Some actors make such a massive impression in the roles they take on that separating them from their characters can feel impossible. Sarah Michelle Gellar is one of those rare talents. From the moment she picked up a stake as Buffy Summers, Gellar became part teen idol, part scream queen, part quietly brilliant comedic force. But more than anything, she became the kind of actor whose performances always felt ahead of their time.
Her filmography spans genres from supernatural thrillers to romantic comedies, and each role reflects a different facet of what made Gellar such a magnetic presence. In honor of her varied and unforgettable career, here's a look back at the 10 best Sarah Michelle Gellar movies and TV shows.
Scooby-Doo (2002)
Scooby-Doo brings The Mystery Inc. gang together in live-action form as they head to Spooky Island, a spring break hotspot plagued by supernatural entities. As they investigate eerie happenings, long-standing tensions resurface, and they realize the mystery is more personal than they ever expected. The film is a kaleidoscope of childhood nostalgia and unexpectedly sharp character chemistry. Gellar's Daphne trades in her damsel-in-distress status for high kicks, proving once and for all that pretty doesn't mean passive. The film walks the line between parody and sincerity, giving just enough winks to fans while genuinely reinventing old tropes.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
After a tragic accident during summer vacation, four friends decide to bury the truth. But a year later, someone knows what they did, and they're being hunted one by one by a killer who refuses to let the past stay buried. While the film is arguably one of the best slasher films of all time, at its core, I Know What You Did Last Summer is about the emotional residue of choices we wish we could undo. Gellar's portrayal of Helen, the beauty queen haunted by a nightmare she helped create, is a brilliant addition to the story. Her iconic chase scene remains one of the most gripping moments in '90s horror.
Cruel Intentions (1999)
Set in a world of Upper East Side privilege, Cruel Intentions follows step-siblings Kathryn and Sebastian, who scheme to manipulate their peers for sport. But their twisted game takes a darker turn with the arrival of a new student. Over time, real emotions threaten their carefully constructed facades and their place in the high school hierarchy/. Gellar's Kathryn is a calculating, seductive ice queen who easily rules the emotional minefields of teenage cruelty. Upon closer examination, the story is less about the scandal and more about who holds the most social power, who loses it, and what it eventually costs.
The Grudge (2004)
The Grudge follows an American nurse named Karen who takes a job in Tokyo, caring for a woman in a house where something feels off. The home is cursed by a violent past that won't let go. The curse, born from murder and rage, attaches itself to anyone who enters, dragging them into a cycle of death. The film unfolds in fragments, following the curse as it travels from person to person. Gellar is quite incredible as Karen. Instead of screaming in fear, her character drowns in horrified silence due to a total sense of helplessness. It's a haunting reminder that some horror stories don't want to be solved. They want to swallow you whole.
Simply Irresistible (1999)
Simply Irresistible begins when Amanda inherits a restaurant after her mother's death. She is unable to cook at first, but everything changes after she meets a strange man at a local market. Amanda suddenly finds her dishes quite literally infused with magic. Her food starts changing people's moods, and as she explores her newfound gift, she falls for a man who might just change her life, too. This film throws realism out the window in favor of whimsical charm, while Gellar brings a soft luminosity to Amanda, who is slowly learning to trust herself and her abilities.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Buffy Summers just wants to be a normal teenager. But fate has other plans. She's The Slayer, a chosen warrior tasked with defending the world from vampires, demons, and all things that go bump in the night. Relocated to Sunnydale, California, a seemingly average town sitting on top of a literal Hellmouth, Buffy balances high school, heartbreak, and apocalypses with the help of her Watcher and loyal inner circle of friends. Across seven seasons, Buffy the Vampire Slayer evolves from monster-of-the-week antics into a narrative about growing up and what it means to carry power as a young woman. Gellar was perfectly cast in the titular role.
The Crazy Ones (2013–2014)
Created by David E. Kelley, The Crazy Ones is set in a high-powered ad agency. The sitcom follows eccentric genius Simon Roberts (Robin Williams) and his adult daughter Sydney as they try to balance creativity with the pressures of business while also learning how to navigate their complicated father-daughter relationship. As Sydney, Gellar trades in demons for deadlines, showing she can still be powerful without throwing a punch. The show's cancellation was a loss, but its brief run still gave a rare reminder that relationships can be healed in the gray areas between commercials and confessions.
Ringer (2011–2012)
This short-lived series follows Bridget Kelly, a recovering addict on the run, trying to escape a dangerous life and a dangerous man. Desperate, she turns to her estranged twin sister, Siobhan, who is wealthy, elegant, and seemingly in control of every part of her life. But when Siobhan mysteriously disappears, Bridget seizes the chance to start over by assuming her sister's identity. Only it's not the fresh start she hoped for, as Siobhan's life is filled with secrets, lies, and betrayals. Gellar plays both Bridget and Siobhan in Ringer, slipping between vulnerability and cold calculation like a whispered threat.
Wolf Pack (2023)
When a raging California wildfire awakens something ancient and terrifying, the lives of four teenagers are changed forever. Bitten during the chaos, they discover that they're connected by a mysterious and powerful bond. As they begin to uncover their supernatural identities, they also realize they're being hunted. At the center of the Wolf Pack mystery is Kristin Ramsey, an arson investigator with secrets of her own. As the teens try to piece together what's happening to them, Kristin becomes both an ally and an enigma. Gellar plays Kristin with a natural steeliness and a presence that grounds the show.
Dexter: Original Sin (2024-present)
Set in 1991, Miami, Dexter: Original Sin traces the early years of Dexter Morgan, before the code, before the lab coat, before the mask of normalcy fully formed. We meet Dexter as a conflicted, brilliant college student who's just beginning to understand his dark urges. After a traumatic encounter awakens something in him, he's taken under the wing of his adoptive father, Harry Morgan, who teaches him how to kill without leaving a trace. Gellar plays Tanya Martin, the sharp, no-nonsense homicide captain who brings a different kind of intensity to the Dexter world. Although her screen time is measured, she owns every one of her scenes.
Where To Watch The 10 Best Sarah Michelle Gellar Movies And TV Shows Online
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