The Most Underrated Movies Of Hollywood’s Greatest Actors

When you hear an actor’s name, you instantly think of your favourite movie with them in it. More often than not, that film tends to be their most celebrated one, and for good reason; their accolades didn’t come from nowhere. With careers so vast, though, some rather fantastic movies get tossed to the wayside when discussing these talented people.

This is why we’ve gathered some of the most underrated films of these prolific actors, not only to celebrate their achievements, but also to give you something to watch if you haven’t seen them already.

Tom Hanks in The ‘Burbs

Before he was an Oscar-winning dramatic legend, Tom Hanks was just a guy suspecting his new neighbors were up to no good. This 1989 comedy let the adults act like paranoid kids for a change, and it still stands up today.

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Beach

Released in 2000, this Danny Boyle film was a box office success but divided critics. DiCaprio was drawn to the story of a young backpacker seeking utopia, feeling the novel’s themes of discovery resonated with his generation.

Meryl Streep in A Cry in the Dark

Meryl Streep earned critical acclaim for playing a real-life Australian woman accused of a horrific crime after a dingo took her baby. The film was a powerful docudrama that, despite the praise, sadly failed to find an audience.

Robert De Niro in The King of Comedy

In this 1982 Martin Scorsese film, Robert De Niro gave an iconic performance as wannabe comedian Rupert Pupkin. Critics loved the unsettling satire, but it was a box office bomb that has since become a cult classic, gaining new notoriety thanks to the movie Joker.

Al Pacino in Frankie and Johnny

Al Pacino reunited with his Scarface co-star Michelle Pfeiffer for this much gentler 1991 romantic comedy. Rolling Stone praised his surprisingly delicate comic touch as a cook trying to win over a waitress in this sweet adaptation of a play.

Julia Roberts in Sleeping with the Enemy

This 1991 thriller was a huge box office hit that cemented 23-year-old Julia Roberts’ star status right after Pretty Woman. Critics weren’t kind, but audiences loved the suspenseful story of a woman escaping her abusive husband.

Brad Pitt in Kalifornia

Brad Pitt actively sought the role of a violent criminal in this 1993 thriller to get away from his ‘pretty boy’ image. While the movie bombed, Pitt’s unsettling and transformative performance was widely praised by critics and viewers.

Christian Bale in The Machinist

Christian Bale’s shocking physical transformation, where he lost over 60 pounds, is the stuff of Hollywood legend, not to mention he had to transform into Batman right after this. His haunting performance as an insomniac factory worker makes this psychological thriller an unforgettable career highlight.

George Clooney in The American

George Clooney plays a quiet, world-weary assassin hiding out in the Italian countryside in this 2010 thriller. It’s a slow-burn, atmospheric film that earned positive reviews but is often overlooked in his impressive and varied filmography.

Denzel Washington in The Siege

Denzel Washington leads an FBI anti-terrorism task force in this 1998 action thriller co-starring Bruce Willis. The film, about a series of attacks on NYC, received mixed reviews and was a box office disappointment at the time.

Kate Winslet in Heavenly Creatures

This strange and intense film from director Peter Jackson was Kate Winslet’s feature debut, and what a debut it was. Critics immediately took notice of her powerful performance as a teenage girl who retreats into a dark fantasy world.

Will Smith in Seven Pounds

Will Smith took a serious dramatic turn as a man haunted by his past, trying to atone by changing the lives of seven strangers. Critics were divided on the film’s structure, yet it remains an ambitious and unforgettable performance.

Charlize Theron in Atomic Blonde

Charlize Theron is a powerhouse MI6 agent in Cold War Berlin, just before the Wall comes down. This slick spy thriller has exactly what you want from one; incredible fight choreography, killer soundtrack, and neon-drenched visual style.

Harrison Ford in Witness

Showing that he can be more than Han Solo and Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination for this 1985 thriller. He plays a detective hiding out in Amish country to protect a young boy who witnessed a murder.

Amy Adams in Arrival

Many viewers consider this intelligent sci-fi film one of the best of its decade, yet it’s often forgotten in awards chatter. Amy Adams gives a masterful performance as a linguist trying to communicate with aliens, turning it into a story of hope.