Top 19 Ranked

Best Movies Starring Barbra Streisand

The Definitive Screen Legacy of a Hollywood Icon

Explore the best films of Barbra Streisand, from her Oscar-winning debut in Funny Girl to iconic dramas and legendary romantic comedies.

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About Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand

In the history of American entertainment, few figures cast a shadow as long or as singular as the girl from Brooklyn who refused to change her nose, her name, or her uncompromising spirit. Barbra Streisand did not just enter show business; she recalibrated its machinery to fit her specific, shimmering frequency. From the moment she burst onto the screen in Funny Girl, it was clear that the industry had found its first true modern diva. She possessed a voice that felt like molten velvet and a comedic timing that could slice through the thickest tension. She was unconventional, demanding, and utterly undeniable, proving that a woman could hold the keys to the kingdom if she was willing to build the castle herself.

Her career has always been a masterclass in versatility. While audiences first fell for her as the irrepressible Fanny Brice, she quickly proved she could pivot from the high-gloss musical pageantry of Hello, Dolly! or Funny Lady to the frantic, screwball energy of What’s Up, Doc? with ease. She understood the nuance of the romantic lead better than most, grounding the explosive chemistry of A Star Is Born with a raw, earthy vulnerability that made her stardom feel accessible even as it reached celestial heights. Whether she was playing the firebrand in The Owl and the Pussycat or the neurotic intellectual, she never played a character smaller than life.

Her legacy, however, is defined by her hunger for creative control. She shattered the celluloid ceiling by stepping behind the camera, directing and starring in epics like Yentl and the deeply psychological The Prince of Tides. These films werent just vanity projects; they were sophisticated explorations of identity and family, establishing her as a formidable filmmaker who could command a set as effectively as she could a stage. By the time she reached the self-deprecating charm of The Mirror Has Two Faces, she had spent decades training the public to see her as a multi-hyphenate force of nature.

Even as she transitioned into the elder stateswoman phase of her career, appearing in broad comedies like Little Fockers and contributing her legendary perspective to documentaries like Sidney or the Bee Gees retrospective, her gravity remained unchanged. Audiences connect with her because she represents the ultimate victory of the outsider. She became the center of the universe by remaining vibrantly, stubbornly herself. Her presence in upcoming cultural retrospectives like the 50 Years of SNL Music special serves as a reminder that she is more than just a performer. She is a permanent fixture of our cultural DNA, a woman who looked at the barriers of Hollywood and simply decided they didn’t apply to her. There is an audacity to her talent that remains as breathtaking today as it was when she first stepped into the spotlight.

The Complete Rankings

Based on the top picks in drafts on SnakeDrafts

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19
Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were (1973)
The Way We Were
1973

Opposites attract when, during their college days, Katie Morosky, a politically active Jew, meets Hubbell Gardiner, a feckless WASP. Years later, in the wake of World War II, they meet once again and, despite their obvious differences, attempt to make their love for each other work.

Drama
Romance
Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford, Bradford Dillman, Lois Chiles
18
Barbra Streisand in The Guilt Trip (2012)
The Guilt Trip
2012

An inventor and his mom hit the road together so he can sell his latest invention.

Comedy
1h 35m
Anne Fletcher
Seth Rogen, Barbra Streisand, Yvonne Strahovski, Colin Hanks
17
Barbra Streisand in Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues (2022)
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2022

Never-before-heard personal recordings and archival footage tell the story of Louis Armstrong's life from his perspective. From musical phenom to civil rights activist to world-renowned artist, this illuminating film shows sides of Armstrong few have seen.

Documentary
1h 44m
Sacha Jenkins
Louis Armstrong, Nas, Wynton Marsalis, Dwight D. Eisenhower

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16
Barbra Streisand in The Main Event (1979)
The Main Event
1979

A bankrupt entrepreneur attempts to recoup some of her losses by getting a washed-out boxer she picked up as a tax loss back into the ring — an idea her protégé isn't fond of.

Comedy
Romance
1h 52m
Howard Zieff
Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neal, Paul Sand, Whitman Mayo
15
Barbra Streisand in Sidney (2022)
Sidney
2022

This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Featuring interviews with Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, and more.

Documentary
1h 52m
Reginald Hudlin
Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Halle Berry, Nelson George
14
Barbra Streisand in Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music (2025)
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025

Untold stories behind the culture-defining and newsmaking musical performances, sketches and cameos of the past 50 years.

Music
Documentary
2h 8m
Questlove
Lorne Michaels, Jane Curtin, Conan O'Brien, Kenan Thompson
13
Barbra Streisand in Sid & Judy (2019)
Sid & Judy
2019

Explore the dramatic career and personal struggles of the talented and tragically short-lived entertainer Judy Garland through rare concert footage, never-heard-before voice recordings and personal photos.

Documentary
History
1h 40m
Stephen Kijak
12
Barbra Streisand in Little Fockers (2010)
Little Fockers
2010

It has taken 10 years, two little Fockers with wife Pam and countless hurdles for Greg to finally get in with his tightly wound father-in-law, Jack. After the cash-strapped dad takes a job moonlighting for a drug company, Jack's suspicions about his favorite male nurse come roaring back. When Greg and Pam's entire clan descends for the twins' birthday party, Greg must prove to the skeptical Jack that he's fully capable as the man of the house.

Comedy
Romance
1h 38m
Paul Weitz
11
Barbra Streisand in The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (2020)
The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
2020

The story of the triumphs and hurdles of brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb, otherwise known as the Bee Gees. The iconic trio, who found early fame in the 1960s, went on to write over 1,000 songs and have 20 No. 1 hits throughout their career, transcending more than five decades of changing tastes and styles.

Music
Documentary
1h 51m
Frank Marshall
Barry Gibb, Andy Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb
10
Barbra Streisand in Funny Lady (1975)
Funny Lady
1975

Famous singer Fanny Brice has divorced her first husband Nicky Arnstein. During the Great Depression she has trouble finding work as an artist, but meets Billy Rose, a newcomer who writes lyrics and owns a nightclub.

Comedy
Drama
2h 16m
Herbert Ross
Barbra Streisand, James Caan, Omar Sharif, Roddy McDowall
Why it ranks

Returning to the character of Fanny Brice, she adds layers of world-weariness and cynicism that reflect a more mature stage of her career. The performance serves as a sophisticated bookend to her debut, proving she could revisit her roots with a soulful and evolved perspective.

9
Barbra Streisand in The Owl and the Pussycat (1970)
The Owl and the Pussycat
1970

Meek, owlish Felix and strident, catty Doris live in the same apartment building. His incessant typing bothers her; her gentlemen callers bother him. Felix informs the landlord of her activities, so Doris moves in on Felix. When they both get thrown out, they move in with Barney... until they drive him out! That's when Felix and Doris finally decide to put theory into practice. But do opposites attract?

Comedy
Romance
1h 35m
Herbert Ross
Barbra Streisand, George Segal, Robert Klein, Allen Garfield
Why it ranks

Paired with George Segal, she lean into a gritty and profane urban energy that departed from her more polished musical roles. This film highlights her versatility in fast-paced, confrontational comedy and her willingness to tackle bolder, more provocative characters.

8
Barbra Streisand in Disclosure (2020)
Disclosure
2020

An investigation of how Hollywood's fabled stories have deeply influenced how Americans feel about transgender people, and how transgender people have been taught to feel about themselves.

Documentary
1h 48m
Sam Feder
Laverne Cox, Bianca Leigh, Jen Richards, Alexandra Billings
Why it ranks

Appearing as herself in this insightful documentary, she offers a reflective and authoritative perspective on the history of transgender representation. Her participation underscores her long-standing role as a cultural commentator and an ally with a deep understanding of media evolution.

7
Barbra Streisand in The Prince of Tides (1991)
The Prince of Tides
1991

A troubled Southern man talks to his suicidal sister's psychiatrist about their family history and falls in love with her (and New York City) in the process.

Drama
Romance
2h 12m
Barbra Streisand
Nick Nolte, Barbra Streisand, Blythe Danner, Kate Nelligan
Why it ranks

As a disciplined therapist, she moves away from musical tropes to anchor a heavy psychological drama with restrained, empathetic acting. This performance demonstrated her ability to share the screen with high-caliber dramatic actors without overshadowing the film's delicate emotional core.

6
Barbra Streisand in The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)
The Mirror Has Two Faces
1996

Rose Morgan, who still lives with her mother, is a professor of Romantic Literature who desperately longs for passion in her life. Gregory Larkin, a mathematics professor, has been burned by passionate relationships and longs for a sexless union based on friendship and respect.

Comedy
Drama
2h 6m
Barbra Streisand
Why it ranks

She explores the insecurity of the intellectual in a film that plays like a sophisticated dialogue with her own public persona regarding beauty and worth. It is a late-career highlight that showcases a more grounded, relatable charm while maintaining her signature razor-sharp charisma.

5
Barbra Streisand in Yentl (1983)
1983

In a time when girls were forbidden to study religious scriptures, a Jewish girl masquerades as a boy to enter religious training and unexpectedly finds love along the way.

Music
Drama
2h 12m
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand, Mandy Patinkin, Amy Irving, Nehemiah Persoff
Why it ranks

Taking the reins as director and star, she navigates complex themes of gender and identity with a nuanced, deeply internal performance. This project proved her intellectual ambition and tenacity, marking a pivotal moment where she forced the industry to respect her vision behind the camera.

4
Barbra Streisand in A Star Is Born (1976)
A Star Is Born
1976

Drunken, has-been rock star John Norman Howard falls in love with unknown singer Esther Hoffman after seeing her perform at a club. He lets her sing a few songs at one of his shows and she becomes the talk of the music industry. Esther's star begins to rise, while John's continues to fall. She tries desperately to get John to sober up and focus on his music, but it may be too late to save him.

Drama
Music
2h 20m
Frank Pierson
Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristofferson, Gary Busey, Oliver Clark
Why it ranks

This update of a classic tragedy allows her to lean into the rock and roll sensibilities of the seventies while asserting total creative control over her image. The raw intensity of her vocals here represents the peak of her era-defining stardom and her evolution into a formidable multi-hyphenate artist.

3
Barbra Streisand in What's Up, Doc? (1972)
What's Up, Doc?
1972

The accidental mix-up of four identical plaid overnight bags leads to a series of increasingly wild and wacky situations.

Comedy
Crime
1h 34m
Peter Bogdanovich
Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neal, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars
Why it ranks

In this screwball homage, she proves her comedic timing is just as lethal as her singing voice while playing against Ryan O'Neal's straight man. It serves as a masterclass in deadpan wit and manic energy, showcasing a lighter, more chaotic side of her artistic persona.

2
Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (1968)
Funny Girl
1968

The life of famed 1930s comedienne Fanny Brice, from her early days in the Jewish slums of New York, to the height of her career with the Ziegfeld Follies, as well as her marriage to the rakish gambler Nick Arnstein.

Comedy
Drama
Barbra Streisand, Omar Sharif, Kay Medford, Anne Francis
Why it ranks

An explosive cinematic debut that captures the raw, self-deprecating brilliance of Fanny Brice through a lens of modern vulnerability. By winning the Oscar for this performance, she established a template for the unconventional leading lady and fundamentally shifted the industry's aesthetic standards.

1
Barbra Streisand in Hello, Dolly! (1969)
Hello, Dolly!
1969

Dolly Levi is a strong-willed matchmaker who travels to Yonkers, New York in order to see the miserly "well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire" Horace Vandergelder. In doing so, she convinces his niece, his niece's intended, and Horace's two clerks to travel to New York City.

Comedy
Romance
2h 28m
Gene Kelly
Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford, Marianne McAndrew
Why it ranks

Streisand commands the screen with a precocious authority that defies her age, transforming a traditional Broadway vehicle into a monumental showcase of her vocal dominance. This role solidified her transition from a stage sensation to a singular Hollywood powerhouse capable of carrying a massive studio production.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts

Yentl (1983) is a landmark film where Barbra Streisand not only stars as the lead but also directs, blending music, drama, and romance in a heartfelt story about a young Jewish woman who disguises herself as a man to pursue education.

Funny Girl (1968) marked Barbra Streisand's dramatic and musical film debut, earning her an Oscar for Best Actress and solidifying her status as a trailblazing modern diva in American cinema.

In 'A Star Is Born' (1976), Streisand delivers a powerful portrayal of a rising singer facing the challenges of fame and personal struggle, blending her vocal prowess with intense dramatic acting in a quintessential romantic drama.

Streisand's films often explore themes of female empowerment, romance, and personal resilience, frequently intertwining elements of music and drama as seen in movies like 'Yentl', 'The Mirror Has Two Faces', and 'Funny Girl.'

Yes, Barbra Streisand's comedic talents shine in films such as 'What's Up, Doc?' and 'Hello, Dolly!', where her charm and timing add a unique flair to romantic comedies with elements of crime and whimsy.

While the list mainly focuses on Streisand's feature films, it also includes documentaries like 'Disclosure' and 'The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart', which contextualize the era and music scene that influenced her work.

'The Mirror Has Two Faces' (1996), directed by and starring Streisand, stands out as a mature romantic comedy-drama exploring themes of love, identity, and vulnerability with depth and humor.
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