The bestAlexandra Daddariomovies and TV shows reveal her incredible range and include everything from action-packed blockbusters to intense, slow-burn dramas. Born in NYC in 1986, Alexandra Daddario first caught the world’s eye with her breakout role as Annabeth Chase in 2010’sPercy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. In the decade and a half since, she’s been captivating audiences with her magnetic screen presence and ability to tackle both vulnerable and fierce characters with ease. Whether she’s facing down a demonic force or navigating psychological mind games, Daddario has proved she’s a near-unbeatably versatile performer.
Over the years, Alexandra Daddario has carved out a unique niche in Hollywood, hopping between TV and movies with ease. From her steamy,critically acclaimed turn inTrue Detectiveto her recent lead role inThe Mayfair Witches, she continues to surprise and impress. She’s also proven she can carry comedies likeBaywatch, disaster epics likeSan Andreas, and everything in between. Whether she’s working alongside industry veterans or leading a new ensemble, Daddario always leaves an impression, as her 10 best movies and TV shows prove.
2013’sTexas Chainsaw 3Dmay not be a critical darling, but it’s a must-see for die-hard horror fans and those curious to see Alexandra Daddario take center stage in a slasher reboot.Directed by John Luessenhop, this gory sequel picks up right afterTobe Hooper’s 1974 horror classicand follows Heather Miller, played by Daddario, who inherits a mysterious house in Texas, only to find out it comes with some blood-soaked baggage. Namely, a chainsaw-wielding Leatherface in the basement.
Alexandra Daddario brings a fierce and grounded presence to a genre that’s often overloaded with scream queens. Her transformation from unaware heiress to final girl is a wild ride, and she fully commits to the chaos with charisma and grit. WhileTexas Chainsaw 3Dembraces campy horror tropes, her performance stands out as one of the few grounded elements in an otherwise over-the-top gorefest. The movie also features Tania Raymonde and Dan Yeager, who plays Leatherface. It’s not the most polished film, but for those exploring the best Alexandra Daddario movies and TV shows from the beginning of her career, this one’s a gnarly chapter worth watching.
Directed by comedy legends Peter and Bobby Farrelly, 2011’SHall Passis a raunchy, offbeat comedy that explores what happens when two bored husbands get permission from their wives to take a break from marriage. Themovie stars Owen Wilsonand Jason Sudeikis, and while Alexandra Daddario plays a supporting role, she still manages to make a splash as Paige, a flirty, confident barista who catches the eye of Sudeikis’s character.
Even though her screen time is limited, Daddario shines with natural comedic timing and undeniable charm, proving early on that she could hold her own alongside genre veterans. Daddario’s role might be small, but she leaves a lasting impression, and it’s no surprise she’d go on to land bigger roles in more prominent comedies.Hall Passisn’t the most highbrow movie she’s been a part of, but it does serve as a fun and carefree example of Daddario’s early range.Among the best Alexandra Daddario movies and TV shows,Hall Passis a fun detour that captures her early comedic spark before she broke into leading roles.
Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, 2016’sThe Choiceis a romantic drama drenched in small-town charm, heartache, and big emotional swings. Directed by Ross Katz,The Choicecenters on Travis (Benjamin Walker), a laid-back Southerner whose life is turned upside down by his intense relationship with his neighbor Gabby (Teresa Palmer). Alexandra Daddario plays Monica, Travis’s ex-girlfriend, who adds depth and complication to his love life.Daddario’s Monica isn’t just a disposable side character - she’s a believable, emotionally wounded woman trying to navigate lingering feelings.
Her performance is subtle but memorable, grounding her character in a realism that makes the film’s melodramatic turns feel more believable. Alexandra Daddario brings humanity to what could’ve easily been a one-note ex-girlfriend role, giving the movie added emotional texture. WhileThe Choicefits neatly into the Sparks-verse of tearjerker romances, it’s Daddario’s honest, emotionally intelligent performance that adds weight to the film’s love triangle. For those scoping out the best Alexandra Daddario movies and TV shows with a romantic twist,The Choicechecks all the boxes.
2017’sBaywatchwas a divisive action-comedy reboot, though many couldn’t get enough of Alexandra Daddario and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson diving headfirst into slo-mo beach heroics. Directed by Seth Gordon, this R-rated update of the ’90s TV show mixes absurd comedy, sun-drenched action, and a bit of mystery. Daddario stars as Summer Quinn, a fearless, whip-smart rookie lifeguard who doesn’t back down from danger (or from roasting Zac Efron’s overconfident Matt Brody). She brings sass, strength, and smarts to a role that could’ve easily been surface-level.
Alexandra Daddario stands tall in an ensemble that includes not just Johnson and Efron, but also Kelly Rohrbach and Priyanka Chopra, who plays the deliciously evil villain.Her chemistry with the cast, especially Efron, is electric, and she proves yet again she can match the biggest stars punchline for punchline.WhileBaywatchdidn’t win over critics, it has earned cult-favorite status thanks to its unapologetic camp, sharp timing, and beachy absurdity. If you’re diving into the best Alexandra Daddario movies and TV shows looking for a fun, action-packed good time,Baywatchmore than makes a splash.
This 2010 movie is responsible for introducing Alexandra Daddario to millions of fans - and to the world of gods, monsters, and demigods. Directed by Chris Columbus (who had previous experience in the genre thanks toHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone),Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thiefadapts Rick Riordan’s bestselling YA novel. Daddario playsAnnabeth Chase, the daughter of Athena,and she’s every bit the fierce, brainy warrior fans hoped for.
At the time, Daddario was still an emerging talent, but she held her own alongside Logan Lerman and Brandon T. Jackson. Annabeth is intelligent, sarcastic, and ready for battle, and Daddario perfectly captures the character’s blend of strategy and strength. Her dynamic with Percy became the heart of the series, and it remains one of her most beloved roles, especially for fans who grew up with the books.Though thePercy Jacksonfilm series didn’t quite take off the wayHarry PotterorThe Hunger Gamesdid, it remains a defining moment in Daddario’s career.
In 2015, Daddario reunited with Dwayne Johnson for the epic disaster movieSan Andreas, directed by Brad Peyton. This action-packed thrill ride follows a massive earthquake that tears through California, and at the heart of it is Johnson’s character, a search-and-rescue pilot, desperately trying to save his daughter, Blake, played by Daddario. In a genre where emotional beats often get buried beneath CGI rubble, Daddario brings depth and vulnerability to the chaos. Her performance is more than just reacting to destruction - she anchorsSan Andreaswith resilience, grit, and a believable father-daughter bond that keeps the plot moving.
Alexandra Daddario’s chemistry with Johnson adds heart to every moment, making their scenes genuinely touching amidst the mayhem. What’s more, her commanding screen presence helps elevate the film beyond popcorn spectacle. She shares scenes with Carla Gugino and Hugo Johnstone-Burt, and whileSan Andreasis unapologetically a blockbuster, it was a massive box office hit and a key moment in cementing her as a bankable star.It’s easily one of the best Alexandra Daddario movies and TV shows for fans who love high-octane action andbig-budget visual spectaclecombined with real emotional stakes.
In the first season ofWhy Women Kill, Alexandra Daddario taps into a unique sense of campy chaos combined with darkly comic seduction. Created by Marc Cherry (who also worked onDesperate Housewives), this anthology series explores female rage and revenge across different decades. Daddario plays Jade, a seemingly sweet fitness instructor whose charm masks something far more dangerous. And in typical Cherry fashion, things escalate fast. Daddario’s performance feels fresh and dangerous, and perfectly in keeping with the unique tone ofWhy Women Kill.
She flips from vulnerable to manipulative in a heartbeat, keeping both the characters and the audience guessing.Why Women Killgave Daddario room to stretch her range and prove she could command a limited series. The season also stars Kirby Howell-Baptister and Reid Scott, and its stylized direction, over-the-top murder plots, and fashion-forward aesthetic made it a blast to watch.Among the best Alexandra Daddario movies and TV shows, this one showcases her wicked side in all its glory.
Taking on the lead in 2023’sMayfair Witches, based onAnne Rice’s gothic horror trilogy, was no small task. However, Alexandra Daddario absolutely commands the screen as Rowan Fielding, a neurosurgeon who learns she’s the heiress to a powerful, cursed witch dynasty. Developed by Esta Spalding and Michelle Ashford, the AMC series leans hard into gothic horror, magic, and dark family secrets. Daddario delivers a career-defining performance, navigating Rowan’s slow descent into the world of the supernatural with intensity and nuance.
Daddario effortlessly captures both Dr. Fielding’s clinical mind and her emotional unraveling as she becomes entangled with the seductive spirit Lasher (played by Jack Huston).It’s a layered role, and she nails the emotional depth and growing dread. Season 1 received a mixed critical response, but Daddario’s performance was widely praised. The show also stars Tongayi Chirisa and Beth Grant, and it’s a must-watch for fans of dark fantasy and the macabre. For anyone seeking the best Alexandra Daddario movies and TV shows with haunting vibes and compelling mythology,The Mayfair Witchesis an enchanting standout.
In Mike White’s Emmy-winning satireThe White Lotus, Daddario’s performance as Rachel Patton is nothing short of brilliant.A newlywed on a luxurious Hawaiian honeymoon, Rachel quickly realizes her dream life might be a gilded cage - especially with her narcissistic husband Shane (Jake Lacy) revealing his true colors. Daddario brings aching vulnerability to the role, portraying a woman quietly unraveling under the weight of privilege, performance, and identity. This HBO miniseries thrives on awkward silences and social tension, and Daddario rises to the occasion with subtlety and sharpness.
She makes Rachel’s existential dread feel relatable, heartbreaking, and sometimes even darkly funny. It’s a slow-burn descent into disillusionment, and she nails every beat.Daddario was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for her performance - her first major awards nod - and it was well deserved.Easily one of the best Alexandra Daddario movies and TV shows to date,The White Lotusis her most critically acclaimed role yet.
True Detectiveseason 1was a cultural phenomenon - and while the HBO crime drama is most often remembered for the grim brilliance of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, Alexandra Daddario made an unforgettable impact in just a handful of episodes.Playing Lisa Tragnetti, the mistress of Harrelson’s character, Daddario’s performance was raw, revealing, and unexpectedly pivotal.Lisa may have been a supporting character, but Daddario didn’t treat her that way. She brought emotional honesty and aching vulnerability to a role that could have easily been reduced to a plot device.
Alexandra Daddario’s scenes inTrue Detective, particularly the emotionally charged and physically bold ones, were both controversial and essential in showcasing her willingness to take risks as an actress. Her performance sparked massive buzz and marked a turning point in her career from teen fantasy star to a serious dramatic actor. It’s no question thatTrue Detectiveearns the top spot among the bestAlexandra Daddariomovies and TV shows - it’s the role that redefined everything.
