Hilary Duff is headlining Hulu’s How I Met Your Father, bringing her back into the romantic comedy setting that made her one of the most recognizable stars from her Disney Channel days. The series has been reviewed by critics and is now part of Duff’s filmography that includes a variety of other TV shows and movies.
All in all, the actress hasn’t had the greatest list of credits when Rotten Tomatoes reviews are taken into account, with not as many “Fresh” ratings. However, a deeper look into the roles she played provides context toward her performances. These are primarily based on shows and movies where Hilary Duff had a main or significant part to play rather than guest appearances.
The Haunting Of Sharon Tate (2019) - 19%
Stream On Amazon Prime Video
This is far from the best movie Duff has starred in, but it shows up in the actress’s filmography to round off the top-10. The story is an alternative take on Sharon Tate’s real-life demise, in which Duff plays the titular character in the lead-up and aftermath of Tate’s killing.
To the film’s credit, it offers a creative venture into a story whose plot is a foregone conclusion by presenting a reimagined, alternate possibility. Duff looks relatively out of place in a horror-thriller movie, although she does deserve mention for trying to tackle new material outside of her comfort zone of romantic comedies.
Cheaper By The Dozen (2003) - 24%
Stream On Disney+
Having a house filled with children can be a nightmare, and the Cheaper of the Dozen kids could qualify for the Hunger Games based on how they drive their parents out of their minds. In the movie, Hilary Duff plays one of the older children, Lorraine, who has to tackle high school and take care of her many younger siblings.
The movie is mainly about patriarch Tom Baker (Steve Martin), who juggles between coaching his football team and the family that pretty much is its own team as well. Duff’s character, along with the other older siblings, serves to showcase the struggles the children have in adjusting to a new house.
War, Inc. (2008) - 30%
Stream On FuboTV, Plex, IMDb TV, And Pluto
A satirical political comedy, this movie is about assassin Brand Hauser (John Cusack) who is sent to the country of Turaqistan where he is to assassinate an oil minister. In the process, Hauser becomes embroiled with the people there and learns things about his own past.
Hilary Duff plays Yonica Babyyeah, a promiscuous pop star who’s set to be married to a Turaqistan local but tries to make moves on Hauser. The movie is all over the place with numerous characters, but Duff manages to stand out for the over-the-top performance she puts in for her role, and fans of the actress should be entertained.
Agent Cody Banks (2003) - 39%
Buy/Rent On Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu, And iTunes
Long considered among the best teen spy movies, this was the first big venture outside of Disney that Hilary Duff took. The film is about the titular protagonist, played by Frankie Muniz, who’s sent undercover to woo Duff’s character in order to infiltrate her father’s lab that contains items of importance to the government.
It might not have lit up critical reviews, but the movie still has great replay quality for the action-comedy aspect it brings and Duff’s chemistry with Muniz. With the spy action genre generally containing serious movies, Agent Cody Banks is worth checking out for those looking for a breezy experience.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) - 40%
Stream On Disney+
Hilary Duff appeared in the finale for her most famous character, with many still considering Lizzie Maguire to be the best Disney Channel movie. In the story, Lizzie heads off to Rome to celebrate her high school graduation and is enamored by an Italian pop star, whom her best friend, Gordo, insists is leading her on.
Although critics were so-so about the movie, it is specifically written to satisfy fans of the show, who are certain to enjoy Lizzie and Gordo’s burgeoning romance and the general atmosphere that the TV series also carried. The European setting adds to the aesthetic of the story.
How I Met Your Father (2022-) - 40%
Stream On Hulu
How I Met Your Father is the standalone sequel to How I Met Your Mother, bringing the same outline of the main character recounting the story of how they met their spouse to their children. Hilary Duff plays Sophie, who serves the gender-swapped role Ted Mosby had in the original series.
The show doesn’t appear to have the same instant appeal that its predecessor did, but is more representative of what the dating scene of modern times is supposed to look like. Duff plays to her strengths in the romantic comedy setting and viewers can have their pick of the character they best connect with in the ensemble cast.
Bloodworth (2010) - 50%
Stream On Amazon Prime Video
In this drama, the Bloodworth family is in focus when its patriarch (Kris Kristofferson) arrives back in their lives after 40 years. The three brothers, who have since grown up to have families of their own, have to deal with their father’s presence, who takes particular interest in his grandson.
Hilary Duff plays Raven, the love interest of Fleming, who’s the grandson of the main character. Duff has a supporting part to play and fits in well because her character is supposed to offer a third-person look into the Bloodworth clan. The movie also gives the actress some material to freely display her dramatic acting chops without the burden of being the lead.
According To Greta (2009) - 60%
Stream On Tubi
A movie that goes underrated for the way it deals with heavy themes, Hilary Duff appears in arguably her best acting performance. The story is about Greta, a troubled teenager who is left with her grandparents by her flaky mother and resolves to end her life, only to learn there are things that make life worth living.
The film’s direction is such that the otherwise somber outline is dealt with in a light way, as viewers can relate to Greta’s depression but feel a sense of hope that she will make it through. Fans of Duff will be pleasantly surprised to see her shine through in a dramatic variety and something so different from her Lizzie McGuire character.
Lizzie McGuire (2001-04) - 90%
Stream On Disney+
There’s nothing that screams early-2000s than Lizzie McGuire, which is among the first big-time successes Disney Channel had in live-action television. The series follows the titular character in her adolescent days, where she and her two best friends tackle school life as less-than-popular students.
The comedy series is distinct for the way it appeals to both guys and girls of its target demographic, with the general lifestyle of people that age shown in a humorous way. Hilary Duff became a Disney icon as a result of the series and the positive critical reception plays into that perception.
Younger (2015-21) - 97%
Stream On Paramount+, FuboTV, And Hulu Plus
This romantic comedy-drama series follows Liza Miller (Sutton Foster), a woman in her forties who passes herself off as a twenty-something to combat the ageist publishing industry and land herself a job. Hilary Duff appears as Kelsey Peters, Liza’s younger friend, who is bold and doesn’t shy away from making questionable decisions.
The series can be credited with putting Duff back on the map, as it brought the actress some much-needed positive reviews from critics. It relies on her dynamic with Sutton Foster’s character, with the two leading ladies essentially being the main ingredient that makes Younger work so well.