Julia Roberts is one of the most iconic and successful actresses of all time. With a resume that includes some of the best films of all time, it’s no surprise that we’ve put together a list of the 10 best Julia Roberts films. From romantic comedies to dramas, these films will have you laughing, crying, and cheering all the way through. So whether you’re a fan of Julia Roberts or just love good cinema, make sure to check out this list!
1. Mystic Pizza (1988)
Julia Roberts has come a long way since her roles in Mystic Pizza and Pretty Woman. She’s now one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood, and her 10 best films reflect that.
Mystic Pizza is perhaps Julia’s most famous role, and it’s easy to see why. This dark comedy tells the story of a group of young women who team up to open a pizzeria after being shut down by the Mafia. Despite its contemporary setting, Mystic Pizza is still incredibly relevant today – it’s full of witty humour and memorable scenes.
Julia also shines as a dramatic actress in Pretty Woman – her performance earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. In this neo-noir thriller, Julia plays Vivian Ward, a streetwise woman who becomes rich thanks to a mysterious benefactor. Vivian starts to question her morality after falling for Richard Gere’s Edward Lewis, and the film culminates with an intense finale that will leave you on the edge of your seat!
Julia also stars in two other Oscar-winning movies: The Breakfast Club (1985) and Steel Magnolias (1989). The Breakfast Club is probably Julia’s most popular movie among fans because it portrays adolescence in an honest and relatable way. Meanwhile, Steel Magnolias is based on Southern life during the 1960s – it celebrates female friendship and strength through some
2. Steel Magnolias (1989)
Steel Magnolias is an Oscar-winning drama about the lives of five women who live together in a retirement home. Julia Roberts stars as Rosemary, one of the residents who is struggling to maintain her dignity and sense of self after a life of hard work. The other women in the home – played by Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, and Emma Roberts – help Rosemary to cope with her past while trying to make sense of their own lives.
The film is frequently cited as one of Julia Roberts’ best performances, and it has been praised for its masterful storytelling and powerful message about female friendship. It has also won multiple awards including two Academy Awards (for Best Screenplay and Best Actress for Julia Roberts).
3. Pretty Woman (1990)
In Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts plays a prostitute named Vivian who meets Richard Gere while he’s on the hunt for a new housekeeper. Initially, Vivian is resentful of Richards’s attitude and the way he looks down on her, but she eventually warms up to him and they form a strong bond.
Throughout the film, Vivian helps Richard with his various business dealings and accompanies him on various outings. They eventually fall in love and get married, after which Vivian becomes Richards’s full-time maid/housekeeper. Though their initial relationship was based on sex and money, by the end of the film it has developed into something deeper and more meaningful.
Pretty Woman is an excellent example of a romantic drama that is well-written and directed. It has a charming storyline that will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Julia Roberts delivers an excellent performance as Vivian, and Richard Gere provides excellent support as her love interest.
4. Flatliners (1990)
In Flatliners, Julia Roberts plays Dr Evelyn Goodger, a cardiac surgeon who is working on a new procedure that can bring people back to life after they have been declared dead. However, the experiment goes wrong and some of the patients begin to experience bizarre and terrifying phenomena after they come back to life.
The film is a thriller that explores the ethical implications of medical experimentation and the boundary between life and death. It is also considered to be one of Roberts’ finest performances, as she delivers an Oscar-winning performance as a neurosurgeon with her moral code. Flatliners was critically acclaimed upon its release and has since become a cult classic.
5. Hook (1991)
The hook is a 1991 American romantic drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by James V. Hart. The story follows the love affair between rich boy Peter and working-class girl Maureen, from their first meeting on a ferry to their wedding day.
Julia Roberts stars as Maureen, with Richard Dreyfuss as Peter, David Paymer as Victor Crawshaw, Beau Bridges as Dr Jeffrey Geiger, Teri Garr as Mrs Peterson, Estella Warren as Lilly Devereaux and Chris Sarandon as George Bailey. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won two: Best Director for Spielberg and Best Actress for Roberts.
6. The Pelican Brief (1993)
In The Pelican Brief, Julia Roberts stars as a lawyer who is asked to represent the rights of a group of people who have been targeted by the government. Her job is to prove that the government has no legal justification for their actions and to protect the people she’s hired to help her.
The Pelican Brief was an instant hit when it was released in 1993 and it remains one of Julia Roberts’ most popular films. It’s suspenseful and well-made, and it will keep you hooked from beginning to end. If you’re a fan of courtroom dramas, then this is a movie you won’t want to miss!
7. Michael Collins (1996)
Julia Roberts stars as Michael Collins in this critically acclaimed historical drama. When she’s just a girl, Julia’s mother tells her the story of Ireland’s revolutionary leader Michael Collins. From then on, Julia is determined to play the part of Collins herself one day.
The film follows Collins from his childhood up until the time he is executed by the British government. It takes a close look at his complex relationship with fellow Irish rebels James Connolly and Éamon de Valera, as well as his complicated relationship with Prime Minister John Redmond. The cast is also stellar, including Liam Neeson, Fionnula Flanagan, and Edward Fox.
Michael Collins received rave reviews from critics and has won several awards including three Academy Awards (Best Actor for Roberts, Best Supporting Actor for Neeson, and Best Original Screenplay). If you’re a fan of historical dramas or Julia Roberts in particular, then you’ll want to check it out!
8. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
Julia Roberts is one of the most popular actresses in the world, and she’s shown her preeminent skills in several hit films. My Best Friend’s Wedding is one of them.
This romantic comedy tells the story of Julia Roberts’ character, who moves to New York City to be with her boyfriend and soon discovers that her best friend from high school is getting married. She must then navigate her way through a series of complicated relationships while trying to keep everything under wraps.
My Best Friend’s Wedding was hugely successful when it was released, and it remains popular today. It has been praised for its well-written dialogue, universal appeal, and excellent cast. Julia Roberts’ performance as the lead actress was particularly praised, winning her several awards including an Oscar for Best Actress.
9. Stepmom (1998)
In Stepmom, Julia Roberts plays a single mom who moves in with her son and his father after her husband dies. Though at first, it seems like an ideal solution, the dynamics of the household quickly become complicated. Julia must adjust to life as a stepmom, while also trying to maintain her own identity and relationship with her son.
The film is a masterclass in character development, and Julia Roberts shines as both a mother and stepmother. It’s an emotional story that will stay with you long after you’ve watched it. Highly recommended!
10. Notting Hill (1999)
In “Notting Hill”, Julia Roberts stars as the bright, beautiful and witty Parisian artist, Anna Scott. Anna has just moved to England with her husband, Richard (Chris O’Dowd), and their two young children, to begin a new life. However, when Anna discovers that her husband has been cheating on her with their nanny, she takes refuge in the home of her longtime friend and painter Sean (Hugh Grant). There, Anna meets Richard’s wealthy American friend Russell Crowe and they begin a passionate affair.
Meanwhile, Anna’s ex-boyfriend Sandy (Luke Wilson) is still trying to win back her love. He moves into Sean’s house next door and begins a romantic relationship with Anna’s daughter Angie (Emma Roberts). Ultimately, each character is forced to confront the consequences of their actions and come to terms with what truly matters in life.
“Notting Hill” was hugely successful both critically and commercially, winning multiple awards including Academy Awards for Best Actress (Julia Roberts), Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (Richard Curtis), and Best Picture. It has since become one of Julia Roberts’ most beloved films and remains popular today – 10 years after its release!
