds, rage gives way to pain and regret on Emma Stone’s face. This is one of those scenes that clearly demonstrates 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 dances and waltzes with Ryan Gosling, but the main strength of this role lies not just in the dancing and music. She accurately portrays Mia’s pain: her career isn’t taking off, her relationship is under threat, and the dream that once seemed close is gradually fading away. It’s a subtle, 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, short haircut, 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, a former world number one and an outspoken chauvinist, faced off against King. 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 equally masterfully portrays the press conference scenes where her character must respond to sexist remarks and constant attempts to diminish her importance.
“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, whose character is infantile, capricious, and emotionally unstable. Lady Marlborough is portrayed by Rachel Weisz, who is elegant, powerful, and well-versed in the ways of the court. Against this backdrop, Abigail initially appears out of place. But it quickly becomes clear that she is capable of much more. Witnessing her rise to power is a true pleasure. 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 famous villainess. But here, Cruella is not yet the glamorous and terrifying figure that audiences know. We see an orphan forced to survive. She becomes a grifter because she sees no other way to get ahead. 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 immerses herself in this role, portraying 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 amusing, absurd, and deeply uncomfortable satire by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, Emma Stone plays Whitney Siegel, a developer who strives to appear better than her exploitative parents. She is involved 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 her projects. Things then become increasingly strange, awkward, and unsettling. Emma Stone plays a character who speaks the right words, but behind them lies almost no genuine empathy. This performance proves that in her second decade of career, Emma Stone’s roles are becoming even more complex, sharp, and intriguing.
“Poor Things,” 2023
Emma Stone in “Poor Things,” 2023
The best testament to Emma Stone’s professional growth is Yorgos Lanthimos’s surreal yet intensely 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 dissolute aristocrat, played by Mark Ruffalo. It’s an incredibly detailed and physically precise performance. Her Bella learns to speak, move, desire, err, and understand the world anew. This is undoubtedly Emma Stone’s defining role to date, and one of the most powerful acting performances in recent years. It’s no surprise that “Poor Things” earned her a second Best Actress Oscar, just seven years after her first win.
“Bugonia,” 2025
Emma Stone in “Bugonia,” 2025
In Yorgos Lanthimos’s bizarre film “Bugonia,” Emma Stone again commands all attention. She plays Michelle Fuller, a CEO who speaks in corporate clichés and fashionable business jargon. She is kidnapped by a haggard conspiracy theorist, played by Jesse Plemons. Subsequently, the character’s head is shaved, and her body is covered in white cream. But Michelle is far from a helpless victim. She is strong, cold, calculating, and almost invulnerable, easily outmaneuvering her enemies. Emma Stone is in excellent form in this role, playing Michelle with palpable enjoyment and once again proving that her most exciting work may still lie ahead.