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Okay, so, real talk: Rihanna is a force of nature. We all know her as the Fenty Beauty queen, the music legend, and the fashion icon. But can we just take a moment for her acting chops and those *other* shows she’s given us? Because honestly, she’s lowkey been building a pretty epic resume in Hollywood and beyond. You ready to relive some iconic moments? Let’s go!
1. When She Made ‘Battleship’ Watchable
Look, I’ll be honest — *Battleship* (2012) wasn’t exactly a critical darling, scoring a measly 34% on Rotten Tomatoes. But our girl RiRi, playing Petty Officer Cora Raikes, brought some much-needed grit and attitude to the alien invasion flick. She was a total bad*ss, wielding a machine gun and dropping lines like she owned the place. It was her acting debut, and she totally held her own against Liam Neeson and Taylor Kitsch. Honestly, a star was born, even if the movie itself was… well, *Battleship*.
2. Her Hilarious (And Brutal) Cameo in ‘This Is the End’
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OMG, do you remember this?! In *This Is the End* (2013), Rihanna played herself, and it was pure comedic gold. She shows up at James Franco’s party right before the apocalypse hits, and then — SPOILER ALERT for a 2013 movie, but come on — she gets yeeted into a giant sinkhole. Her reaction was priceless, and it proved she’s got a fantastic sense of humor and isn’t afraid to poke fun at herself. A truly iconic, albeit short-lived, appearance.
3. Voicing Tip in DreamWorks’ ‘Home’ (And Giving Us Bops!)
Okay, so this was a whole vibe! Rihanna lent her voice to the main character, Tip, in the adorable 2015 DreamWorks animated film *Home*. She played a fierce, independent young girl trying to find her mom after an alien invasion. Not only was her voice acting super charming and emotionally resonant, but she also contributed a whole soundtrack, including bangers like ‘Towards the Sun’ and ‘Dancing in the Dark.’ Honestly, a double threat! The movie was a box office hit, grossing over $386 million worldwide.
4. Her Chilling Turn as Marion Crane in ‘Bates Motel’
Who knew Rihanna could do horror?! For real, she took on the iconic role of Marion Crane in the fifth and final season of A&E’s *Bates Motel* in 2017. And let me tell you, she brought a whole new level of intensity to the character, making it her own. Her scenes were tense, dramatic, and honestly, a little terrifying. It was a bold move to reinterpret such a legendary character from *Psycho*, and she absolutely nailed it. We were screaming at the TV, no cap.
5. Transforming as Bubble in ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’
This movie? A visual feast! In Luc Besson’s *Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets* (2017), Rihanna played Bubble, a shapeshifting entertainer. Her transformation sequence was jaw-dropping, showcasing her incredible versatility and bringing some serious glam to the sci-fi epic. She had multiple looks, each more stunning than the last, and delivered a truly memorable performance alongside Cara Delevingne and Dane DeHaan. It was a whole moment, and we loved every second.
6. Stealing Scenes as Nine Ball in ‘Ocean’s 8’
Okay, this was peak Rihanna! In *Ocean’s 8* (2018), she played Nine Ball, the super chill, super smart hacker who was absolutely essential to the heist. Her dreadlocks were a statement, her demeanor was cool as ice, and she had some of the best one-liners. She was part of an all-star cast including Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, and Anne Hathaway, and she totally held her own. The movie grossed over $297 million worldwide, and Nine Ball was a huge reason why we were living for it!
7. Her Poignant Role in Donald Glover’s ‘Guava Island’
This was a whole VIBE. In the 2019 musical film *Guava Island*, Rihanna starred opposite Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) as Kofi Novia. It was a beautiful, melancholic story about music, dreams, and freedom. Rihanna’s performance was understated yet powerful, showing a softer, more dramatic side we don’t always see. It premiered at Coachella and hit Amazon Prime Video, giving us all the feels and proving her range beyond blockbuster action.
8. The Revolutionary ‘Savage X Fenty Show’ Series
Can we just talk about these?! Starting in 2019, Rihanna basically reinvented the fashion show with her *Savage X Fenty Show* specials (Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Airing on Amazon Prime Video, these aren’t just fashion shows; they’re full-blown cinematic experiences! With incredible choreography, diverse models, and iconic musical performances, she produces and stars in these, proving she’s a visionary director and performer. Seriously, nobody does it like RiRi. They’re a total mood.
9. The ICONIC Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show
Okay, this might not be a ‘movie’ or ‘show’ in the traditional acting sense, but it was a *SHOW*! Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show in February 2023 was a masterclass in performance, spectacle, and pure star power. Floating platforms, incredible visuals, and that pregnancy reveal — we literally can’t! It was one of the most-watched halftime shows ever, reportedly drawing over 118.7 million viewers. She acted, she served, she conquered. A true legend.
10. Voice Acting as Smurfette in the Upcoming ‘Smurfs Movie’
Get ready, Smurf-fans! Our queen is returning to animation, and this time she’s taking on the iconic role of Smurfette in the upcoming *Smurfs Movie*, reportedly set for a 2025 release. She’s not just voicing the character; she’s also producing the film and writing original songs for it! This is HUGE. We’re already anticipating the bops and the sass she’s going to bring to the Smurf village. Lowkey obsessed with this news.
11. Everything She Does Is a Performance, TBH
Honestly, whether she’s dropping a new Fenty collection, walking a red carpet, or just existing, Rihanna is always giving us a performance. Her entire career is a masterclass in captivating an audience, pushing boundaries, and being unapologetically herself. She doesn’t just act in movies; she *lives* her life like a movie, and we’re all just lucky to be watching. She’s literally the main character, all the time, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. What a queen!
FAQs
What was Rihanna’s first movie role?
Rihanna’s first major movie role was in the 2012 sci-fi action film *Battleship*, where she played Petty Officer Cora Raikes. She absolutely crushed it for a debut!
How many Savage X Fenty shows has Rihanna done?
As of April 2026, Rihanna has produced and starred in five Savage X Fenty Show specials, available on Amazon Prime Video. Each one is a groundbreaking fashion and entertainment spectacle!
Is Rihanna going to be in any new movies soon?
Yes! Rihanna is set to voice Smurfette in the upcoming *Smurfs Movie*, reportedly releasing in 2025. She’s also producing the film and writing new songs for it. Get ready!
Phew! That was a journey through the incredible on-screen (and stage!) career of our girl, Rihanna. She truly is a multi-talented superstar who consistently surprises and delights us with everything she touches. Which of her roles is your absolute favorite? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this with your bestie who needs a RiRi refresh!
