Every single Helena Bonham Carter movie, ranked
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 25%
Summary: A university professor (Guy Pearce) returns to his hometown and discovers a mysterious woman (Carter) who unlocks memories from his past.
The film received overwhelming criticism for its pacing and storytelling.
"There's not quite enough mystery here, and no amount of pretty pastoral settings can make up for that," wrote Moira Macdonald for The Seattle Times.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 29%
Summary: Alice (Mia Wasikowska) embarks on a time-traveling adventure to save the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) and the rest of Wonderland.
Anne Hathaway played the White Queen and Carter reprised her role as the Red Queen in the Tim Burton adaptation of Lewis Carroll's novel.
Most critics were disappointed with the film's lack of coherence, deeming it a forgettable sequel.
"The film misses Burton's odd charm, is largely devoid of humour and, in spite of Hathaway, Depp and Bonham Carter, is mostly a waste of time," Udita Jhunjhunwala wrote for Mint.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 31%
Summary: John Reid (Armie Hammer) and his partner Tonto (Depp) team up to bring justice to the Wild West.
In the film, Carter played Red.
"The Lone Ranger" was widely criticized for its length and inconsistent tone, but some reviewers appreciated its action-packed sequences.
"In short, the 'spirit guide' of this film would be an odious trash heap," wrote Monica Castillo for Bitch Media.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 33%
Summary: In a post-apocalyptic future, John Connor (Christian Bale) leads the resistance against machines and encounters a mysterious stranger named Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington).
Carter appeared in the action sequel as Dr. Serena Kogan.
Most critics agreed that the film had a weak plot and character development.
"It brings me very little joy to report that this version of the popular 'Terminator' franchise is silly, obtuse, and pointless," wrote Laremy Legel for Film.com.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 35%
Summary: A vampire (Depp) awakens in the 1970s and attempts to restore his family's fortune.
In the film, Carter played Dr. Julia Hoffman.
Burton's adaptation of the 1960s TV series received mostly criticism for its uneven humor.
"The only reason to see 'Dark Shadows' is to discover how dire and pointless — how flat-out dreadful — a movie can be even when it has Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Helena Bonham Carter attached to its flimsy pretext," wrote David Thomson for The New Republic.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 38%
Summary: A dentist (Steve Martin) becomes entangled in a web of crime and deception.
Carter appeared in the dark comedy as Susan.
The movie garnered mixed reviews, with some appreciating the quirky humor and others finding it uneven.
"The casting is peculiar, the tone is off, the plot is uninteresting and the ending is sorry," wrote Mick LaSalle for the San Francisco Chronicle.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 42%
Summary: Dr. Frankenstein (Kenneth Branagh) creates a monstrous being (Robert De Niro) in his quest for scientific discovery.
In the movie based on Shelley's classic novel, Carter played Elizabeth.
Most critics agreed that the film was a weak adaptation of the famous book.
"Branagh's version is too respectful and ultimately, well, lifeless," wrote Gene Siskel for the Chicago Tribune.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 44%
Summary: An astronaut (Mark Wahlberg) crash-lands on a world dominated by intelligent apes and becomes captured.
Carter played Ari in Burton's reboot of the original 1968 film.
Some critics applauded the movie's special effects, but others criticized its weak character development.
"If only Burton cared as much about having real characters as he did about having real actors," wrote Steven D. Greydanu for Decent Films.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 50%
Summary: Lawyer Colette Hughes (Hilary Swank) and her client (Carter) fight for the rights of mental-health patients in a groundbreaking legal case.
Although reviews were split, some critics didn't appreciate the movie's portrayal of mental health.
"The wild-haired Carter has the flashier role and, although she digs into it with gusto, she's all over the emotional map," wrote Gary Goldstein for the Los Angeles Times.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 50%
Summary: A love triangle unfolds between two sisters (Carter and Olivia Williams) and a man (Paul Bettany) in 1930s England.
Some reviewers criticized "The Heart of Me" for its melodramatic tone and pace, but others enjoyed the film.
"Like its characters, takes far too long to show its heart," wrote Phil Villarreal for the Arizona Daily Star.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 50%
Summary: A bitter artist (Branagh) forms an unlikely friendship with a woman (Carter) who has ALS.
Although some critics deemed "The Theory of Flight" unoriginal, others appreciated its unconventional love story.
"I wish I could rent a theater and show these good people a double feature of 'The Theory of Flight' and 'Dance Me to My Song.' Here are two movies that are essentially about the same thing," wrote Roger Ebert for RogerEbert.com.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 51%
Summary: Alice (Wasikowska) returns to Underland as a teenager after visiting the magical world as a child to save it from the tyrannical Red Queen (Carter).
The majority of critics enjoyed Burton's visuals, but others found its plot to be unoriginal.
"It's horribly generic. This is a Disney film and it feels like a Disney film, whereas I'd hoped it would feel like a Tim Burton film," wrote Deborah Ross for The Spectator.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 56%
Summary: The film explores Lady Jane Grey's (Carter) short-lived reign as Queen of England.
"Lady Jane" was generally well-received for its historical accuracy and Carter's debut, but some critics disliked its filming style.
"Overall, the movie is cloddishly composed, with awkward zooms and theatrical blocking," wrote Paul Attanasio for The Washington Post.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%
Summary: A young boy (Freddie Highmore) pursues cooking as an outlet after his mother (Victoria Hamilton) dies and father (Ken Stott) remarries.
In the adaptation of the English food writer Nigel Slater's memoir, Carter played Mrs. Potter.
Most critics appreciated the coming-of-age story's nostalgic charm.
"Sweet and tart, airy and rich and, above all, a thoroughly irresistible confection," wrote Goldstein for the Los Angeles Times.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 65%
Summary: A boy's (Gregg Sulkin) bar mitzvah plans clash with the excitement surrounding the World Cup in England.
In the film, Carter played Esther Rubens.
This British dramedy generally received positive reviews for its humor and acting.
"A dazzling array of visual ideas, deftly combined with sounds, silence, or music," wrote Kristin M. Jones for Film Comment magazine.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 67%
Summary: A woman (Carter) in a Nova Scotia town fights for better working conditions while dealing with a personal tragedy.
Most reviewers found "Margaret's Museum" impressive and applauded Carter's performance.
"One of those small, nearly perfect movies that you know, seeing it, is absolutely one of a kind," wrote Ebert for RogerEbert.com.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 67%
Summary: English tourists in Italy become embroiled in a small-town scandal.
In the adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel, Carter was Caroline Abbott.
Most critics deemed the movie a success for its depiction of moral conflict.
"Every actor turns in a solid, balanced and detailed performance," wrote Katherine Monk for the Vancouver Sun.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 68%
Summary: A group of women conspire to pull off a heist during the Met Gala.
In the film, Carter played fashion designer Rose Weil.
The female-led cast and entertaining plot was generally well-received by critics.
"There's a sweet satisfaction in watching as 'Ocean' pulls it off," Hannah Giorgis wrote for The Atlantic.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%
Summary: The modern adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic novel focuses on a young man's (Jeremy Irvine) rise from poverty.
In the movie, Carter played Miss Havisham.
Most critics appreciated the cast's performances, but some said the film's overall entertainment value fell short.
"It is an intelligent and moving version of the book, with a good deal to say in its own right," wrote David Walsh for World Socialist Web Site.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%
Summary: A French woman (Carter) explores her identity and relationships in a blend of drama and comedy.
"Shadow Play," originally titled "Portraits Chinois," received praise for its quirky humor and exploration of identity.
"These snapshots, if not portraits, of arty Parsian yuppies are worth a look," wrote Doris Toumarkine for Film Journal International.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%
Summary: Set in 19th-century France, the musical follows the lives of various characters during a revolution.
In the film, based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo, Carter appeared as Madame Thénardier.
Most critics agreed that the movie's score was great, but some felt like the cast fell short.
"Beyond some pacing problems and a few questionable casting choices, the movie works as a towering, somewhat lumbering monolith of entertainment disbursement," wrote Tim Grierson for Deadspin.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%
Summary: A man (Jesse Birdsall) with an awkward love life navigates relationships and self-discovery.
Carter appeared in the movie as Lady Minerva Munday.
The British dramedy, based on a screenplay by Elizabeth Jane Howard, was appreciated for its humor despite getting some criticism for its uneven plot.
"'Getting It Right' is a character film, not a plot film, and so the point is not what happens, but who it happens to," wrote Ebert for RogerEbert.com.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 73%
Summary: The powerful drama follows the early feminist movement in Britain and the fight for women's right to vote.
In the film, Carter played Edith Ellyn.
Critics generally enjoyed the movie's historical accuracy, but agreed that its storytelling was a bit formulaic.
"'Suffragette' is a stirring history lesson, wrapped in a very compelling and intimate film that is riveting, educational and thought provoking," wrote Dwight Brown for Dwight Brown Ink.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%
Summary: Two former lovers (Carter and Aaron Eckhart) reflect on their past and contemplate their future.
"Conversations With Other Women" received positive reviews for its unique exploration of relationships.
"I was hooked to the screen, to the film's sense of time and place and risk, to the intelligence of the talk and the intimations of pleasure and regret in Bonham Carter's performance," wrote Thomson for The New Republic.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Summary: A son (Billy Crudup) tries to reconcile with his dying father (Albert Finney), who tells tall tales of his adventurous life.
In the film, based on a novel by Daniel Wallace, Carter played Jenny/The Witch.
Burton's fantastical drama was well-received for its imaginative plot and heartfelt themes.
"As father and son struggle toward a hard-won reconciliation, 'Big Fish' reveals its beating heart," wrote David Ansen for Newsweek.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%
Summary: Shakespeare's timeless tragedy of revenge and betrayal unfolds in a modern setting.
Carter appeared as the love interest, Ophelia.
Most critics praised Branagh's ambitious adaptation, even if some thought it was too long.
"Not one for the purists, but a laudable attempt to introduce Shakespeare to the blockbuster generation," wrote David Parkinson for the Radio Times.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%
Summary: The adaptation of the Shakespearean comedy if filled with mistaken identities, love, and mischief.
Carter played Olivia in the film.
"Twelfth Night" received mostly positive reviews for its humor and cast.
"A comic meditation on desire, disguise and inherent bisexuality," wrote Stephen Holden for The New York Times.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%
Summary: Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) go on a quest to destroy Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes).
In the penultimate movie of the series, Carter reprised her role as Bellatrix Lestrange, one of Voldemort's loyal followers.
This installment of the series, based on the books by J.K. Rowling, was celebrated for its dark tone and character development.
"Maturing performances are a bonus, but the show's the thing, and by now it seems much richer than any theme park that could ever be made from it," wrote David Elliott for the San Diego Reader.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
Summary: Harry (Radcliffe) faces new challenges and a rebellion against the Wizarding World's government.
In the film, Carter once again appeared as Bellatrix.
Most critics appreciated the film's darker theme, but others found it less satisfying than previous "Harry Potter" movies.
"The older these kids get, the darker and more engrossing the 'Harry Potter' movies become." wrote Leah Rozen for People magazine.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
Summary: A news team covers the Gulf War from the heart of Baghdad, providing an inside look at wartime journalism.
Carter appeared as Ingrid Formanek.
"Live From Baghdad" was acclaimed for its gripping portrayal of wartime journalism.
"Another first-class production from HBO," wrote Tom Shales for the The Washington Post.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
Summary: A sports writer (Woody Allen) seeks his adopted son's birth mother (Mira Sorvino) and her surprising secrets.
Carter played Amanda, the baby's adoptive mother.
The movie was well-received for its humor and Sorvino's award-winning performance.
"It's rare to see a film so wholeheartedly casual, silly, effervescent, and yet genuinely touching," wrote Tom Ryan for The Sunday Age.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
Summary: A young genius (Kyle Catlett) embarks on a cross-country journey to accept an award from the Smithsonian Institution.
Carter appeared in the movie as Dr. Clair.
Critics generally admired the film's whimsical storytelling and visual style.
"Overall, 'The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet' is beautiful to watch and will make a star out of young Kyle Catlett," wrote Katie Smith-Wong for Flick Feast.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
Summary: An insomniac office worker (Edward Norton) forms an underground fight club to express his dissatisfaction with modern life.
Carter played Marla Singer in the cult classic.
"Fight Club" was lauded for its provocative themes and Norton and Brad Pitt's acting.
"A shrewd and expertly crafted study of the male in crisis," wrote Wendy Ide for The Times.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
Summary: The story of real-life British humanitarian Nicholas Winton (Anthony Hopkins), who helped save children during World War II.
In the film, Carter was Babette Winton.
Hopkins' acting was appreciated, but some critics felt the movie was too predictable.
"It delivers a lot of what we've already seen before, but on a less-than-cinematic scale," wrote Johnny Oleksinski for the New York Post.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
Summary: A poet (Richard E. Grant) grapples with the challenges of success, marriage, and personal fulfillment in post-war London.
Carter appeared in the movie as Rosemary.
Most critics were fond of the film's dark humor and the chemistry between its lead actors.
"'A Merry War' is the kind of movie that doesn't reach large audiences, but some will find it appealing," wrote Ebert for RogerEbert.com.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
Summary: A young boy named Charlie Bucket (Highmore) wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka's (Depp) magical chocolate factory.
In the film, Carter played Charlie's mom, Mrs. Bucket.
Burton's adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's novel received positive reviews for its portrayal of Wonka.
"If anything cramps Depp, and the film's sense of fun, it is the weight that is placed on reconciliation between Wonka and his father," wrote Ryan Gilbey for Sight & Sound,
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Summary: Disney's adaptation of the classic fairy tale about a kind-hearted woman (Lily James) and her magical transformation.
Carter appeared in the movie as the Fairy Godmother.
The live-action tale was well-received for its whimsical visuals and James' performance.
"There really is no other word to describe this film other than enchanting," wrote Therese Lacson for Nerdophiles.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Summary: Harry (Radcliffe) delves into Voldemort's (Fiennes) past while Hogwarts faces increasing danger.
Carter returned as Bellatrix in the fifth installment of the fantasy series.
Most critics admired the film's character development and emotional depth.
"The most mature 'Potter' film yet, dealing with emotional issues much stronger than any previous installment, and the young cast more than steps up to the plate," wrote Mattie Lucas for The Dispatch.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Summary: A young man (voiced by Depp) accidentally proposes to a corpse bride (voiced by Carter) in the Land of the Dead.
The stop-motion film was widely commended for its darkly whimsical style and storytelling.
"This may be light family entertainment, but it's also a pleasingly perverse celebration of Victorian morbidity," wrote J. R. Jones for the Chicago Reader.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
Summary: A love triangle unfolds as a poor journalist (Linus Roache) pursues a wealthy woman (Carter).
The adaptation of Henry James' novel received praise for its cast and detail.
"Flies high in a year when a whole lot of mega-buck movies barely got off the ground. It's exquisite — and very adult — entertainment," wrote Carol Buckland for CNN.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
Summary: A vengeful barber (Depp) and his accomplice (Carter) turn their customers into meat pies in Victorian London.
Burton's musical received acclaim for its dark and stylized take on the 1979 original.
"This is a remarkable piece of work for people who like their genres all mashed together in a meat grinder," wrote Jordan Hoffman for UGO.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Summary: A stray dog becomes a hero during World War I.
Carter was the voice of Margaret Conroy, the movie's narrator.
Based on a true story, most critics deemed "Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero" a heartwarming and family-friendly film.
"I'm glad to report that I not only saw the tale of a soldier and his loyal pooch through to the end; at one point, I used a shirt cuff to blot away the wet eyes," wrote Scott Marks for the San Diego Reader.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Summary: Sherlock Holmes' (Henry Cavill) younger sister Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) sets on a journey to find her missing mother (Carter).
Many critics appreciated the fresh take on the "Sherlock Holmes" universe, inspired by Nancy Springer's novels.
"The kind of movie that the preteen set will surely delight in and watch over and over," wrote Lindsey Bahr for the Associated Press.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Summary: Enola (Brown) returns for another adventure and investigates a new case.
Carter reprised her role as Eudoria Holmes.
The sequel built on the success of the first movie, and most critics enjoyed its captivating filming style.
"Keeps up the charm and humour with a crafty mystery filled with entertaining twists and turns," wrote Laura Sirikul for Empire magazine.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Summary: The cast and creators of the "Harry Potter" films reunite to celebrate the series.
Carter was one of the celebrities interviewed in the documentary.
Critics widely favored the special reunion and recognized that it catered to the franchise's fans.
"What 'Return to Hogwarts' captures best, in the end, is how completely life-changing an experience it was to make these films," wrote Liz Shannon Miller for Consequence.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Summary: The lives of three families from different social classes intersect in Edwardian England.
In the adaption of Forster's novel, Carter played Helen Schlegel.
"Howards End" was acclaimed for its attention to historical detail and performances.
"The differing relationships between the disparate characters, and the unique characters themselves, are all richly developed," wrote Jeff Menell for The Hollywood Reporter.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Summary: Prince Albert (Colin Firth) struggles to overcome his speech impediment with the help of a speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush).
Carter portrayed Queen Elizabeth in the movie.
The historical drama was appreciated for its cast, particularly Firth's acting.
'"The King's Speech' tells this very personal story of therapy and friendship in such an exquisitely grand and fulfilling way," wrote Don Shanahan for Every Movie Has a Lesson.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Summary: Eccentric inventor Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis) and his faithful dog, Gromit, battle a vegetable-eating monster.
In the movie, Carter voiced Lady Campanula Tottington.
The animated comedy was celebrated for its clever humor and inventive animation.
"What kills me are the fingerprint ridges that fade in and out of the characters' mugging faces, a reassuring reminder that handmade art can still captivate," wrote Jones for the Chicago Reader.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Summary: The epic conclusion of the "Harry Potter" series showcases the final battle between Harry (Radcliffe) and Voldemort (Fiennes).
Carter played Bellatrix one last time.
The movie was hailed by critics as an epic conclusion to the "Harry Potter" series.
"It has been a true coming-of-age saga, in the fullest and most moving sense of the term," wrote Christopher Kelly for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Summary: A young woman's (Carter) life is transformed when she travels to Italy and experiences romance.
Forster's classic novel was brought to life with charm, receiving favorable reviews for its period authenticity and characters.
"The simple story is embroidered with delightful dialogue and rare characterizations," wrote Bob Thomas for the Associated Press.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Summary: The tumultuous relationship between actors Richard Burton (Dominic West) and Elizabeth Taylor (Carter) is explored in this biographical drama.
Critics across the board praised the movie's lead actors.
"It's a film that asks a lot from West and Bonham Carter, who deliver time and again in roles that could have eaten them alive," wrote Ed Bark for Uncle Barky.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Summary: Carter narrated the documentary, which delves into World War II and the Holocaust.
The documentary received critical acclaim for its historical significance and emotional impact.
"'Night Will Fall' is an unsparing yet unfortunately necessary reminder of the atrocities committed seventy plus years ago," wrote Zach Hollwedel for Under the Radar.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Summary: The experimental film explores the perception of time and reality.
Carter narrated the documentary.
"Three Minutes: A Lengthening" earned a high score for its innovative approach to the concept of time.
"It is aware of its limitations and is all the more powerful for it," wrote Rebecca Nicholson for The Guardian.
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