American actress Anne Hathaway has marked a significant comeback in 2026, starring in three films that each debuted at number one at the North American box office. This marks a rare achievement in Hollywood, making her the first woman to accomplish such a feat in a single calendar year.

Hathaway’s resurgence began in April, ending a near-decade absence from major studio productions. Since then, she has led five major releases, culminating in the recent success of "Verity," an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. The psychological thriller, in which Hathaway portrays Verity Crawford—a novelist left catatonic after a car accident—grossed an estimated US$33 million over its opening weekend. It surpassed "Digger," the ecological satire starring Tom Cruise, by around US$25 million.

Her earlier box office successes this year include reprising the role of journalist Andy Sachs in "The Devil Wears Prada 2," which opened in May, and starring as Penelope in Christopher Nolan’s "The Odyssey," released in July. These three films opening at number one places Hathaway in a distinguished group that includes Jim Carrey, who achieved three number-one openings in 1994, and Ben Stiller, who did so in 2004.

In addition to these hits, Hathaway appeared as the titular character in the fantasy drama "Mother Mary" in April and portrayed a determined mother in the dinosaur adventure "The End Of Oak Street" released in August. The density and success of her 2026 filmography have drawn attention to the continued demand for female-led projects.

Christina Lane, a professor of film studies at the University of Miami School of Communication, noted, “Women have been a key factor in driving this year’s box office,” citing other female-led films such as "Wuthering Heights," starring Margot Robbie, "Send Help," featuring Rachel McAdams, and "Disclosure Day," with Emily Blunt.

Hathaway, 43, is currently on maternity leave, expecting her third child. Her representatives declined to comment on her recent cinematic achievements.