Rosamund Pike Reveals Her Top 10 Films Ever

Rosamund Pike has built a reputation for playing characters who are as sharp as they are unpredictable. Her choices on screen—whether it’s the icy Miranda Frost in Die Another Day or the cunning Marla Grayson in I Care a Lot—have always hinted at a taste for stories with a bit of bite. It turns out, her favourite films reflect that same layered sensibility, with a strong nod to the 1960s and a few curveballs thrown in for good measure.

After her breakout as a Bond girl, Pike really made her mark with her lead role in Gone Girl. Since then, she’s taken on everything from the gentle Jane Bennet in Pride & Prejudice to the self-absorbed Elspeth Catton in Saltburn. There’s a clear thread running through her picks: a fascination with characters who don’t always play by the rules, and stories that dig into the messier side of human nature.

Drawn to the Sixties

It’s no accident that so many of Pike’s top films come from the 1960s. She’s keen on titles like the Swedish two-parter I Am Curious, which takes a documentary-style look at the big issues of its day. There’s also A Taste of Honey, a British drama about a young woman finding her way with the help of a mate, and Loves of a Blonde, a Czech film following a young woman’s pursuit of love in Prague, much to the annoyance of her bloke’s family.

Other standouts from the era include Darling, which follows a model navigating the London scene, and Daisies, a wild ride with two women named Marie who are out to make the most of life. Mean Streets brings in a bit of Scorsese grit, focusing on a gangster trying to juggle romance and ambition. All up, these films share a certain edge—stories about ambition, desire, and the blurry lines people cross to get what they want.

Characters Who Break the Mould

Pike’s own career seems to echo the themes she’s drawn to in her film choices. She gravitates towards roles that explore the darker corners of ambition and morality. As Marla Grayson in I Care a Lot puts it,

“Every fortune ever accumulated started with a leap of faith. But before you take that leap, first take a long, hard look at yourself. Know who you are.”

Marla’s philosophy is all about knowing your limits—and when to ignore them.

“What am I willing to sacrifice to achieve my dreams? What lines will I not cross? Don’t try to be anyone else. Just know who you are and use that to your advantage.”

It’s a mindset that runs through many of Pike’s favourite films, where characters are constantly weighing up what they’re willing to risk for a shot at something bigger.

Unexpected Favourites and a Touch of Hope

Not every pick on Pike’s list is a deep dive into the shadows, though. She’s also got a soft spot for Brief Encounter, a classic tale of temptation and restraint, and she’s not shy about including her own work—Saltburn gets a mention as a personal favourite. In her own words,

“Our film, number one.”

But perhaps the biggest surprise is ET the Extra-Terrestrial. Among all the gritty dramas and complex characters, this hopeful story about friendship stands out. Its place on the list hints that, for all her knack for playing the villain, Pike still values a bit of heart and optimism in her viewing.

Rosamund Pike’s Top 10 Films

Here’s the full rundown of Pike’s all-time favourites:

• Brief Encounter (David Lean, 1945)
• A Taste of Honey (Tony Richardson, 1961)
• L’Eclisse (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1962)
• Darling (John Schlesinger, 1965)
• Loves of a Blonde (Miloš Forman, 1966)
• Daisies (Věra Chytilová, 1966)
• I Am Curious (Vilgot Sjöman, 1967-68)
• Mean Streets (Martin Scorsese, 1973)
• ET the Extra-Terrestrial (Steven Spielberg, 1982)
• Saltburn (Emerald Fennell, 2023)