It is 2026, and you cannot walk into a coffee shop or scroll through a feed without hearing a Sabrina Carpenter hook. She is everywhere. But here is the thing that kind of drives me crazy: people talk about her like she just fell out of the sky in 2024 with a cup of espresso in her hand.
Honestly? That couldn't be further from the truth.
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Before the record-breaking albums Short n' Sweet and the recently dropped Man's Best Friend, Sabrina was grinding in front of a camera for over a decade. Most fans know her as Maya Hart from Girl Meets World, but her filmography is actually this weird, eclectic mix of indie dramas, Netflix comedies, and surprisingly gritty thrillers. If you only know her from her music videos, you’re missing half the story.
The Breakthrough: More Than Just a Disney Sidekick
Look, we have to acknowledge the Disney of it all. For three years, she played the "rebellious best friend" on the Disney Channel. It’s the classic launching pad. But while most Disney kids struggle to break that mold, Sabrina was already picking projects that felt... different.
Take the 2018 film The Hate U Give.
She played Hailey, and honestly, she was infuriating. That’s a compliment. Playing a character that embodies casual, systemic microaggressions in a heavy social drama isn't exactly the "safe" choice for a teen idol. It showed she had the range to be unlikable, which is a massive asset for an actor.
Then there’s The Short History of the Long Road (2019).
This is the one nobody talks about, and it's probably her best performance. She plays Nola, a girl living out of a van with her father. It’s quiet. It’s dusty. There are no catchy choruses or glittery outfits. She won the Jury Award for Best Performance at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival for this role. It proved she didn't need a high-concept premise to carry a movie; she just needed a script and a van.
Why Her Netflix Era Actually Worked
Between 2019 and 2022, Sabrina became a bit of a Netflix staple. You've probably seen them.
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- Work It (2020): She didn't just star in this; she executive produced it. It's a dance comedy, sure, but she brought a specific kind of awkward, Type-A energy to Quinn Ackerman that felt more "real human" than "movie protagonist."
- Tall Girl & Tall Girl 2: She played Harper Kreyman. In these, she’s basically the comic relief, playing a pageant queen who is significantly shorter than her sister. It's meta. It's funny. It also leaned into her real-life height, which fans find endearing.
- Clouds (2020): This one is a tear-jerker. Based on the true story of Zach Sobiech, she played Sammy Brown. It was the first time we really saw her blend her two worlds perfectly, performing original songs like "Blueberries" that actually served the narrative rather than just being a "pop star cameo."
Sabrina Carpenter in Movies: The 2026 Comeback
After a three-year hiatus where she basically took over the music industry, Sabrina is finally heading back to the big screen. And she’s doing it on her own terms.
The big news for 2026 is her upcoming Alice in Wonderland musical with Universal Pictures.
This isn't just another remake. She’s producing it under her own banner, and Lorene Scafaria—the mind behind Hustlers—is set to direct. It’s reportedly a "passion project" she spent a year pitching. This is a massive power move. Instead of waiting for a studio to cast her in a generic rom-com, she’s architecting a big-budget musical that fits her specific "Short n' Sweet" aesthetic.
We also have her hosting the new Muppet Show special on Disney+. It sounds niche, but if you've seen her A Nonsense Christmas special, you know she thrives in that variety-show, slightly chaotic environment.
The "Emergency" Shift
We can't talk about her acting without mentioning Emergency (2022).
It premiered at Sundance and it’s a dark, stressful comedy-thriller about race and panic. Sabrina plays Maddy, a girl searching for her sister. It’s a small role, but it’s high-tension. It’s the kind of movie that signals to directors: "I’m not just a pop star; I can handle a Sundance script."
Critics like Matt Zoller Seitz have noted her ability to stay grounded even when a plot gets absurd. That’s a rare skill. Most actors either go too big or get swallowed by the tone. She just... fits.
Is She an Actress or a Singer First?
In a recent interview with Variety, she basically said music is her "No. 1" and acting is her "No. 1½."
That’s a fair assessment.
The reality is that her acting informs her music. Her music videos for "Taste" and "Please Please Please" are basically mini-movies. They have better art direction and comedic timing than most network sitcoms. She uses her acting chops to sell the "character" of Sabrina Carpenter, the pop star.
But don't be fooled—the film industry isn't done with her. As she moves into her late 20s, the "child star" stigma is effectively dead. She’s now in that rare category of "multi-hyphenate" where the movies aren't a side quest; they're a part of the brand.
What to Watch Next
If you want to actually see what she can do beyond the "Espresso" memes, here is how you should catch up:
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- Watch The Short History of the Long Road first. It will completely change how you view her talent. It's the "serious actor" benchmark.
- Queue up Emergency on Prime Video. It’s a great movie regardless of whether you’re a fan of her music.
- Check out Work It for the vibes. It’s the best of her "teen" movie era because she actually had creative control.
- Keep an eye on the Alice in Wonderland updates. With Marc Platt (the Wicked producer) involved, it’s likely going to be the biggest movie event of her career.
The transition from Disney to global superstardom is a minefield, but by picking smart, varied roles in movies, Sabrina Carpenter didn't just survive it—she owned it.
By the time the Alice in Wonderland musical hits theaters, the conversation won't be about "the singer who acts." It'll just be about a powerhouse who happens to do both at an elite level.
Stay updated on her production company's upcoming slate, as she's reportedly looking to option more literary adaptations for herself to star in through late 2026 and 2027.