Classic Julia Roberts Films That You Can Watch on Netflix
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Besides her gorgeous mane and famous smile, Julia Roberts fully inhabits every character she plays with verve and tenderness, from an envy-fueled maid of honor in My Best Friend's Wedding to a loving mother in Wonder. She's an American treasure for sure — just ask Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, who went into a hilarious Twitter tizzy after watching her work her charm in Notting Hill.
Roberts is shining brighter than ever, with highly anticipated projects Homecoming and Ben Is Back soon to be released. Oh, and she's even created an Instagram account! If you're feeling nostalgic for her past work, you won't need to dig up your DVDs or VHS tapes just yet. From Steel Magnolias to Larry Crowne, we've rounded up some of her classics that you can stream on Netflix right now.
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Larry Crowne
Julia Roberts is practically royalty when it comes to romantic comedies. In Larry Crowne, she plays Mercedes, a disgruntled speech teacher at a community college who balances her career with her alcoholism struggles and an irresponsible husband. Of course, she develops feelings for one of her students, who's played by none other than the equally charming Tom Hanks.
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Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias is a tearjerker icon with a lovely ensemble cast of women featuring Sally Field and Dolly Parton. Roberts plays a spry young woman named Shelby, who shares strong relationships with her mother's friends. The first half of the movie follows the hilarious misadventures leading up to her marriage. A few years after she gives birth, Shelby experiences complications linked to her diabetes, and the film takes a sharp turn into tissue-wielding territory.
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Secret in Their Eyes
Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, and Chiwetel Ejiofor? This remake of one of Argentina's most critically acclaimed thrillers isn't joking around. If you've watched the twisty original, the structure is roughly the same — both movies focus on the federal investigation of a sexual assault and murder case. In the American version, Roberts's character is the mother rather than the husband of the victim.
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The Ant Bully
While it's an animated film about anthropomorphic ants, The Ant Bully is nothing to be sniffed at (or scared of). After squirting an anthill with a water gun, a young boy named Lucas shrinks when a few ants decide to go after him. Roberts voices a nurse ant named Hova, the endearing, curious love interest of a wizard ant who's brought to life by Nicolas Cage. Oh, and did we mention that Meryl Streep's character is literally the queen of the colony?
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Smurfs: The Lost Village
Yup, this is another animated feature with a star-studded cast that includes Demi Lovato, Rainn Wilson, Mandy Patinkin, and more. Smurfs: The Lost Village follows the adventures of a group of young Smurfs who venture deep into the Forbidden Forest despite Papa Smurf's warnings. Roberts's role here is relatively minor but still effective — she plays Smurfwillow, the maternal leader of Smurfy Grove and the apple of Papa Smurf's eye. Even when we can't see her Mona Lisa smile, Roberts's warm voice brings an undeniable presence.