The best Jodie Foster roles of all time

Not every Foster movie was critically or commercially successful. The biographical period piece Anna and the King falls into that former grouping, but not because of Foster. Yes, the film is long (148 minutes) and critics ranted about how boring this fictionalized account of real-life events were told. Yet, even in her most subpar movies, Foster stands out for the better. However, she did receive flack for taking on a role some pundits felt was beneath her. Just a nod to overall talent as one of Hollywood's greatest actors. 

One of Foster's most recent films, which co-stars fellow Hollywood bigwig Matt Damon. Though this dystopian science fiction action flick entertained enough to turn a profit, it did not generate the same critical praise South African director Neill Blomkamp enjoyed with his smash debut District 9 (2009). Still, Foster again stands out as the power-hungry, seemingly rule-at-all-cost Secretary of Defense. It might be one of Foster's few roles where audiences will root against her presence.

As we'll see on this list, 1976 was a major year in terms of professional progression for a then-teenage Foster. She was part of five films to come out that year (four of which you'll find here). While her others from '74 garnered deservedly more attention, Foster is both provocative and intense here as a 13-year-old living on her own, much to the mystery and confusion of some in her small Maine town. 

Foxes was one of the last films Foster made before stepping away from the business to attend college at Yale. She stars alongside Scott Baio and former Runaways singer Cherie Currie in this coming-of-age movie that received a fair amount of critical praise. Jeanie is the most responsible and mature member of a quartet of teenage girls who deal with their disdain for school and adult authority by hanging out and partying — sometimes too much — in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley.

Foster was 12 years old when this Martin Scorsese-directed film, which inspired the popular television sitcom Alice, came out in late 1974. Though Ellen Burstyn won the Academy Award for Best Actress, and Alfred Lutter turned heads, Foster was quite memorable as the tomboyish Audrey. A booze-swigging, shoplifting, sarcastic teen whose mother makes a living as an adult film star, Audrey might not be the best influence on Lutter's Tommy, but she's a friend nonetheless. 

It can be argued that Foster's presence in this coming-of-age romantic drama, anchored by Mark Harmon, is barely a supporting role. However, her character is central to the movie's plot. Katie was a family friend and former babysitter to the younger Billy Wyatt (William McNamara as a teen/young adult; Harmon as the middle-aged, washed-up baseball player), and eventually a little more. After she took her own life, adult Billy is at crossroads in his life when Katie's ashes become his responsibility. Katie, carefree yet insecure and troubled, is a highly entertaining aspect of this underrated picture.

Flightplan received mixed reviews, but like some others on this list, Foster's performance is one of the film's highlights. The idea of a widowed aviation engineer mother losing her daughter mid-flight on a plane, then made to feel as if it didn't happen by the crew, seems intriguing enough for a psychological thriller. However, the execution of the screenplay has been questioned by pundits. Yet, universally, Foster's performance was celebrated.  

Among the four movie versions of the popular Freaky Friday story, the original still holds up well. It might even be the preferred option for filmgoers. Foster earned her first major film award (Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy) for playing young Annabel Andrews. She doesn't really appreciate her mother Ellen (Barbara Harris) until the two mysteriously switch bodies when both proclaim out loud "I wish I could switch places with her for just one day" around Friday the 13th.

We'll overlook the fact that Mel Gibson was part of this successful western comedy and focus on how good Foster is when it comes to starring in a comedy film. Maverick is based on James Gardner's popular television series from the late 1950s and into the '60s. The TV legend also co-stars in the movie. Foster has always been able to handle her own opposite some of Hollywood's top men. As the plucky and confident con artist Annabelle Bransford, she translates that aura on-screen and easily succeeds. 

We spoke of Foster showing off her no-nonsense strength in Flightplan. Well, she steps it up a notch as a New York City radio host who transforms herself into a vigilante who is determined to avenge the death of her fiancé by finding those who committed the crime. Foster's performance resulted in her fifth individual Golden Globe Award nomination — and fourth for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

The Golden Globes called Foster again (Best Lead Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama) for one of her most popular roles. Foster's brilliant performance as the scientist who faces imminent danger while trying to make initial "contact" with extraterrestrial life forms helped the Robert Zemeckis' sci-fi drama gross more than $171 million around the world. Yes, the schlock factor could be high at times, but Foster's effort and some innovative visual concepts more than compensate. 

Kid actors playing grown-up roles, telling the story of this down-on-his-luck boxing promoter (Scott Baio). Foster's Tallulah, Fat Sam's promiscuous sidekick and Bugsy's former love interest, is the undisputed star of the picture. Wisecracking, superbly pulling off an adult role in this critically acclaimed gangster musical comedy directed by Alan Parker ( Midnight Express, Fame, Pink Floyd – The Wall).

Another Golden Globe nomination came Foster's way — along with co-star Kate Winslet — for this film version of the Tony Award-winning play. Penelope is a somewhat dogged mother who, along with her husband (John C. Reilly), has a hilariously unhinged sit-down with the parents (Winslet and Christoph Walz) of their son's classmate after the two boys get into a fight. Foster and Winslet rightfully steal scene after scene. Carnage was the perfect coming-together of two Hollywood giants.

Interesting to note that Foster replaced Nicole Kidman for the starring role of this popular David Fincher thriller from 2002. Shortly after getting the gig, Foster learned she was pregnant in the early weeks of filming. So, it made sense that her budding maternal instincts kicked in. Meg is at her protective best — mentally and physically — when it comes to daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart) and dealing with an intruding trio that breaks into her house. Meg is everything one would need from a mother if ever put in such a dangerous and potentially deadly predicament. 

The third of Foster's three Golden Globe wins — and first for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture — came for The Mauritanian. Foster plays Nancy Hollander, the famed criminal defense lawyer who has also made a name for herself while taking on cases involving social injustice. Here, Foster's Hollander is riveting and strong in defending infamous Guantanamo Bay detainee Mohamedou Ould Slahi. She exudes passion and makes it easy for the audience to champion her cause. To no surprise, Foster keeps getting better with age.

Not only did Foster shine in this touching family drama, she earned praise for her directorial debut. As a working-class mother of seven-year-old genius Fred (Adam Hann-Byrd), Dede is overly protected of her academically gifted but social awkward son. Her struggle to overprotect Fred, while also allowing him to branch out and fulfill his intellectual needs, is what makes Foster so good — in front and behind the camera. 

Foster's most recent Academy Award nomination came for her truly exceptional performance as a young woman isolated for years in a woodland cabin by her mother. She's never had extensive human contact, outside her now deceased mother, and speaks a language of her own. With the help of two doctors (Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson), the mystery of Nell begins to unravel. As they try to help Nell adapt to the everyday world, she teaches them about what's truly important in their own lives.

Taxi Driver made Foster a star and resulted in her first Oscar nomination. Teamed with Martin Scorsese again, Foster plays Iris, the teen adult film star that anti-hero cab driver Travis Bickle drives to save from the life she's leading. Playing a role seriously out of her comfort zone, Iris not only officially introduced Foster as a special Hollywood talent but set in motion the fact that she was capable of successfully playing a character so far from her own reality. 

More than 30 years later, Foster's riveting and powerfully emotional performance from The Accused still resonates with moviegoers. Foster's portrayal of the young waitress who was brutally sexually assaulted, then determined to get justice with the help of lawyer Kathryn Murphy (Kelly McGillis) earned Foster the first of her two Academy Award victories. It also opened the door the now-adult Foster to pile up more consistent critical and commercial success into the 1990s. 

If there's one role Foster has come to be known for, it's that of Clarice Starling. The neophyte FBI trainee, who is in pursuit of a serial killer, and enlists the help of imprisoned former psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to solve the case. The meddle and professionalism Clarice shows, or at least displays on the surface, amid the pressure, stress, and terror of her job, is second only to Foster's performance when it comes to on-screen greatness. The role gave Foster a second Oscar victory, while The Silence of the Lambs remains one of the most influential films of all time.