The Best Keira Knightley Movies & TV Shows, Ranked
A great actor doesn't just deliver unforgettable performances, but they manage to ensure that each role looks different than where we've seen them before. We should be able to watch them in one property without thinking of another character, and in addition, they've got to embody the role with thoughtful layers to sell whatever it is they're attempting to. Such is often the case with Keira Knightley, and has been from her rise to fame. Knightley has become so beloved that there's not a single role she takes on that isn't made better because of her presence.
Whether she's a pirate king (yes, king), a duchess, or a spy, Knightley continues to shine with a wide range of emotions. With a number of excellent movies and a handful of TV shows under her belt, it can be hard to keep up, so we've curated a list of the best Keira Knightley movies, ranked from good to even greater, and where you can watch them on platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, and more.
Where plot is concerned, Love Actually is arguably one of the most controversial Christmas movies, but the cast is full of indescribable stars that make it a tremendous accomplishment, regardless of whether it's liked or disliked. As one of her earlier roles, Keira Knightley does a gorgeous job of showing off her chops and adding layers to a character we don't get nearly enough time with. When there's an ensemble cast like Love Actually's, it's understandable that not every performer will shine as much as we want them to. Screen time is scarce, and it's ultimately up to the actors to do as much as they can to fill the space they're in.
Knightley does all of this and more. She layers Juliet with distinguishable traits and makes her a memorable part of the film. And though it might not be her greatest performance, it's undeniable how reputable it is. Love Actually is also the type of holiday film that's become such a staple, it deserves to be seen at least once in a person's lifetime, especially if you love Christmas movies.
There's something right and especially fitting about Keira Knightley in a period piece, and it's because the actress consistently delivers indelible performances. With every facial expression, careful gaze, and distinct mannerism that she picks up, there isn't a single character that she doesn't ensure stands out, and this is certainly the case for The Duchess. As the face of the film, Knightley delivers something haunting and raw with each expression.
The subject matter and cruel mistreatment that her character goes through make The Duchess a difficult film to watch at times, but it's still worth every minute. Knightley brings her A-game in a way that's so harrowing that this was one of the first films I personally watched as a critic and realized just how much she's capable of.
Bend It Like Beckham proves that Knightley could take on comedy work while weaving it with quintessential angsty teen performances to deliver something worthwhile. It's easy to wonder what the film would've been like had it been released today, but still, for its time, it was a fantastic exploration of women in sports and their opposing families holding onto traditional views and standards. Knightly and Parminder Nagra made excellent scene partners as they led the film, allowing the characters to remain memorable years after.
With a genuinely charming cast, superb writing, and even greater execution of various subplots, Bend It Like Beckham is a must-watch not only for Knightley's performance, but for the sake of watching a film that was revolutionary at the time. It still holds up pretty well today, and with a recently announced sequel, viewers are likely in for another treat.
Begin Again, starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, is a quieter inclusion on this list, but it's a compelling showcase of Knightley's range. She gets to use her singing voice to show off a different type of talent while simultaneously taking the character through a short but significant journey. Gretta is fine not being in the spotlight as she provides lyrics and moral support to her boyfriend, Dave (Adam Levine). It's not until he falls for someone and leaves her that she takes command of her own life and produces an album with Ruffalo's Dan.
The role of Greta is one of Knightley’s most subtle performances, but it’s also one that’s deeply human. With every expression she shows us an ache that easily feels relatable, even if we aren’t going through the same heartbreak as her character. Perfect for viewers who love New York-based films and stories that highlight a woman’s agency, Begin Again is a great one to watch.
A bit like Begin Again, in many ways, Colette is also a film about the artistry of performing and the importance of showing people who you are. It's gorgeously shot and thoughtfully written to highlight a woman's role in society and how hypocrisy is seldom addressed as what it is in the patriarchy. Set mostly in Paris, it's a stunning biopic that shines entirely because of the type of performer Keira Knightley is.
The full range of emotions that Knightley brings takes the character through various points of her life, graciously showing the audience in increments how she continues to find her voice, confidence, and strength. The woman we meet at the beginning of the film isn't the one we leave behind, and even if a viewer isn't aware of the history, it's still obvious throughout how much she's evolving in a world where her freedom is limited. With every tonal change and slight change in her facial expression, Knightley says a thousand words at once, delivering a heartfelt, poignantly daring performance every time.
In a sea of men (literally), Keira Knightley not only holds her own with tremendous range, but she somehow manages to outshine all her male counterparts by stealing the spotlight in a way that makes Elizabeth Swann the most important character in the franchise. And while her relationship with Orlando Bloom's Will Turner is one of the best fantasy relationships, Knightley is the reason Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is unique as an action-adventure film. Jack Sparrow might be the face of it, and pirates may primarily be associated with men, but the layers, composure, and all-around strength that Knightley brings to Elizabeth make the film feel richer.
Knightley's performances are exceptional throughout the trilogy, and each film is worth watching because of her, but if I had to choose one, it's the first. The story begins with Elizabeth Swann, and everything that centers around her arc is structured in a way that doesn't make her a typical damsel in distress. While films from the decade were known for reducing women to one-dimensional characters, the franchise thankfully veers in an opposite direction.
Thousands of people are likely still devastated and emotionally destroyed by Atonement. It's a heartbreaking, vulnerable, deeply upsetting exposé of class and chock full of exceptional performances from the entire cast. Knightley brings something daring, bold, and tenderly heartbreaking to the role as we watch the character's life through various years. The rage she depicts is so raw at times that even as we've watched her get angry in other films, there's something guttural about her pain in Atonement.
The film is an absolute must-watch for viewers itching for a good period piece that's both rich in the story it tells and aesthetically gorgeous. Atonement is a harrowing take on grand mistakes and the importance of making things right. It asks difficult questions and poses nuanced discussions, making it a gripping story on all fronts about human complexities in a tumultuous time in history. More than anything, it's not just Knightley who delivers a stunning, deeply memorable performance, but Saiorse Ronan and James McAvoy do, too.
There are a number of sleek, smart spy dramas on TV, but it's a genre that can never be too much of. Pair Keira Knightley with an actor equally as incredible as Ben Whishaw, and Black Doves becomes an exceptional must-watch for fans of the genre. The character-driven action-adventure doesn't exactly deliver anything overtly unique, but it still manages to be thoroughly entertaining and clever.
As an actress who's so versatile, Knightley delivers an incredible performance through and through. With the series renewed at Netflix, we can be sure of the fact that as the stakes grow higher, Knightley's performance will surely amplify each scene with layers that'll likely have a great impact throughout the series' run.
When an actress is as compelling as Keira Knightley, it's impossible to pick a single property that can be deemed their best. The choice will always be subjective, given how different viewers will engage with a piece of media, but as someone who holds an MFA in English Literature and has studied Jane Austen extensively, there's no denying that Knightley's performance as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice is an absolute masterclass. A large part of the film's appeal and cult following is entirely because of the performances.
Knightley embodies Elizabeth with such careful depth that even though we don't have much insight into her internal thought process, we can gauge a substantial amount through every gaze and slight shift in her physicality. Elizabeth is a beloved character in general, but it's Knightley's performance that makes her relatable to viewers who might not have already been fans of the book. Her performance ensures that Austen's words translate effectively off-screen, making the entire movie a breathtaking character study. It might not be an award-winning performance, but it's undoubtedly special.
