The 12 Best Julia Roberts Movies, Ranked

With her thousand-watt smile and wild mane of curly hair, Julia Roberts has an effervescence that is unmatched. Roger Ebert once described her as "an actress with a winning way; we like her, feel protective toward her, want her to prevail." She has a natural luminosity that conjures an unforgettable and commanding on-screen presence. Roberts quickly rose to fame after her role in "Mystic Pizza" in 1988. Throughout the 1990s and into the millennium, she became one of the most celebrated female actors and a bona fide movie star.

While she is often associated with romantic comedies, Julia Roberts has also tackled many intense roles. She has earned four Academy Award nominations and won for "Erin Brockovich," which also established her as one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors. She became the first female actor to receive a $20 million paycheck for a film (via History.com). In her three-decade-long career, Roberts has emerged as one of Hollywood's brightest stars, consistently bringing emotional depth and magnetism to any role, whether they're in fairy-tale fluff or hard-hitting dramas. This list ranks the best films in her diverse filmography.

The only reason "Pretty Woman" works is because of Julia Roberts' enchanting performance, for which she earned an Academy Award nomination. In this Cinderella story for sex workers, a high-end escort falls for her affluent client. Vivian Ward could have easily been a misogynistic stereotype, but Roberts gives her many dimensions. She is vivacious and brave, yet also naive and open-hearted. She's a streetwise girl but has an inherently sweet demeanor. Vivian refuses to have a pimp and stands up for herself, telling her customer, "You think you can just pass me around to your friends, I'm not your toy. You don't own me, I decide! I say who, I say when!"

There are so many moments that have been embedded in our popular culture consciousness; scenes like Richard Gere closing a jewelry case on Vivian's hand and her bursting into a hearty laugh, her radiant smile while listening to headphones in a bubble bath, or her triumphant rebuttal to a rude saleswoman. The audience is fully invested in Vivian's "Pygmalion"-esque transformation thanks to Robert's trademark luster. However, "Pretty Woman" operates in broad strokes, resembling an unbelievable fairy tale more than a nuanced exploration of sex work. The film leans heavily on over-the-top villains and concludes with an outdated rescued-by-a-prince message. But for Roberts' star-making performance alone, it is certainly worth watching.

"Wonder" is the uplifting story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters mainstream schooling for the first time in fifth grade. While the film could have easily devolved into mawkish sentimentality that fetishizes the disabled community, director Stephen Chbosky unfolds the narrative with a delicate grace that feels genuine. "Wonder" showcases how, at this stage of her career, Julia Roberts excels in maternal roles. Alongside Owen Wilson as August's kind-hearted father, she brings warmth and resilience to August's mother, who sacrifices her career to homeschool her son. She crafts a portrait of a determined woman caught between the desire to pursue her own ambitions and the fear of exposing her child to a potentially unaccepting world. Her fierce protection and loyalty towards her son are the heart of this tender film. "Wonder" is reminiscent of Peter Bogdanovich's "Mask," another inspiring story of how inner goodness and kindness towards others is what truly matters.

Julia Roberts earned a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nod for her role as Shelby in "Steel Magnolias," a fragile yet wilful bride with a lot of hope. Despite her doctor's warnings and the risks posed by her diabetes, she is resolved to experience the joys of having a child. Her character is the emotional anchor of a story that unites a sensational female ensemble featuring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, and Olympia Dukakis. Taking place in Louisana, "Steel Magnolias" revolves around this tightly knit group of women friends and family who navigate the highs and lows of life while gossiping at the beauty parlor. They're precisely the kind of strong, funny Southern women that you'd want to spend the whole day curling your hair with. It's a joy to be a part of their inner circle in this moving film that celebrates the power of female solidarity.

"Mystic Pizza" is just as warm and comforting as the delicious pizza sold in the quaint local restaurant where the film takes place. In a small Connecticut town by the sea, three waitresses navigate their post-high school summer and contemplate their uncertain futures. Julia Roberts plays Daisy, Kat's statuesque older sister. Her innate ethereality and grace are ideal for a role where other girls look up to her. Beneath her gobsmacking beauty and high spirits, Roberts communicates Daisy's deep vulnerability and insecurity. Her character is jealous of her sister's ambition and intelligence as an aspiring astronomer and feels out of place with her new rich boyfriend.

Donald Petrie's film is honest about the challenges of womanhood, such as the pressure to marry, power dynamics in relationships with men, and having a romantic relationship with someone outside of your class. It is a lovely snapshot of such a pivotal time in young women's lives, where you are torn between society's expectations and following your heart. In his review, Roger Ebert wrote, "I have a feeling that 'Mystic Pizza' may someday become known for the movie stars it showcased back before they became stars. All of the young actors in this movie have genuine gifts. Roberts is a major beauty with a fierce energy." He wisely predicted how this sweet little film would become the vehicle for Roberts' future fame.

"The Normal Heart" is a powerful adaptation of Larry Kramer's groundbreaking play. It follows a reporter, activists, and medical workers struggling to expose the truth about the emerging AIDS crisis. Julia Roberts brings a tenacity reminiscent of her character in "Erin Brockovich" for the role of Dr. Emma Brookner, a physician and survivor of polio who is one of the few to care about the emerging epidemic. She also fights for a just cause and raises awareness of the corruption hidden in our society. One of Roberts' best moments in the film is a firey monologue where she begs the powers at be to support the research and funding to eradicate the disease.

Roberts is just one small piece of a larger ensemble that brings to life this incredibly emotionally-charged, autobiographical story of a devastating period in American history, particularly for the queer community. Mark Ruffalo, Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer, Alfred Molina, and other talented actors deliver phenomenal performances. "The Normal Heart" is a bold film with a poetic and searing writing style that exposes the pain, rage, and inequity of those affected by the AIDS crisis.

Julia Roberts earned an Academy Award for her portrayal of the titular character in "Erin Brockovich," based on the true story of a law clerk and single mother who discovered a California power company had been contaminating a city's water supply. Director Steven Soderbergh crafts a tight, well-paced legal drama that hinges on Roberts' star power. Her natural charm makes it easy to rally behind her character in this classic underdog narrative.

Roberts fully immerses herself in the unique role, bringing to life a dynamic character who tenaciously pursues justice yet bucks corporate traditions. It's a culmination of the type of characters she has consistently played — a tough-as-nails, boundary-pushing woman with an unforgettable presence. It's easy to judge Erin by her cover — she's sharp-tongued and wears plunging necklines and miniskirts to the office— but she proves to be fiercely capable. She's the one who pieces together the corruption that is right under everyone's noses. Her unlikely emergence as a hero, and the way she puts everything together alongside her grumpy boss played by Albert Finney, makes "Erin Brokovich" a rousing legal drama.