Published on October 17, 2018
Celebrate Carrie Fisher’s birthday with her best film performances, streaming nowPhoto: Lucasfilm

The late, great Carrie Fisher was taken from this world too soon. Sunday, October 21 would have been the 62nd birthday of the legendary actress, and the best way to honor her is to enjoy the legacy she left on film.

Fisher did much more than appear in the “Star Wars” movies, and played brilliant, witty characters as memorable as Princess Leia. To celebrate her birthday, catch some of her best performances in six movies that you can stream right now.

1. Star Wars: A New Hope / The Last Jedi

Fisher will always best be known as Princess (and later General) Leia Organa. As the fiery diplomat in the original trilogy of films, she inspired girls everywhere to be as strong and smart as Leia. And she made up one half of what was among the most iconic couples in movie history: Leia and Han Solo.

In 2017’s “The Last Jedi,” the last movie she appeared in, Fisher cemented Leia as a forceful leader that the Empire must surely regret going up against. For the third film, director J.J. Abrams will reportedly use footage of Fisher to complete Leia’s journey in the saga.

"A New Hope" is available for purchase on Amazon, while "The Last Jedi" is available to stream on Netflix.

2. Shampoo

Before Fisher became famous for “Star Wars,” she had a minor role in this 1975 satire about a hairdresser who gets caught up in romantic intrigue with his wealthy lover and her husband.

Fisher played the daughter of that couple, and even though she was just a teen, she earned positive notice for her debut performance. That directly led to George Lucas casting her in “A New Hope” just two years later.

"Shampoo" is available to rent or buy on Amazon.

3. When Harry Met Sally

Though Fisher played neither Harry nor Sally, she totally stole the show from the 1989 romantic comedy’s two stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. As Sally’s sarcastic and honest best friend Marie, Fisher tossed out line after memorable line. And she gave the best advice: “All I'm saying is that somewhere out there is the man you are supposed to marry. And if you don't get him first, somebody else will, and you'll have to spend the rest of your life knowing that somebody else is married to your husband.”

"When Harry Met Sally" is available for purchase from Amazon.

4. The ‘Burbs

This 1989 comedy thriller marked the second time Fisher worked with America’s other sweetheart, Tom Hanks, after their 1985 appearance in “The Man With One Red Shoe.” In the movie, Hanks has suspicions about his mysterious new neighbors, while his wife (Fisher) can barely refrain from rolling her eyes. Much like Princess Leia, Carol Peterson is completely no-nonsense and ready to school the foolish men around her.

"The 'Burbs" is available to stream on Hulu.

5. The Blues Brothers

Fisher toyed with her image as the good-hearted Leia by taking on this role in between “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” She played the Mystery Woman hell-bent on getting revenge against ex-fiancee John Belushi. Rockets are fired, bombs are detonated, machine guns go off: it's a very different look from that of Leia, but just as badass.

"The Blues Brothers" is available to stream on Showtime Anytime.

Need more Carrie in your life? Check out her semi-autobiographical novel "Postcards from the Edge," as well as the film version, also written by Fisher, and starring Meryl StreepShirley MacLaine, and Dennis Quaid.