Taylor Swift Movies and TV Shows: Why Her Screen Career Still Matters

You probably think of Taylor Swift as the woman who owns the music industry, but honestly, her relationship with Hollywood is way weirder than most people realize. It’s not just about the concert films. While everyone spent 2024 and 2025 obsessing over the Eras Tour ending, Swift was quietly building a filmography that looks more like a prestige indie director's resume than a pop star's vanity project.

If you're looking for taylor swift movies and tv shows, you have to look past the sparkles. From playing a murder victim in a gritty procedural to her upcoming directorial debut with Searchlight Pictures, she’s been playing a very long game with the silver screen.

The Roles Everyone Forgets (And the Ones We Can't)

Most fans point to Valentine’s Day as her big start. It was 2010. She played Felicia, a high schooler obsessed with Taylor Lautner. It was peak "Fearless" era energy. But did you know her actual acting debut was on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation?

She played Haley Jones in 2009. It wasn't some glamorous cameo. She was a rebellious teen with a lip piercing and dark hair who ended up dead in a motel parking lot. It was a total departure from the "Love Story" image she had at the time. She actually told MTV back then that playing a "bad girl" was a dream come true.

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Voice Acting and Dystopian Pianos

Then came The Lorax in 2012. She voiced Audrey. It was a massive hit, but she stayed behind the scenes. She followed that up with The Giver in 2014. If you blink, you’ll miss her. She plays Rosemary, a girl who lives only in memories and plays a piano in a grayscale world. It was brief, haunting, and showed she was interested in "serious" projects rather than just being the lead in a rom-com.

The Elephant in the Room: Cats and Amsterdam

We have to talk about Cats. 2019 was... a year. Swift played Bombalurina. She worked incredibly hard on it—even went to "cat school" to learn how to move. Critics absolutely destroyed the movie. Like, it was brutal. But Swift was one of the few people who came out of it relatively unscathed. She even co-wrote "Beautiful Ghosts" for the film, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Honestly, her commitment to the bit was impressive.

Fast forward to 2022, and she showed up in Amsterdam. Again, she didn't pick an easy win. She played Liz Meekins, a woman who gets pushed in front of a moving car in the first twenty minutes. It’s become a massive meme, but it proves she’s not afraid to be the "supporting" character. She wants to work with directors like David O. Russell and Greta Gerwig. She’s a student of the craft.

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The Directorial Era: All Too Well and Beyond

Everything changed with All Too Well: The Short Film. This wasn't just a music video. It was a 10-minute cinematic event starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien. Swift wrote and directed it herself. It wasn't just "good for a singer"; it won a Grammy and spurred a massive conversation about her potential as a filmmaker.

Currently, the industry is waiting on her first full-length feature film. In late 2022, Searchlight Pictures—the studio behind The Favourite and Nomadland—announced they were producing her directorial debut based on an original script she wrote. As of early 2026, details are still tight. There were rumors she tapped Alice Birch (who wrote for Succession and Normal People) to help with the script, though those were never officially confirmed. What we do know is that she’s taking it seriously. She’s not rushing it.

The Streaming Giant: Documentaries and The End of an Era

If you want to see the real Taylor, you go to the documentaries. Miss Americana (2020) on Netflix is the gold standard. It’s raw. It covers her eating disorder, her mother’s cancer, and the moment she decided to get political.

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But the landscape shifted again recently. With the conclusion of her massive world tour, Disney+ released a six-part docuseries called The End of an Era in late 2025. It’s basically a masterclass in logistics and emotion. It features behind-the-scenes footage of the Vienna security threats and the intense rehearsal schedules. It also includes The Final Show from Vancouver, which is arguably the most definitive piece of media in her entire career.

Quick Reference: Must-Watch On-Screen Moments

• New Girl (2013): She plays Elaine, a wedding crasher. It’s 30 seconds of pure comedic timing.
• Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions (2020): If you want to see her just being a songwriter, watch this on Disney+. No costumes, just music.
• Saturday Night Live: She’s hosted and been the musical guest multiple times. Her "Monologue Song" from 2009 is still a fan favorite.

Why This Matters for 2026 and Beyond

Taylor Swift's movies and tv shows aren't just side quests. They are how she's transitioning from "Pop Star" to "Artist with Longevity." By directing her own work and picking strange, small roles in big films, she's proving she can exist outside the three-minute radio hit.

The biggest takeaway? She’s a storyteller. Whether it’s a song, a short film, or a cameo in a sitcom, the through-line is always the narrative. As she moves further into the 2020s, expect her to spend more time behind the camera than in front of it.

What to do next

If you've already seen the Eras Tour film, go back and watch The Giver. It's a completely different side of her performance style that most people ignore. Also, keep a close eye on Searchlight Pictures' announcements this year; we are overdue for a title or casting news for her debut feature.