Julie Andrews at 90: The Best Movie of Each Decade of Her Career

The iconic Julie Andrews celebrated her 90th birthday on October 1, 2025. Throughout her impressive eight-decade career, this celebrated English actress has earned countless honors, including an Oscar, a British Academy Film Award, three Emmys, three Grammy Awards, and seven Golden Globe Awards. She’s also been nominated for three Tony Awards, putting her very close to achieving EGOT status. In 2000, Queen Elizabeth II appointed her a Dame (DBE).

Throughout her incredibly busy career, Andrews has appeared in 35 films, six television shows, and six stage productions. She started acting in the early 1950s and has consistently worked ever since. There isn’t a single bad Julie Andrews movie; each one is capable of bringing either laughter or tears. However, there’s a particularly memorable success from every decade of her career that fans cherish.

Want to see some of her best films? Here’s a look at one standout movie from each decade she worked, starting in the 1950s.

1950s – ‘La Rosa di Bagdad’ (1952)

La Rosa di Bagdad, also called The Singing Princess, tells the story of Princess Zeila of Baghdad (with Julie Andrews providing the voice), who becomes the target of the villainous Sheikh Jafar (voiced by Stephen Jack). Jafar, following the advice of a magician, intends to use a spell to marry Zeila and take control of the kingdom ruled by Zeila’s uncle, Caliph Oman III (voiced by Arthur Young). When snake-charmer Amin (voiced by Patricia Hayes) learns of Jafar’s plan, she makes a promise to stop him.

A Technical Achievement

Writer and director Anton Gino Domenighini found inspiration in the Arabian Nights and was fortunate to have a talented voice cast. Stephen Jack brilliantly portrays Jafar’s unpredictable and illogical actions, making them feel authentic and believable. Andrews also delivers a remarkably natural and heartfelt performance, effectively carrying the film. This movie marked Italy’s pioneering use of Technicolor and was among the earliest animated films created in Europe. Even after many years, the film’s quality remains strong enough to make it worth watching again.

1960s – ‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)

The story unfolds in Edwardian London, and we meet the Banks children, Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael (Matthew Garber). They’re behaving badly, so their parents decide to hire Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews), a nanny who can do magical things. Over time, she teaches the children how to behave by taking them on exciting and imaginative journeys.

Walt Disney’s Biggest 20th Century Hit

Mary Poppins was nominated for an impressive 13 Academy Awards – the most for any film from Walt Disney Studios – and took home five, including the Best Actress award for Julie Andrews. Beyond its memorable musical numbers, the film’s relaxed rhythm and cheerful atmosphere create a strong sense of presence, making this new and magical world feel instantly familiar. Andrews delivers a flawless performance as a character whose confident demeanor reminds us of the admirable adults from our childhoods. What truly stands out is the film’s deeply moving and immersive exploration of the beauty and fragility of childhood, handled with remarkable sensitivity.

1970s – ’10’ (1979)

10 follows George Webber (Dudley-Moore), a composer who’s feeling lost in a midlife crisis. He’s grown unhappy in his relationship with his partner, Samantha Taylor (Julie Andrews), and becomes captivated when he meets the beautiful and recently married Jenny Hanley (Bo Derek). He chases after her to a resort in Mexico, leading to a series of funny and chaotic experiences.

Pleasing to the Eyes and Ears

Known for its memorable beach scenes featuring Bo Derek and Julie Andrews’ serene acting, 10 is an enjoyable film for both teenagers and adults. It feels like a beautifully written poem exploring themes of love, life, and truth. Director Blake Edwards crafts a nuanced story that avoids simple judgments of good versus evil, right versus wrong. The movie centers on genuine, down-to-earth characters who find themselves in unusual situations. The soundtrack is also exceptional. The film received Oscar nominations for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Talk of a remake has circulated since 2020, but so far, no new version has been made.

1980s – ‘Victor/Victoria’ (1982)

Another delightful film by Blake Edwards, Victor/Victoria, is set in 1930s Paris. It follows the story of singer Victoria Grant (Julie Andrews) who is having trouble finding work. Then, she has an idea! She partners with the lively performer Toddy (Robert Preston) and they create a plan: she’ll pretend to be “Victor,” a man who performs as a woman. The act quickly becomes very popular, but things get tricky when a gangster from Chicago begins to suspect something isn’t right.

Anything To Survive

You’ll be delightfully surprised by Victor/Victoria, a film that’s both heartwarming and thought-provoking, offering a poignant exploration of gender inequality in the workplace. Preston continues to impress as a reliable character capable of keeping a secret, and Andrews powerfully portrays a woman torn between her ambitions and the consequences of her choices. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Furthermore, director Blake Edwards skillfully builds tension and humor even in the most straightforward scenes, creating moments that are genuinely touching.

1990s – ‘A Fine Romance’ (1991)

Inspired by the play Tchin-Tchin, A Fine Romance tells the story of Pamela Piquet (Julie Andrews), an Englishwoman, and Cesareo Garibaldi (Marcello Mastroianni), an Italian man, both of whom are dealing with unfaithful spouses. Pamela’s husband is having an affair with Cesareo’s wife. As they secretly investigate their partners, Pamela and Cesareo join forces to end the affair. The story asks: will their plan work, and what will happen if it does?

A Twist Awaits

With its sensual, funny, and leisurely pace, and visually beautiful and romantic feel, Gene Saks’ A Fine Romance is a lively story about the challenges of maintaining a marriage and keeping the love alive. It’s also notable as the only film starring Andrews released in cinemas during the 1990s. Some believed her talent was diminishing at the time, but her performance here proves otherwise. The actress later enjoyed a significant resurgence in the 2000s.

2000s – ‘Enchanted’ (2007)

With narration by Julie Andrews, Enchanted begins in the fairytale land of Andalasia. Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) dreams of finding true love with Prince Edward (James Marsden). However, the wicked Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) sends her away to present-day New York City. While Giselle tries to adjust to her new surroundings and navigates life with the skeptical lawyer Robert (Patrick Dempsey), Edward sets out to find and save her.

Love Cutting Across Time

Films like Enchanted are always enjoyable to watch, especially when a developing love story is thrown into chaos. The movie explores how past relationships continue to affect the characters. That’s part of what makes it so appealing to viewers. This musical romantic comedy jumps between different time periods, addressing themes of loyalty and believing in the best, all while cleverly referencing classic Disney cartoons. Julie Andrews’ voice remains captivating, but the film truly showcases Amy Adams, who delivers a powerful performance in the main role.

2010s – ‘Despicable Me’ (2010)

In Despicable Me, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) comes up with a really big plan: he wants to steal the Moon! To make sure it works, he adopts three orphaned girls, hoping they can help him get into the fortress of a rival villain. At first, he only sees them as tools to help with his scheme, but he gradually starts to care for them. Julie Andrews provides the voice for Gru’s mother.

The Start of a Marvelous Franchise

You should definitely watch this movie for Steve Carell and Julie Andrews. Their voices are incredibly calming, especially when you’re having a difficult day. The story is relatable – it shows how letting ambition run wild can lead to problems and ultimately, personal growth. While this is the first film in the Despicable Me series, it’s arguably the most significant. Plus, the soundtrack, created by Pharrell Williams and Heitor Pereira, is truly amazing.

2020s – ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ (2022)

Minions: The Rise of Gru takes us back to the 1970s, following an eleven-year-old Gru who dreams of becoming a supervillain and joining the notorious Vicious 6. When his application is turned down, he decides to prove himself by stealing their incredibly powerful Zodiac Stone. However, things go wrong when one of his friends accidentally swaps the stone for a simple pet rock, leading Gru on a challenging and often annoying quest to get it back.

Gru: Year One

The Rise of Gru is still one of the most successful animated movies ever made, telling a story of failed dreams with thoughtfulness, humor, and heart. The film wonderfully captures the joy of childhood, and the director expertly utilizes the voice actors – including Andrews returning from the first Despicable Me movie – alongside truly outstanding animation. Unlike some other sequels, this one feels worthwhile. You should watch it to fully appreciate “The Rise of Beloved Gru.”

2025-10-04 21:15