Reese Witherspoon: 10 greatest movies of all time

1. Legally Blonde

Original Release Date: Legally Blonde opened in North America on July 13, 2001 before opening in the United Kingdom on Oct. 26, 2001.

Box Office Earnings: Prior to Legally Blonde’s release, MGM had been struggling. But when the film made $20 million opening weekend, effectively making back its budget, they had a sleeper hit on their hands. The film went on the rake in $141.7 million worldwide.

Critical Acclaim: Somehow, Legally Blonde holds a 68% on Rotten Tomatoes when that tomatometer should be at a perfect 100%. The romantic comedy rode positive reviews and box office success to the Golden Globes, where it picked up nominations for Best Picture and Best Actress for Reese Witherspoon in the Musical or Comedy category.

About the Role: You know her, you adore her, you probably quote her every day of your life. Witherspoon steps into the pink heels of Elle Woods, a feminist and fashion icon. When Elle’s rich boyfriend dumps her because she’s too “blonde,” she follows him down at Harvard Law to prove herself, but she ends up finding herself.

Simply the Best: Legally Blonde launched Witherspoon into the movie star stratosphere and made her a household name. Creating a character as specific and urgent as Elle Woods doesn’t happen for just any performer. Elle’s at once a cartoon and a relatable portrait of a woman who unapologetically follows her ambition, drive, and worth. It’s not unfounded that we’re still watching and loving this movie today and eagerly anticipating the third installment. All these years later, Legally Blonde remains relevant to Reese Witherspoon’s empowerment mission statement and will be her lasting legacy as well as her greatest film.

Which Reese Witherspoon movie is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!