The Best Portrayals Of Cleopatra On Screen Ranked

Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile, is one of the most recognizable historical icons of all time. But she's also one of Hollywood's most enduring characters, having been portrayed in countless movies and TV shows over the years. These are the very best portrayals of Cleopatra on screen ranked.

While Leonor Varela's name may not necessarily ring any bells, fans of the Blade trilogy probably recognize her as Wesley Snipes' sworn enemy Nyssa, from Blade II. Playing the part of a seductress was clearly no sweat for Varela, and in 1999, she snagged the titular role in Cleopatra, a three-hour mini-series — which was eventually nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards. Critics were a little harsher, however, with The New York Times declaring:

"It's big, it's bad, it's Cleopatra! What else could anyone expect?"

As the outlet went on:

"This version strains so hard to make her an overachieving modern woman that she might as well have a to-do list taped to her throne."

On the other hand, New York Magazine was slightly more forgiving to the $30 million production, adding that:

"Half Chilean and half French, she's exotic enough not to need additives of kohl or lacquer. Dark-eyed, olive-skinned, raven-haired, and lithe-limbed, not to mention imperial-pouty, she’s a lot more Wild Thing than Pop Tart."

Nonetheless, Varela is living proof that looks aren't quite enough to get by as Queen of the Nile.

Watch this video for the best portrayals of Cleopatra on screen ranked!

Leonor Varela | 0:00
Amanda Barrie | 1:28
Janet Suzman | 2:49
Claudette Colbert | 3:59
Theda Bara | 5:11
Monica Bellucci | 6:06
Vivien Leigh | 7:11
Sophia Loren | 8:30
Elizabeth Taylor | 9:28
Cleopatra's future | 11:00

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