Editing Michelle Pfeiffer (section)

== Acting style and reception ==
Pfeiffer said she sometimes feels [[Impostor syndrome|fraudulent]] as an [[Drama school|untrained actor]] due to her lack of conventional schooling.<ref name="Krizanovich-2017" /> She credits director [[Milton Katselas]] with teaching her the difference between how an actor and their character would behave during the same scene.<ref name="Brown-2009">{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Mick |date=April 20, 2009 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer: interview |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/5158069/Michelle-Pfeiffer-interview.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011094832/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/5158069/Michelle-Pfeiffer-interview.html |archive-date=October 11, 2021 |access-date=April 22, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |quote=an actress who could portray inner conflict with her eyes and face better than any other film star of her generation}}</ref> Essayist [[Angelica Jade Bastién]] said Pfeiffer's talent disproves any argument that untrained actors are lesser than their trained peers.<ref name="Bastién-2017">{{Cite web |last=Bastién |first=Angelica Jade |author-link=Angelica Jade Bastién |date=June 26, 2017 |title=The 10 Essential Roles of Michelle Pfeiffer |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/michelle-pfeiffer-essential-roles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929204347/http://www.vulture.com/article/michelle-pfeiffer-essential-roles.html |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=September 30, 2017 |website=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]}}</ref> Several film critics have described her as "a [[Character actor|character actress]] in a screen siren's body",<ref name="Brown-2009" /><ref name="Hirshey-1992">{{Cite magazine |last=Hirshey |first=Gerri |date=September 3, 1992 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer: The Bat's Meow |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/michelle-pfeiffer-the-bats-meow-19920903 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424010553/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/michelle-pfeiffer-the-bats-meow-19920903 |archive-date=April 24, 2017 |access-date=April 23, 2017 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Clifton |first=Anthony |date=March 12, 2023 |title=10 Great Supporting Performances by Leading Actors |url=https://collider.com/great-leading-actors-supporting-performances/#michelle-pfeiffer-in-39-mother-39-2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718215709/https://collider.com/great-leading-actors-supporting-performances/#michelle-pfeiffer-in-39-mother-39-2017 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |quote=Michelle Pfeiffer is undoubtedly one of the most talented of her time.}}</ref><ref name="Syme-2021" /> with Bastién profiling her as "a character actress reluctantly placed in Hollywood’s lineage of blonde [[Bombshell (slang)|bombshells]]".<ref name=":1" /> Journalist [[James Kaplan]] reported that some critics feel Pfeiffer has undersold herself by choosing character roles instead of capitalizing on her beauty.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kaplan |first=James |author-link=James Kaplan |date=January 27, 2014 |title=Up close with Michelle Pfeiffer |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/01/27/close-michelle-pfeiffer/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125164016/https://ew.com/article/2014/01/27/close-michelle-pfeiffer/ |archive-date=November 25, 2022 |access-date=November 25, 2022 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> In 1993, film critic [[Ty Burr]] argued that her "unshowy performances work because they don’t call attention to themselves", although her attractiveness prevents her from being seriously considered "one of today’s best screen actresses".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Burr |first=Ty |author-link=Ty Burr |date=January 29, 1993 |title=A Michelle Pfeiffer filmography |url=https://ew.com/article/1993/01/29/michelle-pfeiffer-filmography/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416191056/https://ew.com/article/1993/01/29/michelle-pfeiffer-filmography/ |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> Pfeiffer claims she rarely accepts glamorous roles because she finds few of them compelling.<ref name="Hirshey-1992" /> Although she prefers acting in dramas over comedies,<ref name="Mueller-2009">{{Cite news |last=Mueller |first=Matt |date=April 2009 |title=Face Forward |url=http://www.mattmueller.co.uk/pdfs/255-Interview.Pfeiffer.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406160106/http://www.mattmueller.co.uk/pdfs/255-Interview.Pfeiffer.pdf |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=March 26, 2021 |work= |via=Matt Mueller}}</ref> she does not have a favorite genre to perform in.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Macnab |first=Geoffrey |date=April 22, 2009 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer: 'I never had a big game plan' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/apr/22/michelle-pfeiffer-cheri |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013061300/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/apr/22/michelle-pfeiffer-cheri |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |access-date=September 4, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

During the 1980s, Pfeiffer typically played smart, funny, and independent women,<ref name="Kaye-2016">{{Cite news |last=Kaye |first=Elizabeth |date=April 2, 2016 |title=The Stacks: Why It's So Hard to Be Michelle Pfeiffer |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/04/02/the-stacks-why-it-s-so-hard-to-be-michelle-pfeiffer.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420161850/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/04/02/the-stacks-why-it-s-so-hard-to-be-michelle-pfeiffer.html |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |access-date=April 22, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]}}</ref> and pursued a wider range of roles in the 1990s.<ref name="Marx-2023" /> Early in her career, she mostly played relatable [[working class]] women, aside from the occasional [[upper class]] character.<ref name="Syme-2021">{{Cite magazine |last=Syme |first=Rachel |date=January 31, 2021 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer Chooses Carefully |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/michelle-pfeiffer-chooses-carefully |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009041230/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/michelle-pfeiffer-chooses-carefully |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |access-date=January 31, 2021 |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |quote=proved herself to be one of the great actors of her generation}}</ref> She has admitted she enjoys playing imperfect, evil, and "slightly trashy" women.<ref name="Hirschberg-2021">{{Cite web |last=Hirschberg |first=Lynn |author-link=Lynn Hirschberg |date=February 23, 2021 |title=When It Comes to Acting, Michelle Pfeiffer Would Prefer Not To |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/michelle-pfeiffer-interview-french-exit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626202620/https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/michelle-pfeiffer-interview-french-exit |archive-date=June 26, 2022 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |website=[[W (magazine)|W]]}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Berk |first=Philip |author-link=Philip Berk |date=August 9, 2018 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer makes a comeback after a 10-year hiatus |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2018/08/09/michelle-pfeiffer-makes-a-comeback-after-a-10-year-hiatus.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411090712/https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2018/08/09/michelle-pfeiffer-makes-a-comeback-after-a-10-year-hiatus.html |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |access-date=November 19, 2023 |work=[[The Jakarta Post]]}}</ref><ref name="Egan" /> In a 2021 profile, journalist [[Lynn Hirschberg]] said Pfeiffer excels in emotionally conflicted roles,<ref name="Hirschberg-2021" /> while Adam Platt of ''[[New Woman (magazine)|New Woman]]'' and journalist [[Bilge Ebiri]] agreed that she often plays emotionally detached women.<ref name="Platt-1997">{{Cite magazine |last=Platt |first=Adam |date=May 1, 1997 |title=Pfeiffer and Clooney get close – The real life of Michelle Pfeiffer |url=http://www.gorgeouspfeiffer.com/blog/pfeiffer-and-clooney-get-close-may-1997/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407173151/http://www.gorgeouspfeiffer.com/blog/pfeiffer-and-clooney-get-close-may-1997/ |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |access-date=April 29, 2017 |magazine=[[New Woman (magazine)|New Woman]] |via=Gorgeous Pfeiffer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/film/where-is-kyra-movie-review-10221477|title=Is Where Is Kyra? the Best Michelle Pfeiffer Has Ever Been?|last=Ebiri|first=Bilge|author-link=Bilge Ebiri|date=April 13, 2018|website=[[Miami New Times]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517152931/http://www.miaminewtimes.com/film/where-is-kyra-movie-review-10221477|archive-date=May 17, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2018}}</ref> [[Backstage (magazine)|''Backstage'']] contributor Manuel Betancourt observed parallels between Pfeiffer's characters and her own determination to subvert expectations,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Betancourt |first=Manuel |date=January 13, 2021 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer Isn't Done Defying Our Expectations |url=https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/michelle-pfeiffer-french-exit-72416/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223085507/https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/michelle-pfeiffer-french-exit-72416/ |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |access-date=February 3, 2021 |website=[[Backstage (magazine)|Backstage]]}}</ref> with the actress confirming that she searches new projects for relatability.<ref name="Sragow-2007">{{Cite web |last=Sragow |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Sragow |date=August 5, 2007 |title=What Lies Beneath |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2007-08-05-0708020278-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408075147/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2007-08-05-0708020278-story.html |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2021 |website=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tapan |first=Barbaros |date=December 25, 2018 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer: A successful actress, mother and businesswoman |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/arts-culture/2018/12/25/michelle-pfeiffer-a-successful-actress-mother-and-businesswoman |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430202538/https://www.dailysabah.com/arts-culture/2018/12/25/michelle-pfeiffer-a-successful-actress-mother-and-businesswoman |archive-date=April 30, 2023 |access-date=June 18, 2019 |website=[[Daily Sabah]] |quote=Considered to be among the most talented actresses of her generation}}</ref> However, [[Town & Country (magazine)|''Town & Country'']] senior editor Adam Rathe finds Pfeiffer dissimilar to most of her characters.<ref name="Rathe-2021">{{Cite web |last=Rathe |first=Adam |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer Is Playing the Long Game |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a35449203/michelle-pfeiffer-french-exit-interview-2021/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331001447/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a35449203/michelle-pfeiffer-french-exit-interview-2021/ |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |access-date=April 27, 2021 |website=[[Town & Country (magazine)|Town & Country]]}}</ref> Known to be highly selective about potential projects,<ref name="Sragow-2007" /> [[IndieWire]] contributor Kate Erbland believes Pfeiffer carefully chooses unconventional roles to avoid being typecast.<ref name="Erbland-2021">{{Cite web|last=Erbland|first=Kate|date=February 25, 2021|title='French Exit' Star Michelle Pfeiffer Explains the Secret to Her Eclectic Career|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/02/michelle-pfeiffer-french-exit-catwoman-1234618989/|access-date=March 5, 2021|website=[[IndieWire]]|quote=Pfeiffer's Catwoman — long considered the gold standard cinematic version of the Bat-verse baddie}}</ref> Pfeiffer's colleagues have described her as extremely committed, competent, and prepared,<ref name="Hirshey-1992" /><ref name="Platt-1997" /> although she refuses to watch her own performances.<ref name="Haskell-2019" />

Pfeiffer has been called one of the greatest actresses of her generation.<ref>{{multiref|Various sources and publications citing Pfeiffer among the greatest or most talented actresses of her generation:
|{{Cite magazine |last=Syme |first=Rachel |date=January 31, 2021 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer Chooses Carefully |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/michelle-pfeiffer-chooses-carefully |access-date=April 27, 2023 |quote=proved herself to be one of the great actors of her generation|ref=none}}
|{{Cite web |last=Clifton |first=Anthony |date=March 12, 2023 |title=10 Great Supporting Performances by Leading Actors |url=https://collider.com/great-leading-actors-supporting-performances/#michelle-pfeiffer-in-39-mother-39-2017 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |quote=Michelle Pfeiffer is undoubtedly one of the most talented of her time|ref=none}}
|{{Cite web |title=Michelle Pfeiffer Biography |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/151595%7C0/Michelle-Pfeiffer#biography |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=[[Turner Classic Movies]] |quote=Pfeiffer was critically regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her generation|ref=none}}
|{{Cite book |last=Gregory Dunne |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bw5WIGkc33UC&q=of+her+generation+michelle+pfeiffer&pg=PA143 |title=Monster: Living Off the Big Screen |publisher=[[Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group]] |year=2012 |isbn=9780307817648 |location=United States |page=143 |quote="perhaps the best film actress of her generation" |author-link=John Gregory Dunne |access-date=April 27, 2023 |via=[[Google Books]]|ref=none}}
|{{Cite news |last=Tapan |first=Barbaros |date=December 25, 2018 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer: A successful actress, mother and businesswoman |work=[[Daily Sabah]] |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/arts-culture/2018/12/25/michelle-pfeiffer-a-successful-actress-mother-and-businesswoman |access-date=April 27, 2023 |quote=Considered to be among the most talented actresses of her generation|ref=none}}
|{{Cite web |title=Michelle Pfeiffer |url=https://people.com/tag/michelle-pfeiffer/ |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |quote=Pfeiffer is widely recognized as one of the greatest actresses of her generation}}
|{{Cite news |last=Ians |date=June 12, 2018 |title=Evangeline Lilly: Michelle Pfeiffer is the most beautiful woman on planet |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/hollywood/evangeline-lily-michelle-pfeiffer-ant-man-and-the-wasp-5213800/ |access-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614184242/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/hollywood/evangeline-lily-michelle-pfeiffer-ant-man-and-the-wasp-5213800/ |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |quote=Michelle Pfeiffer, an American actress and producer is considered to be among the most talented actresses of her generation.|ref=none}}
|{{Cite news |last=Nepales |first=Ruben V. |date=April 21, 2017 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer back after making herself 'unhirable' |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/222683/michelle-pfeiffer-back-making-unhirable |access-date=April 27, 2023 |quote=One of the finest actresses of her generation|ref=none}}}}</ref> However, she has also been described as one of Hollywood's most underrated,<ref name="Krizanovich-2017" /><ref name="Jacobs-2021">{{Cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Matthew |date=February 9, 2021 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer, Unheralded Comedy Maven |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/michelle-pfeiffer-french-exit-comedy_n_5ffdc677c5b66f3f79619a65?ri18n=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410060119/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/michelle-pfeiffer-french-exit-comedy_n_5ffdc677c5b66f3f79619a65?ri18n=true |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |access-date=February 11, 2021 |website=[[HuffPost Canada]]}}</ref><ref name="Jacobs-2017">{{Cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Matthew |date=December 7, 2017 |title=What Lies Beneath The Comeback Of Michelle Pfeiffer And The Decline Of Julia Roberts |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/michelle-pfeiffer-julia-roberts_n_5a1c8383e4b071403b28740e?ri18n=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617164930/https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/michelle-pfeiffer-julia-roberts_n_5a1c8383e4b071403b28740e?ri18n=true |archive-date=June 17, 2021 |access-date=February 13, 2021 |website=[[HuffPost Canada]]}}</ref> with ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' saying she "is too seldom ranked among the best of her generation".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Feinberg |first1=Scott |last2=Rooney |first2=David |date=February 25, 2021 |title=Golden Globes Film Predictions: Who Will Win, Who Should Win |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/golden-globes-film-predictions-who-will-win-who-should-win/best-actress-musical-or-comedy-8/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426200317/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/golden-globes-film-predictions-who-will-win-who-should-win/best-actress-musical-or-comedy-8/ |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |access-date=April 25, 2023 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In 2009, journalist [[Brian D. Johnson]] argued that Pfeiffer had yet to demonstrate her true range, believing she could potentially be as revered as [[Meryl Streep]] if afforded the same acting opportunities,<ref name="Johnson-2009">{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Brian D.|author-link=Brian D. Johnson|date=June 26, 2009|title=Courtesans gone wild in 'Cheri' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'|url=https://www.macleans.ca/uncategorized/courtesans-gone-wild-in-cheri-and-the-girfriend-experience/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517225209/https://www.macleans.ca/uncategorized/courtesans-gone-wild-in-cheri-and-the-girfriend-experience/|archive-date=May 17, 2018|access-date=May 17, 2018|website=[[Maclean's]]}}</ref> while film critic [[Mick LaSalle]] remarked that Pfeiffer's humility sometimes causes the public to overlook her as one of the industry's finest actresses.<ref name="LaSalle-2017"/> Film critic [[Pauline Kael]] named Pfeiffer one of her favorite actresses,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gelder |first=Lawrence Van |date=September 4, 2001 |title=Pauline Kael, Provocative and Widely Imitated New Yorker Film Critic, Dies at 82 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/04/movies/pauline-kael-provocative-and-widely-imitated-new-yorker-film-critic-dies-at-82.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223024956/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/04/movies/pauline-kael-provocative-and-widely-imitated-new-yorker-film-critic-dies-at-82.html |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |access-date=April 29, 2025 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> saying she always tried to see her work.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=Susan |date=1998 |title=Interview with Pauline Kael (Modern Maturity) |url=https://scrapsfromtheloft.com/movies/interview-with-pauline-kael-modern-maturity/ |access-date=April 29, 2025 |work=[[Modern Maturity]]}}</ref> Pfeiffer is particularly renowned for her versatility,<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Wittmer-2017">{{Cite web |last=Wittmer |first=Carrie |date=March 29, 2017 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer explains why she 'disappeared' from Hollywood |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/why-michelle-pfeiffer-disappeared-from-the-spotlight-2017-3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618102349/http://www.businessinsider.com/why-michelle-pfeiffer-disappeared-from-the-spotlight-2017-3 |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |access-date=April 22, 2017 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref><ref name="Taylor-1999">{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Charles|date=May 25, 1999|title=The dazzling versatility of Michelle Pfeiffer|url=https://www.salon.com/1999/05/25/pfeiffer/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028154149/https://www.salon.com/1999/05/25/pfeiffer/|archive-date=October 28, 2016|access-date=May 17, 2018|website=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]}}</ref><ref name="Patterson-2021">{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Adreon |date=February 4, 2021 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer On Why Getting Noticed For Your Looks Is 'No-Win' In Hollywood |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2562405/michelle-pfeiffer-on-why-getting-noticed-for-your-looks-is-no-win-in-hollywood |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529154102/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2562405/michelle-pfeiffer-on-why-getting-noticed-for-your-looks-is-no-win-in-hollywood |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |access-date=June 2, 2021 |website=[[CinemaBlend]]}}</ref> having accrued a filmography that spans period, romance, fantasy, musical, comedy, and drama.<ref name="Miller-2017">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Julie |date=March 28, 2017 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer Reveals Why She 'Disappeared' from Hollywood |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/03/michelle-pfeiffer-hollywood |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607043545/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/03/michelle-pfeiffer-hollywood |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |access-date=April 22, 2017 |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2012 |title=Happy Birthday, Michelle Pfeiffer! Celebrates the Star's Milestone Birthday With Photos Through the Years |url=https://parade.com/79531/parade/michelle-pfeiffer-through-the-years/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406160107/https://parade.com/79531/parade/michelle-pfeiffer-through-the-years/ |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=May 17, 2018 |website=[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]]}}</ref><ref name="Goldstein-2010" /><ref name="Acosta-2021">{{Cite web |last=Acosta |first=Carmenlucia |date=April 28, 2021 |title=Looking Back at Michelle Pfeiffer's Most Iconic Movie Roles |url=https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/michelle-pfeiffer-best-movies-scarface-catwoman |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225204449/https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/michelle-pfeiffer-best-movies-scarface-catwoman |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |access-date=June 3, 2021 |website=[[L'Officiel]]}}</ref> By 2016, ''[[Salon (website)|Salon]]''<nowiki/>'s Charles Taylor declared that no actor of the previous decade had rivaled Pfeiffer's versatility.<ref name="Taylor-1999" /> Summarizing her career as eclectic, Erbland believes she has rarely repeated acting choices, with the actress confirming she had always aspired to play the widest possible range of characters, even when her options were limited.<ref name="Erbland-2021" />

Pfeiffer was one of the highest-paid actresses of the 1980s and 1990s,<ref name="Rivas-2021">{{Cite news |last=Rivas |first=Irene |date=April 21, 2021 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer turns 63: the photos that show how the passage of time has affected the sex symbol of Hollywood par excellence |url=https://www.mujerhoy.com/celebrities/202104/29/fotos-sexys-michelle-pfeiffer-cumple-63-anos-sexsymbol-como-afecta-paso-tiempo-actrices-famosas-140213594496-ga.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507034449/https://www.mujerhoy.com/celebrities/202104/29/fotos-sexys-michelle-pfeiffer-cumple-63-anos-sexsymbol-como-afecta-paso-tiempo-actrices-famosas-140213594496-ga.html |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |access-date=November 24, 2022 |work=[[Grupo Vocento|Mujer Hoy]] |language=Spanish |quote=Known as one of the most beautiful (and talented) actresses in Hollywood}}</ref><ref name="Weinraub-1995">{{Cite web |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |author-link=Bernard Weinraub |date=September 18, 1995 |title=Skyrocketing Star Salaries |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/18/business/skyrocketing-star-salaries.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030519/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/18/business/skyrocketing-star-salaries.html |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |access-date=June 2, 2021 |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> typically earning $9–$10 million per film during the latter decade.<ref name="UPI-1996">{{Cite web |date=April 8, 1996 |title=Study: Film stars are overpaid |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/04/08/Study-Film-stars-are-overpaid/2778828936000/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602220215/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/04/08/Study-Film-stars-are-overpaid/2778828936000/ |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |access-date=June 2, 2021 |website=[[UPI]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Hacker |first=Andrew |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=euR4tWe0KrgC&q=%2412+million+michelle+pfeiffer+salary&pg=PA74 |title=Money: Who Has How Much and Why |publisher=[[Simon and Schuster]] |year=1999 |isbn=9780684864501 |location=United States |pages=74 |id=Citing a survey conducted by [[Entertainment Weekly]], Hacker named Pfeiffer the fourth highest-paid actress of the time, after [[Demi Moore]], [[Julia Roberts]] and [[Sandra Bullock]]. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406184529/https://books.google.com/books?id=euR4tWe0KrgC&q=%2412+million+michelle+pfeiffer+salary&pg=PA74 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=LaSalle |first=Mick |author-link=Mick LaSalle |date=July 16, 1996 |title=Why Overpaid Hollywood Stars Aren't Worth It |url=https://www.deseret.com/1996/7/16/19254786/why-overpaid-hollywood-actors-aren-t-worth-their-megabucks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408155656/https://www.deseret.com/1996/7/16/19254786/why-overpaid-hollywood-actors-aren-t-worth-their-megabucks |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |access-date=November 11, 2021 |work=[[Deseret News]]}}</ref> Aside from ''The Witches of Eastwick'', few of her films during the 1980s were major box office successes.<ref name="Hirshey-1992" /> In 1995, ''[[The New York Times]]'' journalist [[Bernard Weinraub]] said Pfeiffer belongs to a group of respected actresses who are "not considered a big box-office draw".<ref name="Weinraub-1995" /> However, several critics reported that her performances were consistently acclaimed, despite some mediocre films and box office returns.<ref name="Erbland-2021" /><ref name="Hirshey-1992" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lindsey |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Lindsey (journalist) |date=January 13, 1989 |title=Hard Work Is Moving Michelle Pfeiffer Closer To Stardom |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/01/13/hard-work-is-moving-michelle-pfeiffer-closer-to-stardom/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810111233/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-01-13/entertainment/8902250019_1_michelle-pfeiffer-british-director-stephen-frears-film |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |access-date=April 25, 2017 |url-status=live |website=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lindsey |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Lindsey (journalist) |date=January 1, 1989 |title=For Michelle Pfeiffer, It Was a Very Good Year |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/01/movies/for-michelle-pfeiffer-it-was-a-very-good-year.html |access-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801143540/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/01/movies/for-michelle-pfeiffer-it-was-a-very-good-year.html |archive-date=August 1, 2021}}</ref> Regardless, Pfeiffer was the sixth highest-grossing [[domestic box office]] star of 1990,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Highest Grossing Stars of 1990 at the Domestic Box Office |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-star-records/domestic/yearly-acting/highest-grossing-1990-stars |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106132404/https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-star-records/domestic/yearly-acting/highest-grossing-1990-stars |archive-date=January 6, 2023 |access-date=December 19, 2023 |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]}}</ref> and one of the few actresses whose salary corresponded with their box office appeal as of 1996, according to [[United Press International|UPI]].<ref name="UPI-1996" /> In 1996, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' ranked her the 67th greatest movie star of all time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Vernon |date=October 29, 1996 |title=Entertainment Weekly Magazine's - 'The 100 Greatest Movie Stars of all Time' |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/10/29/Entertainment-Weekly-Magazines-The-100-Greatest-Movie-Stars-of-all-Time/8571846565200/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301041932/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/10/29/Entertainment-Weekly-Magazines-The-100-Greatest-Movie-Stars-of-all-Time/8571846565200/ |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=[[United Press International]]}}</ref> By 1999, ''Variety'' named Pfeiffer "the female movie star most likely to improve a film's box-office appeal".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/1999/03/07/deep-thoughts-chic-michelle-pfeiffer-explains-attraction-of-flawed-character/|title='Deep' Thoughts Chic Michelle Pfeiffer Explains Attraction Of Flawed Character|last=Longsdorf|first=Amy|date=March 7, 1999|website=[[The Morning Call]]|access-date=May 17, 2018|archive-date=May 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518054728/http://articles.mcall.com/1999-03-07/entertainment/3235683_1_michelle-pfeiffer-area-movie-theaters-flawed|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2004, ''People'' ranked her among The 100 Greatest Movie Stars of Our Time, naming her 20th in the "icons" category.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lo |first=Ricky |date=July 29, 2006 |title=The 100 Greatest Movie Stars of Our Time |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2006/07/29/349860/100-greatest-movie-stars-our-time |access-date=July 10, 2024 |work=[[Philstar.com]]}}</ref>

Pfeiffer was awarded a [[List of actors with Hollywood Walk of Fame motion picture stars|motion picture]] star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] in 2007.<ref name="Walk of Fame-2007">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=August 6, 2007 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer |url=https://walkoffame.com/michelle-pfeiffer/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617021058/https://walkoffame.com/michelle-pfeiffer/ |archive-date=June 17, 2021 |access-date=February 1, 2021 |website=[[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] |quote=She rose to prominence during the late 1980s and early 1990s, during which time she gave a series of critically-acclaimed performances}}</ref> She was honored by TCL Chinese Theater on April 25, 2025 with a [[List of Grauman's Chinese Theatre handprint ceremonies|hand and footprints ceremony]] at [[Grauman's Chinese Theatre]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Mike |date=March 6, 2025 |title=TCM Classic Film Festival to Honor Michelle Pfeiffer with Hand and Footprint Ceremony |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/michelle-pfeiffer-tcm-classic-film-festival-footprint-1236155999/ 
|access-date=March 7, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Thayer |first1=Colson |last2=Juneau |first2=Jen |date=April 25, 2025 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer Beams at Hollywood Handprint Ceremony as She's Joined by Former Costars Dakota and Elle Fanning |url= https://people.com/michelle-pfeiffer-handprint-ceremony-hollywood-dakota-fanning-elle-fanning-photos-11722134 |access-date=April 25, 2025 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref>