Sofia Carson’s transition from being a beloved child star on the Disney Channel to being one of the most compelling leading ladies on Netflix is the stuff that fairy tales are made of. Whether singing and dancing her way through scenes, using her dancing skills to get through tough times and emotional scenes, and even taking on dramatic roles, Sofia Carson is the epitome of talent and charm. She has proven herself to be more than just a pretty face in the entertainment industry. Here are 10 of the best movies and TV shows featuring Sofia Carson.
10. The Life List (2025)
This heartfelt Netflix movie, starring Sofia Carson as Alex, a young woman trying to pick up the pieces of her life after the death of her mother, has a lot to offer its audience. Based on the novel by Lori Nelson Spielman, the movie has a lot of romantic, comical, and emotional components to its storyline. Sofia Carson gives a genuine performance as Alex, which makes this movie stand out as one of her more down-to-earth roles to date.
9. Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists (2019)
Sofia Carson portrays a more mature image as Ava Jalali, a stylish tech genius with her own secrets to keep. This spin-off series explores the intrigue and scandals of Beacon Heights, which Sofia portrays well as a strong yet vulnerable character. This was a defining period in Sofia’s career, as she demonstrated to the world beyond Disney that she was capable of playing complex storylines with ease.
8. Feel the Beat (2020)
In this Netflix feel-good comedy, she stars as April, a dancer whose Broadway dreams fall apart, forcing her to return home and train a group of quirky young dancers. The movie is uplifting, heartwarming, and packed full of charm. Carson’s dancing, comedic timing, and heartfelt delivery make it a standout family film and one of her most lovable roles.
7. Songbird (2020)
Carson ventures into dystopian sci-fi as Sara Garcia, a woman living under strict lockdown during a deadly pandemic. The role is tense and emotional, quite dramatically different from her earlier work. She brings to the role of Sara a quiet strength, showing that she can really survive through more intense genres, delivering performances with layers of fear, hope, and resilience.
6. A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits (2016)
This modern musical take on the Cinderella story is a perfect vehicle for Carson’s singing, dancing, and acting. As Tessa Golding, she disguises herself to compete in a musical competition and brings both humor and heart to the role. It’s a sweet and uplifting film that helped to cement her reputation as a triple threat.
5. My Little Pony: A New Generation (2021)
Carson steps in behind the microphone, voicing Pipp Petals, a peppy pegasus pop star. Full of personality and musical flair, her voice work helps revive this beloved franchise for a new generation. She’s energetic, fun, and a hit with younger viewers; proof that her charm translates effortlessly to animation.
4. Descendants 2 (2017)
Returning as Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen, Carson shines even brighter in this sequel. The movie develops Evie’s character more, showing her growth from a fashion-obsessed princess to a compassionate and confident leader. Along with some memorable musical numbers such as “Chillin’ Like a Villain,” Carson proves why her character became one of the franchise’s most popular.
3. Purple Hearts (2022)
One of Carson’s most defining roles, Purple Hearts features her as Cassie Salazar, a musician who enters a marriage of convenience with a Marine. With Carson leading the movie with its emotional depth, she also executive-produced the project and contributed to its hit soundtrack. With massive streaming numbers and an MTV Award–winning song, this film marked a major milestone in her career.
2. Carry-On (2024)
Carson steps into the territory of action-thriller as Nora Parisi, an operations director at LAX who finds herself in the midst of a dangerous terrorist plot. Her performance brings both intensity and emotional grounding to this character, earning her praise for bringing real heart to a very high-tension story. It’s a bold, genre-expanding role that further showcases her dramatic range.
1. Descendants (2015)
The role that started it all: Evie. As the stylish and lovable daughter of the Evil Queen, Carson quickly stole the hearts of Disney fans around the world. With charm, humor, and a powerful voice, she helped make Descendants a global phenomenon. Evie remains one of Disney Channel’s most iconic modern characters and the launchpad for Carson’s skyrocketing career.
From magical kingdoms to high-stakes thrillers, Sofia Carson continues to prove that she is a force to be reckoned with. Whether she’s crooning a poignant ballad, playing a dramatic lead, or simply lighting up the screen with charisma, she brings passion into every role. And if her career so far is any indication, she’s only just getting started.