America Ferrera, the powerhouse of Hollywood, has left her mark with remarkable versatility. You know her as Betty Suarez in Ugly Betty, a show that earned her Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.
But the excitement doesn’t end there. She has light up the Barbie movie as Gloria. Remember her as Carmen in the film series and as Ana in the TV series Real Women Have Curves? She’s a master of drama and authenticity. From 2015 to 2021, Ferrera charmed us as Amy in Superstore, showcasing her diverse and empowering characters.
When you’re searching for “America Ferrera movies and TV shows,” you’ve found your treasure trove. Ferrera’s talent is a spectacle not to be missed!
Dive into our must-watch list for Sarah Paulson’s movies and TV shows, and while you’re at it, don’t miss the top picks for George Clooney’s filmography.
Gotta Kick It Up
This 2002 Disney original film, directed by Susan Egan, stars America Ferrera as Yolanda Vargas, a talented dancer who joins a dance team composed of middle school students. Under the tutelage of Ms. Bartlett, the girls discover their talents, enthusiasm, and the importance of teamwork as they compete to win a dance contest.
As Yoli navigates her struggles, she finds her voice and learns the power of self-belief and the importance of supporting her teammates. This is one of the earliest roles Ferrera has played and the movie that launched her long-lasting and successful acting career.
How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer
Three generations of Mexican-American women live in a small town in Arizona and explore the ups and downs of their lives. Lucy Gallardo’s (Lucy) mom, Doña, has a gardener boyfriend named Don Pedro who teaches her to garden but soon falls in love with her.
Doña’s daughter, Lolita, is in a relationship with two men, and Blanca, Lolita’s daughter, is on the brink of growing up and has a crush on a new guy in town. All three women face challenges in their lives, from first love to sexual orientation and cultural identity. The story is full of laughs and heart, and it’s a great way to explore the power of women and their relationships.
Steel City
Steel City is a drama about a family in a Pennsylvania steel town that is torn apart by the loss of their father. When Carl Lee, their father, is arrested, two of their sons, PJ and Ben, must come to terms with their relationship with their father and face their struggles. The movie explores themes of family and forgiveness, as well as the difficulty of escaping the cycle of dysfunction.
America Ferrera’s portrayal of Amy Barnes in Steel City offers audiences a window into the intricate dynamics of a small industrial town. Through her performance and the emotional depth of the narrative, viewers gain profound insights. Barnes becomes a source of comfort and support for PJ as he grapples with the challenges and aspirations of his family, adding a nuanced layer to the exploration of life in the town.
Real Women Have Curves
The 2002 drama film Real Women Have Curves follows the story of Ana García, a Mexican-American young woman from a disadvantaged background living in Los Angeles. As she navigates her last summer before college, she is confronted with her aspirations, body image struggles, and cultural expectations.
The film is a reflection of self-empowerment, self-discovery, and the challenges faced by women in the face of societal beauty standards. America Ferrera portrays Ana with compassion and strength, and her performance is sure to resonate with viewers.
WeCrashed
WeCrashed, a six-part miniseries based on the podcast, follows the meteoric rise and dramatic decline of WeWork, a co-working company. The story follows co-founders Rebekah and Adam Neumann, played by Anne Hathaway and Jared Leto respectively, as they strive to create an empire with the promise of revolutionizing the workplace. Unfortunately, their lofty ambitions are quickly overshadowed by dubious business practices and financial malfeasance.
As the company skyrockets in value, cracks begin to form, leading to its dramatic downfall and the repercussions on employees, investors, and the Neumann family. America Ferrera portrays Elisha Kennedy, a fictional character, while Julie Rice, formerly of SoulCycle, was originally intended to represent the WeWork team when she joined in 2017 as Chief Brand Officer.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants follows four friends, Lena, Tibby, Bridget, and Carmen, who all find a special pair of jeans that fit them perfectly before they split up for the summer.
America Ferrera plays Carmen, a writer who is struggling with her confidence and her dad’s disapproval. Throughout the series, she explores her identity, family life, and first love. In the sequel, the friends come together again during college, facing new obstacles and growing closer.
Barbie
In Greta Gerwig’s live-action version of Barbie, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling have a blast playing with their Barbies in Barbie Land. But when they enter the real world, they soon find out the challenges of living among humans. America Ferrera stars as Gloria, a helper to Mattel’s CEO.
Her lifelong love for Barbie dolls brings her to the real world, and she eventually has to help save Barbie Land from the patriarchy. Ferrera talks about how Barbie dolls were usually blonde, blue-eyed, and perfect – it probably made her feel bad about herself as a kid.
Superstore
Superstore is a show that follows a bunch of different people working at a mega-store called Cloud 9. It’s about how they all deal with the everyday stuff that comes with working in retail. It’s got America Ferrera in one of the lead roles, Amy Sosa.
She’s a dedicated employee, but as time goes on, she starts to get more involved with the store and its management. She’s got a great sense of humor and a range of acting styles that make her a great fit for the show. Plus, other cast members like Ben Feldman and Lauren Ash are all great additions to the ensemble.
Ugly Betty
Ugly Betty was a TV show that ran from 2006-2010. It followed a young woman named Betty Suarez, who was smart and kind and got a job at Mode, a fashion magazine. Even though she was different from the rest of the staff, her hard work and determination helped her make it in the fashion world. She faced a lot of obstacles, made some unlikely friends, and found out who she was.
Ferrera was amazing as Betty, bringing her vulnerability and strength to the table, and making her stand up and believe in herself. It was a show that showed how versatile Ferrera could be as an actress, and it cemented her place in the entertainment world.
How to Train Your Dragon
The How to Train Your Dragon trilogy is animated fantasy films set in the world of the Vikings in Berk. The story centers around a young Viking, Hiccup, and his relationship with a young dragon, Toothless. As they navigate their growing friendship, they face obstacles, form alliances, and work to bring peace between dragons and humans.
A live-action adaptation is in the works, with a release date of 2025. Astrid Hofferson (America Ferrera) is Hiccup’s best friend and love interest. She is a tough and independent character who is known for her courage, loyalty, and wit. Throughout the series, Astrid supports Hiccup’s attempts to learn more about dragons and how to interact with them.
Wrapping it up!
America Ferrera has established herself as a formidable presence in the entertainment industry. Her extensive career in film and television has been a testament to her multifaceted and highly skilled acting skills. From her iconic portrayal of Yolanda on “Gotta Kicking” to her captivating portrayal of Ana on “Real Women Have Curves,” she has consistently delivered compelling performances that have been sure to draw in viewers.
