Best Greta Gerwig Movies: Top 5 Films Most Recommended By Fans -

What do you think of when you hear the name Greta Gerwig? No doubt the summer blockbuster hit “Barbie” comes to mind, or even her adaptation of the novel “Little Women,” but did you know Gerwig’s talents lay beyond directing hit films? The artist actually has a stacked filmography, not only as a director but also as a writer, actor, and producer. Starting out acting, Gerwig has over 40 films to her name, has written 13, and sat in the director’s chair for five different projects. There is no doubt, due to her recent popularity over the past years, that people want to experience more of her films. Whether that be her acting, writing, or directing, we at StudyFinds are here to help by compiling a list of the best Greta Gerwig movies of all time.

From her breakout role in “Frances Ha” to her Oscar-nominated directorial debut “Lady Bird,” Gerwig’s films have captivated audiences with their unique storytelling and authentic characters. With each project, she brings a fresh perspective and a keen eye for detail, creating cinematic gems that leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Gerwig’s work, our list is designed to showcase the very best of her talent and creativity, ensuring you won’t miss a single masterpiece.

While we are fangirling over Gerwig’s work, did you know that you could actually stay in a replica of Barbie’s DreamHouse? Located in Malibu, the oceanfront Barbie DreamHouse created by Airbnb is the latest in a series of global marketing stunts to promote the new film “Barbie,” the first live-action adventure movie about the iconic Mattel doll. Some of the house features include a curved slide with a small square pool at the bottom where a set of three giant custom pool floats spells “KEN.” The house has been described by some as creepy and thriller-movie-like, especially when compared to the pristine white mansions of Malibu surrounding it. But nevertheless, no matter how you feel about the Barbie Airbnb, one must admit that it’s a pretty cool marketing strategy.

Luckily, we at StudyFinds have researched across multiple expert sources to bring you the best Greta Gerwig movies of all time! Don’t agree with our list? No worries! We would love to hear from you in the comments down below.

Greta Gerwig at the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival in 2017 (Photo by Denis Makarenko on Shutterstock)

The List: Best Greta Gerwig Movies, According to Fans

1. “Barbie” (2023)

Of course, the movie that has taken the world by storm was going to be number one. It has become the highest-grossing movie of 2023 and the highest-grossing movie of all time with a female director. “There’s no recency bias involved in this ranking. Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’ film is the culminating event of the summer, a movie that every gender, age, and demographic can enjoy to the fullest. The story infuses the world of Barbie toys with all of the same colors, personalities, and tropes found throughout the marketing of the Mattel brand for over fifty years. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling deliver excellent lead performances as Barbie and Ken,” says The Manual.

“An admirable characteristic of Gerwig has always been her wit; she combines drama and comedy together to create a harmonious balance that makes audiences laugh and cry. ‘Barbie’ is a character that so many people have grown up with and is also something that seems one-dimensional, but Gerwig flips this on the head and starts asking questions about society,” adds Collider.

“Gerwig’s most spectacular success with audiences and critics came in this 2023 fantasy comedy all about the very real life of ‘Barbie’ (Margot Robbie), one of the world’s most popular dolls. Luring moviegoers with the pink effervescence of Barbieland, where the many Barbies and Kens live together, Gerwig slipped in a smartly perceptive take on how women and (surprisingly) men find themselves trapped into gender roles enshrined in the real world,” writes GoldDerby.

2. “Lady Bird” (2017)

Next up is “Lady Bird”. The first film Gerwig directed on her own, “it tells the tale of a high school senior, Christine (Saoirse Ronan), and her turbulent relationship with her mother, Marion (Laurie Metcalf). With a lack of financial options for college, Christine begins to question her faith and those around her, leading her down a darker path,” describes MovieWeb.

“The craft of this film is unmatched, as every element was worth the Academy Award nominations it received. Gerwig’s witty and dynamic script resonated with audiences from teens to millennials. The direction implies a strong understanding of her characters and their journey, guiding the narrative with an authenticity many other films don’t have,” notes Collider.

“Gerwig’s skillful direction and writing, along with Ronan and Metcalf’s powerful performances, not only earned the film critical appreciation but also made it a huge hit among audiences. Delving into the complex dynamics between ‘Lady Bird’ and her mother, the film highlights their bittersweet love and the struggles of understanding each other while also depicting ‘Lady Bird’s’ journey of self-discovery as she makes choices and finally embraces her individuality,” explains High on Films.

3. “Little Women” (2019)

I know what you’re thinking—another adaptation of “Little Women”? Yes, but hear us out: “The best part of ‘Little Women’ is how Gerwig devotes time to all four sisters. Each of them gets a scene where they explain their desires and reasons for doing what they do. Amy March especially gets more positive attention rather than simply being portrayed as a spoiled brat as she was in the past. Gerwig’s take on the classic story treats women of all types with love and dignity,” comments CBR.

“Gerwig had publicly stated that reading ‘Little Women’ inspired her to become a writer and director and approached the film as an opportunity to capture the dreams of young girls and show how society can force them to change or abandon those hopes. Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and an individual nomination for Gerwig for her adapted screenplay, which also earned nominations from BAFTA and the Writers Guild,” adds GoldDerby.

“What’s brilliant is how Gerwig makes Alcott’s story her own while preserving its essence, making it new and fresh for new audiences (mixing timelines, including layers of self-awareness) while paying homage to its groundbreaking legacy,” comments Digital Spy.

4. “Frances Ha” (2012)

“Frances Ha” is the first film on our list that features Gerwig in a leading acting role. A critically acclaimed indie film that’s “co-written alongside Noah Baumbach follows the life of a struggling dancer named Frances Halladay (Gerwig). From her up-and-down relationship with her best friend Sophie (Mickey Sumner) to hopping from job to job to afford rent, it’s a true film about identity, self-discovery, and the realities of growing up,” reports L’officiel.

“Gerwig first came to the attention of general moviegoers with her Golden Globe-nominated performance in Baumbach’s acclaimed comedy. Frances learns that her roommate Sophie is giving up their apartment, leaving Frances without a place to stay and few, if any, prospects for a job. Crashing with friends at their apartment keeps Frances afloat for a while, but eventually, she realizes that life has to offer her something more. Despite all of the hard knocks that Frances endures along the way, Gerwig gave her character a resilient cheeriness that thoroughly endeared her to audiences,” describes GoldDerby.

“Gerwig unequivocally nails this starring role written for herself, imbuing every quiet moment with the electric hum of a complicated character perpetually questioning their place in life and love. That’s not to say Frances tries too hard; there’s a casual comedy style that’s come to be recognized as quintessential Greta. You’ll see peppered into the film’s heaviest contemplations and quippier beats that will always feel as fresh and fun and ultimately fearless as Frances and Greta,” notes IndieWire.

5. “Mistress America” (2015)

The last on our list is “Mistress America,” co-written by and starring Gerwig once again in a leading role. This comedy-drama is not one to be missed. “In their script for this 2015 comedy, Gerwig and Baumbach came as close as any recent filmmakers to capturing the spirit and energy of 1930s screwball comedy with this modern farce. The first tentative days of college for Tracy (Lola Kirke) are crashed into by the appearance of her about-to-be stepsister Brooke (Gerwig), who welcomes Tracy into Brooke’s world of misadventures. A jack of all trades and a mistress of none, Brooke offered Gerwig, who is often cast as brainy characters, the chance to show her wacky side, and she took full advantage of it here,” says GoldDerby.

greta gerwig in mistress america (2015) pic.twitter.com/4X7IK9VXup

— ً (@FILMOGRAPHHY) October 3, 2020

“The film has several qualities in common with Gerwig’s other movies, like the use of New York as a setting and a young woman feeling lost in the world as the main character. It does away with the use of improv in Gerwig’s earlier films and harnesses a new kind of character dynamic that makes the conversations between the sisters-to-be engrossing,” writes ScreenRant.

“We definitely need more buddy comedies with women in starring roles rather than men. ‘Mistress America’ places Greta Gerwig in the role of a regretful woman who looks to her stepsister, played by Lola Kirke, for guidance and improvement. The film is bound together by the strong chemistry of the two leading ladies, and the laughs come rapidly and with sharp wit throughout the duration of the movie,” concludes The Manual.

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Tags: movies