The Girl Next Door
Ever since her breakout role in Speed, Sandra Bullock has been a Hollywood mainstay—with some even unseating Julia Roberts to call her “America’s Sweetheart”. Though there’s definitely been some career hiccups—not to mention romantic shake-ups—since, she’s starred in some of the finest and most fun rom-coms, action movies, and blockbusters of the past three decades. We’ve selected the best of them for your next night in with a bucket of popcorn.
Crash
You know the reception of a movie cooled over time when its Wikipedia has “Initial” and “Retrospective” sections under “Critical Response”. Though Crash (2004) was initially lauded—and even won Best Picture at the Oscars, in an upset over Brokeback Mountain—it’s been criticized ever since for its clumsy handling of racial and social issues.
It’s a tough watch 20 years later—and there are much better Bullock performances out there.
The Prince of Egypt
The Prince of Egypt was DreamWorks Animation’s second film after Antz and its first traditionally-animated film. It looks good, and has a great voice cast including Bullock, Val Kilmer, and Michelle Pfeiffer. But that’s pretty much all you can say about it. The story is lacking, making it all style and no substance.
DreamWorks, The Prince of Egypt (1998)
Who Do I Gotta Kill?
The plot of this film is described as: “A struggling writer takes a job with the mob to make ends meet.” Considering this low-budget, low-star power flick came out on the heels of Speed and was likely filmed beforehand, it should be “A struggling actress takes a job with a trashy film to make ends meet”.
RSVP, Who Do I Gotta Kill? (2004)
Bullet Train
This 2022 action blockbuster had a difficult release, with the premiere date being pushed for months. Though it did well enough at the box office, and had flashy visuals, the story was somewhat thin. And though Bullock took a $20 million paycheck for Bullet Train…it’s mostly her voice that’s used, and she only appears briefly.
Hangmen
This 1987 entry marked Sandra Bullock’s film debut. Though she does not play a major part, later releases of the film tried to capitalize on her success by emphasizing her role. This action thriller has a paltry 5% audience score on over 1,000 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
Cinema Sciences, Hangmen (1987)
All About Steve
This 2009 film is described as a romantic comedy but really, it’s anything but. Bullock plays an awkward woman who becomes obsessed with a news anchor she went on one date with and sets off on a madcap journey to get his attention. It could’ve been silly, good fun, but instead it’s weird, creepy, and unsettling—not in the good way.
Twentieth Century, All About Steve (2009)
A Fool And His Money
This bizarre comedy weaves a tale of an ex-adman who thinks he receives a message from God that he should start a new religion exalting greed and selfishness. Bullock is properly cast at the girlfriend who teaches him that compassion is a better path. This movie went direct-to-video and critics remarked that Bullock’s performance was the only redeeming factor.
Lionsgate, A Fool and His Money (1989)
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed And Fabulous
As of the writing of this list, Sandra Bullock has appeared in a total of two sequels, each made for two of her most popular roles. Unfortunately, this sequel did not live up to the promise of the original, despite Bullock’s charm and adept acting.
Warner Bros., Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005)
Who Shot Pat?
This late 80s movie, with its plot about love across class divisions in 1950s New York, could’ve exploited its similarities to movies like West Side Story or The Outsiders. Instead, it got a questionable title and mostly poor reviews.
Castle Hill, Who Shot Pat? (1989)
Extremely Loud & Incredible Close
Based on a beloved novel of the same name, Bullock starred opposite Tom Hanks in this one—but all the star power in the world couldn’t save this film from its director, who stripped it of its best parts and left behind a cheap ploy for an Oscar.
Warner Bros., Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)
Gun Shy
While this 2000 black comedy is otherwise unremarkable, it is the only movie where Bullock’s character is nicknamed “the Enema Queen”. The comedy part is remarkably low-brow, and was lambasted by critics.
The Blind Side
The Blind Side was supposed to be the height of Bullock’s personal life and career. She won the Oscar for her role in the melodrama—but unfortunately, it was all overshadowed by both her personal problems and controversy surrounding the real-life people the film was based on. In retrospect, it’s a bit too heavy-handed and corny upon rewatch.
Warner Bros., The Blind Side (2009)
Loverboy
Bullock had a supporting role in this Kevin Bacon-directed drama about a mother obsessed with her son. There’s really not much to say about this one, other than that it was met with mixed reviews.
Our Brand Is Crisis
No one asked for this dramatization of a documentary about a 2002 Bolivian election. It’s one of Bullock’s biggest flops and failed at its attempt at political satire. Horribly.
Warner Bros., Our Brand Is Crisis (2015)
Fire On The Amazon
Filming 1993 adventure-drama was a harrowing experience for Sandra Bullock, who felt during a few scenes like she was in danger on set. Reviewers have remarked that while the setting—and the star—are beautiful, it’s not worth the time.
Concorde, Fire on the Amazon (1993)
Two If By Sea
This 1996 rom-com came on the heels of While Were You Sleeping. And while that film had the charming Bill Pullman as Bullock’s co-star, this one has the less-charming Denis Leary as her love interest. Though it went on to make $10 million, the movie was Bullock’s worst wide opening for nearly 20 years, and it was critically panned.
Warner Bros., Two If by Sea (1996)
In Love And War
This 1996 film, directed by Richard Attenborough, seemed like classic Oscar-bait. It tells the tale of a young Ernest Hemingway, who was wounded while driving an ambulance in WWI, and the nurse he falls in love with. Just the name Hemingway has some gravitas—which made the choice of casting a young Chris O’Donnell questionable. Neither the writing nor the acting lends the character any of his trademark grandiosity or macho belligerence, which takes away from the story as a whole—and takes Bullock down with it.
Warner Bros., In Love and War (1996)
Premonition
This time-bending film followed on the heels of the lighter and fluffier The Lake House, but doesn’t quite live up to that entry. Bullock stars opposite Julian McMahon in this one, which tries to live up to other plot twist-y films but ultimately fails.
Love Potion No 9
Not every movie named after a song can be Pretty Woman. This 1992 rom-com starring Tate Donovan and Sandra Bullock takes the namesake song it’s based on seriously, weaving a tale of the consequences of using a love potion. There’s even a psychic called Madame Ruth. It’s light-hearted and cute. It could be worse—but it could also be better.
Twentieth Century, Love Potion No. 9 (1992)
28 Days
This rehab-set comedy-drama has Bullock in the lead opposite Viggo Mortensen, and while critics praised her performance, many found it otherwise lacking, and complained that it treated the subject matter too glibly.
Forces of Nature
Like a Planes, Trains & Automobiles was a romantic comedy, this 1999 entry pairs Bullock with Ben Affleck, with her playing the free spirit and him taking on the role of the uptight businessman. Though it hits many of the classic rom-com marks, there’s a lack of chemistry between the leads that hinders this one.
DreamWorks, Forces of Nature (1999)
The Lake House
This 2006 fantasy romance film reunited Speed co-stars Bullock and Keanu Reeves for a supernatural chance at romance. Thanks to a magical mailbox, the pair write letter to each other despite living two years apart. There were high hopes for this one, and while it made a pretty penny, the plot is convoluted and it’s melodramatic.
Warner Bros., The Lake House (2006)
The Lost City
The Lost City is a 2022 treasure-hunting caper that hearkens back to epic romance adventure films like Romancing the Stone, but ultimately doesn’t live up to its promise. Bullock and co-star Channing Tatum are great, but it’s just kinda…meh.
Paramount, The Lost City (2022)
Bird Box
In 2018, gimmicky horror like Bird Box (don’t look!) and A Quiet Place (don’t speak!) were outclassed by more ground-breaking entries by young, up-and-coming directors like Hereditary and Get Out. Bullock, unfortunately, was caught in the crossfire, and left in one of the weaker entries in the genre.
Minions
Yes, Sandra Bullock was in Minions. She plays the female supervillain Scarlet Overkill. Bullock did a great job, but Minions isn’t even the best movie featuring minions. So here it is, smack in the middle of the list.
Murder By Numbers
This 2002 psychological thriller is mostly memorable for one thing: It paired Bullock with an up-and-coming young actor named Ryan Gosling, and the two ended up dating. Well, not so much paired, but pitted against each other, with Bullock as the detective and Gosling as the suspect. Critics found the psychological aspect thin and the thriller part less than thrilling, though Ebert praised Bullock for her well-rounded portrayal of her character.
Warner Bros., Murder by Numbers (2002)
Infamous
In a classic Hollywood flub, Infamous was one of two biopics about Truman Capote released within a year of each other—and unfortunately, this was the second, and lesser, entry. Bullock plays a small part as author Harper Lee. While the film is good, it’s not as good as its counterpart.
When The Party’s Over
This ensemble drama about a group of housemates and their personal problems was somewhat ahead of its time, foreshadowing the popularity of 90s fare like Reality Bites by a couple of years. Though it didn’t get a lot of recognition at the time—or since—it’s an interesting little time capsule.
Emby Eye, When the Party's Over (1993)
Wrestling Ernest Hemingway
This 1993 romantic drama marked the first time Sandra Bullock appeared opposite a cast of real Hollywood heavyweights, including Robert Duvall, Richard Harris, Piper Laurie, and Shirley MacLaine. Though it was a box office bomb, it has a sentimental heart that any softies reading this list will probably enjoy.
Warner Bros., Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993)
Divine Secrets of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood
This ensemble comedy-drama tried to set itself in the path of similar films like Steel Magnolias, but ultimately failed to live up to its promise. With that said, there’s a warmth to it that works to its credit, along with a fantastic cast filled with names like Maggie Smith and Ellen Burstyn.
Warner Bros., Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
Two Weeks’ Notice
This 2002 film featured Bullock and Hugh Grant at the height of their rom-com popularity. Though the story was lacking and somewhat formulaic, no one could deny that these two leads had charm, star power, and chemistry. It might not be at the top of the pile for Bullock-led rom-coms, but it’s certainly not at the bottom.
Warner Bros., Two Weeks Notice (2002)
Demolition Man
People love this cult classic 1993 sci-fi action flick, but it did earn Bullock her first Razzie for Worst Supporting Actress. It left critics split over its tone and attempt at satire, and probably isn’t meant for anyone reading this list and looking for a great Sandra Bullock film.
Warner Bros., Demolition Man (1993)
The Thing Called Love
This 1993 comedy-drama features Bullock in a supporting role to Samantha Mathis’s lead. It was also, sadly, River Phoenix’s last film. It’s about an aspiring singer-songwriter who moves to Nashville to make it big. Thanks to Phoenix’s untimely passing, the studios declined to release it widely and it was a financial flop. Despite this, it’s a great film with fantastic cameos from country stars and has a heck of a soundtrack.
Paramount, The Thing Called Love (1993)
The Proposal
The Proposal tries to fit a lot into its runtime. Bullock and Ryan Reynolds play boss and subordinate forced to fake a marriage to ensure Bullock’s character’s visa status. There’s forced proximity. They head to Alaska to meet his family, leading to a fish-out-of-water situation. Despite the many rom-com tropes that The Proposal ticks off as if its trying to fill out a checklist, it remains charming and is a beloved rom-com entry in Bullock’s oeuvre.
Walt Disney, The Proposal (2009)
The Unforgivable
Hampered by its production having been interrupted by the pandemic, and mostly forgotten after its initial streaming release, this 2021 drama is nonetheless pretty solid, albeit grim.
Netflix, The Unforgivable (2021)
Hope Floats
This 1998 rom-com has a pretty boilerplate plot: Bullock plays a jilted wife who moves back home and reconnects with an old friend, only to guard her heart perhaps too carefully when sparks fly. But when the leads are as charming as Bullock and Harry Connick Jr, and the chemistry is that electric? Who cares if it’s formulaic!
Twentieth Century, Hope Floats (1998)
Speed 2: Cruise Control
The wild popularity of Speed meant that a sequel was nearly inevitable—and although producers couldn’t get Keanu Reeves on board, and it’s a lot wackier than the original, it’s nevertheless a super-fun action flick.
Twentieth Century, Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
A Time To Kill
The 1990s were a great time to enjoy a film adaptation of a John Grisham thriller—and A Time To Kill, though bleak, is one of the best ones. Bullock holds her own against the heavy chops flexed by Matthew McConaughey and Samuel L Jackson. Roger Ebert even said it was the best of the Grisham adaptations.
Warner Bros., A Time to Kill (1996)
The Heat
The 2010s have taught us one thing: you can’t go wrong with Melissa McCarthy in a buddy comedy—and The Heat may just be the best example of this. It’s star-studded, it’s hilarious, and it’s infinitely rewatchable.
Twentieth Century, The Heat (2013)
While You Were Sleeping
Let’s face it. The premise of this 1995 rom-com is certainly…preposterous. Bullock plays a ticket-taker at a subway station with a crush on a commuter who pretends to be his fiancé after he falls into a coma after an accident. Hijinks ensue. It should, if anything, be held back by this premise…but instead, it totally works, and is one of Bullock’s most beloved rom-coms.
Buena Vista, While You Were Sleeping (1995)
The Net
On its surface, The Net seems like a film whose portrayal of technology would be hopelessly outdated. Unfortunately, at a time when our lives are completely intertwined with the internet, it still feels all too real, even 30 years later. This tight, capable thriller could stand on its own, but is only improved by Bullock’s fantastic performance in the lead.
The Vanishing
Speaking of tight thrillers, this 1993 film came before Bullock’s big break, but is nonetheless wildly entertaining and watchable. It’s a remake of French-Dutch film of the same name, and while Bullock isn’t in it for long, it’s definitely worth a try if you love a 90s thriller.
Twentieth Century, The Vanishing (1993)
Ocean’s 8
Sometimes a movie feels like it has all the promise in the world—a great cast, premise, and pedigree—and it still flops. In fact, this is what happens most of the time. But even with such high expectations, this Bullock-led heist comedy still totally exceeded them. It’s so fun, it’s so funny, and each member of the ensemble cast nails their part.
Warner Bros., Ocean's 8 (2018)
Gravity
For many, there are few thoughts are terrifying as simply drifting into the infinity of space, which is the premise for this critically-acclaimed sci-fi thriller starring Bullock and George Clooney as two astronauts whose lives are saved—and doomed—by a catastrophic failure while they’re making hardware upgrades outside of their ship. Bullock was nominated for an Oscar for this one, and for good reason—it’s a fantastic film that she carries on her back for each minute of the runtime.
Speed
We’ll be forever indebted to Speed as the film that brought Bullock to the mainstream and made her a star. Action movies live and die on premises that can sometimes be too contrived—and although Speed’s certainly is, it’s Bullock, Keanu Reeves, and the supporting cast of characters who nonetheless make it work, make it charming, and make it oh-so fun.
Twentieth Century, Speed (1994)
Miss Congeniality
What Legally Blonde was for Reese Witherspoon, Miss Congeniality was for Sandra Bullock. This infinitely quotable and re-watchable action comedy has Bullock at her fish-out-of-water best, and her chemistry with co-star Benjamin Bratt is electric.
Warner Bros., Miss Congeniality (2000)
Practical Magic
Practical Magic isn’t just Bullock’s best performance—it’s also one of the best movies of the 1990s. Bullock holds her own against the magnetic Nicole Kidman and whacky yet charming Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest. Not only that, but she anchors not just one but two of the most charming love stories—first drawing us in as her shut-in character opens up and falls for Mark Feuerstein’s character, all set to Faith Hill’s “This Kiss”, then breaking our hearts, and then going for gold as she realizes that there’s magic between her and Aidan Quinn’s skeptical detective.
There’s sisterhood, there’s mischief, there’s magic, and there’s midnight margaritas. What more could you want?
