Emma Stone has carved her name in Hollywood as one of the most dynamic and versatile actors of her generation. From comedies to dramas to musicals, she’s done it all. With four Oscar nominations and one win under her belt, her performances are not only memorable but often era-defining.
Here’s a ranked list of her Oscar-nominated roles — not just by awards, but by their cultural footprint, depth of character, and sheer impact.
🏅 #4 – “Poor Things” (2023)
Emma Stone's portrayal of Bella Baxter in Poor Things is arguably her most daring performance yet — surreal, eccentric, and wildly uninhibited. The film, a feminist re-imagining of Frankenstein, gives Stone a bizarre but brilliant character arc: a reanimated woman discovering the world anew with childlike wonder and intellectual evolution.
Despite winning her second Oscar for this role, Poor Things is still polarizing due to its absurdist tone and niche appeal. Bella Baxter is an experimental character in an arthouse film — an incredible performance, but not yet etched into mainstream consciousness like some of her other roles.
Why It’s Ranked #4:
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Avant-garde and less accessible to general audiences.
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Powerful but divisive performance.
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Recent success that may grow more iconic with time.
🎭 #3 – “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” (2014)
In Birdman, Stone plays Sam, the recovering addict daughter of Michael Keaton’s washed-up actor. The film, shot to appear as one continuous take, is a technical marvel — and within this framework, Stone’s raw, restrained performance pierces through. Her rooftop monologue about relevance and legacy is one of the most gripping moments in the film.
She shares screen time with acting giants, yet still leaves an impression. However, being a supporting role, Sam doesn’t drive the story as much, slightly dimming the spotlight on Stone's brilliance.
Why It’s Ranked #3:
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Supporting role in an ensemble.
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Critically acclaimed but overshadowed by Keaton’s central performance.
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Delivered a standout scene, but less screen presence than her leading roles.
🎼 #2 – “La La Land” (2016)
La La Land is Emma Stone’s Hollywood crown jewel — a vibrant, romantic musical that swept audiences and award shows alike. As aspiring actress Mia Dolan, she delivers a performance that is at once hopeful, melancholic, and utterly human. Her rendition of “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” became an anthem of passion and perseverance.
Winning her first Oscar for this role, Stone not only danced and sang her heart out, but also portrayed the gritty emotional rollercoaster of chasing dreams. Mia’s bittersweet ending, where love and ambition diverge, left audiences teary-eyed and stunned.
Why It’s Ranked #2:
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Star-making, Oscar-winning performance.
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Cemented her as a leading lady in Hollywood.
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Memorable soundtrack and global appeal.
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Just a notch behind in emotional weight compared to her top performance.
👑 #1 – “The Favourite” (2018)
Though billed as a supporting role, The Favourite is a film of three leads — and Emma Stone’s Abigail is the most cunning, surprising, and transformative of them all. In a deliciously wicked turn, she manipulates her way from a maid to the Queen’s inner circle, balancing sympathy and ruthlessness in equal measure.
Stone’s performance is complex: she’s not the charming girl-next-door here — she’s calculating, strategic, and delightfully venomous. It’s a career-defining shift from her earlier roles and proved her range beyond rom-coms or musicals.
Why It’s Ranked #1:
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Her most dramatically layered performance.
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Showed tremendous range and villainous charm.
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Continues to gain critical respect as one of her finest roles.
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Abigail is unpredictable — and Stone embodies that chaos with mastery.
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