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Since her TV debut in the 1960s as 'Gidget' and 'The Flying Nun,' actress Sally Field has gone on to receive 2 Academy Awards for Best Actress for her roles in 'Norma Rae' and 'Places in the Heart,' while she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her work in 'Lincoln.'
She's also appeared in such classic and beloved movies as 'Smokey and the Bandit,' 'The Amazing Spider-Man,' 'Steel Magnolias,' 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' and 'Forrest Gump.'
Field's new movie, 'Remarkably Bright Creatures,' which also stars Lewis Pullman, premieres on Netflix May 8th.
In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down the top 20 movies of Sally Field's career, including her latest.
Let's begin!
Related Article: Jim Parsons, Sally Field, Ben Aldridge, and Bill Irwin Talk 'Spoiler Alert'
20. 'Punchline' (1988)
Lilah Krytsick (Field) is a mother and housewife who's always believed she could be a stand-up comedian. Steven Gold (Tom Hanks) is an experienced stand-up seemingly on the cusp of success. When the two meet, they form an unlikely friendship, and Steven tries to help the untried Lilah develop her stage act. Despite the objections of her family and some very wobbly beginnings, Lilah improves, and soon she finds herself competing with Steven for a coveted television spot.
19. 'Eye for an Eye' (1996)
It's fire and brimstone time as grieving mother Karen McCann (Field) takes justice into her own hands when a kangaroo court in Los Angeles fails to convict Robert Doob (Kiefer Sutherland), the monster who raped and murdered her 17-year-old daughter (Olivia Burnette).
18. 'Not Without My Daughter' (1991)
An American woman (Field), trapped in Islamic Iran by her brutish husband (Alfred Molina), must find a way to escape with her daughter (Sheila Rosenthal) as well.
17. 'Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde' (2003)
Now a rising young lawyer, Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is about to make partner at her firm, but when she finds out her dog's relatives are being used as cosmetic test subjects, she heads to Washington D.C. to fight for animal rights. Field plays Congresswoman Victoria Rudd.
16. 'Stay Hungry' (1976)
A dishonest businessman asks rich layabout Craig Blake (Jeff Bridges) to help him buy a gym, which will be demolished for a development project in Alabama. But after spending time with weightlifter Joe Santo (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and gym worker Mary Tate Farnsworth (Field), Craig wants out of the deal. The property negotiations turn ugly, causing a brawl at the gym and a spectacle at a big bodybuilding meet, as Craig learns that it's not easy to turn your back on fair-weather friends.
15. 'Spoiler Alert' (2022)
Based on Michael Ausiello’s best-selling memoir “Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies,” the film is a heartwarming, funny and life-affirming story of how Michael (Jim Parsons) and Kit’s (Ben Aldridge) relationship is transformed and deepened when one of them falls ill. Field plays Kit's mother, Marilyn.
14. 'Hello, My Name Is Doris' (2016)
A self-help seminar inspires a sixty-something woman (Field) to romantically pursue her younger co-worker (Max Greenfield).
13. 'The Amazing Spider-Man' (2012)
Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is an outcast high schooler abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today.
As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father (Campbell Scott), he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.
12. 'Murphy's Romance' (1985)
Emma (Field), a divorced single mother seeking to start her life over, moves to a small town in Arizona. She befriends Murphy (James Garner), the older local pharmacist, but things turn complicated when her ex-husband (Brian Kerwin) shows up.
11. 'Places in the Heart' (1984)
In 1930s Texas, a widow (Field) and her family fight to save their home by harvesting cotton.
Field received her second of two Academy Awards for Best Actress for her performance.
10. 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' (2026)
A lonely elderly widow named Tova (Field) forms an unlikely friendship with a curmudgeonly cephalopod octopus named Marcellus (Alfred Molina), but unbeknownst to her, Marcellus is on a mission to solve a mystery that will heal the widow’s heart and lead her to a life-changing discovery.
9. '80 for Brady' (2023)
Inspired by the true story of four best friends (Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno and Field) living life to the fullest when they take a wild trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their hero Tom Brady play.
8. 'Soapdish' (1991)
Celeste Talbert (Field) 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 (Cathy Moriarty), and the show's arrogant producer, David Seton Barnes (Robert Downey Jr.), plot to aggravate her into leaving the show by bringing back her old flame, Jeffrey Anderson (Kevin Kline), and hiring her beautiful young niece, Lori Craven (Elisabeth Shue).
7. 'Smokey and the Bandit' (1977)
A race car driver (Burt Reynolds) tries to transport an illegal beer shipment from Texas to Atlanta in under 28 hours, picking up a reluctant bride-to-be (Field) on the way, while chased by a local Sheriff (Jackie Gleason).
6. 'Absence of Malice' (1981)
Megan Carter (Field) is a reporter duped into running an untrue story on Michael Gallagher (Paul Newman), a suspected racketeer. He has an alibi for the time his crime was allegedly committed—but it involves an innocent party. When he tells Carter the truth and the newspaper runs it, tragedy follows, forcing Carter to face up to the responsibilities of her job when she is confronted by Gallagher.
5. 'Steel Magnolias' (1989)
A young beautician (Daryl Hannah), newly arrived in a small Louisiana town, finds work at the local salon, where a small group of women (Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, and Olympia Dukakis) share a close bond of friendship and welcome her into the fold.
4. 'Lincoln' (2012)
The revealing story of the 16th US President's tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.
Field plays First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.
3. 'Mrs. Doubtfire' (1993)
Loving but irresponsible dad Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams), estranged from his exasperated spouse (Field), is crushed by a court order allowing only weekly visits with his kids. When Daniel learns his ex needs a housekeeper, he gets the job -- disguised as an English nanny. Soon he becomes not only his children's best pal but the kind of parent he should have been from the start.
2. 'Forrest Gump' (1994)
A man with a low IQ (Tom Hanks) has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love (Robin Wright) eludes him. Field plays Forrest's mother, while Gary Sinise plays Lieutenant Dan Taylor, and Mykelti Williamson plays Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue.
1. 'Norma Rae' (1979)
Norma Rae (Field) is a southern textile worker employed in a factory with intolerable working conditions. This concern about the situation gives her the gumption to be the key associate to a visiting labor union organizer (Ron Leibman). Together, they undertake the difficult, and possibly dangerous, struggle to unionize her factory.
Field received the first or her two Academy Awards for Best Actress for this performance.
