Best Julia Garner movies and shows (and where to stream them)

Julia Garner is one of the most talented actresses working in the business right now. The 28-year-old New York native became a household name with her role as Ruth Langmore on Ozark, which earned her two Emmy Awards. For the final season of the Netflix thriller, we’re sure she’ll scoop up another nomination at the least. Her performance keeps getting better and I cannot wait to see what her character does next in Ozark season 4 part 2.

While we wait for Ozark to return, let’s look back at Garner’s acting credits and break down what movies and shows you should absolutely add to your watch list. These are her best titles to date.

Julia Garner movies: Martha Marcy May Marlene

Martha Marcy May Marlene is, in my opinion, the best movie on Garner’s resume. The 2011 film stars Elizabeth Olsen as Martha, a young twentysomething who escapes from her life in a cult. Now living with her sister and brother-in-law, she has to learn how to deal with the trauma she faced without explaining where she had been to her family.

Garner has a small role as the character Sarah, a young woman who’s new to the cult. The film is totally gripping and has a great ending.

Sarah Paulson, John Hawkes, and Hugh Dancy also appear in Martha Marcy May Marlene.

Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video for $3.99 to rent or $9.99 to buy

Julia Garner shows: Ozark

Ozark is one of the best Netflix original shows of all time, first debuting back in 2017. Following married couple Marty (Jason Bateman) and Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney), we watch as they uproot their family and move to the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri after a money laundering scheme goes sideways. Throughout the seasons, the family has to deal with local drug dealers and the Mexican cartel as they fight for more power.

Garner plays the one and only Ruth Langmore, who’s one of my personal favorite Netflix characters ever. She’s quick-witted, super intelligent, and doesn’t take s**t from anyone. She absolutely makes the show, and I don’t think it would be as enjoyable without Garner.

Ozark season 4 part 2 debuts on April 29, 2022. That will mark the end of the series.

Where to stream: Netflix

Julia Garner shows: Maniac

Maniac is such an underrated Netflix show. The sci-fi dark comedy came out back in 2018, starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill in the leading roles. Their two characters are involved in a pharmaceutical experiment, which puts them to the ultimate psychological test. Each episode is super original and thought-provoking.

Other familiar faces Justin Theroux, Sally Field, and Gabriel Byrne star. For Garner’s part, she has a recurring role as Stone’s character’s younger sister who had died years earlier.

Maniac received critical acclaim and earned Stone an Emmy Award nomination, but I still don’t think it’s talked about enough.

Where to stream: Netflix

Julia Garner shows: Inventing Anna

If you’re looking for an addicting drama based on a true story, Inventing Anna (2022) is a great pick for you. The series stars Garner as Anna Delvey (a.k.a. Anna Sorokin), the real-life con artist who tricked New York City’s elite into giving her all the lavish things in life — including dinners, vacations, a private jet, and more.

Inventing Anna follows Anna’s court trial, recounting some of the craziest stories her former friends had about her and all the extravagant things she finessed. Though not everything in the show really happened, a lot of it did!

Anna Chlumsky, Arian Moayed, Anders Holm, and Laverne Cox also star.

Where to stream: Netflix

Julia Garner movies: The Assistant

Drama is certainly what Garner does best, and The Assistant is no exception. The 2019 film follows main character Jane (Garner), a film assistant living in New York City. It’s a chilling look at sexual harassment in the workplace, as throughout the one day we see from Jane’s eyes, she witnesses a ton of inappropriate behavior from her boss.

Though Jane tries to take action and speak with HR, among other things, it becomes apparent that she’s all but powerless in the situation. Matthew Macfadyen, Kristine Froseth, and Makenzie Leigh co-star in the film.

Where to stream: Hulu

Julia Garner movies: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

If you grew up on Tumblr, reading books like the coming-of-age works of John Green, Stephenie Meyer, and Suzanne Collins, chances are you’ve read The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and watched his 2012 movie adaptation.

Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller, the film tells the story of a depressed teenager named Charlie (Lerman) who enters high school as an outcast. Avoiding dealing with trauma he faced in his childhood, he fortunately becomes friends with two seniors and their circle, and grows close to his English teacher. Garner plays a former friend of Charlie’s.

I’ll go out on a limb and say The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the best coming-of-age story ever.

Where to stream: Showtime

Julia Garner‘s acting credits include a handful of gems, and we cannot wait to see what she does next!