The 10 Most Underrated Aubrey Plaza Movies, Ranked (From Least to Most Underrated)

Aubrey Plaza’s filmography stretches far beyond the roles most people first discovered her in on television. She has worked across indie dramas, studio comedies, voice work, and tense thrillers, often taking on producing duties as her career grew. The result is a set of movies that shows range, smart project choices, and a steady climb into more complex leads.

This list looks at ten of her films and arranges them as a countdown from least to most underrated. You will find plot details, key collaborators, and release facts for each title, along with the roles Plaza played in bringing these projects to life, including when she stepped behind the camera as a producer.

‘The Little Hours’ (2017)

Jeff Baena directed this medieval comedy, inspired by stories from Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron. Aubrey Plaza plays Sister Fernanda alongside Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Kate Micucci, and John C. Reilly. The film was shot in Italy and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before rolling out in limited theatrical release in North America.

Plaza also served as a producer on the project. The production leaned on location shooting in Tuscan countryside settings, practical period costumes, and a largely improvised approach shaped in the edit. The movie marked another collaboration between Plaza and Baena, continuing a creative partnership that includes multiple features.

‘Dirty Grandpa’ (2016)

This road trip comedy stars Robert De Niro and Zac Efron, with Aubrey Plaza appearing as Lenore. Directed by Dan Mazer, the film follows a grandson who is pulled into a chaotic spring break adventure by his recently widowed grandfather. Principal photography took place in Georgia and Florida with a wide theatrical release in January.

The ensemble includes Zoey Deutch, Dermot Mulroney, and Julianne Hough. The movie’s marketing leaned on the generational clash at the center of the story and a soundtrack built around contemporary pop and hip hop. Plaza’s character is part of a college group that intersects repeatedly with the leads during the trip.

‘Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates’ (2016)

Jake Szymanski directed this comedy about two brothers who advertise for dates to attend a family wedding in Hawaii. Aubrey Plaza plays Tatiana opposite Anna Kendrick, with Zac Efron and Adam DeVine as the title brothers. Filming took place in Hawaii and several scenes were staged at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu.

The screenplay was based on a book by the real Mike and Dave Stangle. The production emphasized physical set pieces and resort hijinks, and it opened in wide release over the summer. Plaza’s role pairs her with Kendrick’s character as the duo who answer the brothers’ ad and set the story in motion.

‘Ingrid Goes West’ (2017)

Matt Spicer directed this Los Angeles–set story about social media fixation and identity. Aubrey Plaza leads the film as Ingrid Thorburn, with co-stars Elizabeth Olsen, Wyatt Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr., and Billy Magnussen. The movie premiered at Sundance, where it won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, and later received a limited theatrical release.

Plaza is credited as a producer, helping guide the project from development through festival launch. Production took place around Southern California locations, with handheld cinematography and a mix of real and staged social postings to support the narrative. The film’s rollout included a targeted marketing campaign on digital platforms to mirror the subject matter.

‘Happiest Season’ (2020)

Clea DuVall directed this holiday-set romantic comedy. Aubrey Plaza appears as Riley, with Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis in the central couple and a supporting cast that includes Dan Levy, Alison Brie, and Mary Steenburgen. The film was originally planned for theatrical release, then shifted to a major streaming debut in late November.

Production wrapped before pandemic lockdowns and the release strategy changed as theaters closed. The movie was filmed in the Pittsburgh area, using homes and neighborhood streets dressed for winter. Plaza’s character provides a key connection to Stewart’s lead as the story unfolds during a family holiday visit.

‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ (2012)

Colin Trevorrow directed this indie feature written by Derek Connolly. Aubrey Plaza stars as Darius, an intern at a Seattle magazine who investigates a classified ad seeking a partner for time travel. The cast features Mark Duplass and Jake Johnson. The film premiered at Sundance, where it won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, and later expanded in limited release.

Shooting took place around the Pacific Northwest with a modest budget and a focus on practical locations. The movie’s success helped launch careers for its creative team, with Trevorrow and Connolly moving on to large franchise work. Plaza’s performance sits at the center of the story’s investigative thread and the relationship that grows from it.

‘Black Bear’ (2020)

Lawrence Michael Levine wrote and directed this psychological drama set at a lake house in the Adirondacks. Aubrey Plaza plays Allison, with Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon completing the central trio. The production filmed in the Saranac Lake area of New York and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition.

Plaza is credited as a producer, and the film uses a two-part structure that shifts perspective and scenario around the same characters. The crew worked on a tight schedule in a single primary location, creating a contained set for the story’s escalating tensions. Release included festival screenings and a limited theatrical and digital rollout.

‘Emily the Criminal’ (2022)

John Patton Ford wrote and directed this crime thriller about a young woman pulled into a credit card fraud ring to manage mounting debt. Aubrey Plaza plays the title role and also served as a producer. The supporting cast includes Theo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and Gina Gershon. The film premiered at Sundance and later moved to theaters and digital platforms.

Production took place in Los Angeles, using a lean crew and real city locations for a grounded look. The movie’s release strategy included platform expansion after initial word of mouth and a subsequent streaming window. Plaza’s producing involvement covered development, financing, and festival positioning alongside her lead performance.

‘Monsters University’ (2013)

This animated prequel from Pixar follows Mike and Sulley during their college years. Aubrey Plaza provides the voice of Claire Wheeler, a member of the Greek Council that oversees the Scare Games. The voice cast features Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Helen Mirren, and Nathan Fillion. The film received a wide summer release in 3D and standard formats.

The production used advances in Pixar’s rendering tools to create campus textures and crowd scenes with large numbers of background characters. Recording sessions took place over an extended period, with actors returning for pickups as sequences evolved. Plaza’s character appears in multiple competition scenes and campus announcements throughout the story.

‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ (2010)

Edgar Wright directed this adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels. Aubrey Plaza plays Julie Powers in a cast led by Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, with supporting roles for Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Brie Larson, and Jason Schwartzman. The film blended live action with stylized visual effects and on-screen graphics to mirror its comic origins.

Principal photography took place in Toronto, with action sequences choreographed to integrate visual gags and music cues. The soundtrack features original songs by in-story bands and contributions from well-known artists. Plaza’s character interacts with the lead group across band rehearsals, parties, and club shows as the narrative moves through the seven evil exes framework.

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