It is hard to believe it’s been over years since a young, frizzy-haired Emma Watson first stepped onto Platform ¾, but the world has been under her spell ever since.
While the star has famously stepped back from the limelight in recent years to focus on her activism and personal identity, Watson’s cinematic legacy remains a massive topic of conversation across Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Whether she’s fighting for gender equality as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador or reuniting with her costars for the emotional Harry Potter th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, Emma stays winning. But which of her roles truly “Slytherin” to the top spot?
We’re ranking the best of the best!
. This Is the End ()
Emma showed off her “edgy” side in this apocalyptic comedy, playing a fictionalized version of herself. While she memorably dropped an f-bomb and swung an ax at Seth Rogen, there were limits to her comedy.
Rogen later revealed that Watson “couldn’t hang” with one particular scene that went a bit too far for her comfort, reportedly walking off set during a particularly raunchy sequence involving Danny McBride. Even so, fans loved seeing her hold her own against Hollywood’s funniest men.
. My Week with Marilyn ()
In her first post-Potter project, Emma took a smaller, “less pressure” role as wardrobe assistant Lucy Armstrong. Starring alongside Eddie Redmayne, she proved she could shine even without a magic wand. “I loved the script and loved the story,” she said of the Golden Globe-winning drama.
. The Bling Ring ()
Goodbye, Hermione! Emma shocked audiences as Nicki Moore, a fame-obsessed teen burglar. Critics raved that she “oozed casual disdain” and mastered a “Kardashian-style” vocal fry that went instantly viral.
Emma told GQ she wasn’t trying to run away from her past, but rather “transform” into a true character actress. Mission accomplished!
. Noah ()
Starring in this biblical epic alongside Russell Crowe, Emma delivered a “quiet but ferocious” performance. Director Darren Aronofsky’s gritty vision allowed Emma to show off her dramatic range in raw, emotional scenes that proved she was a powerhouse talent beyond the YA genre.
. The Perks of Being a Wallflower ()
This coming-of-age classic remains a favorite on TikTok for its “infinite” vibes and aesthetic tunnel scenes. Playing the free-spirited Sam, Emma helped bring the iconic line “we accept the love we think we deserve” to life.
The role earned her a People’s Choice Award and cemented her status as the voice of a generation.
. Beauty and the Beast ()
Emma was the “first and only choice” to play Belle, and she made the character her own by adding boots and bloomers to the wardrobe for a more active, feminist take.
“Belle was my childhood heroine,” she told Time. The film was a billion-dollar smash, proving that Emma truly is a real-life Disney princess.
. Little Women ()
As Meg March in Greta Gerwig’s masterpiece, Emma defended her character’s choice to be a wife and mother as a radical feminist act.
Starring alongside Florence Pugh and Saoirse Ronan, she brought a grounded, beautiful grace to the eldest March sister that critics called her “most challenging role” to date.
. The Harry Potter Series (–)
Could it be anything else? For an entire decade, Emma Watson was Hermione Granger. Despite beating out thousands of girls in eight grueling auditions, she admitted she “never really thought she had a chance” at the part.
During the HBO Max reunion, she noted that her life has been “a fantasy story in itself.” While she may be keeping a low profile these days, Hermione will always be the “brightest witch of her age” in our hearts.
