Honestly, most people still think of Rita Ora primarily as a pop star who occasionally shows up on a red carpet in something wild. But if you actually look at the rita ora movies list, it’s becoming clear she isn't just doing cameos for the sake of it anymore. She’s built a filmography that spans from gritty British indies to massive Disney franchises and big-budget sci-fi.
You’ve probably seen her in Fifty Shades, right? That’s the one everyone points to. But there is a lot more under the hood, including some pretty surprising voice work and upcoming 2026 projects that might actually change how people view her "slashie" status.
The Early Days and That Fast & Furious Cameo
Before she was a household name, Rita was hustling in the UK scene. Her very first credit was actually a small role in a 2004 movie called Spivs. She was just a kid then, playing a character named Rosanna. It’s funny looking back because it’s so far removed from the "glam" Rita we know now.
Then came the moment everyone remembers—or forgets, depending on how fast you blink. In Fast & Furious 6 (2013), she popped up as the "Race Caller" in London. It was a classic "pop star cameo," but it signaled that Hollywood was interested in her energy. She didn't have many lines, but she owned the screen for those few seconds.
The Fifty Shades Era: Mia Grey
If we’re being real, the Fifty Shades trilogy is what put her acting on the map for the general public. She played Mia Grey, Christian’s adopted sister.
A lot of people don't know this, but Rita originally went in hoping to work on the soundtrack. The director, Sam Taylor-Johnson, basically told her she should audition for a role instead.
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- Fifty Shades of Grey (2015): A relatively small introduction.
- Fifty Shades Darker (2017): More screen time as the family dynamics got messier.
- Fifty Shades Freed (2018): Her biggest role in the series, involving a pretty intense kidnapping subplot.
It wasn't Shakespeare, sure. But she held her own alongside veterans like Marcia Gay Harden. It proved she could handle the pressure of a massive global franchise without the wheels falling off.
Breaking the Pop Star Mold: Southpaw and Twist
Around the same time as the Grey saga, she took a much grittier turn in Southpaw (2015). If you missed it, she played a character named Maria Escobar. It was a "blink and you'll miss it" role, but it was dark, raw, and totally stripped of her usual pop-star polish. Working with Jake Gyllenhaal is no small feat.
Then there was Twist (2021).
This was a modern-day, parkour-heavy reimagining of Oliver Twist. Rita played "Dodge"—a gender-flipped version of the Artful Dodger. Honestly, the movie got some mixed reviews, but Rita's performance was one of the highlights. She brought a certain London street-smart energy that felt authentic. Plus, she got to act alongside Michael Caine. You can't really ask for a better mentor than that.
Entering the Disney Multiverse as the Queen of Hearts
Lately, Rita has found a home at Disney, and it’s arguably where she’s having the most fun. She joined the Descendants universe as the Queen of Hearts.
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She first appeared in Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024), and she absolutely leaned into the campy, villainous energy. It turns out she’s staying in Wonderland for a while. Disney recently confirmed she’s returning for the sequel, Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, which is slated for a 2026 release.
It’s a smart move. These movies have a massive, dedicated audience, and it lets her lean into her theatrical side.
The Full Rita Ora Movies List (The Essentials)
If you're trying to track her progress, here is the breakdown of her most notable film roles to date:
- Spivs (2004): Playing Rosanna (her debut).
- Fast & Furious 6 (2013): The London Race Caller.
- Fifty Shades Trilogy (2015–2018): Mia Grey.
- Southpaw (2015): Maria Escobar.
- Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019): Dr. Ann Laurent (She also did the song "Carry On" for this).
- Twist (2021): Dodge.
- Wonderwell (2023): Yana (This was actually Carrie Fisher’s final film).
- Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024): Queen of Hearts.
- Tin Soldier (2025): Mama Suki.
- Voltron (2026): Role TBA (Joining Henry Cavill in this live-action adaptation).
What’s Coming in 2026?
2026 is looking like a massive year for Rita's acting career. Beyond the Descendants sequel, the big news is her casting in the live-action Voltron movie.
This isn't a small indie project. We're talking Amazon MGM Studios, directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber (the guy who did Red Notice). She’s starring alongside Henry Cavill and Sterling K. Brown. This is "Top Tier Hollywood" territory.
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There’s also talk about a project called He Bled Neon, which is reportedly a "neo-noir" thriller. It sounds a lot more experimental than her Disney work, which suggests she’s still trying to keep a balance between commercial hits and character-driven pieces.
Voice Acting: The Secret Career
Don’t sleep on her voice work, either. She voiced "Wandering Blade" (Luthera) in the Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight series. If you listen to her in that, she sounds completely different—much more stoic and warrior-like. It’s probably her best "pure" acting work because you aren't distracted by her famous face.
The Verdict on Rita's Acting
Is she the next Meryl Streep? Probably not. But the "Rita Ora movies list" shows a level of persistence that most musicians don't have. She’s moved past the stage of just playing "herself" or doing five-second cameos.
She's clearly choosing roles that allow her to build a brand in the sci-fi and fantasy space (Voltron, Descendants, Detective Pikachu).
What to do next:
If you want to see her actually act rather than just be a celebrity, go back and watch Twist or her episodes of Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight. They show a range that the Fifty Shades movies didn't really require. Keep an eye out for the Voltron trailer later this year; that will be the real test of whether she can transition into a full-blown action star.