“The Substance” has paved the way for what could be Demi Moore’s first Oscar, but as the actress has candidly shared during her award season sweep, the road to this career-defining moment has been long. With her beautifully expressive face and uniquely gravelly voice, Moore has actually been capturing moviegoing audiences’ attention and admiration for decades, starting in the 1980s when she ran with the Brat Pack. Moore’s career can even be used as a guide for a walk down Hollywood memory lane. In order of release, here are some of her most quintessential screen performances:
‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ (1985) After a handful of roles in smaller films and two years on “General Hospital,” Moore hit it big with this similarly soapy Brat Pack film, in which she portrayed Jules, a fun-loving but somewhat unstable party girl who secretly does care what her absentee dad and “stepmonster” think. For those gunning for a sequel, there’s reason to be cautiously optimistic, at least according to Moore’s costar Rob Lowe.
‘Ghost’ (1990) With her pageboy haircut and look of bottomless grief, Moore redefined the role of a leading lady for 90’s audiences in this blockbuster supernatural thriller/romance hybrid. When it comes to classic Hollywood romance, few moments compare to the provocative pottery scene she shared with Patrick Swayze, set to the timeless “Unchained Melody.”
‘Indecent Proposal’ (1993) Along with “A Few Good Men” (which deserves an honorable mention on this list), “Proposal” was Moore’s most successful followup after the hit “Ghost.” It became a pop-culture phenomenon in its own right thanks to Moore’s chemistry with both Woody Harrelson and Robert Redford, with a little help from the incredible track “No Ordinary Love” by Sade.
‘Disclosure’ (1994) While definitely a bit dated through the lens of 2025, Moore stole the show in this twisty corporate thriller based on a Michael Crichton novel that saw her play a vindictive executive who commits sexual harassment against her male subordinate (Michael Douglas).
‘Now and Then’ (1995) This beloved dramedy followed four female friends both as adults and children, with much of the story told in flashback and narrated by Moore. Costarring Rosie O’Donnell, Rita Wilson, Melanie Griffith, Christina Ricci and Thora Birch, among others, love for this buddy movie – and the love these actresses have for each other – remains strong to this day.
‘G.I. Jane’ (1997) Moore continued to dominate the 1990s with this physically demanding and mold-breaking performance, in which she played the first female Navy SEAL. The Ridley Scott-directed film also showcased Moore’s chiseled appearance with a shaved head that marked the totality of her transformation.
‘Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle’ (2003) In what could be considered her Bond villain moment, Moore switched gears and played a bad guy who gave new meaning to the term badass in this successful franchise followup. Starring
