Nicole Kidman is a true force in the film industry. The 58-year-old Australian actress has evolved from a rising star and tabloid favorite into one of Hollywood’s most respected figures. Over her more than 40-year career, she has lit up the screen in lively musicals, captivated audiences in chilling horror films, shone in acclaimed dramas, and kept us on the edge of our seats in fast-paced thrillers. What’s even more impressive is that alongside her award-winning, conventional roles, she consistently takes bold, surprising risks that leave both viewers and critics in awe.
In celebration of her Vogue cover in November 2025 and the exciting anticipation for Practical Magic 2, let’s look back at her standout performances so far.
Dead Calm (1989)
At just 21, Nicole Kidman—with her signature curly red hair and natural Australian accent—made a splash in Phillip Noyce’s tense thriller. She plays a woman on a peaceful Pacific sailing trip with her husband when a mysterious stranger (Billy Zane) boards their boat, claiming to have escaped a sinking ship. As danger escalates, her seemingly innocent character quickly shows her strength.
To Die For (1995)
This role shot her to superstardom. In Gus Van Sant’s dark satire, Kidman portrays Suzanne Stone, a glamorous, ambitious, and ruthlessly determined weather reporter who schemes to murder her husband (Matt Dillon). Her performance is both captivating and chilling, earning her a Golden Globe and a Critics’ Choice Award.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring alongside her then-husband Tom Cruise, Kidman smolders in this controversial psychosexual drama. She plays a doctor’s wife whose confession of a fantasy about another man sends her husband spiraling into a dark world of masked orgies and chaos.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
From the moment she descends from the ceiling to sing a flirtatious version of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” Kidman’s dazzling courtesan Satine has Ewan McGregor’s wide-eyed writer Christian—and the audience—completely enchanted. Baz Luhrmann’s glittering musical earned Kidman her first Oscar nomination and a second Golden Globe win, cementing it as one of her most iconic roles.
The Others (2001)
Alejandro Amenábar’s eerie supernatural thriller relies heavily on Kidman’s intense performance as a troubled mother protecting her children from hauntings in their remote 1940s Jersey home. Armed with a shotgun, she shifts between fragility and strength, despair and defiance, proving she’s far more than a typical horror movie lead.
The Hours (2002)
Kidman completely transforms into Virginia Woolf in Stephen Daldry’s moving adaptation of Michael Cunningham’s novel. With a brown wig, prosthetic nose, and period dresses, she embodies the author in a story linking three women through Mrs. Dalloway. This powerful role won her a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and an Oscar for Best Actress, elevating her career to new heights.
Dogville (2003)
Instead of resting on her awards success, Kidman took on another daring role in Lars von Trier’s arthouse drama. She plays a troubled woman hiding from her gangster father in a small Colorado town that eventually turns on her. The result is a stunning and unforgettable performance.
Birth (2004)
Only Kidman could pull off playing a grieving widow who becomes convinced that a 10-year-old boy is the reincarnation of her late husband. In Jonathan Glazer’s atmospheric film, she delivers a nuanced performance full of suspicion, hope, and sorrow, earning another Golden Globe nomination.
Rabbit Hole (2010)
In John Cameron Mitchell’s heart-wrenching drama, Kidman and Aaron Eckhart portray a couple grappling with the accidental death of their young son. Kidman masterfully navigates emotions like anger, numbness, and resilience, earning her a third Oscar nomination.In the 2017 series “Big Little Lies,” Nicole Kidman captivated audiences as Celeste, a woman admired by all in Monterey yet hiding a painful secret. Her powerful performance was the centerpiece of David E. Kelley’s hit show, earning her two Emmys, two Golden Globes, two Critics’ Choice Awards (for both acting and producing), and a SAG Award. This role marked a resurgence in her television career, leading to starring roles in “The Undoing,” “Nine Perfect Strangers,” and the recent “Expats.”
Fast forward to 2024’s “Babygirl,” where Kidman takes on a bold new challenge in Halina Reijn’s gripping workplace thriller. Here, she portrays a CEO unraveled by a forbidden relationship with an intern, played by Harris Dickinson. This part showcases her as never before—exposed, emotionally open, and embracing her sexuality, highlighting the fearless approach that has always characterized her acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and natural FAQs about the top Nicole Kidman roles
Frequently Asked Questions Top Nicole Kidman Roles
Beginner General Questions
1 Why is Nicole Kidman considered such a great actress
She is known for her incredible range fearlessly taking on complex and varied roles across different genres from intense dramas to musicals and psychological thrillers
2 What is a good starter Nicole Kidman movie for someone new to her work
Moulin Rouge is a fantastic starting point Its a visually stunning musical that showcases her singing talent and dramatic power in a very entertaining way
3 Which role won Nicole Kidman her Oscar
She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in The Hours
4 I loved her in Big Little Lies What are some similar dramatic TV roles
Check out her work in the HBO limited series The Undoing which has a similar tone of mystery and domestic drama
5 Whats her most famous or iconic role
While she has many her role as Satine in Moulin Rouge is one of her most iconic thanks to the films unique style and her memorable performance
Advanced Specific Questions
6 What makes her performance in The Hours so special
To play author Virginia Woolf Kidman wore a prosthetic nose and completely transformed her appearance and demeanor delivering a quiet deeply internal and heartbreaking performance
7 Are there any great Nicole Kidman movies that are more underrated or lesserknown
Yes Rabbit Hole where she plays a grieving mother is a powerful and raw drama that often flies under the radar but showcases some of her best work
8 How did her role in To Die For change her career
It was a major turning point Playing a manipulative fameobsessed weather girl proved her talent for dark comedy and complex unsympathetic characters moving her beyond just romantic leads
9 What is her collaboration with director Baz Luhrmann like
She has starred in two of his films Their collaboration is known for its grand scale theatricality and emotional intensity bringing out a vibrant and passionate