The Deer Hunter, 1978
In her first hit film, Meryl Streep plays the part of Linda, the wife of an introspective deer hunter. She co-stars with the likes of Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken in this nine-time Academy Award-nominated epic war drama.
Kramer vs. Kramer, 1979
This family courtroom drama follows the custody battle of former married couple Ted (Dustin Hoffman) and Joanna Kramer (Streep). This was also the first film in which Streep won an Academy Award and it was for Best Supporting Actress.
Manhattan, 1979
Acting as Jill Davis, a divorced woman writing a confessional book, Streep stars alongside Woody Allen and Diane Keaton in this black-and-white romantic comedy.
The French Lieutenant's Woman, 1981
Receiving nominations for five Academy Awards, the British romantic drama features Streep as "the French lieutenant's woman" as well as the actress Anna.
Sophie's Choice, 1982
Based on the novel by William Styron, the star actress plays a Polish immigrant in this drama. For her acclaimed performance, Streep was awarded Best Actress at the Oscars, marking her second Academy Award.
Silkwood, 1983
The biographical drama features Streep as a worker at a fuel fabrication site who lives with her boyfriend, played by Kurt Russell, and her lesbian friend, played by Cher.
Out of Africa, 1985
In this epic romance drama, the New Jersey native co-stars with Robert Redford as an unmarried wealthy Danish woman who moves to Nairobi for a convenient marriage.
Heartburn, 1986
Streep stars as Rachel Samstat, a Manhattan food writer who falls for a political columnist and womanizer, in this comedy-drama.
She-Devil, 1989
Acting as a narcissistic romance novelist, Streep's character develops an affair with an accountant, leading to a series of unfortunate events schemed by the accountant's vengeful wife.
Postcards From the Edge, 1990
Playing the part of a recovering drug addict and struggling actress in this comedy-drama, Streep won Funniest Lead Actress in a Motion Picture at the American Comedy Awards.
Death Becomes Her, 1992
In 1992, Streep stepped into the role of Madeline Ashton, a narcissistic actress who seeks out a potion for eternal youth.
The River Wild, 1994
The adventure crime-thriller features the actress as a water rafting expert who takes her family on a holiday rafting trip in Idaho.
The Bridges of Madison County, 1995
In this romantic drama, the famed actress co-stars with Clint Eastwood as a recently deceased mother of two adult children. Streep won Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 68th Academy Awards and Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama at the 53rd Golden Globes for her performance.
Music of the Heart, 1999
Streep acts as Roberta Guaspari, a violinist who becomes a substitute teacher in East Harlem in attempt to rebuild her life in this 1999 drama.
Adaptation, 2002
As a famed author, Streep's character must hide secrets from a screenwriter played by Nicolas Cage in this film.
The Hours, 2002
Starring as Clarissa Vaughan, a New York woman prepping an award party for her poet friend with AIDS, Streep acts alongside Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman and Ed Harris in this British-American drama.
Angels in America, 2003
Based on the Pulitzer-prize winning play, Streep plays multiple roles, including Hannah Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, the Rabbi and the Angel Australia, in this HBO miniseries about playwright Tony Kushner's political epic focused on the AIDS crisis in the mid-1980s.
The Manchurian Candidate, 2004
Co-starring with Denzel Washington in this political thriller, the actress plays the role of Virginia U.S. Senator Eleanor Prentiss, who is nominated as the Vice-Presidential candidate.
A Prairie Home Companion, 2006
A Prairie Home Companion takes a look backstage during the final broadcast of America's most celebrated radio show where performers like country singer Yolanda Johnson (Streep) and singing cowboys Dusty (Woody Harrelson) and Lefty (John C. Reilly) rule the airwaves.
The Devil Wears Prada, 2006
As Miranda Priestly, a revered fashion magazine editor, Streep's character ceaselessly demands her co-assistant, played by Anne Hathaway, to wait on her hand and foot. She is harsh, intense, a badass at her job and despite the fact that her workers fear her, there is something human and relatable to the character.
Lions for Lambs, 2007
In this drama war film, Streep co-stars as a liberal TV journalist with Robert Redford, Tom Cruise, Michael Pena and Andrew Garfield, whose characters depict U.S. involvement in Afghanistan.
Mamma Mia!, 2008
Mamma Mia, Streep can sing! In the musical film, Streep's character Donna struggles financially as a villa owner on a small Greek island as she plans her daughter's Sophie's (Amanda Seyfried) wedding, while also unexpectedly reconnecting with past love interests. In 2018, the film got a sequel and Streep resprised her role.
Doubt, 2008
Streep's performance as Sister Aloysius Beauvier in this drama is scary good. In the film, Sister Aloysius goes on a crusade to unearth the truth when rumors spread that the new charismatic priest, Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman), could be paying too much attention to a young student.
Julie & Julia, 2009
Contrasting the life of renowned chef Julia Child (played by Streep) with that of one of her culinary followers, Julia (Amy Adams) this comedy-drama takes viewers on a foodie adventure that's not to be missed.