Julia Roberts movies span more than three decades and include romantic comedies, intense dramas, and box office hits. Her films have earned her an Academy Award and made her one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. From Pretty Woman to Erin Brockovich, her best movies showcase remarkable range and lasting appeal.
Who Is Julia Roberts?
Julia Roberts is an American actress born in Smyrna, Georgia, who became a global star in the early 1990s. Her breakthrough came with Mystic Pizza in 1988, followed by an Oscar nomination for Steel Magnolias in 1989 . She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Erin Brockovich in 2000, cementing her status as a dramatic powerhouse .
Julia Roberts Movies by Genre
Her romantic comedies define an era of Hollywood filmmaking. Pretty Woman (1990) cast her as Vivian Ward opposite Richard Gere and became the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time . My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) showed her comedic timing as a woman sabotaging her best friend’s wedding . Notting Hill (1999) paired her with Hugh Grant in a story about an actress falling for a bookseller .
Her dramatic work demonstrates equal strength. Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) proved she could carry a thriller about escaping an abusive marriage . The Pelican Brief (1993) placed her in a legal conspiracy alongside Denzel Washington . August: Osage County (2013) earned her a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for a raw family drama with Meryl Streep .
Her other notable films include the Ocean’s heist series. Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and Ocean’s Twelve (2004) featured her as Tess Ocean in ensemble casts led by George Clooney and Brad Pitt . Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) covered covert operations in Afghanistan . Eat Pray Love (2010) followed a woman’s global journey of self-discovery after divorce .
Julia Roberts Movies in Chronological Order
The chronological view reveals her career progression. The late 1980s brought Mystic Pizza and Steel Magnolias, establishing her dramatic credentials . The 1990s delivered her biggest commercial successes including Pretty Woman, Sleeping with the Enemy, The Pelican Brief, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Notting Hill, and Runaway Bride .
The 2000s opened with her Oscar-winning turn in Erin Brockovich, followed by Ocean’s Eleven, Mona Lisa Smile, Closer, and Charlie Wilson’s War . The 2010s included Eat Pray Love, August: Osage County, Money Monster, and Wonder . Recent years brought Ticket to Paradise with George Clooney in 2022 and Leave the World Behind in 2023 .The 2000s opened with her Oscar-winning turn in Erin Brockovich, followed by Ocean’s Eleven, Mona Lisa Smile, Closer, and Charlie Wilson’s War . The 2010s included Eat Pray Love, August: Osage County, Money Monster, and Wonder . Recent years brought Ticket to Paradise with George Clooney in 2022 and Leave the World Behind in 2023 .Julia Roberts Quick Bio
Julia Roberts on Television
Her television work has expanded her reach. Homecoming premiered in 2018 on Amazon Prime Video, with Roberts starring in the first season as a caseworker at a secret government facility . Gaslit arrived in 2022, a limited series about the Watergate scandal where she portrayed Martha Mitchell . These roles demonstrated her willingness to work in long-form storytelling beyond feature films.
Awards and Recognition
Her awards record reflects sustained excellence. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Erin Brockovich at the 73rd Academy Awards in 2001 . Her three other Oscar nominations came for Steel Magnolias (Supporting, 1990), Pretty Woman (Lead, 1991), and August: Osage County (Supporting, 2014) . She has also won three Golden Globe Awards, including Best Actress in a Drama for Erin Brockovich .
Julia Roberts Box Office Success
Her commercial impact ranks among the strongest of her generation. Pretty Woman grossed approximately $463 million** worldwide . **Ocean’s Eleven** followed closely at **$450 million globally, her highest-grossing film overall . Notting Hill earned $364 million**, while **Runaway Bride** took in **$309 million .
More recent films show varied results. Wonder (2017) earned $310 million** globally, a strong return for a family drama . **Ticket to Paradise** (2022) grossed **$168 million worldwide . Ben is Back (2018) earned only $13 million, reflecting her willingness to take smaller dramatic roles between major studio projects .
Which Julia Roberts Movies Should You Watch First?
New viewers should start with her essential romantic comedies. Pretty Woman remains the definitive introduction to her star power and chemistry with Richard Gere . Notting Hill offers a more bittersweet take on fame and romance . My Best Friend’s Wedding provides her sharpest comedic performance with an edge of heartbreak .
For dramatic depth, Erin Brockovich is essential viewing and her Oscar-winning career highlight . August: Osage County showcases her ability to hold her own against Meryl Streep in brutal family confrontations . Sleeping with the Enemy demonstrates her capacity for suspense and vulnerability .
Frequently Asked Questions
Her most famous movie is widely considered Pretty Woman, the 1990 romantic comedy that made her a superstar . She has appeared in more than 50 films across her career, from leading roles to supporting parts and voice work . Her first major film role came in Mystic Pizza in 1988 . She won her Oscar for Erin Brockovich in 2001 .
Conclusion
Julia Roberts movies reflect a career built on versatility and audience connection. From romantic comedies that defined the 1990s to dramatic roles that earned critical acclaim, her filmography offers something for every viewer. The Ocean’s series demonstrates her skill in ensembles, while Erin Brockovich proves her dramatic gravity. Whether revisiting classics or discovering her recent work, her best films reward both nostalgia and fresh attention.Frequently Asked Questions
What is Julia Roberts’s most famous movie?
Pretty Woman (1990) is widely regarded as her most iconic film. The romantic comedy cast her opposite Richard Gere and became a cultural phenomenon, earning Roberts her second Academy Award nomination and establishing her as a global star . The film grossed approximately $464 million worldwide .
How many movies has Julia Roberts appeared in?
Julia Roberts has appeared in roughly 50 to 60 films across her career, spanning from her 1988 breakthrough in Mystic Pizza to recent releases like Leave the World Behind (2023) . Her filmography includes romantic comedies, dramas, thrillers, and voice roles in animated features .
What was Julia Roberts’s first major film role?
Her first critical success came with the independent film Mystic Pizza in 1988, where she played Daisy Araújo . She had previously appeared in Satisfaction (1988) and filmed a small role in Blood Red alongside her brother Eric Roberts, though that film was not released until 1989 .
Has Julia Roberts won an Academy Award?
Yes. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Erin Brockovich (2000) . She has received three additional Oscar nominations: Best Supporting Actress for Steel Magnolias (1989) and August: Osage County (2013), and Best Actress for Pretty Woman (1990) .
What television shows has Julia Roberts starred in?
Roberts starred in the psychological thriller series Homecoming (2018) for Amazon Prime Video, playing a caseworker at a secret government facility . She also portrayed Martha Mitchell in the limited series Gaslit (2022), which explored the Watergate scandal .
