10 Massively Underrated 2000s Movie Performances

During the noughties, we saw a range of dizzying advances that would change our lives forever. The birth of MySpace (2003), FaceBook (2004) and Twitter (2006) marked the beginning of social media’s quest for world domination. Games consoles like Nintendo’s GameCube and Sony’s PlayStation 3 were introduced. Elsewhere in entertainment, of course, a multitude of iconic movies were released that decade.

From Gladiator to Avatar, huge blockbusters bookended the noughties and were scattered liberally in between. More unconventional efforts were also released, such as the quirky stopmotion classics Coraline and Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride. Superhero movies also started to gather steam with the likes of Daredevil, Watchmen and the beginnings of what would become the great MCU gravy train (Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk).

Now, there’s no need to expound on the success that Marvel movies went on to enjoy. What is important, however, is to acknowledge some of the forgotten triumphs of the 2000s. Not specifically movies themselves, but performances that we often don’t take time to appreciate. Here are some that we feel are truly underrated, for a variety of reasons.

Well, Will Smith’s acting credits really speak for themselves, don’t they? Since his humble beginnings with The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, he’s gone on to perform a great variety of high-profile roles, proving his range multiple times over along the way.

Deadshot in Suicide Squad, the Genie in Aladdin, Del Spooner in I, Robot, Doctor Robert Neville in I Am Legend, even Jim West in Wild Wild West (though he’s probably repressed that last one and wishes we all could too)… Smith is one of those actors who simply commands the camera in every scene, regardless of the role he’s playing. Somehow, though, one of his greatest and most touching performances doesn’t get the appreciation it really should.

In 2006’s The Pursuit Of Happyness, Smith plays the role of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who is left homeless (along with his son, Christopher, played by Jaden Smith) and most overcome all odds to get himself back onto his feet as a stockbroker. Based on a true story, the movie is far from the action-packed one-liner-laden films we often associate with Smith, but the performance sees him at his emotional best.

While he received both a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination for best actor in the role, he didn’t win either. A wonderful movie that belies its subject matter.