Nicole Kidman’s Best Roles in Movies and TV

From horror to musicals, Nicole Kidman has done it all

Nicole Kidman is an Australian-American actor and producer who has appeared in dozens of Hollywood blockbusters and indie films, spanning genres such as horror, musicals, and drama. She’s one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors and she’s been on the scene for decades, rising to prominence in the 1990s, and eventually earning an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and six Golden Globe Awards, among many others.

Kidman’s best roles are really varied and she has earned a tremendous fan base thanks to that versatility. Her body of work spans psychological horror films like “The Others,” the musical “Moulin Rouge!”, a historical drama called “Cold Mountain,” an emotional indie film called “Rabbit Hole,” and she even performed and produced “Big Little Lies” for television.

9. “Boy Erased” (2018)

In “Boy Erased,” Nicole Kidman plays the role of Nancy Eamons, the mother of a gay boy who is sent away to a conversion camp. Kidman’s powerful performance clearly conveys the stark dissonance between two realities: the religious, faithful woman and a loving mother who is fiercely protective of her child. Kidman is compelling in her portrayal, as she evolves from a state of passive acceptance and turns into a fierce protector for her son.

While preparing for the role, Kidman met the real Nancy Eamons. Kidman said the role proved to be especially challenging because she personally disagreed with her character’s views, but she overcame this to deliver a dynamic performance that hit at the heart of one mother’s experience. LGBTQ+ advocates have lauded this film for raising awareness about conversion therapy.

8. “The Stepford Wives” (2004)

This remake of the 1975 satirical comedy features one of the best Nicole Kidman roles: Joanna Eberhart, an independent reality television executive who gets fired and moves to a picturesque suburban neighborhood where she’s shocked to realize that women are all the picture of submission and conformity.

Kidman’s performance balances comedic notes with moments of genuine horror, as her character realizes that intelligent, free-thinking women have been transformed into compliant, submissive homemakers. Kidman’s performance touches on themes of feminism, conformity, freedom of thought, and what it means to be a woman in today’s world.

7. “Cold Mountain” (2003)

Nicole Kidman performs alongside Renée Zellweger and Jude Law in this historical romance set during the American Civil War. Kidman earned a Golden Globe nomination for her work in the role of Ada Monroe, a classy Southern woman who is left to survive on her own when her partner leaves to fight in the war.

It was reported that Kidman learned how to perform a number of period-accurate chores like chopping wood and various farm tasks. She even insisted on performing her own stunts, but the real acclaim was focused on her emotional depth and resonance.

6. “Rabbit Hole” (2010)

Nicole Kidman’s performance in “Rabbit Hole” earned her an Oscar nomination for portraying Becca Corbett, a grieving mother who is finding her way forward after the death of her young son.

Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the film features Kidman opposite Aaron Eckhart. The director, John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”), encouraged the actors to improvise, and it’s said that this brought about some of the film’s most resonant and emotional moments.

Critics praised Kidman for her ability to convey devastating grief with honesty. This performance depicts the realities of profound loss without falling into the realm of “cringey” with overly dramatic moments.

5. “To Die For” (1995)

“To Die For” falls firmly in the category of “oldie but goodie” with Nicole Kidman playing the role of Suzanne Stone, a ruthlessly ambitious woman who’s vying to become a television personality. This dark comedy offers a rather satirical take on fame, media obsession, and the quest for the spotlight.

Kidman says she studied news anchors while preparing for the role, and her performance earned her her first Golden Globe Award. The role of Suzanne Stone is a great example of Kidman’s early range and depth, as her performance blends comedic timing with sociopathic traits and a bit of charm.

4. “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999)

Nicole Kidman plays the role of Alice Hartford in the slightly bizarre and enigmatic thriller, “Eyes Wide Shut.” Kidman’s character discloses her sexual fantasies, prompting her husband, played by her real-life husband Tom Cruise, to embark upon a surreal night-long journey.

Regarded as one of the best Nicole Kidman roles, this performance is both intense and realistic. She later disclosed that some of the scenes with Cruise were especially challenging, but the end result is captivating. The famous masked orgy scene was choreographed over the course of months, and A-list socialites were even on hand as extras.

3. “The Others” (2001)

“The Others” is widely regarded as one of the best Nicole Kidman movies. She plays the role of Grace Stewart, a mother who is working to protect her photosensitive kids from more than just the light, as she believes her home is haunted. Set in postwar 1945, Kidman’s performance spans the gamut of emotions with stunning authenticity. In fact, the independent film was shot chronologically to help support Kidman and her character’s emotional evolution. The eerie but beautiful orchestral score by Alejandro Amenábar adds to the film’s haunting tones.

“The Others” is regarded as one of the most successful independent films of all time, too. The production cost was reported at $17 million, yet it earned $210 million at the box office worldwide. Nicole Kidman’s performance also landed her a Golden Globe nomination, making this a must-see movie for Kidman fans and horror enthusiasts alike.

2. “Moulin Rouge!” (2001)

“Moulin Rouge!” slides into the number two spot on our list of the best Nicole Kidman movies of all time. Her performance in the role of Satine actually earned the actor her very first Oscar nomination.

Kidman plays a terminally sick courtesan alongside Ewan McGregor, and the pair brings incredible chemistry as they execute complex song and dance numbers. This is even more remarkable when you consider that Kidman had no real experience with song or dance prior to rehearsals for the now-iconic musical.

It was also reported that Kidman performed her own vocals for the film, with some singing recorded live on set and other vocals prerecorded. It’s an uncommon feat that earned her even more respect for her performance in that role, which earned her a Golden Globe Award.

1. “The Hours” (2002)

“The Hours,” is widely regarded as Nicole Kidman’s best performance. She takes on the challenging role of Virginia Woolf, transforming into the British novelist in an Academy Award-winning performance. The film traces Woolf’s experience with severe depression and her desire for independence as she writes the novel, “Mrs. Dalloway.”

Kidman’s portrayal of Woolf is deeply emotional yet restrained in a way that makes her acting appear very authentic. She even wore a prosthetic nose for the role and took on an appearance and mannerisms that exist in sharp contrast with her own glamorous image.

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