Actor Spotlight: Scarlett Johansson
With 40 films on Flickchart spanning 22 years, Scarlett Johansson has been in a wide range of films of varying popularity. While probably most recognized for her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she has played many other characters in roles big and small. She has made her mark in the film industry and still has many films ahead of her. In celebration of her birthday today, let’s count down her Top 10 films. But first…
Bonus – Ghost in the Shell
“My name is Major Mira Killian, and I give my consent.”
2017‘s Ghost in the Shell resides in the bottom 1/4 of Scarlett’s Flickchart. Still, it remains one of my favorites of hers that’s not listed below. She portrays Major Mira Killian, a cyborg in counter-terrorism unit Section 9, working a case that begins her journey to learn more about her past. While it is based on a manga from Japan, this story differs in its direction and conclusion. This is perhaps Johansson’s most notorious role, as some have accused the film of whitewashing her character. The film is visually gorgeous, however, and can be appreciated apart from the manga and anime film that came before.
- Global Ranking: #10,187
- Wins 40% of its Matchups
- 631 users have ranked it
- 1 have it at #1
- 15 have it in their Top 20
#10 – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
“I’ll go to your room, but you’ll have to seduce me.”
Having done three films with Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is the third and most recent of them. In this romantic drama, Scarlett plays Cristina. Together with her friend Vicky (Rebecca Hall), they visit Barcelona and meet artist Juan Antonia (Javier Bardem). He displays sexual interest in both of them while still being emotionally attached to his ex-wife. Johansson plays flirtatious and spontaneous as her character searches for what she wants in life.
- Global Ranking: #1,717
- Wins 48% of its Matchups
- 7,519 users have ranked it
- 12 have it at #1
- 209 have it in their Top 20
#9 – Under the Skin
“Do you think I’m pretty?”
Distributed by A24, Under the Skin is just what you might expect from the popular independent film company. Narratively, the film doesn’t give you a lot to go on, as it is much more of a visual experience. And as such, Scarlett carries the film and helps maintain the unsettling atmosphere. Being the lead, she has the most lines, but also delivers during the long silences without dialogue. She phenomenally portrays a seductress with motivations and intentions left somewhat to interpretation.
- Global Ranking: #1,588
- Wins 56% of its Matchups
- 1,482 users have ranked it
- 4 have it at #1
- 79 have it in their Top 20
#8 – Ghost World
“Oh, face it, you just hate every single guy on the face of the earth.”
Scarlett’s first movie based on a comic book on this Top 10 list, but certainly not the last, is Ghost World. She plays Rebecca and best friend to Enid (Thora Birch). They are both out of high school facing the challenges and opportunities of adulthood. Unfortunately, throughout the course of the summer, their decisions and actions cause them to drift apart. While Johansson admittedly plays second fiddle to Birch as the main focus of the film, she still gets a satisfying arc and enough screen time to be a well-rounded character.
- Global Ranking: #1,384
- Wins 44% of its Matchups
- 11,346 users have ranked it
- 17 have it at #1
- 326 have it in their Top 20
#7 – Avengers: Age of Ultron
“I adore you… but I need the Other Guy.”
Ah, our first MCU film of four on this list with Scarlett as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow. While Whedon‘s 2nd film for Marvel struggles in other areas, the growth of Johansson’s character is stronger here. Her backstory is expanded beyond just having been a spy for Russia, and her relationships with various team members are more clearly defined. In one particular emotional scene, she bears her soul and Scarlett sells it completely. Her character gets her due, and if nothing else, this film is worth it for that.
- Global Ranking: #1,369
- Wins 54% of its Matchups
- 6,233 users have ranked it
- 28 have it at #1
- 437 have it in their Top 20
#6 – Lost in Translation
“You’re probably just having a mid-life crisis. Did you buy a Porsche yet?”
Perhaps the most critically acclaimed film that Scarlett Johansson has starred in is Lost in Translation. It won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for writer/director Sofia Coppola. The movie follows main lead Bill Murray and his character’s fading stardom which brings him to Tokyo for a paycheck. There he and Charlotte (Johansson), another fish out of water, form an unlikely friendship. The two find solace in each other’s company as they explore the city and culture together.
- Global Ranking: #537
- Wins 51% of its Matchups
- 62,498 users have ranked it
- 650 have it at #1
- 9,267 have it in their Top 20
#5 – Captain America: The Winter Solider
“Going after him is a dead end. I know, I’ve tried.”
After the less popular entries of Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World, the Russo brothers took the franchise back in a successful direction with The Winter Soldier. While definitely a Captain America film, Scarlett is present once again as Black Widow. She joins him in his search for the Winter Soldier and teaches him the ropes of the covert life, while being more friendly and flirtatious due to their working relationship. Scarlett has the most fun with the character here. Though Cap gets much of the spotlight and Falcon is introduced, Black Widow still gets to shine with some great hand-to-hand combat and witty one-liners.
- Global Ranking: #481
- Wins 66% of its Matchups
- 7,997 users have ranked it
- 76 have it at #1
- 970 have it in their Top 20
#4 – Captain America: Civil War
“We’re still friends, right?”
The success of the Russo brothers’ first outing gave them the opportunity to follow it up with something even better, according to Flickchart users. The plethora of characters new and old means Scarlett is sharing time with a large cast. Despite that, she still has her best action and fight scenes yet, both in and out of the Black Widow costume. While siding with Tony and the Accords, she doesn’t let that jeopardize her loyalty to Captain America. Her complexity isn’t sacrificed or lost in the shuffle of the film.
- Global Ranking: #472
- Wins 66% of its Matchups
- 4,896 users have ranked it
- 69 have it at #1
- 665 have it in their Top 20
#3 – Her
“How would you touch me?”
This Spike Jonze written and directed film stars Joaquin Phoenix as a lonely man going through a divorce. He purchases an AI OS, which Scarlett Johansson voices, after seeing an ad while coming home from work. In his loneliness, he develops a deep connection with her, even though she is “just a computer” in the vein of Siri, Cortana, or Alexa. Scarlett’s sexy, husky voice is on full display as the actress is never shown on screen. The excellent story and writing won this film the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
- Global Ranking: #362
- Wins 65% of its Matchups
- 4,359 users have ranked it
- 67 have it at #1
- 515 have it in their Top 20
#2 – The Avengers
“I’m in the middle of an interrogation and this moron is giving me everything.”
After her first appearance in Iron Man 2, Scarlett Johansson makes her stunning return as Black Widow in The Avengers. Controlling a room while being interrogated, and afterwards recruiting Banner to the team, quickly shows off her balanced character: strong, but not without fear and limitations. She continues in this vein throughout the rest of the film, participating as a valuable member of the team and proving vital to the film’s plot. Her contribution to the success of The Avengers helps it rank behind only the original Iron Man in the MCU. Now, six years later, the awaited Black Widow movie is one of Johansson’s films currently in pre-production.
- Global Ranking: #266
- Wins 68% of its Matchups
- 18,322 users have ranked it
- 310 have it at #1
- 3,063 have it in their Top 20
#1 – The Prestige
“I’m here to give your show what’s still missing.”
Scarlett Johansson’s highest ranked film on Flickchart is The Prestige. From director Christopher Nolan and his co-writing brother, the film features two warring magicians portrayed by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. Here, Scarlett is a magician’s assistant, but is more than just eye candy to distract the audience while the magician does his work. She is forced to choose whom to side with, and comes to her own decision. Her performance is solid and helps round out the excellent cast.
- Global Ranking: #212
- Wins 61% of its Matchups
- 69,898 users have ranked it
- 869 have it at #1
- 12,569 have it in their Top 20