Although Mom and continuing to star and be part of strong ing ensembles has ensured her acting legacy.
Janney continues to be cast in roles that challenge her and hopefully, that doesn't slow down anytime soon as she's always giving the audience something new. Let's revisit Allison Janney's top-rated roles according to IMDb!
The Ice Storm (1997) - 7.4
The Ice Storm follows a family of four that is barely being held together. The four are separated and not communicating or connecting with each other, and then an ice storm hits and all of their squabbles and problems seem menial.
Allison Janney has a small role in this one, unlike most of the other films on this list, but it still has good reviews!
Bad Education (2019) - 7.4
Bad Education delves into the true story of one of the biggest scandals in history, involving embezzlement in the public school sector. The movie boasts a great ensemble including Hugh Jackman, Annaleigh Ashford, Ray Romano, Alex Wolff, Rafael Casal, and Allison Janney.
It has been released at various film festivals and has gotten great reviews so far. Bad Education is due to be released on HBO on April 25th and we can't wait until everyone can check it out!
The Way, Way Back (2013) - 7.4
This coming of age movie follows a young teenage boy as he deals with his mom's inconsiderate and intolerable boyfriend (Sam Rockwell) who gives him a summer job and he finds a family in his coworkers' tight-knit group.
Allison Janney plays their overzealous and hyper neighbor who is always ready for a drink and a party. It's a fun and heartwarming movie, definitely worth a watch!
Juno (2007) - 7.4
Juno follows a high school girl (Ellen Page) who finds out that she is pregnant. She debates whether to have the baby, keep the baby, or give the baby away to a deserving couple, and she chooses the latter. She finds a seemingly happy and cool couple (Jennifer Gardner and Jason Bateman) and begins a relationship with them while she is pregnant.
The movie is smart and has a lot of quirky dialogue thanks to writer Diablo Cody, who won an Academy Award for her original screenplay. It's a perfect balance of comedy and serious drama and worth checking out!
The Hours (2002) - 7.5
The Hours follows three women (Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep) in different time periods (the 1920s, 1950s, 2000s) all tied together by the book "Mrs. Dalloway." The movie highlights the themes of depression in each of their lives and whether to live life for yourself and focus on your own happiness or live your life for someone else.
Allison Janney has a small role in this, but the movie succeeds in tying together their lives well and has great reviews!
I, Tonya (2017) - 7.5
Margot Robbie) as she goes from being a destitute childhood to a famous skater. The movie focuses on her start and up to the scandalous attack on competitor Nancy Kerrigan.
Interspersed throughout the movie are character interviews in the future talking about past events as the movie conveys the events to the audience. Allison Janney plays Tonya Harding's mother and won an Academy Award for her work. It's a fantastic movie with stunning and engaging acting from the entire ensemble, worth checking out if you haven't!
Finding Nemo (2003) - 8.1
Allison Janney lent her voice to the well known Nemo. The movie follows the clownfish on his journey as he swims across sharks and other sea life creatures.
Allison Janney voices Peach, a starfish whom Nemo meets when he's captured and put into a dentist's small aquarium. A family-friendly animated film about love between a father and son, helpful friends, and a parent's struggle to let their kids grow up. There's a reason why it's a classic!
The Help (2011) - 8.1
This movie follows a writer (Emma Stone) who returns to her small southern town and shakes up their complacent way of life at the height of the Civil Rights Movement in 1960s Missouri. The small town refuses to adhere to the changing times and racial equality.
Stone's character comes back home and begins to challenge the status quo by interviewing The Help so she can compile their stories and write about their lives. Allison Janney plays her mother, and is upset with her daughter for stirring the pot at the beginning of the film, but eventually comes around and s her and her cause.
American Beauty (1999) - 8.3
American Beauty follows a depressed father as he retells the last few weeks of his life as he increasingly becomes upset with his wife and infatuated with one of his daughters' friends. His daughter hates both of her parents and becomes close friends to the son of their new neighbors.
Allison Janney plays the neighbor's mother, married to his abusive father. American Beauty was a smash hit when it first came out, winning 5 Academy Awards and impressing fans and critics alike.
The West Wing (1999-2006) - 8.8
This show focuses on the daily lives of those who run the United States at the White House. President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his team have high-stress jobs and the show heightens this with dramatic storylines and focuses on character building throughout.
Allison Janney played C.J. Cregg, White House Press Secretary, as one of the main characters of the show. The character was involved in most plotlines while the show had its fair share of C.J.-centric episodes, and he became a fan favorite. It's an iconic show and started Janney's widespread legacy as a fantastic actress!
