Carla Gugino’s 10 Best Movies And TV Shows

Carla Gugino’s best movies and television shows prove just how great of an actress she has been throughout her career. She found success through some of her early roles in the late ’80s and early ’90s, with films like This Boy’s Life, and Son in Law. However, the actress’ career surged throughout the 2000s, as she rose in prominence due to roles in various hit movies, like the mother in Spy Kids. The decade also saw Gugino star in popular movies like Sin City, Night at the Museum, and Zack Snyder’s epic adaptation of Watchmen.

The late 2010s and early 2020s have been incredibly good for Gugino as well, as she continues to explore even more complex roles than ever before. Some of these include parts in several Mike Flanagan Netflix projects, Jett, Orion and the Dark, and The Girls on the Bus. She doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, either, as Gugino has some exciting projects upcoming with Heads of State and The Florist.

10

Orion And The Dark (2024)

Carla Gugino as Orion’s Mom

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Orion and the Dark Netflix Movie Poster

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Orion and the Dark

Not Rated

Animation

Comedy

Family

ScreenRant logo

9/10

Release Date

February 2, 2024

Runtime

92 Minutes

Director

Sean Charmatz

Writers

Charlie Kaufman, Lloyd Taylor, Emma Yarlett

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Jacob Tremblay

    Jacob Tremblay

  • Headshot Of Paul Walter Hauser In The The 2023 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre.

    Paul Walter Hauser

Studio(s)

DreamWorks Animation, Mikros Animation

Distributor(s)

Netflix

Where To Stream

Netflix

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Based on the children’s book of the same name by author Emma Yarlett, Orion and the Dark focuses on the titular character and his anxiety in the face of his fears, with the dark being at the top of the list. He is visited by the embodiment of Dark, who whisks him away on a trip to help Orion overcome his fears. Ambitious, heartfelt, and visually gorgeous, Orion and the Dark is a wonderful animated film that isn’t afraid to ask big questions of its protagonist and its audience.

Orion and the Dark is a wonderful animated film that isn’t afraid to ask big questions of its protagonist and its audience.

While she doesn’t have a major role in the film, Carla Gugino does fantastic voice work as Orion’s mom. She has done some other voice-acting projects before, but Orion and the Dark is Gugino’s best work by far in the animated medium, and she adds a lot of relatability as a parent who is trying to help their child overcome his fears.

9

Watchmen (2009)

Carla Gugino as Sally Jupiter / Silk Spectre

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Watchmen

R

Action

Mystery

Science Fiction

ScreenRant logo

8/10

7.1/10

Release Date

March 4, 2009

Runtime

163 Minutes

Director

Zack Snyder

Writers

Alex Tse, David Hayter

Cast

See All

  • Headshot OF Malin Akerman

    Malin Akerman

  • Headshot Of Patrick Wilson

    Patrick Wilson

Main Genre

Action

Budget

130000000.0

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount, Legendary Pictures, DC Comics, Lawrence Gordon Productions, Lloyd Levin Productions

IMDb ID

tt0409459

TMDB User Rating

7
.337

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Perhaps a product of coming out a bit too soon, Zack Snyder’s Watchmen adaptation of Frank Miller’s groundbreaking graphic novel is bold and visually striking, translating the comic’s most iconic scenes to gorgeous effect. The film was mildly received both critically and financially when it was released in 2009 but has since been reevaluated as a result of the boom in superhero adaptations over the years. While some might still have issues with the ending, Watchmen is undeniably ambitious and beautiful.

Zack Snyder 5 Movie Plan Justice League 3

Related

Zack Snyder Reveals Which Of His Comic Book Movies He’s Proudest Of

DCEU director Zack Snyder confirms which of the comic book movies he has made so far is his favorite, and his answer may surprise DC fans.

Posts

Watchmen is primarily set in an alternate history in 1985 at the height of the Cold War but utilizes flashbacks to explore the decline of The Minutemen, a superhero team, decades earlier. Carla Gugino plays Sally Jupiter / Silk Spectre in the flashback scenes as her daughter takes over the mantle of the character in the present. Her role as Sally Jupiter features some pretty heavy moments, and Carla Gugino does an incredible job at portraying the complexity of the character during each scene that she is in.

8

The Lookout (2007)

Carla Gugino as Janet

The Lookout

R

Crime

Documentary

Drama

Thriller

Release Date

March 9, 2007

Runtime

99 minutes

Director

Scott Frank

Cast

  • Headshot Of Joseph Gordon-Levitt In The Hollywood Critics Association's 2023 HCA Film Awards

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt

  • Headshot of Jeff Daniels

    Jeff Daniels

  • Headshot Of Matthew Goode

    Matthew Goode

  • Headshot Of Isla Fisher

    Isla Fisher

Main Genre

Crime

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

One of the most underrated movies of the 2000s, The Lookout is a thrilling crime film that follows a star high school football player named Chris Pratt (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) whose life is changed forever after an accident that causes him brain damage. He ends up working as a janitor at a bank and has to keep notes in order to help him remember things, and some of his former classmates take advantage of him to help them carry out a bank heist. Led by incredible performances across the board, The Lookout is a fantastic addition to the noir genre.

Carla Gugino is really great in The Lookout as Janet, Chris’ caseworker who is trying to help him through his memory loss and coming to terms with his lot in life. Gugino and Gordon-Levitt work off of each other well, and she does a great job of challenging him despite his limitations. It might not be the most substantial role in the film, but it is nice to see someone want to genuinely help Chris instead of take advantage of him.

7

Sin City (2005)

Carla Gugino as Lucille

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Sin City Movie Poster

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Sin City

R

Crime

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

7/10

6/10

Release Date

April 1, 2005

Runtime

124 minutes

Director

Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, Frank Miller

Writers

Frank Miller

Sequel(s)

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Cast

See All

Franchise(s)

Sin City

Budget

$40 Million

Studio(s)

MiraMax

Distributor(s)

MiraMax

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Like the other Frank Miller adaptations that came out in the same era, Sin City is visually stunning and ambitious in its storytelling. The movie faithfully recreates Miller’s iconic artwork, as its monochrome palette with splashes of color is beautiful to witness in each frame. However, Sin City‘s anthology-style narrative is impressive in its own right, weaving together tales of various characters and their violent escapades, with a stacked cast of actors to bring the stories to life.

Carla Gugino fits right into Frank Miller’s unique world, as she plays Lucille, the friend of Mickey Rourke’s Marv, who also happens to be his parole officer. She is also the lawyer of Bruce Willis’ Detective Hartigan. Lucille’s place in Sin City is marred by violence as she is preyed on by the mute serial killer, Kevin. It can be tough to watch, but Gugino’s performance as Lucille is incredible.

6

The Fall Of The House Of Usher (2023)

Carla Gugino as Verna

TV Show

My Favorite TV Shows
My Watchlist

Success!

The Fall of the Hosue of Usher TV Poster

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

The Fall of the House of Usher

TV-MA

Drama

Horror

ScreenRant logo

7/10

7.6/10

Release Date

2023 – 2022

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Mike Flanagan

Directors

Mike Flanagan, Michael Fimognari

Writers

Mike Flanagan

Cast

See All

  • Headshot oF Carla Gugino

    Carla Gugino

    Roderick Usher

  • Headshot Of Bruce Greenwood

    Bruce Greenwood

    C. Auguste Dupin

Character(s)

Roderick Usher, C. Auguste Dupin, Verna, Dupin’s Legal Aid, Arthur Pym, Doctor Donaldson, William Longfellow, Longfellow’s Wife, EPA Attorney #2, Morella Usher, Female Partier #3, Vinnie, Doctor Alessandra Ruiz, Tamerlane Usher, Young Roderick Usher, Male Partier #2, Camille L’Espanaye, Tamerlane’s Bodyguard, William ‘Bill-T’ Wilson, Young Madeline Usher, Younger Madeline, Younger Roderick, Jenny, Annabel Lee, Detective

Producers

Kathy Gilroy, Michael Fimognari, Trevor Macy, Mike Flanagan, Melinda Nishioka, Morgan Beggs

Seasons

1

Story By

Edgar Allan Poe

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Mike Flanagan’s collaboration with Netflix proved incredibly fruitful, as the horror director delivered some truly incredible movies and shows for the streamer, with The Fall of the House of Usher being his most recent, and his last for the moment. The series is loosely based on the various works of Edgar Allan Poe, and it revolves around the Usher family and the events that led to the death of all six children in the family.

Madeline, Verna, and Tamerlane in The Fall of the House Usher against a multi-colored background featuring a clock

Related

The Fall Of The House Of Usher Season 2: Will It Happen? Everything We Know

There are no plans to bring The Fall of the House of Usher season 2 to Netflix anytime soon, but Mike Flanagan can still continue the miniseries.

Posts

Carla Gugino has had several collaborations with Mike Flanagan and his Netflix projects, and she continued to prove just how well she works with him with her role in The Fall of the House of Usher. She plays Verna throughout the series, a mysterious woman from the Usher twins’ past who can take on various forms, most notably a raven, as she preys on all the Ushers. It’s so enjoyable to see Gugino play a role like Verna as she does a remarkable job with it, with her being incredibly alluring as a mysterious figure.

5

Manhunt: Deadly Games (2020)

Carla Gugino as Kathy Scruggs

TV Show

My Favorite TV Shows
My Watchlist

Success!

0511923_poster_w780.jpg

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Manhunt

TV-MA

Crime

Mystery

Drama

Release Date

2017 – 2019

Network

Discovery, Spectrum

Directors

Michael Dinner, Ali Selim, Janice Cooke

Writers

Andrew Sodroski, Allison Moore

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Arliss Howard

    Arliss Howard

    Earl Embry

  • Headshot oF Carla Gugino

    Carla Gugino

    Kathy Scruggs

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Gregory Alan Williams

    Judge Garland Burrell

  • Headshot Of Mark Duplass

    Mark Duplass

    David Kaczynski

Character(s)

Earl Embry, Kathy Scruggs, Judge Garland Burrell, David Kaczynski, Dr. Charles Epstein, Ted Kaczynski, Theresa Oakes, Louis Freeh, Sandy, Jack Brennan, Linda Patrik, Richard Jewell, Hooligan, Jim ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald, Don Ackerman, Eric Rudolph, Stan Cole, Andy Genelli, Joe Holliwell, Natalie, Frank McAlpine, Stacey Knox, Bobi Jewell, FBI Agent, Young Ted

Producers

Dana Brunetti, David A. Rosemont, Greg Yaitanes, John Goldwyn, Kevin Spacey, Nick Schenk, Steven Katz, Ross Jacobson, Troy Searer, Michael Fischler

Seasons

2

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Initially envisioned as a miniseries, Manhunt ended up being two different seasons, telling different stories. Manhunt: Deadly Games was the second season of the show, and it revolved around the hunt for Eric Rudolph, the Centennial Olympic Park Bomber, after the blame was originally placed against Richard Jewell, a security guard, during the Summer Olympics. Despite it being dramatized, Manhunt remained quite faithful to the true stories it was exploring, making it a great addition to the true-crime shows that have become increasingly popular.

Carla Gugino joined the series for Manhunt: Deadly Games, as she played Kathy Scruggs, the reporter who broke the story that authorities were looking at Richard Jewell as the primary suspect in the bombing. This in turn kicked off a media firestorm that greatly affected Jewell and his life. Playing loose with some of the accuracies regarding Kathy Scruggs, Gugino plays her role perfectly, highlighting the relentlessness of journalism to break a major story.

4

Jett (2019)

Carla Gugino as Daisy “Jett” Kowalski

TV Show

My Favorite TV Shows
My Watchlist

Success!

Jett

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Jett

TV-MA

Crime

Drama

Thriller

Release Date

2019 – 2018

Cast

See All

  • Headshot oF Carla Gugino

    Carla Gugino

  • Headshot Of Elena Anaya

    Elena Anaya

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Michael Aronov

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Gaite Jansen

Creator(s)

Sebastian Gutierrez

Main Genre

Crime

Seasons

1

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Following a world-class thief who is forced back into that life after leaving it and getting out of prison, Jett is a showcase for Carla Gugino’s incredible talent. The series is a fantastic addition to the noir genre that is quite stylish and consistently violent, making it highly entertaining from start to finish. It’s elevated by the impressive action set pieces featured frequently throughout.

Gugino shines as the titular character, as she is given a lot to work with both in terms of narrative choices, and the physicality that her character embodies. Daisy “Jett” Kowalski proves time and again her skills as a thief, despite being reluctant to go back into that world following her time in prison. It’s one of Gugino’s most demanding roles, and she rises to the challenge extremely well, as Jett is an incredible character throughout the show.

3

Spy Kids (2001)

Carla Gugino as Ingrid Cortez

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

44eklfdthyone4hagzpgxekeg8n.jpg

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Spy Kids

PG

Adventure

Action

Comedy

Release Date

April 4, 2001

Runtime

88 Minutes

Director

Robert Rodriguez

Writers

Robert Rodriguez

Cast

See All

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Alexa PenaVega

  • Headshot Of Daryl Sabara

    Daryl Sabara

  • Headshot Of Antonio Banderas

    Antonio Banderas

  • Headshot oF Carla Gugino

    Carla Gugino

Main Genre

Adventure

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Though the franchise has had its ups and downs over the years, the original Spy Kids was a remarkable achievement that often feels like lightning in a bottle. Written, directed, co-produced, edited, and co-composed by Robert Rodriguez, Spy Kids focused on two kids who become spies in an attempt to save their ex-spy parents from an evil mastermind. The movie lovingly embraces the tropes of the spy genre while carving its own path as a family-friendly adventure anyone can truly enjoy. It’s just so much fun.

Spy Kids Movie Franchise

Spy Kids

2001

Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams

2002

Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over

2003

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World

2011

Spy Kids: Armageddon

2023

Despite appearing in various roles over a decade before Spy Kids came out, Carla Gugino began to gain wider recognition beginning with her role in the film. She plays Ingrid Cortez in the movie, wife to Antonio Banderas’ Gregorio Cortez, and mother to Juni and Carmen Cortez, the main characters. Ingrid is an awesome character, holding her own in terms of skills against her husband, while also being a loving mother and wife.

2

Gerald’s Game (2017)

Carla Gugino as Jessie Burlingame

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

01146194_poster_w780.jpg

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Gerald’s Game

NR

Horror

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

8/10

8/10

Release Date

September 29, 2017

Runtime

104 minutes

Director

Mike Flanagan

Writers

Mike Flanagan

Producers

D. Scott Lumpkin, Matt Levin, Trevor Macy

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Bruce Greenwood

    Bruce Greenwood

    Gerald

  • Headshot oF Carla Gugino

    Carla Gugino

    Jessie

Gerald’s Game is a psychological thriller directed by Mike Flanagan, based on Stephen King’s novel. Released in 2017, it follows the story of Jessie, who, after a secluded encounter goes awry, must confront disturbing hallucinations and buried secrets while handcuffed to a bed in a remote cabin.

Character(s)

Gerald, Jessie, Tom, Young Jessie, Sally, Moonlight Man, Maddie, James, Judge, Court Clerk, Teenage Girl, Reporter #1, Reporter #2, Reporter #3, Court Officer #1, Court Officer #2, Corrections Officer, Prosecutor, Mobile Police Officer, Police Officer, TV News Reporter, Defense, Radio Reporter (voice), Line Reporter, Courtroom Guests (uncredited)

Budget

$35million

Studio(s)

Netflix

Distributor(s)

Netflix

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Mike Flanagan is one of the best modern horror movie directors, and he has proven to be really great at adapting Stephen King’s novels into incredible movies. Gerald’s Game is one of those, as it revolves around a woman who is left handcuffed to a bed following the abrupt death of her husband during a romantic getaway. She must find a way to survive while also battling some terrifying inner demons, a thrilling and suspenseful film.

Carla Gugino is asked to do a lot in Gerald’s Game as there are long stretches in the movie where it is just her acting by herself. She nails it, though, as it genuinely might be the best performance of her entire career. Her character, Jessie Burlingame, is incredibly layered and Gugino digs deep into her fears and what makes her tick. It’s a masterclass performance.

1

The Haunting Of Hill House (2018)

Carla Gugino as Olivia Crain

TV Show

My Favorite TV Shows
My Watchlist

Success!

The Haunting of Hill House

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

The Haunting of Hill House

TV-MA

Drama

Supernatural

Horror

ScreenRant logo

10/10

21

9.6/10

Release Date

2018 – 2017

Showrunner

Mike Flanagan

Directors

Mike Flanagan

Writers

Mike Flanagan

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Michiel Huisman In The Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's 'Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child Of Fire'

    Michiel Huisman

  • Headshot oF Carla Gugino

    Carla Gugino

Seasons

1

Story By

Shirley Jackson, Mike Flanagan

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Though Mike Flanagan had already done incredible work in his career, it was The Haunting of Hill House that truly catapulted him into wider recognition as one of the best horror directors working today. Borrowing loosely from Shirley Jackson’s novel of the same name, The Haunting of Hill House explores the lives of five siblings during two different time periods in their lives, as children and as adults. During their time at Hill House and after, each sibling is haunted by various things, both supernatural and personal. It’s heartbreaking, terrifying, and incredibly powerful.

haunting of hill house car scene jump scare with theo

Related

10 Best Horror Miniseries Of All Time, Ranked

These horror miniseries all have amazing performances, masterful direction, and terrifying stories combining to create masterpieces of television.

Posts

8

Carla Gugino is simply outstanding in The Haunting of Hill House as she plays Olivia Craine, one of the most tragic figures in the entire series, and Mike Flanagan’s filmography in general. Olivia is the matriarch of the Craine family who is most affected by the paranormal activity in the house, slowly succumbing to the darkness it instills in her until she tragically takes her life. It’s a heartbreaking portrait of a character that the whole story essentially revolves around, and Carla Gugino plays every aspect of her perfectly.

Headshot oF Carla Gugino

Carla Gugino

Birthdate

August 29, 1971

Birthplace

Sarasota, Florida, USA

Notable Projects

Night at the Museum, Gerald’s Game, San Andreas

Leave a Comment