That same year, Bullock took the lead role of a medical engineer and astronaut in the science fiction thriller ‘Gravity’ alongside the iconic George Clooney. The film revolves around a group of American astronauts who are stranded in space after the destruction of their Space Shuttle, and their attempt to return to Earth.
Gravity opened to raving reviews for its incredible acting and visual effects, leading it to become one of 2013’s best films. T Bullock was paid $20 million for her role in “Gravity,” with an additional 15% of box office revenue, which got her at least $70 million, not to mention a second Academy Award nomination.
The Blind Side Was Another Breakthrough Film for Bullock
In 2009, Bullocks starred in the American biographical sports drama film 'The Blind Side', based on the 2006 book by the same name. The film follows Michael Oher, a black football player, and his adopted parent Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock. The film was very successful. and grossed over $300 million making it her most successful domestic movie and the first one in history to pass the US$200 million mark with only one top-rated female star.
Despite its financial success, the film received mixed reviews, with critics praising Sandra Bullock's performance. She went on to receive various awards for the role. She received Best Actress in the Critic’s Choice Awards to Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role during the Screen Actors Guild Awards. There was more to come as Bullock's biggest success in Hollywood was still just around the corner.
Her 2013 Comeback, “The Heat”, Was a HUGE Success
Bullock ended her 2-year hiatus with the buddy cop comedy 'The Heat', which went on to gross $230 million worldwide against a budget of only $43 million. It was a huge box-office hit for our wonderful actress.
The film tells the story of FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn and Boston Detective Shannon Mullins, and their quest to take down a mobster in Boston. The chemistry between the 2 main actresses, Bullock and McCarthy was highly praised by the critics, which lead to the film receiving the award for Best Movie Chemistry at the Teen Choice Awards.
Her Next Film Made Even More Money Than Gravity
Bullock's next film was 'Minions". The film grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide and quickly became the Oscar-winning actress’s highest-grossing film to date. Critics praised the comedic aspects of the animated film and the vocal performances of Bullock as the film’s villain, Scarlet Overkill, but felt that the title characters were not able to carry the film on their own.
She then played Jane Bodine, a retired political consultant hired by an unpopular Bolivian politician to help him win the presidential election in the political comedy-drama film, 'Our Brand Is Crisis, before taking another sabbatical that lasted until her return only a few years later.
In 2018, Bullock’s Films Grossed More Than $5 Billion Total
Bullock returned in 2018 from her sabbatical in the all-female Ocean’s Eleven spin-offs, Ocean 8. She played leading lady Debbie Ocean, the sister of Danny Ocean, who helps plan a sophisticated heist of the annual Met Gala in New York City. Despite receiving bland reviews from critics, the film was a commercial success grossing US$296.9 million globally.
Bullock’s total box-office revenue generated from her movies officially passed the $5 billion mark after the release of 'Ocean 8', making her one of the highest-grossing actresses in Hollywood. She recently partnered with Netflix to play in one of the year’s anticipated post-apocalyptic horror films, 'Bird Box'.