Published on October 9, 2025, at precisely 13:53:21 UTC, this exclusive Business Insider feature offers an expansive and definitive exploration of Julia Roberts’ remarkable cinematic career. Accessible solely to Insider subscribers, the article invites readers to become members to gain full access to an in-depth ranking of every film in which Roberts has appeared — a comprehensive list that traverses her three-decade-long journey through romantic comedies, dramas, thrillers, and fantastical narratives.
From her earliest performances to her most recent projects, Julia Roberts has carved out an extraordinary presence in Hollywood, achieving both commercial appeal and critical admiration. Over the course of more than thirty years in film, she has demonstrated an impressive range — seamlessly transitioning among genres while maintaining her signature warmth, charisma, and emotional authenticity. Roberts’ earliest ventures into cinema revealed a performer of rare charm, and her evolution into an Oscar-winning actress established her as one of Hollywood’s true luminaries.
While critics have occasionally identified certain missteps in her filmography — pointing, for instance, to **“Love, Wedding, Marriage” (2011)** and **“Mother’s Day” (2016)** as her weakest outings — they have also fervently celebrated her commanding performances in **“Wonder” (2017)**, **“The Normal Heart” (2014)**, and **“The Player” (1992)**. The article meticulously chronicles these contrasts, illustrating how Roberts’ career has spanned moments of towering excellence alongside projects that failed to meet expectations, thereby offering a nuanced portrait of artistic longevity.
Her latest work, the forthcoming **“After the Hunt” (2025)**, directed by Luca Guadagnino, situates Roberts in the role of a seasoned college professor ensnared in scandal when a distinguished pupil accuses one of her esteemed colleagues of sexual misconduct. This reaffirms her enduring appetite for complex, morally layered characters, a trait that has repeatedly drawn her toward roles that challenge perceptions of integrity, empathy, and ethics.
The ranking that follows, anchored by **Rotten Tomatoes critic scores** (as accurate at publication, though naturally subject to change), functions as both an evaluative record and a celebration of Roberts’ cinematic trajectory — beginning with the least acclaimed efforts and culminating in those universally acknowledged as milestones of modern acting prowess.
Critics awarded **“Love, Wedding, Marriage” (2011)** — a romantic comedy in which Roberts lent only her voice as a therapist guiding Mandy Moore’s character — a mere 0%, marking the nadir of her filmography. Similarly, **“Mother’s Day” (2016)**, part of director Garry Marshall’s ensemble holiday comedies, fared poorly despite its affectionate themes of parenthood. Yet even these films hold value within her catalogue, demonstrating her willingness to remain creatively active while collaborating with beloved industry peers like Jennifer Aniston and Marshall himself.
Her mid-career explorations include **“Fireflies in the Garden” (2008)**, where she portrayed a complicated matriarch navigating family grief opposite Willem Dafoe and Ryan Reynolds, and **“I Love Trouble” (1994)**, a newsroom rom-com marked by onscreen friction mirroring offscreen tension with co-star Nick Nolte. Even her early hit **“Sleeping with the Enemy” (1991)**, a taut domestic thriller about a woman faking her death to escape abuse, showcased Roberts’ capacity to blend vulnerability with courage — qualities that would define many of her subsequent heroines.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, she experimented across an array of tones: the mournful romance of **“Dying Young,”** the historical melodrama of **“Mary Reilly,”** and the lighthearted ensemble mosaic **“Valentine’s Day.”** She appeared as an outspoken teacher in **“Mona Lisa Smile” (2003)**, a star-driven exploration of feminism and intellectual independence set in the conservative 1950s, and reunited with Richard Gere and Garry Marshall in **“Runaway Bride” (1999)**, reviving the chemistry that defined “Pretty Woman.” Her commitment to authenticity also extended into **animated storytelling**, voicing roles in **“The Ant Bully,” “Smurfs: The Lost Village,”** and **“Charlotte’s Web”** — each illustrating her appeal to audiences across generations.
Among her dramatic achievements, Roberts’ Oscar-winning turn in **“Erin Brockovich” (2000)** stands as her crowning triumph. Based on a true story, the film immortalized her as a working-class heroine whose fierce intelligence and empathy drive her to confront a powerful corporation. Equally lauded were her performances in **“August: Osage County” (2013)**, as Meryl Streep’s defiant daughter, and **“The Normal Heart” (2014)**, portraying a compassionate doctor amid the harrowing onset of the AIDS epidemic.
Meanwhile, her enduring capacity for charm and romantic intensity was encapsulated in **“Pretty Woman” (1990)**, where she immortalized the lovable and sharp-tongued Vivian Ward, and **“Notting Hill” (1999),** as the world-famous actress entangled with a bashful British bookseller. These portrayals solidified her global recognition, combining humor, vulnerability, and luminous screen presence in ways few performers have ever matched.
Her filmography also includes an eclectic array of roles in thrillers and political dramas — from the paranoid intricacies of **“Conspiracy Theory”** and the journalistic intrigue of **“The Pelican Brief”** to the real-world tension of **“Charlie Wilson’s War.”** Even in lighthearted ventures such as **“Ticket to Paradise” (2022)** or **“Ocean’s Eleven” (2001)** and its sequels, Roberts infused sophistication and wit into every performance, maintaining artistic credibility amid blockbuster success.
In later years, she embraced mature, emotionally resonant roles, such as the exhausted but devoted mother in **“Ben Is Back” (2018)** or the morally tested leader confronting catastrophe in **“Leave the World Behind” (2023)**. Through each of these incarnations, Roberts revealed a devotion to human stories — compassionate, flawed, and authentic — emphasizing her understanding of cinema as both entertainment and emotional reflection.
Altogether, this ranked examination encapsulates Julia Roberts’ transformation from small-town ingenue to international symbol of cinematic excellence. Her journey mirrors the evolution of Hollywood itself: a compelling fusion of star power, artistic reinvention, and personal authenticity that continues to inspire audiences worldwide. Readers are invited to explore the full ranking for a detailed look at each of these roles, discovering anew the extraordinary breadth and enduring resonance of Julia Roberts’ illustrious body of work.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/julia-roberts-movies-ranked
