The 10 Most Underrated Naomi Watts Movies, Ranked (from Least to Most Underrated)

Naomi Watts is a versatile actress who has excelled in all kinds of films, from small, character-driven stories to big-budget thrillers. While she’s known for many popular roles, a closer look at her work reveals a wealth of interesting projects where she’s either worked with unique directors, tackled difficult subject matter, or delivered nuanced performances in supporting roles.

This list highlights overlooked movies, ranking them from most to least underrated based on publicly available ratings. For each film, we provide details like the director, main creative team, the original story it’s based on, how it was made, when it was released, and what Naomi Watts does in her role – everything you need to quickly choose your next movie.

‘We Don’t Live Here Anymore’ (2004)

Naomi Watts stars alongside Mark Ruffalo, Laura Dern, and Peter Krause in this dramatic story of marriage and infidelity. Directed by John Curran and written by Larry Gross, the film is based on a short story by Andre Dubus. It follows two couples living next door to each other, whose secret affairs expose hidden tensions and shifting loyalties, played out against the backdrop of school and home life.

Filmed mostly in British Columbia, which stood in for the American Pacific Northwest, the production used a shaky, handheld camera style to create a sense of intimacy and focus on the actors’ performances. It debuted at a prominent film festival and was praised for its strong cast, particularly the nuanced scenes between Watts and his fellow actors, where subtle shifts in expression and timing were more important than the plot itself.

‘The International’ (2009)

This European thriller, directed by Tom Tykwer, stars Naomi Watts as an assistant district attorney who joins forces with an Interpol agent (Clive Owen) to expose corruption within a major international banking group. The film features exciting investigative scenes filmed on location in real buildings and cities like Berlin and Milan.

The film features an impressive action scene filmed inside a detailed, full-size recreation of New York’s Guggenheim Museum, built on a soundstage. This allowed the filmmakers to create dynamic movement and use real-world effects. Craig Armstrong composed the music, and Franka Potente and Armin Mueller-Stahl play important supporting roles as the story follows the movement of money internationally.

‘Funny Games’ (2007)

I recently watched Michael Haneke’s remake of his own film, and it was seriously intense. It stars Naomi Watts and Tim Roth as a couple whose home is invaded, and Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet are terrifying as the intruders. What really struck me was how Haneke filmed it – long, unbroken shots and a refusal to follow typical movie rules. It’s not just about what happens *to* the family, but how it makes *you*, the viewer, feel – almost like you’re part of the situation, and that’s really unsettling.

Filming happened in the Hamptons and on soundstages in New York City. The movie features director Michael Haneke’s distinctive visual style, with carefully composed shots and very little music. Naomi Watts was also a producer, and the film’s sets and costumes were deliberately understated to emphasize the characters’ emotional states, reflecting Haneke’s overall artistic choices.

‘Stay’ (2005)

Marc Forster directs this mind-bending mystery, written by David Benioff, starring Naomi Watts, Ryan Gosling, and Ewan McGregor. The film weaves together their stories, blurring the lines between memory, who we are, and how we see the world. Beautifully shot by Rodrigo Prieto, the film uses clever visual techniques – like seamless transitions and mirroring – to connect places and characters.

Filmed entirely in New York City, the movie relies on real-world effects and clever camera work to create a seamless visual experience. The set design uses repeating images-like staircases, bridges, and certain pieces of art-to subtly signal changes in the story. The music, composed by Asche & Spencer, enhances these transitions without giving away key plot points.

‘Penguin Bloom’ (2020)

Naomi Watts stars as Sam Bloom and also helped create this film, which is based on a true story by Cameron Bloom and Bradley Trevor Greive. It follows the Bloom family as they recover from a devastating accident, and their heartwarming connection with an injured magpie they name Penguin, showing their everyday life, therapy progress, and family relationships.

Shot on location in New South Wales, Australia, the movie featured real trained birds enhanced with visual effects. Animal experts worked closely with the filmmakers to accurately show the birds’ recovery process. The film stars Andrew Lincoln and Jacki Weaver, and was released both at film festivals and on streaming platforms in multiple countries.

‘Luce’ (2019)

I recently saw this really compelling drama, and Naomi Watts is fantastic in it. She plays the mother of a brilliant student – Kelvin Harrison Jr. gives a phenomenal performance – and the story unfolds through a writing assignment he does for school. It’s adapted from a stage play by J.C. Lee, and it really gets you thinking about the pressures we put on kids, how much privacy they should have, and how much power teachers and schools really have. Octavia Spencer and Tim Roth are also in it, adding even more weight to these complex issues. It’s a movie that sticks with you, honestly.

The movie was made independently, filmed around New York in real locations like schools, houses, and gyms to ground the story in relatable settings. The editing focuses on conversations, keeping the feel of the original play but adding a natural movie rhythm. The music, by Geoff Barrow, is subtle and supports the overall mood.

‘Demolition’ (2015)

Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, the film explores grief through the story of a man, played by Naomi Watts, and her interactions with a character played by Jake Gyllenhaal. The script, written by Bryan Sipe, cleverly uses letters and nighttime drives to reveal the characters’ emotions and how they cope with loss by changing their daily lives and possessions.

Filmed throughout New York City and its surrounding areas, the production team actually used controlled demolitions to create certain visual effects and symbolic moments. Chris Cooper delivers a key performance in a supporting role, and the director chose to edit the film without temporary music, instead relying on natural sounds recorded during filming to create a realistic soundscape.

‘St. Vincent’ (2014)

I just saw Theodore Melfi’s latest, and Naomi Watts delivers a really compelling performance as Daka, a pregnant woman working as a sex worker. She shares some fantastic scenes with Bill Murray – predictably grumpy, but great – and Melissa McCarthy, who plays a mom navigating life after a split. Her story weaves into the main plot about a group trying to get an after-school program up and running, and a school project, giving you a really interesting look at the diverse lives of people in Brooklyn.

The movie was filmed both on location in New York City and on sound stages, which helped ensure clear dialogue in indoor scenes. Jaeden Martell’s character has a story that connects all the other characters, and the film premiered at festivals before being released to a wider audience. Marketing efforts emphasized the lead actor, while also showcasing how the stories of the entire cast fit together.

‘The Painted Veil’ (2006)

Naomi Watts and Edward Norton lead this film, based on a novel by W. Somerset Maugham, and directed by John Curran. The story, written by Ron Nyswaner, centers on a couple struggling in their marriage while a cholera epidemic breaks out in the Chinese countryside. It explores their attempt to repair their relationship alongside the challenges of controlling the outbreak.

Filming happened in Guangxi and Shanghai, and also on sound stages built to look like historical interiors. Stuart Dryburgh was in charge of filming the outdoor scenes and anything involving boats. Alexandre Desplat created the highly praised music for the film. The filmmakers worked with local officials to film in villages and among the beautiful karst mountains, using river travel to smoothly connect different parts of the story.

‘Eastern Promises’ (2007)

Naomi Watts stars with Viggo Mortensen and Vincent Cassel in David Cronenberg’s new crime thriller, set in London’s Russian criminal world. She plays a midwife who gets involved with a dangerous family through her work, uncovering connections between hospital records, a mysterious diary, and a criminal protection scheme-all of which leads to a larger investigation into human trafficking.

Filmed throughout London, the production used actual restaurants and bathhouses to create a realistic feel, and kept the crew small for more personal scenes. The script by Steven Knight carefully incorporates cultural and language nuances. Viggo Mortensen worked with coaches to perfect his accent and learn intricate fight choreography, while Howard Shore’s music blends traditional folk instruments with a contemporary orchestral sound.

Let us know in the comments which Naomi Watts performances you think deserve more attention-and feel free to suggest additions or a different order!

2025-09-19 03:51