Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Wild, the adventure-drama starring Reese Witherspoon, is out in theaters tomorrow and has already garnered widespread critical acclaim. Based on Cheryl Strayed’s best-selling memoir, Wild tells the story of Strayed’s solitary, 1,100-mile hike through the Pacific Crest Trail after the death of her mother.
Witherspoon, who plays the author, earned an Oscar for Walk the Line back in 2005 and is in the running for Best Actress once again, as she’s in nearly every single frame of Jean Marc Vallée‘s adaptation. In honor of the release of her new film, we’re looking back on the best of Witherspoon’s career and where you can stream her greatest roles.
'Mud' (2012)
After a couple of flops, Witherspoon returned to her indie roots and starred in Jeff Nichols’ Mud, starring Matthew McConaughey in the title role. She plays Juniper, Mud’s estranged, mysterious girlfriend. Don’t get us wrong, we love Elle Woods, but between this, Inherent Vice, and Wild: we can’t get enough of this new, grittier side of Witherspoon. [Where to stream Mud]
'American Psycho' (2000)
Witherspoon plays socialite Evelyn Williams, who gets dumped by Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) in the middle of a restaurant after he can’t physically stomach her presence any longer. It’s okay, though — she had Justin Theroux to fall back on for a little while. [Where to stream American Psycho]
'Friends': "The One with Rachel's Sister" (2000)
Right after Cruel Intentions and just before Legally Blonde, Witherspoon starred as Jill Green, Rachel’s (Jennifer Aniston) sheltered, spoiled little sister. After she’s thrown out of their parents’ house, she flees to NYC to crash with Rachel and see just how much she can mooch (and smooch Ross). [Where to stream “The One with Rachel’s Sister”]
'Freeway' (1996)
Starring alongside Kiefer Sutherland, Witherspoon plays Vanessa Lutz, a juvenile delinquent on the run from a social worker and a serial killer in this twisted take on Little Red Riding Hood. [Where to stream Freeway]
'Pleasantville' (1998)
Witherspoon plays Jennifer, who, like most teenagers, is bored with the same old high school routine. She and David (Tobey Maguire) take a journey 40 years back in time to a 1950s black-and-white sitcom, where their futuristic perspective on their world begins to change their new environment. [Where to stream Pleasantville]
'Sweet Home Alabama' (2002)
Witherspoon plays Melanie, a bright southern belle hiding behind a Manhattanite facade. When the dashing mayor’s son, Andrew (Patrick Dempsey), asks her to marry him, she’s overjoyed. But there’s just one catch to the Tiffany diamond on her finger: she has to divorce her current husband from back home. [Where to stream Sweet Home Alabama]
'Walk the Line' (2005)
Witherspoon’s portrayal of June Carter Cash earned her an Oscar for Best Actress and a hostile divorce from a jealous Ryan Phillippe less than a year later. [Where to stream Walk the Line]
'Cruel Intentions' (1999)
Freeway and Pleasantville helped Witherspoon make her mark, but this campy love triangle drama put the actress on the map. Witherspoon plays Annette Hargrove, a demure, bookworm virgin when she meets Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe), who makes it his mission to deflower her — but not if his step-sister Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar) has anything to do with it. [Where to stream Cruel Intentions]
'Legally Blonde' (2001)
Witherspoon had the whole country bending and snapping for the next decade after starring as Elle Woods in the classic rom-com of a sorority girl turned Harvard Law student. [Where to stream Legally Blonde]
'Election' (1999)
We loved her, we hated her, we envied her tenacity but despised her over-commitment to, well, everything. One thing we could help but appreciate about Tracy Flick, however, was her taking down of the manipulative, childish Mr. McAllister (Matthew Broderick) in Alexander Payne‘s best comedy. Tracy Flick for president! [Where to stream Election]
