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The home of westerly cinema , Hollywood has played host to some of thegreatest histrion of all timeover the twelvemonth . earn rave reviews from devotee and critics likewise for their electrifying degree of talent and the engrossing performance they produce , these supremely gifted men and women spring an integral thread of popular culture ’s arras . However , natural endowment and quality productions do n’t always go hand in hand , a state of involvement highlighted by a selection of excellent actors who never seem to asterisk in great picture .
Whether this happens to come about as a result of the actor systematically choosing the wrong projection , lacklustre direction and playscript written material , or just plain old bad luck , cinema has witnessed a master of ceremonies ofgreat actors who consistently appear in bad picture show . Many of these individual are often lauded television system asterisk who failed to successfully transition to movies , but this brand of performer also cover a considerable number of well - known film wizard , striking A - Listers who merely ca n’t seem to take hold of a break when it comes to appearing in a quality film .
10Aaron Paul
Notable Exceptions: El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, Eye In The Sky
Bursting into the mainstream with a generational jailbreak bow as torture soul Jesse Pinkman onBreaking Bad , Aaron Paul ’s integral role in helping to produce thebest goggle box crime drama of all timewith virtually no schematic roleplay breeding foreground his remarkable tier of talent . Winning multiple Emmy Awards for his stunning performances across five season , Paul appeared a lock to finally bring in his considerable gifts to the silver gray concealment .
Although Breaking Bad concluded Jesse ’s account in 2013 , he had two more endings , all of which felt like the gross send - off for the character .
However , despite a minor role in 2015 ’s well - encounter action thrillerEye in the Sky , Paul ’s status as one of telecasting ’s premiere performers has n’t translated to movie house . moreover , the worker ’s best performance in a movie did n’t offend any unexampled ground for his career , look at that it see him repeat his role as Pinkman in 2019’sBreaking Badsequel - epilogue , El Camino . Throw in a laundry tilt of vital and commercial dud likeNeed for SpeedandExodus : god and Kings , and Paul ’s life history outside of tv set serves as a frustrating display case study in lay waste to potential .
9Matt Smith
Notable Exceptions: Last Night In Soho, Starve Acre, & His House
Garnering position as a television standout good manners of his roles in an raiment of rooter - favorite outings , Matt Smith has consistently demonstrated his credentials as one of Britain ’s most gifted performers . Prominent roles in acclaimed serial publication likeThe Crown , House of the Dragon , andDoctor Whohave established the Englishman as one of television ’s finest actors , a label that is acutely juxtaposed against his disappointing collection of feature celluloid credit .
While Smith always does his just to salvage these doomed production with a committed performance , he ca n’t seem to catch a break with the office he selects .
With the exception of superb flex in 2021’sLast Night in Sohoor 2023’sStarve Acre , the humankind behind the Eleventh Doctorhas had a sincerely perfervid run of contour in Hollywood . While Smith always does his best to save these designate productions with a committed functioning , he ca n’t seem to catch up with a break with the role he pick out . megahit offering in the vein ofMorbiusandTerminator Genisyshave been utterly torn apart by critic , underline the actor ’s lack of quality picture character .
8Timothy Olyphant
Notable Exceptions: Live Free Or Die Hard, Rango, & Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood
Spearheading one of thebest westerly television shows of all time , Timothy Olyphant ’s exemplary bow as Seth Bullock on HBO’sDeadwoodrubber - stamp the American ’s repute as a superb performer . A versatile character actor capable of producing convincing functioning across a range of music genre , Olyphant is as nigh to a guarantee of an excellent television casting selection as one is likely to detect in Hollywood .
Timothy Olyphant has had an incredible 21 - year streak with television receiver since Deadwood , and his two upcoming shows should be able-bodied to go on it .
consequently , it ’s pretty surprising that theHitmanstar ’s filmography does not reflect this state of affairs . Outside his glorious villainous bow in 2007’sLive detached or fail Hard , or his svelte supporting work in 2019’sOnce Upon A meter in Hollywood , Olyphant ’s credit are litter with offering that have received lukewarm review at advantageously . plastic film likeHitman , Snowden , orAmsterdamhave all been chew out by critic , underlining Olyphant ’s condition as one of Hollywood’s"what if?“stories .
7Eva Green
Notable Exceptions: Casino Royale, Kingdom Of Heaven
A prominent staple of French cinema , Eva Green ’s star power has never been in query . The actress appeared balance to dominate cinema after her breakout international operation in Ridley Scott ’s historical heroic poem , 2005’sKingdom of Heaven . Taking on another blockbuster , Green would take after her bowing as the Queen of Jerusalem up with an iconic twist in 2006 ’s Casino Royale , asterisk asBond fille Vesper Lynd .
unfortunately , the quality of Green ’s role later descend off a drop-off concisely after . Outings likeThe Golden Compass , Dark Shadows , andDumbowere for the most part panned by critic , while taking on character in misjudged sequels likeSin City : A Dame to belt down Foror300 : salary increase of an Empiredecidedly did n’t serve thing . It ’s a crying pity , because Green produces must - see cinema when she ’s on mannikin , an acute screen comportment who commands the audience ’s attention effortlessly .
6Kit Harington
Notable Exceptions: How To Train Your Dragon 2, How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, & Testament Of Youth
One of the most popular actors in the creation , courtesy of his signature role asJon Snow onGame of Thrones , Kit Harington unfortunately appear to have a problem with starring in good movies . It ’s a remarkable state of function give that the Englishman is doubtless a talented performer , a condition quo highlighted by multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nomination for his take on the Bastard of Winterfell .
Harington ’s most recent office , The Beast Within , image him reunite with his Game of Thrones co - star and in - series wise man , James Cosmo .
Regrettably , Harington ’s dramatic gifts have not translated to producing quality movies . Outside a supporting part in the well - receivedHow to condition Your Dragonanimated dealership and a exalt fore in 2014’sTestament of Youth , the Englishman ’s moving-picture show have been almost universally decry by critics . offer likePompeiiorThe Death & Life of John F. Donovanhave invariably received mixed to overwhelmingly negative reviews , highlighting Harington ’s status as one of cinema ’s most frustrating performer in keen relief .
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5Ian McShane
Notable Exceptions: The John Wick Franchise, The Kung Fu Panda Franchise
To describe Ian McShane as a"good actor"would do a disservice to one of Britain ’s finest dramatic imports . McShane is an typic performer of the gamey order , possessing a charismatic screen front and inimitable gravitas . Standout performances in the the like ofDeadwoodandAmerican Godshave earned the Englishman a reputation as one of television ’s most venerable names .
McShane is set to reprise his purpose as Winston in 2025’sJohn Wickspin - off , Ballerina .
As such , McShane ’s lack of timbre moving-picture show credits is baffling . While he is noted for his fan - favorite use asWinston Scott in theJohn Wickfranchise , McShane ’s bow as the Continental ’s enigmatic owner represent some of his only appearance in legitimately first - rate celluloid . In sharp demarcation to his carefully selected television roles , the worker does n’t appear to be averse to come out in unimaginative and play - out blockbusters likeHercules , Grimsby , orHellboy , a province of affairs that has TV audience question whether this is the same man who bring Al Swearengen to liveliness .
4Dominic West
Notable Exceptions: Chicago, 300, & Pride
welcome top - charge on one of thegreatest television shows of all timein HBO’sThe Wire , Dominic West has been flexing his credentials as an first-class worker since the turn of the 100 . laud appearances inThe Affair , The Crown , andSAS : Rogue Heroeshave established the Englishman as an innately talented performer , a state of affairs that is crisply juxtaposed against his roll call of film credit .
Dominic West ’s Golden Globe Nominations by Year
Category
lead
The Hour(2012 )
Best Actor - Miniseries or Television Film
constitute
The Affair(2015 )
Best Actor - Television Series Drama
The Crown(2024 )
While West feature patronize roles in lauded outing likeChicagoand300 , the vast majority of his feature moving-picture show performances have not reflected his honored television report . credit with misjudged bow in the likes of below - fair offerings such asPunisher : War Zone , Tomb Raider , andJohnny English Reborn , West is perhaps the quintessential example of a first - rate actor who appears to have an allergic reaction to choose timber movie function .
3Ruth Wilson
Notable Exceptions: Locke, Saving Mr. Banks, & See How They Run
A magnetic screen comportment of the highest decree , Ruth Wilson is a ferociously talented actress . The multiple - time Olivier Award winner rarely fails to crackle with loudness when bringing her characters to life , earning rave limited review for her body of work on shows such asJane Eyre , His Dark MaterialsandThe Affair . Furthermore , Wilson ’s stem as the psychopathic sensation Alice Morgan onLutheris wide see as one of the bang-up British criminal offense dramatic play video performances of all time .
If one is to discount her supporting bows inLocke , Saving Mr BanksorSee How They Run , Wilson simply has n’t appeared in many quality movies of note throughout her career .
However , Wilson ’s best television system showsare a far cry from her pic credits . While the actress has constantly done her best work with television productions , it ’s really remarkable that a performing artist of Wilson ’s gift has n’t star in more acclaimed lineament films . If one is to push aside her patronize bow inLocke , Saving Mr BanksorSee How They Run , Wilson simply has n’t come out in many lineament picture show of billet throughout her career .
2Peter Dinklage
Notable Exceptions: The Station Agent, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, & Wicked
The placard boy for HBO ’s illusion epicGame of Thrones , Peter Dinklage ’s considerable gifts as an histrion are highlighted by the fact that he took home a record four Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his masterful take on Tyrion Lannister . earn a reputation as television royalty for his work onGame of Thrones , Dinklage would come out to be a lock for an array of quality movie performances on paper .
Peter Dinklage ’s Game of Thrones Emmy Nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series by Year
2011
Won
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2018
2019
However , whileDinklage ’s good moviesinclude office in critically acclaim figure likeThe Station Agent , Three hoarding Outside Ebbing , Missouri , andWicked , the thespian ’s wide-eyed filmography does n’t necessarily reflect the gloriole of a man who was the biggest star of one of the most successful television shows of all clock time . Several of the blockbuster dealership productions that Dinklage boasts supporting roles in have only receive middling inspection , while outings likeBrothers , Three Christs , andDeath at a Funeralare just a few of his movies that have failed to break the 50 % approval rating legal community on Rotten Tomatoes .
1Jennifer Aniston
Notable Exceptions: Marley & Me, Horrible Bosses, & We’re The Millers
An indispensable staple of popular culture following her iconic bowing as Rachel Green onFriends , Jennifer Aniston sport a remarkable identification number of picture show stinkers for an actress of her endowment and standing . For every fan - favorite comedic excursion likeHorrible chief , We’re The Millers , orMarley & Me , there appear to be at least one panned entry to Aniston ’s credit . For context , Just Go With It , Mother ’s Day , andThe Bounty Hunterare just three of her film that bomb to receive a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating that was higher than 19 % .
Although Jennifer Aniston has starred in some of the best - known rom - coms ever , she ’s also had several lesser - known character in underappreciated releases .
It ’s important to note that Aniston does n’t necessarily have a complete antipathy to making timbre film . Rather , it ’s the fact that when she make water a high-risk picture , they ’re often so direful that they stand out from the ingroup more than others might . The cause behind this state of function is difficult to nail givenThe Morning Showstar ’s unquestionable talent , a status quo underlined by the fact that Aniston boasts multiple Emmy , Golden Globe , and SAG honor profits and nomination from a farsighted and highly successful career .