5 Kate Beckinsale movies that should top your watchlist without a doubt

When people think of Kate Beckinsale's work, they usually recall her action-packed thrillers like the Underworld franchise or Total Recall. Others think of her as the starry-eyed lead in Serendipity or Pearl Harbor. With these projects, Beckinsale has proven that she can be a ruthless action star while being a hopeless romantic. However, these are only some of her popular projects.

Kate Beckinsale has also worked on some finer dramas that allowed her to dive deeper into her characters with scripts that were far more grounded and layered. Apart from that, she is also exceptionally quick-witted. Just listen to her speak on a talk show or during a public appearance, and you will hear at least a few razor-sharp comments that will reveal just how good she is with this kind of humor.

A few writers and directors have used Kate Beckinsale's funny bone and smarts to flesh out the finer details of their works. One of the most notable examples would be Whit Stillman, whose Love & Friendship and The Last Days of Disco are some of the finest projects she has worked on. Apart from these two, Snow Angels, Nothing But the Truth, and Much Ado About Nothing are just some of her movies that should be on your watchlist.

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The Kate Beckinsale movies to add to your watchlist are...

5. Nothing But the Truth (2008)

Nothing But the Truth is one of those movies that unfortunately went under the radar of many viewers despite being a fine mystery thriller with political undertones. It stars Kate Beckinsale as a journalist who finds herself at odds with the US government after she reveals some confidential details but refrains from giving in to the authorities' mounting pressures. With Rod Lurie's sharp script, the movie delves into the ethical concerns in journalism with a backdrop of a story involving national security.

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4. Snow Angels (2007)

Director David Gordon Green may be commonly known as the voice behind the revival of the Halloween horror franchise or stoner comedies like Pineapple Express. However, he has also worked on some relatively low-key dramas that require more restraint over the medium. Snow Angels is one of these movies. It's a complicated family drama that casts Beckinsale as a married woman caught in a web, seemingly of her own making. Set in a small, cozy town, it shows her life unravel as she grapples with the tragic fate of her relationship.

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3. Love & Friendship (2016)

Love & Friendship is the second time Beckinsale worked with Whit Stillman, who graces us with one of her sharpest performances in his operatic and grandiose period romance drama. However, don't let its grandness fool you into thinking that it is all style and no substance. This Jane Austen adaptation (based on her Lady Susan) brims with the humor that will crack you up far often than you would imagine. As Lady Susan Vernon, Kate Beckinsale seems like an ideal choice to play the crackerjack of a character.

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2. The Last Days of Disco (2016)

The Last Days of Disco is the first time Whit Stillman paired Beckinsale with her fellow Gen X-er Chloë Sevigny in a captivating rom-com set in the seemingly sophisticated hubs of 1980s NYC. Judging by the title, you might think that it's just about two female characters spending time at a local disco. Yet, underneath a shiny surface lies a deeply observant tale about two women, trying to understand their place in the world. Thrilling and adorable in equal measure, this Kate Beckinsale movie deserves to be on your watchlist.

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1. Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Much Ado About Nothing is one of Kate Beckinsale's earliest movies, which proved to be her big breakthrough. Helmed by Kenneth Branagh, this William Shakespeare adaptation brings its romance to the picturesque landscapes of Italy. So, it is, of course, gorgeous to look at. However, what stands out the most is the effortless chemistry between its stunning cast, which includes Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, and Keanu Reeves, among others. It's just the perfect movie to see all the acting talent on full display.