Blake Lively has delivered some of the best performances in Hollywood, proving time and again that she’s more than just a fashion icon. Since making her acting debut at age 10 in Sandman (1998), she has built an impressive career. While her role as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl skyrocketed her to fame, Lively has continuously shown that her success isn’t just about playing a stylish It-girl—it’s about talent, range, and undeniable screen presence.
From heartwarming dramas to intense thrillers, Lively has mastered a variety of genres. Fans first fell in love with her in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but over the years, she has taken on more complex roles, like her latest in It Ends With Us. Whether it’s romance, action, or psychological drama, she brings depth and charisma to every performance.
With recent rumors swirling about It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni allegedly attempting to tarnish her reputation, Lively’s career is under an unexpected spotlight. But if there’s one thing she’s proven, it’s that her talent speaks louder than any controversy. Here are the top 7 performances that showcase why Blake Lively remains one of Hollywood’s most captivating actresses—at least for now.
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7 Times Blake Lively’s Performance Stole the Show!
Gossip Girl (2007-2012)
Blake Lively became a household name with her role as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, a show that defined an era of television. Playing the effortlessly stylish and glamorous Serena, Lively perfectly balanced charm, vulnerability, and drama. Her portrayal of the Upper East Side socialite juggling love, friendships, and scandals made her an icon, solidifying her place in pop culture.
Though Gossip Girl was her breakthrough, it also showcased her natural acting skills. Lively brought depth to Serena, making her more than just a privileged girl with a troubled past. She earned several Teen Choice Award nominations for her performance, winning the award for Choice TV Actress in 2008 and 2011. This show remains one of Blake Lively’s best projects, proving that she could lead a hit series with both style and substance.
The Town (2010)
On the surface, The Town is a gripping heist thriller, but at its core, it’s a deep dive into its characters—their choices, regrets, and the price they pay for the lives they lead. The film follows a group of skilled bank robbers in Boston, whose latest job takes an unexpected turn when one of them, Doug (Ben Affleck), falls for Claire (Rebecca Hall), the bank’s assistant manager. Torn between love and loyalty, Doug dreams of leaving his criminal past behind, but the ties that bind him to his old life are harder to break than he imagined.
Blake Lively delivers a scene-stealing performance as Krista, the troubled sister of one of the thieves and Doug’s on-again, off-again lover. Though her screen time is limited, she makes a lasting impact, proving she doesn’t need a leading role to leave an impression. Her raw and gritty portrayal earned her critical praise and even a few award nominations, cementing The Town as one of Blake Lively’s best performances.
A Simple Favor (2018)
Blake Lively’s role in A Simple Favor was a standout in her career, blending mystery, comedy, and a touch of dark humor. Lively played Emily Nelson, a mysterious woman with a hidden agenda. Her portrayal of the cool, enigmatic character was both chilling and captivating, showing a side of her that audiences had not seen before. The role allowed her to explore a darker and more unpredictable character, highlighting her range as an actress.
The film was a huge success, and Blake Lively’s performance was praised for its charisma and charm. This performance earned her several nominations, including Best Actress at the National Film and Television Awards, cementing her place as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses in both dramatic and comedic roles.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
In The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Blake Lively’s portrayal of Bridget, a free-spirited, adventurous young woman, marked her first major breakthrough. The movie followed four teenage girls who each shared a magical pair of jeans that fit them all perfectly, and Lively’s character brought a sense of energy and optimism to the film. This heartwarming drama about friendship, love, and self-discovery resonated with audiences, especially young viewers, and introduced Blake Lively as a talented young actress capable of handling both light-hearted and emotional scenes.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants proved to be one of Blake Lively’s best projects early in her career, setting the stage for her future roles in both film and television. Lively’s performance was praised for its warmth and authenticity, and the film itself received critical acclaim. Although she did not receive any awards for this specific role, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is still remembered as one of her most beloved performances.
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The Age of Adaline (2015)
In The Age of Adaline, Blake Lively took on a completely fresh and complex role. She played Adaline Bowman, a woman who stops aging after a tragic accident. This fantasy drama allowed Lively to explore a character torn between love, loss, and the emotional weight of living for decades while watching everyone around her age. Her ability to convey such depth and emotion while playing a woman who doesn’t age was a key factor in making this one of Blake Lively’s best performances.
Blake Lively’s portrayal of Adaline was praised for its elegance, grace, and vulnerability, earning her several nominations. Her ability to create a timeless, emotionally resonant character showed why she excels in drama roles. This film highlighted her skill in balancing romance, fantasy, and drama in a way few actresses could, solidifying it as one of Blake Lively’s best projects to date.
The Shallows (2016)
In The Shallows, Blake Lively delivered a powerful performance in a survival thriller that relied almost entirely on her acting. Playing a surfer stranded in shark-infested waters, she did a great job in conveying fear, determination, and pain with very little dialogue. Her performance made the intense plotline even more gripping.
Critics praised her ability to hold the audience’s attention and make them feel every moment of her struggle. The film was a box office success, and many considered it one of the best Blake Lively movies. She won the Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress at the People’s Choice Awards for this movie which further proved that she could very well carry an entire film on her own.
Savages (2012)
In Savages, Blake Lively played Ophelia “O” Sage, a free-spirited woman caught in a dangerous love triangle with two drug dealers. Directed by Oliver Stone, the film was an intense crime thriller that pushed Lively into darker, more complex territory. Her performance was both vulnerable and fearless, capturing O’s emotional turmoil as she became a pawn in a violent cartel war.
Though Savages received mixed reviews, Lively’s performance stood out as one of the film’s strongest aspects. She brought depth to a character who could have been one-dimensional and that made her both relatable and compelling. This movie was another example of Blake Lively excelling in a high-stakes drama, proving once again why she is such a versatile actress.
What your favorite Blake Lively performance? Let us know in the comments!
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