Everyone has a "Julia Roberts story." Maybe yours is the first time you saw that red dress in Pretty Woman, or perhaps it's the way she took down a billion-dollar utility company in Erin Brockovich with nothing but a baby on her hip and a lot of nerve.
She's basically the last of a dying breed: the actual, bona fide movie star.
In an era where every "it girl" has a 15-minute shelf life, Roberts has somehow stayed relevant for nearly four decades. And honestly? She’s doing it now by barely being "there" at all. While most of Hollywood is busy fighting for clicks on TikTok, Julia is at her ranch in New Mexico or navigating the chaos of having three college-aged kids.
But don't let the quiet life fool you. She’s still the most interesting person in the room.
The 2026 Resurgence: After the Hunt and Ocean's 14
If you caught the 2026 Golden Globes, you saw it. Julia walked out to present Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) and the entire room just... stood up. It wasn't one of those polite industry ovations. It was a "we really missed you" moment.
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She looked incredible, obviously. But it was her reaction that killed. "I’m gonna be impossible for at least a week," she joked, leaning into that famous, wide-as-the-horizon smile.
Right now, she's riding high on the success of After the Hunt. Directed by Luca Guadagnino—the guy who gave us Challengers and Call Me by Your Name—the film casts her as Alma Imhoff, a Yale philosophy professor. It’s a messy, intellectual thriller that deals with a student (played by the brilliant Ayo Edebiri) accusing Julia’s on-screen husband (Andrew Garfield) of assault.
It’s heavy stuff.
Kinda miles away from the rom-coms we grew up with, right? That’s the thing about Julia in 2026. She’s not playing the ingenue anymore because she doesn't have to. She’s exploring the "trauma industry" and the concept of shame, recently telling Variety that "listening" is the one thing culture has completely lost.
And then there’s the big one: Ocean’s 14.
George Clooney finally got his "bee in a bonnet," as Julia puts it, and convinced the old gang to return. Production is slated for October 2026. The pitch? They're "too old to do what they used to do, but smart enough to know how to get away with it." Honestly, seeing Julia and George trade quips again is probably the only thing the box office needs to save itself.
The "Almond" Incident and the Rider Reset
You’ve probably heard about the almonds.
In a recent Deadline interview, Julia admitted she’s had to ask her team to stop bringing her bulk almonds everywhere she goes. It’s become a weird, accidental running joke—like George Clooney’s character in Jay Kelly who can’t escape cheesecakes.
"I like them, but not in bulk!" she laughed.
It sounds like a small thing, but it’s so classically Julia. She’s at a point in her life where she’s reviewing her "riders"—those lists of demands stars have for their trailers—and realizing she just wants a "reset." Less fuss, more real life.
Why We Can't Quit the Pretty Woman Legacy
We have to talk about the keyword on everyone’s mind when they think of her: Pretty Woman.
It’s been over 35 years since Vivian Ward walked down Rodeo Drive. Most movies from 1990 feel like time capsules, but that one? It’s still everywhere. You can’t scroll through a fashion blog without seeing a reference to her oversized blazers or those polka dots.
The Fashion That Never Actually Died
Julia was doing "quiet luxury" before it had a hashtag.
- The Power Suit: Remember the 1990 Golden Globes? She wore a grey Giorgio Armani men’s suit. It was huge. It was androgynous. It was a massive risk that defined a decade.
- The Off-Duty Look: Ripped Levi’s, cowboy boots, and a black blazer. She wore this in the early 90s, and you could literally walk into a Zara today and find the exact same outfit.
- The 2026 Vibe: At the most recent Globes, she wore a plunging black dress with a red necklace and a diamanté strawberry pendant. It was playful. It didn't look like she was trying to prove she’s "still got it." She just has it.
The Danny Moder Factor: A 23-Year Anchor
In Hollywood, a marriage lasting five years is a miracle. Julia and cinematographer Danny Moder hit 23 years in 2025.
They met on the set of The Mexican in 2001, tied the knot in 2002, and have been aggressively private ever since. They have three kids: twins Hazel and Phinnaeus (now 21) and Henry (18).
Julia has been vocal lately about the "sobbing" that comes with being an empty nester. All three kids are basically college-aged now. She told CBS Sunday Morning a while back that while acting was her dream, the life she built with Danny is the "best stuff."
You can tell she means it. When Andrew Garfield asked her what brings her constant joy in a recent interview, she didn't say "the Oscars" or "my legacy." She just said, "Danny Moder."
Julia’s Real-World Impact
She isn't just a face on a poster. She’s been a Lancôme ambassador since 2009, which is a staggering run for any beauty contract. More importantly, she’s the President and CEO of BRAC USA, an organization focused on global development and poverty.
She’s also been a massive supporter of:
- UNICEF (dating back to her 1995 trip to Haiti).
- (RED) and the fight against AIDS.
- Environmental causes, specifically Earth Biofuels.
She doesn't just tweet about these things. She’s been in the trenches for decades.
What Most People Get Wrong About Julia Roberts
People think she’s "America's Sweetheart" and that's it. They think it's all easy smiles and rom-com magic.
But if you look at her career, she’s actually quite "thorny" in the best way. She’s played unlikable characters (hello, My Best Friend's Wedding), complicated mothers (Ben is Back), and whistleblowers (Erin Brockovich).
She was the first woman to break the $20 million salary ceiling in Hollywood. That wasn't just about the money; it was about power. She shifted the economics of the industry for every woman who came after her.
Actionable Insights for the Julia Fan
If you want to keep up with the next phase of her career, here is what you need to do:
- Watch After the Hunt: It’s her most "serious" work in years and shows a side of her that's raw and deeply emotional.
- Keep an eye on Red Om Films: That’s her production company (it’s "Moder" spelled backward). They’re producing her upcoming project Panic Carefully, which is already generating buzz for 2027.
- Audit Your Own "Rider": Take a page from Julia’s 2026 "almond reset." Look at the things in your life you're doing just because they've always been done that way, and give yourself permission to simplify.
- Follow the Philanthropy: Check out the work BRAC USA is doing. It’s a great way to see the causes she actually puts her time into.
Julia Roberts isn't going anywhere. She’s just getting more selective, more intentional, and—honestly—a lot more interesting. Whether she's dodging almonds on a film set or planning a heist with George Clooney, she remains the gold standard for what a movie star should be.