5 Laura Dern movies and TV shows that deserve a spot on your watchlist

Laura Dern is a highly accomplished actress, known for her roles in a diverse range of movies and TV shows. With her career spanning over seven decades, she has been a part of more than 200 projects.

Born to the popular actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd in 1967, Laura had a knack for acting from a young age. She appeared in several films during her teenage years, which include White Lightning, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, and The Fabulous Stains, to name a few. However, her first breakthrough role came in 1980, when she appeared in the coming-of-age movie Foxes alongside Jodie Foster. She also appeared in several David Lynch-directed films, including Wild at Heart and Blue Velvet. Some of her other projects include Jurassic Park, Rambling Rose, A Perfect World, Citizen Ruth, The Ringer, Happy Endings, to name a few.

Not just movies, she made a mark in the TV world too with her work in Recount, Enlightened, Big Little Lies, Tiny Beautiful Things, to name a few. Here are some of Laura Dern's projects that must be on your watchlist.

5 Laura Dern movies and TV shows you should not miss

Here are 5 Laura Dern movies and TV shows that you can enjoy this holiday season. Grab your bucket of popcorn and get ready to dive into the world of Laura Dern.

Big Little Lies- Available on HBO

Laura Dern is known for her versatility; she has never stuck to the same genre. Turns out, Dern once rejected several offers of blockbuster movies after the Jurassic Park success, because she didn't want to be typecast. Instead, she chose to play a pregnant drug addict in the black comedy film Citizen Ruth. Even after seven decades in the industry, she's known for her bold and experimental choices. For instance, she joined HBO's psychological drama Big Little Lies, where she played the sassy and outspoken Renata Klein, aka Amabella's mother.

The series follows a group of women living in the coastal town of Monterey, California. It delves into the lives of Madeline, Jane, Renata, Bonnie, and Celeste, all connected through their children's elementary school. It explores what happens when schoolgate gossip plunges deeper, exposing the lies, secrets, and trauma of these women.

Palm Royale- Available on Apple TV

If you want to watch something bizarre, chaotic, and yet relatable, Palm Royale must be on your watch list. It takes the viewers back to 1969 Florida, amidst the high society of Palm Beach. It follows Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons, an outsider with big hopes to make it to high society. Can she climb the social ladder? Can she survive in a world where lies are buried deep, and nothing is as perfect as it seems?

Laura Dern plays Linda Shaw (Penelope Rollins), Douglas's ex-fiancée, in Palm Royale. In short, she's a fearless character; in spite of coming from wealth, she had distanced herself from that life, and she chose to be an activist instead. She offers a different perspective on the upper society women, how they are often treated as disposable when no longer desired by their husbands. Linda's wedding day mishap may paint her as a villain. However, if you look closely, she's a changed character when Maxine meets her. She helps Maxine navigate the high society.

Enlightened- Stream on HBO

If you are in the mood for a perfect dramedy series, Enlightened is your next watch. Laura Dern and Mike White serve as the creators of the HBO series. It follows Amy Jellicoe (Dern), a 40-year-old woman who, after getting demoted, loses her cool and goes on a self-destructive spree. She joins a two-month holistic treatment facility, and when she returns, she wants to live an 'enlightened life'. But is that so easily achievable? Can she fight her demons and readjust to her new life? Watch Enlightened on HBO to know more.

Marriage Story- Available on Netflix

Marriage Story is a 2019 film directed by Noah Baumbach. It shows how Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole's (Scarlett Johansson) marriage falls apart, as their divorce becomes difficult and painful.

Laura Dern plays Nora Fanshaw, Nicole's sharp lawyer, who helps her build the case. She empowers Nicole; she also intensifies the conflict, showing how legal process can turn heartbreak into a calculated warfare. Dern won an Academy Award for her performance in Marriage Story.

Blue Velvet- Available to rent on Apple TV

This 1986 psychological thriller was written and directed by David Lynch. It delves into the life of a college student, Jeffrey Beaumont, who returns to his hometown and finds a human ear in a field. He takes it to police detective John Williams, and his daughter Sandy believes it belongs to a singer called Dorothy Vallens. What starts as a simple investigation turns into something much darker. Laura Dern plays Sandy Williams, the police detective's daughter, and later Jeffrey's love interest.