Meryl Streep is one of the greatest actresses of all time, with 21 Oscar nominations and a resume full of bonafide classics. The bulk of her ’80s and ’90s work is already stellar, but Streep arguably reached new heights of critical and commercial success with her 21st-century oeuvre. Whether she’s playing a fierce editor, a legendary cook, or a real-life political figure, Streep continues to dominate awards season with performances that always get people talking.
Alas, not all of her nominations have been created equal. While many were well-earned, others felt more like automatic nods given her iconic status as an outright living legend. From Oscar-bait performances to full-blown transformations, here’s a ranking of Streep’s nine Oscar nominations of the 21st century so far — from the least memorable to the most magnificent. Taste is subjective, but most movie fans can agree that some of Streep’s Oscar acknowledgments are far superior.
9
‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ (2016)
Nominated for Best Actress at the 89th Academy Awards
Florence Foster Jenkins features one of Streep’s funniest performances. Based on the true story of socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, the film follows her dream of becoming an opera singer despite having a truly awful voice. Streep fully embraces the role, delivering a delightfully over-the-top performance. Hugh Grant is solid as her devoted manager and companion, but it’s The Big Bang Theory’s Simon Helberg who steals the show with his hilarious reactions and impressive piano skills. The film never takes itself too seriously, and Streep seems to be having a blast playing such an eccentric character.
Still, the film’s two Oscar nominations were somewhat surprising. While the nod for Best Costume Design made sense (the costumes are fantastic), Streep’s nomination felt like a stretch. Was she really on the same level as Emma Stone (La La Land), Isabelle Huppert (Elle), Ruth Negga (Loving), and Natalie Portman (Jackie) that year? She’s entertaining but not necessarily awards-worthy. Her spot should have gone to Amy Adams, who was brilliant in Arrival and shockingly left out of the lineup.
8
‘Into the Woods’ (2014)
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 87th Academy Awards
From Chicago director Rob Marshall, Into the Woods is a musical fantasy featuring a star-studded cast, including Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, and Chris Pine. Streep plays the Witch, who tasks a baker and his wife with retrieving magical items so they can have a child. While the film features fantastic songs and stunning visuals, it lacks depth, making it one of the weaker films to receive both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations.
Streep is undeniably great, but like Florence Foster Jenkins, this nomination felt unnecessary. When compared to the other Best Supporting Actress nominees that year, the gap in quality is apparent. Patricia Arquette delivered a great performance in the unconventional coming-of-age Boyhood, winning the Oscar, while Laura Dern (Wild), Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game), and Emma Stone (Birdman) all gave standout performances. Streep’s nomination could have easily gone to someone more deserving, such as Rene Russo (Nightcrawler) or Jessica Chastain (A Most Violent Year), both of whom were unfairly snubbed.
7
‘August: Osage County’ (2013)
Nominated for Best Actress at the 86th Academy Awards
Another so-so nomination in Streep’s long career, August: Osage County is a solid family drama centered on the women of a dysfunctional family who reunite in their childhood home in Oklahoma. The film is engaging, with Streep delivering a big, loud, and theatrical performance as the abrasive matriarch. Julia Roberts also shines in a strong supporting role, and the dinner scene is just unforgettable and a great portrayal of family tension.
The film only received two Oscar nominations—Best Leading Actress for Streep and Best Supporting Actress for Roberts. In a year when Cate Blanchett dominated the category, winning her second Oscar for Blue Jasmine, Streep’s nomination felt more like a “happy to be here” moment than a serious contender. Her slot could have easily gone to Emma Thompson, who was fantastic in Saving Mr. Banks but was unfairly snubbed. While Streep gave another solid performance, this nomination ultimately felt unnecessary.
6
‘The Iron Lady’ (2011)
Won Best Actress at the 84th Academy Awards
It might feel unfair to rank one of Streep’s Oscar wins so low, but the reality is that she shouldn’t have won her third (and so far, final) Oscar for this role. That’s not to say her performance isn’t incredible — her transformation into Margaret Thatcher is astonishing, from her voice and mannerisms to the prosthetics and physicality. But The Iron Lady is the most Oscar-baiting role she has ever taken, almost as if, after three decades of losing, Streep finally told her agent, “Get me a role that will win me an Oscar.”
And Britain’s most controversial prime minister seemed like the perfect ticket. While it was satisfying to see one of the greatest actresses of all time claim another Oscar, it was a shame that this was the role that secured it. The film itself drags, suffering from an unfocused narrative that fails to connect its moments. The only real highlight is Streep, who disappears into the role and carries the entire film on her back. But in a year when Viola Davis delivered a career-best performance in The Help and Rooney Mara‘s amazing Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Streep’s win felt more like a lifetime achievement award than a well-earned victory.
5
‘Julie & Julia’ (2009)
Nominated for Best Actress at the 82nd Academy Awards
How charming is Streep in Julie & Julia? This delightful film is one of the ultimate comfort watches—just don’t watch it on an empty stomach. Jumping between two timelines, it follows Julia Child’s rise to culinary fame and a modern woman’s attempt to recreate her recipes. The dynamic between Amy Adams and Streep (despite them never sharing scenes) is cleverly structured, but it’s Streep who steals the show. Her portrayal of Julia Child is joyful, hilarious, and affectionate—she nails the voice and the mannerisms and brings a vibrant energy to every scene.
Reuniting with Stanley Tucci after The Devil Wears Prada, Streep gets to flex both her comedic and dramatic muscles, and it’s no surprise this performance earned her another Oscar nomination. Still, there was a catch — she only starred in half the film, with Adams carrying the modern-day storyline. And while Streep’s performance was more memorable, Sandra Bullock ended up taking home the Oscar that year for The Blind Side, a win that hasn’t aged particularly well due to the film’s heavy-handed sentimentality and inaccuracies. Looking back, it’s easy to argue that the Academy should have handed the gold to Streep instead.
Julie & Julia
- Release Date
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August 7, 2009
4
‘The Post’ (2017)
Nominated for Best Actress at the 90th Academy Awards
It’s hard to believe that The Post marks the last time (so far) that Streep was nominated for an Oscar. Since her first nomination in 1979, Streep has been a near-constant presence during awards season, rarely going more than a year or two without a nod—except for the six-year gap between Postcards from the Edge and the classic The Bridges of Madison County. If The Post were to be her final nomination (though that’s unlikely), it’s a strong one. As The Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham, Streep delivers another great performance, portraying the quiet but growing strength of a woman finding her voice in a male-dominated world.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, The Post only received two Oscar nominations: Best Picture and Best Actress for Streep. That lack of broader recognition was surprising, especially with Tom Hanks turning in a reliably great performance alongside her. Their scenes together are electric, and Streep’s ability to convey internal conflict with the slightest expressions is a masterclass in subtle acting. Still, it was a tough year, and Frances McDormand swept the season for her fiery role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. While Streep didn’t stand a chance against that momentum, The Post remains a quietly powerful entry in her incredible filmography.
The Post
- Release Date
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December 22, 2017
- Runtime
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116minutes
3
‘Adaptation.’ (2002)
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 75th Academy Awards
Directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman, Adaptation. is a standout in Streep’s filmography. This clever comedy-drama follows a screenwriter struggling to adapt Susan Orlean’s nonfiction book The Orchid Thief, with Streep portraying Orlean herself. Though technically a supporting role, Streep makes every moment count, delivering a layered, surprising performance that showcases both her dramatic and comedic range. The entire cast is great, and the film’s unconventional storytelling makes this one of the most original movies of the last 25 years.
Nicolas Cage shines in his dual roles, but it was Chris Cooper who walked away with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, deservedly so. Cage faced off against Adrien Brody, who became the youngest Best Actor winner for The Pianist. Streep, meanwhile, was nominated alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones, who swept the season for her electric performance in Chicago. While Adaptation. may not be the first film people recall from Streep’s resume, her nomination here is a reminder of her ability to elevate any project.
Adaptation.
- Release Date
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December 6, 2002
- Runtime
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115 Minutes
2
‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (2006)
Nominated for Best Actress at the 79th Academy Awards
There is no denying that The Devil Wears Prada defined the 2000s. It may be a comedy with Anne Hathaway as the lead, but it is Streep’s Miranda Priestly who steals the entire film. Her performance is iconic — she could’ve easily played Miranda as a cartoonish villain, but instead, Streep brings nuance, subtlety, and quiet power. Every glare, soft-spoken command, and razor-sharp monologue adds layers to a character who could’ve been one-note in less capable hands. She commands every frame she’s in, and even when she is not on the screen, audiences can feel her presence.
Given the film’s genre, it was unexpected (and refreshing) to see the Academy recognize her performance. Alongside strong supporting turns from Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt, The Devil Wears Prada became more than just a stylish workplace comedy — it became such a modern classic that it is returning for a sequel. While Helen Mirren ultimately won the Oscar that year for The Queen, Streep’s nomination remains one of the most well-deserved and iconic in her career.
1
‘Doubt’ (2008)
Nominated for Best Actress at the 81st Academy Awards
Streep’s third Oscar win should have been for Doubt, not The Iron Lady. What makes this performance even more impressive is that it came out the same year as the musical Mamma Mia! They’re two of Streep’s best movies, featuring two completely opposing roles released just months apart. In Doubt, Streep plays Sister Aloysius, a stern nun, in a quiet yet deeply commanding performance. The film is a masterclass in acting, elevated by its sharp screenplay, rich dialogue, and moral ambiguity.
All four lead actors received nominations—and rightfully so. Amy Adams and Viola Davis both shine, with Davis making the most of her brief but powerful screen time, while Philip Seymour Hoffman goes toe-to-toe with Streep in some of the most intense confrontations of 2008. Their scenes together are electric. Streep’s final emotional monologue is unforgettable and one of her most haunting moments on screen. Although it was Kate Winslet’s year to finally take home the Oscar, in hindsight, Streep in Doubt might have been the performance that most deserved the win.
Doubt
- Release Date
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February 27, 2008
