Oscar winners are often held in high regard as the best of the best, and Cate Blanchett is no exception. With seven Oscar nominations and two wins under her belt, she has cemented her place as one of the most respected and successful actresses of her time. But with so many great performances to choose from, it can be hard to decide which of her Oscar-nominated roles were actually the best. To help make the decision easier, here is a ranking of every Cate Blanchett Oscar nomination, from worst to best.
- Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
Elizabeth: The Golden Age may have earned Cate Blanchett a Best Actress nomination at the 79th Academy Awards, but not many people remember it as one of her better performances. In the role of Queen Elizabeth I, she is stoic and regal, but she is ultimately overshadowed by the spectacle of the film itself. Her performance is competent and reliable, but not particularly remarkable.
- Notes on a Scandal (2006)
Notes on a Scandal earned Cate Blanchett a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 79th Academy Awards, and it shows Blanchett in a completely different light. As Barbara Covett, a lonely, curmudgeonly schoolteacher, she plays off of Judi Dench’s performance wonderfully. She has a way of making even the most subtle nuances of her character stand out, and this performance – while not the best of her career – is certainly memorable.
- The Aviator (2004)
Cate Blanchett walked away with a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 77th Academy Awards for her role in The Aviator as Katharine Hepburn. In this period drama, Blanchett brings both power and grace to her performance as one of Hollywood’s most iconic actresses. Blanchett’s nuanced portrayal is captivating, and her chemistry with Leonardo DiCaprio is undeniable.
- Carol (2015)
Carol marked Cate Blanchett’s sixth Oscar nomination and her third for Best Actress. In the film, she plays a 1950s housewife who falls in love with a young photographer. Blanchett nails the complexity of her character, brilliantly embodying her longing, passion, and despair. Her performance is raw and passionate, and it earned her a well-deserved nomination.
- Blue Jasmine (2013)
Blue Jasmine earned Cate Blanchett an Oscar for Best Actress in 2014. In the film, she plays an alleged victim of “white collar” crime struggling to survive in poverty-stricken San Francisco. Blanchett is mesmerizing in her portrayal of a woman struggling to maintain her dignity amidst tragedy. Her performance is both devastating and intoxicating, and it rightfully earned her the statue.
- Elizabeth (1998)
Elizabeth was the role that made Cate Blanchett a star. In her performance as the young Queen Elizabeth I, Cate Blanchett embodies the monarch’s complexity and intelligence with an unmistakable vibrancy. She perfectly captures the nuances of Elizabeth’s transformation from an insecure teenager to a powerful and respected ruler. Her remarkable performance earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 71st Academy Awards and cemented her status as an incredible actress.
- I’m Not There (2007)
I’m Not There earned Cate Blanchett another Best Supporting Actress nomination, this time at the 80th Academy Awards. In the film, she plays a gender-swapping version of Bob Dylan, and it is arguably her most daring and ambitious performance. Blanchett brings Dylan to life with a remarkable authenticity, combining the swagger and romance of iconic Dylan with a fascinating blend of transgender and gender-bending themes.
Cate Blanchett is one of the most talented and accomplished actresses of her time. In her seven Oscar nominations, she has solidified her place in Hollywood and demonstrated an impressive range and depth in her work. From mesmerizing turns as Queen Elizabeth I and Katharine Hepburn to daring portrayals of Bob Dylan and other characters, Blanchett has earned a well-deserved spot among the best of the best.
