Liv Tyler has graced the big and small screens since the early ’90s, making her one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. Of course, even before her debut, she was no stranger to the world of fame. As the child of former Playboy Playmate Bebe Buell and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, she was likely destined for stardom. However, she did not rely on her last name and connections to carry her through the industry.
Tyler has consistently delivered solid acting performances across genres, in both massive blockbuster and quieter indie films. She’s also dazzled in television performances, such as in the supernatural drama The Leftovers. That’s not all, as she even starred in the music video of Aerosmith’s “Crazy” alongside another ’90s darling, Alicia Silverstone. However, most would agree that her movies are where she’s truly been able to shine and where her most iconic roles lie.
With her imminent return to the big screen in Captain America: Brave New World as Bettie Ross, a character not seen in the MCU since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, let’s take a look at Liv Tyler’s best movies, ranked.
11 Onegin (1999)
Just before the shift into the 2000s, Tyler starred in Onegin, a British period drama. Based on a Pushkin novel, it is set in the 1820s and revolves around a socialite named Yevgeny Onegin. He resides in Saint Petersburg, Russia but moves to the countryside after inheriting his uncle’s estate. There he meets several of his new neighbors, including Tatyana “Tanya” Larina (Tyler). Tanya is immediately smitten with Onegin and pursues him despite Onegin’s reluctance.
Back in Time
While many period romantic dramas follow a male suitor relentlessly courting a young woman, here the tables are flipped. Tanya is an interesting character, clearly of her time yet still possessing nuance and edge that connects her with modern viewers.
Tyler takes an understated and classy approach to her portrayal of Tanya, which is perfect for such a character. It’s a smaller movie with a tight budget and reined-in premise, but it works well and gives historical drama lovers (especially those who like a dash of tragedy) exactly what they want.
10 Stealing Beauty (1996)
Lucy Harmon is a young woman who is grieving the death of her mother. To try and process everything, she heads to Tuscany, Italy to stay in a villa that’s also housing other occupants. She has lots of memories of previous visits to Italy, including Niccolò, the boy who she shared her first kiss with. But when Niccolò arrives and doesn’t remember her, it sours the treasured memories she has. Yet a chance to reignite the spark is there, or perhaps create a new bond with Niccolò’s brother.
Ignore the Seedier Bits
Stealing Beauty isn’t a perfect film by any stretch. The older men have a downright creepy obsession with Lucy and her much-discussed virginity. Though technically an adult (nineteen years old), she’s portrayed as innocent and naive, yet overly sexualized. Despite this, the beautiful Tuscan backdrop and Tyler’s charismatic performance make this a charming film.
Most audiences have seen stories about people jetting off to Europe to “find themselves.” While Stealing Beauty also fits into that box, it has a dynamic enough cast and solid enough acting to not make the viewing experience dull.
Rent on Amazon Video
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9 Armageddon (1998)
One of Tyler’s most successful films is the sci-fi disaster film Armageddon. A meteor shower has hit the earth, impacting several cities across the United States and Canada. NASA learns that the destruction isn’t over, as a massive meteor is set to strike the planet in less than three weeks. This event could destroy Earth, thus they employ a group of drillers to save humanity as we know it. Among them, is the daughter of a driller named Grace Stamper.
The Heart of the Movie
Grace is stuck between two people. Her father, Harry, is the coordinator of the team attempting to save Earth, and her boyfriend, A.J. is a driller. Harry disapproves of their relationship and it drives much of their personal conflict.
The best films have great subplots to balance out the main storyline and Armageddon does just that. While Tyler’s character isn’t crucial to the humanity-saving mission, the added depth her character brings to both Harry and A.J.’s arc makes the film a lot more emotionally impactful.
8 Jamie Marks Is Dead (2014)
In 2014, Tyler appeared in the supernatural horror Jamie Marks Is Dead. This book-to-screen adaptation centers on the aftermath of a murdered high-schooler named Jamie Marks. Jamie was not well-liked or well-treated. This shy kid was bullied by his peers and those who did not join in on the torment, at least sat back and watched. One such person is Adam McCormick, a relatively popular athlete. And though Jamie may be gone, he is now haunted by the ghost of his former classmate.
Sad and Horrifying
Another series with a similar premise that received a lot more attention is 13 Reasons Why. While millions of viewers tuned into that series, some found it a bit juvenile and lacking nuance. Jamie Marks Is Dead is a perfect antidote. Tyler portrays Linda, the single mother of Adam who is now wheelchair-bound after a car accident. She tries to help Adam navigate this tricky time, though many of her efforts are futile.
Stream on Prime Video
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7 The Incredible Hulk (2008)
So many actors have appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but in 2008, Tyler joined that club early. The Incredible Hulk follows scientist Bruce Banner who gets wrapped up in an experiment to make “super soldier” humans, immune to radiation. Banner becomes impacted by the radiation which turns him into the Hulk when he gets angry.
He flees, making him the target of the government that backed the program. One person motivating him to find a cure for his condition is his girlfriend Betty Ross (Tyler).
A Different Side to The Hulk
Betty is an intelligent cellular biologist who is a key figure in Banner’s life. Her softhearted disposition becomes a great contrast to the hulked-out Banner after his transformation. For a while, Tyler was consistently working on smaller films, but The Incredible Hulk put her back on the map, reminding audiences she wasn’t simply a fixture of the ’90s. As previously mentioned, Tyler will return to the character in 2025’s Captain America: New World Order.
6 That Thing You Do! (1996)
Tyler hasn’t been a part of many musicals, but That Thing You Do! is an excellent one to get lost in. It takes place in the 1960s when aspiring musician Guy Patterson is unhappy at his dead-end job. His friends ask him to take their drummer’s place at a gig after the original member broke his arm. Guy instantly meshes with the band despite changing the song last minute. The movie follows their quick rise and fall. One of their many supporters is Faye Dolan, the lead singer’s girlfriend who starts to fall for Guy.
A Thowback to the ’60s
Some people may know this film as Tom Hanks’ writing and directorial debut. Yet Faye’s place in the film shouldn’t be overlooked. While it would’ve been easy to keep her as merely the band’s groupie, she’s given a fun, bubbly personality that’ll endear reads. This was at the height of Tyler’s fame and it’s easy to see why audiences adored her. Faye, along with the band, are hilarious and charming, bouncing off each other well to create this lighthearted romp.
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5 Robot & Frank (2012)
Robot & Frank is a sci-fi dramedy that’ll pull on your heartstrings. Frank Weld is an older fella going through typical aging pains, such as dementia. He isn’t just an average, grumpy old man, though. Years ago, he was a jewel thief and ex-convict. His son Hunter needs someone to look after his father and can’t commit to it himself, thus presenting his dad with a life-sized robot to be his companion.
Being a friend and providing advice was meant to be the service Robot provided. Committing another heist for old-time’s sake? Not so much.
A Feel-Good Film
Tyler plays a supporting role as Madison, Frank’s daughter. Unlike Hunter, she doesn’t approve of the Robot and tries to convince her dad to let it go. While Robot and Frank’s relationship started off shaky, Frank is now completely bought in. If Tyler superfans are expecting her to be a principal character, that may cause disappointment. But that shouldn’t dissuade viewers from checking this film out. It feels like a live-action Pixar film, wholesome, funny, and emotional.
4 Heavy (1995)
Victor Modino in Heavy is a cook at his parents’ restaurant and is severely unhappy with his life. He’s unhappy with his physical appearance, grieving the loss of his father, and wondering if his elderly mother is soon to follow. Just when it seems like every day will be a monotonous slog, a young college dropout named Callie gets hired as a waitress. Callie displays a great deal of kindness to him and little by little begins to show Victor that life may be worth living after all.
Don’t Judge By The Premise
Some viewers may fear that this film would veer into creep territory. A recluse older man taking interest in a beautiful, young girl who’s adrift in life? Many wouldn’t give Heavy a chance based on that alone. But those people would be missing out on a touching story that highlights a tender friendship between Victor and Callie.
The entire host of characters is easy to like, from Victor’s mother, Dolly, to another employee named Delores. Heavy will make viewers laugh, cry, and smile throughout the movie.
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3 Empire Records (1995)
Empire Records is a coming-of-age film about a group of employees at the titular record store. Lucas is closing up the store one day when he learns the independent record store is going to be gobbled up and spat out into the corporate, chain store machine. Distraught, he decides to take the day’s earnings and multiply it at a casino. Things don’t go as planned and over the next twenty-four hours, he and the other workers will have to band together to save the store.
An Ode to the ’90s
Tyler plays Corey Mason, an ambitious student who is quietly battling addiction, trying to woo her once-famous musician crush and decipher her feelings about A.J., another Empire Records employee. Some aspects of this film don’t age well, such as the hyper-sexualization of Tyler who herself was high school-aged at the time of filming. Yet this is a darn entertaining movie. From the insatiable music to the outfits, it’s so unapologetically ’90s.
Rent on Apple TV
2 Wildling (2018)
Our protagonist Anna in Wildling did not have a pleasant childhood. Her father keeps her locked up in an attic, convinces her there’s a dangerous “wildling” he’s protecting her from, and later drugs her to keep her weak.
After her dad’s failed suicide attempt, she’s rescued and brought to the hospital for treatment. Sheriff Cooper (Tyler) offers to temporarily house Anna. This new transition is difficult enough and throwing superhuman abilities Anna begins to experience complicates the situation further.
Why It’s Great
If viewers want a sprinkle of fantasy in their horror, Wildling is an underrated movie they should give a shot. Ellen is a fascinating character who is torn between supporting Anna during this tough time to upholding the law it seems Anna has broken. Though Anna is front and center in the film, for some, Tyler’s portrayal of Sheriff Cooper stole the show. It’s fast-paced with an ending that some love and some hate, but either way sparks a strong reaction.
Stream on AMC+
1 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring hardly needs an introduction. It’s the first installment in the film adaptations of the wildly successful Tolkien books. A powerful ring falls into the possession of a hobbit named Frodo. The Dark lord Sauron needs this ring to fully step back into his power. Frodo and several companions decide to start a dangerous quest to the land of Mordor where the ring can be destroyed.
The Start of a Legacy
Tyler was cast as an elf named Arwen. Even though Arwen is not a member of the Fellowship (Frodo’s team), she offers critical help at various points in the movie. With such a massive fanbase, The Lord of the Rings trilogy was sure to garner strong opinions.
All in all, people love the series and often rank the first as a sublime introduction to Middle Earth. The world building is fantastic, filmmakers didn’t skimp on set design, and with nearly $3 billion at the box office, it’s safe to say the series was a hit.
