Hey, all! Who doesn’t love an enjoyable movie that you can toss your worries aside and fall into? Sandra Bullock has been one of the best actresses of the last 30-plus years to watch for just that reason. From comedy, action and drama – she can do it all.
Before diving into the list, I must give an honorable mention. The 2013 movie “Gravity” didn’t quite fit into my list but deserves a nod for its directorial brilliance by Alfonso Cuarón. Isolated in the void of space, the acting prowess of Bullock and her only partner on screen, George Clooney, is remarkable.
The acting catalog for Sandra Bullock is vast, and choosing just 10 to feature was a challenge. Nevertheless, here are my top 10 best Sandra Bullock movies to date. Let’s go.
(Warning: Spoilers ahead)
The Top 10 Best Sandra Bullock Movies
10. “Forces of Nature” (1999)
Ask others to list their top Sandra Bullock flicks, and I’m not sure “Forces of Nature” would be included. But it’s made the list here. After a freak plane accident, two passengers, Ben (played by Ben Affleck) and Sarah, are trying to get to Savannah, Ga. Ben is on his way to get married to Bridget (Maura Tierney). The two wayward travelers decide to hitch a ride with a guy named Vic (Jack Kehler), and things go awry from there. Multiple obstacles get in the way, flirtation sparks between the pair and the viewer is unsure where the story will go. Will Ben get home and marry Bridget?
As the wild-spirited Sarah, Sandra Bullock captivates the story with her exuberant and carefree approach to life. She shows us that maybe life doesn’t have to always be so serious. And what if the detours in life are there for a reason? Perhaps they are there to take us in a different direction. Or, maybe they arise to confirm that what we really want in life is what we’ve had all along. Check out this movie to see what happens for Ben and Sarah.
9. “28 Days” (2000)
Something that Sandra Bullock has always been innately talented at is inserting levity into dark and serious situations. In “28 Days,” Bullock plays Gwen, who hits rock bottom with her alcohol addiction at her sister’s wedding. She ruins the cake and then crashes the limo into a house. Because of this, she is given the choice of jail time or 28 days at a rehab center. Choosing the latter, Gwen starts her journey towards sobriety.
Refusing to admit she has a problem, Gwen struggles on the path to recovery. Sliding backward to old habits, she almost gets herself kicked out of rehab. She then decides to commit herself to the program fully. Coming to terms with childhood trauma, she realizes why there’s been a disconnect with her sister and works on making amends. Despite the seriousness of recovery, this film entertains us with humor from the various antics of different characters at the center, including those played by Alan Tudyk (Gerhardt), Viggo Mortenson (Eddie Boone) and Diane Ladd (Bobbie Jean). We can’t help but root for Gwen. Through Bullock’s portrayal, we see there’s strength and resilience in coming out of the darkness.
8. “Lake House” (2006)
In the movie “Lake House,” we see Bullock reuniting with Keanu Reeves, who she starred with in “Speed” in 1994. Yet, they don’t exactly appear on screen together in this 2006 product. The dynamic actors play two characters who develop a romantic relationship through a string of letters sent. The kicker is that they are living two years apart. It’s a concept that is hard to wrap your head around as a viewer, yet enthralls to watch romance transcend what is logically possible.
Showing us that she can do more than just comedy, Sandra Bullock tells the story of Kate Forster with understated honesty. Without spilling the tea on what happens in the story of Kate and Alex, this is a movie to put on when you want to hit the pause button on life and lean into what doesn’t make sense. The “Lake House” holds a certain magic that you need to experience for yourself at least once.
7. “While You Were Sleeping” (1995)
In what was perhaps Bullock’s grand entrance into the romantic comedy genre, “While You Were Sleeping” was both a critical and commercial success. Bullock’s Lucy, a Chicago Transit Authority token collector, is captivated by a frequent commuter, Peter (played by Peter Gallagher), in her token line and ends up saving his life after he falls on the tracks. She accompanies Peter to the hospital, and a nurse misinterprets her as being the patient’s fiancé. Becoming close to the family while Peter is in a coma, Lucy unintentionally inserts herself into the fold.
Complicating matters even more, Lucy develops romantic feelings towards Peter’s brother, Jack (played by Bill Pullman). When Peter wakes from the coma, he doesn’t recognize Lucy, and all assume he has amnesia. Continuing the domino effect of the misinterpretation, Peter’s actual girlfriend Ashley comes to town, and Peter tells her he’s now engaged to Lucy. Finding herself in an absolute mess, Lucy has to set things straight with the family despite whatever consequences arise. Pour yourself into the story and see how it all unfolds for Lucy. You’ll be entertained by Bullock’s ability to own this character, imperfections and all.
6. “Miss Congeniality 2” (2005)
Gracie Hart is a character that is 100% Sandra Bullock. There’s no one else who could play her. In this 2005 sequel of the original “Miss Congeniality,” Gracie is back, and this time to save her best friend Cheryl Fraser and pageant host Stan Fields, who were kidnapped in Las Vegas. She is paired with Sam, played by Regina King, to solve the crime. The physical comedy of these two powerhouse actresses is what stands out in this movie. Though they couldn’t be any more different, Gracie and Sam come together using their FBI talents to find Cheryl and Stan.
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Bullock told Metro UK in 2022 that this film “shouldn’t have been made.” Perhaps a lot of movies should stand alone and not have sequels or become franchises. I will counter in this case that “Miss Congeniality 2” shows us that comedies by actresses don’t all have to be romantic comedies revolving around a love interest. This movie is premised on Gracie needing to save her best friend, Cheryl. As the story plays out, Gracie forms a strong bond with Sam as well. This is the ultimate “buddy film,” and for that, you should grab your popcorn, sink into your couch and enjoy.
5. “Hope Floats” (1998)
In the 1998 movie “Hope Floats,” Birdee (played by Sandra Bullock) returns home with her daughter Bernice after her marriage falls apart. Birdee struggles to make a new life as a single working mother. To further complicate things, people back home are resistant to accepting her because they remember her as the popular, snobby girl in high school. As Birdee tries to figure out life, she reconnects with her old flame, Justin Matisse, played by Harry Connick Jr.
This film stands out, depicting the pain of life and the rising from the ashes. Bullock’s Birdee finds herself again and develops the confidence and strength to do life on her own. The ensemble cast includes Gena Rowlands (Ramona) and Mae Whitman (Berbice), who further embolden the theme of female strength in this movie.
The setting in Texas and the country-flavored soundtrack gives the film added southern charm and heart. Garth Brooks’ cover of the Bob Dylan song “Make You Feel My Love” heightens the attention given to this film.
4. “The Proposal” (2009)
The chemistry pairing between Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in the 2009 fare “The Proposal” is casting excellence at its finest. Bullock plays publishing executive Margaret in New York City, who is facing possible deportation to Canada due to her work visa being denied for renewal. She convinces her personal assistant, Andrew, to marry her so she can get her green card. Because the immigration agent is suspicious of the couple, they make efforts towards convincing him that they are legitimate. Andrew leverages with Margaret to make him an editor if they marry.
Visiting Andrew’s home in Sitka, Ala., we see a supporting cast that includes the iconic Betty White (Grandma Annie), Mary Steenburgen (Grace Paxton), Craig T. Nelson (Joe Paxton) and Malin Akerman (Gertrude). Weaving through covering up lies and finding truths along the way, “The Proposal” embodies the romantic comedy genre by making the viewer laugh and feel things. This film was a box office success and is one of my favorite comedies to watch.
3. “The Blind Side” (2009)
Having both commercial success and individual critical success for the actress, 2009’s “The Blind Side,” is one movie people immediately think of when they think of Sandra Bullock. Winning the Best Actress Award at the 82nd Academy Awards for her portrayal of Leigh Ann Tuohy, Bullock showed us that she can dominate the drama genre just as well as the comedies. Based on a true story, the Tuohys take in impoverished teen Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) and ultimately adopt him into their family.
Though he struggles with his schoolwork, Oher excels on the football field as a tackle. Catching the attention of the high school coach and then college recruiters alike, Oher journeys through life with the aid of the Tuohy family. Conflict arises when Oher questions if the Tuohy couple took him in only for their college alma mater to benefit. Whatever controversy there may be involving the real people that the story is based on, the movie “The Blind Side” indicts Bullock as one of the very best actresses of our time. She makes us believe she’s the character she portrays, as she did here as Leigh Ann.
2. “Miss Congeniality” (2000)
As noted when discussing the sequel, no one else could play Gracie Hart other than Bullock. In this hit movie, the FBI agency receives news of a bomb threat by a domestic terrorist. Gracie, an FBI agent, goes undercover in the Miss United States pageant, which is the target of the threat. In this action comedy, humor ensues as the awkward Gracie has to learn all the skills necessary for competing in a pageant. Even after the known threat is expunged, Gracie stays on the mission, as she believes there’s still something suspicious going on with the pageant. We see Gracie solve the case, all the while assimilating into the pageant culture and forging friendships with the other contestants.
Surrounded by the likes of veteran actors Candice Bergen (Kathy Morningside), Michael Caine (Victor Melling) and William Shatner (Stan Fields), this film stands out as one of the very best action comedies out there. If you’re looking for an easy laugh, look no further and turn on this iconic Sandra Bullock feat. She has a knack for making all her characters so damn likable, and Gracie Hart is the cream of the crop.
1. “Speed” (1994)
What movie typifies the kind of actress that Sandra Bullock is? I contend at the top of the list is 1994’s “Speed.” Released 30 years ago, this movie stands the test of time. Starring with actor Keanu Reeves, Bullock shows off her acting talents in this action film. Reeves stars as a Los Angeles police officer, Jack, who is chasing down a madman with an insatiable thrill for planting bombs, the latest being on a city bus. Bullock plays Annie, who is a passenger on said bus. After the bus driver is inadvertently shot, Annie takes the seat behind the wheel and needs to ensure the bus stays above 50 miles per hour. Otherwise, the bus will blow up, per instructions from the madman, played by Dennis Hopper.
The story zigs and zags as Annie and Jack need to keep up with the madman who always seems to be one step ahead. Threading heart and humor into a highly-tense situation, Bullock holds the audience in the palm of her hand. Of course, we can’t have a movie of Bullock and Reeves without elements of romance sprinkled in. This movie has everything needed to entertain the viewer. Hearts racing, we are spellbound wondering will they make it out alive as they confront challenge after challenge. Snatch up your favorite movie snack and watch Bullock at the top of her game in “Speed.”
Sandra Bullock: One of the Best
One of the very best actresses, Sandra Bullock, can do it all in her movies and has, as this list shows. What’s next for her? Bullock told CBS News in 2022 that she is taking a break from acting to spend time with family. But maybe someday we will get another onscreen reunion of Bullock with Reeves. In May of this year, Bullock told Variety that she needs to do another film with Reeves before she dies. That is something I will surely race out to watch. The movie chemistry between those two is something undeniable.
In any movie with Sandra Bullock, you know that she will surely stand out. From comedy, action and drama, Bullock can do it all. Whatever character she is given to portray, Bullock will make even the surliest audience member cave into liking her. That is her gift.
There you have it with my latest blog on “The Top 10 Best Sandra Bullock Movies.” Did I miss any of your favorite Bullock movies? Would you have ranked any of these differently? Hit me up @tootsiepop6 on Twitter and let me know!