All 9 Taylor Swift Acting Roles Ranked

Taylor Swift is the biggest pop star in the world, but she’s also dipped her toes into acting. Swift is a prolific songwriter with 12 Grammys, always pushing herself to switch genres and work with new songwriters. She never does the same thing twice, so it makes sense that pretty early into her career, she booked a few acting gigs. Appearing in films alongside pros like Julia Roberts, Betty White, and John David Washington, Swift proved even when she’s just making a short cameo, she’s an essential part of every movie and TV show she’s been in.

Of course, the pop star is better equipped as a singer-songwriter than an actress, but it’s evident she’s put her heart into every one of her performances, whether on stage or on screen. Taylor Swift hasn’t reached A-List stardom in terms of acting, and not all her films have been a success just because her name was attached to them. Like all actors, the singer has had some hits and some misses, but she hasn’t quit yet. From her first role to her 2021 short film, Swift has had a relatively impressive range of acting roles.

9 The Giver

The Giver is one of the most well-known and celebrated young adult novels, but the film was considered a box office flop. Taylor Swift played Rosemary, the Giver’s daughter, who is so overwhelmed by the memories given to her that she asks to be released from the training and later kills herself. At the time of filming, Swift was only 24 years old and sH๏τ her scenes in the month she had off from her international Red Tour. Swift’s youth came across in the film, and Rosemary was a heavy role for a non-actress. While she nailed her piano scenes, Swift’s acting chops fell flat, especially among her seasoned costars.

8 New Girl

Taylor Swift had an adorable cameo at the end of the New Girl season 2, episode 25, “Elaine’s Big Day”. The singer-songwriter wrote about barging in on a wedding and running away with the groom in her 2010 song “Speak Now,” but in New Girl, she brought this story to life. Swift played Elaine, the woman that Shivrang (Satya Bhabha) runs off with after Cece (Hannah Simone) calls off their marriage in the middle of the ceremony. Swift’s acting isn’t astounding, but it didn’t need to be for her quick cameo. Her scene was cute, quick, and to the point, but she had better performances later in her career.

Taylor Swift had an adorable cameo at the end of the New Girl season 2, episode 25, “Elaine’s Big Day”. The singer-songwriter wrote about barging in on a wedding and running away with the groom in her 2010 song “Speak Now,” but in New Girl, she brought this story to life. Swift played Elaine, the woman that Shivrang (Satya Bhabha) runs off with after Cece (Hannah Simone) calls off their marriage in the middle of the ceremony. Swift’s acting isn’t astounding, but it didn’t need to be for her quick cameo. Her scene was cute, quick, and to the point, but she had better performances later in her career.

7  Cats

Cats, based on the 1982 Broadway musical, was met with a lot of mixed opinions from its confused viewers upon release. It seemed even Taylor Swift and the rest of the cast knew it was a gamble putting the film out. Unfortunately for Swifties, the singer-songwriter didn’t appear in much of the experimental movie musical. Swift acted as Bombalurina and showed up for the musical number “Macavity,” as well as a quick scene later on.

However, as odd as the CGI movie was, Swift was very much in her element as she’s never hidden her love and pᴀssion for cats. It also helped that her one big scene was a musical number since she’s a musical artist first. While it wasn’t her best work and the film certainly wasn’t a box office hit, Swift penned the beautiful ballad “Beautiful Ghosts” and earned herself a Golden Globe nomination.

6 Hannah Montana: The Movie

When Taylor Swift starred in 2009’s Hannah Montana: The Movie, she had just stepped into the spotlight as a country-pop crossover act. Her second album Fearless was making waves in the country scene and crossing over into the pop world as well. With just her acoustic guitar, Swift stepped onto the Crowley Corners stage to perform her song “Crazier” while Miley Cyrus’ character danced with Travis (Lucas Till) and her father Billy Ray Cyrus’ character danced with his love interest in the film, Lorlei (Melora Hardin.)

A lesser-known fact is Swift also penned the song’s closing track, “You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home,” with Boys Like Girls frontman Martin Johnson. However, Swift didn’t perform the song in the film as Hannah Montana sang it instead. Swift’s performance in the Disney film was adorable and show off her teenage innocence during the Fearless era, though it would’ve been nice if she had a more significant role

5 Amsterdam

The controversy and allegations surrounding director David O. Russell seemed to overshadow Amsterdam, and although she had a role, Swift barely spoke about being in the movie at all. A portion of Swifties even boycotted going to see the film due to the director’s past. However, Taylor Swift’s role in Amsterdam was definitely one of her strongest. Like her other roles, her appearance in the film was brief but full of comedy.

Swift portrays Liz Meekins, the daughter of a senator whose death kicks off the events of the film. Right as Swift’s character is frantically trying to reveal some major clues to Harold (John David Washington) and Burt (Christian Bale), she’s pushed into the street and run over by a car. Swift didn’t get much time to prove herself in Amsterdam, but her short cameo was quite enjoyable, and her line delivery improved from some of the movies she did when she was younger.