10 Most Underrated Films by Julie Walters

Julie Walters has a gift for finding the human pulse in every role. People know her for crowd pleasers like ‘Educating Rita’, ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Calendar Girls’, and ‘Paddington’. Those are great introductions to her range. They also cast a long shadow that sometimes hides quieter gems in her body of work.

This list shines a light on ten projects that deserve more love. You will find warm comedies, tough dramas, and a few television films that show how naturally she carries a story. If you already admire her in the big titles, these will feel like discovering a favorite actor all over again.

‘Personal Services’ (1987)

Inspired by a real life story, ‘Personal Services’ lets Walters build a character from the ground up. She plays a woman who stumbles into an unusual business and finds agency where society least expects it. The role asks for charm, grit, and emotional honesty. She delivers all three without a hint of strain.

The film balances cheeky humor with a steady moral center. Walters keeps the tone grounded so nothing turns into a joke at her character’s expense. You leave impressed by the way she draws empathy from a situation that could have been played only for laughs.

‘Buster’ (1988)

‘Buster’ follows a small time crook swept into a very big crime and the fallout that lands on his family. Walters anchors the story with a deeply felt portrait of a spouse who wants normal life to win. She brings warmth and clear eyed strength to scenes that could have been routine.

What makes her work special here is the quiet detail. She reacts in little looks and pauses that say more than any speech. The film itself is modest and human sized, and her performance fits it like a favorite sweater.

‘Stepping Out’ (1991)

In ‘Stepping Out’, a down on its luck tap class becomes a haven for misfits. Walters stands out in an ensemble full of bright personalities. She never shouts for attention. She just lands every beat with timing that feels effortless.

The movie is gentle and generous. It believes people can surprise you if you give them a chance. Walters leans into that spirit with humor and kindness, turning a small role into a quiet highlight.

‘Pat and Margaret’ (1994)

‘Pat and Margaret’ reunites Walters with longtime collaborator Victoria Wood in a sharp but tender comedy drama. Walters plays a woman whose ordinary life collides with sudden celebrity when her famous sister returns. She makes every awkward reunion feel real and funny at the same time.

The heart of the piece is how fame rubs up against family memory. Walters grounds the satire with vulnerability. You laugh because the lines are witty. You care because she lets the hurt show through.

‘Girls’ Night’ (1998)

‘Girls’ Night’ pairs Walters with Brenda Blethyn for a story about friendship, work, and resilience. Walters brings a lived in warmth to her character. She knows exactly when to crack a joke and when to let a scene breathe.

The movie never leans on easy sentiment. It earns its tears and its smiles through small truths. Walters gives the group its beating heart, and the result is quietly affecting.

‘Titanic Town’ (1998)

Set against community tensions in Belfast, ‘Titanic Town’ looks at conflict from a family’s kitchen table. Walters plays a mother who will not accept fear as the price of everyday life. She shows courage as something stubborn and practical.

The performance is full of plainspoken power. Walters never grandstands. She makes conviction feel like care for neighbors and children, and that makes the story land with lasting weight.

‘Ahead of the Class’ (2005)

‘Ahead of the Class’ is a television film with the soul of a big screen drama. Walters portrays a headteacher stepping into a school that others have given up on. She nails the mix of steel and heart that real leadership requires.

What stays with you is how she treats hope as a daily habit. The script gives her room to be tough without losing compassion. Walters uses that space to show change happening one hallway at a time.

‘Driving Lessons’ (2006)

In ‘Driving Lessons’, Walters plays an eccentric actor who barges into a teenager’s closed world. The role lets her be wild and wise in the same breath. You can see why the boy is drawn to her spirit, and you can feel the cost of that chaos too.

The film is a gentle coming of age story with an offbeat twist. Walters keeps it honest by letting the character’s bravado slip now and then. Those flickers of doubt make the connection between the leads feel true.

‘A Short Stay in Switzerland’ (2009)

‘A Short Stay in Switzerland’ is brave and intimate. Walters plays a doctor facing a terminal illness who makes a difficult end of life choice. She gives the character clarity, dignity, and love for her family, all held in careful balance.

It is not an easy watch, but it is a necessary one. Walters refuses melodrama and trusts the audience to sit with complicated feelings. The result is a performance that lingers long after the credits.

‘Mo’ (2010)

‘Mo’ gives Walters a role that crackles with life. She embodies politician Mo Mowlam with warmth, humor, and unstoppable energy. You feel the joy of a person who connects with others and the strain of carrying heavy responsibility.

The film works because Walters never lets the character become a statue. She keeps the quirks and the flaws in view, which makes the achievements shine brighter. It is vivid, human, and fiercely engaging.

Share your own overlooked favorites from Julie Walters in the comments so others can discover them too.