10 Underrated Films by Kurt Russell You Must See

Kurt Russell has covered a huge range of roles across decades of work in American film. Many viewers know him from landmark titles like ‘Escape from New York’, ‘The Thing’, ‘Big Trouble in Little China’, and ‘Tombstone’. His filmography also includes smaller releases and genre pieces that did not dominate the box office yet show the breadth of projects he chose and the collaborators he worked with.

This list focuses on ten titles that slipped past a lot of people when they first arrived. You will find projects with notable directors and writers, strong supporting casts, and production stories that help explain how each film landed in its moment. Each entry includes concise background on what the film is about and why it occupies a distinct spot in Russell’s career.

‘Used Cars’ (1980)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, ‘Used Cars’ teams Russell with Jack Warden and Gerrit Graham in a fast talking satire of salesmanship set at two feuding car lots. Zemeckis and Bob Gale wrote the script and Steven Spielberg served as an executive producer. The production shot with a mix of scripted and improvised gags and featured elaborate practical set pieces involving rows of vehicles.

The film opened during a crowded late summer window and earned modest receipts compared with other comedies of the period. Critics highlighted its sharp writing and it later found a wider audience on cable and home video. The project strengthened Russell’s collaboration pipeline with major creative partners who would shape 1980s studio filmmaking.

‘The Mean Season’ (1985)

‘The Mean Season’ is a newsroom thriller directed by Phillip Borsos and adapted from John Katzenbach’s novel. Russell plays a Miami reporter whose coverage of a serial killer draws him into a dangerous relationship with his source. Mariel Hemingway co stars and Richard Jordan appears in a key role that drives the investigation forward.

The production filmed on location to capture the coastal setting and local media routines. It arrived amid a wave of crime dramas set in Florida and used the newsroom as the engine for plot turns rather than police procedure. The film has remained a reference point for portrayals of reporter subject dynamics in mainstream thrillers.

‘The Best of Times’ (1986)

Directed by Roger Spottiswoode and written by Ron Shelton, ‘The Best of Times’ pairs Russell with Robin Williams in a story about two former high school players who try to replay a pivotal football game in their Central Valley hometown. The film explores how a small community rallies around the event and how the plan affects the families involved. It features a cast of character actors who fill out the town’s booster club, coaching staff, and local businesses.

Shelton’s script drew on his interest in how sports intersect with personal identity and local culture. Production shot in California communities that could double for the fictional setting and used real school facilities to stage practices and game sequences. The film later became an early entry in Shelton’s run of sports stories that examine the lives built around the field.

‘Winter People’ (1989)

‘Winter People’ is a period drama directed by Ted Kotcheff and based on John Ehle’s novel. Russell stars as a widowed inventor who settles in a remote Appalachian community where he meets a young mother played by Kelly McGillis. The story follows rival mountain families, local customs, and the stakes created by economic survival in a rural setting.

The production emphasizes practical locations, cold weather shoots, and traditional crafts to ground the community’s daily life. Costumes and props reflect Depression era material culture while the score and sound design lean on regional instruments. The film offers a detailed look at small town social structures that guide decisions and conflicts.

‘Captain Ron’ (1992)

Thom Eberhardt directed ‘Captain Ron’, a family adventure about a Chicago couple who inherit a sailboat in the Caribbean and hire an unconventional skipper to help them move it. Russell plays the title character opposite Martin Short and Mary Kay Place. The story tracks island to island travel, navigation mishaps, and a string of port calls that place the family out of their comfort zone.

The production filmed extensively on water with real vessels and practical sailing work. Locations span several islands and include sequences that required close coordination between the marine unit and the main crew. The film became a steady cable presence for years, which introduced it to viewers who missed its theatrical run.

‘Executive Decision’ (1996)

Stuart Baird directed ‘Executive Decision’, a high altitude thriller about an intelligence analyst and a special operations team mounting a midair rescue during an airline hijacking. Russell leads a cast that includes Halle Berry, John Leguizamo, and an early appearance by Steven Seagal. The film is known for a midflight transfer sequence that uses a stealth aircraft to reach the passenger jet.

The production built full scale aircraft interiors and used a mix of practical effects and miniatures for exterior shots. Aviation advisors helped stage cockpit procedures, cabin layouts, and communications protocols. The release performed solidly in international markets and became a frequent broadcast title due to its self contained real time structure.

‘Breakdown’ (1997)

Directed by Jonathan Mostow, ‘Breakdown’ follows a couple driving cross country whose road trip is disrupted when their vehicle fails in the desert. Russell’s character searches for his missing wife, played by Kathleen Quinlan, while dealing with a trucker portrayed by J. T. Walsh. The plot unfolds across truck stops, rural highways, and small town depots that complicate the search.

The production used remote Southwestern locations to heighten isolation and relied on practical stunt driving for highway sequences. Mostow cut the film for sustained momentum, which kept the running time lean and focused on logistics like maps, cash withdrawals, and vehicle swaps. The film performed well relative to its budget and served as a calling card for Mostow’s later studio assignments.

‘Soldier’ (1998)

Paul W S Anderson directed ‘Soldier’ from a screenplay by David Peoples, whose earlier credits include work connected to the world of ‘Blade Runner’. Russell portrays a lifetime trained fighter discarded for a newer program who is forced to adapt among civilians on a distant colony. The story connects to a broader science fiction timeline through shared terms and battles referenced in dialogue.

Production design leans on industrial sets, worn gear, and a muted palette to convey military obsolescence. Russell trained extensively to reach a specific physical profile and speaks very little throughout the film, which shifts attention to action blocking and staging. The movie underperformed theatrically and later found a specialized audience through home formats and genre festivals.

‘Dark Blue’ (2002)

‘Dark Blue’ is a Los Angeles police drama directed by Ron Shelton and based on a story by James Ellroy. Set around the period of the 1992 unrest, it follows an elite unit investigating a convenience store murder while navigating internal corruption and community anger. Russell stars alongside Ving Rhames, Brendan Gleeson, and Scott Speedman.

The production recreated key city locations and integrated archival news coverage to place the narrative near real events. Shelton focused on roll call briefings, internal affairs interviews, and community meetings to depict institutional processes. The film arrived during a cycle of Ellroy inspired projects that examined crime and policing in Southern California.

‘Bone Tomahawk’ (2015)

Written and directed by S Craig Zahler, ‘Bone Tomahawk’ blends a frontier rescue story with horror elements. Russell plays a small town sheriff who joins a search party with characters portrayed by Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, and Richard Jenkins. The plot follows a measured journey across open country that ends inside a remote canyon settlement.

The film was produced on a modest budget with a short shoot and a focus on character interaction between bursts of violence. Zahler’s script uses period speech patterns and long dialogue exchanges, which keep attention on tactics like tracking, wound care, and rationing. The film premiered at festivals and expanded gradually through specialty distributors.

Share your own overlooked picks for Kurt Russell in the comments and tell us which titles you think more people should check out.