If you still think of Aubrey Plaza as just that "weird girl from Parks and Rec," you’ve basically been sleeping through one of the most interesting career pivots in Hollywood. Honestly, it’s a bit wild. For years, she was the queen of the deadpan side-eye. But lately? She’s become something else entirely. We’re talking Francis Ford Coppola leading lady, Marvel witch, and the kind of indie producer who actually gets difficult movies made.
The shift didn't happen overnight, but looking back at the full list of aubrey plaza movies and shows, you can see the trail of breadcrumbs she left behind. It’s a mix of raunchy comedies, "is-this-actually-happening" psychological dramas, and big-budget swings that shouldn't work but somehow do.
The April Ludgate Era and the "Deadpan" Trap
Let’s be real. Most of us met her in Pawnee. When Parks and Recreation started in 2009, April Ludgate was supposed to be a tiny role—just a "doltish blonde" assistant. Aubrey walked in, did her thing, and the writers literally rewrote the character to fit her vibe.
It was a blessing and a curse.
She was so good at being the apathetic intern who hated everything that people assumed she was that person. For a solid five years, if a script needed a girl to say something sarcastic while looking like she wanted to set the room on fire, they called Aubrey. You see it in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) as Julie Powers. Even in Funny People, she was playing into that specific, dry energy.
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But then things started getting weird. In a good way.
When the Indie Queen Started Producing
Around 2017, something shifted. She didn't just want to be the "quirky friend" anymore. She started producing. If you want to understand her range, you have to watch Ingrid Goes West. It’s this incredibly uncomfortable, biting satire about social media obsession. Aubrey plays Ingrid, a woman who moves to LA to stalk an influencer. It’s funny, sure, but it’s also deeply sad and kind of terrifying.
Then came The Little Hours. Imagine a movie about medieval nuns, but they talk like modern-day slackers and everyone is swearing. It’s chaotic. It’s also where she worked with her husband, director Jeff Baena.
The Turning Point: Black Bear and Emily the Criminal
If you haven't seen Black Bear (2020), go find it. It’s basically two movies in one, and Aubrey’s performance in the second half is... well, it’s a lot. She plays an actress being emotionally manipulated by her director, and the raw, messy breakdown she delivers proved she had "serious actor" chops.
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This led straight into Emily the Criminal (2022). This wasn't a comedy. It was a gritty, sweaty thriller about student debt and credit card fraud. She played Emily with this desperate, sharp-edged intensity that finally killed the "April Ludgate" ghost for good.
The Big Leagues: The White Lotus and the MCU
By the time 2022 rolled around, the industry finally realized she could carry a prestige drama. Her role as Harper in The White Lotus Season 2 was a masterclass in "uncomfortable vacation vibes." She was the person at the table who wouldn't just play along with the fake politeness, and it made her the standout of a very crowded, very talented cast.
Then Marvel came knocking.
Playing Rio Vidal (Death herself, basically) in Agatha All Along (2024) gave her the chance to lean into her witchy, gothic roots. The chemistry between her and Kathryn Hahn was probably the best part of the whole show. It felt like she was finally being allowed to be as big and theatrical as she wanted.
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Aubrey Plaza Movies and Shows: The 2025-2026 Outlook
So, where is she now? As of early 2026, her filmography is looking pretty prestige-heavy.
- Megalopolis (2024/2025): Working with Francis Ford Coppola is a "bucket list" move. As Wow Platinum, she leaned into a high-camp, cable-news vixen persona that felt like a throwback to old Hollywood glamour, mixed with her signature sharp tongue.
- My Old Ass (2024): A much softer, more emotional turn where she plays the older version of a teenager (Maisy Stella) giving life advice. It’s a tear-jerker, which is a side of her we rarely see.
- Honey Don’t! (2025): Reuniting with Margaret Qualley and directed by Ethan Coen. It’s a dark comedy about a private investigator and a mysterious cult. Basically, it’s exactly the kind of project you’d expect her to thrive in.
- Animal Friends (2026): This is a big one. It’s an R-rated live-action/animation hybrid coming out in May 2026. With a cast including Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa, it’s proof she’s now firmly in the "blockbuster" tier of actors.
A Quick Cheat Sheet of Must-Watches
If you're looking for a weekend binge, don't just stick to the hits. Here is the non-symmetrical, somewhat chaotic list of what actually matters:
- Safety Not Guaranteed (2012): Her first real leading role. It’s a sci-fi indie about time travel that’s actually about loneliness.
- Legion (TV Series): She plays Lenny Busker, and honestly, it’s her most "out-there" performance. She’s a psychic parasite, a best friend, and a nightmare all at once.
- Happiest Season (2020): She’s the "ex-girlfriend" Riley. The internet collectively agreed she should have ended up with Kristen Stewart’s character.
- The To Do List (2013): A raunchy, 90s-set comedy where she plays a valedictorian trying to get "experienced" before college. It’s crude, loud, and very funny.
Is She the Next Gena Rowlands?
Aubrey often cites Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes as her biggest inspirations. You can see it in how she approaches her indie work—she wants things to be messy, unrehearsed, and real. While she’s doing the Marvel stuff and the big Coen brothers movies, she still seems to have one foot in the world of "difficult" cinema.
She’s one of the few actors who can jump from a voice role in Monsters University or The Ark and the Aardvark (2026) to a psychological thriller without losing her identity.
What to Do Next
If you want to catch up on the best of aubrey plaza movies and shows, start with Emily the Criminal for the grit, then jump to The White Lotus for the drama. If you’re feeling brave, watch Black Bear last—it’s a trip, but it’s the best evidence of why she’s one of the most capable actors working today.
Keep an eye out for Animal Friends in May; it’s likely going to be the "water cooler" movie of the spring. In the meantime, most of her best indie work is currently scattered across Max and Hulu. Go watch Ingrid Goes West and try not to feel too attacked by the social media commentary. It holds up.