Chloë Grace Moretzmay only be in her twenties, but she has been a constant for movie audiences for over a decade. After moving to New York City with her mother and brother, Moretz developed an interest in acting after helping her brother read his lines. After landing a role on the CBS seriesThe Guardian, it was only a matter of time before she transitioned into larger roles. She was six years old when she started acting in a professional capacity and twelve years old when she landed her breakthrough roles in the filmsKick-AssandHugo.
Updated May 2023: To keep the article fresh and relevant by adding more information and entries, this article has been updated byAmira Abdel-Fadil.
By the time she was twenty-two years old, she had been in about sixty films and television shows, an impressive feat only matched byDakotaandElle Fanning. Moretz is a versatile actor who, despite her age, has appeared in films that many R-rated movies most parents wouldn’t let their kids, who would be the same age Moretz was at the age of filming, watch. In 2016, Moretzbegan to reassess her career and dropped outof nearly all of her upcoming projects to rediscover her love for acting. Since then, she has been more selective about her roles and has assembled an impressive career with a variety of roles that show her range. Here are the best Chloë Grace Moretz movies ranked.
14Brain on Fire (2016)
Brain on Fireis based on the true story of journalist Susannah Cahalan, a journalist for the New York Post. Moretz plays the leading role, portraying the story of how Suzannah experiences a rare neurological disease that manifests itself as hallucinations, paranoia, and psychosis that even the best doctor couldn’t diagnose what was happening to her at first.
Related:10 Child Actors Who Are Still in the Acting Business
Brain on Fireis an eye-opening medical mystery that will have you question the medical world. With people feeling sick and doctors not getting to the root of the problem, a lot of damage, misjudgments, and consequences could ensue. It’s a reminder that not everything is what it seems at face value. Moretz convincingly plays her role as she takes the viewer on the intense different phases of the disease.
13Carrie (2013)
Stephen King’s 1974 novelCarriehas been adapted on screen several times, and anytime someone steps into the titular role of Carrie, they have big shoes to fill. Sissy Spacek did it originally in 1976, and in 2013, Moretz stepped into the role inthe fourthCarrieadaptation to date.
The 2013 remake certainly isn’t the original, but in all fairness, it’s a very solid take on the story with a modern feel. The remake follows the same plot as the 1976 film, and Moretz is very strong as Carrie. While this remake doesn’t necessarily add anything new to the story, it’s worth watching for Moretz’s performance alone. She thrives in teen roles in the horror genre, andCarrieis a great addition to her portfolio.
11Greta (2019)
Gretais a psychological thriller about Frances (Moretz), a young woman who becomes friends with a lonely widow named Greta (Isabelle Huppert). Greta is an eccentric French piano teacher, and Frances, who recently lost her mother, takes a liking to her. At first, it starts as a nice, normal friendship, but Greta soon becomes obsessed with Frances, and her behavior takes a toxic turn, so Frances has to figure out a way to escape the relationship before things get out of control.
The movie received mixed reviews, mainly because of the story, but the acting — specifically from Moretz and Huppert — is what makes the movie worth a watch.Gretamanages to be creepy and unsettling without being terrifying. While the story may be a little predictable and maybe even unoriginal, like any great actor, Mortez’s presence adds value to the film.
10Dark Shadows (2012)
Dark Shadowsis a fun, fantasy/dark comedy based on the gothic soap opera of the same name that ran from 1966 to 1971. The movie follows vampire Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp), who was once imprisoned in a tomb but gets set free centuries later and returns to his family estate, the Collinwood Mansion. Here, he meets his descendants living in the mansion and struggles to adjust to modern life and return the town of Collinwood to its former glory.
Moretz plays Carolyn, a rebellious, moody teen who is later revealed to be a werewolf. Moretz plays angsty teen roles very well, and this one inDark Shadowsis a perfect fit for her. It’s a classic Tim Burton movie with great casting and a cool ’70s setting and is well worth a watch if you’re looking for something a little gothic and campy.
9The Equalizer (2014)
The Equalizerstars Chloë Grace Moretz withDenzel Washington, who portrays Robert McCall, the protagonist of this film. After years of working at a hardware store, he frequents a nearby diner, where he meets Alina (Moretz), a teenage sex worker associated with the Russian mafia. After Alina is assaulted and hospitalized, McCall decides that he needs to take matters into his own hands regardless of the amount of violence necessary to achieve his goals.
2014 was a busy year for Mortez, andThe Equalizeris one of four films from that year on this list. Her performance in The Equalizer was praised by critics. She impressively is able to hold her own against a cinematic icon like Denzel Washington.The Equalizerwas a commercial success, drawing in over $192 million globally at the box office.
8If I Stay (2014)
If I Stayis adramatic teen rom-combased on the 2009 novel of the same name by Gayle Forman. It’s about Mia (Moretz), a talented cellist who has the opportunity to move and study at Juilliard. But if she follows her dreams of going to Juilliard, she’ll have to leave behind the love of her life Adam. But unfortunately, before she even gets to make this decision, Mia and her family get in a fatal car crash. After the crash, Mia is in the hospital, suspended in a state between life and death.
She starts having out-of-body, ghostly experiences where she sees her entire life changing in front of her eyes while her physical body is in a coma in the hospital. When a nurse comes to care for her, Mia is faced with another big choice — whether she wants to stay alive or not.If I Stayis an emotional rollercoaster of a movie and is a really good example of a book-to-movie adaptation done right. It uniquely addresses the topics of life and death, and Moretz does an incredible job of bringing Mia’s character to life.
7Laggies (2014)
Laggiesis a relatable film that depicts a woman’s midlife crisis, Megan, who doesn’t know which decision to take when her boyfriend proposes ather friend’s wedding. Unsure of what to do, she takes an opportunity to get away for a while, where she spends time with her new 16-year-old friend Annika (played by Moretz) and her single dad. This little simple getaway makes her rethink everything.
Laggiesis a charming film about reconstructing your life’s narrative bit by bit until you feel at home again. Moretz’s performance is natural, sensitive, and warm. The dynamic between the characters in the movie adds to its lightness.
6500 Days of Summer (2009)
(500) Days of Summerisn’t a typical romantic comedy. Presented in a nonlinear format, it progresses through a failed relationship and lingers on the positive and negative moments. It is told from the perspective of the male character, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who falls in love with a girl and is then broken up with.(500) Days of Summerquickly became a sleeper hit after grossing $60 million globally, establishing it as a fan favorite and culturally impactful.
Moretz plays Rachel, the half-sister to Gordon-Levitt’s character. Despite being the younger one in that relationship, she is unusually wise for her age, offering advice beyond her years.(500) Days of Summeris one of Mortez’s early films, and despite being 11 when she was cast, she commanded presence and instantly became a star to watch. It was no surprise when she broke out the next year inKick-Ass.
5Clouds of Sils Maria (2014)
Clouds of Sils Mariais a psychological drama film shot in the beautiful landscapes of the Alps. It is about a film star who confronts uncomfortable truths about herself while starring in a revival of the play “Maloja Snake,” which initiated her successful and long-lasting career. Moretz stars as Joan, opposite Juliette Binoche as Maria, a young actress who is smart, media savvy, difficult, andextremely famousand who knows her way around the industry.
Maria’s own turbulent life, aging, lack of fluency, and liking of the media world magnify her insecurities as she observes the younger Joan. In parallel, the role she has to play is not easy either, as she is asked to do a different one than the original, which makes her feel more disoriented. The movie is layered with tension as it dances and plays with the idea of time, fame, change, and gaps between generations. Moretz gives a fine performance where the viewer can feel the contrast between her and her co-star, highlighting their widening gap.
