The 10 Most Underrated Bryan Cranston Movies, Ranked (from Least to Most Underrated)

Bryan Cranston’s film work stretches far beyond the roles most people first think of, with a mix of lead performances, scene-stealing supporting turns, and memorable voice acting. Across dramas, thrillers, animation, and true-story adaptations, he’s collaborated with acclaimed directors and anchored projects that didn’t always get the spotlight they deserved on release.

Below is a countdown of ten titles that showcase range—crime infiltrations, literary biopics, a stop-motion adventure, even a sly lottery caper—organized as a simple 10-to-1 list. Each entry notes Cranston’s role, key collaborators, and production details so you can quickly see what makes each film stand out in his career.

‘Cold Comes the Night’ (2013)

This crime thriller is directed by Tze Chun and stars Bryan Cranston as Topo, a nearly blind Eastern European gangster who coerces a struggling motel owner, played by Alice Eve, into helping him retrieve cash after a botched deal. The cast also includes Logan Marshall-Green, and the story unfolds around a rundown roadside motel that becomes the focal point for stolen money and shifting loyalties.

The film was produced by Syncopated Films and Scion Films and released in North America by Stage 6 Films and Samuel Goldwyn Films. It was shot largely in upstate New York, using practical, low-light locations to underscore the story’s tense, nocturnal setting.

‘Wakefield’ (2016)

Written and directed by Robin Swicord, this adaptation of an E. L. Doctorow short story centers on Cranston as Howard Wakefield, a Manhattan lawyer who retreats to his garage attic and secretly observes his family after a personal crisis. Jennifer Garner co-stars as Diana Wakefield, while the film uses voiceover drawn from the character’s internal monologue to track his gradual, unsettling isolation.

The film premiered on the festival circuit and was distributed in the United States by IFC Films. Production took place primarily in the New York area, with a focus on single-location staging that lets Cranston’s performance carry long stretches of screen time.

‘Godzilla’ (2014)

Directed by Gareth Edwards, this monster reboot features Cranston as engineer Joe Brody, whose early-film investigation into a catastrophic plant incident sets up the story’s chain of events. The ensemble includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins, and Juliette Binoche, with large-scale set pieces that reintroduce classic kaiju elements to a modern effects framework.

The film was produced by Legendary Pictures and released by Warner Bros., launching a shared “MonsterVerse.” It grossed over half a billion dollars worldwide and used a combination of practical effects, extensive location shoots, and digital compositing to stage city-level destruction and creature interactions.

‘The One and Only Ivan’ (2020)

This family drama blends live action with computer-generated animals and casts Cranston as Mack, the owner and ringmaster of a mall circus where a gentle gorilla named Ivan performs. Sam Rockwell voices Ivan, with additional voice roles by Angelina Jolie, Danny DeVito, and Helen Mirren, while the story draws from K. A. Applegate’s bestselling novel about animal welfare and belonging.

Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and shot with performance-capture techniques, the film debuted on Disney+. Its visual effects team created photorealistic animals integrated into live-action sets, work that earned recognition during awards season for the film’s digital artistry.

‘Jerry & Marge Go Large’ (2022)

Cranston portrays retired factory manager Jerry Selbee in this true-story comedy-drama about a Massachusetts couple who legally exploit a statistical quirk in a regional lottery game. Annette Bening co-stars as Marge Selbee, and the film follows how their winnings are funneled into revitalizing their small town’s projects and local causes.

Directed by David Frankel, the film is based on a widely read magazine feature by Jason Fagone. It was produced by Paramount Players and Levantine Films and premiered on Paramount+, with location photography in Georgia standing in for New England settings.

‘Last Flag Flying’ (2017)

Directed by Richard Linklater from a screenplay co-written with Darryl Ponicsan, this road-movie drama reunites three Vietnam-era buddies—played by Cranston, Steve Carell, and Laurence Fishburne—who embark on a journey after a family loss. The film is adapted from Ponicsan’s novel and is positioned as a spiritual follow-up to the story world of ‘The Last Detail,’ tracking the trio’s evolving dynamic across military bases, diners, and train routes.

The production was backed by Amazon Studios, with principal photography in Pennsylvania. The film premiered at the New York Film Festival, and its release strategy included a limited theatrical run supported by a platform rollout in major U.S. cities.

‘The Infiltrator’ (2016)

Cranston stars as U.S. Customs special agent Robert Mazur in this undercover crime drama directed by Brad Furman. The film chronicles the creation of Mazur’s alias to penetrate money-laundering networks linked to the Medellín Cartel, with co-stars Diane Kruger, John Leguizamo, and Benjamin Bratt portraying colleagues and targets within the operation.

Based on Mazur’s memoir, the production was mounted by Good Films and Broad Green Pictures, with shooting in Florida and the United Kingdom to recreate both American and international financial fronts. The release included theatrical distribution in North America alongside select international territories.

‘Kung Fu Panda 3’ (2016)

This installment of the animated franchise introduces Cranston as Li Shan, Po’s long-lost biological father, who draws the Dragon Warrior back to a secret panda village. Jack Black leads the voice cast as Po, joined by Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, and J. K. Simmons as the supernatural antagonist Kai, while the film expands the series’ mythology with new locations and martial-arts set pieces.

A U.S.–China co-production by DreamWorks Animation and Oriental DreamWorks, the film used a cross-continental pipeline to coordinate story, animation, and lighting. It was released worldwide in multiple formats and became one of the highest-grossing animated features in China at the time of its run.

‘Trumbo’ (2015)

Cranston portrays screenwriter Dalton Trumbo in this biographical drama directed by Jay Roach, depicting the Hollywood blacklist era and the writer’s use of pseudonyms to keep working. The ensemble includes Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Michael Stuhlbarg, John Goodman, and Louis C. K., tracking guild negotiations, front-writer arrangements, and behind-the-scenes production on major studio pictures.

Adapted from Bruce Cook’s biography, the film premiered on the fall festival circuit and was released in the United States by Bleecker Street. Cranston received a Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards for this role, and the production recreated period studios, offices, and sets using a combination of backlot work and location shooting.

‘Isle of Dogs’ (2018)

Wes Anderson’s stop-motion feature casts Cranston as Chief, a stray who helps a group of exiled dogs guide a boy searching for his lost pet. The voice ensemble includes Koyu Rankin, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, and Greta Gerwig, with a narrative set in the fictional Japanese city of Megasaki that uses miniature sets, hand-animated fur work, and stylized action sequences.

Produced by Indian Paintbrush and American Empirical Pictures and released by Fox Searchlight, the film opened the Berlin International Film Festival, where its director received the Silver Bear for Best Director. Principal animation took place at London’s 3 Mills Studios, employing thousands of individual puppets and meticulously crafted environments to achieve its distinct visual texture.

If you’ve seen any of these, share which one surprised you most in the comments!