Mandy Moore’s 10 Best Movies And TV Shows

The best Mandy Moore movies and TV shows perfectly demonstrate how the singer-songwriter made the transition from parts in lighthearted teen rom-coms to leading grounded and emotional dramas. Born in New Hampshire in 1984, Mandy Moore first rose to fame as a pop singer with singles like 1999’s “Candy” from her debut album So Real. However, within a few years, she’d make the transition to acting, starting with a minor voice role in 2001’s Dr. Dolittle 2.

While appearing in a film alongside Eddie Murphy so early in her career was an achievement, it was her role as Lana in The Princess Diaries the same year that proved the pop star was also an incredibly talented actor. Before long, Mandy Moore was leading cases in films like 2002’s A Walk to Remember and 2003’s How to Deal. As the decades progressed, she began to take on more mature roles that further highlighted her range, and the best Mandy Moore movies and TV shows reveal how her many talents have led to her having such a storied and successful career.

10

Because I Said So (2007)

Mandy Moore Plays Milly Wilder

Because I Said So (2007) - Poster

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Because I Said So

PG-13

Because I Said So follows Daphne Wilder, played by Diane Keaton, a well-meaning but overprotective mother who meddles in her daughter’s love life to prevent her from making the same mistakes she did. Mandy Moore stars as Milly, Daphne’s youngest daughter, caught between two potential suitors. Directed by Michael Lehmann, this romantic comedy explores themes of family dynamics and personal independence.

Where to Watch

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

February 2, 2007

Runtime

102 minutes

Cast

Diane Keaton
, Mandy Moore
, Gabriel Macht
, Tom Everett Scott
, Lauren Graham
, Piper Perabo

Director

Michael Lehmann

2007’s Because I Said So was one of the first romantic comedies to play on the then-emerging trend of online dating. It’s also one of the best Mandy Moore movies, and one of her last appearances as the young romantic lead in a teen rom-com before she transitioned to playing older characters in more grounded dramas. In Because I Said So, Mandy Moore plays Milly, the young daughter of Diane Keaton’s Daphne.

Daphne attempts to play matchmaker for Milly by creating an online dating profile and ad for her daughter, hoping to attract the perfect partner for her. Moore and Keaton play the parts of a mother and daughter at odds with one another incredibly well, and Moore also has solid chemistry with Suits star Gabriel Macht as romantic lead Johnny. While Mandy Moore has starred in far more successful films as far as critics are concerned, Because I Said So remains a highlight of her work within the teen rom-com genre.

9

Chasing Liberty (2004)

Mandy Moore Plays Anna Foster

Chasing Liberty

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Chasing Liberty

PG-13

Where to Watch

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

January 1, 2004

Runtime

110 minutes

Cast

Mandy Moore
, Stark Sands
, Tony Jayawardena
, Jeremy Piven
, Annabella Sciorra
, Briony Glassco

Director

Andy Cadiff

Director Andy Cadiff’s Chasing Liberty is one of the best Mandy Moore movies from her early career, and showcases her talent for leading casts in teen rom-coms that put unconventional twists in the genre. In Chasing Liberty, Mandy Moore plays Anne Foster – a teen who, also happens to be the daughter of the president of the United States.

Like many of her early-career movies such as Saved and The Princess Diaries, Chasing Liberty flips many standard genre conventions. Rather than falling in love with a guy at her school, the unexpected object of Anna’s affection is a Secret Service Agent assigned to her security detail – Matthew Goode’s Ben Calder. This makes Chasing Liberty unique among the dozens of teen rom-coms released in the 2000s, and Mandy Moore delivers a delightfully charming performance.

8

Midway (2019)

Mandy Moore Plays Anne Best

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

ScreenRant logo

6/10

5.5/10

Midway

PG-13

Written by Wes Tooke and directed by Roland Emmerich, 2019’s Midway is a 2019 feature film starring Ed Skrein, Luke Evans, and Patrick Wilson. The film revolves around the invasion of Midway island and follows the war struggles between the United States and Japan.

Where to Watch

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

November 8, 2019

Runtime

138 minutes

Cast

Dennis Quaid
, Nick Jonas
, Ed Skrein
, Woody Harrelson
, Aaron Eckhart
, Mandy Moore
, Luke Evans
, Patrick Wilson

Director

Roland Emmerich

By 2019, Mandy Moore’s career had progressed from teen movies and romantic comedies into more serious dramatic territory. When it comes to the best Mandy Moore movies from more recent years, the 2019 war drama Midway, from director Roland Emmerich, is a notable highlight. Set during World War II, Midway follows a group of naval airmen from the attack on Pearl Harbor through to the Battle of Midway, chronicling the impact the conflict had both on them and their families.

Mandy Moore plays Anne Best in Midway, the wife of Ed Skrein’s Lieutenant Dick Best. Moore is one of the few civilian characters in the movie, and her chemistry with Skrein is essential to Midway’s grounded tone and humanizing the war heroes played by the most male ensemble cast. While not the most critically acclaimed war movie ever made, Midway still stands as a grounded and gripping dramatic effort, and one in which Mandy Moore holds her own among an ensemble cast that also includes Hollywood heavyweights like Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Patrick Wilson, and Woody Harrelson.

7

Saved (2004)

Mandy Moore Plays Hilary Faye Stockard

01334730_poster_w780-1.jpg

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Saved!

PG-13

Saved! is a satirical film set in a Christian high school, where student Mary faces a crisis after discovering her boyfriend’s sexuality and her unexpected pregnancy. Released in 2004, the film explores themes of faith and friendship through the lens of teenage life and religious orthodoxy.

Where to Watch

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

June 11, 2004

Runtime

92 minutes

Cast

Jena Malone
, Mandy Moore
, Macaulay Culkin
, Patrick Fugit
, Eva Amurri
, Heather Matarazzo
, Martin Donovan
, Mary-Louise Parker
, Chad Faust
, Elizabeth Thai
, Valerie Bertinelli
, Birkett Turton
, Julia Arkos
, Donna White
, James Caldwell
, Nicki Clyne
, Aaron Douglas
, Patricia Drake
, Brent Fidler
, Jay Hilliker
, John Innes
, Greg Kean
, Joe MacLeod
, Althea McAdam
, Thomas Plustwik

Director

Brian Dannelly

Expand

The independent 2004 comedy Saved, from director Brian Dannelly, sees Mandy Moore starring alongside the likes of Macaulay Culkin, Jena Malone, and Martin Donovan. It’s definitely one of the quirkier entries among the best Mandy Moore movies, and one that’s gained an endearing legacy over time despite flying under the radar with critics and at the box office when it released. The film blends religious satire with standard 2000s teen movie tropes and conventions, with hilarious results – especially when it comes to Mandy Moore’s character, Hilary.

Mandy Moore plays Hilary in Saved, an uptight and overbearing leader of a local church youth group. She is also the sister of Macaulay Culkin’s Roland, who is paraplegic. The two have hilarious chemistry even though they’re completely at odds. Moore’s performance as Hilary also has echoes of her earlier work in The Princess Diaries as Lana Thomas, once again showcasing how well she played antagonists in teen comedies during her early career.

6

The Darkest Minds (2018)

Mandy Moore Plays Dr. Catherine “Cate” Connor

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

ScreenRant logo

5/10

The Darkest Minds

PG-13

The Darkest Minds (2018) is a dystopian science fiction film directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson. Set in a future where a pandemic has killed most of America’s children, the surviving ones develop various superpowers and are deemed a threat by the government. The film centers on Ruby Daly, who escapes a camp for dangerous children and joins a group of teenagers on the run. The cast includes Amandla Stenberg, Harris Dickinson, and Mandy Moore.

Where to Watch

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

August 3, 2018

Cast

Amandla Stenberg
, Skylan Brooks
, Gwendoline Christie
, Harris Dickinson
, Mandy Moore
, Miya Cech

Director

Jennifer Yuh Nelson

2018’s The Darkest Minds marks one of the only times Mandy Moore has taken up a role in a sci-fi movie, and her performance as Dr. Catherine Connor proves she’s more than capable of stepping outside her mainstay genres of romance and dramas. Based on the YA novel of the same name by Alexandra Bracken, The Darkest Minds takes place in a dystopian future where 90% of children in the U.S. have been wiped out by a deadly plague. The surviving youngsters, however, develop superpowers, which provides the perfect narrative segway for many of the YA tropes fans of the genre love.

Mandy Moore plays Dr. Catherine Connor in The Darkest Minds, though is referred to as Cate by the majority of the characters. It’s certainly a nuanced role and one that highlights Moore’s acting abilities, as Cate regularly has to toe the line between hero and antagonist. While far from the most critically acclaimed film Mandy Moore has been cast in, her performance as Dr. Connor, a woman torn between loyalty to her organization and her compassion for the superpowered children, remains a career highlight.

5

The Princess Diaries (2001)

Mandy Moore Plays Lana Thomas

The Princess Diaries

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

10/10

The Princess Diaries

G

The Princess Diaries follows Mia Thermopolis, a teenager who discovers she is the heir to the throne of a European kingdom. The film explores her journey from an ordinary student to embracing her royal heritage, confronting the challenges and transformations this revelation brings to her life.

Where to Watch

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

August 3, 2001

Runtime

115 minutes

Cast

Anne Hathaway
, Julie Andrews
, Heather Matarazzo
, Caroline Goodall
, Hector Elizondo
, Robert Schwartzman
, Erik von Detten
, Patrick John Flueger
, Sandra Oh
, Mandy Moore
, Sean O’Bryan
, Kathleen Marshall
, Kimleigh Smith
, Mindy Burbano
, Elizabeth Gudenrath
, Bianca Lopez
, Tamara Levinson
, Lenore Thomas
, Erik Bragg
, Meredith Shevory
, Anita Marie Curran
, Cassie Rowell
, Todd Lowe
, Joe Unitas
, Joel McCrary

Director

Garry Marshall

Expand

Mandy Moore’s second movie appearance came in 2001, and was far more memorable than her voice cameo as a bear cub in Dr. Dolittle 2 the same year. This was, of course, the role of Lana Thomas in the classic coming-of-age comedy The Princess Diaries. While the story focused on Anne Hathaway’s Mia and her tutelage under Julie Andrew Queen Clarisse of Genovia, many scenes in The Princess Diaries take place in Mia’s regular high school.

Of all the characters from Mia’s regular life, it’s Mandy Moore’s Lana Thomas that’s perhaps the most memorable. Mandy Moore gave an incredible performance as the cheerleader and high school bully Lana, one that cemented the character as a 2000s teen movie antagonist on a par with the likes of Regina George from Mean Girls. It also makes The Princess Diaries stand out among the best Mandy Moore movies because it’s one of the few times she played a villain in a rom-com, and so her performance showcases a unique and specific part of her wide range as an actor.

4

47 Meters Down (2017)

Mandy Moore Plays Lisa

47 Meters Down_movie_poster

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

ScreenRant logo

4/10

47 Meters Down

PG-13

47 Meters Down is a thriller directed by Johannes Roberts. The film follows two sisters, played by Mandy Moore and Claire Holt, who become trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean during a vacation in Mexico. With limited oxygen and surrounded by great white sharks, they must find a way to escape before time runs out.

Where to Watch

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

May 25, 2017

Runtime

89 Minutes

Cast

Mandy Moore
, Claire Holt
, Matthew Modine
, Chris Johnson
, Yani Gellman

Director

Johannes Roberts

The survival horror movie 47 Meters Down, from director Johannes Roberts, is the perfect example of a film that surpassed all critic and audience expectations given the average standard of the genre – and this success is in no small part thanks to the performance of Mandy Moore as Lisa (as well as co-star Claire Holt as Lisa’s sister, Kate). The premise of 47 Meters Down is incredibly straightforward. Two sisters travel to the sea floor in a shark cage, the winch to bring them to the surface breaks, and panic ensues.

However, the nailbiting tension of 47 Meters Down isn’t in the premise but the execution. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt both have incredible chemistry with one another, with their fear as hungry sharks close in and they run out of oxygen palpably authentic. This, combined with the directorial skills of Johannes Roberts, easily cements 47 Meters Down as one of the best Mandy Moore movies. What’s more, the 2017 survival horror showcases her talents and range outside the genres of romance, drama, and comedies that defined her earlier career.

3

A Walk To Remember (2002)

Mandy Moore Plays Jamie Sullivan

A Walk to Remember Movie Poster with Mandy Moore and Shane West

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

10/10

A Walk to Remember

PG

In a story of redemption and love, Landon Carter’s life takes an unexpected turn when he’s forced to tutor and participate in the school play after a reckless prank. Through his encounters with Jamie Sullivan, a reserved minister’s daughter, Landon discovers a profound connection that challenges his perceptions of love and friendship. As their bond deepens, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and resilience, facing life’s trials together.

Where to Watch

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

January 25, 2002

Runtime

102 Mins

Cast

Mandy Moore
, Shane West

Director

Adam Shankman

The 2002 coming-of-age drama A Walk to Remember was only Mandy Moore’s third film appearance and her first time leading a cast, but it remains one of her best movies to date. Directed by Adam Shankman and based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember stars Moore as Jamie Sullivan.

Jamie is the daughter of a local priest and isn’t allowed to date, though her father is eventually swayed by the persistence of Shane West’s Landon Carter. However, A Walk to Remember is far from a simple romantic drama. Mandy Moore’s Jamie is suffering from terminal leukemia, which gives the entire movie a tragic undertone. Moore plays the part of a teenager seeking to make the most of the little time she has left beautifully, and few of her performances in the years since have been as touching or emotive as her appearance in A Walk to Remember.

2

Tangled (2010)

Mandy Moore Plays Rapunzel

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

ScreenRant logo

8/10

10

7.7/10

Tangled

PG

An adaptation of the fairytale of Rapunzel, Disney’s Tangled follows the long-haired princess as she journeys to discover her real identity. Kidnapped as a child by the evil Mother Gothel in order to exploit the healing properties of her magical hair, Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) has lived her whole life isolated in a tower. A chance encounter with a smooth-talking fugitive called Flynn Ryder (Zachary Levi) sees Rapunzel venture out into the dangerous world to find the kingdom of Corona and unlock the secrets of her past.

Where to Watch

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

November 24, 2010

Runtime

100 minutes

Cast

Donna Murphy
, Ron Perlman
, Mandy Moore
, Brad Garrett
, Jeffrey Tambor
, Zachary Levi

Director

Byron Howard
, Nathan Greno

When it comes to the best Mandy Moore movies, 2010’s Tangled is inarguably the most well-known, and her strongest performance (even though it’s animation and so relies solely on her skills as a voice actor). In the hit Disney movie, Mandy Moore plays the lead role of Rapunzel, the princess with magical hair that grows indefinitely and can bestow the gift of eternal youth.

Mandy Moore’s performance as Rapunzel is exceptional, both when it comes to spoken dialogue and the many musical numbers in the 2011 Disney film. She brings a peppy naivety to Rapunzel that works incredibly well, cementing the character as one of the most endearing Disney Princesses of the modern era. Tangled received multiple awards and accolades, including a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for the song “I See The Light”, which is sung by Mandy Moore alongside Zachary Levi.

1

This Is Us (2016-2022)

Mandy Moore Plays Rebecca Pearson

01431237_poster_w780-1.jpg

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

This Is Us

This Is Us (2017): This Is Us follows a young woman who, after ending her relationship, is unexpectedly compelled to relive her past memories with her former boyfriend. Navigating through time and space, she attempts to reshape their shared history in the pursuit of rediscovering their initial connection.

Release Date

May 27, 2017

Runtime

90 minutes

Cast

Raymond Creamer
, Jessica Lynn Parsons

Director

Jerry J. White III

While she’s more known for her movie appearances than her TV shows, Mandy Moore’s strongest performance is in the 20016-2022 romantic drama This Is Us. The fact that This Is Us is the best Mandy Moore movie or TV show is hard to debate, especially since she received nominations at the Golden Globes and Primetime Emmys for her role as Rebecca Pearson.

Starring alongside Milo Ventimiglia of Heroes and Gilmore Girls fame, Mandy Moore co-led the cast of This Is Us throughout its 2016-2022 run on NBC. Moor and Ventimiglia play Rebecca and Jack Pearson, parents of triplets, though one is adopted following the loss of their biological third child. The show was highly acclaimed, with plenty of emotional and touching moments, as well as plenty of tear-jerking ones too. Of all the best Many Moore movies and TV shows, none showcase her talent nearly as strongly as the 6 seasons of This Is Us, making it essential viewing for her fans.

Leave a Comment