America Ferrera’s 10 Most Iconic Movies and TV Shows, Ranked – Collider
America Ferrari is an accomplished and versatile actress known for her exceptional talent and compelling performances. Ferrera rose to prominence for her breakthrough role as Betty Suarez in the critically acclaimed television series Ugly Betty (2006-2010). Her portrayal of the sweet and bouncy Betty earned her numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award. Starring Ferrera in the highly anticipated Barbie film as Gloria, a Mattel employee, it is only appropriate to contemplate and celebrate her craft and the projects she has starred in.
She has shown her versatility through roles like Carmen in The sisterhood of the traveling pants film series (2005-2008), Ana in Real women have curves (2002), and Amy in Super store (2015-2021). Ferrera’s performances consistently captivate audiences and she continues to make a significant impact with her talent, charisma and dedication to portraying diverse and powerful characters on screen.
11 ‘I have to face it!’ (2002)
I gotta hurry! is a 2002 Disney Channel Original Movie that tells the inspiring story of a group of high school girls who form a dance team called The Dancing Barrios. Under the guidance of their dedicated teacher, Mrs. Bartlett (Susan Egan), the girls discover their talent, passion and the power of teamwork as they strive to win a dance competition.
Ferrera’s character, Yolanda “Yoli” Vargas, is one of the main characters and members of The Dancing Barrios. Yoli is a talented dancer who brings energy, determination and a sense of humor to the group. Throughout the film, Yoli faces personal challenges, finds her voice and learns the importance of believing in herself and supporting her teammates. I gotta hurry! is one of Ferrera’s first acting appearances and the movie that would kickstart the long-lasting and successful acting career she has had.
10 “How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer” (2005)
How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer follows three generations of Mexican-American women living in a small Arizona town as they navigate love, sexuality and self-discovery during an eventful summer. Each woman navigates her journey, challenging societal expectations and cultural traditions.
Dona (Lucia Gallardo), the matriarch, meets a gardener named Don Pedro (George Cervera Jr.), who teaches her how to garden, but soon enters into a romantic relationship with her; Lolita, Doña’s daughter, is torn between two men; while Blanca (America Ferrari), Lolita’s daughter and a teenager about to grow up, embark on a summer romance with the new kid in town. Blanca’s coming-of-age story explores themes of first love, sexual awakening and the complexities of cultural identity. Through humorous and poignant moments, How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer offers a heartfelt portrayal of the complexities of being a woman and the power of female relationships.
9 ‘Steel City’ (2006)
Steel city revolves around the dysfunctional Mills family in a small steel town in Pennsylvania. When their estranged father, Carl Lee (Tom Gury), is arrested, his two sons, PJ (Thomas Gury) and am (Clayne Crawford), confront their complicated relationship with him and confront their struggles. The film delves into themes of family, forgiveness and the struggle to escape the cycles of dysfunction. With nuanced performances and raw emotions, Steel city explores the complexities of human relationships and the search for redemption in a small industrial community.
Ferrera’s character is Amy Barnes, a love interest and associate of PJ. Amy emotionally supports PJ as he struggles with his family’s turmoil and aspirations. Her character brings warmth and understanding to the story, offering a sense of stability amid the family’s turbulence.
8 ‘Real women have curves’ (2002)
Real women have curves is a 2002 coming-of-age drama film starring Ana García (America Ferrari), a young Mexican-American woman from a working-class family in Los Angeles. Ana struggles with her dreams, body image issues and cultural expectations during her last summer before college.
The film explores themes of self-acceptance, women’s empowerment, and the complexities of family dynamics. America Ferrera’s portrayal of Ana is heartfelt and authentic, depicting the character’s struggles, aspirations and resilience. Ferrera’s performance resonated with audiences, while Ana’s journey of self-discovery and embracing her body challenged societal beauty standards.
7 ‘We Crashed’ (2022)
Based on the podcast WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of We Workthe miniseries We crashed explores the real-life events surrounding the rise and fall of the coworking company WeWork. It follows charismatic co-founders Adam Neumann (Jared Leto) and Rebekah Neumann (Anne Hathaway) as they build an empire and promise to revolutionize the workplace. However, their ambitious vision is clouded by questionable business practices and financial irregularities. As the company’s valuation rises, cracks begin to appear, leading to its spectacular collapse and the impact it has on employees, investors and the Neumanns themselves.
America Ferrera played the character of Elisha Kennedy in the series. Despite playing a fictional character, her character was actually meant to represent SoulCycle founder Julie Rice, who joined the WeWork team in 2017 as Chief Brand Officer. We crashed offers a compelling look into the world of high-stakes tech startups and the human drama behind one of the most infamous business implosions in recent memory.
6 ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ (1 & 2) (2005, 2008)
The sisterhood of the traveling pants is a film series based on the novels of Ann Brashares. The story revolves around four friends for life: Lena (Alexis Bledel), Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Bridget (Blake Vivid) and Carmen (America Ferrari). Before saying goodbye for summer, they discover a pair of magical jeans that miraculously fit them perfectly. They decide to share the pants, believing it will keep them connected as they embark on their separate journeys.
America Ferrera plays Carmen, a talented writer who struggles with her self-esteem and relationship with her father. Throughout the films, Carmen navigates identity, family dynamics and first love issues. In The sisterhood of the traveling pants 2, the friends reunite during their college years, face new challenges and deepen their bond. Carmen continues to develop and struggles with the pursuit of her dreams and the complexities of adulthood.
5 ‘Barbie’ (2023)
Greta Gerwig‘s live-action adaptation of Barbie follows the iconic duo Barbie (Margaret Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) indulge in their perfect and colorful world of Barbie Land. However, when they enter the world of humans, they soon learn about the wonders and obstacles of life between them.
In the movie America Ferrari plays the role of a human and assistant to Mattel’s CEO, Gloria. Her lifelong love of Barbie dolls leads her to meet Barbie in the real world and eventually must help save Barbie Land from the patriarchy. In an interview with The cut, Ferrera reveals that she never had a desire to play a Barbie doll in the movie, because it never appealed to her. “My cousin had Barbies in the house and we played with them there, but everything — from the Dreamhouse to the Corvette to the pool to the 20 different outfits — felt so inaccessible.” She goes on to explain that Barbie dolls were usually “blonde hair and blue eyes and perfect. She probably made me feel bad about myself as a kid.
4 ‘Super Store’ (2015-2021)
Set in the fictional Cloud 9 megastore, Super store is a sitcom that follows the lives of the store’s diverse group of employees as they navigate the challenges and absurdities of their jobs. It explores themes such as workplace dynamics, relationships, and the day-to-day struggles of store associates. Other cast members include Ben Veldman, Lauren As, Colton Dunnand more.
America Ferrera played an important role as Amy Sosa, one of the main characters. Amy starts off as a dedicated employee, but becomes more involved in running the store as the series progresses. Her character undergoes personal growth and challenges, including juggling work and family responsibilities. Ferrera’s portrayal of Amy brought humor, relatability and authenticity to the character, showcasing her comedic timing and acting range. She was an integral part of the ensemble cast and contributed to the show’s success and popularity.
3 ‘Ugly Betty’ (2006-2010)
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Ugly Betty is a television series that aired from 2006 to 2010. The show follows the life of Betty Suarez (America Ferrari), an intelligent and kind-hearted young woman from Queens who gets a job at a prestigious fashion magazine called Mode. Despite her unconventional looks, Betty’s exceptional skills and unwavering determination help her navigate the cutthroat fashion industry and prove her worth. Along the way, she faces various challenges, forms unlikely friendships and discovers her identity.
Ferrera brings depth and authenticity to the character, capturing Betty’s vulnerability, strength, and unwavering belief in herself. Her performance resonated with audiences as Betty became a relatable and inspiring figure who defied societal expectations and embraced her unique qualities. Ferrera’s rendition Ugly Betty showcased her versatility as an actress and cemented her place as a beloved and influential figure in the entertainment industry.
1 ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Film Series (2010-2019)
The How to train your dragon film series is a trilogy of animated fantasy films. Set in the Viking world of Berk, the story revolves around a young Viking named Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and his bond with a young dragon named Toothless. As Hiccup and Toothless navigate their developing friendship, they face challenges, forge alliances and try to make peace between humans and dragons. It was announced that a live-action adaptation of How to train your dragon is in the works and scheduled for release in 2025.
America Ferrari voices Astrid Hofferson, one of Hiccup’s best friends and love interest. Astrid is a skilled warrior and dragon rider known for her bravery, loyalty and sharp wit. Throughout the films, Astrid plays a vital role in supporting Hiccup’s efforts to understand dragons and live together. A strong and independent character, she displays determination and ingenuity in their shared adventures.
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