10 Underrated Audrey Hepburn Movies, Ranked

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Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn is a Hollywood icon, but also one of the most loved and lovable stars of all time. Her glamour, stature, and talent are incomparable to this day, and she's often the synonym for great style. She had an interesting life: she was an avid humanitarian, classical ballet dancer, and a multilingual talent; however, she's most famous for her movies to wider audiences. Despite a couple of well-known roles, Hepburn's acting career consists of many features, out of which some are seemingly forgotten or overlooked.

While Hepburn's most famous movies include Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, My Fair Lady, and Roman Holiday, her devoted fans know she was in a lot more, and had immense acting talent. Though the listed movies are great– and she's great in them– anyone who loves and wants to watch more of Audrey Hepburn should be introduced to her more underrated performances. Her fans often claim she has one of the best filmographies of any actor out there.

10 'Paris When It Sizzles' (1964)

Directed by Richard Quine

William Holden talks to Audrey Hepburn with an arm around her in Paris When It Sizzles.

Though not very well received by Rotten Tomatoes' critics, Paris When It Sizzles delivers a classic Audrey Hepburn role. The movie combines romance and comedy, spoofing Hollywood and its moviemaking business. Alongside William Holden, Hepburn thrills as a woman who can see beneath the surface and challenge a person to reach their full potential. Paris When It Sizzles follows screenwriter Richard (Holden) procrastinating on a screenplay he was hired for. Two days before the deadline, his assistant Gabrielle (Hepburn) realizes he hadn't written anything.

Richard and Gabrielle begin writing the script together, enacting some possible scenes and ideas for it. During this time, a romance awakens between them, but Richard remains insecure, while Gabrielle continues to believe in him. She helps him get over his fears and loosen his emotional brakes; she is encouraging and cheerful, and no one better than Audrey Hepburn could have stepped into this role. She also delivers exceptional comedy skills, which isn't the first time, though it was a bit rare.

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Paris When It Sizzles

Release Date March 16, 1964

Director Richard Quine

Cast Audrey Hepburn , William Holden , Grégoire Aslan , Raymond Bussières , Christian Duvaleix , Michel Thomass , Dominique Boschero , Evi Marandi , Noël Coward , Tony Curtis , Marlene Dietrich , Mel Ferrer , Henri Garcin , Dominique Zardi

Runtime 110 minutes

Character(s) Gabrielle Simpson / Baby , Richard Benson / Rick , Inspector Gilet , Francois , Maitre d'Hotel , Gangster , Girl at Pool , Girt at Pool , Alexander Meyerheim , Maurice / Philippe (uncredited) , Marlene Dietrich (uncredited) , Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (uncredited) , Policeman (uncredited) , Sailor in Café (uncredited)

Writers George Axelrod

9 'Robin and Marian' (1976)

Directed by Richard Lester

Audrey Hepburn as Marian tending to a wounded Robin (Sean Connery) in Robin and Marian.

What do Robin Hood and his beloved Marian do in their spare time? After the events when they meet and fall in love young, their lives continue, in their own directions and as a pair. In Robin and Marian, the story follows Robin Hood and Marian as older versions of the original story of the Sherwood Forest hero. Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn step into the titular roles of honorable adults that have stood the test of time and found love in each other again. In a way, it's a testament to true love– though fictionally devised– and an homage to aging heroes who are still the same great people.

Audrey Hepburn plays Marian, who is now in charge of a community of nuns in an abbey. When Robin returns for her, it's clear they're still madly in love, despite Robin's crusades taking him further away from her. Hepburn dazzles in her role, especially in scenes with Sean Connery, where their chemistry is apparent. In the final moments of Robin and Marian, Marian delivers an incredibly moving speech about how much she loves Robin, with Audrey Hepburn embracing her devotion and adoration, hypnotizing the viewers and making them wish they could be loved like that.

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Robin and Marian

Release Date March 11, 1976

Director Richard Lester

Cast Audrey Hepburn , Sean Connery , Robert Shaw , Richard Harris , Nicol Williamson , Denholm Elliott , Ronnie Barker , Ian Holm , Kenneth Haigh , Bill Maynard , Esmond Knight , Veronica Quilligan , Peter Butterworth , John Barrett , Kenneth Cranham , Victoria Abril , Montserrat Julió , Victoria Hernández Sanguino , Margarida Minguillón

Runtime 106 minutes

Character(s) Lady Marian , Robin Hood , Sheriff of Nottingham , Richard the Lionheart / King Richard , Little John , Will Scarlet , Friar Tuck , King John , Sir Ranulf , Mercadier , Old Defender , Sister Mary , Surgeon , Jack , Jack's Apprentice , Queen Isabella , 1st Sister , 2nd Sister , Third Sister

Writers James Goldman

Producers Denis O'Dell , Ray Stark

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8 'Funny Face' (1957)

Directed by Stanley Donen

Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton in a gown coming down a set of stairs in Funny Face.

Though not totally underrated, Funny Face hides in the shadow of My Fair Lady very often. Audrey Hepburn's first musical saw her take advantage of the talents she garnered as a young girl, when she trained in classical ballet. In Funny Face, she joins Fred Astaire in a romantic comedy where she plays bookstore keeper and philosophy enthusiast Jo Stockton; Astaire plays Dick Avery, a fashion photographer who takes a few photos of Jo in her bookstore and realizes her potential for modeling.

Jo doesn't like fashion nor its concepts. She prefers to be cerebral and empowers herself through philosophy and books. Dick tries to win her over for photos, and love starts to grow between them. Funny Face was somewhat based on the George and Ira Gershwin's Broadway musical of the same name, which also starred Fred Astaire. Hepburn gracefully takes on numerous dance styles and shows off a sweet and silky singing voice. However, her biggest advantage in Funny Face is the fact that Joe doesn't succumb to pressure, but stays herself the entire time– much like Hepburn has during her career.

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Funny Face

Release Date February 13, 1957

Director Stanley Donen

Cast Audrey Hepburn , Fred Astaire , Kay Thompson , Michel Auclair , Robert Flemyng , Dovima , Suzy Parker , Sunny Hartnett , Jean Del Val , Virginia Gibson , Sue England , Ruta Lee , Alex Gerry , Bess Flowers , Iphigenie Castiglioni , Bert Stevens , Harold Miller , Franklyn Farnum , Brandon Beach , Carole Eastman , Leoda Richards , Marion Gray , Oliver Cross , Charles Fogel , Sam Harris

Runtime 103 minutes

Character(s) Jo Stockton , Dick Avery , Maggie Prescott , Prof. Emile Flostre , Paul Duval , Marion , Specialty Dancer (Think Pink Number) , Hairdresser , Babs , Laura , Lettie , Dovitch , Fashion Show Spectator , Armande , Guest at Aborted Fashion Show , Guest at Aborted Fashion Show (uncredited) , Guest at Duval's Fashion Show (uncredited) , Specialty Dancer (uncredited) , Uncredited , Fashion Show Guest (uncredited)

Writers Leonard Gershe

Producers Roger Edens

7 'Love in the Afternoon' (1957)

Directed by Billy Wilder

Audrey Hepburn stands on a street and holds a flower in a gloved hand in Love in the Afternoon (1957).

Love In the Afternoon is a stylish romance starring Audrey Hepburn, this time directed by Billy Wilder. Wilder's greatest movies were most notably romantic comedies, but he's one of the few directors who managed to tackle multiple film genres during his career. Still, in keeping with his greatest hits, Love In the Afternoon is another example of Wilder's great mind and Audrey Hepburn's ethereal charm. The movie follows Ariane Chavasse (Hepburn), a young cello player and daughter of a private detective who falls for a man he follows, Frank Flannagan (Gary Cooper).

Ariane is an inexperienced romantic, in her 20s and eager to find love. Frank Flannagan is an older man, a womanizer, and the object of one of her father's newest investigations. When Ariane sees Flannagan as an appealing challenge, she suddenly enters his life and their relationship develops into a blossoming romance. Audrey Hepburn is really the protagonist and the best part of Love In the Afternoon. She's delicate, with a brilliant knack for comedy and subtle humor, and elevates every scene she's in. Sadly, this isn't the first or the last movie where she was paired with a significantly older actor– today, this dynamic may be offputting to some viewers, but her talent makes the movie worthwhile.

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Release Date May 29, 1957

Director Billy Wilder

Cast Gary Cooper , Audrey Hepburn , Maurice Chevalier , John McGiver , Van Doude , Lise Bourdin

Runtime 130

Writers Billy Wilder , I.A.L. Diamond , Claude Anet

Main Genre Comedy

Tagline Love is a game any number can play... especially in the afternoon...

6 'The Children's Hour' (1961)

Directed by William Wyler

William Wyler's The Children's Hour was controversial for its time, though it proved to be more socially relevant as said time went on. Audrey Hepburn sure was ahead of her time when it came to choosing the right roles. It's an underrated Wyler and Hepburn collaboration, which also stars Shirley MacLaine, following two teachers accused of being more than just friends by one of their all-girls-school students, Mary. Since Mary is from a wealthy family, her accusations can't be reprimanded as easily; the movie cleverly and emotionally deals with homophobia, prejudice, and repressed emotions.

The Children's Hour follows Karen (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha (Shirley MacLaine), two private school teachers and longtime friends. Karen is engaged to Joe Cardin (James Garner), who can't handle the rumor that her and Martha may be more than just friends. Mary, who spread the rumor, didn't want to get caught in a lie, so she doubled down on it, making matters even worse. Though a lie in Karen's eyes, Martha begins to feel intense guilt because of the rumor, looking more and more distressed about its legitimacy. Audrey Hepburn delivers a compassionate and understated role, and Shirley MacLaine takes the spotlight as Martha in several scenes, while their chemistry is brilliant and sincere.

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A private all-girls boarding school becomes embroiled in controversy when a mischievous student spreads a rumor about an inappropriate relationship between the two women who run the institution. This accusation leads to turmoil, testing personal relationships and societal norms within the community.

Release Date December 19, 1961

Director William Wyler

Cast Shirley MacLaine , Audrey Hepburn , James Garner , Miriam Hopkins , Fay Bainter , Karen Balkin , Veronica Cartwright , Sally Brophy , Mimi Gibson , William Mims , Hope Summers , Jered Barclay , William H. O'Brien , Leoda Richards , Harold Miller , Pete Kellett , Stuart Hall

Runtime 108 Minutes

Main Genre Drama

Character(s) Martha Dobie , Karen Wright , Joe Cardin , Lily Mortar , Amelia Tilford , Mary Tilford , Rosalie Wells , Mrs. Wells , Evelyn , Mr. Burton , Agatha , Grocery Boy , Funeral Assistant , Parent at Piano Recital , Parent on Visitor's Day , Taxi driver , Mourner

Writers John Michael Hayes

5 'Two For the Road' (1967)

Directed by Stanley Donen

Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn as Mark and Joanna Wallace wear travel clothes in Two for the Road.

Stanley Donen and Audrey Hepburn reunited again to make one of Hepburn's best movies, Two For the Road. This drama blends comedy and romance, but most of all, it questions the quality and dedication of a long-term relationship. This movie is the first time Audrey Hepburn wasn't dressed in Givenchy, and portrays a housewife and mother. This could be why Two For the Road's initial impressions were weak and unimpressed. Today, this movie is one of the best portrayals of a long-term relationship and its ups and downs.

Two For the Road follows Joanna (Hepburn) and her husband Mark (Albert Finney) on a road trip to France. Since they have taken that road many times before, they reminisce about their relationship and its progress each time they have ended up on that very road. The couple's relationship is shown through four flashbacks spanning the past 12 years: when they first met and moments when they had their first challenges. With the couple considering whether their relationship can suffer any more downs, their trip becomes a dissection of love, devotion, and how the two perceive themselves in their emotional bond. Audrey Hepburn leads the way, taking center stage with each scene, but also giving Finney enough space to shine.

Two for the Road

Release Date April 27, 1967

Director Stanley Donen

Cast Albert Finney , Audrey Hepburn , Georges Descrières , Claude Dauphin , Nadia Gray , Jacqueline Bisset , Eleanor Bron , William Daniels , Gabrielle Middleton , Judy Cornwell , Irène Hilda , Dominique Joos , Olga Georges-Picot , Clarissa Hillel , Karyn Balm , Yves Barsacq , Roger Dann , Jacques Hilling , Jean-François Laley , Robert Le Béal , Paul Mercey , Albert Michel , Libby Morris , Moustache , Denise Péron

Runtime 112 minutes

Character(s) Mark Wallace , Joanna Wallace , David , Maurice Dalbret , Françoise Dalbret , Jackie , Cathy Manchester , Howard Manchester , Ruth Manchester , Pat , Yvonne de Florac , Sylvia Obino , Joanna's Touring Friend (uncredited) , Simone (uncredited) , Police Inspector (uncredited) , Gilbert, 'Comte de Florac' (uncredited) , Hotel Concierge (uncredited) , Boat Officer (uncredited) , Doctor (uncredited) , Farmer (uncredited) , Customs Officer (uncredited) , American Lady (uncredited) , Bit Part (uncredited) , Hotel Clerk (uncredited)

Writers Frederic Raphael

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4 'Charade' (1963)

Directed by Stanley Donen

Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant in 'Charade' side by side looking ahead.

Another Stanley Donen and Audrey Hepburn collaboration, Charade, is also probably the least underrated movie she's made. Though all of Audrey Hepburn's fans recommend this movie, wider audiences may be unfamiliar with Charade, a comedy mystery where she stars alongside Cary Grant. Many critics call Charade "the best Hitchcock movie that Hitchcock never made," but it could also compare to a James Bond flick, as it combines espionage with a murder mystery and professional thieves. The biggest advantage of Charade is Audrey Hepburn, though her chemistry with Cary Grant is undeniable, and the plot itself is charmingly convoluted but well-executed.

Charade follows Regina, aka Reggie (Hepburn), wife of estranged Charles. Charles dies soon after; she decides to divorce him, and Reggie realizes some suspicious men were after him while he was alive. Helping Reggie get to the bottom of her husband's affairs is the charming Peter (Grant), whom she meets at a resort in the French Alps. Peter is mysterious, but Reggie still falls for him, and they end up making a great team. Cary Grant returns to his best edition as a caper thriller star, something he got used to with frequent collaborator Alfred Hitchcock.

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Charade

Charade is a 1963 romantic comedy thriller directed by Stanley Donen, starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. The story follows a young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes entangled in a web of deceit and danger after her husband's death. With the help of a mysterious stranger, she navigates a series of twists and turns in pursuit of the truth.

Release Date December 5, 1963

Director Stanley Donen

Cast Cary Grant , Audrey Hepburn , Walter Matthau , James Coburn , George Kennedy , Dominique Minot , Ned Glass , Jacques Marin

Runtime 113 minutes

Main Genre Mystery

Character(s) Brian Cruikshank , Regina Lampert , Carson Dyle , Tex Panthollow , Herman Scobie , Sylvie Gaudel , Leopold W. Gideon , Edouard Grandpierre

Writers Peter Stone , Marc Behm

Studio(s) Universal Pictures

Distributor(s) Universal Pictures

3 'How to Steal a Million' (1966)

Directed by William Wyler

Audrey Hepburn as Nicole and Peter O'Toole as Simon pose with a statue for How to Steal a Million.

William Wyler's heist comedy How to Steal a Million is almost the polar opposite of his previous collaboration with Hepburn on The Children's Hour, and even Roman Holiday. This time, Wyler put Hepburn in the role of the daughter of a Paris-based art collector, Nicole; she stars opposite Peter O'Toole as Simon, an art thief. Nicole's father, Charles, is a collector, but most of his work is fake; he only wants to keep appearances with his enviable collection of art. However, Charles loans a Venus statue to a museum, which is targeted by several buyers.

Nicole and Simon join forces to steal back the fraudulent Venus before it's detected and Charles' integrity is questioned. During their mission, the two thieves fall in love, of course. Nicole is clever, resourceful, and thinks on her feet, while Simon is crafty and has great ideas. Their sensibilities match, and though both deceive each other initially, a great love story comes out of their fateful encounter. How to Steal a Million is surely one of the most underrated movies from the 1960s, which Audrey Hepburn deserves more recognition for.

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How to Steal a Million

Release Date August 19, 1966

Director William Wyler

Cast Audrey Hepburn , Peter O'Toole , Eli Wallach , Hugh Griffith , Charles Boyer , Fernand Gravey , Marcel Dalio , Jacques Marin

Runtime 123 Minutes

Main Genre Comedy

Character(s) Nicole Bonnet , Simon Dermott , Davis Leland , Charles Bonnet , DeSolnay , Grammont , Senor Paravideo , Chief Guard

Writers George Bradshaw , Harry Kurnitz

2 'The Nun's Story' (1959)

Directed by Fred Zinnemann

Audrey Hepburn as Sister Luke in The Nun's Story.

The one movie that most critics consider Audrey Hepburn's best work is The Nun's Story by Fred Zinnemann. He based the movie on Kathryn Hulme's novel of the same name from 1956, which Hulme wrote inspired by the Belgian nun Marie Louise Habets. The Nun's Story is considered one of the best book adaptations ever made because it was so closely related and faithful to the original story. Audrey Hepburn was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar and the movie received seven other nominations, including Best Picture.

The Nun's Story shows Gabrielle Van Der Mal (Hepburn), a Belgian woman who enters a convent in the hopes of serving in Congo as a nurse. When she begins her nun training, she's often reprimanded for being prideful and disobedient, which is something she struggles with the most during training. When she ends up in the Congo, she befriends a doctor there, and begins to question herself and her motives. She is forced to face her choices and make peace with the idea that some of her wishes don't need to come true; Audrey Hepburn embraces the role of a woman going through an emotional, mental and physical transformation, and audiences see her in this edition for the first time.

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The Nun's Story

Release Date June 18, 1959

Director Fred Zinnemann

Cast Audrey Hepburn , Peter Finch , Edith Evans , Peggy Ashcroft , Dean Jagger , Mildred Dunnock , Beatrice Straight , Patricia Collinge , Rosalie Crutchley , Ruth White , Barbara O'Neil , Margaret Phillips , Patricia Bosworth , Colleen Dewhurst , Stephen Murray , Lionel Jeffries , Niall MacGinnis , Eva Kotthaus , Molly Urquhart , Dorothy Alison , Jeanette Sterke , Errol John , Diana Lambert , Orlando Martins , Penelope Horner

Runtime 149 minutes

Character(s) Sister Luke , Dr. Fortunati , Rev. Mother Emmanuel , Mother Mathilde , Dr. Hubert Van Der Mal , Sister Margharita , Mother Christophe , Sister William , Sister Eleanor , Mother Marcella , Mother Didyma , Sister Pauline , Simone , Dangerous Hospital Patient , Chaplain , Dr. Goovaerts , Father Vermeuhlen , Sister Marie , Sister Augustine , Sister Aurelie , Louise , Illunga , Lisa , Kalulu , Jeanette Milonet (uncredited)

Writers Robert Anderson

Producers Henry Blanke

1 'Wait Until Dark' (1967)

Directed by Terence Young

Audrey Hepburn looking scared, standing behind an iron gate in Wait Until Dark (1967).

No one would expect to see Audrey Hepburn as a scream queen, but she stepped into the shoes of one of the heavily underrated psychological thrillers, Wait Until Dark. Many people aren't even aware of this movie as a Hepburn feature because they're so used to seeing her in preppy, sweet, and charming roles. Wait Until Dark marks another of her brilliant movie roles as well as Terence Young's ability to direct an intense thriller (that scared even James Cameron). Alongside Audrey Hepburn is Alan Arkin, who portrays a ruthless and eerie-looking killer.

Wait Until Dark opens with a woman carrying drugs in a bag at the airport. When she wants to avoid detection, she puts the bag in the possession of a photographer, Sam Hendrix (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.), who takes it home to his blind wife, Susy (Hepburn). The people who are after the bag are all menacing-looking criminals, but when they realize Susy can't see, they start toying with her to get her to reveal where the drugs are. This sets off a tense cat-and-mouse chase, though Susy is resourceful, smart, and catches on pretty quickly. This movie was incredibly popular upon its release, with some of the most intense jumpscares of all time, earning Hepburn a nomination for the Best Actress Oscar.