The 10 Most Underrated Charlize Theron Movies, Ranked (From Least to Most Underrated)

Charlize Theron has moved between studio blockbusters and character driven projects with an ease that keeps her filmography unusually varied. She earned an Academy Award for portraying Aileen Wuornos in ‘Monster’ and anchored large scale hits like ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ and entries in the ‘Fast and Furious’ series, yet her career also includes smaller or unexpected titles that showcase range across action, drama, comedy, and animation.

This list gathers ten films that feature substantial roles for Theron across different genres and budgets. Each entry notes her role, the creative team behind the project, and key release or production details so readers can see how these titles fit into her body of work.

‘Aeon Flux’ (2005)

Theron plays the title character in a science fiction story set inside a regimented city where a rebel assassin targets the leadership. The film adapts the animated series created by Peter Chung and places Theron alongside co stars including Marton Csokas, Sophie Okonedo, and Frances McDormand.

Directed by Karyn Kusama and filmed in locations around Berlin and Potsdam, the production involved extensive wire work and stunt choreography. The movie was released by Paramount Pictures and did not recover its reported budget worldwide, yet it remains a notable early lead role in Theron’s action lineup.

‘Dark Places’ (2015)

Theron stars as Libby Day, a woman who survived a family tragedy and is drawn into a private investigation that reopens a closed case. The story adapts the novel by Gillian Flynn and features supporting performances from Nicholas Hoult, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Christina Hendricks.

Directed by Gilles Paquet Brenner, the film was distributed through a mix of limited theatrical runs and video on demand platforms in different territories. The adaptation shifts timelines between the past and present and uses multiple perspectives to unravel the central mystery.

‘Young Adult’ (2011)

Theron plays Mavis Gary, a ghostwriter for a once popular teen book series who returns to her hometown to reconnect with an old flame. The film pairs Theron with Patton Oswalt and Patrick Wilson in a character study that focuses on routine, nostalgia, and stalled ambition.

Written by Diablo Cody and directed by Jason Reitman, the movie earned Theron a Golden Globe nomination for lead performance in a comedy or musical. It screened at major festivals ahead of its theatrical release and has become a frequent reference point in discussions of contemporary antihero roles.

‘The Yards’ (2000)

Theron appears as Erica Soltz in a Queens set crime drama that follows a parolee pulled into corruption surrounding rail yard contracts. The ensemble includes Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, James Caan, Faye Dunaway, and Ellen Burstyn.

Written and directed by James Gray, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and later opened in North America through Miramax. It was shot on location in New York City and emphasizes procedural detail within its political and family intrigue.

‘Hancock’ (2008)

Theron plays Mary Embrey opposite Will Smith’s John Hancock in a story about a powerful but unpopular superhero who needs image rehabilitation. The plot shifts as new information about the characters’ connection comes to light, bringing in Jason Bateman as a public relations consultant.

Directed by Peter Berg and released by Columbia Pictures, the movie combined action sequences with comedic beats and character backstory. It was one of the highest grossing films of its year worldwide and expanded Theron’s profile within effects driven spectacle.

‘The Old Guard’ (2020)

Theron leads as Andromache of Scythia, the battle tested head of a small group of fighters with an unusual advantage on the battlefield. The plot follows the team as it recruits a new member and confronts modern threats to their secrecy.

Directed by Gina Prince Bythewood, the film adapts the graphic novels by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández. Released as a Netflix original, it drew attention for grounded fight design, practical stunt work, and international locations that include Morocco and the United Kingdom.

‘Atomic Blonde’ (2017)

Theron stars as MI6 operative Lorraine Broughton on a mission in Berlin involving a missing list of agents and shifting alliances. The cast features James McAvoy, Sofia Boutella, and John Goodman, and the action centers on close quarters combat and urban chases.

Directed by David Leitch and based on the graphic novel ‘The Coldest City’, the movie is known for long take fight choreography and a soundtrack built from period hits. It was produced by Denver and Delilah Productions and Focus Features handled distribution in North America.

‘Long Shot’ (2019)

Theron portrays Charlotte Field, the United States Secretary of State who reconnects with a former neighbor and speechwriter played by Seth Rogen. The film blends political campaign logistics with workplace comedy and travel, moving through multiple countries during a high profile run.

Directed by Jonathan Levine, the movie premiered at South by Southwest before its theatrical release through Lionsgate. It was shot in Montreal and other locations, and it earned praise for costume design that tracks the demands of diplomacy and media events.

‘Prometheus’ (2012)

Theron appears as Meredith Vickers, a senior executive overseeing a deep space research mission that seeks answers about human origins. The story connects to the broader ‘Alien’ franchise through shared world building and visual motifs, with Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender among the principal cast.

Directed by Ridley Scott and produced through Scott Free Productions with distribution by 20th Century Fox, the film used large scale sets, practical creature effects, and native 3D capture. It earned strong global box office and extensive discussion about its scientific and mythic themes.

‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ (2016)

Theron voices Monkey, the guardian who protects a young storyteller named Kubo on a quest that draws power from music and memory. The cast includes Art Parkinson, Matthew McConaughey, Rooney Mara, and Ralph Fiennes, and the narrative follows a journey across seas and mountains.

Produced by Laika and directed by Travis Knight, the stop motion feature received Academy Award nominations for animated feature and visual effects. Its production combined handcrafted puppetry with cutting edge motion control and digital compositing, resulting in some of the largest scale animation sets of its kind.

Share your own picks for overlooked Charlize Theron titles in the comments so we can compare notes.