Growing up on the silver screen is notoriously difficult, but Watson navigated her transition from global child phenomenon to respected Hollywood leading woman with unparalleled grace.
Off-screen, she has become a formidable UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and a champion for sustainable fashion. On-screen, she has consistently chosen roles that highlight intelligent, complex, and deeply passionate women. To honor her milestone birthday, let us grab a Butterbeer and count down the ten absolute best and most renowned roles of Emma Watson’s career.
Hermione Granger in The Harry Potter Series (2001–2011)
It is the role of a lifetime, and there is no denying it claims the top spot. For an entire decade, Watson was the beating heart and brilliant mind of the Harry Potter franchise. As Hermione Granger, she taught an entire generation of young girls that being the smartest person in the room wasn’t just okay—it was a superpower. From an eager, bushy-haired rule-follower to a fierce, fiercely loyal warrior, Watson’s evolution perfectly mirrored her character’s, creating one of the most iconic heroines in cinematic history.
Sam in The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
In her first major post-Potter role, Watson needed to prove she could step outside of the magical world, and she did so with absolute flying colors. Playing the free-spirited, deeply vulnerable high school senior Sam in Stephen Chbosky’s adaptation of his own novel, she completely shed her Hogwarts robes. Standing in the back of a pickup truck as it speeds through a tunnel to David Bowie’s “Heroes,” she delivered a defining coming-of-age movie moment that proved she was a formidable dramatic talent.
Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2017)
If there was ever an actress born to play the book-loving Disney princess, it was Emma Watson. In the massive live-action remake of the 1991 animated classic, she brought a modern, feminist agency to Belle. Watson refused to wear a corset, ensuring her version of the character was active, inventive, and deeply independent. The film went on to gross over a billion dollars worldwide, permanently cementing her status as a global, bankable leading lady.
Meg March in Little Women (2019)
Reuniting with a powerhouse cast for Greta Gerwig’s acclaimed adaptation of the classic novel, Watson stepped into the shoes of the eldest March sister, Meg. While Meg’s traditional desires for marriage and a family are sometimes overshadowed by her sister Jo’s fierce independence, Watson brought immense dignity and warmth to the role. She beautifully anchored the film’s message that wanting a quiet, traditional life is just as valid a feminist choice as wanting to conquer the world.
Nicki Moore in The Bling Ring (2013)
In a delicious, highly unexpected pivot, Watson teamed up with director Sofia Coppola to play a deeply shallow, fame-obsessed teenager in this satirical crime film based on true events. As Nicki Moore—a character loosely based on reality TV star Alexis Neiers—Watson completely abandoned her “good girl” image. Rocking tracksuits, stealing designer clothes, and delivering hilariously un-self-aware lines to the press, she proved she possessed a fantastic, razor-sharp comedic edge.
Ila in Noah (2014)
Darren Aronofsky’s dark, biblical epic allowed Watson to tackle incredibly heavy dramatic material alongside heavyweights like Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly. Playing Ila, the barren adopted daughter of Noah who miraculously becomes pregnant right as the world ends, Watson delivered a highly emotional, agonizing performance. Her desperate, tearful defense of her newborn children during the film’s climax is some of the strongest, most intense acting of her entire career.
Lena in Colonia (2015)
In this gripping historical thriller set during the 1973 Chilean military coup, Watson took on the role of a desperate woman who willingly infiltrates a dangerous, cult-like religious compound to rescue her abducted boyfriend. It was a physically and emotionally demanding role that allowed her to flex her action-thriller muscles, proving she could absolutely carry a tense, high-stakes political drama squarely on her shoulders.
Lucy in My Week with Marilyn (2011)
Though it was a smaller supporting role, her appearance as Lucy, a young wardrobe assistant, marked her very first cinematic outing outside of the Harry Potter franchise. Caught in a brief, sweet flirtation with Eddie Redmayne’s character, Watson was charming, grounded, and incredibly natural. It served as a perfect, quiet palate cleanser that effectively reintroduced her to audiences as a working, versatile adult actor.
Pauline Fossil in Ballet Shoes (2007)
Filmed during her Harry Potter years, this charming BBC television film gave audiences an early glimpse of what Watson could do outside of the wizarding world. Playing an ambitious young orphan who dreams of becoming a famous stage actress in 1930s London, Watson was absolutely glowing. It is a sweet, heartfelt family film that highlighted her natural grace and classical English charm.
Mae Holland in The Circle (2017)
Starring alongside the legendary Tom Hanks, Watson took the lead in this modern tech-thriller about the dark, terrifying realities of digital privacy and corporate surveillance. As Mae, an eager new employee who slowly becomes the public face of an invasive tech monopoly, Watson effectively captured the naive ambition and subsequent, terrifying realization of a woman caught in a digital panopticon.