Honestly, most people think Ariana Grande just woke up one day, put on a Glinda crown, and decided to be an actress. That’s not how this went down. If you’ve been paying attention since the late 2000s, you know she’s actually an actor who "accidentally" became one of the biggest pop stars on the planet.
She didn't start with a microphone. She started on a Broadway stage.
The transition back to the screen with the Wicked saga isn't some new hobby. It’s a homecoming. But between the Nickelodeon days and the Ozian fields, her filmography is actually a weird, fascinating mix of slapstick comedy, voice acting, and high-concept satire that a lot of casual fans completely miss.
The Nickelodeon Era and the Cat Valentine Myth
Most people think of Victorious when they look at early Ariana Grande TV shows and movies. It’s the obvious touchstone. From 2010 to 2013, she played Cat Valentine, a character so "high-pitched and dim-witted" that it actually caused some vocal strain for Ari in real life.
She was the sidekick. The comic relief.
Then came Sam & Cat. It was a crossover that felt like a fever dream for Nick kids, pairing her with Jennette McCurdy. It only lasted one season (35 episodes), and while it was a massive hit at the time, the behind-the-scenes vibes were... complicated. If you haven't read Jennette’s memoir, let’s just say things weren't as bubbly as the set design suggested.
But here’s the thing: those shows proved she had impeccable comedic timing. You can't play "dumb" that well if you aren't smart.
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The Forgotten Credits
- The Battery’s Down (2009): This is deep-cut territory. She played a "Bat Mitzvah Riffer." Basically, she was already showing off those 4-octave runs before she even had a record deal.
- Winx Club (2011–2013): Most people forget she was the voice of Princess Diaspro. If you grew up on this show, you were hearing Ariana Grande way before "The Way" hit the radio.
- Swindle (2013): A made-for-TV movie where she played a gymnast named Amanda Benson. It was peak Nickelodeon synergy.
The "Scream Queens" Pivot
In 2015, Ryan Murphy did something genius. He cast Ariana as Chanel #2 in Scream Queens. She wasn't the lead. She didn't even survive the first episode (well, mostly).
But her death scene? Legendary.
Getting stabbed while tweeting about it is perhaps the most "Ariana" thing to ever happen on television. It showed she was willing to poke fun at her own "diva" persona. It was a bridge. It took her from "kid star" to "camp icon."
Why Wicked Changed Everything
We have to talk about Wicked (2024) and Wicked: For Good (2025). This wasn't just another role. This was the role.
For years, Ariana talked about how Glinda was her dream. She didn't just get cast; she campaigned for it. She spent months in vocal training to strip away the "pop" elements of her voice to find a legit soprano range that would work for the big screen.
The critics actually liked it. That’s the surprising part. A lot of people expected a "pop star cameo" performance, but what they got was a Golden Globe-nominated turn (specifically for Wicked: For Good in 2026). She played Glinda with a mix of vanity and deep, heartbreaking insecurity that made the character feel human for the first time in years.
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"It feels like I'm finally doing what I was always meant to do," she’s mentioned in various press junkets. And honestly? You can see it in her eyes on screen.
The Satire of "Don't Look Up"
If you want to see her playing a version of herself, watch Don't Look Up (2021). She plays Riley Bina, a world-famous pop star who is more concerned with her public breakup than the literal end of the world.
The song she sings, "Just Look Up," is a masterclass in satire. It starts as a soaring ballad and turns into a literal warning that everyone is about to die. She’s acting alongside Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio here. She held her own.
What’s Coming Next in 2026 and Beyond
She isn't slowing down. If you thought she’d go back to only making music after the Eternal Sunshine era, you're wrong.
Focker In-Law (2026)
This is the one nobody saw coming. Ariana has joined the Meet the Parents franchise. She’s starring alongside Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in Focker In-Law, which is slated for a late November 2026 release.
It’s a bold move. Joining a legacy comedy franchise after doing a heavy musical is a total 180. But if you look at her Saturday Night Live hosting gigs—especially her legendary 2024 and 2025 appearances where she did those dead-on impressions of Celine Dion and Jennifer Coolidge—it makes sense. She wants to be a comedic actor.
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American Horror Story (Season 13)
The rumors are true. She’s officially returning to the Ryan Murphy universe. Filming for the thirteenth season of American Horror Story starts in February 2026. After her stint on Scream Queens, fans have been begging for this for a decade.
The Reality of Her Acting Range
It’s easy to dismiss her because of the ponytail and the boots.
But look at the variety:
- Voice Over: From Snowflake, the White Gorilla to Underdogs.
- Live Musical: Her performance as Penny Pingleton in Hairspray Live! (2016) was widely considered one of the highlights of that production.
- Experimental Guest Spots: Her cameo in Jim Carrey’s Kidding as Piccola Grande, the Pickle Fairy, was weird, ethereal, and actually quite sad.
She isn't just "playing herself." She’s a character actress trapped in a pop star’s body.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Viewers
If you want to actually appreciate her journey through Ariana Grande TV shows and movies, don't just watch the hits.
- Watch her SNL Monologues: Specifically the October 2024 episode. It’s better than most sitcoms.
- Check out the "Dangerous Woman Diaries" on YouTube: It’s a docuseries, sure, but it shows her "directorial" eye before she started co-directing her own short films like Brighter Days Ahead (2025).
- Don't skip the voice work: Her role as Princess Diaspro in Winx Club is actually a great example of her early character work.
The biggest mistake people make is assuming she’s a singer who acts. In reality, she’s a performer who happens to have one of the best voices in the world. As she moves into this "Focker" era and her upcoming Dr. Seuss project (Oh, the Places You’ll Go! slated for 2028), the music might actually start taking a backseat to the movies.
Get used to seeing her name on movie posters. It’s not a phase; it’s the plan.
If you're planning a binge-watch, start with Victorious for the nostalgia, jump to Scream Queens for the camp, and finish with the Wicked films to see the actual growth. It’s a wild ride from a Bat Mitzvah riffer to a Golden Globe nominee.