30 Best Julia Roberts Movies Of All Time, Ranked
Julia Roberts Movies You’ll Want to Watch Again and Again
Julia Roberts has done it all, from making us laugh in timeless rom-coms to moving us to tears in award-winning dramas. Over the years, she’s played lovers, lawyers, and women who refuse to be underestimated. Here’s a look back at the movies that made her one of the most beloved stars in Hollywood!
Mirror Mirror (2012)
In this fairy-tale twist on Snow White, Roberts fully embraces villainy as the wicked queen but with a deliciously comedic edge. Dressed in lavish costumes and armed with biting one-liners, she turns evil into entertainment.
29. After the Hunt (2025)
In After the Hunt, Julia Roberts sheds every trace of her rom-com sparkle to deliver one of the most intense and layered performances of her career. As Alma Imhoff, a Yale philosophy professor caught in the crossfire of an academic scandal, Roberts portrays a woman balancing intellect, guilt, and self-preservation with astonishing restraint.
28. Leave The World Behind (2023)
Julia Roberts delivers one of her most gripping performances in this unsettling apocalyptic thriller directed by Sam Esmail. She stars as Amanda Sandford, a New York mother who rents a luxurious vacation home for a family getaway, only for their peace to shatter when two strangers.
27. Something to Talk About (1995)
In this heartfelt dramedy, Roberts stars as Grace King Bichon, a woman confronting her husband’s infidelity while redefining her sense of self. Set in the American South, the film blends humor, family tension, and empowerment. Roberts’ performance is both fiery and tender; she’s wounded but never weak.
26. Mary Reilly (1996)
A bold gothic departure, Mary Reilly sees Roberts play a timid housemaid in the home of Dr. Jekyll. Told through her eyes, the film reimagines the classic horror tale with eerie intimacy. Roberts’ restrained, haunting performance captures innocence colliding with monstrosity.
25. Hook (1991)
Steven Spielberg’s Hook reimagines Peter Pan as a grown-up lawyer who’s forgotten his magical past, until Captain Hook kidnaps his children. Roberts plays Tinker Bell, bringing ethereal charm and feisty humor to the role. Her sparkling presence gives the film warmth and whimsy, even amid its darker tones.
24. The Mexican (2001)
Paired with Brad Pitt, Roberts stars as Samantha, a sharp-tongued woman caught in her boyfriend’s messy quest to return a cursed antique gun. The film mixes dark comedy, romance, and action; and Roberts’ fiery performance brings energy to every scene. She’s witty, exasperated, and totally in control.
23. Duplicity (2009)
In this sleek spy caper, Roberts reunites with Clive Owen as ex-intelligence agents turned corporate rivals and lovers. Their chemistry is razor-sharp, filled with flirtation and deception. Directed by Tony Gilroy, Duplicity plays like a modern screwball romance, and Roberts nails the blend of sophistication and sly humor.
22. Conspiracy Theory (1997)
Opposite Mel Gibson, Roberts plays Alice Sutton, a government lawyer who becomes entangled in a web of paranoia and secrets when a taxi driver’s wild theories start proving true. She brings warmth and credibility to a twist-filled thriller, grounding Gibson’s manic energy with compassion and composure.
21. Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)
Roberts brings sass and sophistication to this political dramedy as Joanne Herring, a Texas socialite who persuades Congressman Charlie Wilson to secretly fund Afghan rebels during the Cold War. With perfect comedic timing and magnetic poise, she turns a supporting role into a standout.
20. Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Set in the 1950s, Mona Lisa Smile stars Roberts as Katherine Watson, an art history professor who challenges the restrictive expectations placed on her female students at Wellesley College. Her performance radiates quiet defiance and grace as she encourages young women to think for themselves.
19. Runaway Bride (1999)
Reuniting with Richard Gere and director Garry Marshall, Roberts plays Maggie Carpenter, a woman infamous for leaving grooms at the altar. This charming rom-com captures her signature blend of humor, insecurity, and warmth. Roberts’ comedic timing and physical expressiveness are on full display, while her chemistry with Gere once again works its movie magic.
18. Flatliners (1990)
Before Pretty Woman, Roberts joined an ensemble of rising stars including Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon in this eerie sci-fi thriller about medical students experimenting with near-death experiences. As Rachel, Roberts brings empathy to a film filled with adrenaline and moral tension.
17. Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)
Roberts takes a dark turn in this tense psychological thriller as Laura Burney, a woman escaping an abusive marriage and trying to rebuild her life under a new identity. Her performance captures both terror and resilience, turning a pulpy premise into a gripping survival story.
16. The Pelican Brief (1993)
In this John Grisham legal thriller, Roberts plays Darby Shaw, a law student whose theory about a political assassination puts her life in danger. Teaming up with Denzel Washington, she balances vulnerability and intelligence with ease. The Pelican Brief is gripping, and Roberts commands every moment with quiet intensity.
15. Mystic Pizza (1988)
This small-town gem introduced Julia Roberts to the world as Daisy Araujo; a bold, independent young woman navigating love and ambition while working at a pizzeria. Her fiery charisma and natural charm stole every scene, hinting at the star power to come. Mystic Pizza may seem modest, but its heart and humor endure decades later.
14. Stepmom (1998)
Stepmom pairs Roberts with Susan Sarandon in a deeply moving story about family, rivalry, and acceptance. As Isabel, a young woman trying to earn her stepchildren’s love while their terminally ill mother struggles to let go, Roberts captures the awkward beauty of modern families.
13. Money Monster (2016)
Directed by Jodie Foster, Money Monster casts Roberts as Patty Fenn, a no-nonsense TV producer trapped in a live hostage crisis alongside her on-air host. Smart, taut, and socially aware, this financial thriller proves Roberts’ strength in grounded, contemporary roles. Her performance reminds us that she’s as commanding behind the mic as in front of it.
12. Ticket to Paradise (2022)
Reuniting with George Clooney, Roberts shines in this tropical rom-com about two divorced parents teaming up to sabotage their daughter’s impulsive wedding. What could’ve been fluff turns into a delightful showcase of sharp banter, old-school chemistry, and heartfelt moments. Roberts plays Georgia with the perfect mix of poise and exasperation, reminding audiences why she remains rom-com royalty.
11. Ben Is Back (2018)
Roberts delivers a gut-wrenching performance as Holly Burns, a mother desperate to save her son from the grip of addiction. The film unfolds over 24 tense hours, with Roberts portraying both unwavering love and raw fear. She proves Roberts can still devastate an audience without a single big speech.
10. Wonder (2017)
In this touching family drama, Roberts plays Isabel Pullman, the compassionate mother of a boy with a facial difference navigating school life for the first time. Wonder celebrates kindness and empathy, and Roberts carries on with the story with heartwarming sincerity.
9. Closer (2004)
In this steamy relationship drama, Roberts plays Anna, a photographer entangled in a web of love, deceit, and betrayal with Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen. Adapted from Patrick Marber’s play, Closer explores desire and honesty where Roberts sheds her America’s Sweetheart persona, revealing a complex, morally gray woman torn between passion and guilt.
8. Eat Pray Love (2010)
As Elizabeth Gilbert, Roberts embarks on a global journey of self-discovery across Italy, India, and Bali. Equal parts spiritual and sensory, the film thrives on Roberts’ relatable warmth and introspection. Her portrayal of a woman rediscovering joy after heartbreak feels deeply human. She brings authenticity to a role that could’ve felt indulgent, reminding viewers that self-love isn’t selfish.
7. August: Osage County (2013)
In this intense family drama, Roberts takes a dark turn as Barbara Weston, a daughter confronting her toxic mother after a family tragedy. The role earned her another Oscar nomination and it’s easy to see why. Roberts channels fury, exhaustion, and heartbreak with blistering honesty.
6. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Reuniting with George Clooney in this slick heist film, Roberts plays Tess Ocean, the elegant ex-wife of Danny Ocean and a key piece of his revenge plot. Surrounded by an all-star cast, Roberts adds sophistication and spark to the testosterone-heavy ensemble.
5. Notting Hill (1999)
Opposite Hugh Grant’s awkward bookshop owner, Roberts delivers one of her most iconic lines: “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.” Playing movie star Anna Scott, she turns a fantasy premise into something real and deeply human.
4. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
As food critic Julianne Potter, Roberts plays a woman who realizes she’s in love with her best friend, just days before his wedding. What follows is chaos, confession, and karaoke. Roberts flips the rom-com formula on its head by making the “other woman” the protagonist.
3. Steel Magnolias (1989)
Roberts shines in this Southern ensemble drama as Shelby Eatenton, a vibrant young woman whose battle with diabetes adds heart and heartbreak to a circle of strong women. Surrounded by powerhouse performances from Sally Field, Dolly Parton, and Shirley MacLaine, Roberts holds her own with warmth and emotional honesty.
2. Pretty Woman (1990)
Julia Roberts became a global superstar as Vivian Ward, a spirited sex worker whose unexpected romance with a wealthy businessman turned into one of cinema’s most beloved love stories. Her magnetic charm, laugh, and vulnerability redefined the modern romantic heroine.
1. Erin Brockovich (2000)
In this performance, Roberts portrays real-life environmental crusader Erin Brockovich, a single mom who takes on a giant corporation polluting a town’s water supply. Her grit, humor, and sheer determination earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Roberts brings raw authenticity to every scene, blending fiery conviction with human vulnerability.
