10 Greatest Meryl Streep Movies to Watch Before Her ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Return

Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in the history of cinema, Meryl Streep simply can’t go with a minor role in whatever movie or show, and Only Murders in the Building is solid proof of it.

Initially introduced as a side character, Streep’s struggling actress Loretta Durkin quickly turned into everyone’s favorite, going just as high as marrying Martin Short’s Oliver in the season 4 finale.

Despite Loretta leaving for New Zealand just as soon as the wedding wraps, we’ll definitely see her back in the Arconia building, but there’s still a lot of time until September 9. Here are some of Meryl Streep’s top movies to watch before Only Murders in the Building comes back.

‘Mamma Mia!’ (2008)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Mamma Mia! holds scores of 55% and 66% from critics and viewers
• On IMDb, the movie is rated 6.6/10

A cult classic jukebox musical movie stars Amanda Seyried as Sophie, a bride-to-be living on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi who tries to uncover who her real father is, considering that her mother Donna was in a relationship with three different men at a time.

Meryl Streep takes on the role of Donna Sheridan, Sophie’s mother.

‘Marvin’s Room’ (1996)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Marvin’s Room keeps scores of 84% and 63% from critics and audiences
• On IMDb, the movie rates 6.7/10

The family drama and one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s first ever roles, the movie follows two estranged sisters who reconnect after one of them is diagnosed with leukaemia, leading to many buried secrets resurface again.

Meryl Streep plays Lee, one of the sisters who also has to find a way to connect to her own teenage son.

‘The Hours’ (2002)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, The Hours has scores of 79% and 82% from critics and viewers
• On IMDb, the movie’s rating is 7.5/10

The Oscar-winning drama centres on three women living in three different eras, but having their lives intertwined by Virginia Woolf’s novel “Mrs. Dalloway”.

Meryl Streep plays Clarissa Vaughan, a modern-day woman whose life starts reminding her of Woolf’s heroine as she plans a party for her seriously ill friend.

‘Doubt’ (2008)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Doubt holds scores of 79% and 78% from critics and audiences
• On IMDb, the movie is rated 7.5/10

Having its events unfolding in a Catholic school in the 1960s, the movie follows a nun who starts suspecting a local priest of an inappropriate behaviour towards one of the students.

Meryl Streep plays Sister Aloysius Beauvier, the strict principal who teams up with the nun and becomes determined to uncover the truth.

‘Silkwood’ (1983)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Silkwood keeps scores of 77% and 79% from critics and viewers
• On IMDb, the movie rates 7.1/10

Based on true events, the movie stars Meryl Streep in the leading role as Karen Silkwood, a worker at a plutonium plant who raises concerns about unsafe practices and corporate negligence.

As her word about possible dangers for both humanity and nature spreads, Karen herself gets into a very dangerous position.

‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (2006)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, The Devil Wears Prada has scores of 75% and 76% from critics and audiences
• On IMDb, the movie is rated 7/10

Starring Anne Hathaway, the iconic fashion comedy drama follows a young journalist who applies as an assistant to a top magazine’s editor-in-chief.

Meryl Streep plays Miranda Priestly, the commanding boss of the magazine who tests her new assistant’s limits and makes her realise she might not be the best fit for such a job. A sequel is currently in the works.

‘The Bridges of Madison County’ (1995)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, The Bridges of Madison County holds scores of 90% and 87% from critics and viewers
• On IMDb, the movie rates 7.6/10

One of Clint Eastwood’s best movies starring himself too, the romantic drama follows a brief affair between Meryl Streep’s Francesca Johnson, a lonely housewife, and a traveling photographer, making both choose between passion and duty.

‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ (1979)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Kramer vs. Kramer keeps scores of 90% and 89% from critics and audiences
• On IMDb, the movie’s rating is 7.8/10

The courtroom drama centres on a couple’s divorce and its immediate toll on their young son, exploring forever relevant themes like gender roles, work-life balance and single parenting.

Meryl Streep takes on one of the leading roles as Joanna Kramer who fights for the custody over her son.

‘Little Women’ (2019)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Little Women keeps scores of 95% and 92% from critics and viewers
• On IMDb, the movie rates 7.8/10

Greta Gerwig’s modern adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel, the movie explores the life and fate of the March family’s four daughters who struggle to find love and recognition amidst the ongoing American Civil War.

Meryl Streep plays Aunt March, the wealthy and opinionated relative who advocates for the girls’ safety over determination to make their dreams come true.

‘Everything Is Copy’ (2015)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Everything Is Copy holds scores of 100% and 75% from critics and audiences
• On IMDb, the movie is rated 7.5/10

A documentary directed by Jacob Bernstein, the movie explores the life and legacy of his mother, writer Nora Ephron.

Meryl Streep appears as herself, sharing memories and reflections on her close friend’s extraordinary life.