Most families are lucky to have one member make a career for themselves in Hollywood, let alone two. Zooey and Emily Deschanel are sisters who did just that. Of course, it can't hurt to have an Academy Award-nominated cinematographer for a father and an actress for a mother. Zooey made a name for herself in a string of successful movies through the early 2000s before becoming the star of the popular FOX series, New Girl.
She's also enjoyed a high-profile singing career as part of the musical duo She & Him. Emily's career followed a very similar path to her younger sister. She started in film, with most of her roles in movies released through the late '90s and early 2000s. Emily is best known for her leading role in the FOX crime drama, Bones. So, where do their movies rank on IMBd?
Zooey: Elf (2003) - 7.0
A beloved holiday favorite, Elf tells the story of Buddy (Will Ferrell), an orphan who mistakenly finds his way to the North Pole where he's taken in by elves and raised as one of their own. As an adult, Buddy travels through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and through the Lincoln Tunnel to find his real father ( James Caan). Along the way, he meets Jovie (Zooey), who has a beautiful singing voice and an apparent affinity for elf culture that Buddy finds irresistible. Zooey displays her singing talents in the movie and with a fantastic rendition of Baby, It's Cold Outside with the late Leon Redbone during the end credits.
Zooey: Bridge to Terabithia (2007) - 7.1
A couple of teenage outcasts become friends when neither can fit in with the other kids in a small, country town. Together, the two create the fantasy world of Terabithia, where they go on adventures with fantastical creatures and face dangerous threats.
Zooey plays their fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Edmunds, an adult who encourages their creativity and imagination and shows concern for their inability to fit in. A coming-of-age story with a lot of heart, Bridge to Terabithia was a hit among moviegoers, despite an ending that left many reeling.
Emily: Glory Road (2006) - 7.2
Glory Road is based on the true story of the 1965-66 Texas Western Miners who boasted the first all-black starting line-up in NCAA basketball history. Despite a small budget and no support from his superiors, Coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) moves his family into the dorms and recruits the most talented players he can find, regardless of race. His wife, Mary (played by Emily Deschanel) is supportive along the way and stands by her husband's decisions even as others condemn him. Emily played her part well and added a quality Disney movie to her resume.
Emily: Cold Mountain (2003) - 7.2
In the closing days of the Civil War, a young soldier (Jude Law) works to find his way back home to Cold Mountain, North Carolina, desperate to reunite with the woman (Nicole Kidman) he's longed for in his time away. During his journey, he meets several interesting characters, all while his sweetheart works at trying to run a farm that was left to her by her late father. Emily has a small part as Mrs. Morgan, who reads to the soldier a letter from his girl back home while he's recuperating in the hospital.
Zooey: Manic (2001) - 7.3
After a violent outburst at a high school baseball game, a teen (Joseph Gordan-Levitt) is committed to the juvenile wing of a mental hospital. There he meets other teenagers who have a wide range of issues as well. Zooey plays Tracey, a teen with incredibly low self-esteem. In stark contrast to the other members of the group, she seems sweet and openly kind, forcing the others to wonder just what she did to end up in the facility. Filmed in a documentary style and full of improvised material, Manic is a unique look at mental illness.
Emily: Spider-Man 2 (2004)-7.3
The friendly neighborhood Spider-Man returned in this action-packed sequel to the 2002 original. This time out, the webhead had to face brilliant scientist, turned evil villain, Dr. Octopus.
Considered by many to be the best of the original trilogy, Spider-Man 2 delivers an interesting story, with great action scenes and special effects. Emily Deschanel had a very small part as a receptionist in a comedic scene involving Peter Parker's (Tobey McGuire) struggle with a broom closet as he delivers a stack of pizzas.
Emily: My Sister's Keeper (2009) - 7.4
In this film, A young girl (Abigail Breslin), who was conceived in vitro for the sole purpose of supplying her cancer-stricken sister with replacement organs, decides to sue her parents for medical emancipation. The girl finds a lawyer (Cameron Diaz) to take the case pro bono and, when the mother refuses to grant the emancipation willingly, the case goes to court. Emily plays the part of Dr. Farquad and though it isn't a large part, it's an important one all the same.
Zooey: The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (2007) - 7.5
Legendary outlaw Jesse James (Brad Pitt) made a name for himself robbing banks and trains but when the brother of a member of his gang wants in, Jesse takes to the kid and allows it. Over time, Robert Ford grows to resent the leader of the gang and plots to take him down, casting aside the childish hero-worship he felt for the outlaw in favor of fame for being the one man who could stop him. Zooey Deschanel has a small role as Dorothy Evens, a sex worker to who the character of Robert Ford takes a shine to.
Zooey: (500) Days Of Summer (2009) - 7.7
A quirky romantic comedy set around a pair of people who work for a greeting card company, (500) Days of Summer follows Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) as he thinks back on the romance he shared with administrative assistant Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel), who is convinced real love doesn't exist.
Though the relationship only lasted a little more than a year, Tom finds himself unable to move on. Playing the part of the title role, Zooey's performance helped make this one of her most critically acclaimed movies to date.
Zooey: Almost Famous (2000) - 7.9
Set in the early '70s, Almost Famous William Miller, a high school boy, and aspiring journalist is given the chance of a lifetime when he's sent by Rolling Stone Magazine to follow and write about a hot new rock band while they're on tour. Along the way, he's exposed to the raucous lifestyle of a rock star through drugs, alcohol, and groupies. Zooey plays William's older sister, Anita, who leaves home to become a flight attendant. Though the part was small, the positive response of the movie was a shining addition to her resume.