There are lots of great movies starring great actors that manage to slip under the radar. If you do some research, you can discover some underrated cinema gems instead of always sticking to what’s popular in the mainstream.
Here’s a list of 21 films with great actors that people forgot about.
Oscar
Starring Sylvester Stallone, this movie has been called one of Stallone’s best performances. Based on a gangster who tries to keep his promise to his father by ditching his life of crime and going straight, it has a bit of everything, including comedy, drama, and action.
Bicentennial Man
One of the most underrated movies ever made, Bicentennial Man, is epic. Starring the legendary Robin Williams, this sci-fi drama is emotional and magical at the same time. It follows a robot that begins to experience human emotion.
Cops & Robbersons
Starring Chevy Chase, Jack Palance, and Dianne Wiest, this film is about a criminal who moves in next door to the Robbersons, who then have the cops move in with them so they can do a stakeout on the criminals living next door. If you’re looking for some light-hearted laughs, then this is a movie to consider.
Amos & Andrew
Starring Samuel L. Jackson and Nicolas Cage, this action comedy is about a prize writer (Samuel L. Jackson) who buys a cabin with his winnings. However, when he moves in, the neighbors fear that the house has been robbed, and whenever they see a black man, they call the police. In an attempt to disguise their prejudice and racially motivated response, the police hire a petty criminal (Nicolas Cage) to help cover their tracks.
Mindhunters
Starring Val Kilmer, LL Cool J, and Christian Slater, it’s hard to believe this movie has been forgotten. This crime, horror, and thriller has everything: FBI recruits, a remote island, and a serial killer. Rated 6.3 on IMDB, this film shouldn’t be overlooked.
Guarding Tess
Starring Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine, this comedy-drama is about a secret service agent (Nicolas Cage) who is recruited by a former US First Lady (Shirley MacLaine) as her bodyguard.
Striking Distance
Starring Bruce Willis and Sarah Jessica Parker, this is a film that most people forget about. Willis plays a cop called Tom Hardy, who is suspected of killing off his ex-girlfriends. Determined to find the real culprit, Willis embarks on his own investigation.
Jack Frost
An emotional movie about a musician who dies on the road but returns to his wife and children as a snowman with a second chance to be a great dad. It stars Michael Keaton as the main character.
Titan A.E.
This animated sci-fi movie has an excellent voice cast that includes Matt Damon and Drew Barrymore. Set in a future where Earth has been destroyed by an Alien race called the Drej, it is fun to watch.
Superman III
Most people forget that there was a Superman III, starring Christopher Reeves and Richard Pryor. Despite being made in 1983, this is still an iconic movie that gives serious nostalgic vibes.
Dirty Grandpa
Starring Robert De Niro and Zac Efron, this movie departed from De Niro’s usual standard of cinematic creations. But, if you are a fan of De Niro, it might be worth watching this film to see him in a more comedic role and less gangster.
The Siege
This is a good film with a great cast, starring Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis. The storyline follows FBI agents as they fight to stop terrorists from bombing New York City.
Sin City 2: A Dame to Kill For
Most people have forgotten that Sin City had a sequel. Sin City 2: A Dame To Kill For has a great cast, starring Mickey Rourke, Eva Green, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. This movie brings us more of the cinematic cartoon-style visuals we saw in the first film.
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
Starring Sylvester Stallone and Estelle Getty, this comedy-action film was never meant to be taken seriously. If you’re a Stallone fan looking for light-hearted humor, check this out.
Battlefield Earth
Starring John Travolta and Forest Whitaker, we’re not sure whether people forgot about this sci-fi movie on purpose or by mistake, as it received many negative reviews.
Jonah Hex
Starring John Malkovich and Josh Brolin, this movie adaption of the Marvel DC Comic hero Jonah Hex is a film that time forgot. Based on the adventures of a Western bounty-hunting hero with supernatural powers, this movie has lots of action.
The Spirit
Starring Samuel L. Jackson as a cold-hearted killer called The Octopus, this movie sees a murdered cop return from beyond the grave as The Spirit, seeking retribution for his killing while aiming to clean up the streets at the same time.
Crash
Starring Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, Ryan Philippe, and Thandie Newton, this movie features a group of strangers in Los Angeles. It follows their journey as they grapple with life, race, gender, and the aftermath of the September 11th terror attacks. A good film that has been forgotten, this movie is still rated 7.7 on IMDB.
The Misfits
This movie, Starring Pierce Bronson, Tim Roth, and Nick Cannon, was only released in 2021, yet it didn’t receive much attention.
A renowned criminal finds himself caught up amid an elaborate gold heist. Surprisingly, this film slipped under the radar, but hopefully, we are bringing it back into the spotlight for some potential new fans.
That Thing You Do!
Starring Tom Hanks and Liv Tyler, this film is based on one of the many bands that tried to emulate The Beatles. Billed as a comedy, drama, and musical, it is a good movie, and it still holds a rating of 7.0 on IMDB.
Bring It On
Starring Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union, Bring It On is one of those teenage comedy movies from the early 2000s. If you’re looking for a laugh and a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this should be on your list.
