Aaron D. Campbell

Used to create a customizable rotating slideshow highlighting certain posts or 
pages. You can choose which posts or pages are featured by simply checking a 
checkbox on the write posts/page screen. The plugin uses the new post thumbnail 
functionality added in WordPress 2.9.
Requires PHP5.

Featured Content Showcase

Used to create a customizable rotating slideshow highlighting certain posts or pages.  Uses jQuery, which comes with WordPress (no conflicts).

kaser

Easily configure this widget to display any amount of posts (from 1 to 99) from a category into any widgetized area of your blog.
<ul>
<li>You can create custom titles</li>
<li>You can set how many posts you wish to display</li>
<li>You can choose from Posts or Custom Post Types</li>
<li>You can select any category</li>
<li>You can choose wether or not to link the widget title to the archive of that category or custom post type</li>
<li>You can choose wether or not to display the post title above the featured image</li>
<li>You can choose from predefined image sizes, or set custom width and height</li>
<li>You can choose to align the featured image Left, Center or Right</li>
<li>You can run as many instances of the widget that you want to!</li>
<li>You can order your posts randomly</li>
</ul>

AK Featured Post Widget

A widget that you can use to display your blog posts, custom post types, or woocommerce products!

Featured Content Showcase vs AK Featured Post Widget