The 10 Most Underrated Anne Hathaway Movies, Ranked (from Least to Most Underrated)

Anne Hathaway has acted in a wide variety of movies, including fantasy, independent dramas, science fiction, and romantic stories. While many of her films were well-made and creatively interesting, they didn’t always get the attention they deserved. This list highlights some of those lesser-known titles, showcasing the diverse roles she’s taken on – from small, personal dramas to films that mix genres in unique ways.

The selection features a mix of big-budget films and smaller independent releases, alongside both original stories and remakes, often created by filmmakers with diverse styles. To help you understand each project, we’ve included specific information like the actors involved, who worked on it, how it was made, when it was released, and how audiences and critics responded – so you can quickly grasp its goals and creation.

‘The Last Thing He Wanted’ (2020)

This political thriller, directed by Dee Rees and based on Joan Didion’s novel, centers on a journalist who gets caught up in a dangerous arms deal in Central America. Anne Hathaway stars as Elena McMahon, alongside Willem Dafoe, Ben Affleck, and Rosie Perez. The film was produced by Elevated Films and Bloom and will be released first on a streaming service.

Filmed in various locations, the movie portrays both Washington D.C. and tropical environments, blending the day-to-day workings of a newsroom with the complexities of secret operations. It premiered at film festivals before becoming widely available for streaming. The story itself is structured like Joan Didion’s original reporting, using press conferences, travel records, and on-the-ground observations to tell the tale.

‘Locked Down’ (2021)

Written by Steven Knight and directed by Doug Liman, this romantic thriller unfolds like a heist and was filmed during the pandemic with a small team and in actual stores. Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor play the leads, Linda and Paxton, and the film cleverly incorporates video calls – featuring cameos from Ben Stiller, Mindy Kaling, and Ben Kingsley – to reflect how people connected during that time.

The movie centers around a jewelry heist at Harrods department store, cleverly interwoven with a couple facing a turning point in their relationship. It details both the practicalities of the theft – like security access and delivery schedules – and the emotional pressures the couple is under at work, including company restructuring and shipping logistics. Filming took place during lockdown, using real city streets and remote filming techniques.

‘Serenity’ (2019)

I just finished watching this really gripping neo-noir mystery directed by Steven Knight. Matthew McConaughey is fantastic, and Anne Hathaway plays this intriguing character, Karen, who shows up with a surprising offer and a whole plan involving a fishing boat. The movie also stars Djimon Hounsou, Diane Lane, and Jason Clarke. What I found really clever was how the story unfolded on this isolated island, using things like security cameras, phone records, and GPS data to build the suspense and move the plot forward. It’s a really tightly-crafted thriller!

The film blends different levels of reality and uses ideas about algorithms to help explain why people act so strangely. When it came out, people noticed its surprising shifts in genre and its location by the sea. The movie’s design cleverly uses details like boats, weather reports, and harbor timetables as clues that slowly reveal the story as the characters investigate.

‘Ella Enchanted’ (2004)

This fantasy movie is based on Gail Carson Levine’s book and combines classic fairy tale themes with modern music. Anne Hathaway stars as Ella, who is burdened with a magical compulsion to obey, and features supporting performances by Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, and Aidan McArdle. Miramax is distributing the film, and Tommy O’Haver directed it.

The film blends medieval clothing and set designs with intentionally out-of-place modern elements. The story’s challenges and resolutions are built around strict rules for magic. Creatures and fantastical beings are created using make-up, puppets, and visual effects techniques from the early 2000s. The plot unfolds as a series of tasks, agreements, and promises that dictate what the characters do.

‘Colossal’ (2016)

Nacho Vigalondo’s new film cleverly connects a woman’s personal struggles in a quiet American town with the appearance of a giant monster abroad. Starring Anne Hathaway as Gloria and Jason Sudeikis, the movie uses striking visuals – contrasting everyday places like bars and playgrounds with breaking news reports – to show how events in different parts of the world are connected.

The movie cleverly connects what the characters do to the exact locations where the creature leaves its footprints, using a playground grid as a visual guide. It reinforces these connections with repeating time cues, news clips, and emergency announcements. The monster scenes were created using a mix of real-life effects, small film crews, and visual effects, all blended seamlessly into realistic settings. The film gained attention at festivals before wider release, largely because of its unique and consistent approach to storytelling.

‘Love & Other Drugs’ (2010)

Edward Zwick’s romantic drama is based on Jamie Reidy’s experiences as a pharmaceutical salesman. The film follows the world of drug sales, showing how medications are promoted to doctors. Anne Hathaway stars as Maggie, and Jake Gyllenhaal plays Jamie, with Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria, and Judy Greer also featured. It offers a look at the strategies used by sales reps, including navigating hospital systems and providing samples.

The film portrays the complex relationship between healthcare and profit by focusing on things like doctor access rules, medical conferences, and insurance requirements. It uses medical language and emphasizes following treatment plans to tell the story. The music and editing reflect the pressures of meeting sales goals and dealing with competition, and the scenes are set in hospitals, clinics, and industry events to create a sense of time and urgency.

‘Rachel Getting Married’ (2008)

Jonathan Demme directs this drama, written by Jenny Lumet, which centers on Kym (played by Anne Hathaway) and her family as they come together for various events like rehearsals, meals, and ceremonies. The film features Rosemarie DeWitt, Bill Irwin, and Debra Winger, and Demme films it in a realistic style, using handheld cameras, music from within the scene, and extended shots filmed in actual homes.

The show blends live on-set performances with music that sets the mood and also guides the pace of the weekend’s events. The story follows the practical details – like guest lists, speeches, and support meetings – and the editing deliberately shows everything happening behind the scenes, from setting the table to kitchen work and rehearsals, to ground the characters’ conversations in realistic activities.

‘One Day’ (2011)

This drama, adapted from David Nicholls’ novel and directed by Lone Scherfig, follows Emma and Dexter over several years, checking in with them on the same date each year. Anne Hathaway stars as Emma and Jim Sturgess plays Dexter. The filmmakers paid close attention to details like hair, clothing, and set design to show how fashion, technology, and their careers change over time.

The show’s structure centers around scenes that take place on specific dates and in recurring locations-like homes, offices, and family gathering spots. This allows the production to visually show changes in location and characters’ jobs using props and signs. The filming style and editing consistently highlight the passage of a year, and the music reinforces these time jumps by bringing back themes tied to important events.

‘Becoming Jane’ (2007)

Directed by Julian Jarrold, this historical drama delves into the formative years of Jane Austen’s life and how she became a writer. Anne Hathaway plays Austen, and James McAvoy stars as Tom Lefroy. Filmed in Ireland to recreate England, the production team paid close attention to detail, including authentic writing materials, libraries, and the process of getting published.

The costumes are carefully designed based on real clothes and fashion illustrations from the time, reflecting the characters’ social standing and where they’re from. The story explores details like early drafts of letters, family budgets, and how people dated, all tied to the everyday customs of the period. The production also includes realistic touches – things like dance cards, sealed letters, and travel plans – to show how life actually worked back then.

‘The Intern’ (2015)

Nancy Meyers wrote and directed this funny movie about work. It stars Anne Hathaway as Jules, the head of a successful online clothing company, and Robert De Niro as Ben, an older man who joins the company as an intern. The filmmakers paid close attention to how real online businesses operate, showing details like how orders are packed and shipped, how customer problems are handled, and even where employees sit, to make the movie feel authentic.

The visuals show the company’s everyday operations, featuring things like project boards, progress trackers, and marketing schedules. Filming took place in Brooklyn neighborhoods and modern office spaces – including open work areas, photo studios, and meeting rooms. The story weaves in realistic details like HR processes, investor updates, and website traffic goals to create a believable timeline.

Let us know your favorite Anne Hathaway movie that you think doesn’t get enough recognition! Share the title in the comments and tell us why you love it.

2025-09-29 05:16