5 Christina Ricci Movies, From Best To Best

She’s an icon who doesn’t get celebrated enough — so here’s a list

5. Monster (2003)

She isn’t given enough credit for taking risks in edgy movies — rewatch Buffalo 66 or 2007’s unsettling Black Snake Moan. But her restrained performance as the lover of Oscar-winner Charlize Theron’s serial killer in Monster is an all-timer.

4. Casper (1995)

The world first met Christina Ricci in 1990’s Mermaids, a charming domestic drama starring raven-haired legends Winona Ryder and Cher. A few short years later, Ricci is starring in the big-budget live-action adaptation of Casper, a movie where she befriends a friendly dead boy. She carries the movie on her shoulders.

3. Speed Racer (2008)

The Wachowski siblings are well known for movies like Jupiter Ascending, Cloud Atlas, the Kenau ones. But these two women should be celebrated on the regular for their big-screen adaptation of the beloved 60’s anime Speed Racer. It is a living, breathing cartoon and Ricci helps sell it every minute she’s on-screen. The movie was a flop because we didn’t deserve it.

2. Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Tim Burton’s last truly Tim Burton-y movie before losing his way and becoming Hollywood’s blockbuster Dr. Frankenstein (2003’s Big Fish was his last good movie, IMO.) In this goth retelling of Washington Irving’s spooky headless horseman story, Burton reunites with his muse Johnny Depp and casts a blonde Christina Ricci — I’m shocked he hadn’t cast her before (or since).

1. Addams Family Values (1993)

Christina Ricci is one of the best actors of her generation, but her droll and demented performance as goth queen Wednesday Addams in the original Addams Family and this, the sequel, is immortal. It will live forever and ever. Ricci’s Wednesday is a death-obsessed teenager who does not suffer fools or cheerful suburbanites. This country could use that dark energy right now.