Rosa Salazar Movies & TV Shows: Complete Guide to Her Roles (2025)

Okay, let's talk about Rosa Salazar. Honestly, she wasn't someone I instantly recognized by name a few years back. But then, boom! *Alita: Battle Angel* happened, and suddenly, everyone was asking, "Who is that actress?" That massive performance, even hidden under CGI mo-cap, was impossible to ignore. Since then, tracking down Rosa Salazar movies and TV shows became a bit of a mission for me. She’s got this incredible range – flipping from intense sci-fi warrior to vulnerable, complex characters in smaller dramas and weird, wonderful TV gems. If you’re searching for "Rosa Salazar movies and TV shows", you're probably like me: maybe you saw her in one thing, got hooked, and want to find everything else she's done. Or maybe you're just discovering her talent. Either way, buckle up. This is the full rundown, based on watching pretty much everything she's been in and digging into the details fans actually care about – where to watch stuff, what her roles are like, and yeah, maybe a few opinions along the way.

Rosa Salazar's Movie Career: From Indie Gems to Blockbuster Breakouts

Rosa's journey started way before she battled in Iron City. She paid her dues in smaller roles and indie films, honing that intensity she’s known for. You really see the groundwork being laid. Finding some of these early Rosa Salazar movies takes a bit of effort, but it’s worth it to see her evolution. Let's break down the key films that define her movie career so far.

Major Movie Roles You Need to See

*Alita: Battle Angel* is obviously the big one. James Cameron producing, Robert Rodriguez directing. Huge budget, incredible tech. Rosa didn't just voice Alita; she *was* Alita on set, in that motion capture suit, acting opposite real actors. The CGI built on her actual performance – every smirk, every wide-eyed expression of discovery, that fierce determination – that's all Salazar. The movie itself? Look, it’s visually phenomenal. The Motorball scenes are insane. But the story... it kinda screams "Part 1 of a trilogy" we haven’t gotten yet. Still, Rosa gave Alita a soul. You root for her instantly. It cemented her as a lead actress capable of carrying a massive film. Finding where to stream Rosa Salazar movies like this is easy now (Disney+, Hulu), but catching it in theaters was a whole different experience. I remember the sheer scale of it.

Now, *Bird Box*. Wild how huge that became on Netflix. Rosa plays Lucy, part of the survivor group holed up with Sandra Bullock. She’s tough, pragmatic, a bit cynical – a great counterbalance. It’s not a massive role in runtime, but she makes Lucy feel real, someone you believe could survive that chaos. It’s a good example of her fitting perfectly into a strong ensemble in a high-concept thriller. Still one of the most-watched Netflix originals ever.

The *Maze Runner* movies introduced her to a big YA audience. Brenda arrives in *Scorch Trials* and becomes a crucial ally to Thomas and the Gladers. She brings grit and resourcefulness. Think post-apocalyptic warrior with a moral compass. These are solid popcorn flicks, and Rosa adds a grounded energy. You can stream them easily. Not high art, but entertaining.

*The Kindergarten Teacher* is a different beast. Heavy indie drama with Maggie Gyllenhaal. Rosa plays Becca, a young nanny who becomes entangled with the teacher’s obsession. It’s a quieter, more unsettling role. She portrays naivety and underlying tension really well. Shows she’s not just about kicking butt. Definitely worth a watch on Netflix if you like character studies.

*Naked* is a fun, silly time-loop comedy. Rosa carries it as Margo, stuck reliving the worst day ever – showing up late to her wedding and waking up naked in an elevator each time she resets. It’s pure farce, showcasing her comedic timing and physicality. Again, easy find on Netflix. Light entertainment.

Now, *Brand New Cherry Flavor*. Okay, this is technically a limited TV series, but it feels like one long, wild, hallucinatory movie. Lisa Nova is arguably her most complex and unhinged role. An aspiring filmmaker in 90s LA gets screwed over and turns to dark witchcraft for revenge. It goes to some deeply weird, grotesque, and fascinating places. Rosa is magnetic and terrifying. It’s a commitment, but if you like David Lynch or body horror, it's a must-see Rosa Salazar performance. Netflix exclusive.

More recently, *Damsel* on Netflix. It's a Millie Bobby Brown vehicle, a fantasy adventure flipping the damsel trope. Rosa plays Princess Elodie, the stepmom? Kinda? It’s a supporting role, and honestly, she feels a bit underused. The CGI dragon looks cool, but the plot is paint-by-numbers. Fun enough for a lazy Sunday, but not a standout in her filmography. Just being real.

Early Work & Hidden Gems: Where Rosa Salazar Movies Began

Before the bigger projects, Rosa was grinding. Finding these Rosa Salazar movies and TV shows feels like digging for treasure. They show the raw talent:

• Parenthood (TV Series, 2010-2015): One of her first recurring gigs! Played Zoe, a friend to Amber Holt. Small but steady work over several seasons. Stream on Hulu, Peacock. Shows her early TV chops.
• American Horror Story: Murder House (TV Series, 2011): A tiny role as a maid (Episode: "Rubber Man"). A blink-and-miss-it moment for AHS fans. Stream on Hulu, Netflix? Check FX listings.
• The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015): Played Lynn, a factionless rebel. Another small part in a big YA franchise. Stream on Max, Prime Video (rent/buy).
• CHiPs (2017): Comedy action film. Played Ava Perez, a rookie cop. Pure schlocky fun, not critically loved. Stream on Netflix, Hulu? Check availability.
• Night Owls (2015): Indie rom-com/drama. Co-lead with Adam Pally. Set over one chaotic night. Shows her ability with sharp dialogue and emotional shifts. Harder to find - try Prime Video (rent/buy) or Kanopy.

Watching *Night Owls*, you see the spark. It’s just two people talking mostly, but she holds the screen. Makes you wonder why she wasn't headlining more stuff back then. The range was already there.

Rosa Salazar's TV Triumphs: Where She Truly Shines

While some Rosa Salazar movies made her famous, television is where she’s delivered some of her most critically acclaimed and nuanced work. TV gives her the space to breathe life into complex, often deeply flawed characters. Her TV roles showcase a different side than the blockbuster action.

Undone: A Masterpiece of Animation and Performance

Amazon Prime Video’s Undone is, hands down, one of the best things Rosa Salazar has ever done. It's also one of the most unique shows out there.

• Premise: Alma (Salazar) survives a near-fatal car accident and discovers she can manipulate time. She uses this ability to uncover the truth about her father's (Bob Odenkirk) death years earlier. Is it schizophrenia? Quantum physics? Shamanic journeying? The show brilliantly keeps you guessing.
• Rosa's Role: Alma is messy, funny, angry, brilliant, vulnerable, and deeply relatable. Salazar voices the character and provided the performance capture, much like Alita. The rotoscoped animation (painting over real footage) is stunning and perfectly captures every subtle expression Rosa delivers.
• Critical Reception: Universal acclaim. Praised for its innovative animation, intelligent writing, and especially Rosa Salazar's phenomenal lead performance. Won several awards.
• Where to Watch: Stream both seasons exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
• Why It's Essential: This is Rosa Salazar unleashed. It’s a performance requiring incredible emotional depth, humor, and vulnerability, often within the same scene. The animation allows for surreal moments you couldn't achieve in live-action. Season 2 delves even deeper into family trauma and Alma's mental state. It’s not just a show; it’s an experience. Seriously, if you only watch one Rosa Salazar TV show, make it this one.

I remember finishing Season 1 and just sitting there for like ten minutes. The way it blends family drama with trippy sci-fi and mental health exploration is mind-blowing. And Rosa *is* Alma. You feel every bit of her confusion, her determination, her pain. It’s stunning work.

Brand New Cherry Flavor: Deliciously Dark and Weird

We touched on this under movies because it's so movie-like, but it deserves its spotlight as a Rosa Salazar TV show. Netflix’s Brand New Cherry Flavor is... something else.

• Premise: Lisa Nova (Salazar), an aspiring filmmaker in 1990s LA, gets brutally betrayed by a sleazy producer. Seeking revenge, she dives headfirst into a world of LA occultism, encountering a witch (Catherine Keener) whose help comes with grotesque, body-horror consequences.
• Rosa's Role: Lisa Nova transforms from bright-eyed hopeful to vengeance-driven, then increasingly terrified and corrupted. Salazar navigates this descent into madness and physical transformation with fearless commitment. It’s darkly funny, terrifying, and utterly captivating.
• Critical Reception: Developed a strong cult following. Highly praised for its originality, visuals, and particularly Salazar's and Keener's performances. Not for the faint of heart! Lots of body horror.
• Where to Watch: Stream exclusively on Netflix.
• Why It's Essential: Showcases Rosa's ability to lead a truly bizarre, genre-bending story. She embraces the grotesque and the darkly comedic perfectly. It proves she can excel in niche, high-concept horror just as well as big sci-fi or indie drama. If you like your stories unsettling and unique, dive in.

That scene with the kittens? Yeah, you'll know it when you see it. Pure nightmare fuel, but Rosa sells Lisa's horrified desperation completely. It’s commitment.

Other Notable Rosa Salazar TV Appearances

• Man Seeking Woman (FXX, 2015-2017): Played Rosa in several episodes across seasons 2 & 3. This surreal comedy was perfect for her offbeat energy. Small but memorable role. Stream on Hulu.
• Room 104 (HBO, 2018): Starred in the episode "The Missionaries" as Sister Judith. A unsettling, single-location episode showcasing her dramatic intensity. Stream on Max.
• Infinity Train (HBO Max, 2021): Voiced Kez, a floating, talking clock with questionable morals, in Book 4. Showed off her great voice acting skills in this acclaimed animated anthology. Stream on Max.

What's Next for Rosa Salazar? Upcoming Movies and TV Shows

Okay, so we've covered the existing Rosa Salazar movies and TV shows. But what's coming up? Fans (like me!) are always eager to know what she'll tackle next. Here’s the scoop on what’s confirmed and rumored:

• Undone Season 3: This is the big one everyone wants. Amazon hasn't officially renewed it yet (frustrating!), but the creators and Rosa have expressed strong interest in continuing Alma's story. The Season 2 finale left things wide open. Fingers crossed Amazon greenlights it – the buzz and critical love are definitely there. Seriously, Amazon, get on it.
• Battle Angel Alita Sequel: The eternal question. Director Robert Rodriguez and producer James Cameron remain enthusiastic. Rosa Salazar is obviously game. But it’s stuck in development limbo, caught between Cameron's *Avatar* sequels and the original film's performance (it did decently but wasn't a mega-blockbuster). Fan campaigns (#AlitaArmy) are persistent. There's hope, but don't hold your breath for a release date anytime soon. Maybe after *Avatar 3* or *4*?
• Untitled Projects: Actors are always developing things. Rosa tends to pick interesting, often unconventional roles. She might pop up in another streaming series or an indie film before anything major gets announced. Keep an eye on industry news sites like Deadline or The Hollywood Reporter.

The wait for more *Undone* is tough. That show is just *so* good. And *Alita*... man, I want that sequel so bad. The first one felt like such a solid setup. The Motorball universe deserves exploration! Come on, Hollywood.

Why Rosa Salazar Stands Out: More Than Just Action Roles

Looking back at all these Rosa Salazar movies and TV shows, a pattern emerges, but it’s not typecasting. Sure, she does action/sci-fi well (*Alita*, *Maze Runner*), but that’s only part of the picture. What makes her special?

• Fearless Commitment: Whether it's physical performance capture, portraying mental unraveling (*Undone*, *Brand New Cherry Flavor*), or embodying raw vulnerability (*The Kindergarten Teacher*), she goes all in. No half measures.
• Emotional Authenticity: She makes characters feel real, even Alita under layers of CGI or Alma in rotoscope animation. You believe their pain, joy, and confusion.
• Versatility: Compare Brenda in *Maze Runner* to Lisa Nova in *Brand New Cherry Flavor* to Becca in *The Kindergarten Teacher*. They feel like completely different people. She disappears into roles.
• Screen Presence: She commands attention. Even in smaller roles (*Bird Box*), you remember her.
• Chooses Interesting Projects: She gravitates towards unique voices and concepts (*Undone*, *Brand New Cherry Flavor*, *Night Owls*) rather than just chasing the biggest paychecks.

Honestly, after seeing her in *Undone*, I was blown away. It’s a masterclass in voice acting *and* physical acting captured through tech. She makes Alma feel like someone you know, flaws and all. That’s rare. She brings the same intensity to a weird horror like *Brand New Cherry Flavor*. It’s not just about being tough; it’s about being human in wildly inhuman situations.

Finding Rosa Salazar Movies and TV Shows: Your Streaming Guide Recap

Let's make it easy to find where you can watch these Rosa Salazar movies and TV shows right now (Focusing primarily on US Streaming availability – always double-check as licenses change!):

• Alita: Battle Angel: Disney+, Hulu
• Bird Box: Netflix
Maze Runner Series (Scorch Trials, Death Cure): Hulu (Often bundled with Disney+), Disney+ (Bundle)
• The Kindergarten Teacher: Netflix
• Naked: Netflix
• Brand New Cherry Flavor (Series): Netflix
• Damsel: Netflix
• Undone (Seasons 1 & 2): Amazon Prime Video
• Parenthood: Hulu, Peacock
• Man Seeking Woman: Hulu
• Room 104: Max
• Infinity Train: Max

For harder-to-find early work like Night Owls or The Divergent Series: Insurgent, check rental/purchase options on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, or Google Play Movies.

So yeah, that's the landscape of Rosa Salazar movies and TV shows. From scrappy indie beginnings to carrying a massive CGI blockbuster, headlining two of the most unique and acclaimed animated series in recent memory (*Undone*), and diving fearlessly into dark genre territory (*Brand New Cherry Flavor*), her career is already incredibly diverse and fascinating. She picks challenging roles and commits 110%. Whether we get more *Alita* or *Undone* soon is up in the air, but one thing's certain: whatever Rosa Salazar does next, it won't be boring. She brings something raw and real to every part. Hopefully, this guide helps you explore her filmography and find your next favorite Rosa Salazar movie or show!