10 Underrated Movies With Jaw-Dropping Ensemble Casts

5. Mars Attacks!

Mars Attacks! might very well be Tim Burton's most underrated film, which is a real shame, because it's one of the few that ventures outside of his usual aesthetic. Maybe it's the odd blend of earnest sci-fi beats and absurdist humour (not to mention some pretty mean-spirited commentary on the state of politics) that left a lot of people out in the cold. But just in terms of casting, Mars Attacks! knocks it out of the park so far that some of the other flaws can be generously overlooked. Jack Nicholson is at his absolute hammiest as the President of the United States, while Glenn Close handles the snobbish agitation as his First Lady. Elsewhere, Pierce Brosnan gets to play the pipe-smoking, womanising scientist he was born to play, Pam Grier shows up to do the no-nonsense thing she does so well, and Annette Bening is an absolute delight as the spiritually enlightened alcoholic. Plus, several other big names relish in their bit parts, making the most of their unusually slight screen time. Among them are Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Natalie Portman, Jack Black, Christina Applegate, and Tom Jones. It's basically one big, freaky Hollywood party. With aliens.