Awkwafina Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography Guide

Awkwafina, born Nora Lum, has built one of the most versatile careers in contemporary Hollywood. Her filmography spans roughly two decades, covering everything from independent dramas to major franchise blockbusters. From her early work in documentaries and television to leading roles in films that have shaped the cultural conversation around Asian-American representation, Awkwafina has emerged as a distinctive voice in entertainment.

This guide presents a comprehensive overview of her movies and TV shows, organized by release year and category. Whether you are looking for her highest-rated films, her television appearances, or upcoming projects, this article covers the essential facts grounded in publicly available information.

Rotten Tomatoes serves as the primary source for rating data and role confirmations throughout this piece, supplemented by additional industry references where applicable.

What Movies Has Awkwafina Been In?

Awkwafina has appeared in approximately 26 feature films since her debut in 2016. Her career trajectory reflects a remarkable progression from supporting roles in independent and ensemble comedies to leading parts in critically acclaimed dramas and blockbuster franchises. The following grid, insights, and table provide a snapshot of her cinematic work.

• Rose from early documentary work to A-list actress within three years of her film debut
• Demonstrates versatility across comedy, drama, voice acting, and franchise films
• Entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Katy Chen in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
• Champions Asian-American representation through deliberate role selection
• Balances mainstream blockbusters with independent and animated projects
• Voice acting has become increasingly prominent in recent years
• Produced several recent projects, including Quiz Lady (2023)

Breakthrough Films (2018-2019)

The period from 2018 to 2019 marked Awkwafina’s emergence as a leading performer. Her supporting turn as Peik Lin Goh in Crazy Rich Asians introduced her to mainstream audiences, while her lead performance in The Farewell solidified her reputation as a dramatic actress capable of carrying a film. Both films achieved significant critical acclaim and cultural relevance.

Blockbuster Roles (2020-Present)

Following her breakthrough, Awkwafina transitioned into larger productions. Her role as Katy Chen in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings brought her into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while animated features like Raya and the Last Dragon and The Bad Guys series expanded her reach into family audiences.

What Are Awkwafina’s Best Movies?

Based on Rotten Tomatoes critic scores, several films stand out in Awkwafina’s career. The following rankings reflect critical reception rather than commercial performance, offering insight into where her performances resonated most with professional reviewers.

Critically Acclaimed Picks

The Farewell (2019) holds the highest Tomatometer score at 97%, with Awkwafina delivering a lead performance that earned her the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) follows at 93%, where she voiced the central character Sisu, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) sits at 92%, introducing her to the Marvel universe.

Audience Favorites

Audience scores provide additional perspective. Shang-Chi achieved 98% audience approval, the highest in her filmography, while Raya and the Last Dragon reached 97%. The Bad Guys 2 (2025) currently holds 94% audience score, suggesting continued positive reception for her voice work.

What TV Shows Has Awkwafina Starred In?

While her filmography is extensive, Awkwafina’s television work provides additional insight into her range. Her TV appearances span documentary series, voice-over work, and her most prominent commitment: a self-titled Comedy Central series.

Lead Roles

Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens premiered on Comedy Central in 2020 and ran for three seasons until 2023. The semi-autobiographical comedy featured her in the lead role, drawing from her upbringing in Queens, New York. The series received positive reviews across its run.

Guest Appearances

Prior to her Comedy Central series, Awkwafina appeared in Girl Code on MTV from 2013 to 2015, joining during Season 3. She also provided voice work for Regular Show on Cartoon Network in 2016. These early television roles preceded her successful transition to film.

What Is Awkwafina’s Next Movie?

Looking ahead, several projects have been announced or released recently. The 2024 releases included Jackpot!, IF, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Wildwood, with voice roles dominating her workload that year.

Confirmed Projects

The Bad Guys 2, scheduled for 2025, marks her return as Tarantula in the animated sequel. This continues her involvement with the successful franchise that began in 2022.

Future Possibilities

Her recent output suggests a continued focus on animated features and franchise work. However, no further projects beyond the confirmed releases had been publicly verified at the time of this compilation. Fans should monitor official studio announcements for the most current information.

Awkwafina’s Iconic Roles in Marvel and Voice Acting

Two categories define much of her recent career: her Marvel Cinematic Universe presence and her extensive voice acting portfolio. These roles have introduced her to entirely different audience bases and demonstrated her adaptability as a performer.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

As Katy Chen in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), Awkwafina joined one of the largest film franchises in history. The film achieved 92% on the Tomatometer and earned strong audience reception. While no post-credits scenes directly set up her return, the character exists within the broader MCU, leaving future possibilities open.

Animated Films

Voice roles comprise a significant portion of her recent work. She has voiced characters in Raya and the Last Dragon (Sisu), both The Bad Guys films (Tarantula), The Little Mermaid (Scuttle), Kung Fu Panda 4 (Zhen), Migration (Chump), IF (Bubble), and Wildwood. She also voiced roles in The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, The Angry Birds Movie 2, and Storks.

Career Timeline

A chronological look at Awkwafina’s progression reveals how rapidly her career has evolved. The following timeline marks key milestones from her first credited film work through her current projects.

1. 2016 — Film debut in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising; also appeared in documentary Bad Rap
2. 2018 — Breakthrough year with supporting roles in Crazy Rich Asians (91%) and Ocean’s 8 (69%)
3. 2019 — Lead role in The Farewell (97%); won Golden Globe for Best Actress
4. 2020-2021 — Debuted Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (Comedy Central); voice work in The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run
5. 2021 — Joined Marvel Cinematic Universe in Shang-Chi (92%); voiced Sisu in Raya and the Last Dragon (93%)
6. 2022-2023 — Voiced Tarantula in The Bad Guys (87%); starred in Quiz Lady (83%)
7. 2024-2025 — Multiple voice roles including Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Bad Guys 2

What Is Known and Unknown About Her Filmography

When compiling a comprehensive career overview, certain information is firmly established while other details remain less certain. The following comparison clarifies what can be confirmed versus what requires further verification.

Career Context and Impact

Awkwafina’s career trajectory reflects both individual talent and broader shifts in the entertainment industry. Her rise coincided with increased visibility for Asian-American performers in mainstream cinema, particularly following the success of Crazy Rich Asians in 2018.

Her filmography demonstrates deliberate variety. She has chosen projects spanning independent drama (The Farewell), ensemble comedies (Crazy Rich Asians, Ocean’s 8), franchise action (Shang-Chi), and animated features across multiple studios. This range suggests an approach that values both artistic expression and commercial viability.

The critical reception of her work has been generally positive, with her highest-rated films earning substantial recognition. Her Golden Globe win represented a milestone as the first Asian actress to claim the Best Actress prize in the musical or comedy category.

Sources and References

This article draws primarily from Rotten Tomatoes, which provides comprehensive credits, ratings, and role information for Awkwafina’s filmography. Additional context comes from industry coverage of her awards and career developments.

The Farewell represents a landmark in Asian-American storytelling, with Awkwafina delivering a performance that resonated deeply with critics and audiences alike. Her ability to balance humor with emotional depth defines much of her most acclaimed work.

— Based on critical consensus from Rotten Tomatoes and industry coverage

For readers seeking to explore further, Rotten Tomatoes maintains the most complete and regularly updated record of her film and television credits. Her IMDb profile offers additional production details, while Wikipedia provides broader biographical context. The Movie Database also maintains current information on her projects.

Summary

Awkwafina’s movies and TV shows span approximately two and a half decades of work, with her most prominent achievements concentrated in the last decade. Her career includes roughly 26 feature films, three seasons of a Comedy Central series, numerous voice roles, and participation in major franchises including the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For viewers interested in exploring her work, The Farewell represents her most acclaimed dramatic performance, while Shang-Chi offers blockbuster entertainment and The Bad Guys series demonstrates her appeal to family audiences. As her career continues to develop, particularly in animated features, her filmography is likely to expand further in new directions.

Frequently Asked Questions