Top 10 Coolest Things About Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway has built a career that moves smoothly between acclaimed dramas, big-scale blockbusters, and sharp comedies, while also stepping behind the camera and onto the stage. She’s worked with major directors, anchored box-office hits, and earned top industry honors along the way. Here are ten standout highlights—starting with the screen projects people love and then touching on a few wider milestones.

‘The Princess Diaries’ (2001) – her breakout role that launched a hit franchise

Walt Disney Pictures

Hathaway’s breakthrough came as Mia Thermopolis in this adaptation of Meg Cabot’s novel, directed by Garry Marshall. The film’s success introduced her to international audiences and quickly led to the sequel, ‘The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement’. It established her as a versatile lead capable of balancing comedy with heartfelt coming-of-age storytelling.

‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (2006) – a global hit adapted from a best-selling novel

20th Century Fox

As aspiring journalist Andy Sachs, Hathaway starred opposite Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt in this workplace comedy-drama based on Lauren Weisberger’s book. The film became a worldwide box-office success and a lasting pop-culture touchpoint in fashion and media circles. It also marked a key transition from teen roles to sophisticated adult leads.

‘Rachel Getting Married’ (2008) – the performance that earned her first Oscar nomination

Clinica Estetico

Hathaway portrayed Kym, a woman in recovery, in Jonathan Demme’s intimate family drama. The performance showcased her range in a character-driven indie setting. It cemented her reputation for taking challenging roles outside mainstream studio fare.

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012) – her grounded take on Selina Kyle in Nolan’s trilogy capstone

DC Entertainment

Hathaway joined Christopher Nolan’s series as Selina Kyle, delivering a performance rooted in character rather than camp. Large-format cinematography and extensive practical set-pieces gave her a high-profile action showcase. The role expanded her footprint in franchise filmmaking while keeping the focus on nuance.

‘Les Misérables’ (2012) – the role that won her an Academy Award

Universal Pictures

Her turn as Fantine in Tom Hooper’s musical earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, along with multiple other major prizes. The production used on-set live singing, which put unusual demands on the cast’s vocal performances. Hathaway’s work became a benchmark example of musical-drama commitment in modern screen adaptations.

‘Interstellar’ (2014) – science-minded space epic with a human core

Legendary Pictures

Reuniting with Christopher Nolan, Hathaway played Dr. Amelia Brand in a story shaped by real-world physics consultation. The film combined practical effects, location work, and large-format photography to realize its cosmic settings. Her role connects the emotional stakes to the film’s scientific and exploratory themes.

‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2005) – an early pivot into acclaimed ensemble drama

Focus Features

Hathaway appeared as Lureen Newsome in Ang Lee’s Oscar-winning ensemble film. The project received broad awards recognition and helped shift perceptions of her screen persona toward more complex material. It remains a notable early entry that broadened her dramatic portfolio.

‘Colossal’ (2016) – an offbeat genre blend linking character study and kaiju mayhem

Toy Fight Productions

In Nacho Vigalondo’s genre-bender, Hathaway plays a woman whose personal turmoil is mysteriously tied to a giant creature overseas. The film fuses intimate character work with monster-movie conventions to explore accountability and control. It gave her a festival-friendly showcase outside traditional studio categories.

‘WeCrashed’ (2022) – Apple TV+ limited series where she also served as executive producer

Wondery

Hathaway starred as Rebekah Neumann and took on an executive producer role in this dramatization of WeWork’s rise and fallout. The series adapts real-world events and examines startup culture through a relationship lens. Her dual role foregrounds her expanding creative involvement in television.

Awards, advocacy, and stage and voice work

AMPAS

Beyond screen roles, Hathaway is an Academy Award winner with additional nominations across major guilds and academies. She has contributed voice performances in projects such as ‘The Simpsons’ and the animated hit ‘Rio’, and has appeared on respected New York stages. She also serves as a United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on gender-equality initiatives, and has received a Primetime Emmy for voice work on ‘The Simpsons’.

Share your favorite Anne Hathaway moments in the comments!