Elizabeth Banks, one of the busiest stars in Hollywood these days, has become a seemingly unstoppable force in the industry. She has been acting in films and TV series for over 20 years while also building a career behind the camera by producing and directing over the last decade.
Banks got her start with a couple of minor roles before becoming part of the ensemble of the cult classic comedy Wet Hot American Summer (2001). She then played the role of Betty Brant in all three of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films, displaying her versatility, her willingness go to big, and also her softer side. She later proved herself as one of the highlights of The Hunger Games films as Effie Trinket, the flamboyantly dressed advisor with a soft spot for the tributes.
In 2015, Banks demonstrated her skills behind the camera, making her feature directorial debut with the musical comedy Pitch Perfect 2, which she also produced and starred in. For 2019's Charlie's Angels, in addition to directing, producing and co-starring in the action comedy as Boz, she also wrote the film's script.
Now, coming off of producing and directing the action comedy, Cocaine Bear, earlier this year, Banks stars in the true story of the rise and fall of one of the most iconic toys of the '90s, Beanie Babies, in The Beanie Bubble, alongside Zach Galifianakis. To celebrate the impressive body of work created by Banks so far, below, A.frame presents a list of some of her essential movies.
Banks was just one of the many up-and-coming actors that appeared in this 2001 cult classic comedy, which also featured Bradley Cooper and Amy Poehler, as well as established stars like Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Paul Rudd, and Molly Shannon. Collectively, they play a group of counselors on the last day of summer camp, and engage in off-the-wall shenanigans, with Banks showcasing her willingness to be silly, at one point sporting an absurd amount of barbecue sauce on her face.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin follows Andy (Steve Carell) as he goes about finding someone to finally hook up with after his co-worker pals (played by Seth Rogen, Rudd, and Romany Malco) find out that he remains a virgin despite being 40. They initially try setting him up with Banks' fellow retail employee Beth, who seems into him but may be a much more than he’s ready for. Banks gets an opportunity here to go for broke with her comedic skills, intimidating the guys with her free-spirited nature.
Slither is James Gunn’s alien infestation horror comedy, and Banks is more than game for the proceedings as Starla, the wife of Grant (Michael Rooker), the aliens' first victim, who — after he's infected — becomes hellbent on infecting others and turning them into zombie-like creatures. But Banks is much more than a scream queen here; she works with the few uninfected townspeople to try to stop the creatures and save the Earth!
The world of The Hunger Games is an extreme vision of a dystopian future, and Banks livened up the darker elements as Effie Trinket, the Capitol representative sent to escort tributes Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson to the deadly games. Banks imbued Effie with a delightfully over-the-top voice and style, aided by her lavish costumes, making her delivery of the ominous statement "May the odds be ever in your favor," almost encouraging.
Love & Mercy follows Beach Boys icon Brian Wilson, played as younger and older versions by Paul Dano and John Cusack, respectively, as he struggles with his mental health and musical creativity. Banks stars as Melinda Ledbetter, Wilson’s girlfriend and eventually his second wife, who helped him get out of the sway of Dr. Eugene Landy (played by Paul Giamatti).
In this musical comedy, Banks has a small but hilarious role alongside John Michael Higgins; they play a pair of loony acapella competition commentators. She and Higgins reprised their roles in all three of the films in the series, delivering biting and funny commentary about the Barden Bellas, led by Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick. Behind the scenes, Banks also served as a producer on all three films, and directed Pitch Perfect 2.
The Lego Movie featured an all-star voice cast, including Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, and Morgan Freeman, with Pratt playing unexpected hero Emmett opposite Banks’ rebellious Wyldstyle (aka Lucy). Wyldstyle starts off as a typical cool female character, but through the story and Banks' performance, she’s proven to be just as special as the ostensible hero, and the true leader of the rebellion to save the Lego world from Lord Business (Ferrell).
Banks is no stranger to dramatic performances, but Call Jane is easily one of her strongest. Inspired by the true story of "the Janes," an underground network of women who helped others find abortion services in the pre-Roe v. Wade 1960s, Call Jane stars Banks as Joy, a suburban housewife with a life-threatening pregnancy who seeks out the Janes, led by Virginia (Sigourney Weaver). Directed by Oscar nominee Phyllis Nagy, the historical drama tackles a sensitive and complex subject with care, and Banks delivers an excellent performance as someone faced with a heartbreakingly difficult decision.
Proving herself just as versatile behind the camera, Banks jumped from directing the a cappella comedy, Pitch Perfect 2, and the Charlie's Angels reboot, to making Cocaine Bear, the R-rated action comedy loosely based on the 1985 true story of a real bear that ingested the titular narcotic following a drug smuggling operation gone bad. "I wanted to break down some of the mythology around what kinds of movies women are interested in making," Banks told Variety of what drew her to Cocaine Bear. Unlike her other directorial efforts, Banks does not appear in the film. Her cast includes Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Isiah Whitlock Jr., Margo Martindale, and the late Ray Liotta.
