20 Best Anne Hathaway Movies

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Collage of Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married, The Devil Wears Prada, and Les Miserables Custom Image by SR Image Editor

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 easily play a range of characters. 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.

Hathaway didn't take long 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 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.

20 One Day (2011)

Emma Morley

One Day (2011) - Poster - Anne Hathaway & Jim Sturgess Kissing

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One Day, directed by Lone Scherfig, follows the complex on-again, off-again relationship between Emma Morley (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess) over the course of nearly two decades, checking in on the couple on the same day every year, July 15th, St. Swithin's Day.

Release Date March 2, 2011

Runtime 107 Minutes

Cast Anne Hathaway , Jim Sturgess , Tom Mison , Jodie Whittaker , Rafe Spall

Director Lone Scherfig

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 is a distinctly realistic character, and she works well with Jim Sturgess to create an onscreen bond that is more than believable. While critics panned the movie, with a low 36% Rotten Tomatoes score, the audience score was more forgiving, with most of the praise going to Hathaway and Sturgess's performance, and most complaints were about changes made to the source material.

19 Alice In Wonderland (2010)

Mirana / The White Queen

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Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton, follows 19-year-old Alice as she returns to the fantastical realm she visited in her youth. In this visually rich adaptation, she embarks on a journey to uncover her true destiny amidst a cast of eccentric and memorable characters.

Release Date March 3, 2010

Runtime 108 minutes

Cast Johnny Depp , Mia Wasikowska , Anne Hathaway , Helena Bonham Carter , Crispin Glover , Matt Lucas , Alan Rickman , Stephen Fry , Michael Sheen , Timothy Spall , Marton Csokas , Lindsay Duncan , Geraldine James , Tim Pigott-Smith , Leo Bill , Frances de la Tour , Christopher Lee , Paul Whitehouse , Barbara Windsor , Michael Gough , Imelda Staunton , Eleanor Tomlinson , Rebecca Crookshank , Jemma Powell , Eleanor Gecks

In 2010, director Tim Burton brought a live-action version of Alice in Wonderland. His weird aesthetic and colorful visuals brought the classic fairy tale to life, although critics were not as kind when discussing the merits of this newly updated version. Newcomer Mia Wasikowska took on the role of Alice, but she was often overshadowed by the visuals, vibrant colors, and Johnny Depp stealing scenes as The Mad Hatter. As for Anne Hathaway, she took on the role of the White Queen Mirana, opposite Helena Bonham Carter's Red Queen.

Hathaway brought her own vision to the character, almost a version of a punk-rock pacifist.

That was part of the problem, though, as Carter was over-the-top and overshadowed most of the characters she interacted with as the large-headed Red Queen, and Hathaway's performance as the kinder, gentler Queen never seemed to contrast as well as it could have. Regardless, Hathaway brought her own vision to the character, almost a version of a punk-rock pacifist, and the film broke $1 billion at the box office to remain a success.

18 Mothers' Instinct (2024)

Céline

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Based on the novel by Barbara Abel, Mothers' Instinct is a drama-thriller by director Benoît Delhomme. Two housewives find their idyllic life shattered when one of their children is involved in a tragic accident, pitting the two women against each other as they begin to question the authenticity of their friendship over the years.

Runtime 94 Minutes

Director Benoît Delhomme

Distributor(s) Neon

One of two movies Anne Hathaway starred in during 2024, she shared the screen with Jessica Chastain in the psychological thriller Mothers' Instinct. Based on the novel by Barbara Abel, and a remake of the 2018 French-language film of the same name, it tells the story of two women who live next door to each other who experience tragedy when the son of one of the mothers (Hathaway) falls to his death. After the boy's death, the grieving mother develops a strong relationship with her neighbor's son.

The film is an extremely dark thriller with a twisted ending, which is likely why it was a hard watch for many viewers, who rated it at a low 45% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics were slightly more rewarding of the movie, but their praise went mostly toward Hathaway and Chastain, the two lead mothers in the film, and their deadly game that led to tragedy. The biggest critics' complaint was not the acting but the film's unsteady switching between melodrama and noir thriller.

17 The Witches (2020)

The Grand High Witch

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The Witches is a reimagined adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic novel, helmed by Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future), and tells the darkly comedic but heartwarming tale of a young orphaned boy who goes to live with his loving Grandmother. The two soon begin to run into devious and calculating witches, prompting her to take him away to a resort. However, they arrive at precisely the same time that the world’s Grand High Witch has gathered her fellow witches from around the globe—undercover—to carry out her nefarious plans.

Release Date October 22, 2020

Runtime 106 minutes

Cast Jonathan Livingstone , Anne Hathaway , Morgana Robinson , Chris Rock , Simon Manyonda , Charles Edwards , Eurydice El-Etr , Stanley Tucci , Eugenia Caruso , Octavia Spencer , Codie-Lei Eastick , Zeke Taylor , Jahzir Bruno

Director Robert Zemeckis

Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures

In 2020, Anne Hathaway took on the lead villain role in the remake of the horror classic The Witches. Based on the Roald Dahl novel and directed by Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future), the movie re-tells the story of a coven of witches that puts the life of a young boy in danger when he learns that they remain young and powerful by feeding on children. Anne Hathaway plays the Grand High Witch, the evil woman in charge of the coven who will do anything she can to keep her coven strong.

Hathaway received praise for her over-the-top performance but failed to match up to Angelica Huston from the original film.

However, what dragged the movie down in critical reception was that people compared it to the original movie adaptation from 1990. Hathaway received praise for her over-the-top performance but failed to match up to Angelica Huston from the original film. Released late in 2020, the film received a small theatrical release and had most of its viewers watching it on streaming, thanks to the pandemic.

16 Rio (2011)

Jewel (voice)

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Directed by Carlos Saldanha, Rio is a 2011 3D animated feature from Blue Sky Studios. The release features voices from Jamie Foxx, will.i.am, Anne Hathaway, and Jesse Eisenberg. The story tells of a rare domesticated Macaw that is sent to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to mate with one of the last remaining birds of his species.

Release Date April 15, 2011

Runtime 96minutes

Main Genre Adventure

Director Carlos Saldanha

Distributor(s) 20th Century Fox

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.

Anne Hathaway reprised her role in Rio 2 in 2014.

Though Rio wasn't Hathaway's first turn as a voice actor, her affability and likable nature shone through. Hathaway was just a part of the impressive cast, including Leslie Mann, George Lopez, Tracy Morgan, Jane Lynch, and Wanda Sykes. "Real in Rio" earned an Oscar nomination for Best Song and the animated release also picked up seven Annie Awards nominations, winning for Best Character Animation in an Animated Production.

15 Dark Waters (2019)

Sarah Barlage Bilott

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Dark Waters is a biographical legal thriller directed by Todd Haynes. Mark Ruffalo stars as environmental attorney Robert Bilott, who takes on an extensive legal battle against chemical giant DuPont after discovering evidence of toxic contamination in a small town. The film also features Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, and Bill Camp, portraying the personal and professional challenges faced during the pursuit of justice.

Release Date November 22, 2019

Runtime 126 minutes

Cast Bill Camp , Louisa Krause , Denise Dal Vera , Bill Pullman , Mare Winningham , Daniel R. Hill , Anne Hathaway , Tim Robbins , William Jackson Harper , Kevin Crowley , Mark Ruffalo , Victor Garber

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 completely inhabit a role is on full display in Dark Waters. This made the political story all the more gripping because it was so real. Critics loved the movie, awarding it a high 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the praise going to the story relaying the real-life horrors of the victims in a respectable way. While Hathaway received praise for her performance, it was Mark Ruffalo who earned awards recognition at the end of the year.

14 The Idea Of You (2024)

Solène Marchand

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Based on the acclaimed, contemporary love story of the same name, The Idea of You centers on Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mom who begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. When Solène must step in to chaperone her teenage daughter’s trip to the Coachella Music Festival after her ex bails at the last minute, she has a chance encounter with Hayes and there is an instant, undeniable spark. As they begin a whirlwind romance, it isn’t long before Hayes’ superstar status poses unavoidable challenges to their relationship, and Solène soon discovers that life in the glare of his spotlight might be more than she bargained for.
 

Release Date May 2, 2024

Runtime 115 Minutes

Cast Anne Hathaway Nicholas Galitzine , Ella Rubin , Annie Mumolo , Reid Scott , Perry Mattfeld , Jordan Aaron Hall , Mathilda Gianopoulos

Director Michael Showalter

Anne Hathaway returned to the romantic comedy genre with her turn in the 2024 film The Idea of You. In this movie, Hathaway plays Solène Marchand, a divorced art gallery owner in Los Angeles. When she takes her kids to Coachella, she meets a member of a popular band who is 16 years younger than her, and they develop an attraction that both bothers and excites Solène. The story is about both the age gap and the struggles of a regular person to date a major celebrity and how it affects their personal lives.

Like that film, this one also received positive critical reviews, with most of the praise going to Anne Hathaway and her performance as a rom-com leading lady.

Michael Showalter (The State) directs the movie, following his Oscar-worthy 2021 film, The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Like that film, this one also received positive critical reviews, with most of the praise going to Anne Hathaway and her performance as a rom-com leading lady. Showalter also received praise for making a romantic comedy seem big and important again despite foregoing a theatrical release for a premiere on Prime Video.

13 Nicholas Nickleby (2002)

Madeline Bray

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Nicholas Nickleby (2002) is a period drama film that follows the journey of Nicholas, a young man who must navigate numerous challenges and injustices to support his family after the death of his father. Set in 19th century England, the film captures the struggles and resilience of its characters, drawing on themes of compassion and determination against adversity.

Release Date December 27, 2002

Runtime 132 minutes

Cast Charlie Hunnam , Nathan Lane , Jim Broadbent , Christopher Plummer , Jamie Bell , Anne Hathaway , Alan Cumming , Timothy Spall , Romola Garai , Andrew Havill , Stella Gonet , Hugh Mitchell , Tom Courtenay , Juliet Stevenson , Lucy Davis , Kevin McKidd , Edward Fox , Nicholas Rowe , Angus Wright , Barry Humphries , Eileen Walsh , Mark Wells , Daisy Haggard , Phil Davis , Gerard Horan , William Ash , Sophie Thompson , David Bradley , Edward Hogg , Roger Ashton-Griffiths , Angela Curran , Bruce Cook

Director Douglas McGrath

Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) , United Artists

Adapted from the Charles Dickens novel, Nicholas Nickleby features 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. This was the movie that helped turn Charlie Hunnam into a star and was a strong early role for Hathaway as well. The film was a box office bomb, although it has since become more appreciated for both the actors and the overall quality of the film. It did earn a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.

12 The Cat Returns (2002)

Haru Yoshioka (voice)

The Cat Returns - Poster

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The Cat Returns is a Japanese animated fantasy film directed by Hiroyuki Morita and produced by Studio Ghibli. The story follows a young girl named Haru who saves a cat from traffic, only to find herself whisked away to the Cat Kingdom where she is honored for her bravery. The film explores themes of self-discovery and courage, featuring whimsical characters and imaginative settings.

Release Date July 13, 2005

Cast Chizuru Ikewaki , Yoshihiko Hakamada , Aki Maeda , Takayuki Yamada , Hitomi Sato , Kenta Satoi , Mari Hamada , Tetsu Watanabe , Yôsuke Saitô , Kumiko Okae , Tetsurô Tanba , Yô Ôizumi

Director Hiroyuki Morita

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 who becomes unwittingly engaged to the feline Prince Lune (Andrew Bevis). While Chizuru Ikewaki voices the role in the original film, Anne Hathaway voices the girl in the American dubbed version of the movie.

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. With an 88% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Cat Returns won the Excellence Prize at the 2002 Japan Media Arts Festival.

11 Love & Other Drugs (2010)

Maggie Murdock

Love & Other Drugs (2010) - Poster - Jake Gyllenhaal & Anne Hathaway In Bed

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Love & Other Drugs is a romantic drama film set in the late 1990s, following the story of Jamie Randall, a charismatic pharmaceutical salesman played by Jake Gyllenhaal, who begins a romantic relationship with Maggie Murdock, a free-spirited artist played by Anne Hathaway. As their relationship deepens, they must confront the challenges of intimacy, commitment, and the complexities of their respective careers.

Release Date November 4, 2010

Runtime 112 Minutes

Director Edward Zwick

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's movies of the romantic persuasion, her chemistry with Gyllenhaal was undeniable, and Love & Other Drugs is well-remembered among Jake Gyllenhaal's movies.

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However, critics were split, and the film's openness wasn't enough to offset its disjointed plot. The mixed reviews pointed out that the film was a nice romance compared to lighter fare Hollywood usually produces, but it seemed to struggle to figure out what kind of movie it wanted to be. Despite that, critics praised Anne Hathaway specifically for her performance and her ability to help elevate Jake Gyllenhaal from comedy to serious matters in the film.

10 Becoming Jane (2007)

Jane Austen

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Becoming Jane is a biographical drama depicting the early life of famed author Jane Austen. Released in 2007, the film explores Austen's budding romance with a young Irishman, Tom Lefroy, offering insight into her experiences and inspirations prior to achieving literary acclaim.

Release Date March 2, 2007

Runtime 120 minutes

Main Genre Biography

Cast Anne Hathaway , James McAvoy , Julie Walters , James Cromwell , Maggie Smith , Joe Anderson , Lucy Cohu , Laurence Fox , Ian Richardson , Anna Maxwell Martin , Leo Bill , Jessica Ashworth , Michael James Ford , Tom Vaughan-Lawlor , Chris McHallem , Helen McCrory , Michael Patric , Elaine Murphy

Director Julian Jarrold

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 one of the most underrated Anne Hathaway movies, it was still one of the best Regency-era romance films. Critics praised the look of the film while criticizing how it mostly ignored much of Jane Austen's accomplishments in favor of being more of a costume drama. However, they also praised Hathaway and James McAvoy for their chemistry and performances, proclaiming that they delivered an authentic take on the story.

9 The Intern (2015)

Jules Ostin

the intern poster

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In Nancy Meyers' 2015 comedy The Intern, Robert De Niro stars as 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker, who befriends his much younger boss Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway), the CEO who helps him work as a senior intern at her fashion site.

Release Date September 25, 2015

Runtime 121 Minutes

Director Nancy Meyers

Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures

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.

Directed by romance specialist Nancy Meyers (The Parent Trap, What Women Want), the film was praised for the interesting chemistry between De Niro and Hathaway and their ability to deliver snappy dialogue on a strong level, with Hathaway easily matching up with the multi-time Oscar-nominated veteran actor. Even Quentin Tarantino said that this movie was Oscar-worthy: "They're not considering that for the Oscars even though I think Robert De Niro gave one of the best performances this year in that movie" (via Slash Film).

8 Armageddon Time (2022)

Esther Graff

Armageddon Time Movie Poster

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Set in 1980 Queens, New York, Armageddon Time follows a young Jewish boy who befriends a rebellious African-American classmate, challenging the expectations of his privileged family as he confronts societal inequality and prejudice.

Release Date October 28, 2022

Runtime 115 minutes

Cast Banks Repeta , Anne Hathaway , Jeremy Strong , Jaylin Webb , Anthony Hopkins , Ryan Sell , Andrew Polk , Tovah Feldshuh , Marcia Haufrecht , Teddy Coluca , Richard Bekins , Dane West , Landon James Forlenza , John Diehl , Jessica Chastain , Domenick Lombardozzi , Lizbeth MacKay , Jacob Mackinnon , Jeb Kreager , Marcia Jean Kurtz , Lauren Sharpe , John Dinello , Gerald Jones , Griffin Wallace Henkel , Jen Weissenberg

Director James Gray

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. Hathaway easily held her own with actors like Anthony Hopkins and Jeremy Strong. The entire cast turned in a great performance that elevated the movie to critical acclaim, even though it was a box-office failure when released. The National Board of Review named it one of the top 10 independent movies of 2022.

7 The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Selina Kyle / Catwoman

The Dark Knight Rises Poster

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The Dark Knight Rises is the final chapter in the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy, with Christian Bale donning the cape and cowl once more to save Gotham City from certain destruction. Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Batman has left the public eye after taking the fall for the crimes committed by a twisted Harvey Dent. However, he is called back into action when a mysterious villain named Bane arrives to bring disorder to Gotham, forcing him to confront deeper, darker recesses of his past to be able to face a challenge he may not be ready for.

Release Date July 16, 2012

Runtime 164 Minutes

Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures

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.

Hathaway's grounded take on the anti-hero was a bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming conclusion to the trilogy.

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. However, the problem here is that critics felt this third movie was a slight letdown after the first two movies in the franchise and that Hathaway's Catwoman was mostly pushed to the side in a film with too many villains and overloaded with DC characters in Nolan's final Batman outing.

6 The Princess Diaries (2001)

Mia Thermopolis

The Princess Diaries

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The Princess Diaries follows Mia Thermopolis, a teenager who discovers she is the heir to the throne of a European kingdom. The film explores her journey from an ordinary student to embracing her royal heritage, confronting the challenges and transformations this revelation brings to her life.

Release Date August 3, 2001

Runtime 115 minutes

Cast Anne Hathaway , Julie Andrews , Heather Matarazzo , Caroline Goodall , Hector Elizondo , Robert Schwartzman , Erik von Detten , Patrick John Flueger , Sandra Oh , Mandy Moore , Sean O'Bryan , Kathleen Marshall , Kimleigh Smith , Mindy Burbano , Elizabeth Gudenrath , Bianca Lopez , Tamara Levinson , Lenore Thomas , Erik Bragg , Meredith Shevory , Anita Marie Curran , Cassie Rowell , Todd Lowe , Joe Unitas , Joel McCrary

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.

Anne Hathaway returned in 2004 for the sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

The Princess Diaries is a sweet movie 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. It almost seems hard to believe that this was Hathaway's feature film debut, as she proved from the start that she had a big future ahead of her in Hollywood. Two decades later, the movie remains a beloved classic for kids of the 90s and 2000s.

5 Rachel Getting Married (2008)

Kym Buchman

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Rachel Getting Married is a drama film directed by Jonathan Demme. Starring Anne Hathaway as Kym, a young woman temporarily released from rehab to attend her sister Rachel's wedding, it explores the complexities of family dynamics and personal struggles. The film delves into themes of reconciliation and forgiveness, as the family navigates Kym's tumultuous past and present during the celebratory yet tension-filled weekend.

Release Date October 31, 2008

Runtime 113 Minutes

Director jonathan demme

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. Named one of the best films of 2008, Hathaway won several Critics Association awards for her performance and even picked up a Golden Globes nomination.

4 Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Lureen Newsome Twist

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From director Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain tells the story of a forbidden love between two cowboys beginning in 1960s Wyoming. The film stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, who after being hired for a summer job herding sheep, begin a romantic relationship that lasts two decades. As the two struggle to cope with their feelings for each other against the pressures of a society that will never accept them, various tragedies and other obligations threaten to pull them apart for good. Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams also star. 

Release Date December 9, 2005

Runtime 134 minutes

Director Ang Lee

Distributor(s) Focus Features , Universal Pictures , Paramount Pictures

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. Hathaway was in a much smaller role in the film since this was mostly about Ledger and Gyllenhaal's characters, but she delivered a nuanced and very important performance in her short time on the screen, and she helped elevate the drama in every scene she appeared.

3 The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Andrea "Andy" Sachs

The Devil Wears Prada Movie Poster

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Based on Lauren Weisberger's novel, The Devil Wears Prada stars Anne Hathaway as Andrea Sachs, an aspiring journalist who, after landing a job with top New York fashion designer Miranda Priestly, gets drawn deeper and deeper into the cutthroat world of the fashion industry. Meryl Streep stars alongside Hathaway as Miranda Priestly, with a further cast that includes Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, and Simon Baker. 

Release Date June 30, 2006

Runtime 109 Minutes

Director David Frankel

Distributor(s) 20th Century

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.

A composite image of the cast of The Devil Wears Prada

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Besides being one of the defining comedies of the 2000s, The Devil Wears Prada featured an illustrious cast of big names and soon-to-be stars.

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. This was a big chance for Hathaway since she was able to hold her own when on the screen with Streep and delivered what might be one of her best performances. While Streep picked up the Oscar nomination, Hathaway proved she belonged.

2 Interstellar (2014)

Dr. Amelia Brand

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From Christopher Nolan, Interstellar imagines a future where the Earth is plagued by a life-threatening famine, and a small team of astronauts is sent out to find a new prospective home among the stars. Despite putting the mission first, Coop (Matthew McConaughey) races against time to return home to his family even as they work to save mankind back on Earth.

Release Date November 7, 2014

Runtime 169 Minutes

Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures , Warner Bros. Pictures

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. Matthew McConaughey was the main star in this film, but Hathaway did more than prove she belonged as she carried her role as one of the most important supporting characters in the film and deserted all the praise she received.

1 Les Misérables (2012)

Fantine

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Les Misérables is the 2012 musical movie adaptation of Victor Hugo's eponymous 1862 novel, retelling the story of prisoner Jean Valjean and his quest for freedom in 19th-century France. It features a star-studded cast consisting of Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter, and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Release Date December 25, 2012

Runtime 158 minutes

Director Tom Hooper

Distributor(s) Universal Pictures

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 stand out. Hathaway is stunning as Fantine, the mother of Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), and delivered both acting and singing.

In the year-end awards, Anne Hathaway won an Oscar for her stellar performance, which was topped off by her haunting rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream." Many critics compared her singing to that of Jennifer Hudson from Dreamgirls, and this was a big reason she won her Oscar. Critics also praised Jackman, Hathaway, Redmayne, and Seyfried for their acting performances, calling it one of the year's best ensemble casts.

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