10 Claire Danes movies and TV shows that showcase her range and brilliance

Some of the best Claire Danes movies and TV shows are those that display the full range of acting prowess of the actress. The American actress has been prolific in movies and shows and has won both the Emmys and the Golden Globes. Danes first got recognition for starring in the show, My So-Called Life. She debuted in the movie, Little Women and went on to gain fame by starring in Romeo + Juliet. The actress has worked in other movies like The Rainmaker, Stardust, and more. Her television show, Homeland, was one of the career highlights for her as she gave a powerful performance as a CIA officer. Danes is known for her nuanced acting and ability to adopt diverse roles. Here are 10 of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows.

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Homeland, Little Women, and other Claire Danes movies and TV shows that one must watch.

1. Romeo + Juliet

Directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, and others, this romantic crime movie is a modern adaptation of the Shakespeare’s tragedy of the same name. It is one of the essential Claire Danes movies and TV shows. The movie is about the titular characters, played by DiCaprio and Danes, who are teenagers that fall in love with each other, even though their families feud with each other. The film was a critical and commercial success and catapulted both DiCaprio and Claire Danes into stardom. The movie is unique as it replaces swords with guns and rival families with gangs, but it still uses Shakesperean English. Danes had already appeared in several teen roles by this time and she gives a stellar performance in the movie as well. She captures the charm and innocence of Juliet and the movie is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows.

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2. Temple Grandin

Starring Claire Danes, Catherine O’Hara, and others, this biographical and drama television movie is directed by Mick Jackson. It is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows. The movie is about the real-life story of Temple Grandin, played by Claire Danes, who as an autistic woman, revolutionized practices for the humane handling of livestock on cattle ranches and slaughterhouses. The movie is based on the memoirs of Grandin and Danes won an Emmy and a Golden Globe award for her authentic portrayal. The movie earned widespread praise and was noted for its empathetic portrayal of Grandin’s autism and thoughtful direction. Danes proves her acting prowess by handling the titular role perfectly and does not dive into sentimentality or clichés. The movie is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows as it highlights the experience that the actress brings with her in the movie.

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3. Homeland

Based on an Israeli series and developed by Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, this acclaimed espionage thriller is one of the essential Claire Danes movies and TV shows that one must watch. Starring Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, and others, the show is about Carrie Mathison (Danes), who is a CIA officer with bipolar disorder. She is convinced that the highly respected Marine Corps scout sniper, Nicholas Brody (Lewis), has been brainwashed by al-Qaeda, and is now a threat to the national security. However, she has to undergo various struggles to prove her point. The show received universal critical acclaim and was loved by viewers. Danes won the Emmy award twice for her breath-taking and powerful portrayal. The actress proves that she can take on complex roles that have an element of mental health as well as she gives a scene-stealing performance as a struggling and bipolar officer who is being shunned by all. The actress was known for romantic and period drama roles mostly but in this show, she underscores her acting prowess and is able to take on action and thriller scenes with perfection. It is one of the best Claire Danes movies and TV shows.

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4. My So-Called Life

Created by Winnie Holzman and starring Claire Danes, Jared Leto, and others, this teen drama is one of the earliest roles for the actress on television. The show only has one season, but it was critically acclaimed and left a lasting impact upon viewers. The show is set in a fictional suburb called Three Rivers near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and focuses on the emotional challenges that are faced by a group of teenagers. The main character is Angela Chase, played by Claire Danes. It is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows and was noted for its realistic portrayal of adolescence and the performance by Danes. The show brought the actress into wider stardom and she even garnered her first Golden Globe award for the role. The series is a cult classic and Danes gives a stellar performance as she embodies the role of Angela, who is going through various emotional upheavals as a teenager. Therefore, it is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows.

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5. Fleishman is in Trouble

Starring Claire Danes, Jesse Eisenberg, and others, this drama miniseries is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows. The show only has one season but it is a riveting watch and can be binge-watched quickly. The show is about Toby Fleishman (Eisenberg), who is a divorced hepatologist and is trying dating for the first time. While he achieves romantic success, his ex-wife Rachel (Danes), suddenly disappears and leaves him with their two children. As Toby tries to juggle work and dating, he must also look within and be honest with himself about the reason why his first marriage broke apart. The show is based on a 2019 novel and is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows. Claire Danes gives a mature and nuanced performance as Rachel, who has had a breakdown after a visit to a wellness retreat and is coping with her own life. Even though the actress is seen in fewer scenes as compared to Toby, she is able to demonstrate the emotional toll that her character is going through and it is one of the must-watch and recent Claire Danes movies and TV shows.

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6. Little Women

Directed by Gillian Armstrong and based on the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, this coming-of-age historical drama is a popular and critically acclaimed movie. It is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows as it is the film debut of the actress. Starring Danes, Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, and others, the movie is about the March sisters, who each have their own personality. The movie is about the trials and tribulations that the sisters face during the American Civil War and Danes plays the role of Beth March. The character of Beth is iconic and Danes gives full justice to the role as she delivers a captivating performance. The actress captures the heart of the viewers with her sweet portrayal of the soft-spoken Beth and it is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows.

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7. Me and Orson Welles

Starring Claire Danes, Christian McKay, and others, this period drama movie is directed by Richard Linklater and is based on the novel of the same name by Robert Kaplow. The movie is set in 1937 New York and revolves around a teenager who gets the chance to perform in Orson Welles’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. However, he also becomes attracted to an ambitious production assistant and must go through several challenges. It is one of the underrated yet must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows. The movie also looks at the creative genius yet abrasive nature of Orson Welles and Danes plays the role of the leading lady in the stage project. Danes gives a powerful performance as she is the woman, two men are vying for. The actress brings a certain charisma and strength to her character that makes her shine apart. It is therefore, one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows.

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8. Shopgirl

Directed by Anand Tucker and starring Steve Martin, Claire Danes, and others, this romantic comedy and drama movie is based on the 2000 novella by Steve Martin. It is one of the underrated yet must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows. The movie focuses on the complex love triangle between a depressed yet aspiring artist who works as a salesgirl, a wealthy businessman, and an aimless young man who is a graphic designer. Danes plays the role of Mirabelle, who is the center of attraction for the two men. The movie looks at dating and relationships in the modern world and is a light-hearted and breezy watch that fans of the actress can enjoy. It was critically acclaimed, though the reception at the box office was lukewarm. Even though the movie flew under the radar, it is a charming watch. Therefore, it is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows.

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9. The Hours

Starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Claire Danes, this psychological period drama is directed by Stephen Daldry and is based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Michael Cunningham. It is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows. The movie focuses on three women, whose lives are connected by the 1925 novel by Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway. The movie takes place in three different timelines—2001, 1951, and 1920s. While Clarissa (Streep), prepares for a party in 2001, Laura (Julianne Moore), is a pregnant housewife in an unhappy marriage in 1951. On the other hand, Virginia (Kidman), battles with depression in 1920s as she writes her novel. The movie was a critical and commercial success and even though Danes has a supporting role as the daughter of Meryl Streep’s character, she brings weight to her role. The actress is able to showcase her acting prowess, even in front of other stellar actresses and it is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows.

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10. Stardust

Directed by Matthew Vaughn and based on the 1999 novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman, this romantic fantasy and adventure movie is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows. Starring Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, and others, the movie is about Tristan (Cox), who is from a fictional town of Wall in England. Wall is a town that borders on the magical fantasy world of Stormhold. Tristan enters the world to collect a fallen star to give to his love Victoria. However, the fall star is a woman called Yvaine (Danes), who is being hunted by witches. The movie was a critical and commercial success and is a whimsical movie with stellar visuals. Danes performs enigmatically and embodies the sense of adventure and magic that her role requires. The film is a must-watch for fans of the actress and who want to see her in a different avatar, giving a stellar performance in a fantasy role. Therefore, it is one of the must-watch Claire Danes movies and TV shows.