Cinema

22 May 2026

The most stunning photos of Penélope Cruz, star of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival

For over three decades, Penélope Cruz has captivated both filmmakers and photographers alike. The magnetic Spanish actress is one of those women whose pictures never cease to mesmerize us. From red carpets to film sets, throwback to the most stunning photos of the magnetic star of the film La bola negra by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, presented in competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.

  • By The Editorial Team.

    • Published on 9 April 2025. Updated on 22 May 2026.

    Penélope Cruz in 1996. © Frederic Meylan/Sygma via Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz in 1996. © Frederic Meylan/Sygma via Getty Images.

    A fashion icon and muse for filmmakers

    Muse to filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar and Spanish and international cinema icon for the past thirty-five years, Penélope Cruz continues to fascinate directors. Her deep gaze, Mediterranean beauty and warm accent have made her one of the most sought-after stars in Hollywood. The most-nominated actress at the Goya Awards — the Spanish equivalent of the Academy Awards — also shone on an international scale.

    This recognition was at its peak in 2009, when the Spanish actress won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) by Woody Allen. In this iconic and iconoclastic film, she starred alongside Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem, her husband.

    Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz filming Vanilla Sky in Times Square, November 12, 2000. © Mario Magnani/Liaison.

    Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz on the set of Vanilla Sky in 2000. © Mario Magnani/Liaison.

    A Spanish actress in Hollywood

    One could spot Penélope Cruz in Vanilla Sky (2001) by Cameron Crowe, a remake of Open Your Eyes (1997), in which she had also starred. That sci-fi romance with Tom Cruise earned her a Golden Globe nomination thanks to her striking emotional performance. The chemistry between the two actors is undeniable on screen, so much so that they started a romantic relationship that lasted until 2004…

    More recently, the 51-year-old actress starred alongside Adam Driver in Michael Mann‘s latest film Ferrari (2024). She portrayed Laura Ferrari, wife of the legendary Italian racing driver. Her magnetic presence was also noticeable in the short film for the Chanel Fall/Winter 2024–2025 runway show. Alongside Brad Pitt, she reenacted a cult scene from Claude Lelouch’s feature A Man and a Woman (1966).

    L’Immensità (2023) by Emanuele Crialese.

    Penélope Cruz’s most beautiful photos

    Penélope Cruz at the Met Gala 2024, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024. © John Shearer/WireImage.
    At the Met Gala in 2024. © John Shearer/WireImage.
    Penélope Cruz at the Met Gala 2023, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2023. © Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images.
    At the Met Gala in 2023. © Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz in Parallel Mothers by Pedro Almodóvar (2021). © El Deseo / Iglesias Mas.
    Starring in the film Madres paralelas in 2021. © El Deseo / Iglesias Mas.
    Penélope Cruz in Official Competition by Gastón Duprat and Mariano Cohn (2021). © Manolo Pavón.
    In the film Official Competition in 2021. © Manolo Pavón.
    Penélope Cruz in the series American Crime Story (2018). © Copyright Pari Dukovic/FX.
    Penélope Cruz in the series American Crime Story (2018). © Copyright Pari Dukovic/FX.
    Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz at the Venice Film Festival in 2017. © Dominique Charriau/WireImage.
    Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz at the Venice Film Festival in 2017. © Dominique Charriau/WireImage.
    Penélope Cruz at the Pirates of the Caribbean photocall in May 2011. © Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz at the photocall for Pirates of the Caribbeans in May 2011. © Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011. © Anthony Harvey/Getty Images.
    The actress at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011. © Anthony Harvey/Getty Images.

    Penélope Cruz at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011. © Anthony Harvey/Getty Images.
    The actress at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011. © Anthony Harvey/Getty Images.
    The star Penélope Cruz. © Rune Hellestad/Corbis via Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz. © Photo by rune hellestad/Corbis via Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz at the Goya Awards in 2010. © Photo by Carlos R. Alvarez/WireImage.
    Penélope Cruz at the Goya Awards in 2010. © Photo by Carlos R. Alvarez/WireImage.
    Penélope Cruz in Broken Embraces by Pedro Almodóvar (2009). © Sony Pictures Classics.

    Penélope Cruz in Broken Embraces (2009) by Pedro Almodóvar. © Sony Pictures Classics.


    Penélope Cruz in Manolete by Menno Meyjes (2008). © Quinta Distribution.
    The actress in the film Manolete (2008). © Quinta Distribution.

    Vintage photographs of Penélope Cruz

    Penélope Cruz at the BAFTA in 2007.
    Penélope Cruz at the BAFTA in 2007. © Photo by Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz. © Frederic Meylan/Sygma via Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz. © Frederic Meylan/Sygma via Getty Images.
    The actress on the set of the film Fanfan La Tulipe (2003) by Gerard Krawczyk.
    The actress on the set of the film Fanfan La Tulipe (2003) by Gerard Krawczyk. © Photo by Etienne George/Corbis via Getty Images.
    The actress smiling at the camera in a white dress, 2001.
    Penélope Cruz in 2001. © SGranitz/WireImage.
    Penélope Cruz at the 72nd Academy Awards in 2000. © Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images.
    The actress at the 72nd edition of the Academy Awards in 2000. © Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz in 1999. © Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images.
    The actress posing at the Cannes Film Festival, 1999.
    The actress at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999. © Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz in Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health by Manuel Gómez Pereira, April 23, 1998. © Frederic Meylan/Sygma via Getty Images.
    Portrait of the actress in the film Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health in 1998. © Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz on the set of Open Your Eyes (1997) by Alejandro Amenábar. © Quim Llenas/Cover/Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz on the set of the film Open Your Eyes (1997) by Alejandro Amenábar. © Quim Llenas/Cover/Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz in 1996. © Frederic Meylan/Sygma via Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz in 1996. © Frederic Meylan/Sygma via Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz in 1996. © Frederic Meylan/Sygma via Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz in 1996. © Frederic Meylan/Sygma via Getty Images.
    The actress starring in La Celestina by Gerardo Vera (1996).

    Penélope Cruz starring in La Celestina by Gerardo Vera (1996). © Photo by Quim Llenas/Cover/Getty Images.

    Penélope Cruz. © Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz. © Photo by Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images).
    The actress posing on a bed, smiling at the camera, 1996.
    The actress posing on a bed in 1996. © Frederic Meylan/Sygma via Getty Images.
    Portrait of Penélope Cruz in Madrid, 1992. © Gianni Ferrari/Cover/Getty Images.
    Penélope Cruz in Madrid in 1992. © Gianni Ferrari/Cover/Getty Images.
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