Actors and actresses are the core elements of movies and TV shows. Without them, the entertainment industry would have been flavorless. Every year, we gain and lose some of these talented and cherished celebrities.
A little while back, on July 13, 2024, the world lost a beloved actress, Shannen Doherty, at the age of 53.
Doherty was not only famous for her acting roles but also for having a very kind and cheerful personality. Many of her co-stars are currently deeply saddened by the news of her passing.
As a tribute, we have listed 10 movies and TV shows of Shannen Doherty for which she is well-known.
10. Mallrats (1995)
Mallrats is an American buddy comedy movie directed and written by Kevin Smith. It is the second movie in the View Askewnverse, a cinematic universe made by Kevin Smith.
The movie follows the story of two best friends, Brodie Bruce and T.S. Quint, who visit a mall after breaking up with their girlfriends on the same day, where they engage in a chain of events trying to get back with their ex-girlfriends.
The movie is notable for its humorous dialogue and cast performances. Another aspect that makes the movie interesting is Kevin Smith’s cameo.
Shannen Doherty played Rene Mosier, Brodie Bruce’s ex-girlfriend, who dumped him for another man.
Despite the 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a box office of only $2.1 million, the movie has gained a cult following.
Mallrats
ComedyRomance
Two best friends visit a local mall after their girlfriends dumped them.
| Director | Kevin Smith |
| Release Date | October 20, 1995 |
| Studio | View Askew Productions, Gramercy Pictures (1), Alphaville Films |
| Cast | Shannen Doherty, Jeremy London, Jason Lee |
| Runtime | 1 hr 34 minutes |
| Writers | Kevin Smith |
| Rating | R |
9. 90210 (2008-2013)
A TV show made by Rob Thomas, Jeff Judah, and Gabe Sachs, 90210 is a teen drama series that serves as the fourth installment of the Beverly Hills, 90120 franchise.
The show is based on West Beverly Hills High School students who experience several social challenges while trying their best to graduate and live happy lives.
The show’s core element is the Wilson family, which consists of characters like Annie Wilson, Dixon Wilson, Harrison Wilson, Debbie Wilson, and Tabitha Wilson.
Shannen Doherty, who was originally in Beverly Hills, 90210, reprised her role as Brenda Walsh in the first season of the show.
With an audience rating of 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, the show wasn’t one of Doherty’s most popular, but it was good enough to earn five seasons.
90210
ComedyDramaRomance
Two children of a family who just moved into Beverly Hills try to fit into their new environment.
| Creator | Darren Star, Jeff Judah, Gabe Sachs |
| Release Date | September 2, 2008 |
| Studio | Sachs/Judah Productions, CBS Productions, CBS Television Studios |
| Cast | Shenae Grimes-Beech, Tristan Mack Wilds, AnnaLynne McCord |
| Runtime | 36-42 minutes |
| Writers | Darren Star, Jeff Judah, Gabe Sachs |
| Rating | TV-14 |
8. Friends ‘Til the End (1997)
Friends ‘Til the End is a thriller-drama television movie broadcast on NBC. It was written by Kathleen Rowell and Grace Felini and directed by Jack Bender.
The movie sees the rivalry of two college singers, Heather Romley and Suzanne Boxer, who have been competing with each other for a long time, go wrong. Throughout the movie, we see Suzanne trying to ruin Heather’s life out of pure jealousy and envy.
Shannen Doherty plays Heather Romley, a college girl who usually sweeps all the prizes in singing competitions, which causes Suzanne to plunge into madness.
With a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, many viewers and critics praise Shannen’s performance in this TV movie.
Friends ‘Til the End
DramaThriller
An emotionally unstable girl tries to ruin the life of her rival singer student.
| Director | Jack Bender |
| Release Date | January 20, 1997 |
| Studio | Bonnie Raskin Productions, NBC Studios |
| Cast | Shannen Doherty, Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Jason London |
| Runtime | 2 hours |
| Writers | Kathleen Rowell, Anne Amanda Opotowsky |
| Rating | TV-PG |
7. Our House (1986-1988)
Created by James Lee Barrett, Our House is a drama TV show that used to air on NBC for two seasons. Sadly, NBC canceled the show the same year the creator, James, passed away.
The story revolves around Jessica Witherspoon, whose husband recently passed away, moving to Los Angeles with her three children and living with her in-laws until she is ready to take care of the family.
Furthermore, the TV show depicts Jessica’s and her family’s day-to-day lives while tackling many personal and family issues.
In the story, Shannen Doherty plays the role of Kris Witherspoon, Jessica’s eldest child, who was initially not happy living with her grandparents but would eventually mellow out with them. Throughout her movies and TV shows, this was one of Shannen Doherty’s early main roles.
While the show ran for only two seasons, many loved it and were genuinely sad when it was canceled.
Our House
DramaFamily
Gus Witherspoon invites his daughter and her three children to live with them after the passing of his son.
| Creator | James Lee Barrett |
| Release Date | September 11, 1986 |
| Studio | Blinne/Thorpe Productions, Lori-mar Telepictures |
| Cast | Wilford Brimley, Deidre Hall, Shannen Doherty |
| Runtime | 1 hour |
| Writers | James Lee Barrett |
| Rating | TV-PG |
6. The Secret of NIMH (1982)
A popular movie in the ’80s, The Secret of NIMH is an animated adventure movie directed by Don Bluth in his first-ever direction. The movie is based on Robert C. O’Brian’s children’s novel Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.
In the movie, a mouse named Mrs. Brisby seeks help from a mysterious group of clever rats who gained such abilities from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to help her sick son. Throughout the movie, she learns the importance of teamwork and friendship.
Shannen Doherty made her movie debut with this movie at the age of 11. She lent her voice to a character named Teresa Brisby, the eldest daughter of Mrs. Brisby.
Critics have praised the movie’s clean animation, mature and natural storytelling, and well-written and captivating characters.
The $14.7 million box office and 93% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes have made this movie a classic among many movies and TV shows by Shannen Doherty.
The Secret of NIMH
AnimationAdventureDrama
A mouse searches for the help of intelligent mice to help her sick son.
| Director | Don Bluth |
| Release Date | July 2, 1982 |
| Studio | United Artists Aurora Productions, Don Bluth Productions |
| Cast | Elizabeth Hartman, Derek Jacobi, Dom DeLuise |
| Runtime | 1 hr 22 minutes |
| Writers | Robert C. O’Brien, Don Bluth, John Pomeroy |
| Rating | G |
5. Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983)
Loosely based on a book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder called Little House, Little House on the Prairie is a historical drama TV show broadcast on NBC.
Throughout the show, we follow the everyday life of the Ingalls family, which consists of Charles Ingalls, Caroline Ingalls, Laura Ingalls, and Mary Ingalls.
The show perfectly portrays the lifestyle, hard work, communities, and adventures of the 19th century, the period it is based on.
Shannen Doherty played Jenny Wilder in the final season of the show, marking her first major role in a TV show at the age of 12.
Little House on the Prairie was a famous show throughout the ’70s and ’80s, thanks to the wholesome and wise life lessons taught by the show.
Little House on the Prairie
DramaFamilyRomance
See the story about the Ingalls family in the nineteenth century.
| Creator | Blanche Hanalis |
| Release Date | September 11, 1974 |
| Studio | Ed Friendly Productions, NBC Productions |
| Cast | Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle |
| Runtime | 1 hour |
| Writers | Blanche Hanalis, Dale Eunson |
| Rating | TV-PG |
4. Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985)
Distributed by New World Pictures, Girls Just Want to Have Fun is a romance comedy dance movie directed by Alan Metter, produced by Chuck Russell, and written by Amy Spies.
The plot revolves around Janey Glenn, who moves into a new city and enrolls in an all-girls high school. There, she meets a rebellious girl, Lynne Stone. Both of them discover that they have a passion for dancing and befriend each other.
Furthermore, the movie shows their troubles, like dance rivals and strict parents, along with their devotion to pursuing their dreams.
Moving on, Shannen Doherty played the minor role of Maggie Malene, the younger sister of Janey’s lover, Jeff Malene.
The movie received mixed reviews, with a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a box office of $6.3 million. Regardless of both the critical and commercial failures, many think of the movie as a cult classic in the present.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
ComedyMusicRomance
A new girl named Jane moved into town and met Lynne. Both of them find out they have a passion for dancing, so they decide to work together to achieve their dreams.
| Director | Alan Metter |
| Release Date | April 12, 1985 |
| Studio | New World Pictures |
| Cast | Biff Yeager, Kristi Somers, Richard Blade |
| Runtime | 1 hr 30 minutes |
| Writers | Amy Spies |
| Rating | PG |
3. Charmed (1998-2006)
Charmed is a fantasy supernatural drama TV show made by Constance M. Burge, produced by Aaron Spelling, and broadcast by The WB.
In the show’s story, three sisters, Prue, Piper, and Phoebe Halliwell discover that they are powerful witches who have the duty of protecting the world from evil. Using ‘The Power of Three,’ a connection among the sisters that grants them supernatural abilities, they protect many innocent lives together.
Similarly, the show was so popular that it was on the list of ‘The Top 20 Magic/Supernatural Shows of All Time’ in 2010 and ‘The 60 Greatest Sci-Fi Shows of All Time’ in 2013.
Shannen Doherty played the popular character Prue Halliwell, who has the power to move any object with her telekinesis. Furthermore, many fans believe that among all the movies and TV shows of Shannen Doherty, this show made her a household name.
With a 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, we can probably guess how popular the show was during its prime.
Charmed
DramaMysteryFantasy
Three sisters discover that they are witches and have a duty to protect innocent lives from evil.
| Creator | Constance M. Burge |
| Release Date | October 7, 1998 |
| Studio | Spelling Television |
| Cast | Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, Brian Krause |
| Runtime | 42 minutes |
| Writers | Constance M. Burge, Brad Kern |
| Rating | TV-14 |
2. Heathers (1988)
Regarded as a cult classic, Heathers is a black comedy movie that was directed by Michael Lehmann and written by Daniel Waters, with the movie being both individuals’ first work.
The film follows the story of Veronica Sawyer, a high school student who is part of a famous circle led by three girls with the same name, Heather. After a change of heart, Veronica joins forces with a new student, Jason Dean, to teach the three girls a lesson.
The movie depicts various elements of the dark side of school, like hierarchies, unhealthy friend circles, and toxicity.
Shannen Doherty plays the role of one of the Heathers, Heather Duke, who serves as the secondary antagonist of the movie.
While the movie was a box office flop, earning $1.1 million, it is still a critical success, with a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Heathers
ComedyCrime
Veronica and a new transfer student team up to teach all the students with the name Heather a lesson.
| Director | Michael Lehmann |
| Release Date | October 24, 1988 |
| Studio | Cinemarque Entertainment |
| Cast | Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty |
| Runtime | 1 hr 43 minutes |
| Writers | Daniel Waters |
| Rating | R |
1. Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)
Among all the movies and TV shows of Shannen Doherty, many say that Beverly Hills, 90210 is her best show. It was made by Darren Star and produced by Aaron Spelling.
The series follows the lives of Brandon and Brenda Walsh, also known as the Walsh Twins, as they move to Beverly Hills from Minnesota and try to be comfortable with the new environment.
Throughout the show, we see these two, as well as other characters, face many social challenges at different stages of their lives, such as college and adulthood.
The series became such a hit throughout the ’90s that it is now a franchise with five other installments like 90210, Melrose Place, and BH90210.
Shannen Doherty played the principal role of Brenda Walsh, a smart and bold girl who is not afraid to stand up for her beliefs. This character made Shannen an icon throughout the ’90s.
The show has a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is the highest among the movies and TV shows that Shannen Doherty has starred in.
Beverly Hills, 90210
DramaRomance
A journey of a friend group as they go through different phases of their life.
| Creator | Darren Star |
| Release Date | October 4, 1990 |
| Studio | Propaganda Films, Spelling Entertainment, Spelling Television |
| Cast | Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry |
| Runtime | 44 minutes |
| Writers | Darren Star |
| Rating | TV-PG |
