Cobie Smulders 10 Movies ranked and TV shows
Cobie Smulders Movies and TV shows featuring explore her iconic roles and performances that have captivated audiences worldwide. Cobie
Cobie Smulders Movies and TV shows featuring explore her iconic roles and performances that have captivated audiences worldwide. Cobie Smulders commenced her acting career in 2002, making brief appearances in the UPN comedic science fiction series Special Unit 2 and the Showtime dramatic science fiction series Jeremiah. Following this, she featured in various television shows, such as the Fox supernatural drama Tru Calling (2003), the WB superhero program Smallville (2003), and the Global space opera Andromeda (2005).
Her debut as a regular cast member occurred in the short-lived ABC adventure drama series Veritas: The Quest in 2003, which lasted a single season. She entered the film industry in 2004 with a supporting role in the action film Walking Tall. In 2005, she took on a supporting part in the comedy film The Long Weekend and also appeared recurrently as Leigh Ostin in the Showtime drama series The L Word.
In 2005, Smulders was selected to portray the television journalist and former adolescent pop singer Robin Scherbatsky in the CBS series How I Met Your Mother. The series ended in 2014 after airing nine seasons and securing ten Emmy Awards during its broadcast. Her performance brought her significant acclaim and a nomination for a People’s Choice Award. In 2009, she featured in the comedic film The Slammin’ Salmon.
Following that, she was part of the pilot episode for the HBO comedy-drama series How to Make It in America in 2010. In June of the same year, Smulders made her off-Broadway debut in the play Love, Loss, and What I Wore by Delia and Nora Ephron at the Westside Theatre. She later took the lead in the 2012 political comedy film Grassroots. Her prominence grew as she played the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with the 2012 superhero action film The Avengers.
She underwent training with a SWAT instructor from Los Angeles for firearms handling. Smulders reprised her character in three episodes of the ABC superhero series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2015), along with appearances in the films Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019).
In 2013, she was featured in an episode of the comedy series Comedy Bang! Bang!. Smulders also starred in the romantic drama Safe Haven (2013), the comedy-drama Delivery Man (2013), and the romantic comedy They Came Together (2014). Additionally, she voiced a Lego version of Wonder Woman in the animated film The Lego Movie (2014), marking the character’s first appearance in a theatrical film.
In July 2015, it was announced that she had to withdraw from the television film Confirmation due to a leg injury, resulting in Zoe Lister-Jones taking over her role as Harriet Grant. During 2015, Smulders played leading roles in the drama film Unexpected and the romantic comedy Results. She also made an appearance in the documentary Being Canadian and guest-starred on the NBC variety show Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris.
In 2016, she was featured in the comedy-drama The Intervention, which starred Melanie Lynskey, Natasha Lyonne, and Alia Shawkat, as well as in the action-adventure film Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, where she acted alongside Tom Cruise. Smulders also voiced guest characters in the HBO animated series Animals (2016) and the PBS Kids animated series Nature Cat (2017–2018).
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Cobie Smulders Movies and TV shows
Cobie Smulders’ body of work showcases a range of roles that emphasize her acting skills:
- ” The Avengers” (2012) – This marked Cobie Smulders’ first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Maria Hill. Her portrayal was vital in defining the character as a determined and pragmatic agent, laying the groundwork for her ongoing involvement in the series.
- “Safe Haven” (2013) – In this adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel, Cobie Smulders portrayed Jo, an enigmatic neighbor who assists the main character in discovering love and healing. Despite being a secondary role, her contribution enriched the story, demonstrating her talent for engaging in emotionally driven scenes.
- “The Lego Movie” (2014) – Cobie Smulders provided the voice for Wonder Woman in this successful animated film, infusing the character with both humor and strength. This was one of the initial instances where Wonder Woman played a significant role in a theatrical release, hinting at the character’s future in live-action films.
- “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” (2016) – In this film, Cobie Smulders starred alongside Tom Cruise as Major Susan Turner. Her portrayal of a military officer was powerful yet nuanced, showcasing her ability to perform in action-oriented roles beside one of the industry’s biggest personalities.
- “The Intervention” (2016) – In this independent drama, Cobie Smulders portrayed Ruby in a narrative centered around friends organizing an intervention for a troubled couple. This project allowed her to delve into richer, more reflective acting, moving beyond her typical action or comedic parts.
- “Results” (2015) – Playing Kat, a personal trainer, Smulders infused this eccentric film with both humor and drama. Her dynamic with co-star Guy Pearce was remarkable, demonstrating her adaptability in character-centric comedies.
- “Unexpected” (2015) – A lesser-known yet critically acclaimed project where Cobie Smulders played Samantha Abbott, a teacher facing an unforeseen pregnancy. Her performance was sincere, adding to the film’s positive reception at various festivals.
These films depict Cobie Smulders’ evolution from a television actress to a respected figure in cinema, adept at portraying a variety of characters across different genres. Her skill in merging humor, action, and emotional complexity has endeared her to audiences in Hollywood.
Cobie Smulders Movies/Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Walking Tall | Exotic Beauty |
| Ill Fated | Mary | |
| 2005 | The Long Weekend | Ellen |
| 2006 | Escape | Psychotic Brunette |
| Dr. Miracles | Mrs. Peterson | Short film |
| 2007 | The Storm Awaits | Anabella DeLorenzo |
| 2009 | The Slammin’ Salmon | Tara |
| 2012 | The Avengers | Maria Hill |
| Grassroots | Clair | |
| 2013 | Safe Haven | Carly Jo Wheatley |
| Delivery Man | Emma | |
| 2014 | The Lego Movie | Wonder Woman / Diana Prince |
| They Came Together | Tiffany Amber Thigpen | |
| Captain America: The Winter Soldier | Maria Hill | |
| 2015 | Unexpected | Samantha Abbot |
| Results | Kat | |
| Avengers: Age of Ultron | Maria Hill | |
| Being Canadian | Herself | Documentary |
| 2016 | The Intervention | Ruby |
| Jack Reacher: Never Go Back | Major Susan Turner | |
| 2017 | Literally, Right Before Aaron | Allison |
| Killing Gunther | Lisa McCalla | |
| 2018 | Avengers: Infinity War | Maria Hill |
| Songbird | Joanne Skye | |
| 2019 | The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part | Wonder Woman / Diana Prince |
| Avengers: Endgame | Maria Hill | Cameo |
| Spider-Man: Far From Home | ||
| 2020 | Cicada | Sophie |
| 2024 | Sharp Corner | Rachel |
Cobie Smulders TV Shows
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Special Unit 2 | Zoe |
| Jeremiah | Deborah | 1 episode |
| 2003 | Tru Calling | Sarah Webb |
| Veritas: The Quest | Juliet Droil | Main role, 13 episodes |
| 2004 | Smallville | Shannon Bell / Eve Andrews |
| 2005 | Andromeda | Jillian Rhade |
| The L Word | Leigh Ostin | 4 episodes |
| 2005–2014 | How I Met Your Mother | Robin Scherbatsky |
| 2010 | How to Make It in America | Hayley |
| 2013 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Herself |
| 2013–2015 | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Maria Hill |
| 2015 | Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris | Herself |
| 2016 | Animals | Anni |
| 2017 | A Series of Unfortunate Events | Mrs. Quagmire |
| 2017–2018 | Nature Cat | Nature Dog |
| 2017–2019 | Friends from College | Lisa Turner |
| 2019 | Arrested Development | Young Lucille Bluth |
| Room 104 | Marian Wallace | 1 episode |
| 2019–2020 | Stumptown | Dexadrine “Dex” Parios |
| 2020 | The Simpsons | Hydrangea |
| 2021 | Impeachment: American Crime Story | Ann Coulter |
| 2021–2023 | What If…? | Maria Hill |
| 2022 | How I Met Your Father | Robin Scherbatsky |
| The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib | Stella Chimeric | Voice role, 1 episode |
| High School | Simone Bates | Main role, 8 episodes |
| 2023 | Secret Invasion | Maria Hill |
| 2023–2024 | Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur | Voice role, 3 episodes |
| 2024 | Accused | Val Pierce |
| Shrinking | Sofi | 1 episode |
| 2025 | Super Team Canada | Niagara Falls |
Cobie Smulders 10 Essential Movies Ranked
Canadian actress Cobie Smulders landed her first significant part as a teenager in the series Veritas: The Quest, but it was her iconic role as Robin Scherbatsky in How I Met Your Mother that truly defined her career. This part enabled her to showcase her full range of comedic skills while remaining in the show for nearly ten years. In between filming the sitcom, she took on the role of Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and participated in various unique indie projects.
In recent years, the actress has maintained a consistent flow of work, providing voices for animated characters and returning to her beloved television roots, demonstrating her ability as a leading actress (Stumptown) while also comfortably taking on supporting roles (High School). After seemingly concluding her journey in the MCU with Secret Invasion, she is already on board for several film projects that will highlight her talent for humor, authenticity, drama, and compassion. For now, let’s take a look at Cobie Smulders’ 10 top performances, ranked.
1. How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
How I Met Your Mother revolves around a group of five friends navigating life in New York during their twenties and early thirties. The protagonist, Ted (Josh Radnor), reminisces about their experiences and narrates to his children how he came to meet their mother.
Smulders serves as the audience’s introduction to the show, as her character is new to both the city and the friend group, ultimately becoming the romantic partner of the lead for much of the series. The show features some fantastic episodes that highlight Smulders’ diverse acting skills, ranging from singing and dancing to physical comedy and romantic chemistry. Her character evolves from a young journalist focused solely on her career to a woman in love who aspires to a white wedding while still pursuing a successful professional life.
2. Unexpected (2015)
Unexpected centers on Samantha (Smulders), a high school educator who discovers she is expecting a baby, paralleling the experience of Jasmine (Gail Bean), one of her top students. The unusual circumstances forge a connection between the two women as they navigate the ups and downs of pregnancy together.
This charming film showcases a more vulnerable and genuine side of Smulders’ performance, as she grapples with the uncertainties and fears surrounding her situation, mirroring the feelings of her student. Although it is a small and straightforward film, it offers a heartfelt experience that resonates with viewers. Smulders took a unique approach to her role, as she was genuinely pregnant during filming, negating the need for any artificial baby bump.
3. The Intervention (2016)
A group of friends gathers at the summer residence of one of their own, intending to spend quality time together. However, Ruby (Smulders) and Peter (Vincent Piazza) soon realize this gathering is an intervention concerning their marriage. This encapsulates the premise of The Intervention.
Under the direction of Clea Duvall, the ensemble cast excels in this contemporary take on The Big Chill, allowing each character to embrace their playful side. Smulders portrays the caring wife of a man consumed by his career, skillfully balancing her character’s surface-level devotion with underlying pain. Notably, Smulders suffered a broken leg shortly before filming began, which Duvall creatively wove into the storyline.
4. The Avengers (2012)
When Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and a group of aliens attempt to invade New York, only the strongest heroes on Earth have the potential to save the world. That is, if they can learn to collaborate and unite as The Avengers.
This marked Smulders’ debut as Maria Hill, arguably her most memorable appearance. As the close aide to Nick Fury, her character plays a crucial role in the narrative, demonstrating both toughness and wit while repeatedly proving her significance as a vital member of S.H.I.E.L.D. The actress has intermittently portrayed the character for a decade, consistently bringing a strong presence to the films, even if her role occasionally revolves around advancing the storyline or delivering crucial information.
5. Stumptown (2019-2020)
Based on a comic of the same name, Stumptown follows Dex Parios, a military veteran dealing with PTSD who becomes a private investigator in Portland, Oregon, to settle her gambling debts while caring for her younger brother.
In the lead role, Smulders embodies a sharp-witted, sarcastic, and heavy-drinking detective, while also revealing her character’s lingering emotional scars from her military service and a heartbreaking past involving what seemed to be the love of her life. The actress skillfully navigates these complex dimensions and transitions between them effortlessly, maintaining a playful chemistry with both Jake Johnson and Michael Ealy. Notably, this series also features one of Monica Barbaro’s standout performances.
6. Safe Haven (2013)
Safe Haven is based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks and centers around Katie (Julianne Hough), a woman with a complicated history filled with secrets, who relocates to North Carolina. There, she finds love with a widower named Alex (Josh Duhamel). Just as life seems to take a turn for the better, her abusive husband arrives, searching for her.
In the movie, Smulders plays a supportive role as Katie’s neighbor and friend in her new hometown. She embodies a caring character who consistently offers assistance to Katie, making her someone you would desire to have in your life. The film culminates in an unexpected twist that reveals the underlying motivations of the characters, and Smulders’ performance aligns perfectly with this revelation.
7. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back serves as the continuation of the Jack Reacher series featuring Tom Cruise. In this installment, Reacher aims to assist Major Susan Turner (Smulders), who has been wrongfully accused of a crime and faces charges of treason.
Smulders excels in her role as the military officer whose fate depends on Reacher’s efforts. She demonstrates intelligence and shares a witty chemistry with Cruise, illustrating her capability to engage in action alongside him. Although she plays a supportive role, the actress successfully develops her character, showcasing a well-rounded individual with her own aspirations and motivations.
8. Friends from College (2017-2019)
Friends from College follows a group of friends from Harvard, now in their 40s, who formed bonds during their college years. Upon reconnecting, they realize that their behaviors often mirror their past selves.
While many excellent shows focus on college experiences, few explore the nature of friendships years later. In this series, Smulders portrays Lisa, the spouse of writer Ethan (Keegan-Michael Key), as they navigate difficulties in their marriage, particularly due to his affair with another friend in their circle. The actress infuses Lisa with a touch of sarcasm, but beneath the surface, there’s a sense of vulnerability as she subconsciously grapples with the precariousness of her relationship.
9. Alright Now (2018)
Also referred to as Songbird, Alright Now follows Joanne Sky (Smulders), who was once a promising indie musician but never reached success and has decided to abandon that lifestyle to pursue a degree in marine biology.
The film was shot in under a week and largely improvised, yet Smulders manages to maintain the character and narrative cohesion, portraying a distinctive and enjoyable persona that stands apart from her previous roles. The actress has expressed her desire to revisit this character, as it was an enjoyable experience, which is evident in her lively performance throughout the film, making it seem like she is truly relishing every moment on screen.
10. The LEGO Movie (2014)
The LEGO Movie centers around Emmet (Chris Pratt), an ordinary LEGO figure who unexpectedly earns the title of “special” and is tasked with saving the LEGO universe from the evil Lord Business (Will Ferrell), aided by various other LEGO characters.
Some fans still hold out hope for a return of the franchise, and if it does come back, Smulders would once again portray Wonder Woman. While her role may not be the most prominent, the actress effectively uses her voice to portray the superhero as fierce, intelligent, and loyal, providing a wonderful complement to the live-action version played by Gal Gadot.
