Top 7 Sarah Jessica Parker movies and TV shows that prove her brilliance as an actor

Sarah Jessica Parker has worked in film and television for over forty years. What sets her apart is not the length of her career but how she has changed with time. She started with light teen roles in the eighties and later portrayed women with flaws and complicated lives.

She never tried to fit the mold of a perfect lead. That decision helped her stand out. She has played parts in big shows and small films, always bringing something real to each role. She does not depend on loud dialogue or big speeches.

She knows how to hold a scene with a look or a pause. Most people still remember her as Carrie Bradshaw. That role made her famous but it does not define her. She has taken risks with roles that feel raw or strange. Some are serious and some are silly. But all of them show what she can do.

When you step back and look at her work as a whole you see a wide range. She does not chase attention. She just works with care. These seven roles prove that she is more than a pop culture figure. She is a skilled actor who knows how to make a part feel real.

---

Top 7 Sarah Jessica Parker movies and TV shows that prove her brilliance as an actor

1. Sex and the City (1998–2004)

This show follows four women who live in New York and deal with love, work, and friendship. Sarah Jessica Parker plays Carrie Bradshaw who writes a relationship column and often turns her personal life into stories. She walks through heartbreak joy and confusion while also being the narrator who shapes how viewers understand the world around her.

Parker never plays Carrie as perfect. She makes her bold and flawed and sometimes hard to like. But that honesty is what makes the character stay with people. Her scenes with Big and Aidan show different kinds of love and loss, and she leans into both without holding back. The friendships also feel strong and Parker balances those with ease.

Her performance helped make the show a cultural staple. Even now people still debate Carrie’s choices. Parker kept the character grounded through every season and helped shape one of TV’s most lasting roles.

---

2. The Family Stone (2005)

This movie takes place during Christmas as a tightly wound woman named Meredith visits her boyfriend’s large and opinionated family. Sarah Jessica Parker plays Meredith who feels out of place from the start. She talks too much and tries too hard and her nerves only make things worse.

Parker makes Meredith’s anxiety feel real. She never overacts. She just lets the discomfort grow slowly. One of her best scenes is at the dinner table where she tries to say something thoughtful but ends up upsetting everyone. That moment changes the family’s view of her. Later in the kitchen when she finally breaks down it feels earned.

Meredith is not a warm character but Parker gives her depth. She makes you understand the pressure Meredith feels. Her performance holds up next to a big cast and adds something sharp and honest. She makes the film’s awkwardness feel completely believable.

---

3. Divorce (2016–2019)

This HBO show follows Frances who wants a fresh start after years in a strained marriage. Sarah Jessica Parker plays Frances with quiet frustration and steady tension. She does not yell or break down. Instead she lets the cracks show through small moments.

In therapy scenes Parker shows how unsure Frances really is. She says she wants change but often seems lost in the middle of it. Her conversations with her husband feel heavy even when they use few words. There is always something unspoken and Parker makes that silence feel real.

This performance proves she can do more than fast-paced comedy or stylish drama. Here she plays someone who feels trapped in her own choices. She brings emotional weight to a show that never rushes resolution. Frances is unsure and messy, and Parker gives her space to stay that way—without apology. That honesty is what keeps the character grounded.

---

4. Hocus Pocus (1993)

This Halloween favorite follows three witches who come back to life in modern Salem and try to steal the lives of children. Sarah Jessica Parker plays Sarah Sanderson who sings to lure kids and follows her sisters with strange joy. She acts like a grown child full of energy and mischief.

Her performance is both strange and playful. She moves lightly and smiles at the worst moments. Parker makes Sarah feel both silly and dangerous. She leans into the weirdness without holding back. Her song in the woods is one of the movie’s most memorable scenes. It adds a quiet menace beneath the comedy.

While the film focuses on Bette Midler’s character Parker still stands out. She gives Sarah a strong presence even with fewer lines. Over time her version of the witch has become a Halloween staple. It is proof she knows how to own a character and make it unforgettable.

---

5. L.A. Story (1991)

This surreal comedy follows a weatherman in Los Angeles who gets love advice from a talking freeway sign. Sarah Jessica Parker plays SanDeE, a character who dates him briefly and brings a burst of energy to the screen. She roller-skates talks fast and turns every scene into something strange but charming.

Parker does not make fun of SanDeE. She plays her with sincerity. Even her most out-there lines feel like they come from someone who truly believes in herself. Parker brings warmth to a character that could have been one-note. She makes SanDeE memorable without trying too hard.

Though she appears only in part of the movie she leaves a strong impression. Her scenes balance the surreal tone of the film with heart and humor. This role came early in her career and showed she could handle odd roles while still making them feel grounded. It proved her comedic skill.

---

6. Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985)

This teen film follows Janey a Catholic schoolgirl who wants to audition for a dance TV show. Sarah Jessica Parker plays Janey with a mix of determination and innocence. She wants freedom but also struggles with the strict rules set by her father.

Parker’s energy carries the movie. She makes Janey’s excitement feel real. When she sneaks out to rehearse or argues with her dad it feels like something many teens would understand. Her chemistry with Helen Hunt adds fun to every scene they share. The dancing is lively but it is the emotion Parker adds that holds the story together.

The movie is light and simple but Parker adds weight where needed. She makes Janey more than just a girl who wants to dance. She plays her as someone who wants to be heard. This was one of her first lead roles and showed she could anchor a movie with ease.

---

7. Here and Now (2018)

This indie drama follows Vivienne a jazz singer who learns she has a serious illness and spends one day walking through New York in silence and thought. Sarah Jessica Parker plays Vivienne and carries the entire film through quiet gestures and slow movements.

There is very little dialogue. Parker lets the weight of the news sit on her face. Her scenes show grief but not in obvious ways. In one moment she tries to speak with her daughter but gives up. In another she plays music with a band but can’t finish. These scenes linger because of how real they feel.

This role showed Parker could lead a slow and introspective film. It has no big speeches or neat endings. She plays someone quietly unraveling. The performance is subtle but powerful. It proved she could shift into indie drama without losing the connection that defines her best work.

---

Follow for more updates.