---
name: "Rachel McAdams"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/rachel-mcadams"
fi1m_id: "rachel-mcadams"
imdb_id: "nm1046097"
tmdb_id: 53714
wikidata_id: "Q190386"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "17 November 1978"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 14
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 14
updated: "2026-10-22T03:18:12.200840+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Rachel McAdams

## Identity

Rachel McAdams

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/rachel-mcadams
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** rachel-mcadams
- **IMDb ID:** nm1046097
- **TMDB ID:** 53714
- **Wikidata ID:** Q190386
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_McAdams, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q190386, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1046097/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/53714

Actor. Born 17 November 1978 in London, Ontario, Canada.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 17 November 1978, London, Ontario, Canada
- **Active:** 2004–present
- **Also known as:** Rachel Anne McAdams
- **Frequently works with:** [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://film.one/person/benedict-cumberbatch.md), [Benedict Wong](https://film.one/person/benedict-wong.md), [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://film.one/person/chiwetel-ejiofor.md), [Dan Lin](https://film.one/person/dan-lin.md), [Guy Ritchie](https://film.one/person/guy-ritchie.md), [Joel Silver](https://film.one/person/joel-silver.md), [Jude Law](https://film.one/person/jude-law.md), [Kathy Bates](https://film.one/person/kathy-bates.md)
- **SAG Awards:** 1 SAG Award (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 14 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 70 (3), 2010s 70 (7), 2020s 68 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 68 across 14 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 6 of 12 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Action 5, Adventure 4, Comedy 4, Fantasy 4, Romance 4
- **Screen time:** 24 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,439m across 12 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_McAdams, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q190386, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1046097/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/53714

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Send Help*](https://film.one/film/send-help.md) (74), [*Doctor Strange*](https://film.one/film/doctor-strange.md) (66), [*Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*](https://film.one/film/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness.md) (60)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Midnight in Paris*](https://film.one/film/midnight-in-paris.md) (78), [*Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.*](https://film.one/film/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret.md) (75)
- **Apple TV:** [*Wedding Crashers*](https://film.one/film/wedding-crashers.md) (72), [*Southpaw*](https://film.one/film/southpaw.md) (54)
- **Tubi:** [*Spotlight*](https://film.one/film/spotlight.md) (85)
- **Netflix:** [*About Time*](https://film.one/film/about-time.md) (66)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Rachel McAdams

> Rachel McAdams is especially good at showing the effort behind an agreeable face: the rehearsed brightness, the apology, the careful listening. We rate her highly, even when the writing leaves her doing too much of the work.

In *Send Help* (2026), Rachel McAdams makes an apology seem like a habit Linda Liddle has acquired in her shoulders. They stay raised, her hair is pulled back, and she seems ready to yield before anyone has asked. Sam Raimi strands this employee on an island with her boss, and McAdams gets laughs by letting a pause last a little longer than expected. Those nervous habits are precise enough that she need not explain Linda to us.

Her breakthrough came with Regina George in *Mean Girls* (2004) and Allie Hamilton in *The Notebook* (2004). Romantic leads and varied supporting parts followed, but *Spotlight* (2015) is where we would send anyone who underestimates her. In Tom McCarthy’s newsroom drama, her Sacha Pfeiffer listens in a way that encourages the person speaking to continue. Michael Keaton gives the team settled authority and Mark Ruffalo supplies visible urgency; McAdams helps make them feel like colleagues by declining to compete for attention. It is an exact, generous performance in a film that understands why both qualities matter.

Kelly Fremon Craig gets equally precise work from her as Barbara Simon in *Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.* (2023). Barbara is trying to become the mother she thinks suburban life requires, and McAdams shows us the work in the committees and the bright voice at the door. We found the drop in that voice when she is alone in the kitchen unexpectedly moving. She makes the effort to stay cheerful sound tiring without asking for sympathy. Alongside Abby Ryder Fortson’s Margaret, she gives the mother enough worries of her own to make their scenes feel like a conversation between two people.

The romantic and blockbuster work has sometimes underused her, and *Send Help* still asks her to compensate for a script with too few ideas. *Margaret* is good too, although the adults get the better story. For a film that gives her colleagues something equally substantial to do, start with *Spotlight*.

## Biography

Rachel McAdams is a Canadian actress. She was born on 17 November 1978 in London, Ontario, and graduated from York University in 2001 with a BFA in theatre.

She is known for her roles in *Mean Girls* (2004), *The Notebook* (2004), *Sherlock Holmes* (2009), *Spotlight* (2015), the *Doctor Strange* films (2016 and 2022), and *Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.* (2023). She played Linda Liddle in *Send Help* (2026). McAdams received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for *Spotlight*.

*Sources: imdb.com, ew.com, nytimes.com, www-britannica-com.translate.goog.*

## On Fi1m (14)

- *Send Help* (2026), Fi1m 74, as Linda Liddle — [page](https://film.one/film/send-help.md)
- *Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.* (2023), Fi1m 75, as Barbara Simon — [page](https://film.one/film/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret.md)
- *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* (2022), Fi1m 60, as Dr. Christine Palmer — [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness.md)
- *What If...?* (2021), Fi1m 63, as Christine Palmer (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/what-if.md)
- *Doctor Strange* (2016), Fi1m 66, as Dr. Christine Palmer — [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-strange.md)
- *Southpaw* (2015), Fi1m 54, as Maureen Hope — [page](https://film.one/film/southpaw.md)
- *Spotlight* (2015), Fi1m 85, as Sacha Pfeiffer — [page](https://film.one/film/spotlight.md)
- *True Detective* (2014), Fi1m 80, as Antigone 'Ani' Bezzerides — [page](https://film.one/tv/true-detective.md)
- *About Time* (2013), Fi1m 66, as Mary — [page](https://film.one/film/about-time.md)
- *Midnight in Paris* (2011), Fi1m 78, as Inez — [page](https://film.one/film/midnight-in-paris.md)
- *Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows* (2011), Fi1m 58, as Irene Adler — [page](https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes-a-game-of-shadows.md)
- *Sherlock Holmes* (2009), Fi1m 65, as Irene Adler — [page](https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes.md)
- *Wedding Crashers* (2005), Fi1m 72, as Claire Cleary — [page](https://film.one/film/wedding-crashers.md)
- *The Notebook* (2004), Fi1m 74, as Allie Hamilton — [page](https://film.one/film/the-notebook.md)

## Complete filmography (45)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Send Help* (2026), as Linda Liddle — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/send-help.md)
- *Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.* (2023), as Barbara Simon — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret.md)
- *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* (2022), as Dr. Christine Palmer — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness.md)
- *What If...?* (2021), series, as Christine Palmer (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/what-if.md)
- *Marvel Studios Legends* (2021), series, as Dr. Christine Palmer (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga* (2020), as Sigrit Ericksdottir
- *DAVE* (2020), series, as Rachel McAdams
- *Explained* (2018), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Disobedience* (2018), as Esti Kuperman
- *Game Night* (2018), as Annie
- *Doctor Strange* (2016), as Dr. Christine Palmer — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-strange.md)
- *Sonic Sea* (2016), as Narrator (voice)
- *Spotlight* (2015), as Sacha Pfeiffer — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/spotlight.md)
- *The Little Prince* (2015), as The Mother (voice)
- *Southpaw* (2015), as Maureen Hope — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/southpaw.md)
- *Aloha* (2015), as Tracy Woodside
- *Every Thing Will Be Fine* (2015), as Sara
- *A Most Wanted Man* (2014), as Annabel Richter
- *True Detective* (2014), series, as Antigone 'Ani' Bezzerides — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/true-detective.md)
- *About Time* (2013), as Mary — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/about-time.md)
- *To the Wonder* (2013), as Jane
- *Passion* (2013), as Christine Stanford
- *The Vow* (2012), as Paige Collins
- *Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows* (2011), as Irene Adler — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes-a-game-of-shadows.md)
- *Midnight in Paris* (2011), as Inez — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/midnight-in-paris.md)
- *Morning Glory* (2010), as Becky Fuller
- *Sherlock Holmes* (2009), as Irene Adler — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes.md)
- *The Time Traveler's Wife* (2009), as Clare Abshire
- *State of Play* (2009), as Della Frye
- *The Lucky Ones* (2008), as Colee Dunn
- *Married Life* (2008), as Kay Nesbitt
- *The Family Stone* (2005), as Amy Stone
- *Red Eye* (2005), as Lisa Reisert
- *Wedding Crashers* (2005), as Claire Cleary — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/wedding-crashers.md)
- *The Notebook* (2004), as Allie Hamilton — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-notebook.md)
- *Mean Girls* (2004), as Regina George
- *Slings & Arrows* (2003), series, as Kate McNab
- *My Name Is Tanino* (2003), as Sally Garfield
- *The Hot Chick* (2002), as Jessica
- *Perfect Pie* (2002), as Patsy at 15
- *Guilt by Association* (2002), as Danielle Mason
- *Earth: Final Conflict* (1997), series, as Christine Bickwell
- *BARRE VALE ♡*, Actor's Assistant
- *2034*, Actor
- *The Families Stone*, as Amy Stone

## Gallery

- ![Rachel McAdams](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-a9d4756860db.jpg) Rachel McAdams — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Rachel_McAdams_-_Walk_of_Fame.jpg/1280px-Rachel_McAdams_-_Walk_of_Fame.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Benedict Cumberbatch, Scott Derrickson, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen and Benedict Wong speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic C](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-5c3bd756c503.jpg) Benedict Cumberbatch, Scott Derrickson, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen and Benedict Wong speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic C — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Benedict_Cumberbatch%2C_Scott_Derrickson%2C_Tilda_Swinton%2C_Rachel_McAdams%2C_Chiwetel_Ejiofor%2C_Mads_Mikkelsen_%26_Benedict_Wong_%2828019531654%29.jpg/1280px-Benedict_Cumberbatch%2C_Scott_Derrickson%2C_Tilda_Swinton%2C_Rachel_McAdams%2C_Chiwetel_Ejiofor%2C_Mads_Mikkelsen_%26_Benedict_Wong_%2828019531654%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Brie Larson, along with Marvel Studios panelists, speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Captain Marvel", at the San Diego Convention Cent](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-808cdbee48f5.jpg) Brie Larson, along with Marvel Studios panelists, speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Captain Marvel", at the San Diego Convention Cent — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Brie_Larson_with_Marvel_Studios_panelists_%2828047101324%29.jpg/1280px-Brie_Larson_with_Marvel_Studios_panelists_%2828047101324%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Brie Larson, along with Marvel Studios panelists, speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Captain Marvel", at the San Diego Convention Cent](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-c893c78cb673.jpg) Brie Larson, along with Marvel Studios panelists, speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Captain Marvel", at the San Diego Convention Cent — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Brie_Larson_with_Marvel_Studios_panelists_%2828664426685%29.jpg/1280px-Brie_Larson_with_Marvel_Studios_panelists_%2828664426685%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rachel McAdams](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-99f20a85f2fa.jpg) Rachel McAdams — Image via TMDB
- ![Rachel McAdams](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-62a25db9fbb7.jpg) Rachel McAdams — Image via TMDB
- ![Rachel McAdams](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-7257fbdbf0bd.jpg) Rachel McAdams — Image via TMDB
- ![Benedict Cumberbatch, Scott Derrickson, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen and Benedict Wong speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic C](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-77685a57d7c0.jpg) Benedict Cumberbatch, Scott Derrickson, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen and Benedict Wong speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic C — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Doctor_Strange_cast_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Doctor_Strange_cast_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mads Mikkelsen speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Doctor Strange", at the San Dieg](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-e6d524d28166.jpg) Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mads Mikkelsen speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Doctor Strange", at the San Dieg — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Doctor_Strange_cast_by_Gage_Skidmore_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Doctor_Strange_cast_by_Gage_Skidmore_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rachel McAdams](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-7bc08b2dc60d.jpg) Rachel McAdams — Image via TMDB
- ![Rachel McAdams](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-c74e2775d553.jpg) Rachel McAdams — Image via TMDB
- ![Rachel McAdams](https://film.one/media/person/7194/gallery-f5882325cbe6.jpg) Rachel McAdams — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2016: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Spotlight*

### SAG Awards — 1 won

- 2016: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (won), for *Spotlight*

### Other awards — 6 won

- Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast 2016: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast (won), for *Spotlight*
- Satellite Award for Best Cast – Motion Picture 2016: Satellite Award for Best Cast – Motion Picture (won), for *Spotlight*
- Canada's Walk of Fame 2014: Canada's Walk of Fame (won)
- MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance 2005: MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance (won), for *Mean Girls*
- MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss 2005: MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (won), for *The Notebook*
- MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo 2005: MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo (won), for *Mean Girls*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/rachel-mcadams