Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Vinessa Shaw, actor
Actor

Vinessa Shaw: Movies & Box Office

films
19
on screen
1981–2025
box office
$85.4M
average score
43
Born
July 19, 1976 (age 50)
Birthplace
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Full name
Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw
Citizenship
American
Occupations
Actress, model
Years active
1981-present
Spouses
Kristopher Gifford
Children
1
Known for

The Best Vinessa Shaw Movies

The highest-rated films Vinessa Shaw is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. 12 Mighty Orphans (2021) scores highest, at 72. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.

Full ranking
Career at a glance

Vinessa Shaw's Career in Numbers

Vinessa Shaw's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Vinessa Shaw works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Home Sweet Home (1981) to The Wilderness (2025), and the 2010s were the busiest decade.

Vinessa Shaw Movies by Decade

  1. 1980s 1
  2. 1990s 4
  3. 2000s 4
  4. 2010s 5
  5. 2020s 4

The 2010s were Vinessa Shaw's busiest decade, with 5 films.

Vinessa Shaw Movies by Genre

  • Drama 6
  • Adventure 2
  • Mystery 2
  • Horror 2
  • Comedy 2
  • History 1
  • Thriller 1
  • Fantasy 1
  • Sport 1

Drama is the genre Vinessa Shaw has worked in most, with 6 films, ahead of adventure (2).

Vinessa Shaw Career Milestones

First film
Home Sweet Home 1981
Biggest box office hit
Hocus Pocus $48.7M worldwide
Best-rated film
12 Mighty Orphans Movie Echo Score 72
Newest film
The Wilderness 2025
19 credits

Vinessa Shaw Filmography: Every Movie

Every film Vinessa Shaw is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 43. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

Biography

Who Is Vinessa Shaw?

Vinessa Shaw was born in Los Angeles, California, U.S. in 1976 and is 50 years old. Credited on films since 1981, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw (born July 19, 1976) is an esteemed American film actress and model. Originally from Los Angeles, California, she began her acting career as a child artist, breaking into the mainstream with her role in Disney's comedic fantasy, Hocus Pocus, in 1993. Simultaneously, Shaw made appearances in other films such as Ladybugs (1992) and L.A. Without a Map (1998). While attending Pitzer College, she bagged a supporting role in Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut (1999), a pivotal point that motivated her to extend her acting career into adulthood. Subsequent roles include her performances in the comedy 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002), the drama Two Lovers (2008), and the 2006 remake of Wes Craven's horror film The Hills Have Eyes. Over the years, she has also been a supporting cast member in the Showtime drama Ray Donovan, and led the 2017 horror thriller Clinical as Dr. Jane Mathis.

Shaw made her film debut in a slasher film, Home Sweet Home in 1981, making headway in various television roles. She, later on, went on to work with numerous reputable figures in the film industry, including the likes of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, and Omri Katz among others. In 1998, she dabbled in education at Barnard College in New York City, but decided to focus her energies on her burgeoning acting career. An interesting trivia about her is that Shaw's original surname, 'Schwartz', traces back to her Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.

Works with

Who Vinessa Shaw Makes Movies With

The actors and directors Vinessa Shaw shares the most films with. Bette Midler comes first, with 2 films together, followed by Kathy Najimy (2).

FAQ

Vinessa Shaw: Questions & Answers

How many movies Vinessa Shaw has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has Vinessa Shaw been in?

Vinessa Shaw is credited on 19 films, from 1981 to 2025. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is Vinessa Shaw's highest-grossing movie?

Hocus Pocus (1993) is Vinessa Shaw's biggest box office hit, with $48.7M worldwide, ahead of Two Lovers (2009) ($16.3M). Across every film with box office figures, Vinessa Shaw's movies have made $85.4M.

Vinessa Shaw's biggest hits

What is the best Vinessa Shaw movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Vinessa Shaw's best-rated film is 12 Mighty Orphans (2021) with a score of 72, followed by The Blazing World (2021) (38).

Best Vinessa Shaw movies, ranked

How old is Vinessa Shaw?

Vinessa Shaw is 50 years old, born on July 19, 1976 in Los Angeles, California, U.S..

What is Vinessa Shaw's newest movie?

The most recent film on Vinessa Shaw's filmography is The Wilderness (2025), in the role of Audrey.

Who does Vinessa Shaw work with most often?

Vinessa Shaw shares the most films with Bette Midler (2 films), Kathy Najimy (2 films) and Sarah Jessica Parker (2 films).

The Best Vinessa Shaw Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 19 credits.

See the ranking

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app