5 Must-Watch Shonda Rhimes Movies And TV Shows: The Shondaland Empire’s Latest And Greatest (2025 Update)

Few names in Hollywood carry the weight and influence of Shonda Rhimes. The television mogul, creator of the legendary 'TGIT' (Thank God It's Thursday) lineup on ABC, has successfully transitioned her powerhouse production company, Shondaland, into a dominant force on Netflix, crafting some of the world's most-streamed content. While the search term "Shonda Rhimes movies" often leads to her iconic TV series, her film screenwriting past is a fascinating detail that contextualizes her dramatic storytelling success today. This article breaks down her essential film and television works, focusing on her most current and upcoming projects, with a major update on her 2025 Netflix premiere.

As of December 2025, the Shondaland empire continues to expand its reach, proving that Rhimes’ signature blend of high-stakes drama, diverse casting, and compelling character narratives remains the gold standard for binge-worthy television. From the steamy period drama of Bridgerton to a highly-anticipated White House murder mystery, here is a complete look at Shonda Rhimes' career, including her often-forgotten feature film work.

Shonda Rhimes: Biography and Complete Profile

• Full Name: Shonda Lynn Rhimes
• Born: January 13, 1970 (Age 55 as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Education: Dartmouth College (B.A.), University of Southern California (MFA in Film Writing)
• Career Role: Television Producer, Screenwriter, Author, Showrunner
• Production Company: Shondaland (Founded in 2005)
• Career Milestones: First African American woman to create and executive produce a Top 10 network series (*Grey's Anatomy*). Signed a landmark, multi-year production deal with Netflix in 2017, which was renewed in 2021.
• Key Works: Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Bridgerton, Inventing Anna, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

The Shondaland Netflix Era: New Releases and Upcoming Projects

Shonda Rhimes’ move to Netflix cemented her status as a global content titan, shifting her focus from network television’s procedural dramas to the streamer’s high-budget, limited-series format. This deal has delivered some of the platform's biggest hits, captivating millions with her signature dramatic plot twists and strong female leads. The most exciting news for fans is the confirmed release date for her next major series.

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1. The Residence (2025): The Next Big Murder Mystery

The highly-anticipated series, The Residence, is the next major Shondaland project to hit Netflix. The show is executive produced by Rhimes and her longtime creative partner, Betsy Beers.

• Genre: Screwball Murder Mystery / Political Drama
• Source Material: Inspired by Kate Andersen Brower's book, The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House.
• Premise: The series centers on a murder that occurs at a state dinner in the White House. The investigation is led by Cordelia Cupp, a quirky but brilliant detective, who must sift through 157 potential suspects, including butlers, maids, and political staffers.
• Starring: Uzo Aduba (known for Orange Is the New Black) as Cordelia Cupp.
• Release Date: The eight-episode series is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

2. Bridgerton (2020–Present): The Global Period Drama Phenomenon

Perhaps the most successful project of the Netflix era, Bridgerton redefined the period drama genre. Based on Julia Quinn's novels, the series is known for its luxurious aesthetic, steamy romance, and groundbreaking commitment to diverse casting.

• Impact: The debut season broke Netflix records, making stars out of Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page.
• Spinoff Success: Rhimes created and wrote the 2023 miniseries Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, which focused on the powerful love story of Queen Charlotte and King George.
• Current Status: The main Bridgerton series is ongoing, with future seasons already confirmed, ensuring the Shondaland brand remains synonymous with high-quality, addictive streaming content.

The Origin of "Shonda Rhimes Movies": Her Forgotten Film Screenplays

While Shonda Rhimes is predominantly known for her television empire, the keyword "Shonda Rhimes movies" refers to her early career as a feature film screenwriter. Before she created the medical drama that would change her life, she was actively writing for the big screen. These credits are a crucial part of her filmography and show her early knack for writing compelling female-driven narratives.

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3. Crossroads (2002)

One of the most surprising entries on her resume is the 2002 road trip film, Crossroads. Rhimes penned the script for this movie, which marked the feature film debut of pop icon Britney Spears. The film, which follows three childhood friends on a journey across the country, demonstrated Rhimes’ early ability to write for a mass audience and craft stories centered around the complexities of female friendship.

4. The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)

Rhimes’ second major film credit was the screenplay for the sequel to the beloved Disney hit, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. This movie, starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, solidified her talent for writing charming, mainstream stories. It also showed her versatility, moving from a pop star vehicle to a family-friendly romantic comedy, all while maintaining a focus on a young woman navigating a high-pressure environment—a theme she would later perfect in her TV work.

The Legacy: The Shows That Defined the Shondaland Empire

No discussion of Shonda Rhimes is complete without acknowledging the groundbreaking television series that built her empire and established her signature writing style: the ability to blend intense personal drama with professional high-stakes scenarios.

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5. The ABC Power Trio: Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder

The success of her ABC shows created a cultural phenomenon and established the "Shondaland" brand.

• Grey's Anatomy (2005–Present): This long-running medical drama, set in a fictional Seattle hospital, was her first major hit. It made her the first African American woman to create and executive produce a Top 10 network series. The show launched numerous spin-offs, including Private Practice.
• Scandal (2012–2018): A political thriller starring Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, a crisis management expert. Scandal was known for its fast-paced plotting, shocking political twists, and intense romantic relationships, defining the 'TGIT' lineup.
• How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020): While created by Peter Nowalk, Rhimes served as executive producer, maintaining the Shondaland style of suspense and complex, morally ambiguous characters, particularly Viola Davis's acclaimed performance as Annalise Keating.

From writing a Britney Spears movie to creating the global spectacle of Bridgerton, Shonda Rhimes's career trajectory is a masterclass in evolving with the media landscape. Her focus remains firmly on the streaming world, with The Residence in 2025 promising to be the next must-watch show that will dominate global water cooler conversations.