From her first movies to her most recent ones, Julia Roberts has been considered one of the most elegant screen presences to ever grace Hollywood. After her breakout role in the 1988 coming-of-age drama Mystic Pizza, Roberts landed a career-defining role two years later in Pretty Woman. A decade later, Roberts won an Academy Award for Best Leading Actress for portraying real-life activist Erin Brockovich.
In recent years, Roberts has taken on ing roles in indie films. She also starred in the Amazon Prime Original series Homecoming in 2018. As such an icon of modern cinema, Julia Roberts is sure to have plenty of roles lined up in her schedule. Some of her older classics will always be ed, especially those that critics have favored.
Updated on June 15th, 2021 by Svetlana Sterlin: Julia Roberts' movies and her performances in them tend to have a certain quality about them. She has a graceful, measured, controlled screen presence. From her roles as alluring and self-assured women to reassuring and caring mothers, Julia Roberts always embodies the characters with an autonomy of her own. Here are some of her most believable performances over the years, ranked by the critics' Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes.
My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) - 73%
Julia Roberts plays Julianne Potter in what has become one of her most iconic roles. Julianne is shocked to learn that her best friend Michael is getting married. Suddenly overcome with emotion, she realizes that this may be her only chance to convince her that she's the one he should be marrying.
Though the plot may sound familiar, critics appreciated the dedicated performances from all actors. This romantic drama is perhaps a little sharper than many others of its kind, but still as warm and fuzzy as one might expect it to be.
Mystic Pizza (1988) - 75%
Set in the town of Mystic, Connecticut, Daisy Araújo (Roberts) and her sister Kat work at a pizza outlet with their friend Jojo. Even though they're sisters, Kat and Daisy couldn't be more different.
Kat works at the pizza parlor to make money for her college tuition, while Daisy just wants to enjoy life and have as much fun as she can. This causes a bit of friction between the sisters, especially when their mother expresses her disapproval of Daisy's lifestyle. Meanwhile, Jojo and the sisters navigate their complicated love lives.
Michael Collins (1996) - 77%
Michael Collins was a leading figure of the Irish battle for independence in the U.K. during the early twentieth century. Julia Roberts plays Kitty Kiernan, who was his fiancée.
The biographical period drama tracks Collins' political struggles as the revolution and the War of Independence unfold. Roberts' journey focuses mostly on her romance with Collins, but the film focuses more on politics and warfare.
Charlotte's Web (2006) - 78%
Julia Roberts provides the voice work for Charlotte in this live-action adaptation of E.B. White's beloved children's book. Charlotte is a spider living in a barn, where she befriends Wilbur, a piglet.
When Wilbur learns that he's been sold for slaughter, Charlotte promises to save his life. This endearing tale of friendship and loyalty conveys quite a serious message in a way that suits young audiences.
Everyone Says I Love You (1996) - 79%
This musical rom-com follows the lives of an extended upper-class family across New York, Paris, and Venice. These three cities play host to many emotions, love stories, friendships, and musical numbers.
At the center of the story is the romance between a young couple who lives in Manhattan. Their parents are Bob and Steffi, and Steffi also has an ex-husband, Joe, who meets Julia Roberts' character in Venice.
Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind (2002) - 79%
A year after starring opposite George Clooney in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
Adapted by Charlie Kaufman from Chuck Barris' memoir, the film follows game-show host Barris's adventures moonlighting as a CIA assassin. The Dating Game host claims to have been recruited by Jim Byrd (Clooney), a CIA operative who offers him a job as a hitman at the height of his popularity on TV. Julia Roberts plays CIA agent Patricia Watson, whom Barris meets on a trip to Finland to murder a target.
Ben Is Back (2018) - 81%
In Ben is Back, Roberts plays the concerned mother of her heroin-addicted teenage son (Lucas Hedges), who returns home on Christmas Eve unannounced after receiving a leave of absence from his rehabilitation center.
Unbeknownst to his single mother Holly (Roberts), step-father Neal, and little sister Ivy, Ben returns with a chipper attitude and healthy appearance. However, Ben faces a series of temptations as the night unfolds, leading to a devastating conclusion.
Charlie Wilson's War (2007) - 82%
Three years after working with the late Mike Nichols on Closer, Roberts collaborated with the director once more for the Aaron Sorkin-scripted Charlie Wilson's War. These two films were the last of Nichols's career.
The drama picks up when Charlie Wilson, based on the real-life Texas Congressman, learns from his close ally Joanne Herring (Roberts) of the atrocities inflicted on civilian Afghans by the United States. Risking his entire political future, Wilson enlists the help of a rogue CIA operative to help fund an insurrection in the Middle East.
Ocean's Eleven (2001) - 83%
Roberts plays Tess Ocean, the better half of husband and career thief Danny. Ocean's Eleven is the first of this star-studded heist trilogy. Roberts reprised her role in Ocean's Twelve, but not Ocean's Thirteen.
From director Steven Soderbergh, Ocean's Eleven concerns a gaggle of professional grifters and conmen who come together to steal millions of dollars from multiple casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. As Danny's estranged wife, Tess serves as the de facto conscience of her marital mate, who is tempted to walk the straight and narrow if he's able to win her back.
Notting Hill (1999) 83%
Following the critical and commercial success of Pretty Woman in 1990, Roberts starred in a slew of romantic comedies throughout the following decade. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the best of the bunch is Notting Hill.
Directed by Roger Michell, the film follows English hopeless romantic William Thacker, who has a chance encounter with American movie star Anna Scott (Roberts) in the bookstore he owns. Upon their unexpected second meeting, the two forge an unlikely romance.
