Born in 1962 in Roswell, New Mexico, Demi Moore wasn’t raised in the most stable of households. Despite familial troubles, at the age of 19, Moore secured a regular role in the long-running soap opera General Hospital. From there, Moore rose to prominence as a member of “The Brat Pack”, a media-bunched group of young actors deemed rebellious and rough-edged. It was a reputation upheld by one of her earliest feature appearances in St. Elmo’s Fire. It was in 1990 that Moore became a household name after her lead role in Ghost, where she starred alongside Patrick Swayze.
Moore has established herself as one of Hollywood‘s most successful performers. Her filmography is extensive, and there’s plenty of variety within the roles she takes on. While her period of most prominence took place in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Moore has demonstrated that she still has the chops for acting following a Best Actress nomination at the 97th Academy Awards for her performance in The Substance. It’s time to take a look back at her expansive career and determine the 10 most essential Demi Moore movies.
10
‘Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle’ (2003)
Directed by McG
The team of superspies known as The Angels, including Natalie (Cameron Diaz), Dylan (Drew Barrymore) and Alex (Lucy Liu), are assigned their latest mission: to go undercover and retrieve a pair of silver bands that contain the identities of every person under the FBI’s Witness Protection Program. Standing in the trio’s way is Madison Lee (Demi Moore), a former Angel who harbors a deadly grudge.
To be clear, none of the Charlie’s Angels movies are high art, but that doesn’t mean they’re not entertaining slices of stylish spy action. Diaz, Barrymore and Liu are a dynamite trio, providing most of Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle‘s most amusing moments. However, it’s Moore as the villain who steals the show. She duel-wields golden Desert Eagle handguns and absolutely chews up the scenery. Even better, you can tell she’s having a blast while doing it.
Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
- Release Date
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June 27, 2003
- Runtime
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106 Minutes
- Writers
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Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts, John August, Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley
9
‘Margin Call’ (2011)
Directed by J. C. Chandor
An entry-level analyst for a respected New York-based investment firm, Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto), uncovers information about a financial disaster looming over the horizon. With the coming storm seemingly inevitable, employees and company executives enter a panicked race to save what they can, ethics and morals be damned.
Margin Call is a sturdy economic thriller and workplace drama that benefits from a stacked cast of Hollywood talent. For such an extensive ensemble, every performer must make their mark, and Moore does just that. While the movie is mostly dominated by male actors, Moore’s scenes are particularly riveting and memorable. On the whole, Margin Call is a blunt and effectively presented drama that showcases the disconnect often present between corporations and the public.
Margin Call
- Release Date
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February 11, 2011
- Runtime
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109 minutes
- Director
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J.C. Chandor
- Writers
-
J.C. Chandor
8
‘Indecent Proposal’ (1993)
Directed by Adrian Lyne
David Murphy (Woody Harrelson) and Diana Murphy (Demi Moore) share what could only be described as a perfect marriage. A nice house, stable jobs and undying affection. That’s also what they stand to lose once a recession threatens everything. After taking a trip to Vegas in hopes of saving their future, the couple is approached by billionaire John Gage (Robert Redford), who offers the couple a million dollars to spend a night with Diana.
Classy and trashy. Steamy yet shameless. They don’t really make movies like Indecent Proposal anymore. Perhaps audience sensibilities when it comes to entertainment have shifted over time, but either way, Indecent Proposal is a stirring dark romance that sees Moore channeling a seductiveness that she mastered in her acting run in the early 1990s. It’s a sensual movie that offers the excitement that comes along with that, but Indecent Proposal smartly handles its characters, making for a relatively engaging watch altogether.
Indecent Proposal
- Release Date
-
April 7, 1993
7
‘Disclosure’ (1994)
Directed by Barry Levinson
Computer specialist Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas) eagerly awaits a big promotion, but the position instead goes to Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore), Tom’s ex-girlfriend. When Meredith comes on to Tom in an attempt to rekindle an old flame, Tom sues her for sexual harassment. Tom will soon find out that the system is rigged against him, and Meredith looks to take him for everything he has.
For a period in movie history, Michael Douglas just couldn’t escape the clutches of dangerously manipulative movie women, and considering her rising popularity, it was only a matter of time before Moore had her turn. Disclosure is an unabashed guilty pleasure movie that, despite some diversions into goofy camp, isn’t too far detached from reality. Disclosure is easy to get wrapped up in, and while it may not leave much of an impression, Moore’s conniving is fun to watch.
Disclosure (1994)
- Release Date
-
December 9, 1994
- Runtime
-
128 minutes
- Writers
-
Paul Attanasio
6
‘Striptease’ (1996)
Directed by Andrew Bergman
Secretary for the FBI, Erin Grant (Demi Moore), loses her job and the custody of her child as a result of her husband’s criminal record as a drug dealer. Looking to make some extra money in order to appeal the court’s custody verdict, Grant takes a job as a dancer at the local strip bar. Grant gets caught up in a blackmail case after a violent interaction with a U.S. congressman.
Striptease is a genre blender that doesn’t always work— the attempts at comedy in a narrative centered around a custody battle come across as more than a little misguided and confused. Yet, Moore (quite literally) bears it all and turns in a compelling lead performance. There’s fun to be had in a movie this trashy and tawdry; Striptease is a chapter in Moore’s filmography that shouldn’t be glossed over.
Striptease
- Release Date
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June 23, 1996
- Runtime
-
117 Minutes
5
‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ (1985)
Directed by Joel Schumacher
A group of seven friends: Alec (Judd Nelson), Billy (Rob Lowe), Wendy (Mare Winningham), Kirby (Emilio Estevez), Kevin (Andrew McCarthy), Leslie (Ally Sheedy) and Jules (Demi Moore) are fresh out of college and starting out in their respective careers. Together, they navigate the highs and lows that come along with adult responsibilities.
For Moore, St. Elmo’s Fire is the one that started it all. This is a movie that’s joyfully aimless—speaking to the youth of today, St. Elmo’s Fire gets by on “vibes” alone. Individual viewers’ mileage may vary with a coming-of-age drama like this; after all, St. Elmo’s Fire is a movie about the woes of a group of somewhat spoiled teenagers. Yet, this is also where the film derives its charm. It’s charming, comfy and sensibly cast.
St. Elmo’s Fire
- Release Date
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June 28, 1985
- Runtime
-
110 Minutes
4
‘G.I. Jane’ (1997)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Lieutenant Jordan O’Neill (Demi Moore) serves the United States Navy as a topographic analyst. When Jordan is assigned to act as a female trainee to integrate into the male-dominated Navy SEALs training program, nobody believes that she will make it through. Jordan makes it her mission in life to prove them all wrong.
While G.I. Jane is most well known for being the punchline of that Chris Rock joke, it’s still a masterfully directed and compelling piece of work by director Ridley Scott that features an especially physical performance from Moore. Coming off a series of roles in which Moore played the bombshell, it must’ve been refreshing (for audiences and Moore herself) to get down in the mud and sweat. G.I. Jane is carried on the shoulders of Moore— the movie simply wouldn’t have worked without this degree of conviction.
G.I. Jane
- Release Date
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August 22, 1997
- Runtime
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125 minutes
- Writers
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David Twohy, Danielle Alexandra
3
‘A Few Good Men’ (1992)
Directed by Rob Reiner
Military lawyer Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is assigned a case that will have him defending two Marines charged with the murder of a fellow soldier. Being his first proper case, Kaffee initiates an investigation with the help of Lt. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore). The pair seek to pin the murder on Colonel Jessep (Jack Nicholson), believing him to have spurred on a hazing ritual that led to the private’s death.
A Few Good Men is an essential legal drama that stands out as one of the best movies of the 1990s. This is a movie that’s competently constructed in pretty much every aspect, from the sharp screenplay to the strong performances from an all-star cast. Moore isn’t overshadowed by the veteran presence of Hollywood legend Nicholson or the stoic charisma of Cruise. She commands every scene she’s in, playing perfectly off her co-stars and carving out one of her more full-bodied characters in the process.
2
‘Ghost’ (1990)
Directed by Jerry Zucker
Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore) are the perfect example of a happy, young couple. After Sam is murdered in what appears to be a random act of violence, he finds himself trapped in a state of ghostly limbo. However, Sam learns that his killing was not just by chance, as he tries in any way he can to communicate with and warn Molly from the other side.
Ghost is the movie that both put Moore’s name on the map and generated one of the veteran actress’ most tender and vulnerable performances. The grief, anger and romantic longing are palpable, making for a thoroughly engaging romantic drama. For an effort so early in her career, Moore’s confidence is impressive; there isn’t a moment when she doesn’t sell the complex emotions of bereavement. In terms of showcasing range and forwarding her career, Moore made the right impression at the right time.
1
‘The Substance’ (2024)
Directed by Coralie Fargeat
After turning 50 years old, actress Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) falls victim to the vicious Hollywood cycle where stars past their prime are discarded and forgotten about. Looking to combat her fading relevancy, Sparkle experiments with the ominously-named “Substance”: a black-market drug that promises a better, younger version of one’s self. Sparkle will soon come to learn that perfection comes at a steep price.
Far removed from her Hollywood domination of the ’90s, Moore made one hell of an audacious comeback with The Substance. Both within the world of the movie and the meta-commentary that speaks to real-world parallels, Moore was the perfect choice for The Substance. Despite being Moore’s most recent performance, this may very well be her best. The Substance earned the actress her very first Academy Award nomination, and considering how excellent Moore was in the movie, one can only hope that this level of praise compels her to take on more roles in the near future.
