The 10 Most Underrated Helen Hunt Movies, Ranked (From Least to Most Underrated)

Helen Hunt has been a familiar face on the big screen for decades, moving from comedy to drama to thrillers with an ease that makes her filmography deeper than many realize. Beyond the most talked about hits, she has a long list of projects that highlight range, craft, and a knack for championing character driven stories.

This countdown spotlights ten films that deserve another look. Each entry lays out what the movie is about and what Hunt does within it, along with helpful context like source material, key collaborators, and where the story fits in her career. Dive in and you might find a new favorite to add to your watchlist.

‘The Night Clerk’ (2020)

A shy front desk clerk becomes entangled in a murder investigation after he secretly records hotel guests to study social behavior. Helen Hunt plays the clerk’s mother and brings a grounded presence to a story that turns on questions of surveillance, privacy, and trust. The film pairs her with Tye Sheridan and Ana de Armas and uses a small canvas to create a tight mystery centered on observation.

Director Michael Cristofer keeps the focus on the investigation and the clerk’s unusual coping methods. Hunt’s role supports the plot’s turn by showing how a parent navigates suspicion and loyalty while police pressure mounts. The hotel setting and the character’s tech habits drive the plot toward a finale built on what was seen and what was missed.

‘Ride’ (2014)

A New York magazine editor follows her son to California after he quits school to surf and ends up taking surf lessons herself. Helen Hunt wrote, directed, and starred in the film, weaving together a story about parenting, creative burnout, and the pull of the ocean. Luke Wilson and Brenton Thwaites join her for a coastal journey that mixes work stress and family conflict with salt water and wipeouts.

Production split time between New York and Los Angeles to underline the culture clash at the heart of the story. Hunt’s dual role behind and in front of the camera shapes the film’s rhythm as she explores how an editor used to control learns to let the tide set the pace. Surf scenes and newsroom scenes sit side by side to show two very different ways of life.

‘Then She Found Me’ (2007)

A schoolteacher’s life unravels when her husband leaves, her adoptive mother dies, and a flamboyant talk show host appears claiming to be her biological mother. Helen Hunt directed and stars as the teacher, with Bette Midler, Colin Firth, and Matthew Broderick rounding out the cast. The film adapts Elinor Lipman’s novel and balances adoption revelations with a late in life romance.

Hunt’s direction leans on intimate conversations and everyday settings like classrooms and kitchens. The story tracks paperwork, parentage, and the logistics of starting over while showing how new bonds form. The adaptation keeps the focus on choices that are made quietly and the practical steps required to rebuild routines.

‘Decoding Annie Parker’ (2013)

This drama follows a young woman who battles breast cancer while a geneticist pursues the science that links certain cancers to a hereditary mutation. Helen Hunt plays geneticist Mary Claire King, whose research path runs in parallel with the patient’s personal fight. Samantha Morton leads as Annie Parker, and the film connects lab work with lived experience.

The story explains genetic counseling, family histories, and the steps that lead from data to a test that can change treatment plans. Hunt’s portrayal covers grant hurdles, peer review, and the painstaking work of validating a theory. Scenes cut between clinics and research offices to show how discovery reaches patients and families.

‘A Good Woman’ (2004)

Set on the Italian coast, this adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play follows a charming socialite whose arrival stirs gossip, secrets, and a scandal involving a married couple. Helen Hunt plays Mrs Erlynne, whose past complicates every polite conversation. Scarlett Johansson and Tom Wilkinson co star in a film of invitations, rumors, and well dressed ultimatums.

The production relocates the play’s setting and leans on locations that underline status and temptation. Dialogue carries much of the action as letters, parties, and quick exits reshape reputations. Hunt’s character moves the plot with strategic visits and careful timing, pushing the story toward a reveal that reframes earlier scenes.

‘The Miracle Season’ (2018)

This sports drama tells the true story of a high school volleyball team that rallies after the sudden loss of its captain. Helen Hunt portrays coach Kathy Bresnahan and guides the team through grief, training, and a push for the state title. The film tracks practices, lineups, and the way teammates step into new roles.

Match sequences use real gameplay techniques and show how rotations and communication affect momentum. Hunt’s coach works through drills and game plans while the community supports the players. The narrative builds toward a tournament run that honors the captain’s legacy through teamwork and consistent effort.

‘I See You’ (2019)

A detective investigates a series of disappearances while strange events unfold in his home. Helen Hunt plays the detective’s wife, whose choices intersect with the case as the film shifts perspective to reveal hidden players. The mystery threads together suburban spaces, missing person protocols, and a smart use of point of view.

Director Adam Randall structures the story around misdirection and the practice of phrogging, which adds a fresh angle to the home invasion setup. The plot revisits earlier scenes with new context and uses everyday objects to hide key clues. Hunt’s character anchors the family side of the story as the investigation closes in.

‘The Waterdance’ (1992)

After a hiking accident leaves a writer paralyzed, he enters a rehabilitation ward where he confronts changing relationships and a new sense of independence. Helen Hunt plays his girlfriend, whose visits test the couple’s ability to navigate constraints, intimacy, and long term plans. Eric Stoltz and William Forsythe lead a cast that gives the rehab setting a lived in feel.

The film draws on real experiences to portray therapy sessions, hospital routines, and the adaptations patients learn. Hunt’s scenes track practical challenges like mobility, transportation, and caregiving decisions. Dialogue keeps the focus on honesty and on the work needed to rebuild a life outside the ward.

‘Soul Surfer’ (2011)

Based on Bethany Hamilton’s story, this film follows a teen surfer who returns to competition after a shark attack. Helen Hunt plays Cheri Hamilton and helps guide training, diet, and travel as the family learns how to adapt boards and technique. AnnaSophia Robb and Dennis Quaid portray the daughter and father as contests mark steady progress back to form.

Water cinematography highlights paddling strength, balance, and the equipment adjustments that make competition possible. Hunt’s role covers schedules and support systems that allow recovery to fit alongside school and sponsorships. The film shows how a team of coaches, family, and friends can back a comeback.

‘The Sessions’ (2012)

A poet living in an iron lung decides to explore sexual intimacy with the help of a professional surrogate. Helen Hunt plays Cheryl Cohen Greene and approaches the work through intake interviews, boundary setting, and a series of planned sessions. John Hawkes leads as the poet, and the film is written and directed by Ben Lewin.

The narrative draws on published essays and uses therapy protocols to structure each meeting. Hunt’s performance shows how communication, consent, and follow up shape the process. The film also depicts the role of clergy and counselors as the poet seeks guidance, making space for practical steps that honor both care and autonomy.

Share your picks for overlooked Helen Hunt gems in the comments and tell us which one you think deserves more attention.