With a portfolio of characters under her belt, which range from Satine and Grace Stewart to Dr. Chase Meridian and Lucille Ball, Nicole Kidman is not only one of the most versatile actresses in the movie industry, but also one of the best-loved and hardest working. From the 1980s onwards, Kidman has worked her socks off in Tinsel Town by appearing in a string of movies, and this in turn has helped rocket her to A-list status.
The films have ranged from big action blockbusters to small, more intimate affairs. Some have set the box office alight, others not so much, but all have allowed Kidman to demonstrate her skills on screen.
Not quite up to date with her back catalogue? No worries!
Below is a collection of the best Nicole Kidman movies to stick on your watchlist. Should you be in the mood to see the Australian-American actress in action, these are the films you’ll want to check out.
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Dead Calm (1989)
First up is one of Kidman’s early roles, in what proved to be her breakthrough picture. The role is that of Rae Ingram, while the movie is the Australian psychological thriller, Dead Calm.
Directed by Philip Noyce, the film is based on Charles Williams’ novel of the same name and follows the story of a married couple who decide to spend some time alone at sea, following the loss of their child. However, their secluded retreat is soon invaded by a dark presence, when they encounter a troublesome stranger from a sunken ship.
Sam Neill and Billy Zane co-star in Dead Calm, in what is a tense picture, often regarded as one of the best in its genre. Kidman is superb in her role and it’s not difficult to see why this movie led her onto bigger things.
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Practical Magic (1998)
Next up is director Griffin Dunne’s romantic fantasy, Practical Magic. In this film, Kidman plays opposite co-star Sandra Bullock, as two sisters who descend from a family of witches.
Kidman is Gillian Owens, while Bullock is Sally. In the movie, the pair are joined on-screen by a supporting cast which includes Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest, and Goran Visnjic.
As for the plot, the movie centres around the sisters’ attempts to destroy the evil spirit of Gillian’s abusive boyfriend. The film is based on the book of the same name by Alice Hoffman.
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The Others (2001)
More supernatural goings on in this next movie, the spooky and very creepy, The Others. In this film – from writer/director Alejandro Amenábar – Kidman takes on the part of mother and widow, Grace Stewart.
In the movie, the year is 1945 and Grace and her two children reside in a remote country house on the island of Jersey, where they wait for Grace’s husband to return from war. But strange things begin to happen in the house, which leads Grace to believe something sinister is afoot.
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The Human Stain (2003)
Directed by Robert Benton, The Human Stain is an American drama which is based on the novel of the same name by Philip Roth. The film features a cast which includes Anthony Hopkins, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, and of course, Nicole Kidman, and tells the story of college professor Coleman Silk, who is forced to resign from his position after he makes a racist remark in class.
Hopkins takes on the role of Silk, while Kidman plays the part of Faunia Farley – a young woman he has an affair with.
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Australia (2008)
Up next is Baz Luhrmann’s epic and sweeping drama, Australia. The film stars Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and tells the story of young woman who falls in love with a cattle drover.
Taking place between 1939 and 1942, the movie is set to the backdrop of World War II, with a focus on events in Northern Australia, including the bombing of Darwin. Australia is very much a character piece, with Kidman taking on the part of Lady Sarah Ashley, opposite Jackman as The Drover.
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Days of Thunder (1990)
In Days of Thunder, Kidman stars alongside former husband Tom Cruise in an action sports drama from the late director, Tony Scott. The film focuses on the sport of NASCAR, with Kidman playing Dr. Claire Lewicki – a neurosurgeon who develops a relationship with lead character Cole Trickle (Cruise).
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The Hours (2002)
In The Hours, Kidman takes on the role of writer Virginia Woolf for Stephen Daldry’s psychological period drama, which in turn is based on Michael Cunningham’s novel of the same name. The movie features an all-star cast, which along with Kidman includes Meryl Streep, Ed Harris, John C. Reilly, Jeff Daniels, Toni Collette, and Allison Janney, amongst others.
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BMX Bandits (1983)
Rewinding the clock for this next film, which is from the beginning of Kidman’s career. BMX Banditsprovided Kidman with one of her earliest screen performances, where she appeared as a teen BMX enthusiast, Judy.
The plot of the film revolves around three bike-riding teens who find themselves getting in over their heads when they cross paths with a gang of crooks. High adventure and ‘80s hairstyles follow in what is a fun and spirited children’s picture from director Brian Trenchard-Smith.
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Batman Forever (1995)
Sticking with the adventure theme for this next film – the comic book blockbuster, Batman Forever. Directed by Joel Schumacher, the film is a loose sequel to Batman Returns (1992), and sees the Caped Crusader battle it out against super-villains, The Riddler and Two-Face.
Kidman takes on the role of psychologist, Dr. Chase Meridian in the film. The actress appears alongside a cast which includes Val Kilmer, Jim Carrey, Tommy Lee Jones, and Chris O’Donnell.
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Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
And now for something completely different – the erotic mystery drama (and psychological mind-meld), Eyes Wide Shut. Directed by the late Stanley Kubrick and based on Arthur Schnitzler’s novella, Traumnovelle (aka Dream Story), the film centres around a doctor, his wife… and a masked orgy.
Kidman takes on the role of Alice Harford in the movie, opposite former husband Tom Cruise as on-screen husband, Dr. William Harford. In Eyes Wide Shut, the pair are key players in what is a sexually explicit picture.
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Babygirl (2024)
Remaining with the theme of sex for this next movie – the 2024 picture, Babygirl. In this movie, Kidman takes on the part of Romy Mathis – a married CEO of a tech-company who is dissatisfied with her sex life.
In the film, Romy embarks on an affair with a younger man. However, Romy finds herself being continually controlled by the man, in this erotic thriller from writer/director Halina Reijn.
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To Die For (1995)
Directed by Gus Van Sant, To Die For is a satirical black comedy starring Kidman, Joaquin Phoenix, and Matt Dillon. The movie focuses on an aspiring journalist who plots to kill her husband, and recruits two teenagers to carry out the murder.
To Die For is based on the book of the same name by Joyce Maynard. This in turn was inspired by a real-life crime.
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Birth (2004)
In Birth, Kidman plays Anna – a woman who becomes convinced her dead husband has been reincarnated in the body of a ten-year-old boy. Directed and co-written by Jonathan Glazer, the movie features a cast that includes Lauren Bacall, Danny Huston, and Cameron Bright.
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Being the Ricardos (2021)
For this next movie, Kidman transforms into Lucille Ball for a biopic about the iconic actress, comedian, and television producer who was best known for starring in hit sitcom, I Love Lucy. Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, the movie stars Javier Bardem and J. K. Simmons, and focuses on Ball’s life, including her relationship with husband Desi Arnaz.
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Rabbit Hole (2010)
In Rabbit Hole, Kidman delivers a critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated performance as Rebecca ‘Becca’ Corbett – a grieving mother coping with the death of her four-year-old son. John Cameron Mitchell directs, while the cast includes Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, and Giancarlo Esposito.
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The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Next up is The Killing of a Sacred Deer – an absurdist psychological horror-thriller from director and co-writer Yorgos Lanthimos. The movie tells the story of a surgeon who introduces his family to a teenage boy, which leads to a surprising outcome.
Kidman takes on the role of Anna Murphy in the film, alongside a cast which includes Colin Farrell, Barry Keoghan, and Alicia Silverstone.
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Boy Erased (2018)
In Boy Erased, Kidman stars alongside Lucas Hedges and Russell Crowe in a biographical drama based on Garrard Conley’s memoir of the same name. The film tells the story of a gay teenager who is forced to take part in a conversion therapy program at the behest of his parents.
Boy Erased tells a fictionalised account of Conley’s real-life experiences. The movie is adapted for the screen by Joel Edgerton.
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Moulin Rouge (2001)
And finally, Nicole Kidman teams up with director Baz Luhrmann for the wonderful jukebox musical, Moulin Rouge. Set in Paris in 1899, the film follows the story of a young writer named Christian who falls in love with a courtesan named Satine.
Kidman takes on the role of Satine, opposite Ewan McGregor in an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular romantic drama. The film features a mix of comedy and chaos, alongside a collection of reimagined pop songs, ranging from ‘Roxanne’ and ‘Like a Virgin’, to ‘Your Song’ and ‘The Show Must Go On’.
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Recap
So, those are the eighteen best Nicole Kidman movies. Now, to save you the hassle of having to scroll back up, here are the titles of all the movies in one handy list:
- Dead Calm (1989)
- Practical Magic (1998)
- The Others (2001)
- The Human Stain (2003)
- Australia (2008)
- Days of Thunder (1990)
- The Hours (2002)
- BMX Bandits (1983)
- Batman Forever (1995)
- Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
- Babygirl (2024)
- To Die For (1995)
- Birth (2004)
- Being the Ricardos (2021)
- Rabbit Hole (2010)
- The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
- Boy Erased (2018)
- Moulin Rouge (2001)
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