Sarah Jessica Parker Movies and TV Shows: Full List

She became one of the most recognizable actresses on television, yet Sarah Jessica Parker’s path to stardom was anything but instant. Before turning heads as the Manolo-wearing Carrie Bradshaw, she logged years of work in everything from teen comedies to TV dramas, slowly building the kind of career most actors would trade anything for. This guide walks through her filmography chronologically, with verified credits, key co-stars, and a few of the moments that shaped how audiences see her today.

Most Famous For: Sex and the City · Breakthrough Film: Footloose (1984) · Twins Names: Marion and Tabitha · Illness Disclosed: Age-Related Blurry Vision · Key Co-Stars: McConaughey, Lowe, Footloose cast

The table below summarizes key personal and professional facts about Sarah Jessica Parker.

What is Sarah Jessica Parker most famous for?

The short answer is Carrie Bradshaw, and the longer answer explains how a role became a cultural touchstone. Sarah Jessica Parker portrayed the -obsessed columnist in Sex and the City from 1998 to 2004, and the character immediately resonated with viewers for her candor about love, fashion, and friendship. When the HBO series ended, Parker reprised the role in two films — Sex and the City (2008) and Sex and the City 2 (2010) — and then again in the revival series And Just Like That… (2021–2025).

Her awards shelf tells the story numerically. She won two Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, plus three Screen Actors Guild Awards — all stemming from the same role. Television had been part of her life long before this breakout, though. Before the Manolo era, Parker logged appearances on Square Pegs (1982–1983) as Patty Greene, NBC’s A Year in the Life (1986–1988), and ABC’s Equal Justice (1990–1991).

Other notable TV roles

Beyond the SATC franchise, Parker has appeared as a guest on several series. She played a recurring character on Glee in a storyline tied to the show’s music industry plotlines. The role was brief but noticeable, given the cross-over appeal both shows had with audiences at the time. She has also contributed voice work and cameo appearances in various projects, though her television presence outside of SATC has remained selective since the original series ended.

The pattern is straightforward: Parker built her television credentials over roughly two decades before the SATC role amplified everything by a significant factor. That foundation of stage and TV drama work gave her the range that made Carrie Bradshaw believable to millions.

What are Sarah Jessica Parker movies in order?

The filmography spans from the early 1980s through the 2020s, with a few notable clusters worth examining by decade rather than one long list. Footloose (1984) is the earliest major credit most sources cite, but Parker appeared in Somewhere Tomorrow (1983) as Lori Anderson the year before, marking her transition from television into theatrical releases.

Early 1980s films

After the 1983 film, Parker landed Square Pegs (1982–1983) on television, then crossed into features with Footloose (1984). She followed with Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985), a teen comedy that played in a similar space to Footloose’s themes of youth rebellion. Flight of the Navigator (1986) brought her into science fiction territory and currently holds an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

1990s hits

The decade opened with L.A. Story (1991), pairing her with Steve Martin in a Steve Martin-penned romantic comedy. Honeymoon in Vegas (1992) cast her opposite Nicolas Cage, and Hocus Pocus (1993) teamed her with Bette Midler in what became a perennial Halloween favorite. Ed Wood (1994) gave her a role alongside Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s biopic.

The late 1990s brought The First Wives Club (1996) — another Midler collaboration — and Mars Attacks! (1996) from Tim Burton.

2000s and later

The 2000s balanced comedy with drama. State and Main (2000) earned an 84% Rotten Tomatoes score. The Family Stone (2005) paired her with Diane Keaton and Sarah Jessica Parker, while Failure to Launch (2006) put her opposite Matthew McConaughey as Paula. Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009) followed with Hugh Grant.

The SATC films bookended the decade: Sex and the City (2008) and Sex and the City 2 (2010). More recently, Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) brought the franchise full circle, landing at 65% on Rotten Tomatoes.

How old was Sarah Jessica Parker in Footloose?

Sarah Jessica Parker was 19 years old when Footloose was released in 1984. She was born on March 25, 1965, placing her squarely in late adolescence during filming. The film centers on Ren McCormack, played by Kevin Bacon, and Parker’s character Rusty is the teenage daughter of a strict minister who opposes dancing in their small town — a role that positioned her as a sympathetic peer to the protagonist rather than a romantic lead.

Role details

Parker played Rusty, a supporting but memorable part in the ensemble. Rusty is the character who bridges the tension between her father’s conservative values and Ren’s campaign to bring back school dances. The role was not a starring turn, but it placed Parker in a commercially successful teen film during a period when the teen movie genre was experiencing a revival following the success of films like Saturday Night Fever.

Co-star sparks

The Footloose cast included Kevin Bacon, Lira Sarf, and others who went on to build substantial careers. Parker’s scene presence in Footloose caught the attention of casting directors watching for emerging talent in the teen comedy space. This exposure led directly to her next film role in Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985), a similar teen-focused narrative that built on her growing reputation.

What was Sarah Jessica Parker’s first movie?

Sarah Jessica Parker’s debut in feature films was Somewhere Tomorrow (1983), where she played Lori Anderson. This was a romantic drama that preceded Footloose by one year and gave her an early lead role opposite other emerging actors of the period.

Debut details

Somewhere Tomorrow is a film that has largely faded from mainstream recognition but appears consistently in Parker’s filmography across authoritative sources. The role as Lori Anderson preceded her work on Square Pegs and Footloose, making it her official entry into theatrical film. The project itself was modest in scope, a romantic story that allowed Parker to develop screen acting fundamentals before the larger Footloose opportunity arrived.

Young actress roles

Between 1983 and 1986, Parker appeared in a rapid succession of projects: Somewhere Tomorrow, Footloose, and Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Flight of the Navigator in 1986 rounded out this early film period. Each of these roles built on the previous one, and her willingness to take supporting parts alongside established actors showed a pragmatic approach to career development rather than a demand for starring roles immediately.

Sarah Jessica Parker TV shows beyond Sex and the City?

The Sex and the City franchise — including And Just Like That… — dominates Parker’s television résumé, but several other series deserve attention. Square Pegs (1982–1983) was her earliest television breakout, A Year in the Life (1986–1988) gave her regular work on NBC, and Equal Justice (1990–1991) maintained her visibility on ABC.

Glee appearance

Parker appeared on Glee as a guest performer in a storyline centered on music industry pressures faced by young characters. The episode fit within the show’s tradition of casting high-profile guest stars in surprising roles. For SATC fans, the appearance was a crossover moment — two pop-culture institutions sharing a performer known for fashion-forward work.

Christmas specials and other series

Parker has appeared in holiday-themed programming over the years, though not always in lead roles. New Year’s Eve (2011) functioned as a theatrical ensemble piece that blurred the line between film and television star casts. Outside of guest appearances, she has not maintained a regular series role alongside her SATC work, suggesting deliberate selectivity about her television commitments post-2004.

“The answer was simply thank you, but no, I’m good.” — Kim Cattrall (Actor), on declining to return for And Just Like That…

“It’s over. We’re not doing it… I’m disappointed. We had this beautiful, funny, heartbreaking, joyful, very relatable script and story.” — Sarah Jessica Parker (Actor), on the cancellation of a potential third SATC film

Related reading: Julian McMahon Movies and TV Shows: Complete Filmography · Maya Hawke Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography Guide

Much like the Spanish filmography guide, this list highlights Sarah Jessica Parker’s evolution from Footloose dancer to Sex and the City icon.

Frequently asked questions

For fans weighing whether to revisit Parker’s filmography or start with And Just Like That…, the clear starting point is the original HBO series — then work backward to Footloose to see where the range began. The 1980s and 1990s films offer a different Parker than the Carrie Bradshaw era, and recognizing that evolution changes how you watch both.