The Highs And Lows Of Drew Barrymore’s Film Career
Hollywood rarely produces a life story as eventful as Drew Barrymore’s early years.
A scene-stealing child star in a Spielberg classic quickly grew into a leading actress and producer with a career full of bold choices.
Some performances became fan favorites, while others quietly faded, making her filmography a fascinating mix of hits and misses.
Disclaimer: This article is a subjective editorial look at the higher and lower points of Drew Barrymore’s screen career, based on critical reception, awards attention, cultural impact, and long-term audience memory.
1. Highs – E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
As Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Barrymore became one of the most memorable child performers of her era. Gertie bursts to life with raw, unscripted energy, making audiences laugh and cry in equal measure.
Spielberg reportedly kept her away from the script so every reaction remained completely genuine.
Wide-eyed wonder in sneakers launched a career no one could have predicted.
2. Highs – Scream (1996)
Nobody expected the opening scene of Scream to hit that hard, and Barrymore was the reason it did.
Playing Casey Becker, she gave Scream an opening fueled by instant star power and unexpected twists. That short appearance reminded Hollywood exactly how magnetic she could be.
Short, sharp, unforgettable. Like a jump scare you actually enjoy.
3. Highs – Ever After (1998)
Forget the glass slipper version from childhood – Ever After gave Cinderella a backbone.
Danielle emerges as fierce, funny, and refreshingly real, quoting Thomas More while hauling a grown man over her shoulder. The film became a sleepover staple for an entire generation.
Fairy tales resonate differently when the heroine rescues herself.
4. Highs – Never Been Kissed (1999)
High school cafeteria becomes a minefield of second-hand embarrassment the moment Josie Geller walks in.
Clumsy, warm-hearted sincerity brings the character to life, feeling less like acting and more like a personal confession.
Connection comes naturally, as nearly everyone has felt that same sense of being lost. Relatable, funny, and quietly brave, she remains a total crowd-pleaser.
5. Highs – Charlie’s Angels (2000)
Glitter, stunts, and unapologetic energy made Charlie’s Angels one of Barrymore’s biggest mainstream star vehicles.
Flipping across sets while producing and starring, Barrymore left her mark on every frame of the film.
The movie grew into a full franchise. Boss mode activated. Hollywood took serious notes.
6. Highs – Grey Gardens (2009)
Roles that demand total immersion can make or break a performance, and Barrymore vanished entirely into Grey Gardens. Little Edie Beale comes to life through a physical and emotional transformation into one of America’s most eccentric figures.
Performance earned a Golden Globe and left critics momentarily speechless.
Career-defining work. Full stop.
7. Lows – Poison Ivy (1992)
Poison Ivy aimed for a provocative thriller but landed feeling more confused than edgy.
Barrymore committed fully to the mysterious Ivy, even as the script undercut her at every turn.
Critics were lukewarm, audiences puzzled, and the film faded faster than a summer tan. Ambitious swing, unfortunate miss – still interesting for the effort.
8. Lows – Home Fries (1998)
Home Fries had a quirky premise and a charming cast, so the final result felt like a real let-down.
Barrymore played a pregnant fast-food worker caught in a genuinely bizarre family drama, and the tonal wobble never quite settled. The film disappeared from theaters quickly and quietly, like a forgotten drive-through order.
Not every recipe works, even with great ingredients.
9. Lows – Duplex (2003)
Dark comedy about a nightmare neighbor promises brilliance, yet Duplex struggles to deliver.
Barrymore and Ben Stiller share undeniable chemistry, but the script fails to balance humor with genuine unease. The film drew mixed-to-negative reviews and never became a standout comedy success.
Talented cast, flawed blueprint – mistakes happen even at the top.
10. Lows – Lucky You (2007)
Poker movies live or die on tension, and Lucky You never quite found its rhythm.
A lounge singer caught in a romance with a professional gambler offered Barrymore a role, but emotional stakes felt lower than the card table.
Following several postponed release dates, the film finally premiered in 2007. The result never found the dramatic or commercial momentum it seemed to be chasing.
11. Lows – Blended (2014)
Reuniting with Adam Sandler seemed like a sure thing, given their earlier chemistry together.
Blended earned a collective sigh from critics, who found the humor broad and the pacing sluggish, despite a genuinely sunny location shoot. Audiences showed up in smaller numbers than the studio had hoped for on opening weekend.
Lightning does not always strike the same spot twice.
