Summary
- Jack Black’s underrated roles showcase his range beyond comedy and highlight his potential as a leading man.
- Films like “The Cable Guy” and “Mars Attacks!” show Black’s early supporting roles with big stars and unique storylines.
- Collaborations with renowned directors like Noah Baumbach and Richard Linklater demonstrate Black’s ability to excel in dramatic roles.
For the past 30 years, Jack Black has made a name for himself as one of the most beloved and watchable comedic actors in Hollywood who has several underappreciated hidden gems in his varied filmography. While viewers will be well aware of Black’s breakout success as a wannabe rockstar turned substitute teacher in School of Rock, there was far more to the talented comedian than this. Others may recognize him for his musical accomplishments with his rock group Tenacious D or even his blockbuster success in the Jumanji franchise, but this was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to Black.
The best Jack Black roles included some of his most underrated films as he stretched his talents with more dramatic roles for directors like Noah Baumbach and Richard Linklater. Black starred in some major blockbuster movies during the 2000s that have since failed to remain part of the public conversation. With so many great movies under his belt, it’s important to highlight the most underrated films that featured Jack Black.
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10 The Cable Guy (1996)
Jack Black as Rick
The Cable Guy (1996) PG-13ComedyDramaThriller
The Cable Guy is a dark comedy film that follows the story of Steven Kovacs, a lonely and socially awkward cable TV installer, played by Jim Carrey, who becomes obsessed with a customer, Chip Douglas, played by Matthew Broderick, and inserts himself into Chip’s life.
Director Ben Stiller Release Date June 10, 1996 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures , Brillstein-Grey Entertainment , Licht/Mueller Film Corporation Writers Lou Holtz Jr. Cast Jim Carrey , Matthew Broderick , Leslie Mann , Jack Black , George Segal Runtime 96 Minutes Budget 47000000.0 Main Genre Comedy Expand
Back in 1996, Jack Black had yet to break through as a leading man and was mostly regulated to supporting roles in movies like The Cable Guy. As one of Jim Carrey’s most underrated movies, The Cable Guy was a highly unusual story about a deranged and obsessive one-sided friendship that developed between Matthew Broderick and Carrey as the unusual and worryingly unstable title character. While Black would later become known for his bombastic and over-the-top acting style, he was regulated to being the straight man who reacted to the way that Carrey inserted himself into Broderick’s life.
The Cable Guy received mixed reviews when it was first released but has since garnered a cult following and stood as one of Carrey’s definitive roles. As the first hint toward a darker side to Carrey’s comedic talents, The Cable Guy was one of the first indications of Carrey’s ability to play psychologically complex characters outside of the almost cartoonish characterization of parts in Ace Ventura and The Mask. While Black was underutilized in The Cable Guy, it was still an enjoyable early entry in his filmography.
9 Mars Attacks! (1996)
Jack Black as Billy-Glenn Norris
Mars Attacks! PG-13Sci-FiComedy Where to Watch
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Mars Attacks! is a science fiction comedy directed by Tim Burton. Set against the backdrop of a global Martian invasion, the film follows a series of misadventures involving various characters, including a U.S. president played by Jack Nicholson and a quirky scientist portrayed by Pierce Brosnan. The ensemble cast also features Glenn Close, Annette Bening, and Danny DeVito, blending dark humor with Burton’s signature visual style.
Director Tim Burton Release Date December 13, 1996 Writers Len Brown , Wally Wood , Jonathan Gems Cast Jack Nicholson , Pierce Brosnan , Sarah Jessica Parker , Annette Bening , Glenn Close , Danny DeVito , Martin Short , Michael J. Fox , Natalie Portman Runtime 106 Minutes Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand
While Jack Black had yet to break through into mainstream Hollywood success during the mid-1990s, he still gained several acclaimed lesser-known parts. One enjoyable supporting performance came with Black’s role as Billy-Gleen Norris in Tim Burton’s woefully underappreciated Mars Attacks! Black has a small but memorable role as the military recruit who met an untimely end when he fought back against invading Martians, only to realize that his weapon was discharged as he got disintegrated by the alien’s laser beam.
Mars Attacks! not only featured a young Black but also boasted some of the biggest stars of the era, with Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Danny DeVito, and Pierce Brosnon all playing major roles. While the campy nature and lighthearted spoofing of Mars Attack! led to a mixed reception upon release, the B-movie antics of this film made it endlessly enjoyable to rewatch. Mars Attacks! may not get as much acclaim as other Burton films from the 1990s, like Edward Scissorhands, but it’s far more enjoyable than it’s often given credit for.
8 Shallow Hal (2001)
Jack Black as Hal Larson
Shallow Hal (2001) PG-13ComedyDramaFantasy
Shallow Hal is a comedy film directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly. It stars Jack Black as Hal Larson, a man whose shallow views on women change after being hypnotized to see only their inner beauty. Gwyneth Paltrow co-stars as Rosemary, whose inner beauty appears to Hal as physical attractiveness, challenging his previous superficial attitudes. The movie explores themes of love, self-perception, and the importance of inner beauty.
Director Bobby Farrelly , Peter Farrelly Release Date November 9, 2001 Writers Sean Moynihan , Peter Farrelly , Bobby Farrelly Cast Jack Black , Gwyneth Paltrow , Jason Alexander , Joe Viterelli , Rene Kirby , Bruce McGill , Anthony Robbins , Susan Ward Character(s) Hal , Rosemary , Mauricio , Steve Shanahan , Walt , Reverend Larson , Tony Robbins , Jill Runtime 114 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
Shallow Hal may feel a little dated today when viewed through modern expectations, but its heart was in the right place. With a message about the importance of seeing beyond physical looks, Jack Black played a shallow and superficial bachelor named Hal Larson who was hypnotized into seeing only people’s inner beauty. This allowed Hal to form a deep connection with Rosie Shanahan (Gwyneth Paltrow), a 300-pound woman whom he wouldn’t have even considered dating if not for the mind-altering spell he was under.
Many criticisms can be targeted at Shallow Hal, as this Farrelly brothers’ movie led heavily into fatphobic humor, but behind the cruelty of some of its jokes was an important message about the fickle nature of modern beauty standards. Black proved his potential as a charming leading man whose unconventional charisma made it easy to root for him in every role he played. Shallow Hal may be somewhat outdated, but it was also a tender love story that was surprisingly moving at times.
7 Saving Silverman (2001)
Jack Black as J.D. McNugent
While bromance has become associated with later movies such as Judd Apatow productions like I Love You, Man, a far earlier example was the underrated Jack Black film Saving Silverman. With Jason Biggs as a soon-to-be-married young man, his childhood best friendships and bandmates, played by Black and Steve Zahn, do everything in their power to stop him from marrying who they feel is a domineering and emotionally manipulative woman. With plenty of laughs throughout, the appeal of Saving Silverman was in the fantastic comedic skill of Black and Zahn.
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Saving Silverman was slated by critics when it was first released, but looking back, it appears they were far too harsh on what, at its core, was a fun and harmless comedy. While Saving Silverman can be crude at times, there’s great chemistry between the entire cast, and Amanda Peet did a great job as the often overbearing fiance. Saving Silverman was indeed no Citizen Kane, but it never claimed to be and stood as an enjoyable, underrated early 2000s comedy.
6 Orange County (2002)
Jack Black as Lance Brumder
Orange County PG-13ComedyDrama Where to Watch
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Orange County is a 2002 comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan. It stars Colin Hanks as Shaun Brumder, a high school student whose life changes after the accidental mailing of the wrong transcript, jeopardizing his admission to Stanford University. The film also features Jack Black as Shaun’s brother and Schuyler Fisk as his girlfriend, navigating a chaotic series of events to resolve the mishap.
Director Jake Kasdan Release Date January 11, 2002 Writers Mike White Cast Colin Hanks , Jack Black , Schuyler Fisk , Bret Harrison , Kyle Howard , R.J. Knoll Runtime 82 minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
Orange County was a prime example of an early 2000s comedy that has mostly been forgotten by film audience’s collective memory. However, this was a real shame, as there was merit to this road trip movie about an overachieving high school student (Colin Hanks) traversing cross-country with his dim-witted stoner friend (Jack Black) to try to plead his case to be admitted to Stanford University. As a smart teen movie, Orange County was Black’s first collaboration with director Jake Kasdan, who would later make the Jumanji movies together.
Orange County was also written by Mike White, who clearly saw potential in Black as a leading man, as he would then write School of Rock for Black to star in the very next year. Although Orange County was one of Black’s lesser-known movies, the production credits highly important collaborators with whom Black would continue to work for the rest of his career. With plenty of laughs throughout and a strong performance from Black, Orange County was a film worth revisiting and reappraising.
5 King Kong (2005)
Jack Black as Carl Denham
King Kong PG-13ActionAdventureRomanceDrama Where to Watch
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Peter Jackson’s King Kong is a remake of the 1933 film of the same name. When enterprising filmmaker Carl Denham (Jack Black) decides to travel to the mysterious skull island, he hires naive young actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) to star in the film he intends to make. Denham’s crew of actors discovers the island’s big secret: Kong, a 25-foot-tall giant ape. Denham’s ambition gets the better of him, and he exploits Darrow’s bond with Kong to kidnap him, bringing him back to New York to exploit him for profit.
Director Peter Jackson Release Date December 14, 2005 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Fran Walsh , Philippa Boyens , Peter Jackson , Merian C. Cooper , Edgar Wallace Cast Naomi Watts , Jack Black , Adrien Brody , Thomas Kretschmann , Colin Hanks , Andy Serkis , Kyle Chandler Runtime 187 minutes Franchise(s) King Kong Sequel(s) King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) Budget $207 million Main Genre Adventure Expand
While contemporary audiences now associate King Kong with the sprawling Monsterverse franchise that saw the giant ape-like creature come face-to-face with Godzilla, this ignores Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake of the classic 1933 film. Released just two years after the conclusion of Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong featured stunning special effects and Jack Black playing against type the greedy businessman Carl Denham. This was a major moment in Black’s career, as it saw him prove his potential in a major blockbuster release following the widespread acclaim he had gained from School of Rock.
While some felt Black was miscast in King Kong, he rose above these doubts to expertly portray a con man who let his drive for success cloud common sense. While Black had become known for playing bombastic and loud characters, his performance in King Kong was much more subtle and hinted toward a hidden depth not yet seen in his career. In all the hype surrounding Jackson’s Middle-earth movies and the appearances of Kong in Monsterverse, it’s a real shame that this adaptation of King Kong often gets overshadowed.
4 The Holiday (2006)
Jack Black as Miles Dumont
The Holiday pg-13RomanceComedy
The Holiday is a 2006 rom-com starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black. Directed and written by Nancy Meyers, The Holiday tells the story of two women who arrange a home swap to take a break from the stress of their recent breakups. But things take a turn when they both fall in love with local men.
Director Nancy Meyers Release Date December 14, 2006 Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Universal Pictures , Sony , Columbia Pictures Writers Nancy Meyers Cast Cameron Diaz , Jude Law , Jack Black , Kate Winslet Runtime 138 Minutes Budget $85 million Expand
Although The Holiday received mixed reviews upon release, over the years, it quietly built up a following and became a festive favorite for many. With an ensemble cast that included not just Jack Black but also Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, and Jude Law, this star-studded Christmas rom-com had a whole lot of heart despite its predictable narrative. With a story about two women swapping homes in each other’s country, Black played the unconventional love interest who won over the heart of Winslet through his innate charisma and nice guy, loveable charm.
Writer and director Nancy Meyers said she wrote the part of Miles in The Holiday with Black in mind after seeing him in School of Rock (via The Cut.) Meyes stated that she wanted Black for the role because, although he’s not a “tall, dark, and handsome” Clark Gable type of guy, he was “the right kind of guy” and “what most guys look like if they’re lucky.” As an affable everyman, Black brought an endearing charm to The Holiday and was a major part of the movie’s now-beloved status.
3 Margot At The Wedding (2007)
Jack Black as Malcolm
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Margot at the Wedding RComedyDocumentaryDrama Where to Watch
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Nicole Kidman stars as self-absorbed writer Margot who arrives at her family’s seaside home as a surprise guest at her estranged sister’s wedding with her son The sisters seek to reconcile during the visit, but hopes of a peaceful reunion fall apart quickly when Margot tries to convince Pauline not to marry Malcolm (Jack Black).
Director Noah Baumbach Release Date September 11, 2007 Writers Noah Baumbach Cast Zane Pais , Susan Blackwell , Nicole Kidman , Jack Black , Flora Cross , Jennifer Jason Leigh Runtime 93 minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
Future Marriage Story writer and director Noah Baumbach powerfully explored his recurring subject of complex relationship dynamics in the dialogue-heavy and neurotic drama Margot at the Wedding. Jack Black played the less-than-impressive husband-to-be Malcolm due to marry Jennifer Jason Leigh’s Pauline; however, Pauline’s sister Margot, portrayed by Nicole Kidman, has no issue outlining all Malcolm’s faults and why she thinks the wedding should not take place. While Margot at the Wedding never quite reached the poignant heights of Baumbach’s previous breakthrough success, The Squid and the Whale, it was still an enjoyable addition to his unique catalog of character-driven dramas.
Black played his role as an imperfect everyman well in Margot and the Wedding, which acted as an enjoyable foray for the comedian into more drama-based films. However, the real star of the show was Kidman, who delivered an exceptional performance as the dangerously manipulative and self-absorbed Margot. While lovers of Black’s more outrageous and bombastic work may find Margot at the Wedding slightly alienating, those who enjoy talk-heavy, character-driven stories about less-than-perfect people will find an amusing, entertaining, and thought-provoking watch.
2 Be Kind, Rewind (2008)
Jack Black as Jerry McLean
Be Kind Rewind (2008) PG-13DramaComedy
Be Kind Rewind is a comedy directed by Michel Gondry, featuring Jack Black and Mos Def. The film follows two friends who accidentally erase all the tapes at their video rental store. Desperate to keep their last few customers, they set out to remake every film in the collection, resulting in a series of wildly creative, low-budget adaptations. The movie explores themes of community, creativity, and the love of cinema.
Director Michel Gondry Release Date January 20, 2008 Studio(s) Partizan , New Line Cinema , Focus Features Writers Michel Gondry Cast Jack Black , Yasiin Bey , Danny Glover , Mia Farrow , Melonie Diaz Runtime 102 Minutes Budget 20000000.0 Main Genre Drama Expand
Be Kind, Rewind was truly one of the most underrated movies of the 2000s, as its charming and original story underperformed at the box office and received mixed reviews from critics. With Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry at the helm and Jack Black in a starring role at the height of his fame, this unique buddy comedy never quite got the attention it deserved. As the story of two bumbling video store clerks re-shooting all the films they had accidentally erased with them as the stars, Be Kind, Rewind was a homage to the very art of moviemaking itself.
Black starred opposite Mos Def as two bumbling employees who recreated movies erased on videotapes on a process known as “sweding.” While not as polished as Gondry’s other films, Be Kind, Rewind has a DIY feel to it that was appropriate considering its storyline. Black was in top form, and Be Kind, Rewind featured plenty of silly humor and heartfelt commentary on filmmaking and was truly an underappreciated hidden gem of its era.
1 Bernie (2011)
Jack Black as Bernie Tiede
Bernie PG-13ComedyCrimeDramaBiography Where to Watch
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Bernie is a dark comedy film directed by Richard Linklater, starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey. Released in 2011, the film is based on the true story of Bernie Tiede, a mortician in a small Texas town, and his peculiar relationship with a wealthy widow, which leads to unexpected consequences. The film presents a blend of humor and crime in a uniquely narrative style.
Director Richard Linklater Release Date April 27, 2011 Writers Skip Hollandsworth , Richard Linklater Cast Matthew McConaughey , Jack Black , Shirley MacLaine , Veronica Orosco , Tommy G. Kendrick , Rick Dial Runtime 104 minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
Jack Black reunited with the School of Rock director Richard Linklater for the incredibly underrated biographical true crime story Bernie. With Black as Bernie Tiede, a small-town Texas mortician convicted of murdering the 81-year-old millionaire Marjorie Nugent, this dark comedy used a mockumentary style to highlight a truly shocking real-life story. Black gave one of his greatest performances in the title role, as he truly embodied Tiede and elevated Bernie’s satirical humor to new heights.
With incredible supporting performances from Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey, Bernie was a strange story that became truly fascinating thanks to the dynamic skill of its main cast. As a love letter to Southern eccentrics and the dark, hidden stories just buried underneath the surface of suburban America, Bernie was a dark movie to categorize as it walked the fine line between comedy and drama. For viewers only familiar with Jack Black’s most well-known movie roles, Bernie will be a pleasant surprise that confounds expectations about the beloved actor, comedian, and musician.
Source: The Cut
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