The 10 Most Underrated Mikey Madison Movies, Ranked (from Least to Most Underrated)

As a film buff, I’ve been consistently impressed watching Mikey Madison‘s career unfold. She’s moved so seamlessly between smaller, independent films and bigger studio projects – and she always seems to pick really interesting ones! Whether she’s leading the cast, playing a vital part in an ensemble, or even doing voice work, her roles keep getting bigger and better. What really stands out is her knack for choosing films that are thoughtfully made – movies with really strong ideas, incredibly detailed worlds, or those that nail a specific time period. It’s clear she’s an actor who really cares about the projects she’s a part of.

This list highlights ten films starring Madison, providing key details like her roles, the directors involved, when the films were released, and interesting facts about their production and place within any existing series. It’s designed to help you understand how specific decisions, the people she worked with, and how the films were distributed all contributed to her growing success.

‘The Addams Family 2’ (2021)

The Addams family is back in this animated sequel, following their spooky and hilarious road trip across the country. Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron return to voice the iconic characters, alongside a talented cast. The movie was created at Cinesite studios, with animation designed to keep the characters’ unique, angular style – just like the original drawings by Charles Addams. After playing in theaters worldwide, the film is now available to watch at home on demand and through streaming services.

This project used the same visual techniques as the first movie, featuring exciting changes in scenery, impressive vehicle stunts, and wide-angle comedic moments. These benefited from detailed digital environments and large crowds of people. The filmmakers made sure all the music was suitable for families, and the marketing focused on new settings, more family members, and travel themes, timed to coincide with school breaks in many countries.

‘Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey’ (2017)

Terry Sanders wrote and directed this nostalgic road movie, starring Madison in the lead role alongside Sean H. Scully. Filmed in Southern California using classic cars, clothing, and signs from the period, the filmmakers focused on real locations and a small team to capture the feel of the mid-20th century. The film was first shown in select theaters and is now available digitally.

The story centers on two teens traveling down the California coast, stopping at diners, motels, and small towns along the way. The film uses details and objects that reflect the time period, and the camera work feels personal and realistic, with natural lighting and a shaky, handheld style during scenes of travel and conversations between the two main characters.

‘All Souls’ (2023)

Madison stars as River, a young woman who becomes a confidential informant, navigating the dangerous world between the police and local criminals. The film is set in a city and focuses on the practical details of her work – things like meetings with her handlers, how she uses surveillance equipment, and setting up controlled drug buys. It was first shown in a limited release and is now available on digital platforms.

The film also features police officers, lawyers, and community members who help illustrate the detailed paperwork and supervision involved in working with informants. At under ninety minutes long, the movie is tightly focused on indoor settings – apartments, police stations, and cars – and relies heavily on conversations and the step-by-step process of investigations to maintain its momentum.

‘It Takes Three’ (2021)

This teen comedy, initially filmed with a different title, puts a modern spin on the story of Cyrano, focusing on the world of social media. Madison plays Kat, a high schooler navigating classmates who carefully craft their online image through direct messages, edited posts, and posed photos. The film was released through video-on-demand and streaming services after playing at film festivals and receiving limited promotion.

The film’s visual style incorporates text messages and digital interfaces seamlessly into the scenes. Filming took place in real schools to create authentic classroom and hallway environments. The editing emphasizes the rhythm of online communication – like notifications and read receipts – and the story relies on familiar digital behaviors to drive the plot.

‘Nostalgia’ (2018)

Mark Pellington directs this moving drama, which weaves together several different stories through meaningful family heirlooms. Madison stars as Kathleen alongside Jon Hamm, Catherine Keener, and Ellen Burstyn. The film initially played in select cinemas before becoming available for streaming and on demand – a common release strategy for independent and character-driven movies.

The story focuses on insurance claims, listing possessions after a death, and the process of moving. Documents, photos, and cherished objects are key to how the story unfolds. The filmmakers use simple, still shots when characters are assessing things, and wider shots when they’re sorting and packing. Each character’s emotional journey is connected to the items they’re dealing with and the difficulty of letting go of them.

‘Monster’ (2021)

This dramatic film, based on a novel by Walter Dean Myers and directed by Anthony Mandler, takes place in a courtroom and stars Madison as Alexandra Floyd. It first screened at film festivals before becoming available to watch online. Kelvin Harrison Jr. is the lead actor, supported by John David Washington, Jennifer Hudson, and Jeffrey Wright.

This story follows a teenage defendant as lawyers build competing cases using interviews, evidence, and what people say in court. The film switches between the formal settings of the legal system – like courtrooms and offices – and creative footage made by the teen, which offers a different perspective on what happened. The scenes unfold in the order events typically happen, from the initial charges to the final verdict.

‘The Addams Family’ (2019)

This new animated series brings back the beloved family, placing them in a modern, brightly-colored neighborhood that’s a stark contrast to their dark and spooky style. The show, directed by Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon, uses a unique visual style with exaggerated character designs and large sets to create funny, over-the-top action and group scenes. It was released in the U.S. by United Artists Releasing, and launched internationally with related toys and products.

The filmmakers carefully studied the original artwork of Charles Addams to get the right look and feel for the movie, and the music and sound effects emphasize the comedic timing. There are extra animated scenes after the credits that continue some of the visual jokes, and the DVD/Blu-ray release includes bonus content like short films and a look at how the movie was made, focusing on the technical aspects of animation.

‘Scream’ (2022)

The latest installment, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, brings the action back to Woodsboro, featuring both returning favorites and a fresh cast. Jenny Madison plays Amber Freeman in scenes filmed in familiar locations like hospitals, party houses, and suburban streets – all key settings from previous films. The movie was first released in theaters by Paramount and is now available for streaming and on home video.

As a fan, I really appreciated how they filmed the action. They used real stunts and effects, especially in the close-quarters fights, and then shot the bigger outdoor scenes separately. What I found *really* cool was how they connected this movie to the previous ones – little details like the masks, knives, and even the phone calls felt like inside jokes for long-time viewers, and the dialogue kept referencing the history of the films within the story itself. It felt like a natural continuation of everything we’ve seen before.

‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ (2019)

Quentin Tarantino’s movie features Madison as Susan “Sadie” Atkins, set in 1969 Los Angeles. The filmmakers recreated the era using studio sets, modified existing locations, and a large number of cars from that time period. The film first premiered at a large film festival in Europe and was then released worldwide that summer, with Sony Pictures handling distribution.

The production team created a realistic period setting with extensive costume and hair departments, ensuring everything looked consistent whether filming on studio lots or city streets decorated with old-fashioned signs. The soundtrack features popular music and commercials from the time, and car scenes were filmed using a combination of real footage and a technique called rear-projection to accurately recreate the look of roads and views from that era.

‘Anora’ (2024)

Sean Baker wrote and directed this drama, set in Brooklyn, about a dancer named Ani whose sudden marriage causes problems with the law and her family. The film first gained attention at a major film festival, where it won the highest award, and was then released in North America through a distributor specializing in independent films, eventually reaching more countries. The movie was filmed on location in and around Brighton Beach, featuring its streets, apartments, and nightclubs.

Getting ready for the show involved practicing the dances, working with a coach to improve Russian dialogue, and learning fight sequences for action scenes. The filmmakers chose a realistic style, using handheld cameras, shooting outdoors in natural light, and filming in smaller spaces. To get the film seen, they planned to release it on multiple platforms, hold screenings with audience Q&A sessions, and promote it for awards consideration.

Share your thoughts on which titles you’d include and how you’d order them in the comments!

2025-09-26 09:16