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She started acting in the late 1980s but got her big break in the 1990s. Ever since then, Sandra Bullock has portrayed many parts in movies of different genres as well as a few TV series. And even though her many fans are always happy to see Sandra Bullock in any part whatsoever, some of her performances stand out even among her rich filmography.
6 Speed (1994)
Whoever said that action movies never offered great acting performances should think again. Speed helped make both Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock even better-known names. And while the main role went to Reeves, Bullock is unforgettable as Annie, the brave woman who makes the best of the difficult situation she’s in and helps save everyone.
Her help is crucial for the survival of all the passengers of the bus that can’t slow down or it will explode. Bullock’s Annie is no action heroine but her determination and bravery all make her one of the best characters Bullock has portrayed in the early phases of her acting career in movies.
5 The Proposal (2009)
Forming an unexpectedly brilliant comedic duo with Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock produced and starred in this romantic comedy. She plays the tough chief editor Margaret Tate, who focuses only on her job. But when she discovers she’s about to get deported from the USA, she quickly devises a plan to marry her younger assistant Andrew (Reynolds), who eventually agrees.
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The movie offers a lot of hilarious moments but at the same time, it takes care to flesh out the transforming relationship between Margaret and Andrew. Even though the audience expects the happy ending from the start, the path leading to it is still fun to watch. It helps that Bullock gives a balanced performance, her heroine is both harsh and sensitive, funny and serious, depending on the situation.
4 Ocean’s 8 (2018)
One of her more recent roles sees Sandra Bullock plan an epic crime at a celebrity costume gala in the Metropolitan Museum. To do that, she not only has to find suitable members for her team but make sure everything goes smoothly. Even though Sandra Bullock plays Debbie Ocean, a sister to George Clooney’s Danny Ocean, her character feels fresh and new.
Technically speaking, Debbie isn’t the good guy as she steals and lies, but Bullock is charming in the part, which makes it easy for the audience to ultimately sympathize with Debbie and wish her and the team success. Ocean’s 8is fast-paced and all the actresses involved give excellent performances, such as Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, and Rihanna, but without Bullock’s Debbie as the team leader, this movie wouldn’t be complete.
3 Miss Congeniality (2000)
The agent Gracie Hart in Miss Congeniality is one of Bullock’s best-known roles…and for a good reason. Gracie is a tough FBI agent who, however, doesn’t really get along with other people that much. As she attends the Miss United States Beauty Pageant as an undercover contestant, she becomes milder and realizes it’s not a good idea to automatically judge people.
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At the same time, the movie offers a lot of fun moments and jokes, making it both entertaining and smart. The movie also got a sequel in 2005, but it’s difficult to beat the original entry.
2 Gravity (2013)
Gravity would be an ideal movie for any ambitious actress wanting to prove her acting chops since the movie is basically a one-woman show. Bullock stars as Ryan Stone, a medical engineer who goes to space on her first mission. Things go wrong, she becomes trapped and has to find a way how to survive.
Alfonso Cuarón directed an intense story that captivates the audience and makes them fear for the heroine. Bullock gives one of her best acting performances as Ryan. Her intelligence, determination to survive, fear, and sadness are all understandable and feel real. Unsurprisingly, Bullock was nominated for an Academy Award for this role, and even though she didn’t win, Gravity is still a must-watch for all of her fans or moviegoers in general.
1 The Blind Side (2009)
Sporting an unusual blond hairstyle, her hair was ultimately the least remarkable thing about this Sandra Bullock performance, as the actress won an Academy Award for her part. Based on a true story, The Blind Side focuses on the future NFL star Michael Oher in whom nobody believed until Sandra Bullock’s Leigh Anne Tuohy stepped in.
Leigh is a sympathetic character who proves that people can and should be kinder to one another. Both Bullock and Quinton Aaron, who plays Michael, steal the movie for themselves, and The Blind Side ultimately comes across as a feel-good film.
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