Carrie Fisher's Best Movies
From Galactic Royalty to Sharp Comedic Legend
Discover the most essential film performances by Carrie Fisher, from her iconic turn as Princess Leia to her unforgettable scene-stealing comedic roles.
About Carrie Fisher
Carrie Fisher was Hollywood royalty by birth, but she earned her crown as its most beloved rebel by refusing to play the part of a silent princess. While the world first fell for her underneath those iconic cinnamon bun coils in the 1977 debut of Star Wars, she spent the decades that followed proving she was far more than a damsel in a galaxy far, far away. She possessed a wit so sharp it could draw blood and a vulnerability that made her feel like a confidante to anyone who ever felt like an outsider. She didn't just inhabit characters; she infused them with a weary, knowing intelligence that suggested she was always the smartest person in the room.
Her portrayal of Leia Organa redefined what a female lead could be in a blockbuster. Across The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, she marched through hallways of stormtroopers with a fiery command that eclipsed the men standing beside her. Yet, her range extended well beyond space operas. She was a master of the ensemble, popping up in classics like The Blues Brothers as a spurned, bazooka wielding mystery woman or providing the grounded, cynical heart of When Harry Met Sally as the unforgettable Marie. In Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters, she displayed a delicate comedic timing that proved she could navigate the neurotic rhythms of high brow drama just as easily as she could navigate a cockpit.
Audiences connected with her because she was refreshingly, sometimes brutally, honest about the machinery of fame. She famously pivoted into becoming one of the industry's most sought after script doctors, punch up artist, and memoirists. That same dry humor bled into her later roles, where she leaned into her status as a seasoned veteran of the screen. Whether she was playing against type in the suburban nightmare of The Burbs or delivering meta commentary in Scream 3, she carried herself with a self deprecating grace. Even in satirical romps like Soapdish or the surreal Drop Dead Fred, her presence provided a necessary anchor of reality.
When she eventually returned to the role that defined her career in The Force Awakens and her final performances in The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, she wasn't just a nostalgic figurehead. She had evolved into a weary, wise general, a transition that mirrored her own journey as a survivor of the Hollywood system. She became a patron saint for the complicated and the outspoken. Her legacy is one of defiance, found in the way she balanced the chaotic energy of films like Wonderland with the sharp tongue of a woman who had seen it all and lived to write the jokes about it. She remains an indelible figure because she taught us that you can be a princess and a soldier at the same time, provided you never lose your sense of humor.
Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics
2020Celebrities recall their most mind-bending trips via animations, reenactments and more in this comedic documentary exploring the story of psychedelics.
Drop Dead Fred
1991An unhappy housewife gets a lift from the return of her imaginary childhood friend, Drop Dead Fred.
Shampoo
1975On Election Day, 1968, irresponsible hairdresser and ladies' man George Roundy is too busy cutting hair and dealing with his girlfriends and mistress Felicia Karpf, whose husband Lester is having an affair with his ex-girlfriend Jackie.
As a swinging fashion photographer by day and a groovy British superagent by night, Austin Powers is the '60s' most shagadelic spy. But can he stop megalomaniac Dr. Evil after the bald villain freezes himself and unthaws in the '90s? With the help of sexy sidekick Vanessa Kensington, he just might.
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
2003The Angels are charged with finding a pair of missing rings that are encoded with the personal information of members of the Witness Protection Program. As informants are killed, the ladies target a rogue agent who might be responsible.
The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again as the journey of Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle begins.
Loverboy
1989Randy Bodek works as a pizza delivery boy at Señor Pizza to make a few extra bucks. Some customers are special, though: When the order is for a pizza with extra anchovies, it means the female customers are looking for some loving. But, as Randy soon learns, life as a professional gigolo can get pretty complicated.
Wonderland
2003On the afternoon of July 1, 1981, Los Angeles police responded to a distress call on Wonderland Avenue and discovered a grisly quadruple homicide. The police investigation that followed uncovered two versions of the events leading up to the brutal murders - both involving legendary porn actor John Holmes.
Scream 3
2000As bodies begin dropping around the Hollywood set of STAB 3, the third film based on the gruesome Woodsboro killings, Sidney and other survivors are once again terrorized by another Ghostface killer.
Soapdish
1991Celeste Talbert is the star of the long-running soap opera "The Sun Also Sets." With the show's ratings down, Celeste's ruthlessly ambitious co-star, Montana Moorehead, and the show's arrogant producer, David Seton Barnes, plot to aggravate her into leaving the show by bringing back her old flame, Jeffrey Anderson, and hiring her beautiful young niece, Lori Craven.
Fisher excels as a cynical behind the scenes power player in this satire of daytime television. Her performance captures the biting, self aware cynicism that would later become a hallmark of her own celebrated writing career.
The 'Burbs
1989When secretive new neighbors move in next door, suburbanite Ray Peterson and his friends let their paranoia get the best of them as they start to suspect the newcomers of evildoings and commence an investigation. But it's hardly how Ray, who much prefers drinking beer, reading his newspaper and watching a ball game on the tube expected to spend his vacation.
Serving as the straight faced foil to the neighborhood's suburban paranoia, Fisher anchors the film’s zanier impulses with her trademark dry humor. She makes the most of a reactionary role by infusing it with a palpable, intelligent skepticism.
Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.
Fisher is a comedic riot as a mysterious, scorned woman who expresses her grievances through high powered weaponry and silent, simmering rage. This role allowed her to lean into a deadpan, physical absurdity that contrasted perfectly with the film's chaotic energy.
Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.
There is a profound, elegiac quality to this final full performance where Fisher embodies the hope of a movement through a sense of maternal resilience. She commands the screen with a quiet stillness that suggests a lifetime of wisdom and tactical brilliance.
Between two Thanksgivings, Hannah's husband falls in love with her sister Lee, while her hypochondriac ex-husband rekindles his relationship with her sister Holly.
Fisher brings a distinct, competitive edge to Woody Allen’s ensemble as a rival performer vying for attention and affection. It is a nuanced turn that showcases her ease within sophisticated, neurotic dramedies.
Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers.
Returning to her most famous role with a weary, regal authority, Fisher portrays the heavy toll of leadership and loss with immense grace. Her presence bridges the gap between generations, providing the film with its most poignant and lived in moments.
Sex always gets in the way of friendships between men and women. At least, that's what Harry Burns believes. So when Harry meets Sally Albright and a deep friendship blossoms between them, Harry's determined not to let his attraction to Sally destroy it. But when a night of weakness ends in a morning of panic, can the pair avoid succumbing to Harry's fears by remaining friends and admitting they just might be the perfect match for each other?
In a masterclass of comedic timing, Fisher nearly steals the show as the pragmatic best friend who wields a Rolodex like a weapon. This role highlighted her sharp, urban sophistication and proved she could dominate a script written with rhythmic, rapid fire dialogue.
Luke Skywalker leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, the Emperor prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, and the Rebel fleet mounts a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel before the evil Emperor.
Even while navigating the film’s more disparate plot threads, Fisher provides a necessary gravity to the rebellion’s final push. She excels in these quieter moments of personal revelation, proving her character was always the emotional glue holding the central trio together.
Star Wars
1977Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.
Breaking the mold of the archetypal damsel, Fisher introduced a revolutionary brand of onscreen command through her sharp wit and refusal to be intimidated by galactic tyrants. It is the performance that cemented her as an immediate cultural icon and redefined feminine agency in the blockbuster era.
The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.
Fisher matures Leia into a formidable military leader while maintaining a crackling romantic friction that anchors the film’s emotional weight. This sequel remains the definitive showcase of her ability to balance steeliness with a grounded, soulful vulnerability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts
- Carrie Fisher's portrayal of Princess Leia was groundbreaking for its blend of strength, leadership, and wit, establishing her as a feminist icon in science fiction. Her character evolution across Star Wars films like The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi highlighted her resilience and complexity beyond being a classic damsel in distress.
- Carrie Fisher demonstrated her comedic range in films such as When Harry Met Sally... and The Blues Brothers, where her sharp wit and timing added memorable layers to supporting roles. These performances revealed her versatility, seamlessly transitioning from sci-fi heroine to scene-stealing comedic actress.
- Fisher's work in Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters and the crime drama Wonderland showcased her ability to handle layered, dramatic material with nuance. These performances allowed her to delve into more grounded, emotionally rich characters, highlighting her diverse acting skills beyond genre films.
- Yes, Carrie Fisher reprised her role as Leia Organa in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, including Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. Her return was celebrated for bridging the original saga with a new generation of fans, bringing depth and continuity to the beloved franchise.
- The 'Burbs is a notable example where Carrie Fisher combined comedic flair with elements of horror and thriller. Her performance contributed to the film’s quirky tone, demonstrating her adaptability across diverse cinematic styles.
- Carrie Fisher was a vital part of several ensemble casts, such as in When Harry Met Sally... and The Blues Brothers, where her performances elevated the dynamic chemistry among stars. Her ability to stand out without overshadowing others made her a highly respected ensemble player.
- Beyond sci-fi, Fisher often portrayed witty, sharp-tongued women with a strong presence, as seen in films like Soapdish and Loverboy. Her characters were usually smart, independent, and added a distinct edge to the narratives she inhabited.
