Before she was singing her way through ballads such as “Into You” and “yes, and?”, Ariana was already camera-ready. From her beginnings as a Nickelodeon darling to her ascendance as a bonafide movie star, her entrance into the film industry has been nothing but intriguing. And now in 2025, we are seeing even more from her on-screen. Where Ariana Grande movies are concerned, she’s all in! Her acting beginnings were in TV, but her film career has grown in pretty impressive fashion. She voiced animated hero Laura in Underdogs in 2013, popped in with an offbeat, memorable cameo in Zoolander 2 in 2016, and spoke to us all with her performance as pop star Riley Bina in Don’t Look Up in 2021. That satirical Netflix film saw her acting, singing, and even poking fun at celebrity culture—all at once. Then came her most highly awaited role to date: Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked in 2024 and Wicked: For Good in 2025, to be released November this year.
Ariana Grande Movies List:
Snowflake, The White Gorilla (2011)
Ariana provided her vocals for the movie’s titular role, Snowflake, in this animated movie about the world’s sole white gorilla searching for acceptance.
Swindle (2013)
In this Nickelodeon television movie, Ariana played Amanda Benson, a gymnast who is part of an after-school club contemplating taking part in a heist to recover a precious baseball card.
Underdogs (2014)
Ariana provided the English speaking voice for Laura in this animated sporting comedy in which a young protagonist is trying to salvage his hometown and win his true love.
Zoolander 2 (2016)
Brief but memorable appearance, Ariana played a latex-clad role in this sequel to fashion industry satire.
Men in Black: International (2019)
Ariana appeared in a cameo role in her alien form, providing a pop culture twist to the sci-fi franchise.
Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You (2020)
This live concert film presents an intimate view of Ariana’s Sweetener World Tour, with performances, along with behind-the-scenes action.
Don’t Look Up (2021)
This satirical Netflix movie featured Ariana as pop star Riley Bina, giving her standout performance with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.
Wicked (2024)
Playing the legendary role of Glinda the Good Witch, Ariana appeared in the first part of the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway show.
Better Days to Come (2025)
Ariana co-directed and appeared in this short film, released in conjunction with her album’s deluxe edition, Eternal Sunshine, where she demonstrated her artistic vision as well as narrative skill.
Wicked: For Good (2025) (To be released)
Once again playing Glinda, Ariana eprise her role in the sequel to Wicked, continuing the spellbinding story of friends and enchantment.
Ariana Grande’s career in film is telling us that she’s not merely present to bring hooks to life and hit those inevitable high notes; but to tell tales, play roles, to test her artistic limits in all avenues. Whether she’s setting us giggling in an acting cameo, giving us goosebumps with an epic ballad in a movie, or portraying a full-fledged fantasy legend such as Glinda, she strikes a balance of charm, heart, and that touch of her magic. With her movie career still just ramping up, one truth is certain: Ariana’s star power is far from limited to live performances. The big screen is every bit her home, too!
