Honestly, if you ask the average person to name a movie from the Sarah Jessica Parker film list, they’re probably going to freeze for a second before blurting out Sex and the City. It’s the obvious answer. It’s the role that defined a decade of fashion, Cosmopolitans, and questionable dating choices in Manhattan.
But here is the thing: SJP was a working actor for nearly twenty years before she ever stepped into Carrie Bradshaw’s Manolos. She wasn’t some overnight sensation. She was a child star, a Broadway veteran, and a staple of 80s cult cinema long before HBO became a household name.
If you look at her actual filmography, it’s a weird, delightful, and sometimes baffling mix of high-concept sci-fi, dark comedies, and Disney classics. Most people totally forget she was even in some of these.
The 80s: From Broadway to the Big Screen
Before she was a fashion icon, she was just a kid with huge hair and a lot of energy. A lot of people don’t realize she played the title role in Annie on Broadway back in 1979. That stage training is basically why she has such insane physical comedy skills.
Her transition to film started with Rich Kids (1979), but most of us remember her from the 1984 classic Footloose. She played Rusty. You know, the best friend who had to deal with Kevin Bacon’s rebellious energy? Interestingly, she almost turned it down because the producers wanted her to cut and dye her hair. She stood her ground, kept the curls, and the rest is history.
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Then came Girls Just Want to Have Fun in 1985. It is arguably the most "80s" movie to ever exist. She starred alongside a very young Helen Hunt. If you haven't seen it, it's essentially a fever dream of spandex, competitive dancing, and Shannen Doherty in a supporting role. It’s not "prestige" cinema, but it’s foundational for anyone tracking her career.
The Disney and Sci-Fi Phase
Around this time, she also popped up in Flight of the Navigator (1986). She plays Carolyn McAdams, a NASA intern with purple hair (briefly) who helps a time-traveling kid. It’s a small role, but it’s one of those "wait, is that her?" moments for people rewatching 80s hits.
Why the 90s defined her versatility
By the 90s, Sarah Jessica Parker started picking roles that were... well, kind of strange. And it worked.
Take L.A. Story (1991). She played SanDeE* (with a little star at the end). She was basically a human personification of a Southern California breeze—vapid, bubbly, and hilarious. It showed she could hold her own against Steve Martin.
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Then, the big one. 1993. Hocus Pocus.
It’s wild to think that Hocus Pocus was actually a box office flop when it first came out. Now, you can't walk into a Target in October without seeing her face on a coffee mug. As Sarah Sanderson, she was the "dim-witted" siren sister, and her performance of "Come Little Children" is genuinely haunting. It’s easily one of the most recognizable entries on any Sarah Jessica Parker film list.
She followed that up with Ed Wood (1994) and Mars Attacks! (1996), both directed by Tim Burton. In Mars Attacks!, her head gets surgically swapped onto the body of a Chihuahua. It’s deeply weird. It’s also proof that she wasn't afraid to look ridiculous for a bit.
The Post-Carrie Movie Career
When Sex and the City ended its initial run in 2004, everyone expected her to become the next Julia Roberts. She definitely tried the Rom-Com route, but the results were mixed.
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- The Family Stone (2005): This is probably her best dramatic-leaning film role. She plays Meredith Morton, an uptight, "buttoned-up" businesswoman meeting her boyfriend’s eccentric family. She’s actually quite annoying in it, which is the point. It showed she could play someone unlikable and still make you feel for them by the end.
- Failure to Launch (2006): She teamed up with Matthew McConaughey for this one. It was a massive commercial hit, even if critics weren't obsessed with it.
- The First Wives Club (1996): Technically pre-Carrie, but this ensemble performance alongside Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton is a masterclass in comedic timing. She plays the "younger woman," Shelly, and she's perfect at being the person you love to hate.
Looking ahead to Hocus Pocus 3 and beyond
As of 2026, SJP isn't slowing down. While the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That... has been her main focus on the small screen, she’s still very active in the film world.
There is a lot of buzz about Hocus Pocus 3. After the massive success of the second film on Disney+, the studio is fast-tracking another sequel. She has gone on record saying she’ll go wherever Bette Midler goes, so the Sanderson sisters aren't done yet.
She's also been exploring more independent projects like Here and Now (2018), where she played a jazz singer dealing with a grim medical diagnosis. It’s a far cry from the bubbly roles of her youth, showing a much more somber, grounded side of her acting ability.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to explore the Sarah Jessica Parker film list beyond the obvious hits, here is how you should prioritize your watch list:
- For the 80s vibe: Watch Girls Just Want to Have Fun. It's pure nostalgia and shows her raw dance talent.
- For comedic range: Watch L.A. Story. Her performance as SanDeE* is genuinely one of the funniest things she’s ever done.
- For holiday comfort: The Family Stone is a must. It has become a modern Christmas staple for a reason.
- For the "Cult Classic" fix: Hocus Pocus is the obvious choice, but don't sleep on Mars Attacks! if you want to see her in a truly bizarre ensemble.
SJP’s career is a lesson in longevity. She didn't just find one character and stick to it; she worked her way through every genre Hollywood had to offer. Whether she's a witch, a NASA intern, or a fashion-obsessed columnist, she usually brings a specific kind of nervous, endearing energy that nobody else can quite replicate. Check out some of her early 90s work to see a side of her that the glitz of Carrie Bradshaw often overshadows.