Julia Roberts’ 10 Best Film Performances: From ‘Pretty Woman’ to ‘Erin Brockovich’ (2024)

Role: Darby Shaw

Director: Alan J. Pakula

Writer(s): Alan J. Pakula (based on the novel by John Grisham)

Distributor: Warner Bros.

The scene that proves it: “They are wrong.”

Sharing the screen with Denzel Washington in the adaptation of John Grisham’s novel, Roberts’ work in the legal thriller was a box-office sensation, earning over $195 million worldwide. While this is a quintessential popcorn thrill ride, her work as the law student Darby Shaw brings suspense and depth to a memorable feature, which was the last film that Pakula both wrote and directed before his death in 1998.

Role: Isabel Pullman

Director: Stephen Chbosky

Writer(s): Jack Thorne, Steven Conrad, Stephen Chbosky (based on Wonder“ by R.J. Palacio)

Distributor: Lionsgate

The scene that proves it: “How was your first day of school?”

Coming-of-age drama “Wonder” seemed at first like a rip-off of “Mask” (1985) as it follows August (Jacob Tremblay), a young boy with Treacher Collins syndrome, a genetic disorder that alters the facial appearance. However, the movie is raised to new heights with its tender script and Roberts’ tenacious performance as Auggie’s mother, pulling at all the heartstrings.

Role: Holly Burns

Director: Peter Hedges

Writer(s): Peter Hedges

Distributor: Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions

The scene that proves it: “Just tell me son, where do you want me to bury you?”

In 2018, multiple stories about addiction were gracing the screens, including “Beautiful Boy” with Timothée Chalamet, which didn’t land well with Oscar. “Ben Is Back,” by writer and director Peter Hedges, didn’t fare any better but it features the raw and riveting performance of Roberts as the mother of an addicted son, played by the talented Lucas Hedges. She displays both the fear and force of motherhood, and the unconditional love that can often plague suffering loved ones.

Role: Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie

Director: Herbert Ross

Writer(s): Robert Harling (based on the play of the same name by Harling)

Distributor: Tri-Star Pictures

The scene that proves it: “30 minutes of wonderful.”

Roberts’ work as the eldest daughter of M’Lynn (played exquisitely by Sally Field) put the young actress on the map, earning her first Golden Globe for supporting actress and her first Oscar nom. Suffering from type one diabetes, she becomes a focal point of the story, bringing emotion to the depiction of a small-town Southern community.

Role: Barbara Weston

Director: John Wells

Writer(s): Tracy Letts (based on the play of the same name by Letts)

Distributor: The Weinstein Company

The scene that proves it: “Eat your fish, bitch.”

John Wells’ adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning stage play is a crowning example of how Roberts has continued to select stellar roles as she’s gotten older. She’s never taken on anything outside her scope, and as the daughter of the vicious Violet (played by Meryl Streep), Roberts brought her A-game. The only wrong move was being campaigned fraudulently for supporting actress — that nom should have gone to the excellent Julianne Nicholson as Ivy.  

Role: Anna Scott

Director: Roger Michell

Writer(s): Richard Curtis

Distributor: Universal Pictures

The scene that proves it: “Just a girl…”

An excellent Richard Curtis-penned rom-com, Roberts’ work as a famous actress who finds love in a bookshop is delectable. Alongside Hugh Grant, the British comedy has remained an audience favorite of Roberts’ stunning repertoire.

Role: Julianne Potter

Director: P.J. Hogan

Writer(s): Ronald Bass

Distributor: Sony Pictures

The scene that proves it: “Kimmy, I know you’re in here…”

The Queen of Rom-Coms, there are few outings better than Roberts as the food critic who is in love with her lifelong friend Michael (played by Dermot Mulroney) and ventures out to profess her love. With great turns from Cameron Diaz and the scene-stealing Rupert Everett, the film was a box office smash and has remained engrained in our cinematic psyche, just like its soundtrack song “I Say a Little Prayer.”

Role: Anna Cameron

Director: Mike Nichols

Writer(s): Patrick Marber (based on the play by Marber)

Distributor: Sony Pictures

The scene that proves it: “I’m disgusting…”

The amount of love I have for Mike Nichols’ romantic drama is quite possibly unhealthy. It features one of the best cast ensembles of the respective decade, which includes the vivacious Jude Law and Oscar nominees Clive Owen and Natalie Portman. And in the midst of it is Roberts’ snubbed turn as a photographer who begins a love affair. Perhaps it was seeing America’s sweetheart use such graphic sexual language that gave the voters pause, but it’s one of her most daring endeavors.

Role: Erin Brockovich

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Writer(s): Susannah Grant

Distributor: Universal Pictures

The scene that proves it: “Ugly f*cking shoes.”

Julia Roberts transforms into a foul-mouthed single mother in Steven Soderbergh’s legal drama, which earned Oscar noms for best picture, director and supporting actor for Albert Finney, the late actor’s final dance with the Academy. In one of the most competitive and quality-filled best actress fields of the aughts, Roberts won her Academy Award for best actress, which was deserved.

Role: Vivian Ward

Director: Garry Marshall

Writer(s): J.F. Lawton

Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures

The scene that proves it: “Big mistake, huge!”

The role that made her a full-on movie star. Her chemistry with Richard Gere is palpable on-screen. She elicits fantastic one-line zingers and stands as one of the finest actresses to descend into the Hollywood walls. A memorable red dress, an infectious laugh and banter with her best friend Kit (Laura San Giacomo) led her to her first lead actress Oscar nomination.