10 Best Jodie Foster Movies That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Best Jodie Foster Movies

She has a lengthy and distinguished acting career, but Jodie Foster has also been in a number of underappreciated films.

Jodie Foster, a two-time Oscar-winning actress, has also recently begun directing and producing her own films. There is no need to introduce her to anyone who has seen The Silence of the Lambs, Panic Room, Taxi Driver, or The Accused, to name a few. Then there are the ensemble-driven hits like Inside Man and Elysium, which she has also been in.

However, she has also appeared in some films that either went unnoticed or failed to leave a lasting impression. As a result, some of Foster’s most underappreciated films contribute to her wide body of work and demonstrate her versatility as an actress.

1. Nell (1994)

Nell (1994)

Nell, starring Jodie Foster as a woman who was reared in a secluded cabin by her mother, dealt with the difficulties of socializing as a result of her upbringing. The film had a mixed reception from critics, but Nell, the film’s protagonist, was universally praised. Nell Kelly’s concerns and insecurities were brought out by Foster’s ignorance.

Although she received an Oscar nomination and a Globe nomination for her performance, the picture seems to have faded into obscurity in the light of her past accolades.

2. The Beaver (2011)

It was great to see Maverick co-star Mel Gibson back in the role of Walter Black in The Beaver. Walter is a melancholy CEO who is dealing with his own personal issues as well as those of his family. To help him escape reality, he communicates solely through a beaver hand-puppet. In addition to writing and directing, Foster also serves as a producer on this project.

For some, the film’s premise may seem implausible, but Foster’s direction lends it a fresh viewpoint on human loneliness.

3. Freaky Friday (1976)

Freaky Friday (1976)

A modern-day remake of Freaky Friday starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis has made the original Freaky Friday less popular nowadays. As Ellen, Barbara Harris took on the role of Annabel Andrews. When both daughter and mother unintentionally switch bodies, a series of humorous events begin.

There is no explanation for this switch, as there was in the remake, which leaves it open to interpretation. Both Harris and Foster were nominated in the Comedy/Musical category at the Golden Globes.

4. Flightplan (2005)

Flightplan, starring Jodie Foster as an aero-engineer and a single mother, is a massively overlooked psychological thriller. When Foster’s protagonist’s kid vanishes on the plane, she must prove her sanity to the rest of the passengers.

While Panic Room, a Jodie Foster-starring mother-daughter drama, is unquestionably better, Flightplan is still a worthwhile movie. Robert Schwentke, a German director who went on to create hits like Red and Insurgent, was made famous by the film.

5. Bugsy Malone (1976)

Bugsy Malone (1976)

With Taxi Driver and Freaky Friday already on her resume in 1976, Bugsy Malone might have been overlooked as a minor role. In spite of this, the gangster musical comedy is still one of her most popular films. There are several young actors playing adult roles in this picture.

Scott Baio portrays a Prohibition-era mobster who rises to renown, while Foster plays Tallulah, the ‘gun moll’ of a rival criminal and Malone’s ex. Due to its self-aware humor and parodying nature, Bugsy Malone has fared better than many other crime films, even if Foster’s character is a damsel in distress.

6. Sommersby (1993)

Reconstruction-era movie Sommersby, based on the French film The Return of Martin Guerre, is a fascinating human story. John Sommersby, played by Richard Gere, goes home to his wife Laurel (Foster). Laurel, on the other hand, begins to suspect that her husband may not be who he appears to be.

Film and television have used the “impostor” topic many times, yet Sommersby still manages to bring something new and interesting to the table. The picture was a great box office hit, grossing roughly five times its budget, drawing praise from both critics and audiences alike.

7. Nim’s Island (2008)

Nim's Island (2008)

Despite its lack of awe-inspiring brilliance, Nim’s Island is an enjoyable children’s fantasy film, especially for younger audiences.

Nim’s Island, a film based on Wendy Orr’s short tale of the same name, stars Abigail Breslin as the child explorer Nim. After her father’s disappearance, she develops a long-distance connection with an adventure book writer Alexandra Rover, who lives on a remote island (Foster). Despite the fact that Rover writes about bold individuals, she herself is an agoraphobe. When Nim’s life is in jeopardy, she finally chooses to face her worries and go on a real island vacation.

8. Maverick (1994)

In addition to William Goldman and Richard Donner, Maverick was written and directed by two of Hollywood’s most talented filmmakers. It’s a con-artist duel to the death between Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster as the title hero attempts to get into a high-roller poker game. Marshal Zane Cooper, played by James Garner, is on their tail.

A tribute to the original Maverick Western series, which ran from the late 1950s to the early 1960s, Garner plays the character of Maverick. Corey Feldman and Danny Glover, two of the most famous stars of the 1980s, also appear in the film.

9. The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane (1976)

The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane (1976)

Foster’s performance in The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane, one of her four films in 1976, further cemented her reputation as a gifted young performer. In addition to horror, thriller, and mystery genres, the film has a cult following.

Because it deals so extensively with the subject of child exploitation, it may be upsetting to some viewers. As a young woman of 13, Foster portrays a young woman who appears to be living on her own in a beach town. The audience is gradually shown the girl’s darkest secrets as the story progresses.

10. Little Man Tate (1991)

Little Man Tate, Jodie Foster’s directorial debut, is a must-see for admirers of the actress. A child prodigy (Adam Hann-Bird) struggles to blend in with the rest of society because of his unique talents. In its time of release, the picture was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, with some drawing parallels to Foster’s own childhood as a child prodigy.

Scott Frank, who at the time was not as well-known as he is now, wrote the screenplay for the picture. The Queen’s Gambit and Logan have gained Frank a reputation for himself in the modern day.