22 Olivia Wilde Movies and TV Shows to Have on Your Radar

Olivia Wilde struck gold with the role of Alex Kelly on "The O.C." in 2004 and 2005. While the actress didn't nail a recurring role on the teen series, it was enough to put her on the map. Consequently, it led to Wilde landing a supporting role in "Alpha Dog" and a main spot in "Turistas," both of which hit theaters in 2006. From there, Wilde's name has been linked to blockbuster projects such as "Tron: Legacy" and "Cowboys & Aliens," as well as the TV series "House." She even scored a minor yet very comedic role in "The Change-Up." Wilde is a household name, and now she's looking to take over the directorial landscape.

In 2019, Wilde made her directorial debut with the comedy "Booksmart" starring Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever. Wilde will be adding at least three more directing credits to her résumé in the coming years, including "Don't Worry Darling." The highly anticipated sexy thriller features Harry Styles (aka Wilde's boyfriend) and Florence Pugh, who play husband and wife in the film, as well as a handful of other A-list actors. While we eagerly wait for Wilde's upcoming releases, take a trip down memory lane with all of Wilde's other noteworthy projects.

01
"The O.C."
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"The O.C."

"The O.C." follows Ryan Atwood, whose life does a complete 180 when he's taken in by one of the richest families in Newport Beach, CA. He begins attending The Harbor School, where he meets the Core Four. The drama series ran from 2003 to 2007. In season two, Wilde plays Alex Kelly, a 17-year-old transplant. Alex, who doesn't go to high school but works at The Bait Shop, has short-lived relationships with both Seth and Marissa.

02
"Alpha Dog"
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"Alpha Dog"

Johnny Truelove and his dad, Sonny, run a prosperous business. The only issue is selling drugs is illegal. When a threatening customer leaves Johnny high and dry, he enlists the help of his best friend, Frankie, to kidnap the person's brother as collateral. Wilde portrays Johnny's girlfriend (and accomplice), Angela Holden.

03
"Turistas"
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"Turistas"

A picturesque vacation among friends turns life threatening when the travelers wake up to find their money, credit cards, and passports unaccounted for. With their lives in the hands of the thieves, they follow them to a remote jungle where they're promised safety. If only that were the case. Wilde stars as one of the unfortunate vacationers.

04
"The Next Three Days"
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"The Next Three Days"

In "The Next Three Days," a woman is convicted of a murder she didn't commit, forcing her to leave behind her young son and beloved husband. After three grueling years of prison visits, looking through evidence, and filing appeals, Lara tells John she's having dark thoughts. With his wife's life on the line, John hatches a plan to break Lara out. Wilde makes a cameo as a mother named Nicole who becomes friendly with John.

05
"Tron: Legacy"
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"Tron: Legacy"

It's been 20 years since Sam last saw his father, renowned video-game creator Kevin Flynn. While tinkering around in Kevin's arcade, Sam is transported into the same cyberworld that took his father away from him. There Sam meets warrior Quorra (Wilde), who helps him reunite with his dad. Together the three of them fight the video game's programming in hopes of returning to reality.

06
"Cowboys & Aliens"
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"Cowboys & Aliens"

Set in a western town called Absolution, Jake Lonergan walks into a bar with no memory and an unrecognizable piece of metal jewelry around his wrist. His arrival isn't well received by the townspeople, which he realizes has to do with the fact that everyone operates under the sole orders of Woodrow Dolarhyde. Jake's near run-in with local enforcement is interrupted by a mystery woman named Ella Swenson (Wilde). Jake and Ella strike up a partnership, and the plot unfolds from there.

07
"The Change-Up"
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"The Change-Up"

In this reimagining of "Freaky Friday," best friends Dave and Mitch wish they could temporarily swap lives (mind you, they're standing next to public fountain and it's about to storm any minute). Dave is jealous of Mitch's bachelor lifestyle, and Mitch thinks he's ready to settle down like Dave. Lo and behold, they awake to find Dave is Mitch and Mitch is Dave. Until they figure out how to break the wish, they help navigate one another through their respective (and vastly different) lives. Wilde portrays Sabrina, Dave's coworker who goes on a date with Mitch (aka Dave!).

08
"The Words"
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"The Words"

"The Words" is two stories within a movie. On the surface is the story of an aspiring writer who publishes a book called "The Window Tears"; however, he isn't the author. He found the old script and took it to a publisher claiming to be the author. When the real author gets wind of this, he confronts the faux writer. The second story follows author Clayton Hammond, whose novel "The Words" seems to be the retelling of Rory, the fake author. This leads people to believe that Clayton's novel is actually a loosely depicted autobiography. Determined to seek truth from fiction, a writing student named Daniella (Wilde) arranges an interview with Clayton.

09
"Deadfall"
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"Deadfall"

Siblings Liza (Wilde) and Addison run the risk of getting caught with stolen casino money when their car crashes, prompting a rescue mission from the police. In an attempt to cover the stolen money, Addison shoots a policeman. The siblings split up but promise to reunite once they cross the Canadian border. Liza hitches a ride with Jay, a boxer headed north for Thanksgiving. The plan is solid as long as she doesn't fall for him and spill her big secret.

10
"House"
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"House"

Wilde was a series regular on "House" for four consecutive seasons. The dramatized show takes place at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, where leading medical expert Dr. Gregory House explores peculiar health practices and infectious diseases. Wilde's character, Dr. Remy "Thirteen" Hadley, joins House's team as a diagnostics expert in season four.

11
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"People Like Us"

Upon learning of his father's passing, Sam and his girlfriend, Hannah (Wilde), return home to Los Angeles. Aside from consoling his family, Sam's main order of business is taking care of his father's will. What he didn't expect to uncover was that he has a 30-year-old half-sister, Frankie, and a nephew. Sam gets close to Frankie under false pretenses, which drives a wedge between Sam and Hannah, who doesn't agree with Sam's actions. When it comes time for Sam to fess up, his world implodes and with it his relationships with Hannah, Frankie, and Frankie's son.

12
"Drinking Buddies"
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"Drinking Buddies"

Not only are Kate (Olivia Wilde) and Luke coworkers, but they're best friends — and they're each in a committed relationship. So in no universe would the two of them ever date each other. It's not possible, no matter how strong of connection they have . . . even if it they share a mutual attraction. Right?

13
"The Incredible Burt Wonderstone"
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"The Incredible Burt Wonderstone"

Magicians Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton are the faces of magic in Las Vegas. When a rising newcomer threatens to steal their audience, and consequently their revenue, the magic duo head back to the drawing board to save their act. Wilde stars as aspiring magician Jane, Burt and Anton's assistant

14
"Rush"
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"Rush"

Set in the mid-1970s, "Rush" centers around real-life Formula 1 drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda as they risk their lives on the track for the title of champion. Oh, and the fame that comes with it, of course. Wilde takes on the persona of Suzy Miller, a supermodel and James's wife. She's forced to cheer from the sidelines, though she quickly grows restless of her idle lifestyle.

15
"Third Person"
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"Third Person"

In "Third Person," a novelist composes three different love stories, all of which take place in difference cities and explore the various meanings of true love. Wilde is featured in a story set in Paris. A recently single writer reconnects with an old flame (Wilde) from his past. They remain hopeful that this time their relationship will stick, but Anna's dark past keeps her from being able to seriously commit.

16
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"The Longest Week"

Following his parents' unsettling divorce, Conrad is distressed, broke, and without place to sleep. Things finally start to feel a little bit better when Dylan, Conrad's longtime friend, offers him a room at his place. Then Conrad meets Beatrice (Wilde), the woman of his dreams, and knows she is his silver lining. Too bad she's already taken . . . by Conrad's new roommate.

17
"The Lazarus Effect"
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"The Lazarus Effect"

Medical researchers and engaged couple Frank and Zoe (Wilde) have just cracked an insolvable case: they've discovered how to bring the dead back to life. They've only conducted the experiment on animals, but now they're ready to try it on a corpse. An attempt gone wrong leaves Zoe dead, and Frank seizes the opportunity to bring Zoe back to life, making Zoe the first revived corpse.

18
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"Meadowland"

It's the one-year anniversary of their son's abduction, but Phil (Luke Wilson) and Sarah (Wilde) are still very much healing. As a police officer, Phil takes a more traditional approach to healing. He looks at the facts, the probability of whether or not their son could still be alive. Sarah is grieving as she has accepted what has happened. The film follows each parent's path of healing.

19
"Love the Coopers"
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"Love the Coopers"

A winter holiday comedy, "Love the Coopers" follows four generations of Coopers as they gather together for their annual Cooper Christmas Eve party. This year each member is tugging along a big secret. The matriarchs of the family are getting a divorce, while their son, Hank, is a newly single father, and their daughter, Eleanor (Wilde), brings home a fake fiancé so she can avoid her family's pestering questions about her dating life. Throw in several grandchildren and the family's "fun" aunt, and what could go wrong?

20
"A Vigilante"
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"A Vigilante"

Once she escaped her abusive husband, Sadie (Wilde) vowed to help free other victims of domestic violence. She made an oath to herself that she would become the person she wished she'd had during her time of need. Sadie undergoes months of intense training and preparation, learning martial arts, survival skills, and violent tactics should it come to life or death. It's time for Sadie to set out on her mission.

21
"Life Itself"
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"Life Itself"

Newlyweds Will and Abby (Wilde) are eagerly preparing for a new milestone: parenthood. Meanwhile 3,500-something miles away in Seville, Spain, strangers are caught in a crossroads over a piece of land. Destiny unexpectedly brings Will and Abby and this group of people together in a way they never imagined.

22
"Richard Jewell"
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"Richard Jewell"

Inspired by a true story, "Richard Jewell" is about security guard Richard Jewell, who alerts authorities of a suspicious backpack at Centennial Park during the 1996 Summer Olympics. Jewell saves hundreds of lives, but his name and motives are put into question when the FBI labels him a prime suspect. Jewell's story is monopolized following reporter Kathy Scruggs's (Wilde) article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Scruggs makes a point to note Jewell's physical appearance and previous jobs, and that he lives with his mother. The article begins to sway public opinion and ruin Jewell's life.

Olivia Wilde-Directed Movies
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Olivia Wilde-Directed Movies

  • "Booksmart": Wilde made her directorial debut with the 2019 film, which is about two straight-A high school seniors (played by Feldstein and Dever) who decide they want to have one last night of partying before graduation. "I always wanted to make movies and be a part of the moviemaking process," she told Variety of making her directorial debut. "I always assumed acting was the way in, because for many young women . . . they're told, 'You love movies — you should be a movie star.' No one tells a little girl, 'Why don't you become a director?' It's just not a part of the conversation. But if a little boy says he loves movies, it's like, 'Maybe one day you'll direct. Maybe you'll be the next Steven Spielberg or Martin Scorsese.'"
  • "Don't Worry Darling": Starring Styles and Pugh, the film is about a married couple living a seemingly idyllic life — that is, until Pugh's Alice starts to have doubts and tensions come to a head. Wilde told Vogue in December 2021 that it was important to her to make a film that was "really sexy, in a grown-up way." The director said she was inspired by films like "Fatal Attraction" and "Indecent Proposal." "I kept saying, 'Why isn't there any good sex in film anymore?'" she recalled. "Don't Worry Darling" hits theaters Sept. 23.