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 59 credits. The variety in her film roles is a testament to her talent. In fact, 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.

The latest title to be added to Bullock’s repertoire is Netflix’s latest release The Unforgivable. The movie follows the life of Ruth Slater (Bullock) after her release from prison. It also stars Vincent D’Onofrio, Viola Davis, and Jon Bernthal. It’s a more dramatic role, touching on themes of redemption, but it’s a effectively a different side to the actress we’ve seen in recent years compared to the more light-hearted Ocean’s 8. Now, rumor has that the Oscar-winner might be flexing her action-movie muscles by joining the MCU. While we wait to see what’s in store for Sandra Bullock, here’s a look at her best movies so far.

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10 The Lake House

     Village Roadshow Pictures and Vertigo Entertainment

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).

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

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.

9 Demolition Man

     Silver Pictures

The hybrid sci-fi action film Demolition Man was one of Bullock’s earliest blockbusters. Portraying Lenina Huxley, she starred alongside Sylvester Stallone (John Spartan) and Wesley Snipes (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.

8 Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

     Gaylord Films

In this popular comedy-drama film, Bullock portrays Siddalee “Sidda” Walker, the oldest daughter of Vivi Abbott, the 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 foreshadow to later, heavier movies that Bullock eventually takes on.

7 Ocean’s 8

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 the protagonist who is also a criminal.

6 Premonition

     TriStar Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Hyde Park Entertainment, and Offspring Entertainment

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 portrays a homemaker who is plagued with a cycle of visions in which her husband is dead.

Going through the loop numerous times, the film ends with him dying in a car crash and her being left pregnant. It is open-ended whether the premonitions are over with after that.

5 Gravity

This sci-fi thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarón depicts Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) and Lieutenant Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) as astronauts who are stranded in outer space after their shuttle is destroyed. Trapped inside her spacesuit, the role of Dr. Stone was very demanding physically and psychologically. The film 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 critics.

4 Bird Box

Bird Box is a post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Susanne Bier. Up until recently, the movie was the most-watched movie on Netflix. Playing the role of Malorie Hayes, Bullock sets off on a journey to protect two children from creatures that cause death when looked at.

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.

3 Miss Congeniality

     Fortis Films, NPV Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, Village Roadshow Pictures

One of Bullock’s most iconic films to date is the 2000 comedy Miss Congeniality. Starring Bullock, Michael Caine, and Benjamin Bratt, the story 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.

2 Practical Magic

     Fortis Films, Di Novi Picture, and Village Roadshow Pictures

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) eturns 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.

1 The Blind Side

     Alcon Entertainment

Based on a true story, The Blind Side follows 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 (as previously mentioned), while also earning her a Golden Globe and a SAG Award.

The Tuohy family adopt Big Mike and help him achieve success as a football star. He ends up going 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.