Britt Robertson is a talented young actress who has made a name for herself in both film and television. Born Brittany Leanna Robertson on April 18, 1990 in Charlotte, North Carolina, she began acting as a child at the Greenville Little Theater in South Carolina. At age 14, Robertson moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting professionally.
Over the past two decades, Britt Robertson has built an impressive body of work across movies and TV. She is known for her natural charisma, emotional range, and ability to bring depth to her characters. From her breakout role in the film Dan in Real Life to her lead performances in shows like Life Unexpected and For the People, Robertson consistently delivers memorable, relatable portrayals.
In this blog post, we’ll count down Britt Robertson’s 15 best movies and TV shows, ranked based on critical acclaim, audience reception, and the strength of her individual performances. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering her work, this list highlights some of the must-see projects from her career so far.
15. Avalon High (2010)
Avalon High is a Disney Channel Original Movie that offers a modern take on Arthurian legend. Britt Robertson stars as Allie Pennington, a new student at Avalon High who discovers that her classmates may be reincarnations of figures from King Arthur’s court.
As Allie unravels the mystery, Robertson brings earnestness and spunk to the role. While the movie’s plot is far-fetched, her performance grounds it with humor and heart. Avalon High is a fun, family-friendly adventure that lets Robertson showcase her talent for playing determined, likable heroines.
14. Scream 4 (2011)
The Scream franchise returned after an 11-year hiatus with this meta horror-comedy. Set 15 years after the original, Scream 4 finds Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returning to Woodsboro as the Ghostface killer resurfaces. A new generation of high schoolers, including Britt Robertson as Marnie Cooper, are caught in the bloody mayhem.
Although her role is relatively small, Robertson makes the most of her screen time. She plays Marnie as a perky, horror-savvy teen whose knowledge of slasher movie tropes doesn’t necessarily keep her out of danger. Scream 4 is an entertaining addition to the series, and it’s fun to see Robertson dip her toes into the horror genre.
13. Mother’s Day (2016)
This ensemble comedy-drama from director Garry Marshall follows several storylines over the course of Mother’s Day weekend. Britt Robertson appears as Kristin, a new mom who’s hesitant to marry her boyfriend and is later revealed to be adopted.
Robertson brings nuance to a somewhat underwritten part, hinting at the insecurities and abandonment issues underneath Kristin’s reluctance to commit. While Mother’s Day is a mixed bag overall, her sensitive performance is one of its highlights. She shares some poignant moments on screen with Julia Roberts, who plays her biological mother.
12. A Dog’s Purpose (2017)
Based on the bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Purpose tells the story of a dog who is reincarnated multiple times, touching different human lives along the way. One of those humans is Hannah, a lonely college student played by Britt Robertson with warmth and vulnerability.
Hannah’s bond with the dog, now named Bailey, helps bring her out of her shell. Robertson makes their connection feel authentic, portraying Hannah’s gradual openness and increasing capacity for love. While the movie can be schmaltzy at times, her understated work keeps it emotionally grounded.
11. Ask Me Anything (2014)
In this indie drama, Britt Robertson stars as Katie Kampenfelt, a recent high school graduate who decides to take a year off before college. She documents her experiences and secrets through an anonymous blog that goes viral.
Robertson fearlessly tackles a complex, often unlikable character. Katie makes questionable choices as she explores her sexuality and rebels against authority figures in her life. But Robertson brings insight to her struggles, revealing the pain and uncertainty beneath her provocative behavior. It’s a raw, riveting performance that won Robertson a Best Actress award from the Nashville Film Festival.
10. The Space Between Us (2017)
The Space Between Us is a sci-fi romance about Gardner Elliot (Asa Butterfield), the first human born on Mars, who travels to Earth for the first time at age 16 and falls for a girl named Tulsa (Britt Robertson). Together, they go on a road trip to find Gardner’s father while evading the authorities.
Robertson is charming as the spunky, jaded Tulsa, who’s initially resistant to Gardner’s naive optimism but eventually lets her guard down. She has good chemistry with Butterfield and brings emotional honesty to Tulsa’s abandonment issues and fear of getting attached. Even though the movie’s premise is far-fetched, Robertson helps sell the central relationship.
9. Cake (2014)
Jennifer Aniston received raves for her lead performance in this indie drama, but Britt Robertson also does strong work in a key supporting role. Aniston plays Claire, a woman suffering from chronic pain and depression after a tragic accident. Robertson appears as Becky, a member of Claire’s chronic pain support group who recently committed suicide.
Although she only appears in flashbacks, Robertson makes a vivid impression. Her scenes provide crucial insight into Becky’s despair and the group dynamics. Robertson movingly conveys the character’s anguish and lost potential, adding to the overall emotional impact of the film.
8. The Longest Ride (2015)
Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, The Longest Ride tells two parallel love stories. In the present day, college student Sophia (Britt Robertson) falls for bull rider Luke (Scott Eastwood), while the older Ira (Alan Alda) reflects on his decades-long romance with his late wife Ruth in flashbacks.
Robertson brings her signature warmth and relatability to Sophia, a driven art lover who’s resistant to Luke’s charms at first. Over the course of the movie, she believably portrays Sophia’s growing feelings and the way her worldview expands through her relationship with Luke and friendship with Ira. Robertson’s heartfelt performance helps the audience invest in Sophia and Luke’s love story.
7. Girlboss (2017)
This short-lived but memorable Netflix comedy was inspired by Sophia Amoruso’s memoir about founding the fashion brand Nasty Gal. Britt Robertson stars as a fictionalized version of Amoruso, a rebellious twenty-something who starts selling vintage clothes on eBay and unexpectedly builds a business empire.
Robertson is magnetic in the lead role, imbuing Sophia with fierce intelligence, dark humor, and anti-hero edge. She fearlessly portrays the character’s flaws and contradictions, making her feel authentic even at her most abrasive. Although Girlboss only lasted one season, it’s worth watching for Robertson’s bold, dynamic performance.
6. The First Time (2012)
A charming teen romance, The First Time follows the burgeoning relationship between Dave (Dylan O’Brien), a high school senior pining for a popular girl, and Aubrey (Britt Robertson), a junior with an older boyfriend. Over the course of a weekend, they forge a deep connection and fall for each other.
Robertson is endearing as Aubrey, bringing understated wit and vulnerability to the role. She has lovely chemistry with O’Brien, and their characters’ conversations feel natural and unforced. Through Robertson’s sensitive performance, Aubrey emerges as a fully realized character with relatable insecurities and desires. It’s a sweet, sincere movie that captures the magic and awkwardness of young love.
5. Tomorrowland (2015)
This ambitious sci-fi adventure from director Brad Bird stars George Clooney as a jaded inventor and Britt Robertson as Casey, an optimistic teen who stumbles upon a mysterious pin that transports her to the futuristic world of Tomorrowland. Together, they embark on a dangerous mission to uncover its secrets.
As Casey, Robertson is the heart of the movie. Her character’s endless curiosity and hopefulness are crucial to the story’s themes, and Robertson radiates both wide-eyed wonder and steely determination. She more than holds her own opposite Clooney and brings emotional depth to the spectacular visuals and set pieces. Tomorrowland has its flaws, but Robertson’s appealing performance is one of its greatest assets.
4. For the People (2018-2019)
This ABC legal drama from Shondaland follows six ambitious young lawyers working on opposite sides of the law in the Southern District of New York Federal Court. Britt Robertson plays Sandra Bell, a passionate public defender determined to fight for the underdog.
Over the course of two seasons, Robertson brings nuance and depth to Sandra’s idealism and moral dilemmas. She has crackling chemistry with the ensemble cast and shines in both dramatic courtroom scenes and quieter personal moments. Although For the People was cancelled too soon, it’s a showcase for Robertson’s ability to anchor an ensemble drama with heart and conviction.
3. Under the Dome (2013-2014)
Based on the novel by Stephen King, Under the Dome revolves around the residents of Chester’s Mill, who find themselves suddenly cut off from the rest of the world by a massive, transparent dome. Britt Robertson plays Angie McAlister, a young waitress who becomes a key figure in the town’s power struggles and mysteries.
Robertson brings both toughness and vulnerability to Angie, who endures horrific trauma but refuses to be victimized. Her character faces harrowing challenges as the town descends into chaos, and Robertson fearlessly commits to the intense material. While the show’s quality declined over time, her performance remained a highlight.
2. The Secret Circle (2011-2012)
This CW supernatural drama stars Britt Robertson as Cassie Blake, a teenage girl who discovers she’s a witch and part of a secret coven in her new hometown. As Cassie uncovers the truth about her family history and magical abilities, she becomes entangled in a dangerous battle between good and evil.
Robertson anchors the show with her heartfelt, grounded performance. She convincingly portrays Cassie’s journey from ordinary teen to powerful witch, and her character’s relationships with the other members of the circle form the emotional core of the series. Although The Secret Circle only lasted one season, it’s a must-see for Robertson fans and a testament to her ability to carry a complex genre show.
1. Life Unexpected (2010-2011)
In this beloved but short-lived CW drama, Britt Robertson delivers a star-making performance as Lux Cassidy, a teenage girl who’s spent her life in the foster system. On her 16th birthday, Lux decides to become an emancipated minor, which leads her to track down her biological parents, Cate (Shiri Appleby) and Baze (Kristoffer Polaha).
Robertson is simply luminous as Lux, capturing the character’s mix of world-weariness, vulnerability, and cautious hope. Her chemistry with Appleby and Polaha is the heart of the show, as Lux slowly learns to open up to her imperfect but well-meaning parents. Robertson brings humor, warmth, and authenticity to every scene, making Lux feel like a fully realized person from the very first episode.
Life Unexpected is a hidden gem that deserved a longer run. But in its two near-perfect seasons, it tells a poignant, emotionally satisfying story about family, forgiveness, and second chances. Robertson’s layered, deeply felt lead performance is a huge part of what makes the show so special. For the way it showcases her immense talent and effortless ability to balance comedy and drama, Life Unexpected tops our list of Britt Robertson’s best movies and TV shows.
From her early breakout roles to her more recent lead performances, Britt Robertson has proven herself to be one of the most exciting and versatile actresses of her generation. Whether she’s playing sunny and optimistic or dark and troubled, she brings honesty, intelligence, and emotional transparency to all of her characters.
With her star continuing to rise, we can’t wait to see what Britt Robertson does next. In the meantime, her impressive body of work so far offers plenty to discover and appreciate. These 15 films and series represent the highlights of an already remarkable career, and a promising sign of even greater things to come.
