Emily Blunt’s most famous roles: from “The Devil Wears Prada” to “Oppenheimer”

Emily Blunt broke into Hollywood as a scene-stealing assistant at a fashion magazine, and two decades later walked away with an Oscar. Between them, they fought wars, survived monsters, raised queens, brought back Mary Poppins, and somehow made each role the most memorable thing on screen. Here’s a look at the films that built one of the most impressive careers in modern cinema.

Emily Blunt played Emily Charlton, the sharp-tongued and fiercely ambitious first assistant to the legendary Miranda Priestly. In David Frankel’s world of satirical fashion, her sharp comic timing and cutting lines made her one of the most memorable parts of the entire film even though she was not groundbreaking. It was her breakthrough in Hollywood and fans are still quoting her lines nearly two decades later.

Blunt took on the role of Queen Victoria, portraying the early years of her reign and her romance with Prince Albert in Jean-Marc Vallee’s historical drama. The performance was multi-layered, graceful and very human, showing a young queen navigating love and immense political pressure at the same time. It earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and announced her as a serious force in Hollywood.

Blunt played Rita Vrataski, a legendary soldier nicknamed the Total Metal Bitch, opposite Tom Cruise. In director Doug Liman’s sci-fi thriller, she trained extensively for this role and gave a powerful physical performance that completely convinced the audience. Rita quickly emerged as one of the most seasoned female action heroes in film.

Kate Masser, played by Blunt, was an idealistic FBI agent caught in a morally ambiguous operation on the US-Mexico border. Denise Villeneuve’s brutal thriller called on her to convey the emotional charge of each scene, often through reaction alone. It’s one of her best performances and one of the best thrillers ever.

Blunt played Evelyn Abbott, a mother struggling to protect her family in a world where any sound can kill you. The post-apocalyptic horror of her real-life husband John Krasinski gave her a role in which she conveyed pure emotion, fear, and fierce maternal instinct with almost no dialogue at all. It was a massive success at the box office and her performance was widely considered the emotional heart of the entire story.

Blunt plays magical nanny Mary Poppins in this highly anticipated sequel. Playing the role of Julie Andrews, she brought a unique charm, grace and style to Rob Marshall’s interpretation of the character, while remaining true to the original. A humorous and spunky performance that brought a much-loved character to a new audience.

In Christopher Nolan’s epic biographical drama, Blunt played the brilliant and protective wife of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Katherine Oppenheimer. In Christopher Nolan’s biographical epic, she delivers an intense, angry performance in a film full of strong leads. The role earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and became one of the defining moments in her already impressive career.

Blunt returns as Emily Charlton in the long-awaited sequel, reuniting with Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway nearly two decades after the original film. In Part 2, Emily Charlton becomes a high-ranking CEO of a luxury fashion brand, where her life once again collides with Andy and Miranda’s in a high-stakes battle for power in the industry. David Frankel returns to direct and the film will be released in theaters on May 1, 2026, making it one of the most anticipated comebacks in recent Hollywood memory.