For decades, Meryl Streep has been regarded as one of Hollywood’s most respected and accomplished performers. Since earning her first Oscar nomination for The Deer Hunter in 1978, the legendary actress has built a career filled with acclaimed performances, box office hits, and record-breaking awards recognition.
But despite her status as a screen icon, some critics and social media users have recently begun questioning parts of her modern filmography. The debate reignited after a viral post on X named Streep the greatest actor of the century — only for viewers to begin dissecting many of her more recent movie choices.
One viral comment challenged fans to name several standout Meryl Streep films performances from the past 25 years, while journalist David Weigel jokingly labeled some of her weaker projects “Streepslop.” Critics pointed to underwhelming films like Lions for Lambs, The Prom, Ricki and the Flash, and The Laundromat as examples of roles that failed to match the prestige associated with her name.
Even some of Streep’s award-winning performances have faced renewed scrutiny. Her Oscar-winning portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady divided critics, while Netflix satire Don’t Look Up drew mixed reactions despite becoming a streaming hit.
The conversation intensified after The New York Times controversially left Streep off its list of the greatest actors of the 21st century. Critics behind the ranking argued that while she remains enormously talented, some of her recent performances felt overly theatrical or inconsistent compared to other contemporary stars.
Still, many fans were quick to defend the actress, pointing out that her post-2000 career also includes acclaimed projects such as Adaptation, The Hours, Doubt, Julie & Julia, and The Devil Wears Prada, whose sequel has become a massive commercial success.
At 76, Streep remains one of the most influential figures in entertainment. With upcoming projects including a Joni Mitchell biopic, a thriller alongside Sigourney Weaver, and a role in Greta Gerwig’s new Chronicles of Narnia adaptation, the actress shows little sign of slowing down.
And while the internet continues debating whether she is overrated or untouchable, Streep herself has long appeared unfazed by labels or rankings, once insisting she never viewed herself as “the greatest” at anything — simply someone continuing to work and evolve with every role.
