From his smaller ensemble work to his massive blockbusters, few actors in Hollywood are as hard-working as Samuel L. Jackson. His box office records alone outshine most actors and he can always be counted on to deliver a scene-stealing performance no matter the size of his role.
With such a long and varied career, Jackson has plenty of great movies that audiences might have missed when they first came out. On the other hand, some of his biggest hits might have gotten more attention than they deserved. Have a look at some of Samuel L. Jackson's most underrated and overrated movies.
Underrated: Jackie Brown (1997)
Jackson has been one of Quentin Tarantino's most frequent collaborators and they work rather well together. Jackie Brown might be Tarantino's best work as a filmmaker and Jackson's as an actor, yet this film is talked about less than any of their other projects together.
Jackson is hilarious, menacing, and totally charismatic as Ordell Robbie, an arms dealer looking to retire after a big deal. The movie itself is a charming and fun caper in which Tarantino's sensibilities mesh perfectly with the writing style of Elmore Leonard, whose novel Rum Punch is the source material.
Overrated: Django Unchained (2012)
One of Jackson's more popular collaborations with Tarantino was the Western Django Unchained. Jamie Foxx plays a slave-turned-bounty hunter looking to free his wife from her vicious slave owner. Jackson plays the slave owner's equally cruel right-hand man.
Though Tarantino's take on the Spaghetti Western is a lot of fun at times, mixing the horrors of slavery with a comedic tone is uncomfortable. The final act of the film feels overblown and too long. It gets more over-the-top until much of the emotional impact of the story is forgotten.
Underrated: Changing Lanes (2002)
Jackson has been in so many blockbusters and massive films that his smaller films can often slip through the cracks. Changing Lanes is a great little thriller starring Jackson and Ben Affleck as two men who, following a small car accident, begin tearing each other's lives apart.
It is great seeing Jackson play the everyman who is pushed to the edge and Affleck is also quite good as the selfish young man who is humbled by the encounter. It makes for a gripping and grounded story.
Overrated: The Incredibles 2 (2018)
Jackson provided his famous vocals for the role of Frozone in Pixar's excellent superhero film The Incredibles. Fans waited a long time for the sequel to continue the story of the superpowered family, and finally The Incredibles 2 hit theaters.
The movie received wide acclaim from critics and was a hit at the box office. However, compared to the clever and fresh original, this follow-up felt a bit bland. Despite some fun action, the story just wasn't as entertaining this time around and it felt like an unnecessary return.
Underrated: The Negotiator (1998)
Jackson does a great job of playing characters who walk the line between good and bad. The Negotiator is a great action-thriller that uses these talents perfectly. Jackson plays a police negotiator who, after being accused of murder, takes a group of hostages as he tries to clear his name.
The film didn't get much attention, but it is a really clever and suspenseful thriller. Jackson is great in the lead role as a man who finds himself on the other side of a hostage situation and knowing all the tricks they are going to throw at him.
Overrated: Iron Man 2 (2010)
After his post-credit cameo in Iron Man, Jackson had his first credited appearance as Nick Fury in the MCU in Iron Man 2. The film follows Tony Stark's new life as a public hero while a new threat emerges.
Critics acknowledged that the sequel was a step down from the first film, but it still received polite reviews along with a strong box office performance. However, this may be the worst of the MCU films as it is a messy, dull, and disappointing continuation of the story.
Underrated: The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
Shane Black was one of the most acclaimed action screenwriters of the 1980s and 1990s, but The Long Kiss Goodnight is often overlooked. The film is directed by Renny Harlin and stars Geena Davis as a housewife who realizes she had a past life as an assassin.
Jackson is great in the buddy role as an eccentric detective who helps her uncover her history. He brings a lot of fun to the film and Black's energetic script is a blast. Though it gets buried under other action movies of the '90s, fans of the genre should seek it out.
Overrated: The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017)
Jackson joined forces with Ryan Reynolds for another buddy cop movie, The Hitman's Bodyguard. Reynolds plays a top-class bodyguard who is assigned to protect the world's most deadly assassin (Jackson) from his many enemies.
The movie was a solid hit and has a forthcoming sequel thanks to its success. But despite the fun premise, the movie boils down to a pretty average action-comedy. Reynolds is doing his usual schtick and it gets tiresome this time around.
Underrated: Hard Eight (1996)
Jackson has worked with a number of brilliant directors, including Paul Thomas Anderson in his first feature film. Hard Eight stars Phillip Baker Hall as a calm and collected gambler who takes a young man (John C. Reilly) under his wing. Jackson plays a hustler who gets between the two men.
Despite Anderson's acclaim, Hard Eight is still overlooked by many of his fans. Though small in scale and a simple story, the movie is compelling and features an incredible cast. Jackson is fantastic in the seedy role.
Overrated: XXX (2002)
Vin Diesel was just getting started with his action star career when he took the role of Xander Cage in XXX. Cage is an extreme sports star who is recruited by a CIA operative (Jackson) to stop a mad man from launching a missile.
The movie was a hit at the box office and has spawned a franchise for Diesel. But XXX never embraces the absurdity of its premise, instead making a fairly by-the-numbers action movie featuring a wooden performance from Diesel.