Sandra Bullockis an endearing leading lady of film who has dazzled audiences with her sensational performances for over three decades. While the seasoned actress has starred in a plethora of dramatic film roles over her career, famously winning the Academy Award for her compelling portrayal inThe Blind Side, fans just can’t get enough of Bullock’s comedic characters and uproarious flicks.
She became a sought-after rom-com darling when she appeared in the winning ‘90s stapleWhile You Were Sleeping, and has since continued to showcase both her funny and romantic side in countless classic films. From portraying anundercover beauty pageant contestantto a reclusive novelist on the adventure of a lifetime, and even a love-cursed witch, the actress is one of Hollywood’s most distinguished romantic comedy stars. Let’s dive into some ofSandra Bullock’s bestrom-com movies.
9Forces of Nature
Few Sandra Bullock fans may remember the 1999 rom-comForces of Natureshe starred inwith Ben Affleck, which follows book-sleeve writer Ben Holmes as he boards a flight to Georgia to marry his lovely bride-to-be; when his flight gets canceled, he teams up with his free-spirited seatmate Sarah (Bullock) for a road trip and begins to question his impending nuptials when sparks fly. The screwball comedy features delightful performances by its talented leads and despite a lackluster response from critics, it still went on to earn over $93 million at the box office and showcased Bullock’s endearing charm and appeal.
8Love Potion No. 9
Taking its name from the popular ’50s hit song, 1992’sLove Potion No. 9stars Tate Donovan and Sandra Bullock as two unlucky-at-romance scientists who after being gifted a mysterious love elixir by a gypsy decides to test it out on themselves, with hilarious hijinks naturally ensuing for the newly desirable pair. The underrated film is one of Bullock’s earliest rom-com roles and her on-screen chemistry with Donovan led to the actors developing a real-life romance outside the film.Love Potion No. 9is just one of many memorable romantic flicks that Bullock would star in during the ’90s, during which she would earn a reputation as a go-to rom-com leading lady.
7Hope Floats
Bullock portrays a heartbroken housewife struggling with her husband’s infidelity in the 1998 romantic dramedyHope Floats, centering on her character Birdie as she and her bright young daughter return to her hometown of Smithville, Texas to find comfort and solace from her eccentric and loving family. Birdie finds herself reconnecting with her former classmate and friend Justin Matisse (Harry Connick Jr.), and it doesn’t take long until love begins to grow between the two. Bullock and Connick Jr.’s chemistry was praised in the heartwarming picture, which went on to become a box office hit and knockout with audiences, earning a B+ audience rating.
6Practical Magic
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are sisters from a long line of powerful witches in the 1998 fantasy romantic dramedyPractical Magic, chronicling Sally and Gillian Owens' fierce battle to destroy a malevolent spirit that sets out to completely eliminate the family’s last remaining witches. The close-knit sisters are also plagued with a curse that prevents them from finding everlasting love, yet Bullock’s Sally finds her luck changing when she meets the handsome Investigator Gary Hallet (Aidan Quinn).
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The filmhas gone on to become acelebrated cult classicdespite an initial lukewarm critical response, andPractical Magicremains a go-to fan favoritefor both the spooky season and lovers of the stellar actresses.
5Two Weeks Notice
Bullockand Hugh Grantare absolutely delightful in the 2002 rom-comTwo Weeks Notice, focusing on savvy liberal lawyer Lucy Kelson as she becomes the close confidante of the needy and vain billionaire George Wade, ultimately proving to be his indispensable assistant for all matters both personal and professional. When Lucy gets her fill of the perpetually childish and greedy Wade, she puts in her two weeks and sets up a replacement, only to have second thoughts regarding her feelings towards the job and her former boss.
Two Weeks Noticewas a smash hit at the box office, earning $199 million and garnering praise for the sensational performances of its dazzling leads; Bullock was nominated for a People’s Choice Award for her lively portrayal.
4The Lost City
In the 2022 action adventure rom-comThe Lost City,Bullock is a reclusive romance novelist that gets kidnapped by a kooky billionaire who believes she can lead him to a fabled ancient city described in her stories. Channing Tatum appears as the handsome yet dimwitted cover model who sets out to rescue the author whom he has feelings for in hopes of proving his own self-worth.
The Lost Citywas acritical and commercial hit, establishing Bullock as “the first actress to have $100 million earners in live-action star vehicles over four different decades,” according toForbes. The irresistible chemistry between Bullock and Tatum paired with the thrilling action and side-splitting humor made the rom-com a knockout with moviegoers.
3While You Were Sleeping
Bullock earned a Golden Globe nomination for her riveting role as a lonely token collector in the 1995 beloved rom-comWhile You Were Sleeping, which follows the love-seeking Lucy as she rescues the object of her affection from being struck by a train, resulting in the man falling into a coma. Lucy finds herself being embraced by the comatose Peter’s lively and loving family as they believe she is his fiance, and matters get even more complicated when she falls for Peter’s kind brother Jack (Bill Pullman).
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Bullock’s performance inthe charming holiday romancewas deemed one of her finest, with theOrlando Sentinelwriting, “It’s Bullock’s first shot at a role in which she plays second fiddle neither to males nor special effects. And she turns out to be every bit as delightful as anyone might have expected.”
2Miss Congeniality
In arguably one of her most beloved andendearing comedy roles to date, Bullock stars as tomboy FBI agent Gracie Hart who is tasked with going undercover in the Miss United States pageant in 2000’sMiss Congeniality. Touting a brilliant ensemble cast including Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt and Candice Bergen, the comedy depicts Gracie’s hilarious efforts to embody a beauty pageant candidate, much to the surprise and delight of her wise-cracking partner Eric Matthews (Bratt) whom she shares romantic feelings for.
Miss Congenialitynabbed Bullock a second Golden Globe nomination and raked in over $212 million at the box office while earning an A- CinemaScore rating by audiences, cementing the actress' status as a captivating leading lady.
1The Proposal
Cinema darlings Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds are in all their comedic glory in the 2009 blockbusterThe Proposal, with the actress appearing as the pushy and powerful book editor Margaret Tate, who upon learning she may face deportation back to Canada convinces her hapless-yet-kind assistant Andrew to pose as her fiancé. With a delightful supporting castfeaturing Betty White, Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen, the superb rom-com was the recipient of numerous accolades including a People’s Choice Award and Golden Globe nod for Bullock.
Both critics and audiences couldn’t get enough of Bullock and Reynolds winning charm in the uproarious picture, with theLos Angeles Timesdeclaring, “The Proposalis just a good old-fashioned romance, one in which people actually bring out the best in one another rather than the worst. How novel is that?”
