Kate Mara’s 10 Best Movies And TV Shows

Kate Mara feels like one of the more underrated actors working in Hollywood, but she has consistently put out incredible performances in various movies and TV shows over the past couple of decades. She made her film debut in 1999 with Random Hearts and has since gone on to have roles in other projects like We Are Marshall, Shooter, Ridley Scott’s remarkable The Martian, Megan Leavey, My Days of Mercy, and Brokeback Mountain.

Alongside appearing in a variety of films, Mara has also had some significant roles in several TV shows, with her performance in House of Cards being arguably her most well-known role. She has also appeared in A Teacher, American Story: Murder House, the first season of the long-running American Horror Story series, and 24. Kate Mara’s 2025 looks strong with two upcoming films, The Dutchman and The Astronaut.

10

10 Years (2011)

Kate Mara as Elise

10 Years

PG-13

Comedy

Documentary

Drama

Romance

Release Date

September 14, 2012

Runtime

100 minutes

Director

Jamie Linden

Main Genre

Comedy

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10 Years often feels underrated within the romantic comedy genre, but it is a fantastic film with an incredible cast. It follows a group of friends returning to their high school for their 10-year anniversary. Where the film truly shines is the complexity of its characters and their willingness to be open about their struggles and how their lives have gone since they were last together. Movies about high school reunions can often feel silly, but 10 Years crafts an emotionally affecting and funny take on the premise.

Movies about high school reunions can often feel silly, but 10 Years crafts an emotionally affecting and funny take on the premise.

Kata Mara is really strong as Elise in 10 Years, a reclusive student who never really connected with others in high school. Oscar Isaac’s Reeves, who became a popular musician, always had a crush on her, and he attempts to share his feelings with her at the reunion. He is asked to sing one of his songs, and Elise learns it is about her. The two of them are adorable together, and Mara plays her role well, channeling that lonely energy of a person feeling out of place but hoping to find love.

9

127 Hours (2010)

Kate Mara as Kristi Moore

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127 Hours

R

Adventure

Biography

Drama

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

9/10

Release Date

November 12, 2010

Runtime

94 minutes

Director

Danny Boyle

Writers

Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy

Cast

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  • hEADSHOT oF James Franco

    James Franco

  • Headshot Of Kate Mara

    Kate Mara

Based on the real-life experiences of mountaineer Aron Ralston, 127 Hours follows Ralston’s harrowing escape from Canyonlands National Park after getting his arm trapped by a boulder while scaling Bluejohn Canyon. Trapped with little food and water, and no way to call for help, Ralston must fight for his survival against all odds. Danny Boyle directed the film, with James Franco starring as Ralston. 

Budget

$18 million

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures, Searchlight Pictures

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Based on Aron Ralston’s memoir, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, 127 Hours is a thrilling, terrifying story of a canyoneer who gets trapped by a boulder and must figure out a way to escape his situation, coming to the realization that he will need to cut off his own arm. Led by James Franco, who does a lot of his performance alone, 127 Hours is a remarkable tale of survival and determination to live that can be utterly gut-wrenching to watch as the story progresses.

James Franco screaming in 127 Hours

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Though most of 127 Hours focuses primarily on Franco’s Aron Ralston, Kate Mara does an admirable job as Kristi Moore, a lost hiker with her friend Megan, to whom Aron gives directions. They strike up a quick friendship as Aron shows them an underground pool, and they invite him to a party that night. Aron declines, and both parties go their own ways. Despite her limited screen time, Mara is great alongside Franco, showing her ability to make an impression even in smaller roles.

8

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Kate Mara as Alma Del Mar Jr. (Age 19)

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Brokeback Mountain

R

Drama

Romance

ScreenRant logo

10/10

8/10

Release Date

December 9, 2005

Runtime

134 minutes

Director

Ang Lee

Writers

Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Jake Gyllenhaal

    Jake Gyllenhaal

  • Headshot Of Heath Ledger In The 2006 Oscars Nominees Luncheon

    Heath Ledger

From director Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain tells the story of a forbidden love between two cowboys beginning in 1960s Wyoming. The film stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, who after being hired for a summer job herding sheep, begin a romantic relationship that lasts two decades. As the two struggle to cope with their feelings for each other against the pressures of a society that will never accept them, various tragedies and other obligations threaten to pull them apart for good. Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams also star. 

Budget

$14 million

Studio(s)

Focus Features

Distributor(s)

Focus Features, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures

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A sensation when it was released, Brokeback Mountain is a landmark film, telling the story of two cowboys and their complex, and hidden romantic relationship across two decades, from 1963 through 1983. Directed by Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain is a heartbreaking, moving love story that is as beautiful as it is urgent, marred by controversy for its Academy Awards loss and multiple attempts to censor the film entirely. It’s an important moment in LGBTQ+ cinema as a whole, opening it up to a wider audience than ever before.

Brokeback Mountain lost to Crash for Best Picture at the 78th Academy Awards, leading to controversy discussing the latent homophobia among the Academy and critics.

Brokeback Mountain is squarely Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal’s story as they play Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, respectively, but its supporting characters are also fantastic. Kate Mara plays Alma Del Mar Jr., one of the daughters of Ennis and Michelle Williams’ Alma Beers Del Mar. It’s not the most significant role overall, but it was definitely Mara’s biggest project at that point in her career, showing early on that she would be able to get roles in quality movies and shows.

7

American Horror Story: Murder House (2011)

Kate Mara as Hayden McClaine

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American Horror Story

Horror

Anthology

Thriller

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

Mystery

ScreenRant logo

3/10

33

7.1/10

Release Date

October 17, 2012

Network

FX

Showrunner

Ryan Murphy

Writers

Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy

Franchise(s)

American Horror Story

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Denis O'Hare

    Denis O’Hare

  • Headshot Of Emma Roberts In The NY Premiere of Space Cadet

    Emma Roberts

American Horror Story is a Horror Anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The franchise has seen stars like Connie Britton, Jessica Lange, Denis O’Hare, Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters, and Dylan McDermott. Each season follows a new premise and spans an array of horror genres like witches, ghosts, serial killers, and more.

Seasons

12

Story By

brad falchuk

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu, Dis, Netflix

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In 2011, American Horror Story had not yet become a long-running series, but the retroactively titled first season called American Horror: Murder House would kick it all off. Murder House revolves around a family dealing with both a miscarriage and infidelity that moves into a Los Angeles mansion, unaware that it is haunted by the ghosts of its former residents and victims. The season was consistently scary while being absurd and often grotesque at every turn. It set the tone for the whole series going forward.

Evan Peters as Tate in skeletal makeup in American Horror Story.

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5

While she isn’t part of the main family, Kate Mara plays the important role of Hayden McClaine, a 22-year-old former student and mistress of Dylan McDermott’s Ben Harmon, the father of the Harmon family who moves into the house. The character is often emotionally unstable and violent, both alive and even as a ghost, and Mara explores the emotions her character feels to great effect. It’s a fantastic performance alongside some of the biggest characters in the show.

6

A Teacher (2020)

Kate Mara as Claire Wilson

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A Teacher

TV-MA

Drama

Release Date

2020 – 2019

Network

Hulu

Directors

Gillian Robespierre

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Kate Mara

    Kate Mara

    Lisa Owens

  • Headshot oF Nick Robinson

    Nick Robinson

    Claire Wilson

  • hEADSHOT oF Ashley Zukerman

    Ashley Zukerman

    Bartender

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Shane Harper

    Dr. Riley

A Teacher (2020) explores the complexities of an illicit affair between high school English teacher Claire Wilson, played by Kate Mara, and her student Eric Walker, portrayed by Nick Robinson. The show delves into the far-reaching consequences of their relationship on both their lives and those around them, examining themes of power dynamics, manipulation, and the impact of abusive relationships.

Creator(s)

Hannah Fidell

Character(s)

Lisa Owens, Claire Wilson, Bartender, Dr. Riley, Kathryn Sanders, Karen, Logan Davis, Eric Walker, Sasha, Shawn, Store Clerk, Probation Officer, Tess, Josie, Meg, Charles Hill, Grocery Store Cashier, Maria, Principal Rivas, Partygoer, Cop, Fertility Doctor, Cara, Mary Smith, Meadow

Producers

Daniel Brocklehurst, Jason Bateman, Kate Mara, Michael Costigan, Hannah Fidell, Louise Shore, Boo Killebrew, Daniel Pipski

Seasons

1

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A Teacher is a fantastic miniseries adapted from the film of the same name by the director and creator of both, Hannah Fidell. The series follows a troubling, illegal relationship between an English teacher in her 30s and her 17-year-old student, spanning the course of 10 years. A Teacher explores the disturbing relationship and is bolstered by some incredible central performances, as it explores the abuse happening and the lasting emotional effects that it places on the characters, especially the victim in the situation.

Kate Mara is remarkable as Claire Wilson in A Teacher, portraying the predatory English teacher of Nick Robinson’s Eric Walker. As the series understands the disturbing nature of their relationship, Claire is often painted in a bad light, and Mara dives into her character’s psyche with unsettling results. It’s not always an easy watch, but it’s a masterclass from Kate Mara throughout.

5

Chappaquiddick (2018)

Kate Mara as Mary Jo Kopechne

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Chappaquiddick

PG-13

Thriller

Drama

History

Release Date

April 6, 2018

Director

John Curran

Writers

Andrew Logan, Taylor Allen

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Bruce Dern

    Bruce Dern

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Andria Blackman

  • Headshot Of Clancy Brown In The Los Angeles premiere of 'Scrambled' at AMC Westfield Century City

    Clancy Brown

  • Headshot Of Kate Mara

    Kate Mara

Chappaquiddick, directed by John Curran, depicts the events surrounding Senator Ted Kennedy following a 1969 car accident that resulted in the death of campaign strategist Mary Jo Kopechne. The film explores the political and personal repercussions Kennedy faced as he navigated this pivotal moment.

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A strong political thriller, Chappaquiddick explores the Chappaquiddick incident of 1969 involving Senator Ted Kennedy and his negligence after causing a car accident that resulted in the death of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. It explores the Kennedy family’s response and the fallout from the entire situation. Leaving some questions unanswered, even by the end, Chappaquiddick is a fascinating look at a singular moment in history that isn’t often discussed or that well known.

Chappaquiddick is a fascinating look at a singular moment in history that isn’t often discussed or that well known.

Kate Mara is fantastic in Chappaquiddick as Mary Jo Kopechne, the unfortunate victim of the terrible circumstances. Her death is the catalyst for the rest of the film, and Mara does justice to the person Mary Jo Kopechne was and her final hours alive. It’s a sad story, and she does an incredible job trying to explore who the character is in the little bit of time she has in the story.

4

The Martian (2015)

Kate Mara as Beth Johanssen

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The Martian

PG-13

Sci-Fi

ScreenRant logo

9/10

9/10

Release Date

October 2, 2015

Runtime

2h 24m

Director

Ridley Scott

Writers

Drew Goddard

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Kristen Wiig In The 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards

    Kristen Wiig

  • Headshot Of Sean Bean IN The Game Of Thrones Final Season Premiere

    Sean Bean

Budget

108 million

Studio(s)

20th Century

Distributor(s)

20th Century

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One of the best science fiction survival movies of the past decade, The Martian revolves around an astronaut trying to survive on Mars after getting left behind following a mission, as well as NASA’s efforts to try to bring him back home. Surprisingly funny despite the harrowing circumstances, The Martian includes a masterful performance from Matt Damon while getting into the finer details of the science behind his survival. It’s a testament to the resilience of humanity.

Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain looking down in The Martian

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Kate Mara plays Beth Johanssen in The Martian, the system operator of Ares III, the ship led by Damon’s Dr. Mark Watney. It’s a relatively small role in the film overall, but Mara’s character is an integral part of the Ares III crew, and she is able to convey the sense of urgency and how terrifying the whole situation actually is. Mara remains impressive in her role, something she consistently does in the bigger projects of her career.

3

My Days Of Mercy (2017)

Kate Mara as Mercy Bromage

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My Days of Mercy

R

Romance

Drama

Release Date

March 31, 2018

Runtime

108 minutes

Director

Tali Shalom-Ezer

Writers

Joe Barton

Producers

Christine Vachon, Elliot Page, Jim Reeve, Karri O’Reilly, Kate Mara, Robert Halmi Jr.

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Elliot Page in The 48th Toronto International Film Festival: 'Backspot' Premiere.

    Elliot Page

    Lucy

  • Headshot Of Kate Mara

    Kate Mara

    Mercy

  • Headshot Of Amy Seimetz In The ELLE`s 6th Annual Women

    Amy Seimetz

    Martha

  • Headshot Of Charlie Shotwell

    Charlie Shotwell

    Benjamin

My Days of Mercy is a drama following the daughter of a death row inmate, who becomes romantically involved with a woman supporting the opposite side of her family’s political beliefs. The film explores the complex interplay of personal relationships, activism, and moral dilemmas.

Character(s)

Lucy, Mercy, Martha, Benjamin, Simon, Agatha, Weldon, Toby, Ian, Alice, Morris, Katlin, Paul, Toni, Billy, Ernie, Missouri Reporter, Announcer (voice), Protestor (uncredited), Cop/ Bar Patron

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Exploring the blossoming relationship between the daughter of a man on death row and a woman on the opposing side of her family’s political cause, My Days of Mercy is a touching, complex romantic drama featuring fantastic performances from Kate Mara and Elliot Page. The film is earnest in its exploration of love and the ramifications for the characters as it progresses. It’s tender in its approach, though, and empathetic of the situation they find themselves in.

Kate Mara is incredibly strong in My Days of Mercy as Mercy Bromage, the daughter of a police officer who has ties to the death penalty case that Elliot Page’s Lucy Moro is protesting to acquit their father, who is on death row. The two characters begin to fall in love, and Mara does a fantastic job at being vulnerable and understanding to Page’s character throughout the film.

2

Megan Leavey (2017)

Kate Mara as Megan Leavey

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Megan Leavey

PG-13

Biography

Drama

War

Release Date

June 9, 2017

Runtime

116 minutes

Director

Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Writers

Pamela Gray, Annie Mumolo, Tim Lovestedt

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Kate Mara

    Kate Mara

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Ramon Rodriguez

  • Headshot Of Tom Felton In The UK premiere of 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'

    Tom Felton

  • Headshot Of Bradley Whitford

    Bradley Whitford

Main Genre

Drama

Studio(s)

LD Entertainment, Calle Cruzada

Distributor(s)

Bleecker Street

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Based on true events, Megan Leavey follows a young marine and her unique bond with a military combat dog as they operate together while being deployed in Iraq. What really shines about Megan Leavey is how it honors and explores its real-life subjects with understanding and sensitivity. It’s always great to see fantastic bonds between animals and humans onscreen, and Megan Leavey does a great job at showing that bond.

Kate Mara as Megan Leavey with Rex the dog from Megan Leavey movie

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Kate Mara delivers one of her best performances as the titular character, really trying to get to the core of who Megan Leavey is as both a person and a soldier. Through her performance, it’s easy to see how she would be able to bond with a dog that was considered too aggressive at the beginning of the film and her ability to train the dog to perform its job under the pressure of war. Megan Leavey is a complex person that experienced a unique bond against the backdrop of a war, and Mara relays that experience to the screen perfectly.

1

House Of Cards (2013-2014, 2016)

Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes

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House of Cards

TV-MA

Drama

ScreenRant logo

7/10

8/10

Release Date

2013 – 2017

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Beau Willimon

Directors

Beau Willimon

Writers

Beau Willimon

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Kevin Spacey In The Orange British Academy Film

    Kevin Spacey

    Frank Underwood

  • Headshot Of Michel Gill

    Michel Gill

    Claire Underwood

Based on the novel of the same name by Michael Dobbs, House of Cards follows unscrupulous politician Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) as he makes ruthless attempts to further his career. When he’s passed over for an appointment as Secretary of State, Underwood decides to get ahead by any means necessary. His talent for manipulation and pragmatism sees him climb the political ladder despite his total lack of moral fiber.

Main Genre

Drama

Creator(s)

Beau Willimon

Character(s)

Frank Underwood, Claire Underwood, Gillian Cole, Doug Stamper, Christina Gallagher, Lucas Goodwin, Edward Meechum, Zoe Barnes, Janine Skorsky, Jane Davis, LeAnn Harvey, Catherine Durant, Linda Vasquez, Hannah Conway, Seth Grayson, Tom Hammerschmidt, Peter Russo, Raymond Tusk, Kate Baldwin, Viktor Petrov, Aidan Macallan, Remy Danton, Will Conway, Duncan Shepherd, Annette Shepherd

Producers

Robert Zotnowski, Kevin Spacey, Dana Brunetti, Robin Wright, Michael Dobbs, Sarah Treem, Beau Willimon, Rick Cleveland, Joshua Donen, John Melfi, Eric Roth, Keith Huff, Melissa James Gibson, Frank Pugliese, Karyn McCarthy, Iain Paterson, Joe Hipps, Amy Kaufman, Charlotte Stoudt, Jerome Hairston

Seasons

6

Story By

Beau Willimon

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

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Netflix’s first original series, House of Cards helped signal a new era for the streamer that would go on to shape streaming forever. The political thriller follows an amoral politician who is passed over for Secretary of State, and he begins schemes to grab more power. The series was slick, well directed, and well written when it initially premiered, marking a massive shift in the landscape of streaming originals, led by some incredible performances.

Doug and Frank walking while Doug also looks to the side in another photo in House of Cards

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Likely her most well-known role, Kate Mara plays Zoe Barnes in House of Cards, a reporter for The Washington Herald who forms a correspondence with Kevin Spacey’s Frank Underwood. They strike up a beneficial work relationship to further both of their careers, which eventually turns sexual as the two of them engage in a power struggle over the other. Kate Mara proves just how great of a performer she is in House of Cards, and Zoe Barnes is ruthless and ambitious, with Mara able to tap into that ambition perfectly.

Headshot Of Kate Mara

Kate Mara

Birthdate

February 27, 1983

Birthplace

Bedford, New York, USA

Notable Projects

The Martian, 127 Hours, Fantastic Four

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