Audrey Hepburn is an undeniable icon. The Oscar-winner wasn’t only one of the finest actresses of her generation, but she was also a famous figure in fashion and a UNICEF spokesperson. As the years go by, her impact on pop culture and cinema only becomes more prevalent. We celebrate her gifts by counting down her ten must-watch movies that were “loverly” from start to finish.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
How can we begin this list without citing the quintessential Audrey Hepburn movie? It is iconic and for good reason, it’s actually a fantastic film (minus Mickey Rooney’s unintentional racist performance as Hepburn’s Japanese neighbor). It tells the tale of Holly Golightly, a New York City gold digger, who thinks money can help her out of a terrible life. But what happens when she meets her charming, young neighbor Paul Varjak (George Peppard), a penniless writer with a hidden past of his own? Pure movie magic and a romance for the ages!
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Charade (1963)
Charade is one of the most thrilling Audrey Hepburn movies to see. Not because of the beautiful costume design (it plays a large role though), but the story is exhilarating, the editing is on point, and Hepburn gives a performance to remember. She plays Regina Lampert, a widow running from three of her husband’s old World War II cronies. What do they want from her? Half a million dollars that they stole, which has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Regina finds help from the dashing Joshua (Cary Grant), who she meets at a luxurious ski resort on the French Alps.
How to Steal a Million (1966)
Nicole is the daughter of a famous art forger, who sells his art for a considerable profit. When his reproduction sculpture of a famous work appears in the Paris museum, trouble ensues as experts begin to investigate its authenticity. She then hires charming cat burglar Simon Dermott (Peter O’Toole) to steal it back before her father is unmasked as a fraud.
Funny Face (1957)
A glittery 1950s musical with costumes by Hubert de Givenchy is enough to have us watching this classic gem. Fred Astaire co-stars as a fashion photographer who finds a librarian (Hepburn) and sees her potentials as a fashion model. Set in Paris and featuring a gorgeous Gershwin score, everything about Funny Face’s lushness is exactly the kind of escape we look for in cinema.
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My Fair Lady (1964)
The 1964 Alan Jay Lerner and Fredrick Loewe musical was both a box office and critical hit, winning eight Oscars including Best Motion Picture. Hepburn plays cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle who wants to better herself in life. She begins to take English classes from a pompous professor named Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison). Though Eliza’s future is on the line, Higgins treats her like a toy for his entertainment, using the entire thing as a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering, stating that he can pass anybody off as a Duchess at the Embassy Ball.
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The Nun’s Story (1959)
In one of Hepburn’s finest hours, she plays Gabrielle van der Mal, the daughter of a wealthy Belgian surgeon who leaves a comfortable, upper class life to become a nun stationed at the Belgian Congo. The inners battle that Hepburn portrays in her fearless acting garnered her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Roman Holiday (1953)
The screen debut of the screen goddess had her portraying Princess Ann, a royal sick of rules. In an act of rebellion, she wanders the streets of Rome, making friends with a journalist (Gregory Peck) longing to get an exclusive story from her. Since appearing in the 1953 William Wyler classic, Hepburn never left the screens. Her performance was awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences by citing Hepburn as the Best Actress during her film year.
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Sabrina (1954)
A classic romantic-comedy that transcends time, Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn) is the chauffer’s daughter living on the large Larrabee estate. She is also wildly in love with David (William Holden), the family’s infamous, womanizing son. When Sabrina returns home from cooking school in Paris, she is the picture perfect image of sophistication. David begins to take notice. However, Linus, the older Larrabee (Humphrey Bogart), will do anything to make sure that his little brother will continue his engagement with a stuffy socialite that will ensure a multimillion dollar deal for their company. This marked the first time designer Hubert de Givenchy designed Hepburn’s film wardrobe in a movie.
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Two for the Road (1967)
Not only is Two for the Road a forgotten gem in Hepburn’s golden filmography, but is also a treasure of 1960s cinema. The plot is intimate, finding a husband and wife (Hepburn and co-star Albert Finney) on a road trip through Europe trying and rekindle their lost flame. Simple in nature, but truly well-acted by both principle leads, the film is a light-hearted romp that will have you swooning over romance and the impressive set pieces.
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Wait Until Dark (1967)
This drama-thiller finds Hepburn harassed and manipulated by a gang of thieves. It is also one of her finest performances ever. She plays Susy, a blind woman, left at home when her husband runs off on a business trip. What Susy doesn’t know is a band of drug dealers have left an antique doll stuffed with heroine inside her apartment. As they try to retrieve it, the perceived-as-weak Susy will not go down without a fight, using the darkness as her ultimate ally.
