Jane Fonda is one of the most iconic screen actresses who ever lived. The daughter of legendary Hollywood actor Henry Fonda made her film debut in 1960 and has amassed nearly 60 big and small screen credits over the past six decades. In addition to being a talented movie star, Fonda also became known for her political activism during the 60s and 70s, which she continues today.
Fonda earned seven Academy Award nominations from 1970 to 1987, winning two in the process for her work in Klute and Coming Home. After 15 years away from the screen from 1990 to 2005, Fonda returned to find success on both the big and small screen, most notably with the Netflix original series Grace and Frankie. With season seven in production, here are Jane Fonda's 10 best movies according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Tell Them Who You Are (2005) 88%
Prior to her big-screen return opposite Jennifer Lopez in Monster in Law, Fonda participated in the documentary Tell Them Who You Are, a celebratory of maverick cinematographer Haskel Wexler.
Directed by Haskell's son Mark, the film chronicles the personal and professional ups and downs of the two-time Oscar-winning DP. Wexler was responsible for shooting some of the most iconic movies from the 60s and 70s, including Fonda's second Oscar-winning turn in the anti-war movie Coming Home.
Sir! No Sir! (2005) 89%
Another documentary Fonda appeared in prior to her acting return in 2005 includes Sir! No Sir!, written and directed by David Zeiger. The film explores a faction of U.S. soldiers who voiced their anti-war stance during the Vietnam War.
The movie extends to depict how the soldiers helped locals rally and the peaceful protest in a war they concurrently fought in. Dubbed Hanoi Jane for her anti-war protests in the 60s and 70s, Fonda speaks with a level of authority most cannot.
Spirits Of The Dead (1968) 90%
Spirits of the Dead is a three-part horror anthology directed by some of the most towering European directors of the time, including Federico Fellini, Louis Malle, and Roger Vadim. All three tales are based on the writings of Edgar Allan Poe.
Fonda costars with her brother Peter in Vadim's vignette, Metzengerstein. The story concerns a countess (Fonda) who forms a bizarre obsession with a black stallion that turns out to be the reincarnation of her deceased lover.
Our Souls At Night (2018) 90%
More than 50 years after costarring together in The Chase, Fonda reunited with Robert Redford for the well-received romantic drama Our Souls at Night.
When longtime neighbors Addie and Louis lose their spouses to death, they begin to keep each other company as a way to cope with the grief. As they become closer, they decide to platonically share a bed at night in order to give emotional solace for one another. Bruce Dern, Judy Greer, and Matthias Schoenaerts costar in the film.
Cat Ballou (1965) 92%
In the comedic western Cat Ballou, Fonda plays a buttoned-up schoolmarm turned gunslinging outlaw with vengeance on the agenda. Her costar, Lee Marvin, won his one and only Oscar for Best Leading Actor in the film.
The story picks up when Catherine (Fonda) has her farmland threatened by a developing railroad. When she enlists a gunman to teach the railroad a lesson, her father is killed by the owner's sharpshooter. In retaliation, Cat sets out to kill the man who killed her father while thwarting the railroad from infringing on her land.
On Golden Pond (1981) 93%
The tear-jerking semiautobiographical drama On Golden Pond stars Jane Fonda opposite her aging father, Henry Fonda. Along with Katherine Hepburn, Henry Fonda won Leading Actor Oscars for their performances.
Based on the Ernest Thompson play, the film explores the tumultuous relationship between the grumpy and disapproving Norman (Henry) and his estranged daughter Chelsea (Jane). As they two work through their issues and become brutally honest with each other, a healing path is forged that allows the father and daughter to rekindle their love.
Klute (1971) 93%
Fonda won her first Academy Award for playing self-empowered call-girl Bree Daniels in Klute. Donald Sutherland plays John Klute, a small-time private eye hired to find a missing man last seen in Bree's company.
Upon interrogation, Klute and Daniels slowly begin to fall for each other while trying to locate the missing man. As their relationship advances, the case becomes muddier, leading to a psychological cat and mouse affair between both parties.
Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema (2018) 94%
The documentary Women Make Film is a sweeping of the innumerable female filmmakers that continue to go unnoticed around the globe. The exhaustive film covers five continents and 130 years of women expressing their artistic creativity through the medium of cinema.
Fonda is ed in narration by Thandie Newton, Debra Winger, Adjoa Andoh, Sharmila Tagore, and Kerry Fox. The film features clips and archival footage of more than 180 female filmmakers from around the world.
Jane Fonda In Five Acts (2018) 97%
The personal and professional career of the legendary actress, activist, and fitness guru is honored in Jane Fonda in Five Acts, a documentary directed by Susan Lacy.
The film covers an array of moments that shaped Fonda's legacy, including growing up as the daughter of a famous actor, her transition into cinema, her anti-war activism and outspoken protests, as well as her fitness makeover in the 1980s. Fonda's friends, family, longtime costars, and collaborators give firsthand s of the powerful women's contributions and impact on American culture over the years.
Sunday In New York (1963) 100%
In one of her first starring movie roles, Fonda played Eileen Taylor in the film Sunday in New York, a virgin in upstate New York who finds great excitement upon visiting her big brother in the city.
Devastated by her breakup with boyfriend Russ (Robert Culp), Eileen visits her brother Adam (Cliff Robertson) in New York City. With Adam preoccupied with his work and his impending date with Mona (Jo Morrow), Eileen meets and woos pilot Mike (Rod Taylor). Just as the two get closer, Russ arrives unannounced and creates a serious pickle.
