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Sandra Bullock Is the Master of Basically Every Hollywood Genre
Sandra Bullock made her onscreen debut in 1987’s “Hangmen,” and ever since then, she’s been a staple at the cinema. From classic rom-coms like “While You Were Sleeping” and “The Proposal” to gripping thrillers like “Speed” and “Bird Box,” Bullock can do it all. She was twice nominated for the Academy Award for best actress, for 2010’s football story “The Blind Side” and 2014’s space drama “Gravity,” winning for the former. And she’s done some instantly iconic comedies like “The Heat” and “Miss Congeniality.”
Bullock was first discovered as an actress in New York City, where she took acting classes and starred off-Broadway. Those roles led her to some small parts in independent films before she broke out with 1994’s “Speed,” starring alongside Keanu Reeves.
Back in March while promoting “The Lost City”, Bullock told ET that she’s actually planning on taking a step back from acting. “I take my job very seriously when I’m at work,” she explained, saying it’s a “24/7 job.” “And I just want to be 24/7 with my babies and my family. That’s where I’m gonna be for a while.” Bullock told the outlet that being home with her kids, Louis and Laila is “the place that makes me happiest.”
Still, Bullock also stars alongside Brad Pitt and Bad Bunny in August’s “Bullet Train.” And while we might have to wait a little bit for Bullock to add to her already-impressive filmography, ahead you can revisit the movies that have made her a bonafide superstar.
"Gravity"
Bullock starred with George Clooney in 2013’s “Gravity.” The pair play astronauts trapped in space. The film, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won seven.
"The Blind Side"
Bullock won her Oscar for “The Blind Side.” The film tells the true story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), an NFL player who was adopted by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy (Tim McGraw and Bullock) while in high school.
"The Proposal"
Bullock and Ryan Reynolds joined forces for “The Proposal,” the 2009 romantic comedy about a boss (Bullock) who needs her assistant (Reynolds) to marry her so she doesn’t get deported to Canada. The film also starred the late, great Betty White.
"Speed"
“Speed,” released in 1994, was the role that thrust Bullock into the spotlight. She starred alongside Keanu Reeves as two passengers on a bus that was rigged by terrorists to explode if it went under 50 miles per hour.
"Speed 2"
Reeves didn’t return for the 1997 sequel, “Speed 2,” but Bullock did, joined by Jason Patric and Willem Dafoe. The film was a major flop.
"Bird Box"
In 2018, Bullock starred in “Bird Box” for Netflix. Bullock stars as Malorie, a woman living through an apocalypse where an unknown entity causes people who see it to want to die by suicide. The movie also stars Trevante Rhodes.
"Miss Congeniality"
“Miss Congeniality” was released in 2000 and starred Bullock as an FBI agent-turned-pageant-queen intent on stopping a terrorist attack. Joining her in the film are Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, Candice Bergen, William Shatner, and Heather Burns.
"Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous"
The sequel, “Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous,” was released in 2005. Regina King joined Bullock in the film.
"Practical Magic"
In 1998’s “Practical Magic,” Bullock and Nicole Kidman play sisters descended from a long line of witches. The cast also includes Stockard Channing, Evan Rachel Wood, Dianne Wiest, and Margo Martindale.
"Premonition"
Bullock, Julian McMahon, Nia Long, and Amber Valletta star in 2007’s “Premonition.” Bullock plays a woman who tries to stop her husband’s death.
"28 Days"
Bullock plays a newspaper columnist who goes to rehab for alcohol abuse in 2000’s “28 Days.” The movie also stars Viggo Mortensen, Dominic West, and Elizabeth Perkins.
"The Heat"
Bullock teamed up with Melissa McCarthy for 2013’s “The Heat.” In this buddy cop movie directed by Paul Feig, the two women team up to take down a mobster.
"Demolition Man"
Bullock has a supporting role in 1993’s “Demolition Man,” starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes. In the science-fiction thriller, Snipes, a criminal, and Stallone, a police officer, are cryogenically frozen and wake up to face off in the future.
"Ocean's 8"
In “Ocean’s 8,” a sequel to the “Ocean’s 11” franchise, Bullock plays Debbie, the sister of George Clooney‘s Danny. Her team of criminals includes Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Rihanna, and Helena Bonham Carter.
"While You Were Sleeping"
Bullock plays a lonely woman in 1995’s “While You Were Sleeping” who accidentally convinces a family she’s their comatose son’s fiancé. But when she falls for his brother (Bill Pullman), things get even more complicated. It’s a classic Christmas watch.
"Bullet Train"
In “Bullet Train” (2022), Bullock plays Maria Beetle, the handler for Brad Pitt‘s Ladybug, an assassin.
"The Lost City"
Bullock teams up with Channing Tatum for “The Lost City” (2022). Bullock is a romance novelist, and Tatum is her himbo cover model. When Bullock gets kidnapped, he comes to her rescue.
"Two Weeks Notice"
Bullock and Hugh Grant headline the underrated 2002 rom-com “Two Weeks Notice.” Grant plays a spoiled executive who hires Bullock, an idealistic and talented lawyer. The movie follows them through the last two weeks after she resigns her position.
"The Net"
In 1995’s “The Net,” Bullock stars as a systems analyst who works remotely and spends all her day online. When she has her identity stolen, she ends up in a thrilling action caper to clear her name.
"Hope Floats"
“Hope Floats” (1998) is directed by Forest Whitaker and stars Bullock as a woman whose husband reveals he was cheating on her live on television. She moves back in with her mother (Gena Rowlands), bringing her young daughter (Mae Whitman) in tow. Soon, she starts to fall for Harry Connick Jr.’s Justin.
"The Lake House"
“The Lake House,” released in 2006, reunited Bullock and Keanu Reeves for a romance about two people in two different timelines who communicate via a magic mailbox at a lake house.
"Crash"
Bullock appears in the controversial 2004 Oscar best picture winner “Crash.” The film, about crime in Los Angeles, also stars Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, Ludacris, Thandiwe Newton, Michael Peña, and Ryan Phillippe.
"Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood"
The 2002 drama “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” features an ensemble cast including Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Ashley Judd, Maggie Smith, and Cherry Jones.
"Minions"
Bullock voices Scarlet Overkill in 2015’s “Minions.”
"The Prince of Egypt"
Bullock voices Miriam in the 1998 animated classic “The Prince of Egypt.” The voice cast also features Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Steve Martin, and Martin Short. The film won the Academy Award for best original song for Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey‘s “When You Believe” from the film.