Amy Poehler is one of the most popular comedy stars of the 21st century. With her impeccable comic timing and sense of humor, she has been a prominent figure in films and television for over a decade. For the past several years, she has been the host of one of the most famous and popular comedy shows, Saturday Night Live. From animation to live-action, television to feature films, and spots to local roles, Poehler easily adds a new dimension to any character.
Today, the iconic Oscar-winning actress turns 53. On this special occasion of her birthday, we take a look at the top 10 films from her filmography
1. Baby Mama
The light-hearted romantic comedy Baby Mama received mixed reviews from audiences. It has a rating of 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and an average score of 55 out of 100 on Metacritic. Despite the lukewarm response, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have great chemistry which shines through in this lovely film.
The story follows Kate, a 37-year-old woman who wants to become a mother. However, due to her T-shaped uterus, her chances of getting pregnant are low. In her desperation to become a mother, Kate meets Angie, an immature, obnoxious woman from South Philadelphia. The comic timing and humor between the two characters entertain the audience.
2. Sisters
The stellar duo of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler return after Baby Mama in Sisters. This American comedy film centers on two stepsisters (Kate and Maura) whose parents are selling their childhood home. Kate (Tina Fey) and Maura (Amy Poehler) decide to have one last party, using the event to temporarily escape life’s problems and relive their youth.
With a funny script and great acting, this film showcases the glory of chaos. The wonderful chemistry between Fey and Poehler makes Sisters a comedy-filled joy to watch. However, since Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released at the same time as Sisters, fans believe that the film did not get the attention it truly deserved.
3. Moxie
The 2021 American comedy-drama Moxie starring and directed by Amy Poehler is one of her most poignant and most important achievements. The film remains memorable as an inspirational tale for women. It boldly asserts that women cannot be viewed as mere objects or valued only for sexual attractiveness, cannot be taken advantage of and touched inappropriately in the name of relationships.
The film tackles modern social issues with depth and emotion, with powerful stories of protest screaming throughout the film. It follows sixteen-year-old Vivian, who is inspired by her new friend and feminist mother, Lisa. Her inspiration sparks a revolution to combat gender discrimination at school. The performances and charm of this film are extremely accessible, timely, and entertaining. Moxie is a testament to Poehler’s talent both in front of and behind the camera.
4. Megamind
The 2010 superhero film stars Tina Fey in the lead role and Amy Poehler with Bill Hader in a cameo. It is an American superhero comedy film produced by Dream Wax Animation and Pacific Data Images. The story of this film revolves around a highly skilled supervillain alien named Megamind.
5. Inside Out 2
Amy Poehler’s best work in an animated film is playing Joy in Inside Out. The film beautifully depicted the inner emotional world of a young girl – facing loneliness at a new school and feeling anger, fear, jealousy, sadness, and of course, joy. The 2015 feature film Inside Out was a huge hit.
Undoubtedly, Joy is played brilliantly by Poehler, who brings the character to life. Inside Out 2 furthers the story of how an 11-year-old girl struggles to cope with the harsh conditions of the interstate. The film is one of Pixar’s strongest films, winning two Academy Awards.
6. Mean Girls
Mean Girls (2004) is a cult classic teen comedy that remains popular to this day. As a staple of 2000s pop culture history, the film’s popularity has not waned. Mean Girls is an enduring hit that has had a lasting cultural impact. In this classic, Poehler’s performance as the cool mom is unforgettable.
Her classic lines as Regina’s mother have become timeless. From the pink tracksuit to the provocative dancing and underage drinking, every scene is still loved by fans today.
7. Wine Country
Wine Country is the story of six women who overcome inner turmoil to celebrate friendship and make new connections. The friends rediscover themselves during a trip to Napa Valley to celebrate Naomi’s 50th birthday. Once again, Poehler won over audiences by showcasing her depth and honest acting skills as Abby.
Each character has their own difficulties – from Rebecca’s inattentive husband to Naomi’s anxiety over medical consequences, Abby’s unemployment situation, and Val’s search for love – none of them are completely happy!
The charm of the film lies in the fact that each actress clearly enjoys her role. Filled with light and accessible vibes, Wine Country tells a story of good hearts and true friendship. It sidesteps the usual romantic subplot and focuses on the deep chemistry shared between the women, resulting in a refreshing and heartwarming sweetness.
8. Arrested Development
Poehler is best known as Gob’s wife in Arrested Development, which is considered one of the best sitcoms in television history. Surprisingly, her character’s name was never revealed. But that didn’t affect her role, in fact she played it brilliantly. The show, which aired from 2003 to 2006, was a huge hit with viewers, but was eventually pulled off air due to low ratings.
9. Wet Hot American Summer
This 2001 film can be called a spoof of the sex comedy films of the 1980s. Although the film did not do well at the box office, it still remains a classic. The satirical comedy Wet Hot American Summer is highly acclaimed for its incredible cast. It includes iconic actors like Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Poehler, etc.
10. They came together
The first stage of love is initial hostility. This is the story of They Came Together. The film revolves around how two characters soon go from being mutual enemies to having feelings for each other. A romantic comedy that follows a very simple, straightforward and familiar storyline, yet it is filled with golden love moments. The film stars Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Cobie Smulders, Christopher Meloni, Bill Hader, etc.