15 Head in the Clouds
Penelope Cruz starred in the 2004 romantic drama 'Head in the Clouds' alongside Charlize Theron. The film follows two students in 1930s Paris who fall in love despite their differences. Cruz's character, Mia, is a Spanish refugee who is an aspiring photographer. Cruz was praised for her performance in the film, and she won a Goya Award for Best Actress for her role.
14 Murder on the Orient Express
Penelope Cruz plays the role of Pilar Estravados in the 2017 adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic novel, 'Murder on the Orient Express.' She is a missionary, who is travelling on the Express to meet her husband in Istanbul, who is a doctor. Pilar is a compassionate and kind woman who helps solve the mystery of the murder on the Orient Express. She is an important part of the investigation, as her knowledge of the passengers' backgrounds and her insights into the crime help to uncover the truth.
13 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Penelope Cruz plays the role of Angelica in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.' She is a former love interest of Captain Jack Sparrow and daughter of the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Angelica is a cunning, seductive, and dangerous woman who is determined to get revenge on Jack for leaving her years ago. She joins forces with Blackbeard to find the Fountain of Youth and will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
12 Elegy
In Elegy, Penelope Cruz plays Consuela Castillo, a passionate, free-spirited Cuban-American woman who becomes the mistress of a much older professor named David (Ben Kingsley). Consuela's beauty, vivacity, and youth challenge David's perception of himself and his views on life and love, forcing him to confront his mortality and the choices he's made. Despite the age difference, their relationship is bittersweet and intensely passionate.
11 Everybody Knows
Penelope Cruz plays the role of Laura in the 2018 Spanish-language drama film 'Everybody Knows.' She is a wife and mother of two who is returning to her small hometown in Spain for her sister's wedding.
10 Vanilla Sky
In the film "Vanilla Sky" released in 2001, Penélope Cruz portrays the character Sofia Serrano. Sofia is a free-spirited and enigmatic woman who becomes intertwined in the complex life of the protagonist, David Aames, played by Tom Cruise. Cruz's performance as Sofia is captivating and imbued with a sense of mystery and emotional depth. Her chemistry with Tom Cruise's character drives the romantic storyline and adds an element of intrigue to the film.
9 Don't Move
In the film "Don't Move" (2004), Penélope Cruz portrays the character Italia. Italia is a working-class woman who becomes involved in a passionate and complicated affair with a successful surgeon named Timoteo, played by Sergio Castellitto, who also directed the film. Cruz delivers a powerful and emotionally charged performance as Italia, capturing the character's vulnerability, resilience, and inner turmoil. Her portrayal showcases her ability to bring depth and authenticity to complex roles, contributing to the raw and intense nature of the film's narrative.
8 Belle Epoque
Penelope Cruz starred in the 1992 Spanish film 'Belle Epoque.' She played the character of Luz, the youngest daughter of a family whose home is visited by an army deserter. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Cruz was praised for her performance.
7 Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Penélope Cruz portrayed the character of María Elena in the film "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Cruz's performance in the film garnered critical acclaim and earned her numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. María Elena is an emotionally volatile and passionate artist who becomes involved in a complex love triangle with the characters played by Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem.
6 Los abrazos rotos
Penélope Cruz portrayed the character of Lena in the film "Los abrazos rotos" ("Broken Embraces"), a secretary and aspiring actress who becomes involved in a complex and passionate love affair with a film director. "Los abrazos rotos" explores themes of love, desire, betrayal, and the power of cinema. Cruz's performance in the film was highly acclaimed, showcasing her versatility and emotional range as an actress.
5 Venuto al mondo
Penélope Cruz played Gemma in the 2012 film "Twice Born." The movie, directed by Sergio Castellitto, follows Gemma's journey as she returns to Sarajevo with her son, confronting her past during the Bosnian War. Cruz delivers a powerful performance, exploring themes of war, love, and motherhood. Her portrayal of Gemma captivates audiences with its emotional depth and complexity, highlighting Cruz's talent as an actress.
4 Blow
In the film 'Blow,' Penélope Cruz plays Mirtha Jung, the wife of George Jung, portrayed by Johnny Depp. Mirtha is depicted as a vibrant and volatile character, caught up in the world of drugs alongside her husband. Cruz's performance as Mirtha showcases her ability to bring depth and complexity to the role, capturing the tumultuous relationship between Mirtha and George.
3 Volver
Penelope Cruz stars in the 2006 Spanish film Volver, directed by Pedro Almodóvar. She plays the role of Raimunda, a woman struggling to support her family after the death of her husband. Cruz received critical acclaim for her performance and won numerous nominations, including the Academy Award for Best Actress.
2 Abre los ojos
In the film 'Open Your Eyes (Abre los ojos)', Penélope Cruz portrays Sofía, the love interest of the protagonist, César (played by Eduardo Noriega).Penélope Cruz's performance as Sofía garnered critical acclaim, highlighting her talent and presence on screen. Her portrayal of Sofía brings depth, warmth, and emotional resonance to the character, contributing to the film's exploration of identity, perception, and love.
1 Todo sobre mi madre
In the film "All About My Mother" ("Todo sobre mi madre"), released in 1999 and directed by Pedro Almodóvar, Penélope Cruz played the character of Rosa. Rosa is a young nun who becomes pregnant and tragically dies in a car accident. Cruz's portrayal of Rosa is brief but impactful, leaving a lasting impression in the film. Her performance captures the vulnerability, innocence, and underlying strength of the character, contributing to the film's exploration of motherhood, identity, and resilience.