Every Oscar best actress winner from the past 25 years, ranked

History makers have won best actress gold at the Oscars. Before another Academy Awards winner is named, we rank the best of the past 25 years.

The best actress category at the Oscars is one that's made quite a bit of history.

In 2002, "Monster's Ball" lead Halle Berry became the first woman of color to take the gold, and in 2023, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" star Michelle Yeoh was named the first Asian best actress winner. And Mikey Madison, who won last year for best picture winner "Anora," is in another bucket: the rising performer who wins gold, joining stars such as Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone and Brie Larson.

Stone is back in contention at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15 for "Bugonia," joining Renate Reinsve ("Sentimental Value"), Kate Hudson ("Song Sung Blue"), Rose Byrne ("If I Had Legs I'd Kick You") and runaway favorite Jessie Buckley ("Hamnet"). While we wait to see who conquers the field, we're ranking every best actress winner of the past 25 years.

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The mediocre biopic is lifted by Zellweger's portrayal of the iconic Judy Garland in the twilight of her career. The two-time Oscar winner captures Garland in showstopper mode and, with spine curved and cigarette in hand, deftly communicates Garland's deteriorating state and the toll of her struggles with addiction.