Rachel Zegler has established herself as one of Hollywood’s most prominent young performers since her 2021 debut, accumulating a diverse filmography that spans musicals, superhero blockbusters, dystopian adventures and animated fantasy. Born in New Jersey in 2001, she transitioned from high school theatre productions to major studio leads within just four years, demonstrating considerable versatility across disparate genres.
Her casting by Steven Spielberg for West Side Story marked the beginning of a rapid ascent through the industry, earning her a Golden Globe before she turned twenty-one. Subsequent roles in DC Comics and The Hunger Games franchises have solidified her commercial credentials, whilst her upcoming theatrical commitments indicate continued expansion into dramatic territory.
What Movies Has Rachel Zegler Starred In?
West Side Story (2021)
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
Snow White (2025)
She Gets It From Me (2026)
Zegler’s screen credits encompass six released feature films with one additional project entering production in early 2026. Her work includes live-action remakes, superhero epics, holiday horror and voice performance in animated musicals.
- Selected from 30,000 applicants for her Spielberg debut
- Golden Globe winner for Best Actress – Musical or Comedy at age twenty
- No Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances listed in her filmography
- Rotten Tomatoes scores range from 91% to 39% across her released work
- Box office grosses vary from $134 million to $349 million worldwide
- Voice credit as Princess Ellian in Netflix animated fantasy Spellbound
- Exited Paddington in Peru (2023) due to the SAG-AFTRA strike
| Year | Title | Role | Tomatometer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | West Side Story | Maria Vasquez | 91% |
| 2023 | Shazam! Fury of the Gods | Anthea | 49% |
| 2023 | The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Lucy Gray Baird | 64% |
| 2024 | Y2K | Laura | 43% |
| 2024 | Spellbound | Princess Ellian (voice) | 48% |
| 2025 | Snow White | Snow White | 39% |
| TBD | She Gets It From Me | Nicky Jannis | TBD |
What Is Rachel Zegler’s Next Movie?
Following the theatrical release of Snow White in March 2025, Zegler has two confirmed projects scheduled for 2026. Neither represents the blockbuster franchise space she has previously occupied, suggesting a deliberate shift toward character-driven drama and stage work.
She Gets It From Me (2026)
Principal photography for this comedy-drama commenced on 23 February 2026. Zegler portrays Nicky Jannis opposite Marisa Tomei in a narrative that marks a departure from her previous fantasy and action roles. The project represents her first collaboration with A24, indicating continued industry confidence in her dramatic capabilities following the mixed commercial reception of recent studio pictures.
Zegler was originally attached to Paddington in Peru but exited the production during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, necessitating a casting change. This represents the only publicly documented instance of her withdrawing from a completed film deal.
The Last Five Years (London Palladium)
Zegler will portray Cathy Hiatt opposite Ben Platt in a strictly limited one-week concert engagement at the London Palladium in March 2026. The Jason Robert Brown musical requires substantial vocal range and emotional depth, returning her to the theatrical roots that preceded her film career.
Rachel Zegler’s Breakthrough Roles
West Side Story (2021) – The Spielberg Debut
Zegler’s casting as Maria Vasquez came after an open call that attracted approximately 30,000 applicants. The Steven Spielberg-directed musical earned her the Golden Globe for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical, establishing immediate critical credibility. The 91% Tomatometer score remains the highest of her career, though theatrical box office returns were modest given the pandemic-era release environment.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
As Lucy Gray Baird, Zegler anchored the prequel’s narrative with a performance that drew particular praise for its musical elements and emotional complexity. The film grossed $349 million worldwide against a $100 million budget, proving her capacity to carry a major franchise instalment commercially despite scepticism about extending the Hunger Games universe.
IndieWire’s David Ehrlich described her performance as “absolutely captivating” and “a marvel of multiplex acting,” noting her ability to balance “Southern pluck and wide-eyed terror” whilst playing dramatic nuance “big enough for the back of the room.”
Rachel Zegler Movies Ranked
Rotten Tomatoes aggregate scores reveal significant variance in critical reception across her filmography. West Side Story maintains dominant critical favour with 91%, whilst her 2025 Disney release represents her lowest-rated theatrical feature at 39%.
Audience scores frequently diverge from critical consensus. The Hunger Games prequel achieved 89% audience approval against 64% critic approval, whilst Snow White scored 69% with viewers despite the low Tomatometer rating. Only Spellbound (2024) showed alignment between critical and audience reception, both settling in the mid-40s.
Snow White (2025) grossed $206 million worldwide against a reported budget of $240–270 million, classifying it as a box-office bomb and one of Disney’s most expensive live-action productions. The film nevertheless became the platform’s most-watched title following its Disney+ release.
Rachel Zegler Filmography Timeline
- – West Side Story theatrical release
- – Shazam! Fury of the Gods opens in cinemas
- – Shazam! Fury of the Gods home release
- – The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes premieres
- – Spellbound released on Netflix
- – Y2K premieres (South by Southwest debut earlier in year)
- – Snow White theatrical release
- – She Gets It From Me enters production
Confirmed vs Rumoured Projects
| Established Commitments | Withdrawn/Unclear Status |
|---|---|
| She Gets It From Me – Filming commenced February 2026 | Paddington in Peru – Exited 2023 due to labour dispute |
| The Last Five Years – March 2026 (London Palladium) | No Marvel Cinematic Universe projects confirmed |
| No television series credits documented |
Rachel Zegler’s Career Trajectory in Film
Zegler’s professional path reflects a rapid transition from regional theatre to global studio productions. Prior to her 2021 film debut, her performance credits were limited to high school productions of Beauty and the Beast (2016) and The Little Mermaid (2017). The absence of traditional drama school training or extensive screen work before her Spielberg casting underscores the exceptional nature of her open-call success.
Her subsequent role selections reveal strategic genre diversification. Following the musical foundation of West Side Story, she entered the superhero space with DC’s Shazam! sequel, navigated dystopian young-adult territory with The Hunger Games, and undertook the significant technical challenge of voicing an animated princess in Spellbound. The 2025 Snow White production represented her first leading role in a mainstream live-action remake, though pre-release controversy regarding her critical remarks about the 1937 original generated significant media attention.
Expert Quotes and Key Sources
She is absolutely captivating… equal part Southern pluck and wide-eyed terror… Zegler knows how to play nuance big enough for the back of the room.
— David Ehrlich, IndieWire (regarding The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes)
Primary biographical information and filmography details were drawn from comprehensive fan archives and release date databases. Apple TV records confirm her Golden Globe recognition. The Internet Movie Database provides additional technical credits verification.
What’s Next for Rachel Zegler?
The immediate horizon holds She Gets It From Me and her West End concert debut, suggesting a temporary pivot toward intimate dramatic work following the large-scale press scrutiny surrounding Cast Of Snow White 2025 – Complete Film Cast. With no confirmed franchise commitments beyond her completed Hunger Games participation, her 2026 output will likely determine whether she pursues further blockbuster leads or establishes herself primarily as a dramatic actress with occasional genre detours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Rachel Zegler done any Marvel movies?
No. Her filmography contains no Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances. Her sole superhero credit remains Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), a DC Comics production.
Where to stream Rachel Zegler movies?
Snow White is available on Disney+ in the United Kingdom. West Side Story, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Shazam! Fury of the Gods typically appear on Disney+, Max or Prime Video depending on current licensing agreements. Spellbound remains a Netflix exclusive.
What was Rachel Zegler’s first movie?
West Side Story (2021), directed by Steven Spielberg. She was selected from approximately 30,000 applicants via an open casting call and won the Golden Globe for Best Actress – Musical or Comedy for this debut performance.
Why did Rachel Zegler leave Paddington 3?
She exited Cast of Paddington 3 – Returning Stars and New Faces (titled Paddington in Peru) due to scheduling conflicts arising from the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The role was recast.
How many movies has Rachel Zegler been in?
Six released feature films as of early 2026, with one additional project (She Gets It From Me) currently in production. Her credits span 2021 through 2025.
Is Rachel Zegler appearing in any theatre productions?
Yes. She will star as Cathy Hiatt opposite Ben Platt in The Last Five Years at London’s Palladium for a strictly limited one-week engagement in March 2026.
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