Editing Julia Roberts (section)

==Career==
===1980s===
Following her first television appearance as a juvenile rape victim in the first season of the series ''[[Crime Story (U.S. TV series)|Crime Story]]'', with [[Dennis Farina]], in the episode "The Survivor", broadcast on February 13, 1987, Roberts made her big screen debut in the dramedy ''[[Satisfaction (1988 film)|Satisfaction]]'' (1988), alongside [[Liam Neeson]] and [[Justine Bateman]], as a band member looking for a summer gig. (She had filmed a small role in 1987 opposite her brother [[Eric Roberts|Eric]], in ''[[Blood Red (film)|Blood Red]]'', though she only had two words of dialogue, and it was not released until 1989.) In 1988, Roberts had a role in the fourth-season finale of ''[[Miami Vice]]'' and her first critical success with moviegoers came with the independent romantic comedy  ''[[Mystic Pizza]]'',<ref name=tca>Stated on ''[[Inside the Actors Studio]]'', 1997</ref> in which she played a Portuguese-American teenage girl working as a waitress at a pizza parlor. [[Roger Ebert]] found Roberts to be a "major beauty with a fierce energy" and observed that the film "may someday become known for the movie stars it showcased back before they became stars. All of the young actors in this movie have genuine gifts".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mystic-pizza-1988 |title=Mystic Pizza |website=rogerebert.com |date=October 21, 1998 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310123116/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mystic-pizza-1988 }}</ref>

In ''[[Steel Magnolias]]'' (1989), a [[film adaptation]] of [[Robert Harling (writer)|Robert Harling]]'s [[Steel Magnolias (play)|1987 play of the same name]], Roberts starred as a young bride with [[diabetes]], alongside [[Sally Field]], [[Dolly Parton]], [[Shirley MacLaine]] and [[Daryl Hannah]]. The filmmakers were looking at both [[Laura Dern]] and [[Winona Ryder]] when the casting director insisted they see Roberts, who was then filming ''Mystic Pizza''.<ref name="jrrefn">{{cite web |url=https://www.southernliving.com/news/steel-magnolias-robert-harling-true-story |title=Julia Roberts Wasn't the Original Actor Cast as Shelby in Steel Magnolias |work=Southern Living |first=Rebecca Angel |last=Baer |date=May 24, 2019 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219060905/https://www.southernliving.com/news/steel-magnolias-robert-harling-true-story }}</ref> Harling stated: "She walked into the room and that smile lit everything up and I said 'that's my sister', so she joined the party and she was magnificent".<ref name="jrrefn" /> Director [[Herbert Ross]] was notoriously tough on newcomer Roberts, with Sally Field admitting that he "went after Julia with a vengeance. This was pretty much her first big film".<ref name="jrrefn" /> Nevertheless, the film was a critical and commercial darling when it was released,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/steel_magnolias |title=Steel Magnolias |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=November 15, 1989 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118045953/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/steel_magnolias }}</ref> and Roberts received both her first Academy Award nomination (as [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]) and first Golden Globe Award win ([[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture|Best Supporting Actress]]) [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture|Motion Picture]] for her performance.<ref name=tca/>

===1990s===
Catapulting on her 1989 Academy Award nomination, Roberts gained further notice from worldwide audiences when she starred with [[Richard Gere]] in the [[Cinderella]]–[[Pygmalion (play)|Pygmalionesque]] story, ''[[Pretty Woman]]'', in 1990, playing an assertive freelance [[hooker with a heart of gold]].<ref name=tca/> Roberts won the role after [[Michelle Pfeiffer]], [[Molly Ringwald]], [[Meg Ryan]], [[Jennifer Jason Leigh]], [[Karen Allen]], and [[Daryl Hannah]] (her co-star in ''[[Steel Magnolias]]'') turned it down.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/pretty-woman-20th-anniversary-re-release | title=Pretty Woman: 20th anniversary re-release | first=Jonathan | last=Crocker | work=Total Film | publisher=Future Publishing Limited | date=January 25, 2010 | access-date=July 20, 2011 | archive-date=May 11, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511151029/http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/pretty-woman-20th-anniversary-re-release | url-status=live }}</ref> The role also earned her a second Oscar nomination, this time as [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]], and second Golden Globe Award win, as [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical|Best Actress – Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy)]].<ref name=tca/> She was paid $300,000 for the part.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/people/JROBE.php|title=Julia Roberts|access-date=July 23, 2011|publisher=Nash Information Services, LLC|archive-date=August 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826074523/http://the-numbers.com/people/JROBE.php|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Pretty Woman'' saw the highest number of ticket sales in the U.S. ever for a romantic comedy,<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/9158072/Richard-Gere-Pretty-Woman-a-silly-romantic-comedy.html | title= Richard Gere: Pretty Woman a 'Silly Romantic Comedy' | first= Rosa | last= Prince | work= [[The Daily Telegraph]] | date= March 21, 2012 | location= London | access-date= October 6, 2018 | archive-date= June 13, 2018 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180613125145/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/9158072/Richard-Gere-Pretty-Woman-a-silly-romantic-comedy.html | url-status= live }}</ref> and made $463.4{{nbsp}}million worldwide.<ref>{{Mojo title | id=prettywoman | title=Pretty Woman}}.</ref> The [[Red dress of Julia Roberts|red dress]] Roberts wore in the film has been considered one of the most famous gowns in cinema.<ref>{{cite web |title=20 Greatest Movie Dresses of All Timce |url=https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/g1398/greatest-movie-dresses-ever/ |website=Marie Claire |access-date=28 October 2021 |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028031825/https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/g1398/greatest-movie-dresses-ever/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="vogueparis">{{cite web |last1=Reyand |first1=Florain |title=The secrets behind Julia Roberts' red dress in Pretty Woman |url=https://www.vogue.fr/fashion-culture/article/the-secrets-behind-julia-roberts-red-dress-in-pretty-woman |website=Vogue Paris |date=August 14, 2020 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028031816/https://www.vogue.fr/fashion-culture/article/the-secrets-behind-julia-roberts-red-dress-in-pretty-woman |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="marie">{{cite web |last1=Goldstone |first1=Penny |title=This legendary fashion moment from Pretty Woman almost never was |url=https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/fashion/pretty-woman-dress-never-happened-674129 |website=Marie Claire UK |date=November 14, 2019 |access-date=28 October 2021 |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028031832/https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/fashion/pretty-woman-dress-never-happened-674129 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:JuliaRoberts90.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Roberts at the 1990 [[Deauville American Film Festival]]]]

Her next film release following ''Pretty Woman'' was [[Joel Schumacher]]'s supernatural thriller ''[[Flatliners]]'' (also 1990), in which Roberts starred as one of five students conducting clandestine experiments that produce [[near-death experience]]s. The production was met with a polarized critical reception, but made a profit at the box office and has since been considered a [[cult film]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemablend.com/news/1540549/the-weird-reason-the-new-flatliners-isnt-really-a-remake|title=The Weird Reason The New Flatliners Isn't Really A Remake|date=1 August 2016|access-date=January 16, 2022|archive-date=January 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116012906/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1540549/the-weird-reason-the-new-flatliners-isnt-really-a-remake|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1991, Roberts played a battered wife attempting to begin a new life in Iowa in the thriller ''[[Sleeping with the Enemy]]'', a winged, six-inch-tall tomboyish [[Tinker Bell|Tinkerbell]] in [[Steven Spielberg]]'s fantasy film ''[[Hook (film)|Hook]]'' and an outgoing yet cautious nurse in her second collaboration with director Joel Schumacher, the romance drama ''[[Dying Young]]''. Although negative reviews greeted her 1991 outings, ''Sleeping with the Enemy'' grossed $175 million,<ref>[http://admin.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=sleepingwiththeenemy.htm ''Sleeping with the Enemy'' at Box Office Mojo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708090044/http://admin.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=sleepingwiththeenemy.htm |date=2011-07-08 }}</ref> ''Hook'' $300.9 million<ref>{{Mojo title | id=hook | title=Hook}}</ref> and ''Dying Young'' $82.3 million<ref>{{Mojo title | id=dyingyoung | title=Dying Young}}.</ref> globally.

Roberts took a two-year hiatus from the screen, during which her only appearance in a film was a [[Cameo appearance|cameo]] in [[Robert Altman]]'s ''[[The Player (1992 film)|The Player]]'' (1992). In early 1993, she was the subject of a ''[[People (American magazine)|People]]'' magazine cover story asking, "What Happened to Julia Roberts?".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/julia_roberts/biography |title=People Magazine – Celebrity Central/Top 25 Celebs, Julia Roberts, biography |work=People |access-date=October 12, 2012 |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728213904/http://www.people.com/people/julia_roberts/biography |url-status=live }}</ref> Roberts starred with [[Denzel Washington]] in the thriller ''[[The Pelican Brief (film)|The Pelican Brief]]'' (1993), based on [[John Grisham]]'s [[The Pelican Brief|1992 novel of the same name]].<ref name=tca/> In it, she played a young law student who uncovers a conspiracy, putting herself and others in danger. The film was a commercial success, grossing $195.2&nbsp;million worldwide.<ref>{{cite news | title='Pelican' Soars at the Box Office Movies: The mystery, with Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington, takes in more than $16 million. 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' 'Schindler's List' also do well. | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=December 20, 1993 | first=David J. | last=Fox | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-20-ca-3857-story.html | access-date=November 30, 2010 | archive-date=October 3, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003201300/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-20-ca-3857-story.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title='Mrs. Doubtfire,' 'Pelican Brief' propel final week and 'Jurassic Park' chews up the competition as industry receipts hit $5.2&nbsp;billion. | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=January 3, 1994 | first=David J. | last=Fox | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-03-ca-8097-story.html | access-date=October 26, 2010 | archive-date=September 24, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924151628/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-01-03/entertainment/ca-8097_1_jurassic-park | url-status=live }}</ref> None of her next film releases —''[[I Love Trouble (1994 film)|I Love Trouble]]'' (1994), ''[[Prêt-à-Porter (film)|Prêt-à-Porter]]'' (1994) and ''[[Something to Talk About (film)|Something to Talk About]]'' (1995)— were particularly well received by critics nor big box office draws.<ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes | id=m/i_love_trouble | title=I Love Trouble}}.</ref><ref>{{Mojo title | id=readytowear | title=Ready to Wear}}.</ref><ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes | id=m/something_to_talk_about | title=Something to Talk About}}.</ref> In 1996, she guest-starred in the [[Friends (season 2)|second season]] of ''[[Friends]]'' (episode 13, "[[The One After the Superbowl]]"),<ref>{{cite news | title=CBS Will Revisit 'Knots Landing' In A Miniseries | last=Dubin | first=Murray | date=January 9, 1996 | work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] | page=D02}}</ref> and appeared with [[Liam Neeson]] in the historical drama ''[[Michael Collins (film)|Michael Collins]]'',<ref name=tca/> portraying [[Kitty Kiernan]], the fiancée of the [[assassination|assassinated]] Irish revolutionary leader. [[Stephen Frears]]' ''[[Mary Reilly (film)|Mary Reilly]]'', her other 1996 film, was a critical and commercial failure.<ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes | id=m/mary_reilly | title=Mary Reilly}}.</ref><ref>{{Mojo title | id=maryreilly | title=Mary Reilly}}.</ref>

By the late 1990s, Roberts enjoyed renewed success in the romantic comedy genre. In [[P. J. Hogan]]'s ''[[My Best Friend's Wedding]]'' (1997), she starred opposite [[Dermot Mulroney]], [[Cameron Diaz]] and [[Rupert Everett]], as a food critic who realizes she's in love with her best friend and tries to win him back after he decides to marry someone else. Roberts' performance was highly praised.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Odman |first=Sydney |date=June 20, 2018 |title=The Cast of 'My Best Friend's Wedding,' Then and Now |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/julia-roberts-cast-my-best-friends-wedding-now-1121064/julia-roberts-2/ |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Considered to be one of the best romantic comedies of all time, [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gave the film an approval rating of 73% based on 59 reviews, with the critical consensus reading, "Thanks to a charming performance from Julia Roberts and a subversive spin on the genre, ''My Best Friend's Wedding'' is a refreshingly entertaining romantic comedy."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/my_best_friends_wedding |title=''My Best Friend{{'}}s Wedding'' (1997) |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |date=June 20, 1997 |publisher=[[Fandango Media]] |access-date=February 27, 2018 |archive-date=November 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127042844/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/my_best_friends_wedding/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.vogue.com/13352768/15-best-romantic-comedies/ | title=The 15 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time | work=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] | date=September 15, 2015 | first=Jessie | last=Heyman | access-date=June 16, 2016 | archive-date=June 12, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612231916/http://www.vogue.com/13352768/15-best-romantic-comedies | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.livingly.com/Friendship/articles/yT8mSNk7a6-/My+Best+Friend+Wedding+Taught+Life | title=What 'My Best Friend's Wedding' Taught Us About Life | work=Livingly Media | date=August 12, 2015 | first=Kimia | last=Madani | access-date=June 16, 2016 | archive-date=May 6, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506113526/http://www.livingly.com/Friendship/articles/yT8mSNk7a6-/My+Best+Friend+Wedding+Taught+Life | url-status=live }}</ref> The film was a [[1997 in film|global box-office hit]], earning $299.3 million.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=1997&p=.htm | title=1997 Worldwide Grosses | website=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=April 17, 2020 | archive-date=July 11, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711093937/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=1997&p=.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> In her next film, [[Richard Donner]]'s political thriller ''[[Conspiracy Theory (film)|Conspiracy Theory]]'' (1997), Roberts starred with [[Mel Gibson]] as a [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]] attorney. [[Mick LaSalle]] of ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' stated: "When all else fails, there are still the stars to look at—Roberts, who actually manages to do some fine acting, and Gibson, whose likability must be a sturdy thing indeed."<ref>{{cite web |last=LaSalle |first=Mick |date=August 8, 1997 |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1997/08/08/DD20603.DTL |title=A Shaky ''Theory'' |website=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |access-date=January 16, 2022 |archive-date=February 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201022735/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1997/08/08/DD20603.DTL |url-status=live }}</ref> The film, nevertheless, grossed a respectable $137 million.<ref>{{mojo title|id=conspiracytheory |title=Conspiracy Theory}}</ref> In 1998, Roberts appeared on the television series ''[[Sesame Street]]'' opposite the character [[Elmo]], and starred in the drama ''[[Stepmom (1998 film)|Stepmom]]'', alongside [[Susan Sarandon]],<ref name="Stepmom 1998">{{Rotten Tomatoes | id=stepmom | title=Stepmom}}.</ref> revolving around the complicated relationship between a terminally-ill mother and the future stepmother of her children. While reviews were mixed-to-positive,<ref name="Stepmom 1998" /> the film made $159.7&nbsp;million worldwide.<ref>{{Mojo title | id=stepmom | title=Stepmom}}.</ref>

Roberts paired with [[Hugh Grant]] for ''[[Notting Hill (film)|Notting Hill]]'' (1999), portraying a famous actress who falls in love with a struggling book store owner. The film displaced ''Four Weddings and a Funeral'' as the biggest British hit in the history of cinema, with earnings equalling $363{{nbsp}}million worldwide.<ref>{{Mojo title | id=nottinghill | title=Notting Hill}}.</ref> An exemplar of modern romantic comedies in mainstream culture, the film was also received well by critics. CNN reviewer [[Paul Clinton]] called Roberts "the queen of the romantic comedy [whose] reign continues", and remarked: "''Notting Hill'' stands alone as another funny and heartwarming story about love against all odds."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9905/27/review.notting.hill/ | title=Review: Julia, Hugh a perfect match for 'Notting Hill' | access-date=May 21, 2007 | date=May 27, 1999 | last=Clinton | first=Paul | publisher=CNN | archive-date=April 26, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070426152120/http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9905/27/review.notting.hill/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, she also reunited with Richard Gere and Garry Marshall for ''[[Runaway Bride (film)|Runaway Bride]]'', in which she played a woman who has left a string of fiancés at the altar. Despite mixed reviews,<ref>{{cite news | title=It Looked Good on Paper | first=Kenneth | last=Turan | author-link=Kenneth Turan | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=July 30, 1999 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-30-ca-60883-story.html | access-date=June 2, 2012 | archive-date=March 4, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304062828/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/jul/30/entertainment/ca-60883 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Review: Roberts runs away with hearts in ''Runaway Bride'' | first=Paul | last=Clinton | publisher=CNN | date=July 29, 1999 | url=http://articles.cnn.com/1999-07-29/entertainment/9907_29_review.runawaybride_1_gere-and-roberts-maggie-carpenter-sara-parriott?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119220039/http://articles.cnn.com/1999-07-29/entertainment/9907_29_review.runawaybride_1_gere-and-roberts-maggie-carpenter-sara-parriott?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 19, 2013 | access-date=June 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Runaway Bride | first=Roger | last=Ebert | author-link=Roger Ebert | work=[[Chicago Sun Times]] | date=July 30, 1999 | url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990730/REVIEWS/907300301/1023 | access-date=June 2, 2012 | archive-date=January 25, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125080152/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19990730%2FREVIEWS%2F907300301%2F1023 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=FILM REVIEW: Pretty Woman Is Back, But Now She's Cautious | first=Janet | last=Maslin | author-link=Janet Maslin | work=The New York Times | date=July 30, 1999 | url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9902E0DC1431F933A05754C0A96F958260 | access-date=June 2, 2012 | archive-date=October 16, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016215337/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9902E0DC1431F933A05754C0A96F958260 | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Runaway Bride'' was another financial success, grossing $309.4{{nbsp}}million around the globe.<ref>{{Mojo title | id=runawaybride | title=Runaway Bride}}.</ref> Roberts was a guest star in "[[Empire (Law & Order episode)|Empire]]", a Season 9 episode of the television series ''[[Law & Order]]'', with regular cast member [[Benjamin Bratt]], who at the time, was her boyfriend. Her performance earned her a nomination for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/julia-roberts|title=Julia Roberts|access-date=December 29, 2011|publisher=[[Emmys.com]]|archive-date=January 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120084954/http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/julia-roberts|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear}}

===2000s===
Roberts became the first actress to be paid $20&nbsp;million for a film,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/julia-roberts-collects-20-million-for-erin-brockovich|title=Julia Roberts collects $20&nbsp;million for Erin Brockovich|date=August 30, 2010 |access-date=October 6, 2018|archive-date=December 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231074208/https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/julia-roberts-collects-20-million-for-erin-brockovich|url-status=live}}</ref> when she took on the role of real-life environmental activist [[Erin Brockovich]] in her fight against the [[Pacific Gas and Electric Company]] (PG&E) of [[California]], in ''[[Erin Brockovich (film)|Erin Brockovich]]'' (2000). [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote, "Roberts shows the emotional toll on Erin as she tries to stay responsible to her children and to a job that has provided her with a first taste of self-esteem",<ref name= "travers">{{cite news |last=Travers |first=Peter |date=February 9, 2001 |title=''Erin Brockovich'' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5947601/review/5947602/erin_brockovich |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105231724/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5947601/review/5947602/erin_brockovich |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 5, 2007 |access-date=December 5, 2008}}</ref> while ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' critic [[Owen Gleiberman]] felt that it was a "delight to watch Roberts, with her flirtatious sparkle and undertow of melancholy".<ref name= "gleiberman">{{cite magazine |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |date=March 24, 2000 |title=''Erin Brockovich'' |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=https://ew.com/article/2000/03/24/erin-brockovich-4/ |access-date=October 21, 2019 |archive-date=October 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021061816/https://ew.com/article/2000/03/24/erin-brockovich-4/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Erin Brockovich'' made $256.3&nbsp;million worldwide,<ref>{{Mojo title | id=erinbrockovich | title=Erin Brockovich}}</ref> and earned Roberts the Academy Award for Best Actress, among numerous other accolades. In 2000, she also became the first actress to make ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''{{'}}s [[Power 100|list of the 50 most influential women in show business]] since the list had begun in 1992,<ref name=RfaoHRpl/> and her Shoelace Productions company received a deal with Joe Roth.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lyons|first=Charles|date=2000-02-18|title=Roth signs first star: Roberts|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/roth-signs-first-star-roberts-1117776577/|access-date=2020-10-18|website=Variety|archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018191555/https://variety.com/2000/film/news/roth-signs-first-star-roberts-1117776577/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Her first film following ''Erin Brockovich'' was the road gangster comedy ''[[The Mexican]]'' (2001), giving her a chance to work with long-time friend [[Brad Pitt]]. The film's script was originally intended to be filmed as an [[independent film|independent production]] without major motion picture stars, but Roberts and Pitt, who had for some time been looking for a project they could do together, learned about it and decided to sign on. Though advertised as a typical romantic comedy star vehicle, the film does not focus solely on the actors' relationship and the two shared relatively little screen time together. ''The Mexican'' earned $66.8&nbsp;million in North America. In [[Joe Roth]]'s romantic comedy ''[[America's Sweethearts]]'' (2001), Roberts starred as the once-overweight sister and assistant of a Hollywood actress, along with [[Billy Crystal]], [[John Cusack]], and [[Catherine Zeta-Jones]]. Critics felt that despite its famous cast, the production lacked "sympathetic characters" and was "only funny in spurts."<ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes | id=m/americas_sweethearts | title=America's Sweethearts}}</ref> A commercial success, it grossed over $138&nbsp;million worldwide, however.<ref>{{Mojo title | id=americassweethearts | title=America's Sweethearts}}</ref> In her last film released in 2001, Roberts teamed with ''Erin Brockovich'' director [[Steven Soderbergh]] for ''[[Ocean's Eleven (2001 film)|Ocean's Eleven]]'', a remake of the 1960 film [[Ocean's 11 (1960 film)|of the same name]], featuring an [[ensemble cast]] including [[George Clooney]], [[Brad Pitt]], and [[Matt Damon]]. Roberts played [[List of Ocean's Trilogy characters#Tess Ocean|Tess Ocean]], the ex-wife of leader Danny Ocean (Clooney), originally played by [[Angie Dickinson]].  A success with critics and at the box office alike, ''Ocean's Eleven'' became the [[2001 in film#Top-grossing films|fifth highest-grossing film of the year]] with a total of $450&nbsp;million worldwide.<ref>{{Mojo title | id=oceanseleven | title=Ocean's Eleven}}</ref>

[[File:Julia_Roberts_in_May_2002.jpg|thumb|upright|Roberts in 2002]]

Roberts received a record $25 million, the highest ever earned by an actress at that time, to portray a forward-thinking art history professor at [[Wellesley College]] in 1953, in [[Mike Newell (director)|Mike Newell]]'s drama  ''[[Mona Lisa Smile]]''.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.forbes.com/2007/01/17/richest-women-entertainment-tech-media-cz_lg_richwomen07_0118womenstars_slide_9.html| title = The 20 Richest Women in Entertainment| work = Forbes| date = January 17, 2007| access-date = July 15, 2011| first1 = Lea| last1 = Goldman| first2 = Kiri| last2 = Blakeley| archive-date = March 13, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120313012300/http://www.forbes.com/2007/01/17/richest-women-entertainment-tech-media-cz_lg_richwomen07_0118womenstars_slide_9.html| url-status = live}}</ref> The film garnered largely lukewarm reviews by critics, who found it "predictable and safe", but made over $141 million in theaters.<ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes | id=m/mona_lisa_smile | title=Mona Lisa Smile}}</ref> In 2004, Roberts replaced [[Cate Blanchett]] in the role of an American photographer for [[Mike Nichols]]'s film ''[[Closer (2004 film)|Closer]]'', a [[romantic drama]] written by [[Patrick Marber]], based on his [[Closer (play)|1997 play of the same name]],<ref name="playbill1">{{cite web | first=Andrew | last=Gans | url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/julia-roberts-may-replace-cate-blanchett-in-closer-film-115389 | title=Julia Roberts May Replace Cate Blanchett in Closer Film | access-date=April 3, 2013 | date=September 24, 2003 | work=Playbill | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101050656/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/julia-roberts-may-replace-cate-blanchett-in-closer-film-115389 | archive-date=January 1, 2016}}</ref> co-starring [[Jude Law]], [[Natalie Portman]] and [[Clive Owen]].<ref name="playbill1"/> She next reprised the role of Tess Ocean in ''[[Ocean's Twelve]]'', which was deliberately much more unconventional than the first film, epitomized by a sequence in which Roberts's character impersonates the real-life Julia Roberts, due to what the film's characters believe is their strong resemblance.<ref>{{cite news |title=Steven Soderbergh Doesn't Care If You Like 'Ocean's 12,' But Don't Hate It for the Wrong Reason |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/10/steven-soderbergh-oceans-12_n_6289914.html |first=Christopher |last=Rosen |date=December 10, 2014 |work=Huffington Post |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019090230/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/10/steven-soderbergh-oceans-12_n_6289914.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Though less well reviewed than ''Eleven'', the film became another major success at the box office, with a gross of $363&nbsp;million worldwide.<ref>{{Mojo title | id=oceanstwelve | title=Ocean's Twelve}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clooney-dives-into-oceans-13/ | work=CBS News | title=Clooney Dives Into 'Ocean's 13' | first=Melissa | last=McNamara | date=March 28, 2006 | access-date=April 17, 2020 | archive-date=October 16, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016214614/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/28/entertainment/main1444841.shtml | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2005, she was featured in the music video for the single "[[Dreamgirl (Dave Matthews Band song)|Dreamgirl]]" by the [[Dave Matthews Band]]. It was her first music video appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna8988202|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925215656/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/8988202/ns/today-entertainment/t/julia-becomes-dave-matthews-dreamgirl/|url-status=live|archive-date=September 25, 2011|title=Julia becomes Dave Matthews' 'Dreamgirl': Band gets Roberts to appear in her first-ever music video|access-date=July 23, 2011|date=August 17, 2005|work=[[Access Hollywood]]|publisher=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref> Roberts appeared in ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'''s list of the 10 highest-paid actresses every year from 2002 (when the magazine began compiling its list) to 2005.<ref name=NKTtHRAASL/>

In 2006, Roberts voiced a nurse ant in ''[[The Ant Bully (film)|The Ant Bully]]'' and a [[barn spider]] in ''[[Charlotte's Web (2006 film)|Charlotte's Web]]''.<ref name=NYTScottAntBully>{{cite news|last1=Scott|first1=A. O.|title='The Ant Bully,' in Which the Bugs Sound Like Movie Stars|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/28/movies/28ant.html|access-date=November 27, 2015|agency=The New York Times|date=July 28, 2006|archive-date=June 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622203653/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/28/movies/28ant.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NYTScottWeb>{{cite news|last1=Scott|first1=A. O.|title=White's Country Critters, Still Humble|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/movies/15char.html|access-date=November 27, 2015|agency=The New York Times|date=December 15, 2006|archive-date=April 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401232955/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/movies/15char.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She made her Broadway debut on April 19, 2006, as Nan in a revival of [[Richard Greenberg]]'s 1997 play ''[[Three Days of Rain]]'' opposite [[Bradley Cooper]] and [[Paul Rudd]]. Although the play grossed nearly $1{{nbsp}}million in ticket sales during its first week<ref>{{cite news |first=Elysa |last=Gardner |title=Julia rains money on Broadway |date=April 13, 2006 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/news/2006-04-12-roberts-broadway_x.htm |work=USA Today |access-date=July 6, 2009 |archive-date=May 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501115009/http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/news/2006-04-12-roberts-broadway_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and was a commercial success throughout its limited run, her performance drew criticism. Ben Brantley of ''[[The New York Times]]'' described Roberts as being fraught with "self-consciousness (especially in the first act) [and] only glancingly acquainted with the two characters she plays."<ref name='NYTBrantley'>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Brantley |title=Enough Said About 'Three Days of Rain.' Let's Talk Julia Roberts! |date=April 20, 2006 |url=http://theater2.nytimes.com/2006/04/20/theater/reviews/20rain.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 6, 2009 |archive-date=February 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212131620/http://theater2.nytimes.com/2006/04/20/theater/reviews/20rain.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Brantley also criticized the overall production, writing that "it's almost impossible to discern its artistic virtues from this wooden and splintered interpretation, directed by Joe Mantello."<ref name='NYTBrantley' /> Writing in the ''[[New York Post]]'', [[Clive Barnes]] declared, "Hated the play. To be sadly honest, even hated her. At least I liked the rain—even if three days of it can seem an eternity."<ref>{{cite news | first=Clive | last=Barnes | author-link=Clive Barnes | url=https://nypost.com/2006/04/20/julias-3-dull-days-of-rain-a-soggy-eternity/ | title=Julia's 3 Dull Days of Rain a Soggy Eternity | work=New York Post | date=April 20, 2006 | access-date=November 16, 2018 | archive-date=November 17, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117105106/https://nypost.com/2006/04/20/julias-3-dull-days-of-rain-a-soggy-eternity/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In [[Mike Nichols]]' biographical drama ''[[Charlie Wilson's War (film)|Charlie Wilson's War]]'' (2007), Roberts starred as socialite [[Joanne Herring]], the love interest of Democratic Texas Congressman [[Charlie Wilson (Texas politician)|Charles Wilson]], opposite [[Tom Hanks]] and [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]]. The film received considerable acclaim,<ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes | id=m/charlie_wilsons_war | title=Charlie Wilson's War}}</ref> made $119.5 million worldwide,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=charliewilsonswar.htm|title=Charlie Wilson's War|access-date=January 6, 2022|archive-date=June 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609125522/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=charliewilsonswar.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and earned Roberts her sixth Golden Globe nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/julia-roberts|title=Julia Roberts|website=www.goldenglobes.com|access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006035212/https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/julia-roberts|url-status=live}}</ref>

The independent drama ''[[Fireflies in the Garden]]'', in which Roberts played a mother whose death sets the story in motion, was screened at the 2008 [[Berlin International Film Festival]] before being shown in European cinemas—it did not get a North American release until 2011. Roberts played a CIA agent collaborating with another spy to carry out a complicated con, opposite [[Clive Owen]], in the comic thriller ''[[Duplicity (2009 film)|Duplicity]]'' (2009).<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Dana|last=Stevens|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2009/03/pretty_confusing.html|title=Pretty Confusing|magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|date=March 19, 2009|access-date=February 19, 2009|archive-date=March 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307071253/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2009/03/pretty_confusing.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite mixed reviews and moderate box office returns,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/don-t-blame-roberts-duplicity-stumble-wbna29828981|title=Don't blame Roberts for 'Duplicity' stumble|date=March 23, 2009 |access-date=January 5, 2022|archive-date=January 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107035750/https://www.today.com/popculture/don-t-blame-roberts-duplicity-stumble-wbna29828981|url-status=live}}</ref> critic [[A. O. Scott]] praised her performance: "Ms. Roberts has almost entirely left behind the coltish, America's-sweetheart mannerisms, except when she uses them strategically, to disarm or confuse. [...] She is, at 41, unmistakably in her prime".<ref name="scott">{{cite news | first = A. O. | last = Scott | author-link = A. O. Scott | title = Effervescent Espionage With Two Irresistible Forces | work = [[The New York Times]] | date = March 20, 2009 | url = https://movies.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/movies/20dupl.html | access-date = March 20, 2009 | archive-date = March 22, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090322193614/http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/movies/20dupl.html | url-status = live }}</ref> She received her seventh [[Golden Globe]] nomination for her role.

===2010s===
[[File:Julia Roberts 2010.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Roberts at the French premiere of ''[[Eat Pray Love]]'' in 2010]]

In 2010, Roberts played a U.S. Army captain on a one-day leave, as part of a large ensemble cast, in the romantic comedy ''[[Valentine's Day (2010 film)|Valentine's Day]]'', and starred as an author finding herself following a divorce in the film adaptation of ''[[Eat Pray Love]]''. While she received $3&nbsp;million up front against 3 percent of the gross for her six-minute role in ''Valentine's Day'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2010/02/julia_roberts_valentines_day.html|title=For Valentine's Day, Julia Roberts Was Paid $500,000 a Minute ... All Six of Them|first=Claude|last=Brodesser-Akner|date=February 11, 2010 |access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506061032/https://www.vulture.com/2010/02/julia_roberts_valentines_day.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Eat Pray Love'' had the highest debut at the box office for Roberts in a top-billed role since ''America's Sweethearts''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://valse-boston.livejournal.com/389329.html |title=Julia Roberts: Eat Pray Love in ELLE Magazine September 2010 |date=September 12, 2010 |publisher=Valse-boston.livejournal.com |access-date=October 12, 2012 |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117004935/http://valse-boston.livejournal.com/389329.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2889&p=.htm |title='Expendables' Explode, 'Eat Pray Love' Carbo-Loads, 'Scott Pilgrim' Powers Down |publisher=Box Office Mojo |date=August 16, 2010 |access-date=October 12, 2012 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025234539/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2889&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> She appeared as the teacher of a middle-aged man returning to education in the romantic comedy ''[[Larry Crowne]]'', opposite [[Tom Hanks]], who also served as the director.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2011/07/01/movies/tom-hanks-and-julia-roberts-in-larry-crowne-review.html|title=Stymied in Middle Age, Reaching for a New Life|access-date=July 23, 2011|date=June 30, 2011|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Stephen|last=Holden|archive-date=July 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704185517/http://movies.nytimes.com/2011/07/01/movies/tom-hanks-and-julia-roberts-in-larry-crowne-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was poorly received by critics and audiences,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/larry_crowne/ |title=Larry Crowne (2011) |access-date=July 23, 2011 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |date=July 2011 |archive-date=August 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805035747/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/larry_crowne/ |url-status=live }}</ref> although Roberts's comedic performance was praised.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/21/PKKE1K7KES.DTL|title=How good is 'Larry Crowne'?|access-date=July 23, 2011|date=July 21, 2011|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|first=Mick|last=LaSalle|archive-date=July 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723074647/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2011%2F07%2F21%2FPKKE1K7KES.DTL|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''[[Mirror Mirror (film)|Mirror Mirror]]'' (2012), the [[Tarsem Singh]] adaptation of ''[[Snow White]]'', Roberts portrayed [[Queen (Snow White)|Queen Clementianna]], Snow White's evil stepmother, opposite [[Lily Collins]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/05/mirror-mirror-snow-white-lily-collins_n_1077158.html|title='Mirror, Mirror': Snow White Film Starring Lily Collins, Julia Roberts Out March 26, 2012|access-date=November 6, 2011|date=November 4, 2011|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|archive-date=November 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107031220/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/05/mirror-mirror-snow-white-lily-collins_n_1077158.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Peter Travers of ''Rolling Stone'' felt that she tried "way too hard" in her role,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/mirror-mirror-124985/ |title=Mirror Mirror |first=Peter |last=Travers |date=March 30, 2012 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107035358/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/mirror-mirror-124985/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while Katey Rich of ''Cinema Blend'' observed that she "takes relish in her wicked [portrayal] but could have gone even further with it".<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.cinemablend.com/reviews/Mirror-Mirror-5801.html|title = Mirror Mirror|date = May 27, 2016|access-date = January 6, 2022|archive-date = January 6, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220106001359/https://www.cinemablend.com/reviews/Mirror-Mirror-5801.html|url-status = live}}</ref> ''Mirror Mirror'' made $183 million globally.

In 2013, Roberts starred alongside [[Meryl Streep]] and [[Ewan McGregor]] in the [[black comedy]] drama ''[[August: Osage County (film)|August: Osage County]]'', about a [[dysfunctional family]] that re-unites into the familial house when their patriarch suddenly disappears.<ref>{{cite news | first=Mike | last=Fleming | title=Julia Roberts And Meryl Streep To Team In 'August: Osage County' For John Wells | url=https://deadline.com/2010/09/julia-roberts-meryl-streep-to-team-in-august-osage-county-71370/ | website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] | publisher=[[PMC (company)|PMC]] | date=September 30, 2010 | access-date=September 30, 2010 | archive-date=October 1, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001213611/http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/julia-roberts-meryl-streep-to-team-in-august-osage-county/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Her performance earned her nominations for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture|Golden Globe Award]], [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role|Screen Actors Guild Award]], [[Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress|Critics' Choice Award]], and [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress]], amongst other accolades.<ref>{{cite news|last=O'Connell|first=Michael|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/golden-globes-nominations-complete-list-665228|title=Golden Globes Nominations: The Complete List|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=December 12, 2013|access-date=January 16, 2014|archive-date=September 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915175249/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/golden-globes-nominations-complete-list-665228|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sagawards.org/media-pr/press-releases/nominations-announced-20th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards%C2%AE |title=Nominations Announced for the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® &#124; Screen Actors Guild Awards |publisher=Sagawards.org |date=December 11, 2013 |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016001917/http://www.sagawards.org/media-pr/press-releases/nominations-announced-20th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards%C2%AE |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Respers France|first=Lisa|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/16/showbiz/movies/awards-season-critics-choice-awards-nominations/|title='12 Years a Slave' and 'American Hustle' lead Critics' Choice noms|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=January 8, 2014|access-date=January 16, 2014|archive-date=January 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119090051/http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/16/showbiz/movies/awards-season-critics-choice-awards-nominations|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Oscar nominations announced for supporting actress|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/oscar-nominations-announced-for-supporting-actress/2014/01/16/48da8bde-7eb4-11e3-97d3-b9925ce2c57b_story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140116203419/http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/oscar-nominations-announced-for-supporting-actress/2014/01/16/48da8bde-7eb4-11e3-97d3-b9925ce2c57b_story.html|archive-date=January 16, 2014|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|access-date=January 16, 2014|date=January 16, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was her fourth Academy Award nomination.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oscars 2014: Nominees' reactions – includes Julia Roberts|url=http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/photos/Oscars-2014:-Nominees-reactions---includes-Julia-Roberts/9395756|publisher=Ontheredcarpet.com|access-date=January 16, 2014|date=January 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119150714/http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/photos/Oscars-2014:-Nominees-reactions---includes-Julia-Roberts/9395756|archive-date=January 19, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014, Roberts starred as Dr. Emma Brookner, a character based on Dr. [[Linda Laubenstein]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timelinetheatre.com/normal_heart/TimeLine_NormalHeart_StudyGuide.pdf |title=''The Normal Heart'' study guide |publisher=TimeLine Theatre |date=2013 |access-date=December 1, 2014 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072205/http://www.timelinetheatre.com/normal_heart/TimeLine_NormalHeart_StudyGuide.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author-link=Larry Kramer |last=Kramer |first=Larry |url=http://media.npr.org/assets/artslife/arts/2011/05/larry-kramer-flyer_custom.jpg |title=Please Know |publisher=The Normal Heart on Broadway |date=2011 |access-date=December 1, 2014 |archive-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324080219/http://media.npr.org/assets/artslife/arts/2011/05/larry-kramer-flyer_custom.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> in the television adaptation of Larry Kramer's AIDS-era play, ''[[The Normal Heart]]'', which aired on [[HBO]]; the film was critically acclaimed and ''Vanity Fair'', in its review, wrote: "Roberts, meanwhile, hums with righteous, ''Erin Brokovich''-ian anger. Between this and ''August: Osage County'', she's carving out a nice new niche for herself, playing brittle women who show their love and concern through explosive temper".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/05/the-normal-heart-review|title=HBO's The Normal Heart Reviewed|first=Richard|last=Lawson|website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=May 23, 2014|access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626225912/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/05/the-normal-heart-review|url-status=live}}</ref> Her role garnered her a nomination for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/bios/julia-roberts|title=Julia Roberts – Television Academy|access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-date=February 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203225827/http://www.emmys.com/bios/julia-roberts|url-status=live}}</ref>

Roberts narrated "Women in Hollywood", an episode of the second season of ''[[Makers: Women Who Make America]]'', in 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/makers/season-two/women-in-hollywood/|title=Women in Hollywood|access-date=November 21, 2014|publisher=[[PBS]]|archive-date=November 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129034422/http://www.pbs.org/makers/season-two/women-in-hollywood/|url-status=live}}</ref> and appeared in [[Givenchy]]'s spring–summer campaign in 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.wwd.com/media-news/advertising/givenchy-turns-to-julia-roberts-8064000|title=Givenchy Turns to Julia Roberts|date=December 9, 2014|access-date=December 10, 2014|magazine=Women's Wear Daily|archive-date=December 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211022210/http://www.wwd.com/media-news/advertising/givenchy-turns-to-julia-roberts-8064000|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/style/exclusive-givenchys-new-muse-julia-roberts-on-104724284673.html|title=Exclusive: Givenchy's New Muse Julia Roberts on Becoming a Supermodel at 47|date=December 9, 2014|access-date=December 10, 2014|publisher=Yahoo! Style|archive-date=December 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212031941/https://www.yahoo.com/style/exclusive-givenchys-new-muse-julia-roberts-on-104724284673.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She starred as a grieving mother opposite [[Nicole Kidman]] and [[Chiwetel Ejiofor]] in ''[[Secret in Their Eyes]]'' (2015), a remake of the [[The Secret in Their Eyes|2009 Argentine film of the same name]], both based on the novel ''La pregunta de sus ojos'' by author [[Eduardo Sacheri]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/secret_in_their_eyes_2015|title=Secret in Their Eyes|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=November 20, 2015 |access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430091647/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/secret_in_their_eyes_2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike the original film, the American version received negative reviews and failed to find an audience.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/secret_in_their_eyes_2015|title = Secret in Their Eyes|website = [[Rotten Tomatoes]]| date=November 20, 2015 |access-date = October 5, 2018|archive-date = April 30, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190430091647/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/secret_in_their_eyes_2015|url-status = live}}</ref> Donald Clarke of ''[[Irish Times]]'' concluded that a "sound job" by the cast "can't quite shake the whiff of compromise that hangs around the project".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/secret-in-their-eyes-review-not-quite-peculiar-enough-to-be-interesting-1.2547945|title=Secret in Their Eyes review: Not quite peculiar enough to be interesting|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |access-date=January 5, 2022|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001015810/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/secret-in-their-eyes-review-not-quite-peculiar-enough-to-be-interesting-1.2547945|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, Roberts reunited with [[Garry Marshall]] and reportedly received a $3 million fee for a four-day shoot, playing an accomplished author who gave her child for adoption, in the romantic comedy ''[[Mother's Day (2016 film)|Mother's Day]]'', which had a lackluster critical and commercial response.<ref>{{Mojo title | id=mothersday | title=Mother's Day}}</ref> Her next film release was [[Jodie Foster]]'s thriller ''[[Money Monster]]'', in which she starred as a television director,  alongside [[George Clooney]] and [[Jack O'Connell (actor)|Jack O'Connell]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/julia-roberts-mothers-day-salary-1201764235/ | title=Julia Roberts Made $3 Million for 4 Days on 'Mother's Day' | first=Ramin | last=Setoodeh | date=May 1, 2016 | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | access-date=October 28, 2018 | archive-date=August 26, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826005042/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/julia-roberts-mothers-day-salary-1201764235/ | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Sandra Hall (writer)|Sandra Hall]] of ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' stated: "It may be Hollywood melodrama but it's top of the range, giving Clooney and Roberts every opportunity to demonstrate the value of star power."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/money-monster-review-explosive-thriller-takes-aim-at-wall-street-trickery-20160530-gp7fp7.html|title=Money Monster review: Explosive thriller takes aim at Wall Street trickery|date=May 30, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2022|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105151554/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/money-monster-review-explosive-thriller-takes-aim-at-wall-street-trickery-20160530-gp7fp7.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film made a respectable $93.3 million worldwide.<ref name="Mojo">{{Mojo title | id=moneymonster | title=Money Monster}}</ref><ref name="Meta">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/money-monster | title=Money Monster reviews | website=Metacritic | access-date=June 4, 2016 | archive-date=June 2, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602032101/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/money-monster | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Julia Roberts (43838880775).jpg|thumb|upright|Roberts attending the premiere of ''[[Homecoming (TV series)|Homecoming]]'' at the [[2018 Toronto International Film Festival]]]]

In ''[[Wonder (film)|Wonder]]'' (2017), the film adaptation of the [[Wonder (Palacio novel)|2012 novel of the same name]] by [[R. J. Palacio]], Roberts played the mother of a boy with [[Treacher Collins syndrome]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/welcome/996192/single/~room-star-jacob-tremblay-in-talks-for-lionsgates-wonder-exclusive~/|title=Welcome – TheWrap|website=www.thewrap.com|date=April 14, 2016|access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006035057/https://www.thewrap.com/welcome/996192/single/~room-star-jacob-tremblay-in-talks-for-lionsgates-wonder-exclusive~/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Times'' felt that she "lifts every one of her scenes in ''Wonder'' to near-sublime places".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/film-review-wonder-mkxkkwvsn|title=Film review: Wonder|first=Kevin|last=Maher|date=December 1, 2017|via=www.thetimes.co.uk|access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006000812/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/film-review-wonder-mkxkkwvsn|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wonder/reviews/?page=3&sort=|title=Wonder – Movie Reviews – Rotten Tomatoes|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-date=December 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211075217/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wonder/reviews/?page=3&sort=|url-status=live}}</ref> With a worldwide gross of $305.9&nbsp;million, ''Wonder'' emerged as one of Roberts's most widely seen films.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2018/01/24/box-office-wonder-lives-up-to-its-name-passes-250m-worldwide/#4179a1d14f10|title=Box Office: Julia Roberts And Owen Wilson's 'Wonder' Passes $250M Worldwide|first=Scott|last=Mendelson|website=[[Forbes]]|access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006001531/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2018/01/24/box-office-wonder-lives-up-to-its-name-passes-250m-worldwide/#4179a1d14f10|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, she also voiced a motherly [[The Smurfs|Smurf]] leader in the animated film ''[[Smurfs: The Lost Village]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/julia-roberts-smurfs-the-lost-village-children/|title = Julia Roberts talks family and lessons from "Smurfs"|website = [[CBS News]]| date=April 6, 2017 |access-date = January 6, 2022|archive-date = January 6, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220106005450/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/julia-roberts-smurfs-the-lost-village-children/|url-status = live}}</ref>

Roberts portrayed the mother of a troubled young man in [[Peter Hedges]]'s drama ''[[Ben Is Back]]'' (2018). Shaun Kitchener of ''[[Daily Express]]'' remarked: "Roberts is often the best, or one of the best, things about any film she's in —and ''Ben Is Back'' is no different".<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1100538/Ben-Is-Back-review-Julia-Roberts-Lucas-Hedges-addiction-drama|title = Ben is Back REVIEW: Julia Roberts just about saves an uneven addiction drama|date = March 15, 2019|access-date = January 6, 2022|archive-date = January 6, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220106005429/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1100538/Ben-Is-Back-review-Julia-Roberts-Lucas-Hedges-addiction-drama|url-status = live}}</ref> The role of a caseworker at a secret government facility, in the first season of the psychological thriller series ''[[Homecoming (TV series)|Homecoming]]'', was Roberts's first regular television project.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/julia-roberts-homecoming-premiere-date-amazon-sam-esmail-first-look-comic-con-video-1202430552/|title=Julia Roberts And Sam Esmail's 'Homecoming' Gets Premiere Date & Teaser Trailer – Comic-Con|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=July 20, 2018|access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-date=April 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406230704/https://deadline.com/2018/07/julia-roberts-homecoming-premiere-date-amazon-sam-esmail-first-look-comic-con-video-1202430552/|url-status=live}}</ref> The series, which premiered on [[Amazon Video]] in November 2018, garnered acclaim from critics, who concluded it was an "impressive small-screen debut" for Roberts that "balances its haunting mystery with a frenetic sensibility that grips and doesn't let go."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/homecoming/s01/ |title=Homecoming: Season 1 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]] |access-date=May 18, 2020 |archive-date=March 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312183044/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/homecoming/s01 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/homecoming/season-1 |title=Homecoming: Season 1 |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=November 9, 2018 |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904202932/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/homecoming/season-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> She received a Golden Globe nomination for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama|Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Snierson |first=Dan |title=Golden Globes 2019: See the full winners list |url=https://ew.com/golden-globes/2019/01/06/golden-globes-2019-winners-list/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=January 6, 2019 |date=January 6, 2019 |archive-date=January 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107110815/https://ew.com/golden-globes/2019/01/06/golden-globes-2019-winners-list/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2020s===
Roberts reunited with George Clooney for the romantic comedy ''[[Ticket to Paradise (2022 film)|Ticket to Paradise]]'', which was released by [[Universal Pictures]] on October 21, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/billie-lourd-on-for-ticket-to-paradise/|title=Billie Lourd On For ''Ticket To Paradise''|date=March 7, 2021|first=James|last=White|website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019223904/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/billie-lourd-on-for-ticket-to-paradise/|archive-date=October 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=October 19, 2021}}</ref> She also played [[Martha Mitchell]], a controversial figure throughout the [[Watergate scandal]], in the political thriller television series ''[[Gaslit (TV series)|Gaslit]]'', based on the first season of the podcast ''[[Slow Burn (podcast)|Slow Burn]]'' by [[Leon Neyfakh]].

Roberts also starred as Amanda Sandford in the 2023 film ''[[Leave the World Behind (film)|Leave the World Behind]]'', appearing alongside [[Ethan Hawke]] and [[Mahershala Ali]]. The movie is an adaptation of [[Leave the World Behind (novel)|the novel of the same name]] by [[Rumaan Alam]]. The film is produced by [[Barack Obama|Barack]] and [[Michelle Obama]]'s company, [[Higher Ground Productions]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-24 |title=What Julia Roberts is working on next – a glimpse into her upcoming star-studded projects |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/20220824149195/julia-roberts-upcoming-star-studded-projects-revealed-details/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=HELLO! |archive-date=August 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829054048/https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/20220824149195/julia-roberts-upcoming-star-studded-projects-revealed-details/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2024, Roberts and [[Riley Keough]] would narrate the audiobook version of [[Lisa Marie Presley]]'s memoir ''[[From Here to the Great Unknown]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/parents/celebrity/riley-keough-michael-jackson-stepfather-rcna174854|title=Riley Keough on life with stepdad Michael Jackson — and her nickname for him|first=Anna|last=Kaplan|publisher=Today|date=October 10, 2024|access-date=October 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/julia-roberts-narrate-audiobook-lisa-marie-presley-memoir-1236011741/|title=Julia Roberts to Narrate Audiobook of Lisa Marie Presley's Posthumous Memoir|first=Lexy|last=Perez|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 25, 2024|access-date=October 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Julia-Roberts-to-Narrate-the-Audiobook-of-Lisa-Marie-Presleys-From-Here-to-the-Great-Unknown-Alongside-Riley-Keough.pdf|title=Julia Roberts To Narrate The Audiobook Of Lisa Marie Presley's From Here To The Great Unknown Alongside Riley Keough|publisher=Penguin Random House Audio Publishing|date=September 25, 2024|access-date=October 8, 2024}}</ref>