For years, Anne Hathaway has stepped into a wide range of roles and genres, proving her talent while working with some of the best directors and actors in the business. In 2013, Hathaway won her first Academy Award in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her phenomenal portrayal of Fantine in Tom Hooper’s musical/drama Les Misérables. She has become one of the most well-regarded performers of her generation and has worked with some of the best directors, from Gary Marshall to Jonathan Demee and Christopher Nolan.
For over two decades, audiences have watched Hathaway grow as a performer, going from family-friendly movies to hard-hitting character pieces. It is likely whenever there is a casting list for a major project, Hathaway is likely at the top of most casting directors list which has now afforded Hathaway the creative freedom to pick what projects she wants to do. She has recently wowed critics for her performance in Eileen and is already generating Oscar buzz for her work. From Disney’s The Princess Diaries (for which a threequel is in the works) to Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar and of course the fan-favorite The Devil Wears Prada, here are Anne Hathaway’s best movies, ranked.
Updated December 16, 2023: This article has been updated following Hathaway's performance in Eileen to include more films as well as where each title is currently streaming.
12 The Intern (2015)
Ben (Robert De Niro) becomes a 70-year-old intern for an online fashion website founded by Jules Ostin (Hathaway), a workaholic, trying to get better at managing her work-life balance. The Intern was a low-stakes fun movie by one of the cinema's finest directors, Nancy Meyers.
What Makes It Great
The chemistry between De Niro and Hathaway as a kind of father-daughter relationship holds up the endearing dramedy while also refreshingly shining a light on ageism in the workplace, the complicated life of women who try to have it all, and how, with some intergenerational help, everything is possible. Despite garnering a mixed-bag response from critics, The Intern was a hit with moviegoers, earning over $194 million at the box office and winning Best Comedy at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. Stream on Max
11 Ocean's 8 (2018)
Ocean's 8 follows some of the most intelligent and talented con artists, as they're attempting to pull off one of the largest heists of their lives: steal a $150 million necklace at the Met Gala. This film is one of the best women's heist movies, and has Hathaway playing Daphne Kluger, an actress being used, without her knowledge, to get the necklace by the caper's mastermind Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock).
What Makes It Great
Hathaway had a blast playing this part as she’s electric and over-the-top as the insecure, not-as-dumb-as-it-seems actress, effortlessly stealing every scene she’s in. Hathaway gets to play up the star persona some critics had crafted for her and is having a blast chewing every piece of scenery. And in a killer cast that includes Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Helen Bonham Carter, Sarah Paulson Awkwafina, and Mindy Kaling, that’s no small feat. It's no wonder that her portrayal in the blockbuster film earned widespread praise from critics and nabbed the talented actress a People's Choice Award nomination. Rent/Buy on Prime Video
10 Dark Waters (2019)
This criminally underrated Todd Haynes drama/thriller tells the true story of defense attorney Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo) and his environmental lawsuit against a huge chemical company. In Dark Waters, Hathaway plays Sarah, Bilott’s wife, showing us how the lawsuit and all the pressure, and money problems, that comes with it are affecting their marriage.
What Makes It Great
Ruffalo and Hathaway gave amazing performances, and many argued that the two were snubbed at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes that year. Dark Waters is jam-packed, full of taut tension, an ominous atmosphere, and plenty of twists and turns, and both audiences and critics were blown away by the powerful message of the picture. Variety commended the thriller and Hathaway's dominating supporting portrayal, noting that the actress delivered "a piercing dance of agony and loyalty". Rent/Buy on Apple TV+
9 The Princess Diaries (2001)
Anne Hathaway's iconic role in the 2001 Disney comedy/romance The Princess Diaries was an important moment in her career as it is responsible for propelling the actress into stardom. It was her first lead role in a movie (she was just 18-years-old during filming) and it was her performance and captivating chemistry with Julie Andrews (as her grandmother) that made the movie sing. Hathaway's portrayal of Mia Thermopolis already showed she would become a star: she’s awkward and shy at first, showing a believable evolution as her character experiences the good and bad of being a real Princess and all the hurdles that come with it.
What Makes It Great
This might be the role Hathaway will forever be best known for, and that is nothing to be ashamed of as it is a great role and very much in the Julia Roberts Pretty Woman variety of roles, where a young performer becomes a star. Audiences wanted more of her story, and it unsurprisingly earned a 2004 sequel: The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Now, twenty years later, fans of the beloved series are eagerly awaiting news about the rumored The Princess Diaries 3. Stream on Disney+
8 Les Misérables (2012)
This film is arguably the most important movie of Anne Hathaway's exceptional career as it won the actress her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2013 for her portrayal of Fantine. Tom Hooper's musical/drama Les Misérables tells the story of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) and the prosecution he receives by policeman Javert (Russell Crowe). Hathaway plays Fatine, the struggling factory worker turned sex worker.
What Makes It Great
Her performance is incredible, she not only sings but, while doing it, also shows us all the fragility and desperation of Fatine, creating a character that still haunts viewers. Hathaway's spectacular rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" was one for the books, and not only did it send chills down the spines of audiences all across the world, it also landed her on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 69. Not only did she go home with the Oscar, but her unparalleled performance also helped her win a Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Award. Rent/Buy on Prime Video.
7 Interstellar (2014)
Another Anne Hathaway and Christopher Nolan collaboration on the list is Interstellar. This futuristic sci-fi adventure film follows a NASA physicist who's attempting to save mankind and transport humans off Earth. In his attempt to pull off this mission, he must first send a team across the galaxy and through the wormhole to choose the human race's next home.
What Makes It Great
This film has stunning visual effects, overall sound, and an incredible score by Hans Zimmer, but the performances by Mathew McConaughey, Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain are what stay with us. Hathaway plays NASA scientist and astronaut Dr. Amelia Brand in a strong performance that shows all the qualities of a leader on this kind of mission: assured and smart but still emotional, raw, and deep. She shows audiences how this kind of experience would make even the best prepared, feel the burden of history, of longing for loved ones, but that’s the price to pay to help save humanity. And she nails every aspect of that performance.
Stream on Prime Video
6 Colossal (2016)
Gloria (Hathaway) is an unemployed, drunken mess who has been forced to move back home. After some nights at the bar, she discovers a psychic connection with a kaiju that has appeared in Seoul, as it does what she does, including her inebriated, uncoordinated moves, while destroying the city.
What Makes It Great
Nacho Vigalondo is a unique director with a very distinct point of view, who’s also an expert in mixing genres, and Colossal is no different. He uses kaiju to talk about addiction and toxic masculinity and makes literal metaphors that when someone is drunk and sad, they can be complete monsters. Hathaway plays the role with absolute dedication; audiences can see how broken she is at the start; how startled she is at her new “powers”, and how she becomes the hero of her own story, once her childhood friend, Oscar (Jason Sudeikis), tries to use her for his own interests. Rent/Buy on Prime Video
5 The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Christopher Nolan's highly beloved and acclaimed Batman trilogy ended with The Dark Knight Rises in 2012, creating a new model for franchise filmmaking that’s still going. Hathaway played the infamous Catwoman, a confident and powerful entity in her own right, who toes the line between friend and foe, right and wrong, hero and criminal. In the exhilarating smash hit picture, the caped crusader (Christian Bale) takes one final stand as Gotham City's secret protector as he squares off against the violent terrorist Bane (Tom Hardy).
What Makes It Great
Her performance balances this dichotomy perfectly, making moviegoers understand the motive behind each action in the most physical and stunt-driven performance of her career. As always, Hathaway committed to the task with gusto, making this comic character a real and believable person. To prepare for the legendary role, the actress underwent extensive training in martial arts while drawing inspiration from Hedy Lamarr to perfectly capture the essence of the iconic femme fatale. Catwoman has had many iconic depictions so for Hathaway's to even stand anywhere close to the top is impressive and for an entire generation she was there Catwoman. Stream on Max
4 The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt star in David Frankel's comedy/drama, The Devil Wears Prada. Hathaway plays a college graduate, Andy, who, when looking for a writing job, stumbles upon an executive assistant position for Miranda Priestly (Streep), the notoriously difficult, and harsh editor of Runway Magazine. Knowing very little about fashion, Andy struggles to thrive in an environment where she is forced to work under the top person in the fashion industry, Miranda.
What Makes It Great
The chemistry between Hathaway and Streep makes this movie one for the ages. The director, David Frankel, told Entertainment Weekly that Streep met Hathaway and said: “Yeah, this girl's great, and I think we'll work well together.”, and the rest is history. Hathaway gives a nervous, grounded, and sincere performance as the Ying to Streep's Yang in this two-hander that shows all the outrageous demands of being number one in the fashion industry. Hathaway being able to hold her own against Meryl Streep shows just how talented she is. The Devil Wears Prada rewrote Hathaway's career, putting her down a path to more serious and adult-oriented material, and to this day still stands as an incredibly funny but moving story. Stream on Max
3 Eileen (2023)
Anne Hathaway's most recent cinematic contribution was in William Oldroyd's gripping psychological thriller Eileen, which takes place in 1960s Massachusetts and features the dynamic star as prison psychiatrist Rebecca Saint John, whose arrival at the facility completely captivates her young and strange co-worker Eileen Dunlop (Thomasin McKenzie) and turns the woman's life upside as the two develop an unhealthy and disturbing relationship that swiftly takes a dangerous turn.
What Makes It Great
An adaptation of the Ottessa Moshfegh novel of the same name, the riveting picture features the additional talents of actors like Shea Whigam, Owen Teague, and Marin Ireland and upon its release earlier this month has garnered widespread critical acclaim, with Hathaway's unsettling performance being singled out. Hathaway described the dark and moody thriller as "Carol meets Reservoir Dogs", which made its worldwide debut at the Sundance Film Festival; Rolling Stone wrote that "Hathaway shows us that her ice-cold blonde exterior houses an even chillier soul." Hathaway is an iconic screen presence from the moment she appears and audiences are immediately captivated by her when she first walks into frame of the film, and audiences will likely be thinking of her long after the credits have role. Currently in theaters
2 Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Brokeback Mountain, directed by Ang Lee, is the love story between a cowboy played by Jake Gyllenhaal and a ranch hand played by Heath Ledger, who fall in love while working on a ranch in Wyoming. Although the two eventually get married to other people, who in the film are portrayed by Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway, their love affair with one another lasts for nearly twenty years. Brokeback Mountain is still a groundbreaking LGBTQ+ movie that should have won Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
What Makes It Great
Although her role is small, Hathaway shows how life with an in-the-closet husband is not the easiest, even if that’s not her fault, making audiences feel for her, even if they want the two male cowboys to pursue their love. Hathaway told Out that she knew she read the script; she knew she had to be Laureen. “It’s not dissimilar to the feeling of meeting someone that will become very important to you on some soul level. It had that same magnetic pull that I feel for certain very important people.” Stream on Peacock
1 Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Coming in at number one on the list of the best Anne Hathaway movies is Rachel Getting Married. Directed by Jonathan Demme and released in 2008, Rachel Getting Married follows a recovering drug abuser, Kym, who was recently released from rehab to attend her sister's wedding. Family drama and years of built-up tension become the main focal point of this film.
What Makes It Great
Hathaway shines and gives one of the best performances of her illustrious career, even earning herself her very first Academy Award nomination in the category of Best Actress. For many, this was the film that shattered her Princess Diaries image and showed she was one of the great actors working in Hollywood and a force to be reckoned with. Hathaway’s performance as Rachel is raw, tragic, realistic, painful, sad, dark, and unlikable, but also lighthearted at times. In the end, it’s also hopeful. It’s a tour de force performance that is still Hathaway’s best, in an engrossing drama that breaks viewers' hearts with every watch and further proves the actress's brilliant acting prowess. Rent/Buy on Prime Video