7 Essential Audrey Hepburn Movies, Ranked
Whether you watch classic films or not, you know the name Audrey Hepburn and are aware of her legacy as an actress and activist. Hepburn's work in Hollywood is not only inimitable, but every film she's been in is exceptional, too, which is ultimately a rarity for any actor.
With a new biopic centered on the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) coming out, starring Lily Collins, there's a lot of conversation about the star at the moment, so looking back at her films feels necessary to understand the body of work that contributed to her excellence.
Again, and ultimately, everything Hepburn touched had a sense of magic in it that's impossible to replicate, but here are her most essential movies ranked, as well as where you can stream them on platforms such as Prime Video and more.
If you loved To Catch a Thief (1955) but have somehow been sleeping on How to Steal a Million, then now's the time to fix that. But the only reason this is even ranked lower is solely because if I had watched it before To Catch a Thief, I would undoubtedly love it even more. Still, it's an absolute blast and one of Hepburn's more lighthearted movies to dive into.
For a movie that could've been heavier, it's the levity that makes it stick out and find its footing. It's the small moments of laughter in between that make it one of the more fun movies to watch, and it feels especially necessary for anyone who appreciates any sort of romance that involves two characters starting off on the wrong foot before falling in love.
In fairness, I was a Harrison Ford fan before I was an Audrey Hepburn fan, so I have a personal soft spot for Sabrina (1995). (Plus, the thirty-year age gap isn't exactly something that aged well either in the original.) Still, the version of Sabrina, starring Hepburn alongside Humphrey Bogart and William Holden, is an essential film in the star's brilliant career for a reason.
Hepburn held her own exceptionally throughout, ensuring that her character is easily remembered and revered. It's because of her work that the film shines as the classic it does, and it's perhaps why so many romance fans love the idea of grand gestures at the end of a film. It's beautifully shot and gorgeously acted, so it's a must-watch for anyone who loves the love triangle trope and wants a version where it's mostly well done.
The Parisian fashion world, Audrey Hepburn, a musical, and Fred Astaire? Need I say more? Funny Face is gorgeous, hilarious, and genuinely so thrilling that if Hepburn weren't so good in all her other roles, this would've been a top three. It’s perfect for anyone who loves Singin' in the Rain (1952), and sometimes it feels like the movies should exist in the same multiverse.
While parts of the screenplay aren't exactly as strong when we look back, it's still a tremendous movie that showcases just how much range Hepburn is capable of. Her star quality is present throughout most of her movies, but as her first musical feature, it does plenty to introduce us to a different side of her.
Like Funny Face, My Fair Lady is a near-perfect musical that not only shows off her skills, but it also does a significant job of revealing how she hones her work with every passing role. Romantic, full of humor, and surprisingly warm, there's a magic in My Fair Lady that's almost hard to describe.
And while it is a known fact that Hepburn didn't actually sing then, Marni Nixon did for her while she was dubbed, these details don't change the fact that the film is still wonderful for all that she conveys in her performance. Here, the production quality is also exceptional, making the overall film a lovely escape for anyone wanting a compelling musical.
Two of my favorite things in fiction are romance and a heist—opposite types of characters paired together in what turns out to be a joyous, stylistically delightful romp from start to finish. Charade might just be one of the most underrated movies in Hepburn's filmography, but there's no denying that in it, she also delivered some of her finest performances.
In addition, combining the sharp screenplay with astute directing while pairing Hepburn with Cary Grant together makes the movie an absolute thrill ride. Few things have come close to it in the last few years, but The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015) slightly scratches a similar itch. In every way, Charade is incredible and fully essential for Hepburn fans.
Despite controversial decisions made at the time by casting white actors to play Asian characters and odd decisions in the screenplay, for many of us, Breakfast at Tiffany's was likely our introduction to Hepburn, and because of this, it makes the movie special. It adds that extra layer of magic, wherein the characterization of New York also shines in the directing.
A large part of the appeal in Breakfast at Tiffany's is the romanticization amid heartbreak and uncertainties. It's the magic of taking something ordinary and trying to ensure that there's joy in it. Hepburn's performance and overall appearance in the film became a cultural blueprint for fashion and characterizations, giving it a sense of timelessness in a way that's rare nowadays. It's a must-watch for all that she conveys.
I can write thousands of words trying to convey the brilliance of Roman Holiday, and yet, no word will ever be enough. It isn't just Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck's best movie, but it's personally, my favorite movie of all time—the number one in my book, in every genre, in every way.
Perfect from start to finish with a breathtaking screenplay and even more breathtaking performances, there's a warmth in Roman Holiday that serves as a blueprint for how to write compelling character interactions that not only stick the landing but are utterly profound in the brief time they spend together. It's a masterclass in every way to showcase longing, heartbreak, and individual character growth amid the romance, while also allowing the setting of Rome to be its own character, too.
