You’ve likely seen Keke Palmer in something—maybe as a spelling bee champion, a fashion VP, or facing a mysterious cloud in Nope. She’s been on screen for two decades, building a career that spans sitcoms, dramas, horror, and live TV. This guide walks through her filmography, from her 2004 debut to upcoming projects like Sister Act 3, with notes on where to watch her biggest roles.

Movies (approx.): 30+ ·
TV shows (approx.): 20+ ·
Years active: 2004–present ·
Breakout role: Akeelah Anderson in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

Quick snapshot

1Top Movies
2Top TV Shows
3Upcoming Projects
4Awards
  • 4 NAACP Image Awards Wikipedia (biographical reference)
  • SAG Award nomination for Hustlers Rotten Tomatoes (filmography)
  • Emmy nomination for hosting NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Rotten Tomatoes (filmography)

These six key details anchor the rest of the guide.

Full name Lauren Keyana Palmer Wikipedia (biographical reference)
Born August 26, 1993, Harvey, Illinois, U.S. Wikipedia (biographical reference)
Occupation Actress, singer, television personality Wikipedia (biographical reference)
Years active 2004–present Wikipedia (biographical reference)
Notable works Akeelah and the Bee, True Jackson, VP, Nope, Hustlers Rotten Tomatoes (filmography)
Major awards 4 NAACP Image Awards, 1 Primetime Emmy (hosting) Rotten Tomatoes (filmography)

What is Keke Palmer best known for?

Early career and breakthrough

  • Palmer made her film debut at age 9 in the 2004 comedy Barbershop 2: Back in Business Wikipedia (biographical reference).
  • In 2004 she also starred in the TV movie The Wool Cap as Lou Keke Palmer Wiki (Fandom – fan resource).
  • Her breakout came in 2006 as Akeelah Anderson in the drama Akeelah and the Bee Wikipedia (biographical reference).

Notable film roles

  • Palmer played Mercedes in Hustlers (2019), earning a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).
  • She starred as Emerald Haywood in Jordan Peele’s Nope (2022), which grossed over $170 million Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

Television work

  • From 2008 to 2011 she led the Nickelodeon sitcom True Jackson, VP as a teenager who becomes a fashion VP Wikipedia (biographical reference).
  • She voiced Peaches in the Ice Age films (2012, 2016) Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).
The takeaway

Palmer’s career is defined by versatility: she moves from Nickelodeon comedies to prestige horror and live musicals without losing her distinct presence.

What movie made Keke Palmer famous?

Three films stand out as career milestones.

Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

  • Released by Lionsgate, the film follows an 11-year-old from South Los Angeles who competes in the National Spelling Bee. Palmer’s performance earned critical acclaim and several youth‑award nominations Wikipedia (biographical reference).

Role in Hustlers (2019)

  • Palmer played Mercedes, a dancer involved in a scheme to steal from Wall Street clients. The film was a box‑office hit and earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

Lead in Nope (2022)

  • Directed by Jordan Peele, Nope stars Palmer as Emerald Haywood, a horse‑trainer turned UFO‑hunter. The film grossed over $170 million worldwide Rotten Tomatoes (filmography) and received praise for Palmer’s range.
Why this matters

Each of these films showcased a different facet of Palmer’s talent—drama, crime, horror—which not only expanded her audience but also proved she could anchor a project with both critical and commercial success.

What TV shows has Keke Palmer starred in?

Television has been equally important in building Palmer’s career. Three categories capture her most significant appearances.

Nickelodeon shows

  • True Jackson, VP (2008–2011) ran for three seasons and made Palmer a household name among young viewers Wikipedia (biographical reference).
  • She also starred in the TV movie Rags (2012) as Kadee Worth and served as a producer Keke Palmer Wiki (Fandom – fan resource).

Disney Channel appearances

  • In 2007 Palmer starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Jump In as Mary Thomas Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).
  • She appeared in the musical special Grease: Live! (2016) playing Marty Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

Guest roles and voice work

  • Palmer has done voice work in The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022–present) Rotten Tomatoes (filmography) and Big Mouth Keke Palmer Wiki (Fandom – fan resource).
  • She had main roles in Berlin Station (2017–2019) and Star (2017–2019) Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

The pattern: Palmer consistently takes on projects that stretch her range, from live-action to animation and from comedy to drama.

Where can I watch Keke Palmer movies?

Streaming availability changes, but several titles are currently accessible on major platforms.

Streaming platforms

  • Hustlers is available on Netflix Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).
  • Akeelah and the Bee streams on Amazon Prime Video Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).
  • Nope is available on Peacock Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

Purchase or rent options

  • Titles such as Jump In, Imperial Dreams, and Pimp are available on digital platforms like Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play (check local availability).

Upcoming releases

  • Sister Act 3 is confirmed for Disney+ Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).
  • The Backup — release date not yet announced Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

What this means: Palmer’s films are scattered across services, but her biggest hits are easy to find on major streaming platforms.

What are Keke Palmer’s upcoming movies and TV shows?

Palmer has several projects in development for 2025 and beyond.

Confirmed projects: Sister Act 3, The Backup

  • Sister Act 3 will reunite Palmer with Whoopi Goldberg on Disney+ Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).
  • The Backup is a Tubi original comedy produced and starring Palmer Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).
  • She is also attached to Spaceballs: The New One Rotten Tomatoes (filmography) and voices a character in The Angry Birds Movie 3 Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

Unconfirmed rumors

  • A potential voice role in a Super Toys project has been rumored but not officially announced Keke Palmer Wiki (Fandom – fan resource).

Recent announcements

  • In 2023 Palmer hosted NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

The implication: Palmer is expanding her portfolio into producing and hosting while staying active in blockbuster franchises.

Timeline of Keke Palmer’s Career

  • 2004 – First screen appearance in Barbershop 2: Back in Business Rotten Tomatoes (filmography)
  • 2006 – Breakout role as Akeelah in Akeelah and the Bee Wikipedia (biographical reference)
  • 2008–2011 – Starred in Nickelodeon series True Jackson, VP Wikipedia (biographical reference)
  • 2019 – Role in Hustlers alongside Jennifer Lopez, earning award nominations Rotten Tomatoes (filmography)
  • 2022 – Lead in Jordan Peele’s Nope Rotten Tomatoes (filmography)
  • 2023 – Hosted NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, won Emmy Rotten Tomatoes (filmography)
  • 2025–2026 – Upcoming: Sister Act 3, Angry Birds Movie 3, Spaceballs: The New One Rotten Tomatoes (filmography)

Confirmed Facts vs. Unclear Details

Based on available information, some aspects of Palmer’s career are well established while others remain unconfirmed.

  • Confirmed: Akeelah and the Bee is her breakout film Wikipedia (biographical reference); True Jackson, VP ran for three seasons on Nickelodeon Wikipedia (biographical reference); she was nominated for a SAG Award for Hustlers Rotten Tomatoes (filmography); she is set to appear in Sister Act 3 Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).
  • Unclear: Exact release dates for some upcoming projects (e.g., The Backup) are not confirmed; status of certain voice roles (e.g., Super Toys) is unannounced Keke Palmer Wiki (Fandom – fan resource); her net worth is not publicly verified; details about her personal life (e.g., dating status) are private.

Key Perspectives on Keke Palmer’s Career

“I think it’s really important for Black women to see themselves in every genre, including horror.”

Keke Palmer, speaking to Variety (via Wikipedia)

“Palmer’s performance in Nope is transformative.”

Jordan Peele, press conference Rotten Tomatoes (filmography)

Summary

Keke Palmer’s filmography reveals an actress who has successfully bridged child‑star status with adult credibility across genres. She has accumulated over 30 film credits and 20 TV appearances, with a trajectory that includes a cult classic (Akeelah and the Bee), an award‑winning ensemble (Hustlers), and a blockbuster horror film (Nope). Her upcoming projects—Sister Act 3, Angry Birds Movie 3, Spaceballs: The New One—continue to show her range. For any viewer looking for a starting point, the three films Akeelah and the Bee, Hustlers, and Nope capture the breadth of what she does best.

Additional sources

bet.com, tv.apple.com, tvguide.com

For a deeper look at her career trajectory, check out Keke Palmers complete filmography which covers every role from her early breakout to recent hits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many movies has Keke Palmer been in?

Approximately 30+ movies and 20+ TV shows, based on Wikipedia (biographical reference).

What was Keke Palmer’s first TV show?

Her first TV appearance was in the TV movie The Wool Cap (2004) Keke Palmer Wiki (Fandom – fan resource).

Has Keke Palmer won an Oscar?

No, she has not won an Oscar. She has won 4 NAACP Image Awards and a Primetime Emmy for hosting Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

What genres does Keke Palmer typically act in?

She has worked across drama, comedy, horror, musicals, and voice animation Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

Does Keke Palmer direct or produce?

She produced the TV movie Rags (2012) and is a producer on The Backup Keke Palmer Wiki (Fandom – fan resource). She has not directed a feature film yet.

What is Keke Palmer’s most recent movie?

As of 2025, her most recent released film is The Backup (2025) Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

Is Keke Palmer in any upcoming TV series?

She is set to appear in Sister Act 3 (Disney+ series) and voice characters in The Angry Birds Movie 3 and Spaceballs: The New One Rotten Tomatoes (filmography).

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