Angelina Jolie is an internationally recognized actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. Born Angelina Jolie Voight on June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, she rose to prominence during the 1990s before becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars through films such as Girl, Interrupted (1999), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Wanted (2008), Salt (2010), and Maleficent (2014).
Jolie has built a diverse career spanning action blockbusters, psychological dramas, historical films, fantasy adventures, animated movies, and independent cinema. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Girl, Interrupted and earned further critical acclaim for portraying real-life figures, including journalist Mariane Pearl in A Mighty Heart and opera singer Maria Callas in Maria (2024).
Beyond acting, Jolie has directed and produced films exploring war, displacement, family, and human rights. Her work behind the camera includes In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), Unbroken (2014), First They Killed My Father (2017), and Without Blood (2024).
Angelina Jolie at a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Angelina Jolie Voight |
| Date of birth | June 4, 1975 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Profession | Actress, director, producer |
| Active years | 1982–present |
| Film breakthrough | Hackers (1995) |
| Major acting breakthrough | Gia (1998) and Girl, Interrupted (1999) |
| Academy Award | Best Supporting Actress for Girl, Interrupted |
| Famous action role | Lara Croft |
| Famous fantasy role | Maleficent |
| Notable dramatic role | Maria Callas in Maria |
Complete Angelina Jolie movie filmography
The following list focuses on her acting roles in feature films, including voice performances and notable supporting appearances. Her directing, writing, and producing credits are covered separately below.
1982–1994: Early appearances and first roles
7
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Lookin’ to Get Out | Tosh, a child role |
| 1993 | Cyborg 2 | Casella “Cash” Reese |
| 1993 | Angela & Viril short films | Early experimental film appearances |
Jolie appeared as a child in Lookin’ to Get Out, a film starring her father, Jon Voight. Her adult film career began to take shape in the early 1990s, when she started accepting more substantial roles and developing the screen presence that would later make her internationally famous.
1995–1999: Breakthrough performances
5
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Hackers | Kate “Acid Burn” Libby |
| 1995 | Without Evidence | Jodie Swearingen |
| 1996 | Foxfire | Margaret “Legs” Sadovsky |
| 1996 | Mojave Moon | Eleanor “Elie” Rigby |
| 1997 | Love Is All There Is | Gina Malacici |
| 1997 | Playing God | Claire |
| 1997 | George Wallace | Cornelia Wallace |
| 1997 | True Women | Georgia Virginia Lawshe Woods |
| 1998 | Gia | Gia Carangi |
| 1998 | Hell’s Kitchen | Gloria McNeary |
| 1998 | Playing by Heart | Joan |
| 1999 | Pushing Tin | Mary Bell |
| 1999 | The Bone Collector | Amelia Donaghy |
| 1999 | Girl, Interrupted | Lisa Rowe |
Career highlight: Jolie’s portrayal of supermodel Gia Carangi in the television film Gia earned major awards and critical praise. Her performance as Lisa Rowe in Girl, Interrupted won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2000 ceremony.
2000–2005: International stardom and action heroines
5
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Gone in 60 Seconds | Sara “Sway” Wayland |
| 2001 | Lara Croft: Tomb Raider | Lara Croft |
| 2001 | Original Sin | Julia Russell / Bonny Castle |
| 2002 | Life or Something Like It | Lanie Kerrigan |
| 2003 | Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life | Lara Croft |
| 2003 | Beyond Borders | Sarah Jordan |
| 2004 | Taking Lives | Illeana Scott |
| 2004 | Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow | Commander Franky Cook |
| 2004 | Shark Tale | Lola, voice |
| 2004 | Alexander | Olympias |
| 2005 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Jane Smith |
This period established Jolie as a major action star. Her portrayal of Lara Croft introduced a physically demanding, adventurous heroine to a worldwide audience, while Mr. & Mrs. Smith became one of her best-known commercial successes. She also demonstrated her range in historical epics, crime thrillers, and animation.
2006–2010: Dramatic roles and critical recognition
6
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Good Shepherd | Margaret “Clover” Russell Wilson |
| 2007 | A Mighty Heart | Mariane Pearl |
| 2007 | Beowulf | Grendel’s mother |
| 2008 | Wanted | Fox |
| 2008 | Kung Fu Panda | Master Tigress, voice |
| 2008 | Changeling | Christine Collins |
| 2010 | Salt | Evelyn Salt |
| 2010 | The Tourist | Elise Clifton-Ward |
Changeling, directed by Clint Eastwood, earned Jolie an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of a mother searching for her missing son. In A Mighty Heart, she portrayed journalist Mariane Pearl in a drama based on the kidnapping and murder of her husband, Daniel Pearl.
Meanwhile, Wanted and Salt reinforced her reputation for action roles, while her voice performance as Tigress in Kung Fu Panda introduced her to a younger audience.
2011–2019: Directing, fantasy blockbusters, and independent cinema
6
| Year | Movie | Role or contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Kung Fu Panda 2 | Master Tigress, voice |
| 2011 | In the Land of Blood and Honey | Director, writer, producer |
| 2014 | Maleficent | Maleficent |
| 2014 | Unbroken | Director |
| 2015 | By the Sea | Vanessa; director, writer, producer |
| 2016 | Kung Fu Panda 3 | Master Tigress, voice |
| 2017 | First They Killed My Father | Director, writer, producer |
| 2019 | Maleficent: Mistress of Evil | Maleficent |
Jolie’s career expanded significantly behind the camera during this period. Unbroken tells the story of Olympic athlete and World War II prisoner of war Louis Zamperini. First They Killed My Father, based on Loung Ung’s memoir, depicts a child’s experience during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.
At the same time, Maleficent became one of Jolie’s signature screen roles, reimagining the classic Disney villain as a complex protagonist.
2020–2026: Recent films and new projects
5
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Come Away | Rose Littleton |
| 2020 | The One and Only Ivan | Stella, voice |
| 2021 | Those Who Wish Me Dead | Hannah Faber |
| 2021 | Eternals | Thena |
| 2024 | Maria | Maria Callas |
| 2024 | Without Blood | Director, writer, producer |
| 2025 | Couture | Maxine Walker |
| 2025 | Muganga, the One Who Treats | Producer |
Maria, directed by Pablo Larraín, features Jolie as legendary opera singer Maria Callas during the final period of her life. The role required extensive preparation for a character whose identity was closely connected to her voice, artistry, and public image.
Couture is listed among Jolie’s 2025 acting and producing credits. Film databases also list Anxious People as a 2026 project, with Jolie attached as Zara and the film reported in post-production. The Initiative, Sunny, and Maleficent 3 appear in upcoming-project listings, but their release dates and production statuses remain subject to change.
Angelina Jolie’s most famous movies
1. Girl, Interrupted (1999)
Genre: Psychological drama
Jolie plays Lisa Rowe, a charismatic and rebellious patient in a psychiatric institution. Her intense performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and established her as a major dramatic talent.
2. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
Genre: Action / adventure
Jolie portrays the adventurous archaeologist Lara Croft, who searches for ancient artifacts while facing dangerous enemies. The film cemented her international action-star status.
3. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Genre: Action comedy
Jolie plays Jane Smith, an assassin whose marriage to another professional killer leads to a dangerous confrontation. The film combines action, humor, romance, and espionage.
4. Changeling (2008)
Genre: Historical drama / crime
Based on a real case, the film follows Christine Collins as she challenges authorities after the child returned to her is not her missing son. Jolie’s performance received an Academy Award nomination.
5. Salt (2010)
Genre: Spy thriller
Jolie plays CIA officer Evelyn Salt, who becomes a fugitive after being accused of being a Russian spy. The film features disguises, elaborate escapes, and fast-paced action.
6. Maleficent (2014)
Genre: Fantasy / adventure
Jolie reimagines the iconic antagonist from Sleeping Beauty as a powerful fairy whose story explores betrayal, revenge, protection, and redemption.
7. Maria (2024)
Genre: Biographical drama
Jolie portrays opera legend Maria Callas, focusing on her final days in Paris. The performance represents a return to a demanding character-driven dramatic role.
Angelina Jolie as a director and producer
Jolie has developed a parallel filmmaking career focused on stories with historical, social, and emotional depth.
| Year | Film | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | A Place in Time | Director |
| 2011 | In the Land of Blood and Honey | Director, writer, producer |
| 2014 | Unbroken | Director |
| 2015 | By the Sea | Director, writer, producer |
| 2017 | First They Killed My Father | Director, writer, producer |
| 2024 | Without Blood | Director, writer, producer |
| 2025 | Couture | Actress, producer |
Her work as a filmmaker frequently addresses conflict, survival, displacement, trauma, and resilience. First They Killed My Father received particular attention for its Cambodian setting and its adaptation of Loung Ung’s memoir. Jolie has also served as a producer on films made by other directors, including The Breadwinner (2017).
Angelina Jolie’s television career
Jolie received important recognition for her early television performances before becoming a global movie star.
| Year | Production | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Alice & Viril short films | Early screen appearances |
| 1997 | George Wallace | Cornelia Wallace |
| 1997 | True Women | Georgia Virginia Lawshe Woods |
| 1998 | Gia | Gia Carangi |
George Wallace and Gia were particularly important to Jolie’s early career. Her performance in Gia earned a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, while George Wallace also brought her major television recognition.
Awards and nominations
Angelina Jolie’s awards recognize her acting, directing, and humanitarian work.
- Academy Award: Best Supporting Actress for Girl, Interrupted (2000 ceremony).
- Golden Globe Awards: Multiple wins, including for George Wallace, Gia, and Girl, Interrupted.
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Recognition for Gia and Girl, Interrupted.
- Academy Award nomination: Best Actress for Changeling (2009 ceremony).
- Honorary recognition: Jolie has received international honors for her humanitarian and filmmaking work.
Her career has combined major commercial successes with smaller, challenging projects. The Breadwinner, which she executive-produced, also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.
Frequently asked questions
What was Angelina Jolie’s first movie?
Jolie appeared as a child in Lookin’ to Get Out (1982). Her adult feature-film career developed in the 1990s, including Cyborg 2 (1993) and Hackers (1995)
What is Angelina Jolie’s most famous movie?
Several films are central to her international fame: Girl, Interrupted, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Wanted, Salt, and Maleficent. Which is most famous depends on whether the focus is awards, action cinema, box-office success, or popular culture.
Has Angelina Jolie won an Oscar?
Yes. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Lisa Rowe in Girl, Interrupted at the 2000 ceremony. She was also nominated for Best Actress for Changeling.
How many Maleficent movies has Angelina Jolie appeared in?
She has starred in two released films in the series: Maleficent (2014) and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019). A third installment appears in industry listings, but its release status should be checked for the latest confirmation.
Is Angelina Jolie a film director?
Yes. Her directing credits include In the Land of Blood and Honey, Unbroken, By the Sea, First They Killed My Father, and Without Blood. She has also written and produced several of these films.
What are Angelina Jolie’s latest movies?
Her recent acting credits include Maria (2024) and Couture (2025). She also directed and produced Without Blood (2024). Anxious People is listed as an upcoming 2026 acting project, with other titles in development or with unconfirmed release schedules.
Angelina Jolie’s filmography illustrates the evolution of an actress who has moved between mainstream action cinema, award-winning dramas, fantasy franchises, animation, and independent filmmaking. From the rebellious Lisa Rowe in Girl, Interrupted to the adventurous Lara Croft, the formidable Maleficent, and the celebrated opera singer in Maria, she has taken on characters with very different personalities and motivations.
Her influence also extends beyond acting through directing, producing, and humanitarian work. For viewers discovering her career, Girl, Interrupted, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, A Mighty Heart, Changeling, Salt, Maleficent, First They Killed My Father, and Maria provide a broad introduction to her work.
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