Top 10 Underrated Actresses

Top 10 Underrated Actresses

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These are the leading ladies of Hollywood that lack the attention they deserve. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Underrated Actresses. For this list, we’re looking at those actresses who we also refer to as “oh yeah, that girl.” These are the female thespians we easily recognize from their time onscreen, but who don’t seem to get enough love in terms of recognition and award nominations or wins. Their acting chops are definitely up to par, but we want to see them step out from the shadows and directly into the limelight.

#10: Carrie-Anne Moss

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The most prominent role of her career thus far has been Trinity in “The Matrix” trilogy, but this captivating Canadian star has done much more than high-rise stunts and bullet-time gun fights. Following the first “Matrix,” she starred opposite Guy Pearce in Christopher Nolan’s first major release: “Memento”. She has since starred in supporting roles in well-received successes like “Chocolat” and “Disturbia.” She packs quite a punch with each performance, so let’s hope it’s only a matter of time before we see her return to the forefront in memorable lead roles that really bring out her talent.

#9: Hope Davis

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Introduced to film audiences in 1990, Hope Davis has come to be better known for her roles in television. Having garnered Emmy nominations for her performances in “The Special Relationship,” and “In Treatment,” we’re wondering why Hollywood has yet to pick up this lovely and obscure talent for more silver screen roles. But with other acting award nominations under her belt, including a Tony and two Golden Globes, we’re confident that this underrated New Jersey native will soon be adding an Oscar to that awards list.

#8: Rachel McAdams

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Having played multiple romantic leads, this Canadian beauty is no stranger to the world of lovers and high school sweethearts. After making a splash in the beloved comedy classic “Mean Girls”, Rachel McAdams’ name came to quick prominence with the iconic romantic-drama, “The Notebook.” However, despite her potency in subsequent love tales and her capacity to perform in roles outside that comfort zone, as demonstrated in films like Wes Craven’s “Red Eye”, McAdams has yet to truly receive the full shine of the spotlight, and for that has landed as our #8 pick.

We loved and were frightened by her as the daughter of a grim-yet-oddly charming family, but Christina Ricci has stepped into the shoes of numerous other characters alongside other Hollywood greats. After departing from “The Addams Family,” Ricci enjoyed continued success for her more mature roles in films such as “Buffalo ‘66,” “The Opposite of Sex” and “Black Snake Moan.” With dozens of other solid starring roles comprising her filmography, we wonder why this California native still retains only a minimal presence in entertainment.

#6: Zoe Saldana

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With critically acclaimed box-office successes such as J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” films and the highest grossing movie of all time, James Cameron’s “Avatar,” it’s a peculiar bewilderment that our #6 pick has made this list. Making her mainstream mark with “Drumline,” Saldana’s celebrity wouldn’t come to fruition for another year until her supporting role among a group of eccentric Disney pirates. The actress has since moved on to leading roles in big-budget blockbusters from some of Hollywood’s most respected giants, so where’s the fire for this explosive talent?

#5: Sarah Polley

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Another undervalued Canadian starlet, this well-rounded officer of the Order of Canada has made other numerous noteworthy successes deserving of a far more eminent light. Entering mainstream Hollywood in Zack Snyder’s “Dawn of the Dead” remake, Sarah Polley has since gone on to focus on other production roles behind the camera. In 2006, her directorial debut, “Away From Her” was met with critical praise and an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. With continuing successes in acting, writing, and directing, it’s a near-shame that she should be anywhere near this list.

We know Oscar nominations aren’t everything in entertainment, but when you’ve got three of them and a Tony win as part of your prestige, it borders on criminal that your name should remain unfamiliar to many. Though Joan Allen is noteworthy for her roles in such action flicks like “Face/Off”, and the “Bourne” franchise, she had certainly proved her worth long before with preceding performances in non-explosive films. This includes an adaptation of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” and Oliver Stone’s political thriller “Nixon,” which garnered her two consecutive Oscar considerations.

#3: Emily Blunt

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Introduced to mainstream audiences in the hit comedy-drama “The Devil Wears Prada,” this remarkably talented and colorful English actress has since gone on to perform in starring roles from one critically acclaimed picture to the next. That said, it’s unfortunate that her name has yet to reach the same level of fame as other English actresses. However, with her most recent powerful performances in contemporary sci-fi hits opposite famed red carpeters like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Cruise, we’re sure Emily Blunt’ll soon be establishing a new benchmark for her Commonwealth peers.

You may remember her from her Oscar-nominated role in “Good Will Hunting,” but beyond MIT grounds, she has also contributed to other numerous supporting roles in such renowned films as “Owning Mahowny” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” In addition to being underrated as an actress, Minnie Driver is even less known and appreciated for her vocal talents, which have been beautifully demonstrated both on record and silver screen releases. Before we unveil the queen of underrated starlets, here are few honorable mentions: - Maria Bello - Jennifer Jason Leigh - Evan Rachel Wood - Robin Wright - Isla Fisher

Taking the top spot on our list is a gorgeous German actress and model whose works have showcased her to be more than just another pretty face. Despite her starring roles beside renowned Hollywood names like Brad Pitt and Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger has yet to draw a legitimate and potent following in entertainment. With her body of work further stretched out to modeling, it’s not difficult to believe that entire nations would start epic and blood-soaked wars for this lovely leading lady - so why haven’t they? Do you agree with our list? Which actresses do you think don’t get the proper recognition? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.