At the 97th annual Academy Awards, Zoe Saldaña earned her first Oscar for her role as Rita in Emilia Pérez. The night’s celebrations marked the end of an awards season in which Saldaña swept the Best Supporting Actress category, taking home Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critic’s Choice, and Screen Actors Guild honors. 

Those familiar with Saldaña’s work know that she has been honing her craft for years, and that she infuses tenacity and vulnerability into every character she plays. Whether you’ve been a fan since she was coasting in the backseat of a convertible in Crossroads, or you’re just familiarizing yourself with her work now, here are a few films and shows you can watch of hers on Netflix right now.

EMILIA PÉREZ

Directed by Jacques Audiard, the musical crime drama Emilia Pérez tells the story of three women in Mexico who are each pursuing their own happiness. Saldaña plays Rita Mora Castro, an underappreciated lawyer who helps her client, a cartel leader (Karla Sofía Gascón), fake her own death. The film is a fever dream of visuals and sound, which allows Saldaña to use not only dialogue, but dance and song, to express the deepest wants of her character. Saldaña’s performance is bold and unapologetic, and highlights all her strengths as a performer. 

EMILIA PÉREZ

2h 12m   R   2024

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From Scratch

In this adaptation of Tembi Locke’s New York Times–bestselling memoir, Saldaña plays Amy Wheeler, an artist who ventures to Florence, Italy to reconnect with her creative roots. It’s here that she meets a charming chef, Lino (Eugenio Mastrandrea). The limited series explores love’s ability to transcend differences, as Amy and Lino must leverage their respective backgrounds to strengthen their budding relationship.

From Scratch

Limited Series   TV-MA   2022

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The Adam Project

Directed by Shawn Levy, The Adam Project follows a fighter pilot from the future (Ryan Reynolds) who crash-lands in 2022 and must team up with his 12-year-old self (Walker Scobell) to save humankind. During their journey, the two Adams cross paths with Laura (Saldaña), Adam’s wife and a fellow time traveler. Saldaña shows that she’s not afraid of an action-packed role as she breezes through the sharp and witty dialogue all while kicking ass.

The Adam Project

1h 46m   PG-13   2022

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Vampires vs. the Bronx

Saldaña certainly leaves an impression during her memorable cameo in this horror comedy. The film follows three brave kids in the Bronx who stumble upon a sinister scheme to suck all the life from their community. The story tackles the topic of gentrification, addressing a very real subject with a supernatural spin. 

Vampires vs. the Bronx

1h 26m   PG-13   2020

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Vivo

Featuring songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this animated musical adventure follows Vivo (Miranda), a singing kinkajou who embarks on a journey to deliver a special song in honor of his old friend Andrés (Juan de Marcos González). Along the way, Vivo meets the late Andrés’ relative Rosa (Saldaña) and her daughter Gabi (Ynairaly Simo). The family-friendly film highlights the mark we leave on the world and each other. 

Vivo

1h 39m   PG   2021

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Maya and the Three

The animated miniseries follows Maya (Saldaña), a spirited princess living in a re-imagined Mesoamerica. Maya must assemble a team of warriors to help her defeat a vengeful god and save the world. Created by Jorge Gutiérrez, the show pays homage to the deities and legends that inspired it, and Saldaña lends her voice to the brave and bold titular character. 

Maya and the Three

Limited Series   TV-Y7   2021

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Colombiana

This action-adventure film starts with a bang, as we meet Cataleya Restrepo (Saldaña) as a young girl whose parents are killed by Bogotá gangsters. Fifteen years after their death, Cataleya is now an accomplished assassin who is ready for revenge. The story explores the lengths she will go to right a wrong and get her power back.

Colombiana

1h 51m   PG-13   2011

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