Cinema icon Jane Fonda is a decorated actress and activist who has been a constant presence on both the big and small screen for over 60 years. The daughter of renowned classic Hollywood actor Henry Fonda, the movie star made her acting debut in the 1960 romantic comedy Tall Story and has consistently headlined a slew of beloved pictures ever since, appearing in critically-acclaimed films like Barefoot in the Park, Barbarella, and The China Syndrome. She has won two Academy Awards for her roles in the neo-noir crime thriller Klute and romantic war drama Coming Home, establishing herself as a powerful and dynamic actress on the silver screen.
Fonda is famous for starring alongside Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton in the iconic ‘80s movie9 to 5, later re-teaming with the former actress for the smash hit Netflix comedy series Grace and Frankie. She is also famous for being a fierce political activist, fitness guru, and philanthropist, and continues to appear in popular films, television shows, and on-stage productions. Fonda is one of the most decorated figures in the entertainment business, having won seven Golden Globe Awards and the Cecil B. DeMille Award. These are the best Jane Fonda movies.
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9 Barbarella
Paramount Pictures
Jane Fonda established herself as a Hollywood sex symbol when she portrayed the eponymous character in the 1968 science fiction spoof Barbarella, which follows the astronaut from the 41st century as she is sent to track down and stop the evil scientist Durand-Durand, whose Postironic Ray could lead to the destruction of mankind. Based on the Jean-Claude Forest comics, the space age wonder was directed by Fonda’s then-husband Roger Vadmim, who viewed the picture as a chance to “depict a new futuristic morality…Barbarella has no guilt about her body. I want to make something beautiful out of eroticism.”
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Barbarella garnered praise from critics for its stunning visuals and cinematography though was critiqued for its weak storyline, but nonetheless went on to become a ’60s cult classic and have a profound impact on pop culture; The New York Times declared the character “the most iconic sex goddess of the ‘60s.”
8 Cat Ballou
Columbia Pictures
Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin headlined the 1965 western comedy Cat Ballou, which chronicles how the titular character went on to become a notorious outlaw after her rancher father is murdered by a hired gunman. Catherine “Cat” Ballou sets out to seek revenge against the man responsible, enlisting the help of a charming bandit and washed-up gunslinger to catch the killer.
Fonda’s portrayal of the schoolteacher-turned-outlaw helped bring the actress to bankable stardom, as Cat Ballou went on to become a critical and commercial success; the lively picture earned five Academy Award nominations, with Marvin winning Best Actor. Cat Ballou was lauded for its satirical wit, fun storyline and brilliant performances, and was listed by the American Film Institute as the 10th greatest western of all time.
7 On Golden Pond
Universal Pictures
For the Oscar-winning 1981 family drama On Golden Pond, Jane Fonda shared the big screen with her father and legendary fellow actor Henry Fonda, with the duo coincidentally portraying an estranged father and daughter who attempt to repair their difficult and strained relationship. In the moving picture, the elder Fonda appears as grouchy retiree Norman Thayer, who spends his summers at New England’s stunning Golden Pond with his calming wife Ethel (Katherine Hepburn) and is surprised by the unexpected arrival of his distant daughter Chelsea.
Jane Fonda specifically bought the rights to the Ernest Thompson play so that Henry could take on the role of Norman, with the drama ultimately becoming his last theatrical film. On Golden Pond nabbed a whopping ten Academy nominations, with the Fondas becoming the first father-daughter duo to earn Oscar nominations; Henry would win his category before passing away five months later.
6 Barefoot in the Park
Adapted from the Neil Simon play of the same name, the high-grossing romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park from 1967 features the sensational Robert Redford and Jane Fonda as a mismatched yet passionate newlywed couple who engage in a comical disharmony in their five-story walk-up Greenwich Village apartment. In the playful picture, Fonda appears as the free-spirited and independent Corie, who after marrying the straight-laced lawyer Paul must come to terms with their conflicting world views and philosophies.
Barefoot in the Park was a critical and commercial success, with critics praising Fonda and Redford’s dazzling performances, the light-hearted tone, and faithfulness to the play; the Los Angeles Times provided a glowing review for the romantic comedy, writing, “High-gloss, low-density comedy requires a special touch and Robert Redford and Jane Fonda handle themselves with a fine, deft charm.”
5 They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
Cinerama Releasing Corporation
The 1969 psychological drama They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? marked a pivotal turning point in Jane Fonda’s superb career, as the actress was able to showcase her exceptional range in the emotionally gripping Depression-era picture, acting far outside the comedy and sex-symbol performances of her past. The Sydney Pollack drama follows a group of colorful characters who are invited to be contestants for a grueling dance marathon offering a $1,500 cash prize, not realizing its manipulative emcee harbors his own motives for the event.
Fonda stars as the cynical, failed actress Gloria Beatty, who views the marathon as a chance to be noticed by Hollywood talent scouts and finally change her luck. The actress nabbed her first Academy Award nomination for the role, which was lauded by critics and audiences alike, with Variety raving about her portrayal: “Fonda, as the unremittingly cynical loser, the tough and bruised babe of the Dust Bowl, gives a dramatic performance that gives the film a personal focus and an emotionally gripping power.” They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? is a powerful film that remains one of the most depressing movies of the 20th century.
4 The China Syndrome
Columbia Pictures
James Bridges directed the 1979 disaster thriller The China Syndrome, touting an impressive A-list cast including Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and an excellent Michael Douglas, which tells the story of a news reporter and her cameraman who discover a cover-up regarding safety hazards at a Los Angeles nuclear power plant. Fonda appears as ambitious and clever reporter Kimberly Wells, who teams up with the plant’s concerned supervisor to expose its violation of safety standards and reveal it to the public.
The riveting picture was released just 12 days before the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, giving the thriller’s intense premise and subject a chilling foreknowledge. The China Syndrome premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, debuting to glowing reviews by critics who praised its sharp performances, screenplay, and sparse direction.
3 Coming Home
United Artists
The 1978 romantic war drama Coming Home chronicles a married woman’s emotional journey as she develops feelings for a paraplegic Vietnam War veteran while her husband is away fighting in Vietnam. Jane Fonda, Jon Voight, and Bruce Dern star as the characters caught in the heart-wrenching love triangle, with the actress stealing the show in her role as the conflicted adulteress Sally Hyde, who finds herself torn between her love for two men.
Coming Home was the first feature for Fonda’s production company IPC Films, with the performer wanting to make a picture about the Vietnam War and being inspired by her friendship with paraplegic veteran Ron Kovic. Fonda won both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actress, garnering acclaim for her poignant portrayal of the emotionally confused Sally Hyde.
2 Klute
Warner Bros.
For the 1971 neo-noir crime thriller Klute, Jane Fonda portrayed the high-priced New York City call-girl Bree Daniels, who helps detective John Klute investigate the disappearance of a chemical company executive. Donald Sutherland appears alongside the actress as the eponymous character, with the picture being directed by Alan J. Pakula in what has since become referred to as the first installment of Pakula’s “paranoia trilogy" (alongside The Parallax View and All the President’s Men).
To prepare for her role, Fonda spent a week in New York City observing and interviewing high-class call girls and madams, having later expressed in retrospect that “there was like a marriage, a melding of souls between the character and me, this woman that I didn’t think I could play because I didn’t think I was call-girl material. It didn’t matter.” Her portrayal in Klute garnered widespread recognition, with Time magazine noting, “Fonda makes all the right choices, from the mechanics of her walk and her voice inflection to the penetration of the girl’s raging psyche. It is a rare performance.”
1 9 to 5
20th Century Fox
Starring the phenomenal Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, the beloved 1980 classic comedy 9 to 5 features the gifted leading ladies as three secretaries who get their revenge on their sexist and egotistical boss by kidnapping him and running the business themselves. In the hilarious farce, Fonda appears as reserved former housewife Judy Bernly, who is forced to get a job after her husband cheats on her and leaves her for a younger woman. Judy becomes close friends with co-workers Violet (Tomlin) and Doralee (Parton), finding comfort in their woes and mutual disgust of their tyrannical boss.
Fonda initially came up with the picture being a drama and wanted to work with Tomlin, having said, “Any way we did it, it seemed too preachy, too much of a feminist line. I’d wanted to work with Lily [Tomlin] for some time, and it suddenly occurred to her producing partner Bruce and me that we should make it a comedy.” 9 to 5 was a smash hit with audiences and critics, becoming a beloved cinema staple while spawning both a TV series and hit Broadway show.
