Mary-Kate and Olsen have built a decades-long filmography that began in infancy and continues to shape their public careers. This guide lists their shared projects in release order so you can follow their evolution from early twin roles to later, more individual work. Because their film history is often confused due to their lifelong partnership, this article clarifies what they appeared in together, what came next, and how each project fits their broader careers.
How We Ordered the Films
Films are listed by original North American release date, using widely available industry databases and studio records. When co-released movies or reissues exist, the order reflects the earliest public availability in the United States. You can use this sequence to watch their work in the timeline it actually unfolded.
Early Twin Roles (1987–1995)
In their earliest roles, Mary-Kate and Olsen were often cast as a single character or interchangeable twin. These projects established their shared screen identity and introduced them to family audiences.
Full House: The Early Movie (1987)
This straight-to-video feature paired with the TV series launch introduced the twins as Michelle Tanner. It functions as both a narrative extension of the show and a standalone entry for home video.
- Release date: September 18, 1987
- Role: Michelle Tanner (shared)
- Format: Direct-to-video feature
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble (1993)
Here the sisters play distinct twin characters within a fantasy setting, marking an early foray into genre storytelling and cementing their marketability beyond sitcom extensions.
- Release date: October 25, 1993
- Role: Kelly and Lynn Potter (separate characters)
- Format: Theatrical release
It Takes Two (1995)
In this family comedy, they portray two different children who switch places, blending their twin brand with a fish-out-of-water story that played to their synchronized performances.
- Release date: July 20, 1995
- Role: Alyssa Callahan and Haley Graham (distinct roles)
- Format: Theatrical release
Teen and Young Adult Turn (1998–2004)
As they aged, Mary-Kate and Olsen took on more dramatic and stylized projects, often choosing roles that highlighted mood and fashion alongside narrative. This period includes their first films without the other, as well as joint appearances.
Billboard Dad (1998)
A lighthearted coastal mystery in which their synchronized comedy timing remained central despite a more plot-driven framework.
- Release date: June 9, 1998
- Role: Tess and Carrie McKinney
- Format: Direct-to-video
Passport to Paris (1999)
Set abroad, this entry leaned into fashion and diplomacy themes while preserving the twin-centric storytelling that defined their brand.
- Release date: September 24, 1999
- Role: Melanie and Allyson Parker
- Format: Direct-to-video
Our Lips Are Sealed (2000)
This suburban-family-under-witness-protection story paired comedy with a road-trip structure, expanding their range without departing from their signature dynamic.
- Release date: July 26, 2000
- Role: Hailey and Marcie Foster
- Format: Direct-to-video
Winning London (2001)
Set at an international youth science competition, this film emphasized ambition and fashion while keeping their on-screen partnership intact.
- Release date: March 9, 2001
- Role: Courtney and Chelsea Chase
- Format: Direct-to-video
Holiday in the Sun (2001)
Modeled after a light travelogue, this movie foregrounded style and resort settings, reflecting their growing alignment with teen-audience brand extensions.
- Release date: July 15, 2001
- Role: Megan and Alex Stewart
- Format: Direct-to-video
When in Rome (2002)
A fantasy-tinged romantic comedy in which they share a wish-granting coin premise, blending individual wish-fulfillment with their twin mystique.
- Release date: January 29, 2002
- Role: Courtney and Hillary Fields
- Format: Theatrical release
Getting There (2002)
This road-trip sequel broadened their travel-based storytelling while keeping the twins central to the narrative engine.
- Release date: March 8, 2002
- Role: Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen (characters use first names)
- Format: Direct-to-video
You're Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley's Christmas (2002)
A festive standalone special designed for the holiday market, reinforcing their presence in seasonal family entertainment.
- Release date: October 1, 2002
- Role: Themselves / hosts
- Format: Direct-to-video
When Do We Eat? (2005)
This ensemble-family comedy marked one of their broader ensemble turns, mixing food-themed storytelling with their recognizable screen chemistry.
- Release date: March 11, 2005
- Role: Melanie and Lindsay
- Format: Theatrical release
Transition to Mature Roles and Reduced Collaborations (2007–2012)
As the sisters pursued individual interests, lifestyle brands, and academic paths, their joint screen appearances became rarer. This section maps the few remaining shared projects as they moved toward adult roles.
New York Minute (2004)
Arguably their last broadly released theatrical feature, this film emphasized fast-paced city navigation and distinct dual roles, signaling a shift toward more mature stakes.
- Release date: August 6, 2004
- Role: Roxy and Jane Randall
- Format: Theatrical release
Channel (2006)
An independent drama representing a less commercial turn and one of their later shared appearances in a narrative feature.
- Release date: 2006
- Role: Themselves / cameo
- Format: Limited theatrical/indie release
Factory (2008)
A short-format project that reflected their shifting focus toward production and less traditional storytelling formats.
- Release date: 2008
- Role: Executive producers / cameo
- Format: Short film
Later Individual and Documentary Work (2010–2020)
After largely stepping back from joint narrative features, Mary-Kate and Olsen continued working through documentaries, fashion-related projects, and personal endeavors. Their film presence became more curated and less about the twin unit as a storytelling device.
The Last Romantic (2010)
An intimate documentary directed by and about Olsen, marking one of the first solo documentary explorations of her life and work.
- Release date: 2010
- Role: Subject / producer
- Format: Documentary
Very Young Girls (2007)
A hard-hitting documentary in which Olsen served as executive producer, demonstrating her commitment to socially driven long-form nonfiction.
- Release date: 2007
- Role: Executive producer
- Format: Documentary
Skipping Class (2004)
Another early documentary effort, this short provided a candid look at school life, foreshadowing their later interest in nonfiction storytelling.
- Release date: 2004
- Role: Executive producers
- Format: Documentary short
The City Addict (2010)
A short documentary that aligned with their growing engagement with fashion, culture, and personal perspective projects.
- Release date: 2010
- Role: Executive producers
- Format: Documentary short
Related Projects and What They Are Not
Not every project featuring one twin or another should be assumed as shared. To prevent confusion, this section clarifies what is and is not a joint Mary-Kate and Olsen film.
- Fuller House cameo (2016): Mary-Kate appeared as Michelle; Olsen did not participate.
- Individual fashion films and brand content are not narrative features and are excluded from this chronological list.
- Projects featuring only one sister are not listed as part of the joint filmography.
Filmography at a Glance
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Full House: The Early Movie | Michelle Tanner (shared) | Direct-to-video |
| 1993 | Double, Double, Toil and Trouble | Kelly & Lynn Potter | Theatrical |
| 1995 | It Takes Two | Alyssa Callahan & Haley Graham | Theatrical |
| 1998 | Billboard Dad | Tess & Carrie McKinney | Direct-to-video |
| 1999 | Passport to Paris | Melanie & Allyson Parker | Direct-to-video |
| 2000 | Our Lips Are Sealed | Hailey & Marcie Foster | Direct-to-video |
| 2001 | Winning London | Courtney & Chelsea Chase | Direct-to-video |
| 2001 | Holiday in the Sun | Megan & Alex Stewart | Direct-to-video |
| 2002 | When in Rome | Courtney & Hillary Fields | Theatrical |
| 2002 | Getting There | Mary-Kate Olsen & Ashley Olsen | Direct-to-video |
| 2002 | You're Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley's Christmas | Themselves / hosts | Direct-to-video |
| 2005 | When Do We Eat? | Melanie & Lindsay | Theatrical |
| 2004 | New York Minute | Roxy & Jane Randall | Theatrical |
Key Takeaways
- The twins' joint filmography centers on family-friendly projects released primarily on home video between 1987 and 2005.
- Theatrical features were reserved for early and late points in their career, with direct-to-video dominating the middle years.
- Beyond acting, they transitioned into fashion, documentary production, and personal brands, which now define much of their public work.
- Their last broadly released shared theatrical film was New York Minute in 2004.
Closing Note
This chronological list reflects the shared narrative features bearing both names. If you are researching a specific project or trying to watch their work in release order, treating the table and timeline above as a reference will help you locate titles accurately and understand how their roles evolved over time.