You’ve probably seen the smile a million times. It’s basically the gold standard for Hollywood royalty. But lately, people have been asking a very specific question: where is Julia Roberts now? If you’re looking for her on a movie poster every single month like it’s 1999, you’re going to be disappointed. She’s gotten pickier. Honestly, who can blame her? When you’ve already won an Oscar and basically defined the romantic comedy genre, you don’t just take any script that lands on your desk.
She's busy.
Currently, Julia is fresh off a massive awards season run. Just a few days ago, on January 11, 2026, she was the talk of the Golden Globes. She didn't just show up; she dominated the room. Even though she lost her Best Actress trophy to Jessie Buckley, the entire audience gave her a standing ovation when she walked out to present an award. It was kind of hilarious—she actually egged them on, telling the people in the back to stand up too. That’s just the vibe she has now. She's comfortable. She's "impossible for a week," as she joked to the press afterward.
The Luca Guadagnino Era and That Yale Professor Role
If you want to know what she’s actually doing for work, look at her recent film After the Hunt. It’s a total departure from the bubbly Pretty Woman days. In this one, she plays Alma Imhoff, a philosophy professor at Yale. It’s a messy, psychological thriller directed by Luca Guadagnino—the same guy who did Challengers and Call Me By Your Name.
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The movie deals with some heavy stuff. A star student, played by the brilliant Ayo Edebiri, makes a serious accusation against a colleague, played by Andrew Garfield. Julia’s character is right in the middle of it. She actually told Variety that the hardest part was playing someone who wasn't sympathetic. Julia says she has a "hen-like" personality in real life—she wants to feed people and take care of them. Playing a cold, distant academic was a stretch, but critics are calling it her best work since Erin Brockovich.
Interestingly, the production of this movie was a bit of a communal experiment. Julia revealed on Good Morning America that the entire cast and director lived in her house for weeks to bond. Imagine waking up and Andrew Garfield is in your kitchen. Her husband, Danny Moder, was apparently the designated chef for the whole crew. It’s that kind of grounded, somewhat eccentric lifestyle that defines where she is today.
Why She Swapped Malibu for San Francisco
While everyone associates her with that massive Malibu estate (the one she bought for around $9.5 million back in 2003), her daily life looks a bit different now. She’s a Northern California girl. Around 2020, Julia and Danny moved the family to San Francisco. They started in Presidio Heights and recently downsized—well, "downsized" in billionaire terms—to a Victorian home near Alta Plaza Park in Pacific Heights.
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She's a regular there.
You might see her wandering down Fillmore Street or grabbing dinner at Chouquet’s. She’s become a massive San Francisco 49ers fan. At the 2026 Golden Globes, she was caught on the red carpet literally staring at a TV screen behind the reporters because the Niners were playing the Eagles. She even dropped a few "S-bombs" when she saw George Kittle got hurt. It was a very human moment. It turns out even A-listers get stressed about the fourth quarter.
Family Life and the Empty Nest
The biggest shift in her world isn't about movies; it’s about her kids. Hazel and Phinnaeus just turned 21 in November 2025. Her youngest, Henry, is now 18. Julia has been pretty open about the "sobbing" sessions that come with being an empty nester. For years, her kids didn't even really get how famous she was because she was just... home. She stayed away from the spotlight to raise them, and now that they're adults, she’s stepping back into bigger roles.
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She still keeps her 32-acre ranch in Taos, New Mexico. That’s her "reset" spot. It's where she and Danny got married back in 2002. They just celebrated their 23rd anniversary with a camping trip. In a world where Hollywood marriages last about as long as a TikTok trend, 23 years is basically an eternity. When Andrew Garfield recently asked her what brings her the most joy in life, she didn't say "acting" or "fame." She just said, "Danny Moder."
What's Coming Next for Julia?
So, what should you keep an eye out for? The big news is Ocean’s 14. For the longest time, it felt like a pipe dream, but George Clooney basically confirmed it’s happening. Julia told Variety she’s read the script and it’s actually good. "We would not move forward if it was not good," she said. Warner Bros. has reportedly cleared the budget, and filming could start within the next few months. Seeing Tess Ocean back on screen with Danny Ocean is the kind of nostalgia hit we all need.
She’s also staying busy with:
- Promoting After the Hunt as it continues its global rollout.
- Her ongoing partnership with Lancôme (she's still the face of the brand).
- Potential new projects with director collaborators she trusts, like George Clooney.
If you’re looking to follow her lead, the takeaway is simple. Prioritize the people who actually know your name, not just the ones who know your face. Julia Roberts is currently living a life that is very much on her own terms—halfway between a high-stakes film set and a 49ers game in the rain.
To keep up with her latest moves, you can check out her occasional posts on Instagram, though don't expect a play-by-play. She keeps the private stuff private. For a deeper look at her recent filmography, watching After the Hunt is the best way to see the "new" Julia in action.