America’s Sweetheart Is More Than A Rom-Com Queen
Sandra Bullock may be nicknamed “America’s sweetheart” but the actress is incredibly versatile and has considerable acting chops. Given her lengthy resume and variety of projects, it can be tough to narrow down a list of Bullock’s best films—but we’ve given it a shot.
Speed (1994)
Although Bullock appeared on the big screen a few times before 1994’s Speed, her spunky performance as Annie launched her to superstardom. The thriller paired up Bullock and Keanu Reeves for the first time. The on-screen chemistry between the two is one reason why the movie remains beloved.
Twentieth Century, Speed (1994)
The Thing Called Love (1993)
Notable as the last film River Phoenix completed before his passing, The Thing Called Love casts Bullock in a supporting role. Her trademark spunkiness shines through and she steals the spotlight in this film about young musicians trying to make their mark in Nashville.
Paramount, A Thing Called Love (1993)
Forces Of Nature (1999)
Bullock and Ben Affleck star in this rom-com with a twist. Forces of nature seem to be directing the destiny of Affleck’s character, Ben, as he struggles to get to his wedding in Savannah, Georgia. Fate pairs Ben with Bullock’s Annie, a free spirit, and the two set off on an epic adventure filled with roadblocks that make Ben question his intended marriage.
DreamWorks, Forces Of Nature (1999)
The Unforgivable (2021)
Bullock wasn’t just the star of The Unforgivable—she was the movie’s producer too. Although it received mixed reviews from critics, largely due to its dark storyline and muddled message, Bullock’s performance as a recently-released convict was widely praised.
Construction Film, The Unforgivable (2021)
Ocean’s 8 (2018)
As an all-female take on the Ocean’s trilogy led by George Clooney, Ocean’s 8 has Bullock leading an incredible ensemble cast in a heist comedy. The film is highly entertaining, full of cinematic spectacle, and just plain fun.
Warner Bros., Ocean’s 8 (2018)
When The Party’s Over (1993)
In one of her first roles on the big screen, Bullock plays a young struggling artist in When The Party’s Over. Her character—Amanda—isn’t very likable but Bullock portrays her in an honest, believable way, giving us a glimpse of her acting chops to come.
Emby Eye, When The Party’s Over (1993)
Murder By Numbers (2002)
Bullock showcases her versatility as an actress in 2002’s Murder By Numbers. Cast as a seasoned detective, her character investigates what seems to be a “perfect murder” while battling her own demons.
Warner Bros., Murder By Numbers (2002)
The Lake House (2006)
The fantasy romance The Lake House reunites Bullock and Keanu Reeves. The plot has the two stars time traveling as they fall in love through letters left in a shared mailbox. As in 1994’s Speed, the chemistry between Bullock and Reeves is incredible.
Warner Bros., The Lake House (2006)
Two Weeks Notice (2002)
Two of rom-com’s greatest actors are paired up in Two Weeks Notice, a film about a lawyer who gives her boss two weeks’ notice only to see their feelings for each other shift. Starring alongside Hugh Grant, Bullock easily slides into the role of her quirky, charming character.
Castle Rock, Two Weeks Notice (2002)
Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
Bullock leads a stellar ensemble cast in Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, the 2002 film about female friendships and complicated mother-daughter relationships. Based on a book of the same name, the Southern comedy-drama follows Bullock’s character, Sidda, as her mother’s lifelong friends attempt to mend the broken relationship she has with her mother.
All Girl Productions, Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
Hope Floats (1998)
Charming and beautifully shot, Hope Floats pairs Bullock with Harry Connick Jr. The sweet romance film has its heartbreaking moments but—given the chemistry between Bullock and Connick—viewers know that their beloved Birdee Pruitt will get the happy ending she deserves.
Twentieth Century, Hope Floats (1998)
Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close (2011)
While not a critical favorite, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award. The film is beloved by fans for its emotional depiction of a young boy’s grief. Bullock stars as the boy’s mother and, together, the two navigate life following the 9/11 attacks.
Warner Bros., Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close (2011)
The Prince Of Egypt (1998)
Bullock is one among an all-star cast that lends their voices to The Prince of Egypt, an animated DreamWorks film about the life of Moses. Bullock provides the speaking voice for Miriam, Moses’ sister—but the actress does not sing in the film. Miriam’s singing voice is provided by Sally Dworsky.
DreamWorks, The Prince Of Egypt (1998)
28 Days (2000)
Bullock gives a vulnerable performance in the 2000 comedy-drama, 28 Days. The film follows Bullock’s character, Gwen Cummings, a recovering alcoholic, as she navigates 28 days of rehab. The movie has a stellar cast, including Viggo Mortensen as Gwen’s romantic interest and Steve Buscemi as her counselor.
The Proposal (2009)
Bullock shows off her versatility in The Proposal, the 2009 rom-com featuring co-star Ryan Reynolds as Andrew. The twist is that Bullock’s character, Margaret, is a tyrannical Canadian—forcing Andrew to marry her as she attempts to stay in America.
Touchstone, The Proposal (2009)
The Net (1995)
Years before the internet became ubiquitous and worries of identity theft became very real, Bullock starred in The Net, a thriller about just that. As computer programmer Angela Bennet, Bullock’s acting chops shine, showcasing her ability to make a hit movie about anything.
The Heat (2013)
Was there ever any doubt that a film co-starring Bullock and Melissa McCarthy would be comedic gold? Bullock shines in her role as Detective Ashburn, the foil to McCarthy’s eccentric and hot-tempered Detective Mullins, as the two work together on a case.
Twentieth Century, The Heat (2013)
Demolition Man (1993)
Relatively unknown at the time, Bullock gives a solid performance opposite two megastars of the 1990s in Demolition Man: Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes. In the sci-fi action film, Stallone and Snipes’ characters are cryogenically frozen in 1996. Once thawed in 2032, Stallone’s character is aided by Bullock’s Lenina, who helps him adjust to the new era.
Warner Bros., Demolition Man (1993)
Infamous (2006)
Based on true events, Infamous follows author Truman Capote as he researches and writes his well-known nonfiction novel, In Cold Blood. Capote is accompanied by his childhood friend, the novelist Harper Lee, adroitly played by Bullock.
Warner Independent Pictures, Infamous (2006)
The Blind Side (2009)
Bullock gives a career-best performance in The Blind Side. The actress plays Leigh Anne Tuohy, a Christian Republican mother who, along with her family, adopts a homeless Black teen and inspires him on his journey to the NFL. Bullock won her first—and to date, only—Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.
Alcon Entertainment, The Blind Side (2009)
A Time To Kill (1996)
Based on John Grisham’s best-selling novel of the same name, A Time To Kill features Bullock as spunky law student Ellen Roark. The actress won a Blockbuster Entertainment Award (Favorite Actress—Suspense) for her performance.
Warner Bros., A Time To Kill (1996)
Who Shot Pat? (1989)
Bullock appears only briefly in the 1989 drama Who Shot Pat? Set in the 1950s, the movie explores interracial tensions at a vocational high school in Brooklyn. Although she doesn’t have a lot of screen time, Bullock’s fans will enjoy seeing the very fledgling actress in one of her earliest roles.
The Lost City (2022)
Bullock sparkles in the action-adventure rom-com The Lost City. Starring alongside Channing Tatum, Bullock adeptly shows off her comedic chops as a romance novelist caught in an epic adventure similar to those she writes about.
Paramount, The Lost City (2022)
Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
Following up on the epic success of 1994’s Speed and the incredible chemistry between Bullock and Reeves was no easy task. While the sequel (co-starring Jason Patric) doesn’t have the same level of nail-biting suspense or romantic chemistry as the original, it’s still a joy to watch Bullock take on the role of Annie again.
Twentieth Century, Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
Practical Magic (1998)
In the cult classic Practical Magic, Bullock and Nicole Kidman star as sisters who are witches cursed in love. Bullock’s performance is charming and vulnerable, leaving viewers cheering for her and her conjured love interest—the Tucson Police Detective Gary Hallet, played by Aidan Quinn.
DiNovi Pictures, Practical Magic (1998)
Miss Congeniality (2000)
In one of her best-known roles, Bullock plays FBI Special Agent Gracie Hart in 2000’s Miss Congeniality. Hart goes undercover as a beauty pageant contestant, leading to a ton of laughs as Bullock’s comedic chops shine. The actress was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her performance.
Castle Rock, Miss Congeniality (2000)
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed And Fabulous (2005)
Riffing off the original Miss Congeniality film from 2000, Bullock once again plays FBI Special Agent Gracie Hart. This time, Hart travels to Las Vegas to investigate the kidnapping of the reigning Miss United States and the pageant host, once again played by William Shatner.
Castle Rock, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed And Fabulous (2005)
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Bullock endears audiences in the 1995 rom-com While You Were Sleeping. Caught unexpectedly in a love triangle with two brothers, Bullock’s character is sweet and charismatic in her naivety.
Hollywood Pictures, While You Were Sleeping (1995)
In Love And War (1996)
Based on true events, 1996’s In Love and War depicts the blossoming love affair between Ernest Hemmingway, who was injured by shrapnel during WWI, and the Red Cross nurse who cared for him. Bullock’s performance as Hemmingway’s nurse is beautifully restrained.
New Line Cinema, In Love And War (1996)
Premonition (2007)
The 2007 psychological thriller Premonition might be Bullock’s most underrated movie. Although the plot is a bit confusing, Bullock dazzles in her intense performance as a woman trying to circumvent fate.
Gravity (2013)
The sci-fi drama Gravity was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including one for Bullock in her role as Dr Ryan Stone, an astronaut left floating in space while she grapples with grief. Bullock’s performance is easily one of her career best.
All About Steve (2009)
All About Steve is one of Bullock’s most underrated films. The feel-good rom-com casts Bullock opposite Bradley Cooper and Bullock’s irresistible charm shines as her love-struck character trails Cooper’s all over the country.
Fox 2000 Pictures, All About Steve (2009)
Two If By Sea (1996)
While it might not be the best movie she has starred in, 1996’s Two If By Sea gives us the kind of Bullock character we all love best: quirky, fun-loving, and strong.
Morgan Creek Entertainment, Two If By Sea (1996)
Love Potion No 9 (1992)
Love Potion No 9 is one of Bullock's earliest movies. The rom-com, co-starring Tate Donovan, tells the story of two shy scientists who discover how to concoct a love potion—and end up falling in love.
Twentieth Century, Love Potion No 9 (1992)
Bullet Train (2022)
Bullock has only a cameo role in 2022’s Bullet Train but she makes every moment of her screen time count. Brad Pitt, the film’s lead actor, had a key part in casting Bullock. Because most of Bullock’s performance is done via voice only, Pitt suggested her for the role, comparing the uniqueness of Bullock’s voice to Morgan Freeman’s.
Minions (2015)
In the 2015 animated film Minions, Bullock gives voice to Scarlet Overkill, the world’s first female super-villain. While it’s a clear departure from her oft-taken roles as America’s sweetheart, the role is a good fit for her fun-loving personality.
Crash (2004)
The 2004 crime drama Crash is one of Bullock’s most highly-rated films. It might also be the hardest one to watch her in. As Jean Cabot, the actress is angry, entitled, and casually racist—demonstrating the depths of her acting chops.
Gun Shy (2000)
In the black comedy Gun Shy, Bullock plays Judy, an RN who provides support for Liam Neeson’s character, an undercover DEA agent on the verge of a mental breakdown. While the film isn’t the best of Bullock’s career, it’s a joy to watch the two legendary actors work together.
Wrestling Ernest Hemmingway (1993)
Wrestling Ernest Hemmingway is a gentle tale of two lonely old men who become friends in Florida. One of those friends—played by Robert Duvall—has a sweet crush on Diane, the young waitress at a nearby diner. Diane, of course, is played by Bullock, who sparkles in the role.
Warner Bros., Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993)
Bird Box (2018)
In the dystopian film Bird Box, Bullock’s character, Malorie, must lead her children to safety while avoiding a malevolent force that causes people to take their own lives when they look at it. Bullock’s name and her raw, believable performance contributed to the movie’s popularity on Netflix, where it became the most-watched horror movie on the streaming service. But all that acclaim wasn't without serious controversy.
In the original cut of the movie, the sequence showing the world falling into chaos used footage from a real-life train derailment: the 2013 Lac-Mégantic disaster in Quebec. The train had been carrying crude oil when it sped off the tracks and landed in the downtown area of Lac-Mégantic. Several of the train cars exploded, killing 47 people and destroying nearly half of the downtown core.
It was one of the worst train disasters in Canadian history—so naturally, when people saw the footage in Bird Box, they were outraged. At first, Netflix refused to cut the scene, but thankfully, they later conceded to public criticism and replaced the footage of the tragic disaster.
