Julie Andrews' 10 Best Movies, Ranked (2024)

Julie Andrews' long and decorated movie career has consistently highlighted her impressive range and lasting talent, though some of her films do rank better than others. Andrews entered Hollywood during the final days of its Golden Era and faced severe competition from some of the biggest superstars. She made her initial mark with musical comedies, and although she lost the role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady to Audrey Hepburn despite playing the part on Broadway, Andrews's star still rose, earning her an Academy Award for Mary Poppins that same year. Later collaborations with her filmmaker husband Blake Edwards led to many memorable comedic performances on screen as well.

With fewer than 30 film appearances, Andrews now approaches her roles more selectively, exploring new and diverse genres. Her involvement with billion-dollar franchises such as Shrek, Despicable Me, and the DCEU, where Andrews made a voice cameo in Aquaman speaks to her continued popularity. Notably, Andrews has always been prominent in roles characterized by wisdom and grace, from the magical Mary Poppins to the regal Queen Clarisse Renaldi in The Princess Diaries and its sequel. Her ability to portray these nurturing figures has kept her relevant to audiences of all ages, establishing her legacy as a beloved icon in the world of entertainment.

10 The Princess Diaries (2001)

Julie Andrews Plays Queen Clarisse Renaldi

Julie Andrews appears in The Princess Diaries as Queen Clarisse Renaldi, the monarch of the kingdom of Genovia. The film marked the feature debut of Anne Hathaway, who plays Andrews's estranged granddaughter, Mia. An ordinary teenager, Mia is made a princess under the guidance of Clarisse. While she learns the manners of a lady, Mia also inspires her grandmother to embrace spontaneity and joy. Despite not gaining the best reviews, the film became a hit among audiences and is often named among the most unforgettable teen movies of the 2000s. The Princess Diaries' balance of comedy with heartfelt moments created a charming narrative of transformation that still resonates.

9 S.O.B. (1981)

Julie Andrews Plays Sally Miles

Directed by Blake Edwards, S.O.B. features Julie Andrews as Sally Miles, a once-glamorous actress struggling with a declining career. Faced with the pressure to reinvent herself, Sally takes on a wild journey, shedding light on the cutthroat world of Hollywood. Inspired by Edwards's own experiences, the film also stars Richard Mulligan as Sally's husband, a film producer based on Edwards who is driven to multiple suicide attempts after a major career setback. Andrews's performance in S.O.B. and the movie within the movie carries a sharp comedic edge, offering an entirely new dimension to her filmography.

8 10 (1979)

Julie Andrews Plays Samantha Taylor

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Another collaboration between Blake Edwards and Julie Andrews, this romantic comedy sees her playing Samantha Taylor, the sophisticated and supportive girlfriend of George Webber, a composer played by Dudley Moore. George becomes obsessively infatuated with a young woman (Bo Derek) he has never met, leading to a chaotic love triangle. Andrews's portrayal of Samantha offers a grounded and compassionate counterpoint to George's comedic misadventures. As tensions lead to heated arguments, George must decide where his heart truly lies. The film is among the best comedies of the '70s due to its perfect blend of serious and comedic tones which creates an accurate exploration of a man's midlife crisis.

7 Despicable Me (2010)

Julie Andrew Voices Marlena Gru

In the first installment of the Despicable Me franchise, Julie Andrews lends her voice to the role of Marlena, Gru's sophisticated mother who is also ignorant of her son and his supervillain ambitions. The film combines humor and heart as Gru's life takes a turn with the arrival of three orphaned girls. As Marlena spends time with the girls, she also comes to realize her mistreatment of Gru. Despicable Me received positive reviews and is often named among the best animated films of all time. It was noted for capturing both heartwarming moments and wacky comedic elements akin to Pixar and the Looney Tunes franchise, respectively.

6 Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)

Julie Andrews Plays Millie Dillmount

Thoroughly Modern Millie followed the trend of '60s musical comedies and mixed in a romantic angle and social commentary. The film revolves around Millie Dillmount, a young woman determined to make a successful life in 1920s New York. Andrews shines in her energetic portrayal of Millie, whose life takes a turn when she meets Jimmy Smith, a carefree young man played by James Fox. The two share intimate moments and face many comedic challenges before their relationship suffers a setback. Described as a delightful yet satirical song-and-dance piece, the film showcases the essence of the Jazz-age hyperbole with Andrews's expressions, nimble dances, and pitch-perfect rendition of songs.

5 The Americanization of Emily (1964)

Julie Andrews Plays Emily Barham

An anti-war black comedy directed by Arthur Hiller, The Americanization of Emily features Julie Andrews as Emily Barham, a British woman who wins the heart of Charlie Madison, a self-proclaimed "dog robber" in the U.S. Navy, played by James Garner. The stars' chemistry adds an authentic touch to this unconventional love story. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the film brilliantly balances satire with emotional moments. A strong-willed and compassionate woman, Emily challenges Madison's worldview along with the viewers'. The film notably sparked controversy upon its release as it coincided with the Vietnam War. Its anti-war stance and bold criticism resulted in a heated political debate.

4 Victor/Victoria (1982)

Julie Andrews Plays Victoria Grant

Another collaboration with husband Blake Edwards, Victor/Victoria features Julie Andrews as Victoria Grant, a British soprano struggling to find work in 1930s France. With the help of Toddy, played by Robert Preston, she adopts a male persona by the name of Victor to try her luck in the entertainment industry. The film contains numerous examples of living a double life, as Victor's success as a male performer keeps on complicating matters, leading to a series of comedic mishaps of mistaken identities. Victor/Victoria was rightfully acclaimed for its exploration of bold topics such as gender identity and sexual politics of the era and earned Andrews her third Academy Award nomination.

3 Shrek 2 (2004)

Julie Andrews Voices Queen Lillian

In the highly acclaimed first sequel to the beloved DreamWorks animated film Shrek, Julie Andrews voices the role of Queen Lillian, the mother of Princess Fiona. Much of the film focuses on the challenges of Lillian and her husband, King Harold, to come to terms with her daughter's unconventional marriage to the titular ogre. Lilliana's maternal instincts accept the couple's decision even though the king secretly plans to sabotage their relationship by working with the Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming. Shrek 2 solidified its franchise's place in film culture with its clever humor, memorable characters, and seamless integration of pop culture references.

2 Mary Poppins (1964)

Julie Andrews Plays Mary Poppins

Set in Edwardian London, this iconic Disney musical introduces viewers to the enchanting nanny Mary Poppins, portrayed by Julie Andrews in her film debut. Arriving at their doorstep, Mary brings delight to the lives of Jane and Michael Banks. She even helps their strict father, Mr. Banks, rediscover the true meaning of family. Mary Poppins is particularly wonderful for its unforgettable songs and imaginative sequences combining live-action with animation. One number, "A Spoonful of Sugar," in which Mary teaches the children the art of turning chores into joyful experiences, has become an integral part of pop culture. Additionally, the movie also won Andrews the Academy Award for Best Actress.

1 The Sound of Music (1965)

Julie Andrews Plays Maria Kutchera/Von Trapp

Another classic musical starring Julie Andrews, The Sound of Music follows Maria, a woman assigned to take care of a widowed naval officer's seven children. Reigniting the family's passion for music, Maria brings comfort to the children who are still grieving the loss of their mother. The Sound of Music meanwhile provides viewers an escape with its visuals and iconic soundtrack, featuring songs like the titular number and "My Favorite Things." The film was nominated for 10 Oscars and won five, including Best Picture and Best Director. It was also briefly the highest-grossing movie ever made, and it's undoubtedly one of the best musicals of all time.