The 10 Most Underrated Timothée Chalamet Movies, Ranked (from Least to Most Underrated)

While Timothée Chalamet is famous for a few big movies, he’s actually been in many more films and shows. He’s taken on a variety of roles, both large and small, in independent films, ensemble casts, and streaming releases – many of which haven’t gotten as much attention as his more popular work. This list highlights ten of those projects where he delivers particularly strong performances.

Here’s a brief overview of each film, covering its origins, director, plot, and Timothée Chalamet’s role. We’ve focused on key facts – like the director’s name, character details, how the film was made, and where to watch it – so you can quickly choose your next movie without unnecessary details.

‘The Adderall Diaries’ (2015)

I recently watched this really compelling drama directed by Pamela Romanowsky. It’s based on Stephen Elliott’s life story, and it follows a writer who’s dealing with a difficult murder case while also confronting his own troubled past. I first saw it at the Tribeca Film Festival, and now it’s available to watch in select theaters and online. The cast is amazing – James Franco, Ed Harris, Amber Heard, and Cynthia Nixon all star in it!

Timothée Chalamet plays a young Stephen Elliott in flashback scenes, helping us understand how the main character became who he is. These scenes show key moments from his past that explain his later decisions and give context to the story’s investigation, grounding it in a well-developed personal history.

‘Love the Coopers’ (2015)

Directed by Jessie Nelson, this funny and heartwarming Christmas movie follows a large Pittsburgh family as they come together for the holidays. The story jumps between different family members – Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Marisa Tomei, and Olivia Wilde are among the stars – as they deal with the usual joys and challenges of the season.

Timothée Chalamet stars as Charlie, a teenager dealing with the usual challenges of school, relationships, and family as the holidays approach. His story is woven into the bigger picture of the family, offering a younger viewpoint within the film’s complex and layered narrative.

‘Hot Summer Nights’ (2017)

Elijah Bynum wrote and directed this film, a coming-of-age crime story set on Cape Cod in the early 1990s. It follows a shy teenager whose summer takes an unexpected turn when he gets involved in drug dealing, a shaky business deal, and a budding romance. A24 picked up the film, releasing it in select theaters and for digital streaming.

Timothée Chalamet plays Daniel Middleton, and the story follows his quick transformation from an inexperienced outsider to someone in over his head. The film’s changing moods – from a sweet teen romance to a risky underground world and building local conflicts – all happen because of the decisions Daniel makes and how those choices affect the people around him, both his friends and enemies.

‘A Rainy Day in New York’ (2019)

This romantic comedy, written and directed by Woody Allen, takes place in New York City over the course of a rainy day. It follows a young couple whose date goes awry, leading them on separate adventures with people in the film industry and high society. The movie stars Elle Fanning, Selena Gomez, Jude Law, and Liev Schreiber, and their stories unfold in various locations throughout Manhattan.

I’m really captivated by Timothée Chalamet’s performance as Gatsby Welles. He plays this privileged college student who just wants a fun weekend in the city, but everything goes wrong! It feels like all the chaotic events and funny behind-the-scenes stuff in the movie revolve around him, and he’s what connects all the different stories together.

‘Miss Stevens’ (2016)

This independent film, directed by Julia Hart, centers on a high school English teacher and three students as they travel to a drama competition. It first premiered at SXSW and later played at other festivals before a small release in theaters. The film is notable for its unique combination of classroom scenes and a road trip setting, and its emphasis on the relationship between a teacher and their students.

Timothée Chalamet plays Billy Mitman, a student competing in the event. The film frequently shows Billy practicing and performing, creating a back-and-forth flow between preparation and the competition itself. Scenes of Billy traveling – on the bus and checking into hotels – help to mark the passage of time during the competition.

‘Men, Women & Children’ (2014)

Jason Reitman’s film explores the impact of online life – texting, gaming, social media, and more – on teenagers and their parents, and how it affects their relationships. Based on Chad Kultgen’s novel, the movie follows several families in the suburbs, showing how these digital worlds connect with everyday life at school, during sports, and at home. The film features a cast including Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, and Ansel Elgort.

Timothée Chalamet stars as Danny Vance, a high school football player. The movie follows him as he navigates team life and the social scene at school. Through his story, the film explores how sports, popularity, and social media connect within the everyday high school experience.

‘Bones and All’ (2022)

Luca Guadagnino’s new film, based on Camille DeAngelis’s novel, is a romantic and unsettling road movie set across the American Midwest. Filmed on location in several states, it combines close-up, character-focused scenes with expansive shots of the open road. The film stars Taylor Russell, Mark Rylance, and André Holland.

Timothée Chalamet stars as Lee, a wanderer whose lifestyle dictates the pace of the movie. The places he visits – like diners, thrift stores, and the outskirts of small towns – determine where the main characters go and how long their road trip takes.

‘The French Dispatch’ (2021)

Wes Anderson’s latest film is designed like the last issue of an old American magazine, but it’s set in a made-up French city. It’s made up of three main stories, plus extra sections, and visually mimics the look of a magazine with its layouts and illustrations. The movie stars Benicio Del Toro, Frances McDormand, Jeffrey Wright, and many actors who frequently work with Anderson.

Timothée Chalamet plays Zeffirelli, a college activist featured in the “Revisions to a Manifesto” segment. His character is central to the scenes set on campus, as well as the film’s depictions of activist communications and street organizing, mirroring the short film’s overall structure which moves from news reporting to grassroots movement.

‘Hostiles’ (2017)

Scott Cooper’s Western tells the story of an army officer in the late 1800s tasked with guiding a Cheyenne chief and his family safely through dangerous lands. Shot on location in New Mexico and Colorado, the film features authentic costumes and realistic depictions of travel, and stars Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike.

Timothée Chalamet is fantastic as Private Philippe DeJardin, one of the soldiers assigned to protect the caravan. What really struck me was how the film immediately establishes him *within* the military structure. It’s not just about action; we see the details – how they rotate guards, check supplies, and maintain order on the long journey. It really grounds the story in the practical realities of this kind of escort mission, and Chalamet’s placement feels intentional in showcasing that.

‘The King’ (2019)

I just finished watching this amazing historical drama, and it’s a really fresh take on how Henry V became king! David Michôd not only directed it, but co-wrote the script, and he really dug into both Shakespeare’s plays *and* what actually happened back then. It first showed at the Venice Film Festival, and then Netflix released it worldwide after a short run in theaters. What really blew me away was how massive everything looked on screen – the battle scenes were huge, the palaces were incredible, and even the temporary army camps felt totally real. It was a real spectacle!

Okay, so Timothée Chalamet plays Hal, who eventually becomes King Henry V, and the movie really focuses on the different stages of his journey. We see him trying to avoid the responsibilities of court life at first, then becoming king, dealing with tricky diplomatic situations, and finally getting everything ready for the war in France. It’s cool because the scenes jump between the royal court, where they’re planning things, the training grounds where they’re getting the army ready, and then the actual battles. Everything feels connected – you really see how his choices as a character drive the story forward and how it all leads up to the war.

Have a title you’d add to this list, or a performance you think deserves more attention? Share your suggestions in the comments below!

2025-09-29 09:47