Demi Moorehas established an intriguing career for herself ever since her commercial breakthrough inJoelSchumacher’s dramaSt. Elmo’s Fire, where she rose to prominence as a member of the Brat Pack, and became one of the highest-paid and most sought-after actresses. Even though she eventually took a break from acting following the release ofG.I. JaneandDeconstructing Harryin 1997 to focus on spending time with her family, Moore endured — and endures — a well-known name in the industry.
Proof of the star’s ever-lasting relevance is her contribution (which has proven to be one of the star’s most compelling showcases of her talents) to her newest movie,The Substance, which captured the attention of critics when it was released at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or in its main competition section. To celebrate the actor’s grand return to the big screen,we look back at the best Demi Moore movies, ranking them by entertainment value and, of course, taking the gifted star’s efforts into consideration.
10’If These Walls Could Talk' (1996)
Directors: Cher, Nancy Savoca
Directed by the well-known superstarCherandNancy Savoca,If These Walls Could Talkis a 1996 TV drama broadcast on HBO and starring Moore,Sissy Spacek, andAnne Hechein the lead roles. Through its intriguing narrative, the film illustrates the struggles of coping with unplanned pregnancies in various social climates, including the decades of the 1950s, 1970s, and 1990s. All the women live in the same house over the course of five decades, hence its title.
Considering the sensitive topics it tackles, including,If These Walls Could Talkis a poignant film in Demi Moore’s filmography, providing audiences with a touching and thought-provoking premise that examines the dilemmas and anxieties women face when dealing with unwanted pregnancies. On top of the great performances, Cher and Nancy Savoca’s movie stands out because it provides audiences with various ways that women handle this life-changing experience, showcasing how gender affects abortion.
If These Walls Could Talk
Watch on Max
9’The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent' (2022)
Director: Tom Gormican
One of Moore’s most recent projects isTom Gormican’s absurdist action crime comedy, led by none other thanNicolas Cage. In the movie, the star plays a fictionalized version of himself while channeling his iconic and treasured big-screen characters as he’s caught between a superfan (Pedro Pascal) and a CIA agent (Tiffany Haddish).
AlthoughThe Unbearable Weight of Massive Talentis probably not everyone’s cup of tea, it is still a solid pick for anyone who enjoys comedy and action thrown into the mix. Thanks to its action-packed scenes, great humor, and creative storyline, Gormican’s film arguably even ranks high as one ofthe best action comedies of the 2020sso far.Sharon Horganis Nick Cage’s ex-wife in the film — until she’s suddenly replaced byMoore, who also delivers an enjoyable, comicalperformance.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Watch on Roku
Director: Mike Judge
Beavis and Butt-Headfans are probably familiar withMike Judge’s movie. However, some may be surprised to learn that Demi Moore did a voice acting bit — and a very good one at that — in it. The film focuses on the two iconic adolescent heroes (both voiced by Judge) as they wake up to find their treasured television stolen. As such, they decide to embark on an epic journey across America to recover it, unknowingly becoming fugitives.
Aside fromBeavis and Butt-Head Do America’s engaging storyline,one of its strongest aspects is undoubtedly the skilled voice-acting, with Demi Moore often stealing the spotlight as the main antagonist, Dallas Grimes. Thanks to its silly jokes and engaging plot, the fun adult animation comedy was thesecond highest-grossing animated film of 1996, only behind Disney’sThe Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Beavis and Butt-Head Do America
Watch on Paramount+
7’The Hunchback of Notre Dame' (1996)
Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Interestingly enough, Moorealsopartook inThe Hunchback of Notre Dame —meaning she starred in both the first and second most commercially successful animation movies of 1996. ThisGray TrousdaleandKirk WiseDisney feature centers around a bell-ringer with a back deformity who embarks on a journey to assert his independence from a vicious government minister to help his friend, a Romani dancer, Esmeralda (voiced by Moore).
Although it’s not one of Disney’s most unforgettable but an underrated entry instead, Trousdale and Wise’s movie is undoubtedly entertaining, with memorable characters — namely Esmeralda, one ofthe best Disney female characters(even if she’s not a princess) — that help elevate its narrative to higher ground.The Hunchback of Notre Dameis definitely a must-see in Moore’s filmography, especially for those who are looking into watching her voice-acting efforts.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Watch on Disney+
6’Now and Then' (1995)
Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
Partly set in the 1970s and 1990s,Lesli Linka Glatter’s 1995 coming-of-age dramaNow and Thenstars Moore,RitaWilson, andRosieO’Donnell, among other talented stars, centering around four childhood friends who reunite in their hometown of Shelby, Indiana as adult women and look back at their time as 12-year-old girls who grow up together during an eventful small-town summer.
Lesli Linka Glatter’s well-acted and directed film is a beautiful ode to the aching pains of growing up, especially as a young girl, providing audiences with a nostalgic premise revolving around childhood memories and girlhood, including body image, sexuality, and friendship. Although it was not as highly received by critics as it was by general moviegoers,Now and Thenis nonetheless a touching, audience-approved feature.
Now and Then
Rent on Amazon Prime
5’Deconstructing Harry' (1997)
Director: Woody Allen
Despite being directed byone of the most controversial directors— whose body of work audiences may want to avoid —Deconstructing Harryinevitably ranks as one of Moore’s best quality-wise. The story centers around Harry Block, who is undergoing writer’s block while eagerly awaiting his writing award. In the meantime, he looks back at events from his past, and scenes from his best-selling books as characters, both real and fictional, come back to haunt him.
Among the strongest aspects of Allen’s comedy-drama is its ensemble cast featuringCarolineAaron,KirstieAlley,BobBalaban,RichardBenjamin,EricBogosian,BillyCrystalandJudyDavis,JenniferGarnerin her feature film debut, andMoore, who successfully played therapist Helen. Funny and layered,Deconstructing Harryoffers audiences a compelling tale that examines the boundaries between fiction and reality.
Deconstructing Harry
Watch on Peacock
4’The Substance' (2024)
Director: Coralie Fargeat
One of this year’s biggest surprises in the body horror genre so far,Coralie Fargeat’sThe Substanceearned the attention of critics at the Cannes Film Festival, with writer and filmmaker Fargeat winning the Best Screenplay award. Featuring exciting starMargaret Qualeyalong with Moore its center, the movie follows a fading celebrity who decides to use a black market drug that consists of a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
While the movie will only be available for streaming in September,Fargeat’s picture has proven to be, at least among critics, one of Moore’s finest pictures to date; this is not the least surprising considering the relevant themes it deals with, including sexism and aging women’s body autonomy.Varietydescribes it as a “visionary feminist body-horror film that takes cosmetic enhancement to extremes,” and Collider’s own Caleb Hammond believes (asthey wrote in a review) that one of the strongest aspects of the stylish film is Moore’s performance.
The Substance
Watch on Fandango
3’Margin Call' (2011)
Director: J.C. Chandor
InJ.C. Chandor’ssharply-written directorial debutMargin Call,Zachary Quintoplays the lead role of the key people at an investment bank. The story takes place over a 24-hour period at a large Wall Street investment bank during the initial stages of the 2007–2008 financial crisis with a focus on the actions taken by a group of employees during the subsequent financial collapse.
Moore is fantastic as the secondary antagonist in the film, adding a lot to the story and making the most of her screen time. Considering that it is also based on a true story involving finances and features great performances,Margin Callis a great pick for anyone who enjoys business films such asThe Wolf of Wall StreetorThe Big Short(the ideal “finance bro” triple feature alert).
Margin Call
Watch on Hoopla
2’A Few Good Men' (1992)
Director: Rob Reiner
In the courtroom thrillerA Few Good Men, inexperienced Navy lawyer Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, played byTom Cruise, is tasked with defending Marines accused of murdering a colleague. Kaffee is known for seeking plea bargains. However, a fellow lawyer, Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway, played by Moore, convinces him that the accused marines were most likely carrying out an order from a commanding officer.
While the plot may feel a bit predictable at times,Rob Reiner’s engaging 1992 movie strongly benefits from its amazing direction and talented cast, which not only includes Cruise and Moore, but also Jack Nicholson. A critical and commercial success,grossing over $141 million worldwideand being nominated for four Academy Awards,A Few Good Menis an essential viewing in the star’s exciting career.
A Few Good Men
Watch on AMC+
1’Ghost' (1990)
Director: Jerry Zucker
Jerry Zucker’sGhostis arguably the best Demi Moore film to datefor a number of reasons, starting with the star’s incredible performance. The story follows murdered banker Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze), whose ghost sets out to save his girlfriend, Molly Jensen (Moore), from the person who killed him. That is, of course, with the help of a reluctant psychic, Oda Mae Brown (WhoopiGoldberg).
An unexpected hit movie of the 1990s, Zucker’sinvesting supernatural romanceis equally imaginative, humorous, and moving, resulting in one of the great romance classics. In addition to Goldberg’s hilarious bits (which were a major stand-out, if we’re being honest),Ghostis an engrossing movie that celebrates meaningful connections and provides audiences with a fun time in front of the screen in the meantime.
