The Fashion Awards 2023 Presented by Pandora - Arrivals — Anne Hathaway at The Fashion Awards 2023 (Image via Getty/Gareth Cattermole)

Top 10 Anne Hathaway movies, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes scores

Modified Jun 18, 2024 18:23 GMT

American actress Anne Hathaway's journey in Hollywood is straight out of a fairytale. From her breakout role as awkward but endearing Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries, Hathaway shot right up to the A-list. She then made a huge leap from teen idol to serious actress with Brokeback Mountain, proving her dramatic skills among heavyweights in the film industry.

The Devil Wears Prada came next, where she held her own opposite the formidable Meryl Streep. The pinnacle of her career was Les Misérables, where her heartrending performance as Fantine earned her an Academy Award. Hathaway has displayed her versatility and dedication from blockbuster hits like The Dark Knight Rises to indie films like Rachel Getting Married.

With over twenty years of experience under her belt, Anne Hathaway continues to play roles that challenge and inspire her. Based on Rotten Tomatoes scores, here are 10 movies from her filmography that showcase her talent and tenacity.

10 best Anne Hathaway movies according to Rotten Tomatoes scores

1) Dark Waters (2019)

A still from 'Dark Waters' (Image via IMDb)

In the 2019 film Dark Waters, Anne Hathaway assumes a powerful and poignant role. Based on true events, this legal thriller follows attorney Robert Bilott, played by Mark Ruffalo, as he sues a corporate giant responsible for environmental pollution over several decades.

Hathaway plays Sarah Bilott, Robert's wife, who becomes an unflinching source of strength and moral standing as he engages in an all-out legal battle. Hathaway turns in a master class in understated resiliency.

As much as the narrative stays largely focused on Ruffalo's character, Hathaway instills Sarah with an insistent strength that embodies the emotional toll taken by the family in the crossfire of the sprawling fight for justice. She underlines the personal sacrifices that must be made and the persistent courage required behind the scenes of any daunting legal crusade.

In Dark Waters, Anne Hathaway proves in all sincerity that one cannot deny the power and necessity of her presence, even while standing in a supporting role.

2) Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Anne Hathaway in 'Brokeback Mountain' (Image via IMDb)

In the classic Ang Lee directorial Brokeback Mountain, Anne Hathaway gives an enticing performance that fully echoes the theme of forbidden love against societal restraints. Set in the magnificent landscape of the American West, the film follows the turbulent love story between two cowboys, Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal).

Hathaway plays Lureen Newsome, Jack's wife. At the core, she is ambitious and full of life, traversing a marriage blurred with unspoken truth and nameless desires. Hathaway grasps, with grace and subtlety, Lureen's transformation from hopeful rodeo queen to tough businesswoman whose dreams have been subtly eroded by her husband's secret life.

In Brokeback Mountain, Anne Hathaway's performance is a study of silent suffering and resilience as she gives flesh to Lureen, laying bare the heartache of a woman festering in a love triangle beyond the reaches of her understanding.

Though her role is supporting, it forms a strand that is indispensable to the emotional tapestry of the film. Her transformation into a mature actress in this film is a revelation that signals the powerhouse performer she would go on to become.

3) The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Anne Hathaway in 'The Dark Knight Rises' (Image via IMDb)

Anne Hathaway lights up the big screen in The Dark Knight Rises as Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, the anti-hero femme fatale based on DC comics. This final part of Christopher Nolan’s Batman series is set in conflicted, rough-sleek Gotham City, and it is in this film that Hathaway reinvents the iconic character with a mix of sassy wit and physical prowess.

With outstanding energy, humor, flexibility, and a sensitive core, Catwoman is the perfect match for Christian Bale’s somber Batman. From Hathaway’s performance, Catwoman evolves from a s*xual object to a fully realized and relatable character.

She is smart and rebellious and seeks forgiveness in a city on the edge of becoming a crime nation. Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of Selina Kyle in The Dark Knight Rises is passionate and versatile, making her one of the many iconic Catwomen in movies.

4) Rachel Getting Married (2008)

A still from 'Rachel Getting Married' (Image via IMDb)

In the movie Rachel Getting Married, Anne Hathaway gives a bold performance of a recovering addict named Kym, who is returning home for her sister Rachel’s wedding. A Jonathan Demme directorial, the family drama focuses on deeply powerful emotions and comes out with unmasked feelings of love, resentment, and redemption.

Hathaway's Kym steps across with a whirlwind of emotions, her appearance ushering in chaos and catharsis. The wedding setting becomes some sort of crucible in which wounds from the past are bared, and the ties between family members are tested. Hathaway plays the part without any inhibition, making it impossible to recognize from her glamorous Hollywood teen girl image.

Her authentic and poignant performance earned Anne Hathaway an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, solidifying her as a top-notch actress to look out for.

5) The Idea of You (2024)

A still from 'The Idea of You' (Image via IMDb)

In The Idea of You, Anne Hathaway plays Sophie, a middle-aged divorced woman who starts an affair with a young man. Based on Robinne Lee’s book, Hathaway’s Sophie in this Amazon Prime Video film is rather profound and inspiring. As she is involved in a thrilling love affair with a young musician, Hathaway excellently captures both the spontaneity and the existentialism of a woman deemed "past her prime."

Sophie embodies the spirit of the woman who discovers herself from behind the veil of social pressure and internal doubts. Hathaway’s feminine charm and sensitivity help her portray Sophie with the highest credibility and make her story believable. It is ultimately her nuanced performance that will have the audience continuing to feel the pulse of The Idea of You long after the credits roll.

6) Colossal (2016)

Anne Hathaway in 'Colossal' (Image via IMDb)

In this genre-bending movie, Anne Hathaway gives a never-before-seen performance as Gloria, a confused woman whose inner turmoil strangely mirrors that of a giant monster rampaging through Seoul.

Nacho Vigalondo, the director, handles this monster comedy-drama with infusions of dark humor, science fiction, and drama to shed light on addiction, redemption, and the process of self-discovery. Hathaway's Gloria is a woman who loses her job and becomes an alcoholic after being heartbroken.

It is after this that she returns to her hometown and goes on to undertake a weird journey once she discovers that her movements mirror those of a monster in South Korea. In Colossal, Anne Hathaway crushes expectations and defies the constraints of monster movies to deliver an outlandish but remarkably raw performance.

7) Eileen (2023)

In the film titled Eileen, Anne Hathaway takes up a character of a mysterious and dark nature. Based on Ottessa Moshfegh’s novel, the plot develops in 1960s Massachusetts, where Hathaway's Rebecca arrives at a juvenile facility as a counselor. For Thomasin McKenzie's Eileen, the captivating and mysterious counselor becomes the object of her fascination.

Rebecca is polite and graceful, but something mysterious and evil lurks beneath her beautiful exterior. As she gets close to Eileen, Hathaway masterfully portrays Rebecca as a kind but very dangerous woman.

Thus, in Eileen, Anne Hathaway enriches the plot with her character's suspense and intrigue. Her nuanced performance elevates the film and stands as a testament to her acting abilities.

8) Nicholas Nickleby (2002)

A still from 'Nicholas Nickleby' (Image via IMDb)

This delightful adaptation of Charles Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby features Anne Hathaway radiating elegance as Madeline Bray. The story is set in Victorian England, where the drama and struggle revolves around a young Nicholas (Charlie Hunnam) as he resolves to seek justice for his family.

Hathaway's Madeline is a vision of elegance against the darker concepts of the film. A penniless artist overwhelmed by the despotism of her father, she becomes an image of quiet strength and resilience. When Nicholas and Madeline's paths finally cross, Hathaway's performance blooms into heartfelt intensity.

Their budding romance offers a much-needed glimpse at hope and purity in the greedy and cruel world. In Nicholas Nickleby, Hathaway's Madeline symbolizes the eternal spirit, and her presence illuminates the big screen in a timeless and inspiring way.

9) The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

A still from 'The Devil Wears Prada' (Image via IMDb)

In The Devil Wears Prada, Anne Hathaway gives a strong performance as unsophisticated Andy Sachs, a recent graduate who gets the opportunity to be an assistant to the very intimidating Miranda Priestly at a fashion magazine company. The movie follows Andy's transformation from a naive, sloppy recruit to a slick, assured professional against the background of high fashion.

Hathaway captures Andy's evolution with a deft touch, striking the right balance between humor and heart. The performance is relatable and earnest, exploring the fight to maintain one's integrity in a high-demanding, sometimes superficial industry.

As Andy finds ways to keep up with Runway magazine's fast pace and expectant attitude, Hathaway fills her with a striking vulnerability and determination that makes her journey very relatable. In The Devil Wears Prada, Anne Hathaway gives a performance that exudes charm and empowerment, standing her ground against a powerhouse like Meryl Streep.

10) Interstellar (2014)

Anne Hathaway in 'Interstellar' (Image via IMDb)

In the epic sci-fi film Interstellar, Anne Hathaway teams up with Christopher Nolan once again. She plays Dr. Amelia Brand, a scientist on a mission to save humanity as she journeys through the vast expanse of space. Hathaway's portrayal of Dr. Brand laces intellect and emotions, bringing out the demands of a dedicated scientist and the vulnerability of a human in unknown territory.

The tension and camaraderie in the scenes between Hathaway's character and Cooper, played by Matthew McConaughey, radiate in every moment of sacrifice and hope that energizes their quest. As the characters race against time to find a new home for humankind, Anne Hathaway captures the resilience and resolve of Brand.

Her performance in Interstellar lends it an emotional touch, turning it from just another sci-fi blockbuster into a deep meditation on love and sacrifice across time and space.

With almost fifty films in her repertoire, these ten Anne Hathaway movies have been deemed the best, according to Rotten Tomatoes scores. Although this list does not include iconic films such as The Princess Diaries or Love & Other Drugs that have become pop culture phenomena, these are still must-watches for fans of the Academy Award-winning actress.