10 Overrated Austin Butler Movies You Might Skip

Austin Butler has shown up in projects that range from indie oddities to studio spectacles, which means his filmography covers a lot of ground. If you are trying to curate a watchlist and want the basics on each title before pressing play, this roundup gives you the essentials so you can decide what fits your time and taste.

Below you will find ten films that feature Butler in lead or supporting roles. For each one you get a quick sense of the story, the key creatives behind it, and practical details like format and distribution so you can navigate his body of work with confidence.

‘Aliens in the Attic’ (2009)

This family adventure centers on siblings and cousins who discover small extraterrestrials hiding in a vacation home. Directed by John Schultz, it pairs live action with computer generated creatures and features a young ensemble that includes Ashley Tisdale alongside Butler as one of the Pearson kids.

Released by 20th Century Fox in theaters, it plays as a PG comedy with mild sci fi action. The film mixes slapstick with gadget driven set pieces and was produced for a broad audience, making it a straightforward pick for family movie nights.

‘Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure’ (2011)

A spin off of the ‘High School Musical’ franchise, this entry follows Sharpay Evans as she heads to New York to chase a stage career. Butler appears as Peyton Leverette, a student filmmaker who helps document her attempt to land a role while navigating auditions and a demanding dog trainer subplot.

This is a direct to video Disney production designed for fans of the original franchise. It includes original songs performed by Ashley Tisdale, bright production design, and a G rating, with a brisk runtime suited to younger viewers.

‘The Intruders’ (2015)

Set in a creaky new house with a troubled past, this psychological thriller tracks a teen who suspects that someone is breaking in and that the home hides dangerous secrets. Butler plays a local acquaintance who becomes involved as the mystery escalates around Miranda Cosgrove’s character.

The film is a small scale independent release with a focus on suspense over spectacle. It arrived primarily through home entertainment and digital platforms, uses a contained setting, and emphasizes jump scares and misdirection typical of low budget thrillers.

‘Yoga Hosers’ (2016)

Kevin Smith’s horror comedy follows two convenience store clerks who discover tiny villainous creatures beneath their shop and team up to survive a very strange night. Butler turns up among the teen crowd orbiting the leads, who are played by Lily-Rose Depp and Harley Quinn Smith.

This one blends creature effects with goofy comedy and features numerous cameos from the director’s recurring collaborators. It was targeted to cult audiences, screened at festivals, and rolled out on specialty platforms and limited theaters rather than wide multiplex play.

‘Dude’ (2018)

This coming of age story focuses on four friends in their final weeks of high school as they deal with grief, relationships, and the uncertainty of what comes next. Written and directed by Olivia Milch, it stars Lucy Hale, Kathryn Prescott, Awkwafina, and Alexandra Shipp, with Butler appearing in the friend group’s orbit.

Distributed by Netflix as a streaming original, it fits squarely in teen dramedy territory. Expect an ensemble structure, a contemporary soundtrack, and a compact runtime that makes it an easy queue and watch option.

‘The Dead Don’t Die’ (2019)

Jim Jarmusch’s ensemble zombie comedy unfolds in a quiet small town where the dead begin to rise and the local police scramble to respond. Butler appears among a batch of travelers who pass through as the situation worsens around a cast led by Bill Murray and Adam Driver.

The film leans on deadpan humor and genre nods rather than heavy gore. It premiered at a major European festival, received an R rating for language and zombie content, and had an art house oriented theatrical release through Focus Features.

‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ (2019)

Quentin Tarantino’s period piece explores the shifting landscape of the entertainment industry through the lives of a fading TV star and his stunt double. Butler portrays Charles Tex Watson in sequences tied to the real world Manson family, intersecting with the film’s alternate history approach.

This Sony Pictures release uses recreations of Los Angeles locations, an extensive needle drop soundtrack, and a large ensemble that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie. It earned multiple major award nominations across categories such as production design, acting, and cinematography.

‘Elvis’ (2022)

Baz Luhrmann’s musical biopic follows the life and career of Elvis Presley through the lens of his relationship with manager Colonel Tom Parker. Butler takes on the title role, performing many of the musical numbers and covering stages from early club gigs to massive concert venues.

Shot largely in Australia with elaborate sets and costumes, the film was released worldwide by Warner Bros. It received broad recognition from guilds and academies for makeup, sound, and lead performance, and it includes a soundtrack that blends classic recordings with modern collaborations.

‘The Bikeriders’ (2023)

Adapted from Danny Lyon’s photo book, this drama traces the rise of a Midwestern motorcycle club as it evolves from a tight social circle into a more dangerous organization. Butler stars as Benny opposite Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy, anchoring a narrative told through interview style scenes and episodic snapshots.

The production features period accurate bikes and wardrobe, practical stunt work, and location shooting in the American heartland. After a festival premiere and a distribution shift, it reached theaters through Focus Features and later moved to premium video and streaming windows.

‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)

Denis Villeneuve continues his adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel with a story that brings House Atreides and House Harkonnen into direct conflict over control of Arrakis. Butler plays Feyd Rautha, the ambitious Harkonnen heir, joining a cast that includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Rebecca Ferguson.

The film was shot with large format cameras for expanded IMAX presentations and features extensive on location work in desert environments alongside large scale visual effects. Released by Warner Bros and Legendary, it opened with premium formats and a lengthy theatrical window before home release.

Share your own picks in the comments and tell us which Austin Butler films you would skip and which ones you would keep on your list.