Nicole Kidman, often referred to as the “Australian Swan,” has built a remarkable career spanning over four decades, marked by versatility, emotional depth, and a fearless approach to challenging roles. From her breakout in Australian cinema to her status as an Oscar-winning Hollywood icon, Kidman has consistently delivered performances that captivate audiences and critics alike. With an Academy Award, a BAFTA, two Emmys, and six Golden Globes, her filmography is a testament to her ability to navigate genres ranging from psychological thrillers to musicals, dramas, and indie experiments. Below, we explore the 12 best movies of her career, analyzing the standout qualities of each film and Kidman’s transformative contributions, drawing from critical insights and her own reflections on her craft.
1. Dead Calm (1989) – A Claustrophobic Thriller Breakthrough
In Dead Calm, a taut psychological thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, Kidman delivers a breakout performance as Rae Ingram, a woman trapped on a yacht with a psychotic stranger (Billy Zane). The film’s confined setting amplifies its tension, with Kidman’s physical and emotional intensity driving the narrative. At just 22, she showcases a raw, earthy charisma, balancing vulnerability with fierce determination as Rae outwits her captor. The film’s Hitchcockian suspense and Kidman’s ability to convey both fear and resourcefulness marked her as a rising star. Its global success, grossing over $10 million on a $10 million budget, introduced Kidman to Hollywood, setting the stage for her international career. Her performance remains a gripping showcase of her early potential.
2. Days of Thunder (1990) – High-Octane Romance and Charisma
Tony Scott’s Days of Thunder paired Kidman with Tom Cruise as Dr. Claire Lewicki, a neurosurgeon entangled with a reckless NASCAR driver. The film’s high-energy racing sequences and over-the-top drama are elevated by Kidman’s steely yet seductive presence. Her ability to fuse professionalism with raw passion—most notably in scenes where she calls out the immaturity of the racing world—adds depth to a blockbuster that thrives on spectacle. Critics noted her “uncanny ability to fuse steely reserve with wild abandon,” making her a standout in a film that grossed $157 million worldwide. This role cemented her as a Hollywood leading lady and showcased her knack for balancing glamour with gravitas.
3. To Die For (1995) – A Chilling Satire of Ambition
Gus Van Sant’s To Die For is a dark comedy that catapulted Kidman to A-list status. As Suzanne Stone, a fame-obsessed weathercaster who manipulates teenagers into murdering her husband, Kidman delivers a mesmerizing performance that blends charm, naivety, and sociopathic ruthlessness. Her chilling smile and calculated demeanor make Suzanne both captivating and terrifying, earning her a Golden Globe. The film’s biting satire of media obsession is amplified by Kidman’s ability to make a deeply flawed character oddly sympathetic. Critics praised her “fearless” portrayal, with Radio Times noting it as the defining moment of her career. The film’s $21 million box office on a $20 million budget reflects its cult status, driven by Kidman’s magnetic screen presence.
4. Eyes Wide Shut (1999) – A Provocative Exploration of Desire
Stanley Kubrick’s final film, Eyes Wide Shut, features Kidman as Alice Harford, a woman whose confession of sexual fantasy sends her husband (Tom Cruise) into a spiral of obsession. Kidman’s performance is both frank and enigmatic, grounding the film’s erotic and psychological complexity. Her scenes, particularly the confrontational monologue about her desires, are hauntingly honest, showcasing her ability to convey emotional depth with minimal dialogue. The film’s polarizing reception—grossing $162 million but dividing critics—underscores its bold ambition, with Kidman’s “intelligent and well-judged” contribution keeping it resonant. Her work here highlights her fearlessness in tackling provocative material under a legendary director.
5. Moulin Rouge! (2001) – A Dazzling Musical Triumph
Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! is a visual and emotional spectacle, with Kidman as Satine, a courtesan and cabaret star in 1890s Paris. Her performance is a tour de force, blending heartbreaking vulnerability with radiant charisma as she navigates love and tragedy. Kidman’s singing and dancing, particularly in the iconic “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” sequence, showcase her versatility, while her chemistry with Ewan McGregor fuels the film’s emotional core. Earning her first Oscar nomination, Kidman’s role helped the film gross $179 million worldwide and solidify her as a global star. Critics lauded her ability to balance “fun and tragic” elements, making Moulin Rouge! a defining moment in her career.
6. The Others (2001) – A Gothic Masterpiece of Suspense
Alejandro Amenábar’s The Others sees Kidman as Grace Stewart, a mother in a haunted Channel Islands mansion during World War II. Her performance is a masterclass in restrained terror, with her candlelit face conveying both fragility and fierce maternal instinct. The film’s eerie atmosphere and twist-laden narrative rely heavily on Kidman’s ability to embody a woman unraveling under supernatural and psychological pressure. Grossing over $210 million worldwide, The Others earned Kidman BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations, with critics like Roger Ebert praising her for making Grace “a normal person in a disturbing situation.” Her work elevates this horror classic to timeless status.
7. The Hours (2002) – An Oscar-Winning Transformation
Kidman won her Best Actress Oscar for The Hours, directed by Stephen Daldry, playing Virginia Woolf in a story intertwining three women across time. Her transformative performance, aided by prosthetic makeup, captures Woolf’s intellectual brilliance and emotional turmoil with haunting precision. Kidman’s ability to convey the “passionate talent and emotional turmoil” of Woolf, as noted by The Guardian, grounds the film’s exploration of suicide and creativity. Grossing $108 million on a $25 million budget, the film’s success owes much to Kidman’s nuanced portrayal, which balances restraint and raw pain. Her method acting, though physically taxing, solidified her as one of Hollywood’s greats.
8. Dogville (2003) – A Bold Experiment in Minimalism
Lars von Trier’s Dogville is a daring theatrical experiment, with Kidman as Grace, a fugitive manipulated by a repressive Colorado town. Performed on a bare stage, the film relies on Kidman’s “aura of sophisticated mystery and desire” to drive its provocative narrative. Her portrayal is both vulnerable and resilient, capturing the moral complexity of a woman exploited by those she trusts. Critics praised her for carrying the film’s three-hour runtime, with The Guardian calling her performance essential to its success. Despite its polarizing style, Dogville showcases Kidman’s willingness to take risks, making it a standout in her indie repertoire.
9. Birth (2004) – An Underrated Psychological Enigma
Jonathan Glazer’s Birth features Kidman as Anna, a widow who believes a young boy is her reincarnated husband. Her performance navigates skepticism, longing, and vulnerability with ethereal grace, earning a Golden Globe nomination. The film’s controversial premise and mysterious tone are elevated by Kidman’s ability to convey complex emotions, particularly in a now-iconic bath scene. Critics, including Variety, called her “unrecognizable,” praising her method acting. Though divisive, grossing $23 million on a $20 million budget, Birth remains a testament to Kidman’s courage in tackling unconventional roles, making it one of her most overlooked performances.
10. Rabbit Hole (2010) – A Heartrending Study of Grief
In Rabbit Hole, directed by John Cameron Mitchell, Kidman plays Becca, a mother grieving the loss of her son. Her Oscar-nominated performance is a masterclass in understated sorrow, avoiding melodrama while conveying raw pain. Kidman’s ability to “ground the role of a woman who wants the ground to swallow her up,” as Radio Times noted, makes the film profoundly moving. Grossing $5 million on a $5 million budget, the film’s intimate scale is amplified by Kidman’s emotional authenticity and chemistry with Aaron Eckhart. Her work here showcases her skill in portraying complex, frazzled women.
11. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) – A Disturbing Psychological Horror
Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Killing of a Sacred Deer casts Kidman as Anna, a mother caught in a chilling vengeance plot. Her performance is cold and calculated, twisting her usual domestic roles into something unsettling. The film’s absurd yet artful tone relies on Kidman’s ability to convey horror and resignation, particularly in scenes with Barry Keoghan’s menacing Martin. Critics, including Variety, praised her for “disappearing into an entirely new skin,” enhancing the film’s psychological intensity. Grossing $7 million on a modest budget, the film’s cult status owes much to Kidman’s fearless embrace of its dark vision.
12. Babygirl (2024) – A Provocative Late-Career Triumph
In Babygirl, directed by Halina Reijn, Kidman plays Romy, a CEO entangled in a BDSM-tinged affair with a younger intern (Harris Dickinson). Her vulnerable yet commanding performance explores power dynamics and desire with raw intensity, earning early Oscar buzz. Critics praised her “staggeringly vulnerable” portrayal, with GQ noting its place in her “Performance Pantheon.” The film’s provocative narrative and Kidman’s ability to balance strength and fragility make it a bold addition to her filmography. Its critical acclaim, with a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, underscores Kidman’s continued relevance.
Conclusion
Nicole Kidman’s career is a testament to her fearless versatility and transformative power. From the raw intensity of Dead Calm to the provocative depth of Babygirl, she has consistently pushed boundaries, embracing roles that challenge both herself and her audience. Her ability to inhabit characters across genres—whether a grieving mother, a sociopathic weathercaster, or a haunted courtesan—has earned her critical acclaim and a lasting legacy. As she continues to defy age-related stereotypes and inspire new generations, Kidman remains a cinematic force, with these 12 films showcasing the brilliance of the Australian Swan.
