Trying to figure out which Aubrey Plaza movie is actually worth your time? That is harder than it looks, because her best work is spread across indie comedies, dark thrillers, and sharp supporting roles.
She does not fit one simple box, and that is exactly why the wrong starting point can make her filmography feel uneven. The best place to begin is with the films that show her range, not just her name recognition.
Here are the Aubrey Plaza movies that matter most, why they stand out, and which one to watch first.
Top Picks
If you only want the fastest Aubrey Plaza movies watchlist, start here:
- Safety Not Guaranteed (2012): Plaza plays Darius Britt, a magazine intern on a strange time-travel investigation. It is one of the most beginner-friendly Aubrey Plaza movies because it blends charm, mystery, and warmth.
- Ingrid Goes West (2017): As Ingrid Thorburn, Plaza gives a sharp, uncomfortable performance in a social-media satire that became a modern cult favorite.
- Emily the Criminal (2022): Plaza stars as Emily, a debt-ridden woman pulled into crime. It is one of her strongest dramatic leads.
- Black Bear (2020): Plaza plays Allison, and the film is widely praised as a career-high, puzzle-box drama.
- The To Do List (2013): Plaza is Brandy Klark, a straight-faced teen learning to loosen up in a raunchy coming-of-age comedy.
- Life After Beth (2014): Plaza plays Beth, a zombie-rom-com role that lets her swing between sweetness and chaos.
- Happiest Season (2020): Plaza plays Riley, and her supporting turn adds warmth and tension to a mainstream holiday hit.
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010): Plaza plays Julie Powers in a film that later earned cult status and still gets new fans every year.
Why Aubrey Plaza Keeps Showing Up on Must-watch Lists
Aubrey Plaza is known for intensity, deadpan comedy, and a face that can flip a scene from funny to strange in seconds.
That blend is why Aubrey Plaza movies tend to work so well in indie comedies, dark thrillers, and offbeat romances.
Her career moved from broad awkward humor into more layered work, and that shift is a big reason people now search for best Aubrey Plaza movies and Aubrey Plaza top performances together.
The Best Aubrey Plaza Movies, Film-by-Film
1) Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
This is the best place to start if you want the clearest version of early Aubrey Plaza movies energy.
Plaza plays Darius Britt, a disaffected magazine intern who joins a strange time-travel investigation.
The film’s mix of indie charm and emotional sincerity made it a breakout and a strong entry in any Aubrey Plaza films list.
2) The To Do List (2013)
Plaza stars as Brandy Klark, a high-school valedictorian determined to reinvent herself before college. The performance works because she plays the embarrassment straight instead of chasing easy laughs.
That is why this remains one of the most recognizable Aubrey Plaza comedy roles and one of the sharper Aubrey Plaza movies for viewers who like awkward, raunchy humor.
3) Life After Beth (2014)
Plaza plays Beth, a young woman who returns from the dead, which turns the film into a zombie-rom-com with a strange emotional core. Critics were mixed on the movie, but they repeatedly noted her committed performance.
For people building an Aubrey Plaza films list, this is a key stop because it shows her comic timing pushing into bizarre, emotional territory.
4) Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Plaza plays Julie Powers, one of the film’s most memorable supporting characters. The movie itself later became a cult favorite, and that long tail keeps it alive in film conversations.
This is one of those Aubrey Plaza movies that shows how effective she can be inside a fast, stylized ensemble without ever fading into the background.
5) Ingrid Goes West (2017)
Plaza plays Ingrid Thorburn, a woman who becomes obsessed with an influencer and starts crossing lines. This is one of the best Aubrey Plaza indie films because it uses her deadpan energy for social satire, not just jokes.
Critics praised the film for smart humor and unsettling social commentary, and many reviews singled out Plaza’s layered vulnerability.
6) Black Bear (2020)
Plaza plays Allison, and the movie is built like a psychological trap. It is one of her most challenging Aubrey Plaza dramatic roles, and critics often called it a career-high performance.
For anyone looking for a more serious turn, this is one of the essential Aubrey Plaza movies because it proves she can anchor something unpredictable and tense.
7) Happiest Season (2020)
Plaza plays Riley in this holiday rom-com about a same-sex couple navigating family pressure.
Her role is smaller than the leads, but it adds emotional texture and warmth. It is one of the smartest Aubrey Plaza movies to recommend to viewers who want something more mainstream, and it also expands the idea of her screen persona beyond the usual dark-comedy lane.
8) Emily the Criminal (2022)
Plaza stars as Emily, a woman crushed by debt who gets pulled into credit-card fraud. This is one of the clearest examples of her move into tougher material, and Emily the Criminal review coverage consistently centered on her lead performance.
If you want the best proof of her dramatic control, this belongs near the top of any Aubrey Plaza must watch movies guide.
What makes Aubrey Plaza unique as an actress?
Her signature is control. She can sound dry and detached, then reveal a hidden crack of feeling in the next beat.
That is why Aubrey Plaza comedy roles often feel more human than broad, and why Aubrey Plaza dramatic roles land with surprise.
She is also one of the few underrated Hollywood actresses who built real range without losing the odd, specific energy that made people notice her first.
Comedy vs. Dark Roles: Which Side is Stronger?
Her comedy work is best when the character is uncomfortable, defensive, or socially off-balance. Her darker work is best when that same unease turns into obsession, grief, or danger.
In other words, Aubrey Plaza comedy roles and Aubrey Plaza dramatic roles are not opposites; they are part of the same style.
That is why dark comedy films Hollywood fans keep circling back to Aubrey Plaza movies.
Underrated performances worth more attention
If you already know the big titles, do not skip Life After Beth and The To Do List. They are often treated as lesser entries, but they show how well Plaza can carry a movie on tone alone.
Ingrid Goes West and Black Bear are the bigger artistic jumps, while Happiest Season shows she can elevate a supporting part without dominating the frame.
That balance is part of why Aubrey Plaza indie films keep aging well.
Where to start if you are new to her work
Start with Safety Not Guaranteed for warmth, Ingrid Goes West for sharp satire, and Emily the Criminal for her strongest modern lead performance.
That 3-film path gives a clean view of the full arc of Aubrey Plaza movies: quirky comedy, unsettling indie edge, and heavier dramatic work. It also shows why searches for The White Lotus actress movies often lead people back to her earlier filmography.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Aubrey Plaza movies to watch first?
Start with Safety Not Guaranteed, Ingrid Goes West, and Emily the Criminal. Those three show her range best and cover comedy, satire, and drama in a clean order. They are also the easiest entry points into Aubrey Plaza movies overall.
Which Aubrey Plaza movie should I watch first?
Watch Safety Not Guaranteed first if you want something warm and accessible. Watch Ingrid Goes West first if you like sharper satire. Watch Emily the Criminal first if you want the most intense performance. Those are the safest first picks in any Aubrey Plaza films list.
Is Aubrey Plaza known for comedy or drama?
She is known for comedy first, but her best recent work shows real dramatic range. Britannica describes her as an actress known for intensity and deadpan comedic style, and her later film choices prove she can move between laughter and discomfort with ease.
What is Aubrey Plaza’s best dramatic performance?
Emily the Criminal and Black Bear are the two strongest answers. Both films put her in unstable, high-pressure situations, and critics repeatedly praised how much she carried each role. Those are among the top Aubrey Plaza top performances for viewers who want her serious side.
Are there underrated Aubrey Plaza movies worth watching?
Yes. The To Do List and Life After Beth are especially underrated because they show how well she handles messy, offbeat material. They are not always treated as prestige titles, but they are important Aubrey Plaza movies for understanding her range.
How old is Aubrey Plaza?
Aubrey Plaza was born on June 26, 1984, so she is 41 as of April 8, 2026.
Conclusion
If you want the shortest possible answer, the best Aubrey Plaza movies are Safety Not Guaranteed, Ingrid Goes West, Black Bear, and Emily the Criminal.
Together, they show why her film career works so well: she can be funny, strange, guarded, vulnerable, and intense without losing control.
That is the reason Aubrey Plaza must watch movies stay in conversation long after release, and why Aubrey Plaza filmography highlights keep attracting new viewers.
