Anne Hathaway’s Best Roles

Anne Hathaway has built a career full of memorable and diverse performances. She first captured audience’s hearts as a charming princess but quickly proved she was much more than a one-note actress. Over the years she has shown incredible range by taking on roles in comedies, dramas, musicals, and big-budget blockbusters. Her ability to fully inhabit her characters and bring a unique spark to each performance has made her one of Hollywood’s most respected stars.

Her journey as an actress is marked by bold choices and a clear dedication to her craft. She has worked with some of the most acclaimed directors in the industry and has earned numerous awards for her work. Whether she is making audiences laugh, cry, or sit on the edge of their seats, she consistently delivers compelling and nuanced performances. Her filmography showcases an impressive evolution from a young star to a seasoned and versatile performer.

‘One Day’ (2011)

In this romantic drama, Anne Hathaway plays Emma Morley, a principled and ambitious young woman. The film follows her and her friend Dexter Mayhew over twenty years, checking in on their lives each year on the same date. It explores their evolving friendship, missed opportunities, and the complexities of love as their lives intersect and diverge through the years.

Her performance captures Emma’s intelligence, wit, and vulnerability as she navigates her career and her feelings for Dexter. She skillfully portrays the character’s growth from an idealistic recent graduate to a successful author. The role required her to age two decades, and she convincingly depicted the subtle changes in her character’s personality and outlook on life.

‘Colossal’ (2016)

This film offers a unique blend of dark comedy and science fiction. Hathaway stars as Gloria, an unemployed writer struggling with alcoholism who moves back to her hometown after her boyfriend kicks her out. She soon discovers a strange connection between her own actions and a giant monster that is terrorizing Seoul, South Korea.

Hathaway’s portrayal of Gloria is both humorous and heartbreaking as she grapples with her personal demons and the bizarre reality of her situation. The role allowed her to explore themes of self-destruction and empowerment in a highly original story. She brings depth to a character who must confront the monstrous consequences of her behavior in a very literal way.

‘Ocean’s Eight’ (2018)

In this heist comedy, Hathaway plays Daphne Kluger, a famous and somewhat flighty actress. She becomes the target of an all-female crew of thieves who plan to steal a priceless diamond necklace from her during the Met Gala. The star-studded film is a spin-off of the popular ‘Ocean’s’ trilogy.

Hathaway’s performance is a standout as she hilariously portrays the self-absorbed celebrity. She brings a great deal of comedic timing to the role, making Daphne both a glamorous target and an unexpectedly clever participant in the heist. She clearly had fun with the part, adding a layer of wit and charm to the character.

‘Alice in Wonderland’ (2010)

Hathaway stepped into a fantasy world as Mirana, the White Queen, in this visually stunning adaptation of the classic story. As the benevolent and gentle monarch, she opposes her tyrannical sister, the Red Queen. Her character plays a key role in helping Alice fulfill her destiny in Underland.

Her portrayal of the White Queen was notably quirky and ethereal, fitting perfectly into the film’s imaginative and slightly off-kilter world. She presented a character that was both graceful and a little strange, with peculiar hand gestures and a serene yet powerful presence. It was a departure from her previous roles and showcased her ability to adapt to a more fantastical style.

‘The Princess Diaries’ (2001)

This was the film that launched Anne Hathaway into stardom. She plays Mia Thermopolis, a socially awkward San Francisco teenager who discovers she is the heir to the throne of a small European principality. The story follows her comical and heartwarming transformation from an ordinary high school student into a poised princess.

Hathaway’s charming and relatable performance made Mia a beloved character for a generation of young audiences. Her comedic timing and ability to portray Mia’s awkwardness and eventual growth were key to the film’s success. This role established her as a leading lady with a natural and endearing screen presence.

‘Get Smart’ (2008)

In this action-comedy, Hathaway plays the highly skilled and intelligent Agent 99. She is partnered with the bumbling but enthusiastic analyst Maxwell Smart on a dangerous mission to stop a terrorist plot. The film is a modern take on the classic television series from the 1960s.

Hathaway proved her capabilities as an action star, performing many of her own stunts and holding her own in fight sequences. She shared great comedic chemistry with her co-star Steve Carell, creating a dynamic and entertaining partnership. Her portrayal of Agent 99 was smart, capable, and a crucial element of the film’s humor and excitement.

‘Love & Other Drugs’ (2010)

Hathaway took on a more dramatic role as Maggie Murdock, a free-spirited artist living with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. The film explores her complicated relationship with a charming pharmaceutical salesman in the 1990s. The story delves into themes of love, commitment, and living with a chronic illness.

Her performance was widely praised for its emotional honesty and vulnerability. She fearlessly portrayed the physical and emotional challenges her character faced, bringing both strength and fragility to the role. It was a mature and complex performance that demonstrated her significant dramatic talents.

‘Rachel Getting Married’ (2008)

In this intense family drama, Hathaway plays Kym Buchman, a woman who is temporarily released from drug rehab to attend her sister’s wedding. Her presence creates tension and forces the family to confront long-buried conflicts and resentments. The film is shot in a documentary style, giving it a raw and realistic feel.

Hathaway delivered a powerful and unflinching performance that earned her significant critical acclaim. She portrayed Kym’s volatility, pain, and desperate need for connection with incredible depth. The role was a major turning point in her career, proving she could handle deeply complex and challenging dramatic material.

‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (2006)

Hathaway stars as Andrea “Andy” Sachs, a bright and aspiring journalist who lands a job as the junior personal assistant to a powerful and demanding fashion magazine editor. The film follows Andy’s challenging journey as she navigates the high-stakes world of high fashion and tries to survive her notoriously difficult boss.

This role became one of her most iconic, perfectly capturing the struggles of a young professional trying to find her place. Hathaway’s portrayal of Andy’s transformation from a naive outsider to a confident and capable individual resonated with audiences everywhere. Her performance was a key ingredient in the film’s enduring popularity.

‘The Intern’ (2015)

In this heartwarming comedy, Hathaway plays Jules Ostin, the driven and overworked founder of a successful online fashion company. The story centers on her unlikely friendship with a 70-year-old widower who joins her company as a senior intern. The film explores themes of intergenerational friendship and work-life balance.

Hathaway provided a nuanced portrayal of a modern businesswoman juggling the pressures of her career and personal life. She created a character who is both a capable leader and a vulnerable person learning to accept help. Her warm chemistry with her co-star Robert De Niro was a highlight of the film.

‘Les Misérables’ (2012)

Hathaway took on the tragic role of Fantine in this epic musical adaptation. Fantine is a struggling factory worker who is forced into prostitution to provide for her young daughter. Although her screen time is limited, her character’s story is one of the most emotional and pivotal parts of the narrative.

Her performance was a tour de force, culminating in a raw and powerful rendition of the song “I Dreamed a Dream” that was recorded live on set. She fully committed to the role, physically transforming herself to portray Fantine’s decline. The part earned her numerous accolades for her devastatingly emotional portrayal.

‘Dark Waters’ (2019)

In this legal thriller based on a true story, Hathaway plays Sarah Barlage Bilott. She is the wife of a corporate defense attorney who takes on a massive chemical company after discovering it has been polluting a local community’s water supply for decades. Her character provides the emotional anchor for her husband’s long and difficult legal battle.

Hathaway delivered a strong supporting performance, portraying the strain and sacrifice involved in her husband’s fight for justice. She depicted a woman who is both supportive and frustrated, grounding the film’s larger legal drama in a relatable family context. Her role highlighted the personal toll of taking on a powerful corporation.

‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2005)

Hathaway played a significant supporting role as Lureen Newsome in this groundbreaking drama. Lureen is a confident rodeo queen who marries one of the main characters, Jack Twist. Over the years, she becomes a successful businesswoman while navigating a marriage that is built on a deep and painful secret.

This role was a crucial step in Hathaway’s transition from teen-friendly films to more mature and complex adult roles. She convincingly portrayed Lureen’s evolution from a vibrant young woman to a hardened and somewhat bitter wife. It was a subtle yet impactful performance in a highly acclaimed film.

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)

Hathaway joined the world of superheroes as Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman, in this epic conclusion to a popular Batman trilogy. Her character is a cunning and morally ambiguous cat burglar who becomes an unlikely ally to Batman as he faces a new threat to Gotham City.

She brought a sleek, witty, and formidable presence to the iconic character. Her portrayal was both sophisticated and physically impressive, capturing the essence of Catwoman’s complex personality. She successfully made the role her own, delivering a memorable performance that stood out even in a film full of big moments.

‘Interstellar’ (2014)

In this ambitious science fiction epic, Hathaway plays Dr. Amelia Brand, a brilliant scientist on a mission through a wormhole to find a new habitable planet for humanity. The film is a visually spectacular and emotionally resonant story about space exploration, time, and human connection.

Hathaway’s performance was central to the film’s human element, as she portrayed a character driven by both scientific logic and deep personal emotions. She brought intelligence and a profound sense of hope to her role as an astronaut on a perilous journey into the unknown. It was a powerful performance in a thought-provoking and awe-inspiring film.

Let us know your favorite Anne Hathaway role in the comments below.