25 Things to Pack for a Cruise
25 Things to Pack for a Cruise
Let’s be real, Julia Roberts isn’t just an actress; she’s a whole mood. That megawatt smile, that infectious laugh—it’s powered Hollywood for decades. But beyond being America’s Sweetheart, she’s served up some of the most iconic roles, from rom-coms that defined a generation to gritty dramas that had us ugly-crying.
I’ve rewatched *everything* (tough job, I know) to sort the must-sees from the just-okay. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic meet-cute or an Oscar-worthy performance that’ll wreck you in the best way, I’ve got you covered. These are truly the best Julia Roberts films you need to stream, like, yesterday.
This is the Julia we all fell in love with first. The queen of the charmingly chaotic romance, the master of the will-they-won’t-they. These are the movies that feel like a cozy blanket and a glass of wine.

The Pretty Woman Blu-ray is just $12.99, which is a steal for the film that basically invented the modern rom-com. This is *the* role that shot Julia into the stratosphere. Her chemistry with Richard Gere is electric, and the shopping scene? “Big mistake. Big. Huge.” It’s forever iconic.
If you’re looking for that perfect, feel-good movie night, this is it. It’s the gold standard for a reason. Plus, that soundtrack still absolutely slaps.
The Downside: Let’s just say the views on romance and class are a little…1990. You have to watch it with a grain of salt.
You can grab the Notting Hill Blu-ray for $18.10. This is probably my favorite of her rom-coms. She plays a massive movie star who falls for a bumbling-but-adorable bookstore owner played by Hugh Grant. It’s just so charming and witty.
Critics agree—it’s her highest-rated romantic comedy on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s got that perfect blend of humor and heart, and the “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy” line is legendary for a reason. Trust me, it never gets old.
The Downside: You can see the plot twists coming from a mile away, but honestly, who cares when it’s this cute?
The My Best Friend’s Wedding Blu-ray is available for $24.99. Okay, so Julia plays the villain in this one, and it’s amazing. She’s a scheming, desperate food critic trying to break up her best friend’s wedding, and I was kinda rooting for her?
It completely flips the rom-com script. The musical numbers are hilarious, and the ensemble cast is just perfect. It’s a must-watch if you like your romance with a side of absolute chaos.
The Downside: The side characters (looking at you, Rupert Everett) are so good they almost steal the show from the main couple.

For $13.44, the Ticket to Paradise Blu-ray is the perfect escape. Seeing Julia and George Clooney back together as bickering exes is pure joy. They team up to sabotage their daughter’s wedding in Bali, and the whole thing is just gorgeous to look at.
It’s a breezy, fun, modern rom-com that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you need a vacation in a movie, this is your ticket. Their chemistry is as sparkling as ever.
The Downside: The story is pretty formulaic, but the star power and stunning locations make up for it.

This early-career gem, the Mystic Pizza Blu-ray, is only $15.00. This is where you can see that star power starting to bubble up. She’s a fiery Portuguese-American waitress navigating love and life in a small town.
It’s such a charming and authentic coming-of-age story. It’s not as glossy as her later work, but that’s what makes it so special. It’s a slice of ’80s realness.
The Downside: You can definitely tell it was made on a smaller budget; it has that slightly grainy, low-budget feel.
Don’t get it twisted—Julia is so much more than a rom-com queen. When she decides to get serious, she *really* goes for it. These are the films that earned her Oscar nominations and proved she has incredible range.
The Erin Brockovich 4K UHD + Blu-ray is $26.99, and it’s worth every penny to see this performance in stunning 4K. This is the role that finally won her the Oscar for Best Actress, and it’s not hard to see why. She is an absolute force of nature as the tenacious, foul-mouthed single mom taking on a massive corporation.
It’s an inspiring true story with a whip-smart script that feels just as sharp today. Her performance is a total transformation and a masterclass in acting. It’s one of the absolute best Julia Roberts films, period.
The Downside: Some of the legal scenes can feel a bit long if you’re not into courtroom drama.
Prepare to cry with the Steel Magnolias 4K Blu-ray for $27.99. This was her breakout dramatic role, and it earned her her first Oscar nomination. The chemistry between this all-star female cast (Sally Field! Dolly Parton! Shirley MacLaine!) is off the charts.
She brings so much heart and vulnerability to her role as the young, fragile Shelby. It’s a movie about friendship, love, and loss that will emotionally destroy you in the best possible way. Just have tissues ready.
The Downside: This movie is emotionally *heavy*. Do not watch if you’re looking for a light and fluffy evening.

The The Normal Heart Blu-ray costs $19.99, and her performance is absolutely devastating. As a doctor on the front lines of the AIDS crisis in the ’80s, she is filled with righteous fury. This is her highest-rated project on Rotten Tomatoes for a reason.
This is Julia at her most intense and powerful. It’s an unflinching look at a dark time in history, and she delivers an emotional powerhouse of a performance alongside Mark Ruffalo.
The Downside: It was made for TV, so the production values aren’t quite as slick as her big-screen movies.

At $20.00, the Ben Is Back Blu-ray is a tense, gripping ride. Julia plays a mother whose drug-addicted son (Lucas Hedges) shows up unexpectedly on Christmas Eve. Her performance is so raw and real, you feel every ounce of her fear and fierce love.
This isn’t just a drama; it’s a full-on thriller that unfolds over 24 stressful hours. Critics loved her work here, and it’s one of her most underrated performances, in my opinion.
The Downside: The subject matter is incredibly dark and might be too intense for some viewers.

The Closer Blu-ray is available for $15.00. This movie is messy, and I am here for it. It’s an edgy, brutal look at infidelity and betrayal, with an absolutely electric cast that includes Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen.
Julia plays a photographer caught in a web of lies and passion, and she’s fantastic. If you’re tired of sweet and wholesome, this is the perfect antidote. It’s sharp, cynical, and completely captivating.
The Downside: Every single character in this movie is kind of terrible, so there’s no one to really root for.
You can get the August: Osage County Blu-ray for $18.00. Watching Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep go head-to-head as a warring daughter and mother is the stuff of acting dreams. The dialogue is so sharp and biting it will leave marks.
This movie is basically a showcase for incredible actors to just scream at each other in a hot, dysfunctional house, and it’s brilliant. Her Oscar-nominated supporting performance is a standout in a cast full of standouts.
The Downside: It’s based on a Pulitzer-winning play, and at over two hours, it can feel a bit long.
The The Pelican Brief Blu-ray is a solid thriller for just $14.00. Julia plays a sharp law student who uncovers a conspiracy and has to go on the run. Partnering with Denzel Washington? Yes, please.
This is a classic ’90s legal thriller based on a John Grisham novel, and it delivers all the suspense you could want. It’s smart, fast-paced, and their on-screen partnership is fantastic.
The Downside: It relies on some pretty standard thriller tropes, but it does them so well you don’t really mind.
Sometimes you just want to watch a fun movie with a big star. These films are pure entertainment, from slick heists to heartwarming family stories.

For a ridiculously low $9.79, the Ocean’s Eleven Blu-ray is a must-own. This movie is just *cool*. The cast is stacked with every handsome man in Hollywood (George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon), and Julia holds her own as the sophisticated Tess.
It’s the smoothest, most stylish heist movie ever made. The plot is clever, the vibe is effortless, and it’s just a blast to watch from start to finish.
The Downside: Her role as the ex-wife at the center of the heist is pretty secondary to all the boys’ fun.
The Wonder 4K Blu-ray is a bit pricier at $34.99, but it’s a truly special family film. Julia plays the mom of a boy with facial differences starting middle school for the first time. Her performance is so warm and full of heart.
This is one of her top-ranked films on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s a beautiful story about kindness and acceptance. The family dynamics feel so real, and it has an amazing anti-bullying message.
The Downside: It’s definitely designed to pull at your heartstrings, so some might find it a little too sentimental.
At $9.98, the Charlotte’s Web Blu-ray is a classic for a reason. Julia’s voice as Charlotte the spider is perfect—calm, wise, and so comforting. It’s a role you might forget she did, but she’s the heart of the whole film.
This is a super faithful and wholesome adaptation of the children’s book. It’s a great G-rated pick for a family movie night that will probably make you cry happy-sad tears.
The Downside: The live-action-animal CGI looks a little dated by 2026 standards.
After diving back into all her work, one thing is crystal clear: Julia Roberts can do it all. She can make you laugh, make you swoon, and make you think. She’s commanded the screen for decades because she has that rare ability to feel both like a larger-than-life movie star and your best friend at the same time.
So which is the absolute best Julia Roberts film? If I *had* to choose, I’d say *Erin Brockovich*. It has everything: humor, drama, a killer true story, and a powerhouse performance that cemented her legacy. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with any movie on this list.
Whether you’re revisiting an old favorite or discovering a new one, you’re in for a treat. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to watch *Notting Hill* for the thousandth time.
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