Joan Plowright
ActingAbout Joan Plowright
Joan Ann Plowright, Lady Olivier, DBE (28 October 1929 - 16 January 2025), better known as Dame Joan Plowright, was an English actress, whose career has spanned over sixty years. Throughout her career she has won two Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award and has been nominated for an Academy Award, an Emmy, and two BAFTA Awards. Joan Plowright is also one of only four actresses to have won two Golden Globes in the same year.
Joan Plowright Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Joan Plowright reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Joan Plowright's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 54% of Joan Plowright's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains A Dedicated Man, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Joan Plowright Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Joan Plowright's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Joan Plowright has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Nothing Like a Dame | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2008 | The Spiderwick Chronicles | Aunt Lucinda Spiderwick | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | Curious George | Ms. Plushbottom (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | Goose on the Loose | Beatrice Fairfield | Flop | Similar → |
| 2005 | Mrs Palfrey at The Claremont | Mrs. Palfrey | Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | George and the Dragon | Mother Superior | Average | Similar → |
| 2003 | I Am David | Sophie | Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | Bringing Down the House | Mrs. Virginia Arness | Average | Similar → |
| 2002 | Callas Forever | Sarah Keller | Average | Similar → |
| 2001 | Scrooge and Marley | Narrator | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2001 | Bailey's Mistake | Aunt Angie | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Back to the Secret Garden | Martha Sowerby | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Dinosaur | Baylene (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | Tom's Midnight Garden | Mrs Bartholomew | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | Tea with Mussolini | Mary Wallace | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within | Jeanne Vertefeuille | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | Dance with Me | Bea Johnson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | 101 Dalmatians | Nanny | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Surviving Picasso | Françoise's Grandmother | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Jane Eyre | Mrs. Fairfax | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | The Scarlet Letter | Harriet Hibbons | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Hotel Sorrento | Marge Morrisey | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | A Pin for the Butterfly | Grandma | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | The Return of the Native | Frau Yeobright | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | A Place for Annie | Dorothy | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | On Promised Land | Mrs. Appletree | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1994 | Widows' Peak | Mrs. Doyle-Counihan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | The Clothes in the Wardrobe | Mrs. Monro | Average | Similar → |
| 1993 | Last Action Hero | Teacher | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Dennis the Menace | Martha Wilson | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Enchanted April | Mrs Fisher | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Avalon | Eva Krichinsky | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | I Love You to Death | Nadja | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Drowning by Numbers | Cissie Colpitts | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Birthday Party | Meg Bowles | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Revolution | Mrs. McConnahay | Flop | Similar → |
| 1982 | Laurence Olivier: a life | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Brimstone & Treacle | Norma Bates | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | Britannia Hospital | Phyllis Grimshaw | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | A Dedicated Man | Edith | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Diary of Anne Frank | Edith Frank-Holländer | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Daphne Laureola | Lady Pitts | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Saturday, Sunday, Monday | Rosa | Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Equus | Dora Strang | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | The Merchant of Venice | Portia | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | Twelfth Night | Viola | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | Uncle Vanya | Sonya | Average | Similar → |
| 1960 | The Entertainer | Jean Rice | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | Time Without Pity | Agnes Cole | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Moby Dick—Rehearsed | A Young Actress /Pip | Hit | Similar → |
Joan Plowright - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Joan Plowright?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Joan Plowright is "A Dedicated Man" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Joan Plowright acted in?
Joan Plowright has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Joan Plowright?
Other notable films include "Laurence Olivier: a life", "Scrooge and Marley", and "The Merchant of Venice".