Top 10 Greatest Amanda Bynes Movies
#10: “Living Proof” (2008)
This Lifetime Television film aired in 2008 during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is executive produced by actress Renée Zellweger. In Living Proof, Bynes is cast in the supporting role of Jamie McGrath to Harry Connick, Jr’s Dr. Dennis Slamon. As his student assistant, Bynes works alongside Dr. Slamon as he attempts to cultivate a treatment for breast cancer. This made-for-TV movie holds a Rotten Tomatoes’ audience score of 75 percent and sends a powerful message. We won’t ruin the plot for you, but we will tell you that through her performance in this picture based on a true story, Bynes does her best to spread awareness of this very important cause.
#9: “Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure” (2003)
This animated film is the sequel to 1973’s "Charlotte's Web", an adaptation of E.B. White’s classic novel. In it, Bynes provides voiceover for the spider Nellie, one of Charlotte's daughters. The most critical event in this straight-to-video film occurs when new addition to Farmer Zuckerman’s flock, Cardigan, is unexpectedly purchased by a different farm. Worried about the lamb’s security, Nellie volunteers herself and her sisters to scope out the Hirsch farm, a journey the three take alongside Wilbur the pig and Templeton the rat. Although critics didn’t receive this animated film as highly as the original, Bynes still proves that her behind the mic acting emulates her on-screen talents.
#8: “Love Wrecked” (2005)
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Although completed by 2005, Love Wrecked was unsuccessful at landing a theatrical distributor and eventually aired in 2007 on ABC Family after being purchased by the channel. The rom-com stars Bynes as Jennifer Taylor, a teenager infatuated by hunky rock star Jason Masters. After a few failed attempts to meet the musician, Jennifer and her best friend Ryan sign up to work at the same Caribbean resort that the rockstar is known to vacation at. Both Bynes and Jonathan Bennett’s characters overcome obstacles that impact their friendship, with one of them being Taylor manipulating Masters into thinking they’ve become deserted together. But in the end, we find that not all love is wrecked when she ultimately falls for her best friend.
#7: “Big Fat Liar” (2002)
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In 2002, Amanda Bynes veered from television sketch comedy over to the big screen. She landed her first motion picture role in Big Fat Liar, playing Kaylee, the best friend of Frankie Muniz’s character Jason Shepherd. Kaylee’s personification enables Shepherd’s pathological behavior and the two young adolescents tip-toe around the truth throughout the entire film. Impressively, Bynes won a Kid’s Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actress and Big Fat Liar finished second at the box office during its opening weekend. It’s no lie that this impeccable performance was quite the launch to Bynes’ career in film.
#6: “Robots” (2005)
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From the same producers behind the Ice Age film series and topping the box office during its opening weekend, this computer-animated sci-fi comedy hit theaters in 2005. In this visually pleasing film, Bynes portrays the narrative of witty yellow-plated tomboy, Piper Pinwheeler. This isn’t the first time that Bynes goes behind the mic to convey another side of her acting talents - and her comical quips in Robots are simply enticing. Not only that, but throughout the film, she demonstrates that her vocal chops can compete with high profile cast mates like Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry, Drew Carey and the late Robin Williams.
#5: “Hairspray” (2007)
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Directed and choreographed by Adam Shankman, John Waters's 1988 comedy-turned-Broadway musical was modernized and sashayed across the big screen in 2007. In this mega-musical, Bynes reveals her songstress capabilities as Penny Pingleton. Although she doesn’t share as many ensembles as her costars, we do see her rhythmic intervals in "Without Love'' and "You Can't Stop the Beat". Winning several major awards for her role in the cast, Bynes demonstrates that she is more than capable of starring alongside the musical’s A-list actors. Her stint in Hairspray clearly allowed Bynes to explore her musical side, and in 2013, she was even offered a recording contract with a hip hop label. In 2021, she also shared a new song entitled Diamonds via her YouTube channel.
#4: “Sydney White” (2007)
In this modern day adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale “Snow White”, Bynes plays not-so-stereotypical sorority legacy Sydney White. When the head of Kappa, Rachel Witchburn, manages to prevent Sydney from joining the sorority, Sydney is welcomed into The Vortex by her socially inadequate saviors. White and her seven dorks charter a campaign to dethrone the wicked Witchburn of Greek lane from her student council presidency. Although Sydney White did receive a few negative reviews surrounding its plot, a NY Times critic actually credited Bynes' comedic timing and positive contribution to the film. With her optimism and light-hearted humor, in this role, Bynes is the fairest of them all.
#3: “Easy A” (2010)
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Released in 2010 and earning back quite a few millions of dollars over the film’s original budget, it’s clear that Easy A was a profitable success. In this teen comedy-drama, Bynes plays faithful Christian, Marianne Bryant. Although her character is committed to a higher power, her devotion to her church seemingly doesn’t shun her from devilish tendencies: the film sees Marianne spreading gossip about protagonist Olive Penderghast’s fabricated intimacies. As Emma Stone’s nemesis, this was Bynes’ last before announcing her retirement from acting at the young age of twenty-four - though she did announce a desire to return to TV in 2018.
#2: “What a Girl Wants” (2003)
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In this loveable teen comedy, Bynes’ Daphne Reynolds questions the catalyst to the fallout of her parents’ relationship. Travelling to England, Daphne takes her curiosity across the globe to get to know her estranged father. Lord Henry Dashwood soon finds out about Daphne’s existence, which he later learns was shockingly withheld from him by his advisor, Alistair. Wanting to recoup lost time together, Lord Dashwood attempts to mold his very American daughter into his aristocratic UK lifestyle. She tries to adjust, overcoming several hurdles, and in the end, her father finally accepts Daphne for who she is. With her happily ever after, Bynes gets what a girl really wants. Meanwhile, her interpretation of Daphne was rewarded with her winning a Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actress.
#1: “She's the Man” (2006)
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Kicking off in 2006, this sporty rom-com juggles around gender equality stereotypes. Directed by Andy Fickman , “She’s the Man” is also loosely based on William Shakespeare's “Twelfth Night”. Cast as Viola Hastings, Bynes’ character is saddened when she learns that her school's female soccer team is eradicated. Requesting to try out for the male team, she becomes heartbroken when the Cornwall’s coach laughs at her instead. A desperate Viola then makes an agreement with her twin brother. Posing as Sebastian, she plays for Illyria all-male soccer team while he’s in London with his band. Playing one real and one fake character, each of a different sexs, Bynes’ dedication to her roles surpass all of her male counterparts - including Channing Tatum - and proves that she’s not the man, but the woman!
