With the news that A Simple Favor 2 is apparently happening, fans everywhere are talking about Anna Kendrick again. She first rose to prominence with a supporting part in The Twilight Saga and since then has grown into one of the most prominent actors around. She has led a franchise, been nominated for an Academy Award, and lent her voice to some beloved animated characters.
Figuring out which of her iconic roles is actually the best of her career can be difficult. It’s such a versatile filmography that the movies vary pretty heavily in terms of quality. Thankfully, the users at Letterboxd have watched and reviewed Anna Kendrick’s films and their ratings can help you find the best.
The Accountant (2016) - 3.22
Rent On Apple TV
Some movies do well at the box office but kind of get forgotten soon after release, only to find new life on cable TV. That’s the case with The Accountant, which performed solidly on a commercial level but didn’t get talked about much until it began airing often on networks like TNT.
The film follows a public accountant with high functioning autism (Ben Affleck) who uncooks the books for criminal organizations. Anna Kendrick has a supporting role as Dana Cummings, an accountant who finds financial discrepancies and becomes a target of a hitman for it. Though reviews were mixed, the performances were mostly praised.
The Voices (2014) - 3.23
Stream On Max Go
Although she has shined in a fair share of serious roles, Anna Kendrick seems to be at her best in a comedic setting. The Voices is right up her alley and the same can be said for the film’s lead, Ryan Reynolds, who also is great in this wacky tale.
The Voices centers on Jerry Hickfang (Reynolds), a man who has schizophrenia and doesn’t take his meds, leading him to hear his pets advise him to become a killer. The film is done in a way that keeps everything light and Kendrick appears as Lisa, Jerry’s co-worker who is also a potential love interest or victim.
A Simple Favor (2018) - 3.25
Stream On Tubi
One of the most notable films to star Anna Kendrick is A Simple Favor. Audiences were drawn to this movie thanks to a trailer that never let anyone in on what was truly going on and the plot itself unravels in an unexpected fashion.
Kendrick plays vlogger Stephanie Smothers, a mother who befriends a wealthy and mysterious woman (Blake Lively) after their kids become friends. Nothing is as it seems in this twisted mysterious tale about infidelity that will leave you shocked, confused, and blown away. Reviews were strong, with Lively and Kendrick receiving lots of praise.
Rocket Science (2007) - 3.31
Stream On HBO Max & Max Go
Other than a role in 2003’s Camp, Rocket Science is the first film for Anna Kendrick, coming when she was just 22 years old. The movie tells the story of a teen with a stutter who joins his school’s debate team after developing a crush on one of the team members.
Although this was an early role for Kendrick, she showed why she would become a sought-after actor. Her performance as debate team star Ginny Ryerson was a highlight that helped make her someone to watch out for. In fact, she was nominated for Best Supporting Female at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Pitch Perfect (2012) - 3.37
Rent On Vudu
If there’s any movie that Anna Kendrick is synonymous with, it’s Pitch Perfect. Beginning with the first film in 2012, Kendrick starred as the lead, Beca Mitchell, in three entries of a massively successful comedy series about music.
Beca is an aspiring producer who joins her school’s all-girl a capella group and builds lifelong friendships with the likes of Chloe (Brittany Snow) and Amy (Rebel Wilson). Not only was this movie well-received for the comedic elements but the Pitch Perfect soundtrack is memorable, including Kendrick’s “Cups,” which charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
Up In The Air (2009) - 3.53
Stream On Showtime
While her first major film may have been in the Twilight franchise, the true breakout role for Anna Kendrick came in Up in the Air. This truly gave her something to work with as she appeared alongside George Clooney and Vera Farmiga. Up in the Air centers on Ryan Bingham (Clooney), a man who travels and fires people for a living and has his life upended when he falls for a woman (Farmiga)
Kendrick plays Natalie, a new hire who opts to change layoffs to be done via video conference. Natalie and Ryan travel together and bond throughout this tale, with Kendrick’s incredible performance earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
50/50 (2011) - 3.55
Stream On Peacock
There’s no doubt that Anna Kendrick is a strong leading lady but her best work has often come as a supporting star. That is true in 50/50, where she appears alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Bryce Dallas Howard, and more.
Based on a true story, the film focuses on Adam (Gordon-Levitt) and those close to him after he finds out that he has cancer at just 27 years of age. Kendrick portrays Katherine, Adam’s inexperienced therapist who he bonds with. Their chemistry is among the many things that were praised in this emotional yet funny movie.
ParaNorman (2012) - 3.56
An underrated aspect of Anna Kendrick’s career is how well she does when she lends her voice to a character. Her voice acting roles include the lead character in Trolls and Courtney Babcock in ParaNorman.
The well-crafted claymation film is about a young boy (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who can communicate with ghosts and must use that ability to help end a centuries-old curse. Courtney is the protagonist’s older sister who is part of the team that joins him in attempting to save the town. ParaNorman was nominated for Best Animated Featured at the Oscars.
End Of Watch (2012) - 3.62
2012 was clearly a good year for Anna Kendrick as two of her most well-received films came from that year. End of Watch is also one of those movies that take you on an emotional journey, telling the story of two police officers who are also best friends.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña were both praised for their work as the leads, while Anna Kendrick and Natalie Martinez have supporting parts as their wives. The film was met with widespread acclaim for the screenplay, acting, and the direction of David Ayer.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010) - 3.87
Stream On Peacock, Starz, & Tubi
It’s tough to find a better ensemble cast than the one in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Chris Evans, Brie Larson, Aubrey Plaza, Kieran Culkin, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, Mae Whitman, and Ellen Wong are just some of the names that join Anna Kendrick in this film.
It tells the story of the titular Scott (Cera) as he fights off the evil exes of his new girlfriend Ramona (Winstead), with action and comedy that make the best use of director Edgar Wright’s signature style. Kendrick has one of the most important supporting parts as Stacey Pilgrim, Scott’s sister. Kendrick reprised the role for a table read in 2020, while also taking on Larson’s part as Envy Adams.
