15 Underrated Mark Ruffalo Movies That Deserve More Credit

1. You Can Count on Me (2000)

Before he was smashing things, Mark was in this family drama that hits you right in the feels. Laura Linney plays Sammy, a single mom living a quiet life in her hometown. Enter her brother Terry, played by Ruffalo. He's the black sheep, a drifter, and he's just arrived in town. Throughout the movie, they clash, reconcile, and deal with family wounds, offering an emotional gut-punch that you won't soon forget.

2. In the Cut (2003)

You like thrillers? Check out this one. Ruffalo plays Detective Malloy, investigating a gruesome murder in New York. Meg Ryan is Frannie, a teacher who gets entangled in the case. As they become romantically involved, Frannie starts suspecting Malloy might actually be the killer. The tension keeps ratcheting up until the climax, where it's revealed that Malloy's partner is the real killer.

3. We Don't Live Here Anymore (2004)

This one's a drama centered around two couples who are all kinds of messed up. Mark plays Jack, married to Terry (not to be confused with the character from the first film). Jack has an affair with Edith, whose husband Hank is having a thing with Terry. It's a domestic train wreck, and it culminates with each couple separating. If you're looking for a realistic take on troubled marriages, this one's got your name on it.

4. All the King's Men (2006)

So, you're into political dramas, eh? Mark takes on the role of Adam Stanton, childhood friend of Jack Burden, a personal aide to corrupt Governor Willie Stark. As Stark gains influence, Stanton becomes more disillusioned. The real kicker? Stanton ends up killing Stark after discovering the politician had an affair with his sister.

5. Zodiac (2007)

Before The Social Network, David Fincher gave us this true-crime treat. Ruffalo is Inspector Toschi, tasked with catching the infamous Zodiac Killer. Journalist Robert Graysmith, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, becomes obsessed with the case. While they never actually catch the killer, the film delves deep into the impact the case has on Toschi and Graysmith's lives. It's a long one but worth every minute for the suspense alone.

6. Blindness (2008)

In this apocalyptic thriller, a mysterious epidemic of sudden blindness sweeps through a city. Ruffalo plays a doctor who is among the first to be quarantined. The conditions worsen, society breaks down, and the blind have to fend for themselves. The doctor's wife, played by Julianne Moore, is actually unaffected but pretends to be blind to stay with her husband. The film ends with the blindness lifting as abruptly as it arrived, leaving the city to pick up the pieces.

7. What Doesn't Kill You (2008)

True to its title, this gritty crime drama will keep you on the edge of your seat. Ruffalo plays Brian, a Boston thug trying to turn his life around. The film revolves around his friendship with childhood buddy Paulie, played by Ethan Hawke. After a stint in jail, Brian struggles with old habits and strained family ties but eventually finds his way out of the criminal underworld.

8. Shutter Island (2010)

Alright, get your detective caps on! Ruffalo plays Chuck Aule, a U.S. Marshal sent to investigate the disappearance of a patient from an asylum with Leonardo DiCaprio's Teddy Daniels. The island is all kinds of creepy, with secret experiments and unsettling staff. Plot twist of the century? Chuck never existed; he's a figment of Teddy's imagination, concocted to help Teddy accept the reality that he killed his wife. Mind = Blown.

9. The Kids Are All Right (2010)

This one's a modern family drama for ya. Ruffalo plays Paul, a laid-back restaurant owner who finds out he's the biological father of two teenagers conceived through artificial insemination. As he gets involved with the family, including the kids' lesbian moms, things get complicated. Ultimately, Paul's presence destabilizes the family, leading to his exit.

10. Now You See Me (2013)

This one's for all you magic lovers. A group of illusionists pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the cash. Ruffalo plays Dylan Rhodes, an FBI agent assigned to catch them. But get this: Dylan is actually the mastermind behind it all, orchestrating the heists to avenge his magician father's death. It's Ocean's Eleven meets David Copperfield, basically: very entertaining watch.

11. Thanks for Sharing (2012)

Here's a rom-com with a twist. This one delves into the world of sex addiction support groups. Mark Ruffalo plays Adam, a guy who hasn't had a meaningful relationship in years due to his addiction. He meets Phoebe, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, and they begin a relationship, which obviously complicates his recovery journey.

12. Foxcatcher (2014)

This drama's got everything: sports, family, and psychological unraveling. Ruffalo plays Dave Schultz, a wrestler caught in a complicated relationship with eccentric millionaire John du Pont and his younger brother Mark. Du Pont kills Dave in a paranoid fit, and the tragedy unspools in a way that will leave you stunned, examining how ambition and mental illness can collide with devastating effects.

13. Begin Again (2014)

For all you music lovers, this one's a charmer. Ruffalo plays Dan, a washed-up music exec who discovers singer-songwriter Gretta, played by Keira Knightley. Struck by her raw talent, he convinces her to record an album with him. They decide to record each song at a different New York City location, capturing the ambient sounds of the city.

14. Infinitely Polar Bear (2015)

The title is as quirky as the movie. Ruffalo plays Cam, a father with bipolar disorder who becomes the primary caregiver for his two daughters while his wife goes to graduate school. The film follows their adventures and struggles as they come to terms with Cam's condition.

15. Dark Waters (2019)

This legal thriller based on a true story will give you some food for thought. Ruffalo plays Robert Bilott, a corporate lawyer who takes on an environmental lawsuit against a chemical manufacturing company. He uncovers a public health disaster and spends years fighting the case, at great personal and professional cost.