Amanda Bynes is a former actress who began her career as a child star in shows on Nickelodeon. She is known for her strong comedic roles and witty bits. After taking a long break from acting and social media, she recently resurfaced on the internet with her podcast Amanda Bynes & Paul Sieminski. Her repertoire ranges widely from sitcoms to musical films so here are the top Amanda Bynes movies and TV shows you should revisit.
Charlotte’s Web is a popular children’s story as well as a movie, and the second film, Wilbur’s Great Adventure, is one of the best Amanda Bynes movies and TV shows out there. The 2003 animated musical adventure is a sequel to the 1973 movie and stars Bynes, Julia Duffy, David Beron, and Charlie Adler.
The film centers around Wilbur, who lives on Homer Zuckerman’s farm and is taking care of Nellie (voiced by Bynes), Aranea, and Joy. But danger is lurking, and he must save his friend, a lamb named Cardigan, from being attacked by an evil fox named Farley.
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Also known as Temptation Island, Love Wrecked is a 2005 adventure romantic comedy directed by Randal Kleiser. The movie stars Bynes, Chris Carmack, Jonathan Bennett, and Jamie-Lynn Sigler.
The movie is set on a Caribbean cruise where Jenny is marooned on a beach with her rock and roll idol. Deliriously in love with the idea of time alone with him, she manages to hide the fact that they’re a stone’s throw away from their resort.
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One of the best Amanda Bynes movies and TV shows is Living Proof, a 2008 Lifetime Television film directed by Dan Ireland and starring Bynes, Harry Connick Jr., Paula Cale, and Angie Harmon. This was Bynes’ last television appearance, but still made an impactful performance.
The film follows the true story of Dr. Dennis Slamon, played by Connick Jr., who helped develop the breast cancer drug Herceptin over the course of 8 years in hopes of becoming a treatment. Bynes plays the role of Jamie McGrath, who is Dr. Slamon’s student assistant.
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7. Big Fat Liar (2002)
Big Fat Liar is a 2002 teen comedy film that follows a 14-year-old compulsive liar whose creative writing assignment also titled “Big Fat Liar” is stolen by a Hollywood producer, planning to use it to make a film of the same name.
With a hilarious and unforgettable performance, we couldn’t help but list Big Fat Liar as one of the best Amanda Bynes movies and TV shows.
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6. What a Girl Wants (2003)
What a Girl Wants is a 2002 teen comedy that is based on the 1955 play The Reluctant Debutante by WIlliam Douglas-Home. What a Girl Wants follows an American teenager who learns that her father is a wealthy politician running for office in Britain.
This is a feel-good, charming, and tender movie in which Amanda Bynes’s character is incredibly likable.
5. Sydney White (2007)
Sydney White is a 2007 modern Snow White retelling about a girl who goes to college and joins her mother’s sorority. This is a classic underdog story about a sweet, funny, and brave college student working to change the campus hierarchy.
In the film, Amanda Bynes creates a relatable character, conveying and emphasizing the power of each other’s differences.
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4. She’s the Man (2006)
She’s the Man is a 2006 film inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and is considered one of the best Amanda Bynes movies and TV shows around. The film centers on Viola Hastings who heads to her brother’s boarding school disguised as him in order to play on the boy’s soccer team when he decides to ditch school for a few weeks.
She’s the Man is incredibly entertaining and applies the gender-bending aspect of Twelfth Night to modern-day teen life. Amanda Bynes is a natural in this comedic role, creating a teen comedy classic and one of her best movies and TV shows ever.
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3. What I Like About You (2002-2006)
What I Like About You is a teen sitcom that aired from 2002 to 2006, starring Amanda Bynes. Amanda Bynes plays a vivacious teenager named Holly, who is sent to live with her older sister in New York City when her father is transferred to Japan.
Amanda Bynes plays this role quite comically, displaying her intelligence and talents as an actress, earning this sitcom third on our list of Amanda Bynes’ top movies and TV shows.
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2. Hairspray (2007)
Hairspray is the 2007 film version of the 2002 musical based on the 1988 movie of the same name. Hairspray follows Tracy Turnblad in 1962 who teaches Baltimore about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show.
The musical is a fan favorite, as is the 2007 film version starring people such as John Travolta, Queen Latifah, James Marsden, and Zac Efron. Amanda Bynes plays Penny Piggleton, a ditzy, socially awkward girl that is Tracy, the main character’s, best friend. Bynes is absolutely adorable in this role and is loved by viewers of the film as the supportive best friend.
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1. Easy A (2010)
Easy A is a 2010 romantic comedy about a high school girl, Olive, who lies about losing her virginity. When another girl overhears her, she spreads this rumor like wildfire across the school.
Amanda Bynes stars in this film alongside Emma Stone as Marianne Bryant, the president of the high school’s Bible study club, and is one of the best Amanda Bynes movies and TV shows. Marianne becomes the personal nemesis of Olive because she is morally against the rumor.
Bynes serves an important role in the film, raising conversation surrounding morals and the way that should affect one’s perspective of others. Out of all of her films, Easy A brings out her biggest role yet.
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Where Is Amanda Bynes Today?
Amanda Bynes lived an eventful life during her childhood through Nickelodeon, as well as other popular shows and movies. Even though she had a brief stint as a podcast host, she is back to lying low in hopes of living a healthy life. But that doesn’t mean she’s not exploring more passions.
In 2022, Bynes revealed that she was working on a career switch. She spoke to E! News about her studies to become a manicurist as she attended cosmetology school. She revealed this by posting a video of herself in the facility to show viewers what she’s learning. She also has expressed that she’s still continuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Industry Studies with a core of Beauty Marketing and Product Development.
While she’s at work with her studies, fans should take a peek at some of the best Amanda Bynes movies and TV shows to support her passion for cosmetology and beauty.
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Why Did Amanda Bynes Stop Acting?
Easy A was her last movie performance, while Living Proof was her last appearance on TV, so why did she stop? There were so many great Amanda Bynes movies and TV shows, fans miss her acting and relatable roles. The Nickelodeon staple star had amazing breaks, especially with the hit comedy sketch series, All That, which ran for 11 seasons. But even that didn’t keep her from leaving.
Apparently, in 2010 she tweeted about her unexpected feelings on the career, saying that “being an actress isn’t as fun as it may seem.” She eventually explained later that while 24 is a young age to retire, she didn’t want to continue doing it because it wasn’t making her happy.
This helped her pursue other passions, like her cosmetology career. But even with her taking a step back from acting, her conservatorship — which is someone that oversees personal and professional affairs — didn’t end until 2022. Thankfully, Lynne Bynes, her mother who has been acting as her conservator, didn’t object to it, so Amanda Bynes is finally free to do what she wants.