One of the most recognizable and talented actresses in Hollywood today, Sandra Bullock has cultivated a long-standing career filled with a wide range of box office success and critical darlings. From comedy to sci-fi thriller and everything in between, her complete filmography contains well over 50 credits. The variety in her film roles is a testament to her talent.
Bullock won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in The Blind Side and was nominated again in the same category for her work in Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity. One of Bullock's most recent roles was in The Unforgivable, which showcased a different side to the actress than the more light-hearted Ocean's 8. Fans can't wait to see what's next for Sandra Bullock and to see even more of her best movies.
13 The Lake House (2006)
Starring in this fantasy romance alongside Keanu Reeves, Bullock gives a stunning performance in The Lake House. Portraying Dr. Kate Forster who is renting a house on a lake, she leaves instructions in the mailbox for the next occupant to have her mail forwarded. However, the note travels back in time to two years prior where it is found by Alex Wyler (Reeves).
The two send letters back and forth for a while until they realize that they are living two years apart. A chain of events unfolds that leads Kate to realize that Alex will die in a car accident if he goes looking for her. In a desperate attempt to warn him, Kate leaves the final letter begging him to wait two years to come to the house. In the end, Alex survives, and the two get their happy ending. It's a love story that is both heart-warming and thrilling. What's even cuter is that the actors are rumored to have had crushes on one another, but neither ever did anything about it.
12 Demolition Man (1993)
The hybrid sci-fi action film Demolition Man was one of Bullock's earliest blockbusters. Portraying Lenina Huxley, she starred alongside Sylvester Stallone as modern police officer John Spartan and Wesley Snipes as the murderer Simon Phoenix. Both men are cryogenically frozen after being sentenced to the "California Cryo-Penitentiary".
Decades later, Pheonix escapes and goes on a killing spree. Lieutenant Huxley gets Spartan released to help put an end to the destruction. The film was far ahead of its time with innovative technology and action-packed scenes. As a fun fact, Bullock's character was named after Aldous Huxley, the author of Brave New World (the book the movie is based on), and the main character in the novel, Lenina Crowne.
11 Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
In this popular comedy-drama film, Bullock portrays Siddalee "Sidda" Walker, the oldest daughter of Vivi Abbott and leader of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. After Sidda gives a less-than-pleasing interview about her turbulent childhood, her relationship with her mother is nearly destroyed.
Although the story itself is displayed humorously, the depth of the plot is quite dark. It deals with topics such as racism, incest, and child abuse. While it does have a happy ending with the reconciliation of Vivi and Sidda, the film can certainly be seen as a foreshadowing to later, heavier movies that Bullock eventually took on in her career.
10 Ocean’s 8 (2018)
A spin-off of Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Trilogy, this heist-style comedy boasts an all-women cast with Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Sarah Paulson, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, and Awkwafina.
In an attempt to steal the Toussaint—a stunning necklace by Cartier worth $150 million—the team is led by Debbie Ocean (Bullock), who just so happens to be the late Danny Ocean's sister. Just like in the original films, it is full of suspense and close calls. It's one of those movies where audience members can quickly get behind a protagonist who is also a criminal.
9 Premonition (2007)
In the mid-2000s, Bullock began venturing away from comedies and dramas, and fans started to see just how versatile she is on-screen. As a supernatural thriller, Premonition was unlike anything she had done before. Starring alongside Julian McMahon, Bullock portrayed a homemaker named Linda Hanson who was plagued with a cycle of visions in which her husband is dead.
Bullock's character seems to live her life in a non-linear format due to the visions, which kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Hanson tried to figure out her premonitions in order to stop her husband's death, though events soon started spiraling out of her control. Premonition was a suspenseful hit that became a favorite among Sandra Bulock fans.
8 Gravity (2013)
This sci-fi thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarón surprised audiences with a fast-paced thrill ride that kept them on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Gravity followed Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) and Lieutenant Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) on a mission in space that left the two astronauts stranded after their shuttle was destroyed.
Trapped inside her spacesuit, the role of Dr. Stone was very demanding both physically and psychologically. Gravity received ten Academy Award nominations, of which it won seven. It also took home a total of six BAFTA awards, making it very successful in the eyes of both fans and critics.
7 Bird Box (2018)
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Bird Box is a post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Susanne Bier that was also one of the most-watched movies on Netflix. Playing the role of Malorie Hayes, Bullock sets off on a journey to protect two children from deadly creatures that cause death when seen.
The iconic blindfolded images from the film set the tone for a thrilling story that also involves other characters like Tom (Trevante Rhodes), Douglas (John Malkovich), and Jessica (Sarah Paulson). Fans can even spot Machine Gun Kelly as Felix. A sequel recently debuted on Netflix as well called Bird Box Barcelona that continued the story with new characters.
6 Miss Congeniality (2000)
One of Bullock's most iconic films to date is the 2000 comedy Miss Congeniality. Bullock joined Michael Caine and Benjamin Bratt in a story that follows an unkept FBI agent as she goes uncover to infiltrate a beauty pageant. On a mission to find out who wants to kill the winner, Gracie Hart (Bullock) has to make it to the final round in order to save the day.
This feel-good film is important because it displays the strengths of feminity instead of the stereotypical weaknesses that are often portrayed in media. Friendship, compassion, and kindness are the keys to Hart's success as she is voted Miss Congeniality by the women she saved.
5 Practical Magic (1998)
As a romantic comedy with a dash of fantasy, Practical Magic was an instant cult classic. Starring alongside Nicole Kidman, Dianne Weist, and Stockard Channing, Bullock portrays Sally Owens - the descendant of a witch who cast a spell to prevent her female line from ever falling in love.
When her sister Gillian returns from California with her abusive boyfriend Jimmy, the pair inadvertently kill him by poisoning his alcohol with Belladonna. Jimmy's vengeful spirit doesn't leave the sister alone, and the film follows their journey deeper into their magical roots.
4 The Blind Side (2009)
Based on a true story, The Blind Side followed the inspiring story of Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock) and Michael "Big Mike" Oher (Quinton Aaron). Grossing over $309 million, this film scored Bullock her first Academy Award for Best Actress, while also earning her a Golden Globe and a SAG Award.
The Tuohy family adopted Big Mike and helped him achieve success as a football star. He went to Ole Miss where he is eventually drafted into the NFL due to his incredible athletic skills on the field. While the story is more about Big Mike's journey, Bullock's performance is one for the record books.
3 28 Days (2000)
28 Days is a very solid film that explores alcohol and drug addiction. Bullock portrays Gwen Cummings, a woman whose lifestyle and drinking problems start harming her and the people around her. She leads a hyper lifestyle with her boyfriend who is also a big drinker. On her sister's wedding day, Gwen drank too much and lost control, ruining the night for her sister.
Consequently, she is asked to go to rehab to either get over her addiction or go to jail. Fans saw a very intimate view of her journey as a struggling person in a hard situation. Bullock gives one of the best performances in her career. She shines in 28 Days by bringing the eccentric, vulnerable, and relatable character that is Gwen to life.
2 The Proposal (2009)
The Proposal is a deeply entertaining romantic comedy that brings out endearing and funny performances from Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock. The pair have outstanding chemistry which made fans root for them. Directed by Anne Fletcher, The Proposal highlights the relationship between Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock), a New York chief editor, and her employee.
Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) is a very hard worker who despises his boss. However, when she suddenly has to face deportation, she asks Paxton to marry her so that she can stay. He asks for a promotion in exchange, and both hilarity and romance ensue. The Proposal is wholesome, it has lovable characters, and everything fans could ask from a romantic comedy.
1 A Time to Kill (1996)
Set in Mississippi, A Time to Kill tells the sensitive tale of a Black man named Carl Lee (Samuel L. Jackson) who guns down two white men who raped and attempted to kill his 10-year-old daughter. Jake Brignance (Matthew McConaughey) and his assistant Ellen Roark (Sandra Bullock) take on Carl Lee's case and ignite racial tensions in the small town.
The Ku Klux Klan makes matters more dangerous for both parties. A Time to Kill is an intense experience that highlights injustice in the justice system. The daring production highlights prejudice and how it can breed inequality. The courtroom speeches and overall trial make for a very compelling narrative, and A Time to Kill features the ensemble cast at their best.