Seen as one of the most charming modern-day actresses of the big screen, Anne Hathaway movies run the gamut from epic blockbusters to understated dramas, and she has been a consistent force in show business for over 20 years. Ever since her feature film debut in Disney's The Princess Diaries in 2001, Hathaway has charmed audiences with her likable demeanor and ability to play a range of characters with utmost ease. Spanning nearly every genre, Hathaway's lengthy filmography is made up of hit after hit, and she is usually the brightest star in whatever movie she graces.
It didn't take long for Hathaway to garner critical praise for her performances, and even her teenage roles were noted for their diversity and strength. Her transition to adult roles was smooth, and she was one of the few stars to truly shed her child actor label and become a bona fide Hollywood icon as an adult, winning an Oscar in 2013 for her performance in Les Misérables. Anne Hathaway's best roles throughout her career have been challenging and diverse, and she has avoided typecasting throwing herself wholeheartedly into her characters.
16 Rio (2011)
Hathaway lent her voice talents to the fun family-friendly animated movie Rio. The movie follows the neurotic and domesticated macaw named Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) who falls for the free-spirited Gioiel (Hathaway) and follows her on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro. Rio's bright and colorful tone was enough to thrill younger viewers, and there was more than enough humor and charm for older audience members to enjoy. Though Rio wasn't Hathaway's first turn as a voice actor, her affability and likable nature shone through.
- Rio is available to stream on Disney Plus, Hulu, and Freevee
15 Dark Waters (2019)
Because of her status as a Hollywood superstar, Anne Hathaway movies don't usually fly under the radar, but Dark Waters was one of her more understated projects. A corporate defense lawyer (Mark Ruffalo) discovers a long history of pollution from a chemical company. Hathaway plays his wife Sarah in the based-on-a-true-story thriller, and though she isn't given much to do, she nevertheless shines. Though she is a recognizable face, Hathaway's ability to fall into a role completely was put on full display in Dark Waters, which helped to make the political story all the more gripping because it was so real.
- Dark Waters is available to buy or rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube, and Vudu
14 One Day (2011)
Further cementing herself as a romance movie powerhouse, Anne Hathaway starred in One Day and ended up being the most memorable part of the movie. The film follows the romantic exploits of Emma (Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) as their college friendship blossoms and withers throughout different stages of their lives. Unlike most romantic films with a clear narrative, One Day presented an unconventional approach to the love story that was largely effective. Hathaway's Emma was a distinctly realistic character, and she worked well with Jim Sturgess to create an onscreen bond that was more than believable.
- One Day is available to buy or rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube, and Vudu
13 Nicholas Nickleby (2002)
Adapted from the Charles Dickens novel, Nicholas Nickleby concerns the title character's dogged attempt to rescue his family from his ruthless uncle's cruel behavior. Hathaway plays Madeline Bray, an artist forced to financially support her father after he gambles away their money. Coming not long after her smash-hit Princess Diaries debut on the big screen, Hathaway delivered a stunningly mature performance that befitted Dickens' multi-toned source material. Funny in its execution, and with a strong ensemble, Nicholas Nickleby flew under the radar in the early aughts.
- Nicholas Nickleby is available to stream on Prime Video, Fubo TV, MGM Plus, The Roku Channel, Hoopla, and Tubi TV
12 The Cat Returns (2002)
Almost all the biggest Anne Hathaway movies have been live-action, but 2002's The Cat Returns allowed her to show off her vocal talents for the first time. The Cat Returns concerns a 17-year-old girl named Haru (Hathaway) who becomes unwittingly engaged to the feline Prince Lune (Andrew Bevis). Every Studio Ghibli movie has earned legions of fans, and though The Cat Returns isn't the most well-loved among the studio's illustrious catalog, it is no less effective. The evocative and nostalgic animation was perfectly balanced by the performances of Hathaway and her co-stars.
- The Cat Returns is available to stream on Max and The Roku Channel
11 Love & Other Drugs (2010)
Hathaway re-teamed with her Brokeback Mountain costar Jake Gyllenhaal for the romantic comedy Love & Other Drugs. Set in the 1990s, Gyllenhaal plays a charming pharmaceutical rep who begins an unexpected relationship with a woman named Maggie who has Parkinson's disease (Hathaway). A highlight among Anne Hathaway movies of the romantic persuasion, her chemistry with Gyllenhaal was undeniable and Love & Other Drugs is a well-remembered among Jake Gyllenhaal's movies. However, critics were split and the film's openness wasn't enough to offset its disjointed plot.
- Love & Other Drugs is available to buy or rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube, and Vudu
10 Becoming Jane (2007)
In her first time portraying a real-life character on screen, Hathaway won audiences over with her titular turn as famed English novelist Jane Austen in Becoming Jane. Based on letters written by Austen, the film recounts the romantic relationship between Austen and the dashing young Irish suitor, Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy). This untraditional romance film was charming and intense and continued to show Hathaway's talents as a lead actor. It didn't take her long to shed her label as a teen star, and though Becoming Jane was of the most underrated Anne Hathaway movies, it was still one of the best Regency-era romance films.
- Becoming Jane is available to stream on Hoopla
9 The Intern (2015)
Two Oscar winners in Hathaway and Robert De Niro join forces in workplace comedy The Intern. The movie concerns an uptight retiree man, Ben Whitaker (De Niro), who decides to intern for an upscale fashion website after retirement leaves him bored. Hathaway starred as Ben's new boss, Jules Ostin, a hip but overworked exec who desperately needs a little R&R. The film's warmth was its greatest asset, and the sweet premise allowed De Niro and Hathaway to play off one another with ease.
- The Intern is available to stream on TNT, TBS, and Tru TV
8 Armageddon Time (2022)
2022's Armageddon Time is a semi-autobiographical movie from filmmaker James Gray about his youth, growing up in a middle-class Jewish family in 1980s New York. Hathaway starred as Esther Graff, the young boy's mother, and her performance indicated another major shift in her career. The cast of Armageddon Time was stacked, but Hathaway still managed to steal the show with a subtle character that was nothing like she had played before. The coming-of-age drama delivered an emotional and grounded story about childhood and expectations for the future, and though it was a period piece, it was timeless as well.
- Armageddon Time is available to stream on Prime Video
7 The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The final movie in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises tapped Anne Hathaway to step out of her comfort zone. In the film, the Caped Crusader (Christian Bale) is faced with the seemingly unstoppable Bane (Tom Hardy) who plans to tear down Gotham City brick by brick. Hathaway appeared as Selina Kyle, and though she was never called Catwoman, she ostensibly brought the popular comic character to life in a new way. Unlike previous interpretations that were somewhat silly, Hathaway's grounded take on the anti-hero was a bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming conclusion to the trilogy.
- The Dark Knight Rises is available to stream on Max
6 The Princess Diaries (2001)
Often actors will take on many supporting roles before they get their big break, but Hathaway immediately stepped into the limelight with her feature film debut, Disney's The Princess Diaries. Hathaway plays awkward, insecure teenager Mia Thermopolis, who learns she is a princess. Mia is given "princess lessons" by her grandmother Clarisse (Julie Andrews) in a winning role, and though the two clash at first, Mia's confidence begins to grow. The Princess Diaries is a sweet moving about the power of finding one's own voice, and Hathaway not only holds her own opposite Andrews, but she proves right out of the gate that she is a true movie star.
- The Princess Diaries is available to stream on Disney Plus
5 Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Reaching an important milestone early in her career, Anne Hathaway earned her first Oscar nomination for the drama Rachel Getting Married. Hathaway plays Kym, a woman who temporarily leaves her rehab treatment in order to attend her sister's wedding. However, she soon finds that the occasion with her watchful family might not be the best thing for her recovery. Rachel Getting Married helped Hathaway shed her bubbly rom-com personality with her raw and complex performance. Her character was frustrating and sympathetic simultaneously, and Jonathan Demme's direction created an unsettling film that wasn't always easy to watch. That divisive nature turned some off, though Hathaway was particularly praised.
- Rachel Getting Married is available to buy or rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube, and Vudu
4 Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Hathaway's place as a star was fully solidified by her performance in 2005's Brokeback Mountain. Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist (Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal) develop an emotional and sexual relationship that is disrupted when they both marry women. Because of Heath Ledger's tour-de-force turn as Ennis, it's easy to forget that Hathaway gave a superb supporting performance as Lureen, Jack's wife. Hathaway was perfectly cast in her supporting role, and she added depth to the heartbreaking story.The film won three Oscars, including Best Director for Ang Lee, and was an important LGBTQ+ movie that changed cinema forever.
- Brokeback Mountain is available to stream on Prime Video
3 The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Of all the hit Anne Hathaway movies, 2006's The Devil Wears Prada was the film that put her on the map as a mature actor capable of going toe-to-toe with Hollywood royalty. Hathaway plays the wide-eyed Andy Sachs, a newly graduated journalist who lands a job as a personal assistant to the powerful Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), an executive for a top-selling fashion magazine. The character of Andrea allowed for Hathaway's affability to shine through, especially in contrast to Streep's icy Priestly character. The Devil Wears Prada has since become a quintessential part of early-'00s pop culture.
- The Devil Wears Prada is available to buy or rent on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Vudu
2 Interstellar (2014)
Working once again with celebrated director Nolan, Hathaway made her first foray into science fiction with Interstellar. In a dystopian future, a team of astronauts must travel across the galaxy to pave the way for the future interstellar travel of humankind. Hathaway plays Brand, a professor who joins the mission, and she was yet another big name in Interstellar's stacked cast. Noted for its compelling narrative, Interstellar was an emotional slice of sci-fi. One of the most financially successful Anne Hathaway movies thus far, Interstellar managed to gross over $675 million (via Box Office Mojo) due in large part to the overall star power of the cast.
- Interstellar is available to stream on Prime Video, Paramount Plus, MGM Plus and FX Now
1 Les Misérables (2012)
Directed by Tom Hooper, the classic Victor Hugo tale Les Misérables revolves around Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) and his honorable decision to care for the daughter of Fantine (Hathaway) while on the run from relentless police inspector, Javert (Russell Crowe). Adapting one of the most beloved stage musicals of all time was a difficult challenge, but the decision to utilize live singing made it tand out. Hathaway stunned as Fantine, and won an Oscar for her stellar performance that was topped off by her haunting rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream".
- Les Misérables is available to stream on Netflix