Honestly, if you close your eyes and think about Catherine Zeta-Jones, you probably see that laser scene from Entrapment or her swinging a sword in a corset. It’s the "movie star" image that has defined her for decades. But Catherine Zeta-Jones movies and shows have actually taken a weird, fascinating turn lately. She went from being the highest-paid actress in Hollywood to playing a macabre matriarch on Netflix, and the transition says a lot about how she’s managed to stay relevant while others from her era faded away.
The Welsh actress didn't just stumble into stardom. She worked for it. Hard.
People forget she was a musical theater kid who moved to London at 15 to find work. By the time she landed The Darling Buds of May in the early 90s, she was already a household name in the UK. But Hollywood? Hollywood is a different beast. It took a chance encounter with Steven Spielberg, who saw her in a miniseries about the Titanic, to get her cast in The Mask of Zorro. That was the spark.
The Breakthrough: Swordplay and Seduction
Let's talk about 1998. That was the year everything changed. The Mask of Zorro isn't just a fun action flick; it was the moment the world realized Zeta-Jones could command the screen against heavyweights like Anthony Hopkins and Antonio Banderas. Her chemistry with Banderas was electric. It wasn't just about her looking the part; she actually learned to fence. She did the work.
Then came Entrapment. Sean Connery. More lasers. More tight outfits.
At this point, the media was obsessed with her. She was the "it" girl. But she was also being pigeonholed as the "vamp" or the "love interest." Most actresses would have just kept taking those roles until the offers stopped coming. Zeta-Jones did something smarter. She pivoted to ensemble pieces and darker material.
Stealing the Show in Traffic
Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic (2000) is arguably where she proved she had the dramatic chops to back up the hype. Playing Helena Ayala, a pregnant socialite who takes over her husband's drug empire when he’s arrested, was a bold move. She was actually pregnant in real life during filming, which added this raw, desperate layer to the performance. She wasn't just a trophy wife; she was a predator.
It's a gritty movie. It's messy. And she fits right in.
The Oscar Win and the Peak of Musical Power
Then there's Chicago. If you haven't seen it recently, go watch it. Now.
Velma Kelly is the role of a lifetime. It required singing, dancing, and a level of cynical wit that most people didn't know she had. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for a reason. She outshone almost everyone else in that cast, including Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere. "All That Jazz" remains one of the most iconic opening sequences in musical cinema history.
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She was at the top of the mountain.
But being at the top means there's nowhere to go but down, or at least, somewhere else. The mid-2000s were a bit of a blur of rom-coms and sequels. The Legend of Zorro didn't quite capture the magic of the first one. No Reservations was fine, but it wasn't Chicago. She started to pull back. She focused on her family, her health, and her marriage to Michael Douglas.
And that's okay.
The Television Renaissance: From Feud to Wednesday
If you think Catherine Zeta-Jones movies and shows ended after the 2000s, you’ve been missing out on her best work. She found a second life on the small screen.
In 2017, she played Olivia de Havilland in Ryan Murphy’s Feud: Bette and Joan. It was a small role, but she brought a classic Hollywood elegance that felt authentic because, well, she is one of the last true "old school" movie stars.
Becoming Morticia Addams
The real shocker, though, was her casting as Morticia Addams in Wednesday.
Tim Burton’s reimagining of the Addams Family became a global juggernaut. Zeta-Jones had huge shoes to fill—Carolyn Jones and Anjelica Huston are icons. But Catherine brought a different energy. Her Morticia is more affectionate, more glamorous in a gothic way, and surprisingly warm toward her daughter.
It’s a supporting role, sure. But she looms large over the series.
- National Treasure: Edge of History: She played a villain! Seeing her as a blonde, ruthless billionaire treasure hunter was a trip. It showed she was willing to have fun and play the campy antagonist.
- Prodigal Son: Her turn as Dr. Vivian Capshaw was deliciously creepy. She excels at playing women who are slightly "off" under a polished exterior.
Why Her Career Path Matters
There is a lesson in the way Catherine Zeta-Jones has navigated her career. She never let the industry dictate her expiration date. When leading lady roles in blockbuster films started to dry up for women over 40 (a depressing but real Hollywood trend), she simply changed the medium.
She leaned into her theater roots. She went back to Broadway in A Little Night Music and won a Tony Award. She proved she didn't need a green screen or a big-budget director to be the most compelling person in the room.
The Misconceptions
People often think she just "stopped" acting. That's not true. She became more selective.
She also became more open about her personal life, specifically her struggle with Bipolar II disorder. In an industry that demands perfection, her being honest about her mental health was a massive risk. It actually made her more relatable to a younger generation who values authenticity over the "perfect" star persona of the 90s.
What to Watch: A Quick Roadmap
If you're looking to dive into the best of Catherine Zeta-Jones movies and shows, don't just stick to the hits.
- The Mask of Zorro (1998): For the pure star power.
- Chicago (2002): For the technical skill.
- Traffic (2000): For the dramatic range.
- Wednesday (2022-Present): To see how she commands a modern audience.
- High Fidelity (2000): She has a small, hilarious role as Charlie, the "perfect" girl who breaks John Cusack's heart. It's a great example of her comedic timing.
She’s also done some indie work that people sleep on. Death Defying Acts, where she plays a psychic con artist opposite Guy Pearce’s Harry Houdini, is actually quite charming and worth a watch on a rainy Sunday.
The Future for Zeta-Jones
What's next? More Wednesday, obviously. The show is a titan for Netflix, and her role is expected to expand in future seasons. There are also rumors of her returning to more stage work, which is where she always seems most at home.
The reality is that Catherine Zeta-Jones has survived the transition from 90s bombshell to respected veteran. That's a hard bridge to cross. She did it by leaning into her eccentricity and her age rather than fighting it. She’s no longer just the girl with the sword; she’s the queen of the manor, the villain in the shadows, and the Broadway legend.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Film Buffs:
- Track her evolution: Watch The Mask of Zorro and Wednesday back-to-back. You’ll see the same poise, but a completely different approach to screen presence.
- Explore her TV work: Don't ignore her roles in Prodigal Son or Feud. These are where she takes the most risks.
- Look for the "Broadway" energy: Even in her films, she moves with the precision of a dancer. Once you see it, you can't unsee it.
The longevity of Catherine Zeta-Jones isn't an accident. It's the result of a performer who knows exactly what she brings to the table and isn't afraid to pull up a different chair when the table moves. Whether she’s in a corset or a black silk gown, she remains one of the most watchable humans on the planet.
Check out her recent work on Netflix or Max to see how a real pro handles a career second act. It's a masterclass in staying relevant without losing your soul to the Hollywood machine.