Academy award winner, producer, children’s author, Hollywood luminary — at 66, American actress Jamie Lee Curtis has built an admirable career in film, starring in some of the best movies and TV shows of our generation. Here are some of the best ones to watch today.
A celebrated Hollywood actress with a prolific 48-year-career, Jamie Lee Curtis is a chameleon of many faces, shifting between genres with an admirable ease underscored by numerous awards and accolades. Twenty-two years since the release of Freaky Friday, Curtis now returns as Dr. Coleman, bringing her incandescent glow to Disney’s sequel, Freakier Friday, where she stars alongside Lindsay Lohan. Beyond the shenanigans of Freakier Friday, however, Curtis’ incredible career is punctuated with numerous shining examples of her acting prowess.
Curtis’ first on-screen appearances were in 1977, when she landed small roles in Quincy, M.E., The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, and Columbo. Over the next year, she appeared as Lt. Barbara Duran in war comedy series Operation Petticoat and later appeared as Linda Frye in the Charlie’s Angels series in 1978. However, it was her breakthrough role as Laurie in cult favourite horror flick Halloween (1978) that truly propelled her into the path of success, preparing her to join the echelons of Hollywood’s greats today.
In the years that followed, Curtis went on to make a name for herself as a horror flick mainstay, starring in highly rated classics like The Fog (1980), Prom Night (1980), Terror Train (1980), Halloween II (1981), Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982), and more.
Beyond the thriller and horror genre, however, Curtis also pursued unfamiliar projects, expanding her repertoire and cementing her place as an incredibly versatile performer. Notably, she appeared in romantic dramas Love Letters (1983) and A Man in Love (1987), mastering the genre shift, before sharpening her comedic prowess in satirical comedy Trading Places (1983), for which she won a BAFTA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She also appeared in dark comedy A Fish Called Wanda (1988), Queens Logic (1991), and My Girl (1991) among others.
Between 1989 to 1992, Curtis appeared as writer Hannah Miller in comedy sitcom Anything But Love, for which she received a Golden Globe award in the Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical category. Five years later, she received yet another Golden Globe award for her work on spy action-comedy movie True Lies (1994), where she starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Arnold.
Following her appearance as Deirdre Beaubeirdre in A24’s Everything Everywhere All At Once, Curtis received two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role and Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture. The role also netted Curtis her very first Academy Award in the Best Supporting Actress category. In 2024, Curtis won an Emmy award for portraying embattled family matriarch Donna Berzatto on FX’s culinary comedy drama The Bear, a role she has played with heartbreaking authenticity. Notably, Curtis has received a second Emmy award nomination for the role, to be decided on September 15, 2025.
Curtis is also the proud recipient of a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Dedicated on September 3, 1998, and located at 6600 Hollywood Blvd, Curtis’ star is proof positive of her acting prowess and a celebration of her decades-long career. If you’re in the market for something new to watch, read on for some of the best Jamie Lee Curtis movies and TV shows.
The best Jamie Lee Curtis movies and TV shows to watch
Halloween
Year of release: 1978
Genre: Slasher horror, teen horror, thriller
Director: John Carpenter
Cast: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, P. J. Soles, Nancy Loomis
Widely regarded as Curtis’ breakout film, Halloween takes place in Haddonfield, Illinois, and begins on Halloween night in 1963, when six-year-old Michael Myers brutally murders his teenage sister by stabbing her to death. Fifteen years later, Myers escapes from the mental hospital in which he is held and returns home in search of his next victim — teenager Laurie Strode, portrayed by Curtis. The Halloween series was widely successful, becoming a cult favourite among lovers of the slasher horror genre. It spawned two more sequels before being rebooted in 2018, with Curtis reprising the role of Laurie once more.
Trading Places
Year of release: 1983
Genre: Satirical comedy
Director: John Landis
Cast: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche, Denholm Elliott, Jamie Lee Curtis
In Trading Places, Curtis plays Ophelia, a savvy adult worker with a sharp wit and a heart of gold, who helps a disgraced commodities broker (portrayed by Dan Aykroyd) to reclaim his life after being caught in a cruel social experiment. The film cleverly critiques classism and capitalism, pairing Curtis’ comedic timing with a surprising emotional depth. Her performance earned her a BAFTA award for Best Supporting Actress, solidifying her reputation as more than just a scream queen — but as a comedic powerhouse with range and charisma to spare.
Dominick and Eugene
Year of release: 1988
Genre: Psychological and family drama
Director: Robert M. Young
Cast: Tom Hulce, Ray Liotta, Jamie Lee Curtis
Curtis steps into the role of Jennifer Reston, a compassion-driven medical student in Dominick and Eugene, a poignant drama surrounding a pair of twin brothers, Dominick and Eugene. Dominick, who is portrayed by Tom Hulce, lives with an intellectual disability, while Eugene (portrayed by Ray Liotta) struggles to balance his medical ambitions with his caregiving responsibilities. Curtis brings warmth and quiet strength to her role, offering a stabilising presence amid the film’s emotional turbulence. Though understated, her performance adds depth to a story that explores trauma, loyalty, and the complexities of familial love. Dominick and Eugene earned critical acclaim, with Hulce receiving a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor.
True Lies
Year of release: 1984
Genre: Comedy/Action
Director: James Cameron
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Art Malik, Tia Carrere
In True Lies, Curtis stars as Helen Tasker, a suburban wife who discovers her husband is a covert government agent — and that she’s far more capable than anyone, including herself, ever imagined. Directed by James Cameron, the film blends high-octane action with sharp comedy, giving Curtis one of her most iconic roles to date. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, as well as a Saturn Award for Best Actress. From her unforgettable hotel room dance to her transformation into a full-fledged action heroine, Curtis proved she could match Schwarzenegger punch for punch — and laugh for laugh.
A Fish Called Wanda
Year of release: 1988
Genre: Dark comedy, crime comedy
Director: Charles Crichton
Cast: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin
In this sharp-witted heist comedy, Curtis stars as Wanda Gershwitz, a cunning con artist who uses charm and manipulation to outsmart her fellow thieves. Her performance balances seduction with strategic brilliance, anchoring the film’s chaotic energy with poise and comedic precision. A Fish Called Wanda was a critical and commercial success, earning Curtis widespread acclaim and solidifying her status as a leading lady in comedy.
My Girl
Year of release: 1991
Genre: Comedy, drama, family, romance
Director: Howard Zieff
Cast: Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Macaulay Culkin, Anna Chlumsky, Griffin Dunne
Set in the summer of 1972, My Girl follows 11-year-old Vada Sultenfuss (portrayed by Anna Chlumsky), a precocious hypochondriac growing up in a funeral home, grappling with grief, first love, and the messy beauty of adolescence. Jamie Lee Curtis plays Shelly, a warm and grounded makeup artist who becomes a maternal figure to Vada, offering guidance and tenderness in a world shadowed by loss. The film blends humour and heartbreak, capturing the bittersweet ache of growing up.
Anything But Love
Year of release: 1989 – 1992
Genre: Sitcom
Creator: Wendy Kout
Cast: Richard Lewis, Jamie Lee Curtis, Richard Frank, Sandy Faison, Bruce Kirby, Louis Giambalvo, Holly Fulger, Ann Magnuson, Joseph Maher, Billy Van Zandt, Jane Milmore, Bruce Weitz
Anything But Love walked so The Office could run. Set in a Chicago magazine office, this 1990s sitcom spanned four seasons, following the witty and emotionally charged dynamic between Curtis’ Hannah Miller, a sharp, idealistic writer, and Richard Lewis’ Marty Gold, a neurotic columnist. Their chemistry is undeniable, but they struggle to keep things strictly professional amid romantic tension and newsroom chaos. Curtis brings warmth, intelligence, and impeccable comedic timing to Hannah, anchoring the show’s blend of workplace banter and heartfelt moments.
Nicholas’ Gift
Year of release: 1998
Genre: Drama
Director: Robert Markowitz
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Alan Bates
A film based on true events, Nicholas’ Gift is the heartbreaking story of an American family and how they navigate an earth-shattering tragedy. While vacationing in Italy, Reg and Maggie Green, portrayed by Alan Bates and Curtis respectively, experiences unimaginable loss when their young son, Nicholas, is tragically shot during a highway robbery. Faced with a difficult decision, Maggie eventually chooses to donate her son’s organs, saving seven lives and sparking a national conversation about organ donation in Italy. Curtis’s performance earned her an Emmy nomination, anchoring the film’s message of compassion and transformative grief.
Freaky Friday
Year of release: 2003
Genre: Body swap comedy, teen comedy
Director: Mark Waters
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Harold Gould, Chad Michael Murray, Mark Harmon
In this beloved Disney remake, Curtis stars as Tess Coleman, a highly-strung psychiatrist and widowed mother who swaps bodies with her rebellious teenage daughter, Anna (portrayed by Lindsay Lohan), after a mysterious fortune cookie misadventure. The film explores generational misunderstandings with humour and heart, allowing Curtis to showcase her comedic brilliance and physicality in a role that earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Freaky Friday was a box office hit, praised for its sharp performances and enduring appeal across generations. A sequel, Freakier Friday, was released in 2025.
Spare Parts
Year of release: 2015
Genre: Biography, drama, history
Director: Sean McNamara
Cast: George Lopez, Jamie Lee Curtis, Carlos PenaVega, Esai Morales, José Julián, David Del Rio, Oscar Gutierrez, Alexa PenaVega, Alessandra Rosaldo, Marisa Tomei
Based on a true story chronicled in La Vida Robot, Spare Parts follows four undocumented Mexican-American high school students who defy expectations by entering a prestigious underwater robotics competition, armed with only scrap materials, USD 800, and sheer determination. Jamie Lee Curtis portrays Principal Karen Lowry, who forms part of the school’s support system. Though her role is small, Curtis adds a touch of warmth and authority to a film that celebrates grit, ingenuity, and the quiet power of belief in underdog potential. The film’s emotional core lies in its depiction of systemic barriers and the resilience required to overcome them.
Scream Queens
Year of release: 2015 – 2016
Genre: Horror comedy, satire, slashes
Creators: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan
Cast: Emma Roberts, Skyler Samuels, Lea Michele, Glen Powell, Diego Boneta, Abigail Breslin, Keke Palmer, Niecy Nash, Ariana Grande, Oliver Hudson, Nasim Pedrad, Lucien Laviscount, Billie Lourd, Nick Jonas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kirstie Alley, Taylor Lautner, James Earl III, John Stamos
In this gleefully macabre series from Ryan Murphy, Curtis plays Dean Cathy Munsch — a calculating, couture-clad administrator whose icy detachment and secret agendas make her as dangerous as the masked killers terrorising her campus. Scream Queens blends camp, horror, and biting social satire, with Curtis anchoring the chaos in a performance that’s equal parts seductive, sinister, and absurdly funny. Whether she’s covering up murders to protect the university’s reputation or launching a hospital staffed by her enemies, Munsch is a masterclass in morally ambiguous leadership. Curtis’s turn as the dean has made the series a cult favourite, with her turn as Dean Munsch now considered one of her most deliciously wicked roles to date.
Knives Out
Year of release: 2019
Genre: Mystery, dark comedy, whodunit
Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, Christopher Plummer
In this razor-sharp modern whodunnit starring numerous Hollywood greats from Daniel Craig to Chris Evans, Curtis plays Linda Drysdale — a steely, self-made real estate mogul and eldest daughter of the Thrombey clan — whose polished exterior masks a ruthless streak and deep familial dysfunction. When patriarch Harlan Thrombey is found dead, Linda becomes one of many suspects in a twisted inheritance drama that skewers wealth, entitlement, and performative virtue. Curtis delivers a masterclass in icy elegance, anchoring the ensemble with a performance that’s both biting and brittle. Knives Out was a critical and commercial triumph, earning Curtis renewed acclaim and proving that even in a cast of scene-stealers, she remains a force to be reckoned with.
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Year of release: 2022
Genre: Absurdist sci-fi, dramatic comedy
Director: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis
In this kaleidoscopic genre-bender starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, and James Hong among others, Curtis plays Deirdre Beaubeirdre — a frumpy, combative IRS auditor whose presence spans multiple universes, from bureaucratic menace to hot-dog-fingered romantic. In a role that defies vanity and embraces absurdity, Curtis deliberately sheds glamour to embody a woman who is both grotesque and strangely tender. Her performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a career-first that she nearly passed on. Everything Everywhere All At Once is a cinematic fever dream that explores identity, generational trauma, and the chaos of possibility — with Curtis anchoring the madness in a portrayal that’s as fearless as it is unforgettable.
The Last Showgirl
Year of release: 2024
Genre: Drama
Director: Gia Coppola
Cast: Pamela Anderson, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka, Dave Bautista, Jamie Lee Curtis
In The Last Showgirl, Pamela Anderson delivers a career-defining performance as Shelly Gardner, a 57-year-old Las Vegas showgirl grappling with the closure of her decades-long revue and the fading spotlight that once defined her. Jamie Lee Curtis lends poignant support as Annette, Shelly’s longtime friend-turned-cocktail waitress, whose one-take dance scene to “Total Eclipse of the Heart” became an unexpected emotional centerpiece. Directed with quiet intimacy by Gia Coppola, this movie is a tender tribute to aging, identity, and the cost of chasing beauty in a trend-obsessed world.
The Bear
Year of release: 2022 – present
Genre: Comedy drama
Creator: Christopher Storer
Cast: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson, Jamie Lee Curtis
Set in the chaotic heart of a Chicago sandwich shop turned fine-dining experiment, The Bear is a searing exploration of grief, perfectionism, and the brutal beauty of kitchen life. Jeremy Allen White anchors the series as Carmy Berzatto, a haunted chef navigating family trauma and culinary ambition. Jamie Lee Curtis guest stars as Donna Berzatto, Carmy’s emotionally volatile mother. Turning in a standout performance in season 2, Curtis’ performance in a harrowing Christmas episode eventually earned her an Emmy award win. With its kinetic pacing, claustrophobic realism, and emotionally layered ensemble, The Bear has redefined prestige TV, proving that the kitchen can be both battlefield and crucible.
(Main and featured images: The Movie DB)
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