This list is dedicated to the wonderful women who have given us outstanding performances on the big screen. Neither age nor appearance are factors in their nominations in this category, though each and every one of them has a beauty which, thanks to the magic of cinema, will be preserved for all time. What matters here is their talent as actresses. Whether the film is a drama, a comedy, a romance, an action thriller, or even a horror movie, these lovely ladies will forever be remembered as the best of the best in the very demanding career of a movie actress.
- 1927-28 – Janet Gaynor – 7th Heaven / Street Angel / Sunrise (WINNER)
- 1927-28 – Louise Dresser – A Ship Comes In
- 1927-28 – Gloria Swanson – Sadie Thompson
- 1928-29 – Mary Pickford – Coquette (WINNER)
- 1928-29 – Ruth Chatterton – Madame X
- 1928-29 – Betty Compson – The Barker
- 1928-29 – Jeanne Eagles – The Letter
- 1928-29 – Corinne Griffith – The Divine Lady
- 1928-29 – Bessie Love – The Broadway Melody
- 1929-30 – Norma Shearer – The Divorcee / Their Own Desires (WINNER)
- 1929-30 – Nancy Carroll – The Devil’s Holiday
- 1929-30 – Ruth Chatterton – Sarah and Son
- 1929-30 – Greta Garbo – Anna Christie / Romance
- 1930-31 – Marie Dressler – Min and Bill (WINNER)
- 1930-31 – Irene Dunne – Cimarron
- 1930-31 – Norma Shearer – A Free Soul
- 1931-32 – Helen Hayes – The Sin of Madelon Claudet (WINNER)
- 1931-32 – Marie Dressler – Emma
- 1931-32 – Lynn Fontanne – The Guardsman
- 1932-33 – Katharine Hepburn – Morning Glory (WINNER)
- 1932-33 – May Robson – Lady for a Day
- 1932-33 – Diana Wynyard – Cavalcade
- 1934 – Claudette Colbert – It Happened One Night (WINNER)
- 1934 – Grace Moore – One Night of Love
- 1934 – Norma Shearer – The Barretts of Wimploe Street
- 1934 – Bette Davis – Of Human Bondage
- 1935 – Bette Davis – Dangerous (WINNER)
- 1935 – Elisabeth Bergner – Escape Me Never
- 1935 – Claudette Colbert – Private Worlds
- 1935 – Katherine Hepburn – Alice Adams
- 1935 – Miriam Hopkins – Becky Sharp
- 1936 – Irene Dunne – Theodora Goes Wild
- 1936 – Gladys George – Valiant is the Word for Carrie
- 1936 – Carole Lombard – My Man Godfrey
- 1936 – Louise Rainer – The Great Ziegfeld (WINNER)
- 1936 – Norma Shearer – Romeo and Juliet
- 1937 – Luise Rainer – The Good Earth (WINNER)
- 1937 – Irene Dunne – The Awful Truth
- 1937 – Greta Garbo – Camille
- 1937 – Janet Gaynor – A Star Is Born
- 1937 – Barbara Stanwick – Stella Dallas
- 1938 – Bette Davis – Jezebel (WINNER)
- 1938 – Norma Shearer – Marie Antoinette
- 1938 – Fay Bainter – White Banners
- 1938 – Wendy Hiller – Pygmalion
- 1938 – Margaret Sullavan – Three Comrads
- 1939 – Vivien Leigh – Gone With the Wind (WINNER)
- 1939 – Irene Dunne – Love Affair
- 1939 – Bette Davis – Dark Victory
- 1939 – Greer Garson – Goodbye Mr. Chips
- 1939 – Greta Garbo – Ninotchka
- 1940 – Katharine Hepburn – The Philadelphia Story
- 1940 – Joan Fontaine – Rebecca
- 1940 – Ginger Rogers – Kitty Foyle (WINNER)
- 1940 – Bette Davis – The Letter
- 1940 – Martha Scott – Our Town
- 1941 – Joan Fontaine – Suspicion (WINNER)
- 1941 – Barbara Stanwyck – Ball of Fire