Blake Lively is a name that needs no introduction. One of the most iconic actresses of this generation, Blake has had a successful career that spans over 18 years. Most popular for her role in the 2008 hit show Gossip Girl, Blake began her career with the 2005 film Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Since then she has showcased her remarkable acting skills in numerous films. Whether she is playing the effortlessly stylish Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl or fighting sharks in The Shallows, Blake has showcased her versatility by starring in numerous films that have established her place in the industry. Her most recent film is It Ends with Us in which she played the role of Lily Bloom, a victim of domestic abuse. The film has gained a lot of popularity, grossing over $200 million at the box office.
Today, as Lively celebrates her 37th birthday, we’re commemorating the occasion by ranking some of her best movies and TV shows.
10. Accepted (2006)
Accepted is a comedy-drama based on the story of Bartleby Gaines (Justin Long), who creates a fake university with his friends to fool his parents after getting rejected from every college he goes to. However, their deception works too well and every other student rejected from traditional colleges ends up enrolling in his fake university. Along the way, Bartleby faces the challenge of providing a meaningful education to his students, while also trying to win the heart of a girl next door.
Blake plays Bartleby’s girlfriend Monica Moreland. She adds her own special charm to the character, making Monica more than just an average campus beauty. Although Lively didn’t have a big role in Accepted, she was an integral part of the plot. Right after this film, she got her big break in Gossip Girl.
9. The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009)
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee is a romantic-drama film that follows Pippa (Robin Wright), a woman with a tumultuous past who meets and marries a publisher. Years later, when she moves into a retirement community with her husband, Pippa begins to reflect on her past, leading to a mental breakdown.
Blake plays the younger version of Pippa, a bohemian dancer who was neglected by her drug addict mother. She perfectly captures Pippa’s wild and unruly side in her youth, adding a layer to the complex character. Her portrayal was deep and extremely beautiful, showcasing Blake’s incredible acting ability.
8. Savage (2012)
Savages is an action-thriller that follows two best friends, Chon (Taylor Kitsch) and Ben (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who run a marijuana business and try to free their mutual girlfriend, Ofelia, who has been kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel.
Blake Lively plays Ophelia Sage, a woman who is in an open relationship with both Chon and Ben. Her character is vulnerable, scared, and yet strong. Despite not being the central character, Lively’s role in this film was quite important as she led the film through her narration and the entire plot of the film centered around saving her from a drug cartel.
7. Café Society (2016)
Café Society is a romantic-comedy drama based on the story of Bobby Dorfman (Jesse Eisenberg), who moves to Hollywood in the 1930s to work for his uncle. There, he falls in love with his uncle’s secretary, Vonnie (Kristen Stewart), who is dating a married man.
Blake plays Veronica, a woman Bobby meets in New York in the last part of the film and eventually marries. Blake’s role may not have been the main character in the film, but it was certainly memorable. Her character is sophisticated, elegant, and charming, perfectly capturing the beauty of the 1930s.
6. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
The movie that launched Blake Lively’s career, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, is a coming of age film about four best friends who buy a pair of pants that surprisingly fit them all, even though they’re different sizes, and they give it to each other to keep them connected as they go their separate ways for the first time.
Blake plays Bridget Vreeland, an athletic member of the group who goes through emotional turmoil after a short-lived relationship with her football coach. Bridget’s character is both strong and vulnerable, trying to come to terms with her past loss. Blake’s portrayal is both heartwarming and relatable, further enhancing the story, which celebrates the magic of female friendship.
5. The Shallows (2016)
The Shallows is a survival thriller based on the life of medical student Nancy Adams, who moves to a remote beach after her mother’s death and becomes stranded 200 yards from shore after being attacked by a shark. She then struggles to outsmart a great white shark in order to survive.
Blake plays the lead character Nancy, who is strong, determined and employs clever tactics to save herself from a shark attack. Blake’s raw portrayal perfectly captures the feeling of being surrounded by danger and finding ways to escape it. It’s one of her most powerful performances.
4. The Town (2010)
The Town is a heist thriller film that follows four Boston robbers who rob a bank and take the manager (Rebecca Hall) hostage. However, things get complicated when one of the robbers, Doug (Ben Affleck), falls in love with the manager.
Blake Lively plays the supporting role of Christa Coughlin in the film, Doug’s ex-girlfriend and the sister of one of the bank robbers, Jem. Her portrayal of Christa is raw and heartbreaking, a departure from her usually glamorous and charismatic characters. She manages to add a lot of emotional depth to the film which further drives the story forward.
3. The Age of Adaline (2015)
The Age of Adaline is a romantic fantasy based on the heartbreaking story of Adaline Bowman, a young woman who stops aging after an accident and remains forever young for decades. Years later, she meets Alice and falls in love with him. However, things get complicated when she meets Alice’s father and her secret is put at risk.
Blake plays the lead character Adaline Bowman, whose life is filled with loneliness and secrets. Her performance brings a rawness and modesty to the role, perfectly capturing the essence of Adaline’s sweet-bitter journey. The role is one of Blake’s most acclaimed roles, establishing her as an accomplished actress.
2. A Simple Favor (2018)
A Simple Favor is a comedy-thriller that follows Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a single mother and vlogger who befriends Emily, a glamorous and mysterious woman whose child attends the same school. When Emily goes missing one day, Stephanie sets out to find the truth behind her disappearance.
Blake plays Emily. Her portrayal is brilliant, perfectly capturing Emily’s mysterious aura and unpredictable personality. Emily’s character is a mix of sophistication and wickedness, and the entire story revolves around her disappearance. This is one of Blake’s most successful films. A sequel is also being made, in which Blake Lively will return as Emily.
1. Gossip Girl (2007–2012)
Although Blake has appeared in countless successful films, it was her role as Serena van der Woodsen in the hit show Gossip Girl that made her a household name in the industry. Gossip Girl is a teen drama series that follows the lives of the privileged Upper East Side of Manhattan. The series begins with Serena van der Woodsen returning to New York, where she reunites with her best friend-turned-enemy Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester).
Both Serena and Blair’s characters were considered the ‘It Girls’ of the 2010s. As the golden girl of the Upper East Side, Serena was the epitome of style, flirtation and scandal. Her designer clothes were as memorable as her dialogue. With her portrayal of a mysterious, dramatic and entitled teenager from a wealthy family, she made Serena a character that remains iconic and popular to this day.
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