Toni Collette’s 10 Best Movies And TV Shows

Few actors have as much experience in renowned independent films as Toni Collette, and the Australian performer has become one of the most respected names in the industry. The best Toni Collette movies and TV shows serve as a showcase for her near-unrivaled ability to play nuanced and complex characters, and span multiple genres and decades following her feature-length debut in 1992’s Spotswood.

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Born in 1972 and active since 1990, Toni Collette landed her first role in an episode of the Australian soap opera A Country Practice in 1990. This was followed by Spotswood in 1992, though it was taking the lead in 1994’s Muriel’s Wedding that catapulted her career and set her on the trajectory to the reputation she now deservedly enjoyed. Still active today thanks to movies like Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken and the upcoming Mickey 17 in 2025, the best Toni Collette movies and TV shows include some of the most highly regarded films of the last few decades, and several hit series too.

10 I’m Thinking Of Ending Things (2020)

Toni Collette Plays Mother

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ScreenRant logo 7/10 10/10 I’m Thinking of Ending Things R

I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a Netflix original movie that was released in September 2020. The story centers on a young woman who decides to visit her boyfriend’s parents’ mysterious farm. But after arriving, she realizes he’s not the man she thought he was. I’m Thinking of Ending Things stars Jesse Plemmons and Jessie Buckley and is directed by Charlie Kaufman.

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*Availability in US Director Charlie Kaufman Release Date September 4, 2020 Cast Jessie Buckley , Jesse Plemons , Colby Minifie , Toni Collette , David Thewlis , Jason Ralph Runtime 134 minutes

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The surreal 2020 thriller I’m Thinking Of Ending Things comes from Charlie Kaufman, adapted from the 2016 novel of the same name by Iain Reid. Toni Collette stars as a character simply named Mother, who, alongside Father (David Thewlis) are props in the most strange evening in the life of “Young Woman” (Jessie Buckley), the girl their sone Jake (Jesse Plemons) has brought home for them to meet.

I’m Thinking Of Ending Things is an incredibly bizarre film, though in a way that makes it both brilliant and inarguably one of Toni Collette’s best movies. She received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress from the Chicago Film Critics association for her performance as Mother, and in many ways the role brought together her considerable experience in psychological thrillers from across a multitude of her previous appearances.

9 Knives Out (2019)

Toni Collette Plays Jone Thrombey

Knives Out movie final poster

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ScreenRant logo 9/10 11 9.5/10 Knives Out PG-13

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, there are suspects aplenty. Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death.

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*Availability in US Director Rian Johnson Release Date November 27, 2019 Cast Chris Evans , LaKeith Stanfield , Katherine Langford , Daniel Craig , Toni Collette , Jamie Lee Curtis , Ana De Armas , Michael Shannon , Christopher Plummer , Don Johnson , Riki Lindhome Runtime 130 minutes
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It’s difficult to pick a single actor who stands out in the star-studded cast of Rian Johnson’s 2019 whodunit crime thriller Knives Out. While Daniel Craig undoubtedly steals the show as the now franchise-leading detective Benoit Blanc, who returned in 2022’s Glass Onion, Toni Collette’s performance as Joni Thrombey was also incredibly memorable in its own right – as evidenced by her AACTA International Award nomination for Best International Supporting Actress.

Toni Collette’s Knives Out character Joni is the widow of Neil, the deceased son of crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (the figure at the center of the murder Craig’s Benoit Blanc must solve). Collette delivers a suitably subtly hilarious performance in the role, and Knives Out is a perfect example of her range among her best movies since it’s incredibly different from many of the career-defining films in her filmography.

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8 About A Boy (2002)

Toni Collette Plays Fiona Brewer

About a Boy (2002) - Poster - Rachel Weisz - Toni Collette

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About a Boy PG-13

Will Freeman is a London bachelor who has never had to work a day in his life, thanks to royalties from a famous Christmas song his father composed. His aloof lifestyle is interrupted when he invents a fictional son to attend single-parent meetings and meet women. His plan backfires when he befriends a quirky 12-year-old boy, Marcus, who is dealing with his own set of troubles. Through their unlikely friendship, Will learns that there’s more to life than just being alone.

Director Paul Weitz , Chris Weitz Release Date May 17, 2002 Cast Hugh Grant , Nicholas Hoult , Toni Collette , Rachel Weisz , Natalia Tena , Victoria Smurfit , Augustus Prew , Sharon Small , Madison Cook Runtime 101 minutes

2002 rom-com About A Boy, directed by Paul and Chris Weitz, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and was a breakout role for Nicholas Hoult. However, it’s also one of Toni Collette’s best movies too, and she was nominated for both a Golden Globe and BAFTAfor her portrayal of struggling single mother Fiona Brewer. Based on the Nick Hornby novel of the same name, About A Boy focuses on the unlikely friendship between pre-teen Marcus (Hoult) and the adult and perpetually single Will Freeman (Hugh Grant).

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Toni Collette’s Fiona is Marcus’ mother, who is struggling from severe and acute depression. Collette is scene-stealing in the role, delivering a near-perfect performance that seems to effortlessly capture Fiona’s struggles. Of particular note is the scene where she and Nicholas Hoult’s Marcus sing “Killing Me Softly With His Song” as a piano duet while Hugh Grant’s will watches on in awkward silence.

7 Unbelievable (2019)

Toni Collette Plays Detective Grace Rasmussen

unbelievable

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Unbelievable

Starring Toni Collette and was created by Susannah Grant, Michael Chabon, and Ayelet Waldman. The 2019 miniseries takes an introspective look at a serial assault case that took place in Washington State and Colorado

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*Availability in US Cast Mike Merritt , Toni Collette , Kaitlyn Dever , Danielle Macdonald , Dale Dickey , Liza Lapira Release Date September 13, 2019 Directors Michael Dinner

The 2019 miniseries Unbelievable landed Toni Collette multiple accolades for her performance as Det. Grace Rasmussen. These include winning a Critics Choice award for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Television Movie, and both a Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nomination in the same category. The Netflix crime drama is based on the 2015 article “An Unbelievable Story Of Rape” by Ken Armstrong and T. Christian Miller, and the show is just as harrowing as the title of the source material suggests.

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Toni Collette delivers an incredible performance as Grace, the Westminster police officer who makes it a personal mission to uncover the culprit behind a string of sexual assaults that have plagued the Colorado community. As to be expected, what she uncovers is both disturbing and shocking, and Collette ensures that viewers have no doubts that Rasmussen is just as impacted by her findings as they are.

6 In Her Shoes (2005)

Toni Collette Plays Rose Feller

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In Her Shoes

In Her Shoes is a 2005 film directed by Curtis Hanson, detailing the strained relationship between two sisters, Maggie and Rose. Maggie, a carefree party girl, disrupts the structured life of her sister, Rose, a dedicated lawyer, leading to a transformative journey when they encounter their long-lost grandmother.

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*Availability in US Director Curtis Hanson Release Date October 7, 2005 Cast Toni Collette , Cameron Diaz , Shirley MacLaine Runtime 2h 10m

Many of the best Toni Collette movies are those in which she plays characters either struggling with mental health or supporting those who do. This doesn’t mean all her projects are overly complex or emotionally heavy, however, as is the case for Curtis Hanson’s 2005 rom-com In Her Shoes. Collette’s role as Rose is easily one of her strongest, and she manages to be both hilarious and relatable – while also tying in many of the themes that factor into most of her best movies and shows.

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In In Her Shoes, Collette stars alongside Cameron Diaz. The pair play sisters Rose and Maggie. Rose is incredibly uptight, though it quickly becomes apparent that Maggie is a key reason why. A self-defined free spirit, Maggie struggles with alcoholism and poor relationship decisions, both of which lead her into many situations that Rose has to save her from. As heartwarming as it is hilarious, In Her Shoes manages to be one of the most lighthearted Toni Collette movies out there without losing any of the complexity and nuance her roles are known for.

5 United States Of Tara (2009-2011)

Toni Collette Plays Tara Gregson

Tara (Toni Collette) looking at her husband in United States of Tara

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While she may be mostly known for her movies, Toni Collette has a considerable level of experience on the small screen too. When it comes to the best Toni Collette TV show, it’s near-impossible to deny that United States Of Tara takes the crown. Collette takes the lead as the titular Tara in the Showtime comedy-drama, and her performance in the 2009-2001 show won her both an Emmy and Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.

Like many of her roles among the best Toni Collette movies and TV shows, Tara in United States Of Tara is incredibly nuanced. She suffers from dissociative identity disorder and finds that treatment disrupts her ability to be both an artist and mother. However, when she stops taking her medication, her alternate personalities emerge, with Collette ensuring all of them are unique and distinct from Tara herself.

4 Muriel’s Wedding (1994)

Toni Collette Plays Muriel Heslop

Muriel's Wedding (1994) - Poster

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Muriel’s Wedding R

Muriel’s Wedding is a 1994 Australian comedy-drama directed by P.J. Hogan. The film stars Toni Collette as Muriel Heslop, a socially awkward woman who dreams of escaping her miserable existence in the small town of Porpoise Spit by getting married. With the help of her friend Rhonda, Muriel embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning to define her own happiness beyond societal expectations.

Director P.J. Hogan Release Date March 31, 1995 Cast Sophie Lee , Roz Hammond , Toni Collette , Belinda Jarrett , Pippa Grandison , Bill Hunter , Jeanie Drynan , Dan Wyllie , Gabby Millgate , Gennie Nevinson , Rachel Griffiths , Matt Day , Chris Haywood , Daniel Lapaine , Susan Prior , Nathan Kaye , Cecily Polson , Rob Steele , Geneviève Picot , Richard Sutherland , Steve Smith , Katie Saunders , Dene Kermond , Jeamin Lee , Jon-Claire Lee , Kuni Hashimoto , Ken Senga , Des Rodgers , Rohan Jones Runtime 106 Minutes Expand
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1994’s Muriel’s Wedding, from director P.J Hogan, was a breakout role for Toni Collette, and it remains one of her best movies. She plays the titular Muriel, for which she received a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical. This is especially noteworthy given that it was only Collette’s second feature-length movie appearance (the first being 1992’s Spotswood).

The plot of Muriel’s Wedding continues to be incredibly relatable to audiences despite it debuting over 30 years ago, and Collette’s performance as Muriel is a key reason why. Many can empathize with her desire to leave her hometown, as well as her pinning all her hopes for happiness on having the wedding of her dreams. The character herself is incredibly awkward yet endearing, and it’s difficult to imagine anyone other than Toni Collette bringing Muriel to life on the screen.

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3 The Sixth Sense (1999)

Toni Collette Plays Lynn Sear

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ScreenRant logo 8/10 7.3/10 The Sixth Sense PG-13

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, The Sixth Sense is a psychological thriller about a young boy who can see and communicate with ghosts. Bruce Willis as Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist who tries to help Cole, played by Haley Joel Osment, while grappling with his own personal demons. The movie features a twist ending that has become iconic in pop culture.

Director M. Night Shyamalan Release Date August 6, 1999 Cast Bruce Willis , Toni Collette , Haley Joel Osment , Olivia Williams , Donnie Wahlberg Runtime 107 minutes

By the 2020s, 1999’s The Sixth Sense has become ingrained in pop culture legend. Considered by many to be the best movie put out by director M. Night Shyamalan so far, The Sixth Sense featured phenomenal performances from Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment. The pair often overshadow the work of Toni Collette in the supernatural thriller, though her role as Lynn Sear, the mother of troubled child Cole (Osment), is undoubtedly some of her best work.

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Toni Collette’s performance in The Sixth Sense is essential for humanizing Cole and his disturbing ability to see the dead. The scene when Lynn finally accepts Cole’s visions of the deceased are real is especially emotional, with Collette’s delivery ensuring that audiences never have to suspend their disbelief. The Sixth Sense has an uncanny level of realism for a supernatural film, and Toni Collette’s performance is a key reason why.

2 Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Toni Collette Plays Sheryl Hoover

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

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Little Miss Sunshine R

Little Olive’s dream is to take part in the Little Miss Sunshine contest. To do so, she embarks on a funny and moving journey with her father, uncle, grandfather, brother and mother. The family has to race against time to ensure that Olive arrives on time and is able to give the performance created by her grandfather.

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*Availability in US Director Jonathan Dayton , Valerie Faris Release Date July 26, 2006 Cast Abigail Breslin , Greg Kinnear , Paul Dano , Alan Arkin , Toni Collette , Steve Carell Runtime 101 minutes

2006’s Little Miss Sunshine, from directors Jonathan Dayon and Valerie Farris, was a career-defining movie for most of the cast, including the likes of Steve Carell, Abigail Breslin, and Paul Dano. The same was true for Toni Collette, who was nominated for a Golden Globe and BAFTA for her role as Sheryl.

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In Little Miss Sunshine, the Hoover family travels across the country so that daughter Olive (Breslin) can compete in a beauty pageant. Along the way, Sheryl has to hold the family together through tragic moments like son Dwayne (Dano) discovering his eyesight means he can’t follow his dream to become a pilot, and counseling her brother Frank (Carrell) after a suicide attempt. It’s a heartfelt and emotional movie throughout, and Toni Collette is incredible as the figure holding this dysfunctional, and highly relatable, family together.

1 Hereditary (2018)

Toni Collette Plays Annie Graham

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ScreenRant logo 7/10 7.9/10 Hereditary R

The feature film debut of writer-director Ari Aster, Hereditary tells the story of the unwittingly cursed Graham family. Annie Graham (Toni Collette) lives with her husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne) and their children Peter (Alex Wolff) and Charlie (Milly Shapiro). After the death of Annie’s mother, the family is beset by disaster and stalked by a supernatural entity that dredges up a past that Annie had spent her life trying to overlook.

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*Availability in US Director Ari Aster Release Date June 8, 2018 Cast Toni Collette , Milly Shapiro , Zachary Arthur , Gabriel Byrne , Mallory Bechtel , Alex Wolff , Ann Dowd Runtime 2h 7m

Directed by Ari Aster, the 2018 A24 horror movie Hereditary wasn’t only a runaway success for the studio but also featured Toni Collette’s best performance so far (which is a considerable feat, considering how recently in her career it arrived). Hereditary is an incredibly nuanced horror about cults, demonic possession, and the struggles of parenthood and mental health.

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Building on her roles in The Sixth Sense, Little Miss Sunshine, and About A Boy in many ways, Toni Collette plays Annie in Hereditary, and her performance is as spellbinding as it is harrowing. There are almost too many scenes in Hereditary to choose from that cement it as Collette’s best movie. Some standouts include when Annie’s son Peter (Alex Wolff) awakens to discover his mom standing over him with a lighter having doused him in gasoline, or Collette’s nightmare-inducing scream when she discovers the decapitated body of daughter Charlie (Milly Shapiro) in Peter’s car.

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