“I will fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.”
Gal Gadot has become one of the most prominent action stars in the business. Her latest effort, Netflix’s action thriller Heart of Stone, was a solid hit that could launch yet another franchise for her and the streaming service. Coupled with her other hits, like Red Notice and, of course, Wonder Woman, Gadot has carved a nice place for herself as a modern action heroine.
Since her breakthrough in the mid-2010s, Gadot has become a familiar face in blockbuster cinema. Many of her films have received praise from audiences, as evidenced by their rankings on IMDb. Movie fans have given generous ratings to Gal Gadot’s movies on IMDb; they might not be masterpieces, but her films are tremendously entertaining, with her absolute best movies ranking among the most popular on the influential site.
10’Keeping Up with the Joneses’ (2016)
IMDb Score: 5.9/10
Keeping Up with the Joneses is about a cul-de-sac couple who become jealous when their new neighbors turn out to be perfect, gorgeous elites. The twist is that the neighbors are spies, and the relationship isn’t what it seems. With Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher as one couple and Jon Hamm and Gal Gadot as the other, the film should have been fun but didn’t end up coming together quite as planned.
The film was a critical disappointment, with a 19% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Keeping Up with the Joneses allowed Gadot to show her comedic abilities, making it a good risk at the time for the actress. Her chemistry with Galifianakis was fun and translated later to a role in his feature adaptation of Between Two Ferns: The Movie.
9’Red Notice’ (2021)
IMDb Score: 6.3/10
The action thriller Red Notice generated significant excitement based on the enticing premise and the star package of Gal Gadot, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurber. Netflix won the project – about an FBI agent and an infamous art charlatan teaming up to catch a dangerous thief – and it has become one of their most successful films despite mixed reviews.
Red Notice‘s mixed-to-negative reviews are largely justified when looking at the narrative critically, but the individual character work allowed each of the mega-stars to do exactly what they do best. Audiences loved the hectic plot and over-the-top action, which is why Netflix is already developing a Red Notice sequel. The twist at the end, whether expected or not, is part of the fun double-crossing structure, giving Gadot the chance to create another iconic character.
8’Death on the Nile’ (2022)
IMDb Score: 6.3/10
Following the success of Murder on the Orient Express, Kenneth Branagh continued his series of Agatha Christie revivals with Death on the Nile, and Gadot was the first member of the ensemble cast to be announced. She was later joined by Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Letitia Wright, Emma Mackey, and more. Gadot plays Linnet Ridgeway, an heiress who marries Hammer’s Simon Doyle and sets out on a honeymoon cruise of the Nile with a group of future murder suspects.
It shouldn’t be a spoiler that it is Linnet who is the victim of the titular death, placing Gadot front and center throughout the strong who-dun-it movie; indeed, much of the film’s promotion was built around her. Death on the Nile received mixed-to-positive reviews, with praise for the cast and Branagh’s stylish approach. Gadot’s performance is surprising, delivering a campy take on the character – whether intentional or not.
7’Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016)
IMDb Score: 6.4/10
Preceding Gal Gadot’s solo film, her first appearance as Wonder Woman came in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The film mostly focused on the two leads, but Gadot’s Diana Prince managed to steal scenes throughout the film, leading up to her climactic entrance in full costume for the final battle with Doomsday.
Gadot is a highlight of Batman v. Superman, especially during the third act, which introduced Wonder Woman’s now-iconic theme, composed by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL. The sharp sounds of an electric cello are meant to evoke the screams of banshees. Gadot’s intervention received acclaim from critics, who reacted divisively to the film but considered her a definite asset.
6’Fast & Furious’ (2009)
IMDb Score: 6.5/10
Justin Lin’s Fast & Furious was Gal Gadot’s first film, and it launched her career. The story is that Gadot auditioned for the part in Quantum of Solace that would later go to Olga Kurylenko, and while she didn’t get that role, the same casting director thought of her when the role of Gisele Yashar came up. Gal Gadot encapsulates the international brand that the Fast franchise has always embodied.
Fast & Furious uses the classic Fast structure, introducing someone the audience will grow to love as a member of the villain’s side. Gisele initially works for Arturo Braga but later comes to help Dom and Brian travel to Mexico to take Braga down. Gisele was a fierce addition to the Fast universe, especially considering Gadot did her own stunts.
5’Ralph Breaks the Internet’ (2018)
IMDb Score: 7/10
Wonder Woman didn’t just increase the character’s popularity; it also introduced Gal Gadot as a bonafide movie star in the making. Disney brought her distinctive accent for a supporting role in the 2018 animated film Ralph Breaks the Internet. Following the events of the first film, Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) feels stagnated by the lack of challenge in her game, Sugar Rush. She’s later introduced to the much more challenging game of Slaughter Race, which is led by a racer named Shank, who Gadot voices.
Gadot and Silverman create a fascinating dynamic in the film, with Shank acting as a mentor of sorts to the colorful little girl. They even share a tune in the movie, although it’s among Disney’s most disappointing songs. Still, Gadot is a valuable presence in Ralph Breaks the Internet, thanks largely to her overt enthusiasm and distinctive voice.
4’Fast & Furious 6′ (2013)
IMDb Score: 7/10
2013 was a huge year for Gal Gadot. Zach Snyder confirmed her casting as Wonder Woman for the next decade, which meant her future in the Fast franchise was in doubt. Thus, Fast & Furious 6 gave Gisele Yashar the send-off that both the character and the actress deserved.
The sixth installment sees Gisele and Han in love, leading to Gisele finally choosing to give up the spy game to have a real life together. Her arc’s conclusion takes a turn when Mia needs rescuing. Gisele sacrifices herself to save Han, giving the character a hero’s exit. Still, the franchise is notorious for its lack of commitment to deceased characters, and Gadot returned to the series in Fast X.
3’Fast Five’ (2011)
IMDb Score: 7.3/10
Fast Five is one of the rare movie sequels deep in the franchise, as good or better than the original. Dwayne Johnson was among the obstacles added in the way of Dom Toretto as he put together one last heist that can pay for their lives and generations beyond. Having been on the opposite side in the fourth movie, Gisele joins the famous family for part five.
The film is pivotal to reinvigorating the Fast and Furious franchise and is why Universal has continued all the way to now. The third act climax, where Dom and Brian drive a safe through Rio, is one of the best action sequences ever filmed, setting the stage for Fast X‘s revenge plot. Gisele falls for Han by the end of the movie, setting up their sweet yet tragic story in the sequel.
2’Wonder Woman’ (2017)
IMDb Score: 7.4/10
Gal Gadot’s most iconic role has made an impact far bigger than just the film itself. The origin story, directed by Patty Jenkins, is arguably the best movie in the famously troubled DCEU. Gadot embodied Diana Prince’s strength in many ways, and the empowerment she inspired is important to the world.
Set during World War I, Wonder Womanshows the hero fighting alongside troops, including the defining No Man’s Land sequence, where she walks straight through the battlefield. It also gave a deeper look at Themyscira, the Amazonian homeland she comes from that has intriguing combat rituals. Wonder Woman is arguably the best of Gadot’s movies and includes the best performance of her career. It is the role for which she’ll be remembered and a remarkable superhero movie.
1’Zach Snyder’s Justice League’ (2021)
IMDb Score: 8/10
With a tragic personal loss interfering with his professional life, Zach Snyder stepped away from the cinematic universe he launched. Thus, 2017’s Justice League was a misshapen, uncomfortable version from Joss Whedon that critics and fans deride. Years of pleading finally led to Warner Bros. relenting and releasing a Snyder-approved 242-minute cut called Zach Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max.
The new version represents a far more consistent vision for the film than the original and gives more time to delve into each of the many characters in the cast. Gadot’s Wonder Woman received a more dignified portrayal, one of the many strengths in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. It was too late for the film to get any type of follow-up, but the release at least allowed viewers closure after a long saga of hoping.
