10 Overrated John Malkovich Movies You Might Skip

John Malkovich has appeared in a remarkable range of projects that cover thrillers, comedies, literary adaptations, and large scale franchise films. His filmography includes acclaimed titles like ‘Being John Malkovich’ along with big studio releases that reached wide audiences in theaters and on streaming platforms. Viewers often come to his films for distinctive character work and memorable supporting turns.

This list gathers ten films featuring Malkovich where his role is notable while the productions themselves are often talked about more for their concepts, marketing, or brand power than for the craft on display. For each entry you will find concise details on story setup, key collaborators, and Malkovich’s contribution so you can decide quickly whether a watch fits your time and tastes.

‘Bird Box’ (2018)

This thriller adapts the novel by Josh Malerman and follows a group of survivors who must navigate a world altered by entities that cause deadly outcomes when seen. John Malkovich appears as Douglas who is part of a tense household dynamic that forms early in the story alongside Sandra Bullock and other ensemble players. The film was directed by Susanne Bier and released as a streaming exclusive that reached a very large global audience.

Production emphasizes sensory limitation and sustained suspense with sequences built around blindfolded movement and river travel. The movie leans on confined locations, flashbacks that frame the crisis, and a cast that includes Trevante Rhodes and Sarah Paulson in pivotal moments. Malkovich’s character drives several conflicts within the group and anchors key scenes that explain rules for survival.

‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ (2011)

The third entry in the live action franchise brings the Autobots and Decepticons into a plot that connects the Space Race to an alien crash on the Moon. John Malkovich plays Bruce Brazos who manages the new corporate job of the lead human character and provides a comic contrast to the large scale action. Michael Bay directs with an emphasis on 3D presentation and citywide set pieces that dominate the final act.

The production employs extensive visual effects work and complex stunt coordination with sequences set in Chicago and multiple locations across the United States. It features returning performers like Shia LaBeouf and introduces Rosie Huntington Whiteley to the series. The film became one of the highest grossing releases of its year with international box office driving a significant share of its totals.

‘Eragon’ (2006)

This fantasy adventure adapts the first book in the series by Christopher Paolini and follows a farm boy who bonds with a dragon and learns about an ancient order of riders. John Malkovich portrays the tyrant king Galbatorix who rules the realm and serves as the story’s distant antagonist. The film was directed by Stefen Fangmeier and features a cast that includes Jeremy Irons, Sienna Guillory, and the voice of Rachel Weisz as the dragon Saphira.

Visual effects bring the dragon to life while the screenplay condenses a large amount of world building into a brisk running time. The production uses medieval inspired armor and sets along with aerial sequences that showcase dragon flight. The movie was released worldwide by a major studio and later reached home media where it found a young audience through repeated viewings.

‘Red 2’ (2013)

This action comedy continues the story of retired special operatives who reassemble to stop a new threat tied to a hidden weapon. John Malkovich returns as Marvin Boggs whose paranoia and quick thinking shape several missions across multiple countries. Dean Parisot directs and the ensemble includes Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Catherine Zeta Jones, and Anthony Hopkins in key roles.

The film builds its set pieces around European capitals with a focus on car chases, hotel infiltrations, and covert exchanges in public spaces. It draws inspiration from the comic book created by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner while expanding the tone into broader humor. The release was positioned as a summer offering and performed solidly in overseas markets.

‘The Man in the Iron Mask’ (1998)

This swashbuckler adapts Alexandre Dumas and brings the musketeers into a plot about a hidden prisoner and a plan to restore stability to France. John Malkovich plays Athos whose personal history fuels the group’s decision to act. The movie features Leonardo DiCaprio in a dual role and unites Malkovich with Jeremy Irons, Gérard Depardieu, and Gabriel Byrne as the core quartet.

The production showcases elaborate costumes, palace interiors, and swordplay arranged by experienced fight coordinators. It focuses on loyalty among aging heroes and the ethics of replacing a monarch for the good of the country. The film was a wide theatrical release from a major studio and later became a staple on television broadcasts and physical media.

‘Con Air’ (1997)

This high concept action film follows a prisoner transport flight that is overtaken by inmates who plan an escape. John Malkovich portrays Cyrus Grissom known for strategic planning and leadership among the convicts. Simon West directs and the cast includes Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, Ving Rhames, and Steve Buscemi in a mix of law enforcement and criminal roles.

Production combined practical aircraft sets, large pyrotechnic effects, and desert airfield locations to stage the hijacking and crash sequences. The movie was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and released as a summer blockbuster that emphasized spectacle and a driving score. It became a frequent cable title and maintained visibility through repeated television airings.

‘Johnny English’ (2003)

This spy comedy introduces a bumbling British agent who must protect national treasures and uncover a plot involving a wealthy industrialist. John Malkovich plays Pascal Sauvage whose plan targets the United Kingdom at the highest level. Peter Howitt directs and the film stars Rowan Atkinson with Natalie Imbruglia and Ben Miller in supporting roles.

The production uses London landmarks for comic set pieces along with an emphasis on gadget mishaps and public ceremonies. Working Title and Universal backed the project which later spawned follow up entries featuring the same lead character. The movie performed well in multiple territories and became a family friendly option on home video.

‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ (2005)

This science fiction comedy adapts Douglas Adams and follows Arthur Dent as he travels through space with a cast of eccentric companions. John Malkovich appears as Humma Kavula, who leads a religious faction and influences the quest for the ultimate question. Garth Jennings directs, and the ensemble includes Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, Zooey Deschanel, and voice performances by Alan Rickman and Stephen Fry.

The film blends practical creature effects from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop with digital environments to reflect Adams’s playful tone. It incorporates new material developed from the author’s notes and balances road trip structure with episodic encounters. The production was mounted by Touchstone and Spyglass and received a wide international rollout.

‘Mary Reilly’ (1996)

This gothic drama retells the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde from the perspective of a household servant based on the novel by Valerie Martin. John Malkovich takes the dual role of the doctor and his alter ego while Julia Roberts plays Mary Reilly whose observations frame the narrative. Stephen Frears directs with attention to class dynamics and quiet domestic spaces that hide darker experiments.

Sets and costumes create a somber Victorian atmosphere with foggy exteriors and candlelit interiors. The screenplay emphasizes letters, locked rooms, and the gradual discovery of the physician’s secret work. The film was released by a major studio and later reached cable and home media where it drew audiences interested in literary adaptations.

‘Mutant Chronicles’ (2008)

This science fantasy war film is adapted from a tabletop role playing game and depicts megacorporations fighting an ancient machine that turns soldiers into mutants. John Malkovich appears as Constantine who represents corporate leadership during an evacuation order that shapes early decisions. The cast includes Thomas Jane and Ron Perlman with Simon Hunter directing.

Production combines stylized digital backdrops with practical trenches and industrial interiors to achieve a diesel age look. The movie had a limited theatrical footprint in many regions and relied heavily on festival screenings and home release to reach viewers. It has since circulated on streaming services that carry independent science fiction titles.

Share your own picks for John Malkovich films to skip in the comments so others can compare notes.