Susan Sarandon has been starring in hit films for over 50 years, appearing in everything from cult hits like The Rocky Horror Picture Show to iconic cinema classics like Thelma & Louise. She’s also received tons of accolades for her work, including nine Golden Globe nominations, six Emmy nominations, five Oscar nominations, and even winning Best Actress in 1996 thanks to Dead Man Walking.
If you want to discover more of her notable roles, here are some of the best Susan Sarandon movies and TV shows streaming online.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
“It’s just a jump to the left! And then you step in right!” Few musicals are as fun, raucous, and controversial as The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The film is a queer take on Frankenstein and sees the mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter create himself a man for…ugh...let’s just say “personal uses.” Sarandon plays Janet Weiss, an innocent young woman who arrives at the Frank-N-Further mansion with her boyfriend, Brad, after their car breaks down. Her character’s purity and kindness contrasts against the other characters and watching her downfall into the world of carnal pleasure is undeniably enjoyable.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Thelma & Louise stars Sarandon and Geena Davis as two women who intend to have a fun weekend getaway. But one night at a roadside bar, a man tries to sexually assault Thelma (Davis), causing Louise (Sarandon) to shoot him. From there, the ladies embark on a wild, crime-filled journey, all culminating with one very iconic ending (trust me, when you watch the movie, you’ll be like, “Oh that’s where that scene is from?”) Sarandon’s Louise is strong, no-nonsense, and ready to find adventure. But as the crime spree continues, she starts to lose her sense of self. That’s not an easy role for anyone, but Sarandon mastered the part perfectly, and both she and Davis earned Oscar nominations for their roles.
Feud: Bette and Joan (2017)
Scoring a whopping 18 Emmy nominations (including a nomination for Sarandon), Feud: Bette and Joan centers around the drama-filled production of the 1962 movie Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? The film stars two Hollywood icons, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, who had lots of high-profile drama on the set that almost became as infamous as the movie itself. Sarandon plays Bette Davis, and Jessica Lange plays Joan Crawford. Both Sarandon and Lange bring the conniving, scheming, and feuding icons to life, creating one seriously bingeable show loaded with juicy drama.
The Hunger (1983)
The Hunger may not have been a huge hit when it was first released, but in more recent years, it’s become an iconic queer film, largely because it was one of the first wide-release movies in history to have a gay sex scene. The film follows the ancient vampire Miriam Blaylock as she navigates modern life in the ’80s. But after meeting the intriguing and beguiling young Sarah (Sarandon), the two hit it off. Unfortunately, after a passionate night of love and sex, Sarah becomes infected and begins to transition into a vampire herself. Sarandon’s transition from naive woman to powerful vampire is a lot of fun and helps add another layer to this cult horror classic.
Little Women (1994)
Decades before Greta Gerwig scored numerous Oscar noms with her adaptation of the iconic 1868 story by Louisa May Alcott, another lauded version of Little Women was released in 1994. Just like Gerwig’s take on the story, the ‘94 version has an all-star cast that includes Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Christian Bale, Kirsten Dunst, and Sarandon, who plays matriarch Abigail “Marmee” March. The movie was a hit and earned three Oscar nominations, including a Best Actress nom for Ryder. Surrounded by such a young cast, Sarandon helps keep the film grounded. In her role as Marmee, she really does seem like the mother figure for all the girls.
Enchanted (2007)
In 2007, Disney poked fun at itself in the film Enchanted. The movie shows what happens when a Disney princess steps out of the fairy tale realm and into the real world…and, of course, she doesn’t just emerge in some random town. She finds herself in the middle of Manhattan. Amy Adams plays the princess, Giselle, and her prince charming is James Marsden. But Sarandon got to have the most fun, portraying the evil Queen Narissa. With a role inspired by Maleficent and the Evil Queen, Sarandon steals every scene she’s in thanks to her powerful and fierce performance (and let’s be real here…the villains are always the most exciting characters in Disney movies).
Dead Man Walking (1995)
Sarandon won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Dead Man Walking. The film is based on the 1993 nonfiction book by Sister Helen Prejean (who Sarandon plays in the movie) and follows her time connecting with a death row inmate. At the start, he denies everything and wants freedom, but as their bond grows closer he eventually admits to rape and murder before being killed by lethal injection. Sarandon’s character shows sympathy and empathy, even to some of society's worst criminals. She forces us to ask if prisons truly are about reform and redemption, or if they’re just places of endless punishment.
The Client (1994)
Based on the John Grisham novel of the same name, The Client centers around two young boys who accidentally witness a mobster’s suicide and then get sucked in a dangerous situation where the mob wants to know what they heard and saw. Sarandon plays a lawyer and recovering alcoholic who agrees to help the boys legally (while struggling with a few demons of her own). The film was a huge hit and earned Sarandon another Oscar nomination. Her character’s dichotomy of trying to help the boys while suffering herself feels incredibly real and raw, showing that heroes are never perfect.
Stepmom (1998)
Directed by Chris Columbus, Stepmom was a blockbuster 1998 dramedy about a mom (Sarandon) and stepmom (Julia Roberts) who struggle to find common ground. There’s the natural tension between them, and there’s also the differences in how they choose to raise the children. Even worse, Sarandon’s character reveals that she has terminal cancer, further creating a rift between the family. Sarandon earned a Golden Globe nom for the movie thanks to her convincing and relatable role as a mother forced to share her children with a new stepmom. Plus, the bitter reveal that she’s terminally ill adds another layer to Sarandon’s performance. Stepmom really is the kind of movie that’ll make you laugh and cry.
The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
In The Witches of Eastwick, three women (fantastically played by Sarandon, Cher, and Michelle Pfeiffer) in the small New England town of Eastwick don’t know they’re witches. But once they all come together, their powers begin to grow. Unfortunately for them, a mysterious man (Jack Nicholson) moves to town around the same time and tries to seduce them all. From there, a supernatural love affair begins…turning into a full-blown war between good and evil. Playing against Cher and Pfeiffer, Sarandon’s character starts out more subtle and subdued, which makes it tons of fun to watch her grow into a strong and confident witch.
Where To Watch The Best Susan Sarandon Movies And Shows Online
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