You probably know the name Kelly Marie Tran because of the internet’s collective meltdown in 2017. One minute she’s an unknown actor working an office job, and the next, she’s Rose Tico, the heart of a billion-dollar space opera. But if you think her filmography starts and ends in a galaxy far, far away, you’re missing the best parts of the story.
Honestly, Kelly Marie Tran movies and tv shows are a masterclass in range. She’s gone from awkward CollegeHumor sketches to voicing Disney princesses and leads in heavy-hitting indie dramas. It’s been a wild ride. From the heights of blockbuster fame to the quiet, gritty world of prestige television, her resume is way more diverse than people give her credit for.
The Breakthrough: Rose Tico and the Star Wars Whirlwind
It’s impossible to talk about her without mentioning Star Wars: The Last Jedi. When Rian Johnson cast her, she was the first woman of color to have a leading role in the franchise. That’s huge. Rose Tico wasn't just a sidekick; she was the emotional compass of the Resistance.
Then came the backlash.
It was ugly. The online harassment was so intense she actually ended up deleting her social media and writing a now-legendary essay for The New York Times about reclaiming her name and identity. But here’s the thing: while the trolls were busy being loud, Tran was busy working. She returned for The Rise of Skywalker, though fans are still (rightfully) salty about her limited screen time in that one.
The Voice of a Generation: Disney and Beyond
If the live-action world was a bit of a battlefield, the world of animation became her sanctuary. And she absolutely crushed it.
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In 2021, she made history again as the first Southeast Asian Disney Princess in Raya and the Last Dragon. It wasn't just a voice job. She brought a specific, weary kind of hope to Raya that felt incredibly grounded. You can really hear the weight of the world in her performance.
But wait, there's more.
- The Croods: A New Age: She played Dawn Betterman, basically the polar opposite of Raya—bubbly, sheltered, and chaotic.
- The Croods: Family Tree: She actually stuck with the character for the TV spinoff, which most big stars don’t do.
- Lego Star Wars: She’s popped up in almost all the Lego specials, even playing "Darth Rose" recently. It shows she still has a sense of humor about the whole Star Wars thing.
Kelly Marie Tran Movies and TV Shows You Probably Missed
Most people don't realize she was a comedy vet before the capes and lightsabers. If you go back to 2014, she was a regular in CollegeHumor originals. She was funny. Like, really funny. She did the improv circuit at UCB and Second City, which explains why she’s so good at timing.
Then there’s Sorry for Your Loss.
If you haven’t seen this show, go find it. It was on Facebook Watch (weird, I know), but it’s some of her best acting. She plays Jules Shaw, a recovering alcoholic dealing with the death of her brother-in-law. It’s raw, it’s messy, and it’s a million miles away from a Disney set. She holds her own against Elizabeth Olsen, which is no small feat.
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The 2025-2026 Shift: Horror and Queer Rom-Coms
Right now, Kelly is in the middle of a massive career pivot. She’s moving away from the "supporting friend" trope and into lead roles that feel much more personal.
Take Control Freak, her new body-horror movie. It just hit streaming recently and it is wild. She plays a motivational speaker who is literally being eaten alive by her own stress. It’s gross, smart, and weirdly relatable. It’s the kind of role that screams "I'm an artist, not just a brand."
Then there’s the big one: The Wedding Banquet.
This is a remake of the classic Ang Lee movie, directed by Andrew Ahn. Kelly stars alongside Bowen Yang and Lily Gladstone. It’s a queer rom-com about green card marriages and overbearing grandmothers. It’s a huge moment for her, especially since she recently came out as queer herself. Seeing her lead a movie like this feels like a full-circle moment.
The Full Filmography (The Highlights)
I'm not going to give you a boring list, but here’s the gist of where you can see her:
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- The Blockbusters: Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker.
- The Voice Roles: Raya and the Last Dragon, The Croods 2, Monsters at Work (she was originally Val, though she ended up being replaced by Mindy Kaling—drama!), and Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy.
- The Prestige TV: Sorry for Your Loss, Monsterland, and her guest spot in Sweet Tooth Season 3 as Rosie Zhang.
- The Early Days: About a Boy (the TV show), Adam Ruins Everything, and Comedy Bang! Bang!.
- Upcoming/New: Control Freak, The Wedding Banquet (2025), and Rock Springs (2026).
Why She Still Matters
Kelly Marie Tran matters because she didn't quit. Most people would have disappeared after the 2017 harassment. Instead, she became a producer. She executive produced the documentary Lily Topples the World and the indie film Summertime. She’s building a career that is entirely on her own terms now.
She’s also doing a lot of podcast work. Passenger List is a mystery thriller where she plays the lead, and it’s honestly better than half the stuff on Netflix right now. It proves she doesn't need a face on a poster to carry a story.
What to Watch First
If you’re just getting into her work, don’t start with Star Wars.
- Watch Sorry for Your Loss first. It’ll make you respect her acting chops immediately.
- Then hit Raya and the Last Dragon. It’s just a beautiful movie.
- Check out The Wedding Banquet (2025). It’s the newest era of Kelly, and it’s her most authentic self.
She’s gone from being a symbol for others to being a person for herself. That’s a rare thing in Hollywood.
If you want to keep up with her latest projects, the best move is to follow the festival circuits like Sundance, where she’s become a bit of a darling lately. She’s clearly choosing projects based on the script, not the paycheck. Keep an eye out for Rock Springs in 2026; word is it’s going to be another heavy hitter.