10 Underrated Geoffrey Rush Movies You Must See

Geoffrey Rush has built a wide ranging screen career across Australia, Europe, and the United States. He is known for transformative roles that draw on theatre training and a deep catalogue of classical and contemporary material. Audiences recognize him for high profile work that includes ‘Shine’, ‘Elizabeth’, ‘Shakespeare in Love’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, ‘The King’s Speech’, and ‘The Book Thief’, yet his filmography also features projects that reached fewer viewers in their original runs.

This list highlights ten feature films that give a clear picture of his range across biographical drama, literary adaptation, thriller, period epic, and family story. Each entry notes the role he plays, the key creative team, and production context so you can decide what to watch next with solid background in hand.

‘Final Portrait’ (2017)

This film follows Alberto Giacometti during a portrait sitting with American writer James Lord in Paris. Geoffrey Rush plays Giacometti opposite Armie Hammer as Lord, with Tony Shalhoub, Sylvie Testud, and Clémence Poésy in principal support. The story focuses on the extended sessions in the artist’s studio and the personal and professional relationships that orbit the work.

It is written and directed by Stanley Tucci and adapts James Lord’s memoir. The production recreates Giacometti’s studio environment with close attention to the work process, and the film was released in North America by Sony Pictures Classics after a run at international festivals.

‘The Best Offer’ (2013)

Geoffrey Rush stars as Virgil Oldman, a prestigious auction house director who becomes involved with a reclusive heiress played by Sylvia Hoeks. The cast also features Donald Sutherland as an art world associate and Jim Sturgess as a skilled technician who assists with antiques and automata. The plot interweaves an appraisal, a restoration, and a relationship that reveals hidden motives around a collection.

The film is written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore with an original score by Ennio Morricone. Principal photography took place across several European locations that include Italy and Austria, and the release reached multiple territories through regional distributors following its Italian debut.

‘The Tailor of Panama’ (2001)

In this adaptation of the John le Carré novel, Geoffrey Rush plays Harry Pendel, a tailor with a complicated past who serves elite clients in Panama City. Pierce Brosnan appears as MI6 operative Andy Osnard and Jamie Lee Curtis portrays Louisa Pendel, with Brendan Gleeson and Catherine McCormack in key roles. The narrative uses intelligence work and personal debts to drive a chain of events tied to the Panama Canal.

The film is directed by John Boorman from a screenplay by Boorman, Andrew Davies, and John le Carré. It was shot on location in Panama with support from local authorities and released in wide markets through major studio partners after festival screenings.

‘Les Misérables’ (1998)

This English language adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel casts Geoffrey Rush as Inspector Javert opposite Liam Neeson as Jean Valjean. Uma Thurman and Claire Danes complete the central ensemble as Fantine and Cosette. The film presents the major episodes of pursuit, disguise, and moral duty that define the relationship between the two leads.

The production is directed by Bille August from a screenplay by Rafael Yglesias. Filming took place in European locations chosen for period architecture, and the release brought a large scale literary adaptation to cinemas with a traditional orchestral score and substantial set construction.

‘Candy’ (2006)

In this Australian drama, Geoffrey Rush plays Casper, an academic who serves as an elder figure within a circle of users connected to the couple at the center of the story. Heath Ledger and Abbie Cornish portray Dan and Candy, whose relationship is depicted through stages of dependence and withdrawal. The narrative tracks family involvement, treatment attempts, and the consequences that follow.

The film is directed by Neil Armfield and adapts Luke Davies’s novel. It was produced with Australian financing and filmed in local locations that include urban and suburban settings, and it screened at major festivals before theatrical release in Australia and other territories.

‘House on Haunted Hill’ (1999)

Geoffrey Rush leads the ensemble as Stephen H. Price, an amusement tycoon who invites a group of guests to spend the night in a former psychiatric facility for a cash prize. Famke Janssen, Taye Diggs, Ali Larter, Bridgette Wilson, and Chris Kattan round out the principal cast. The plot follows locked doors, security systems, and a history of the site that surfaces as the night unfolds.

The production is a remake of the 1959 film associated with William Castle and Vincent Price. It comes from Dark Castle Entertainment with practical effects and digital enhancements for set pieces, and it opened widely in North America with subsequent international distribution.

‘Swimming Upstream’ (2003)

This biographical drama centers on Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton, played by Jesse Spencer, and his family. Geoffrey Rush portrays Harold Fingleton, the father whose choices shape the athlete’s path alongside the career of brother John. Judy Davis appears as Dora Fingleton, and the story covers training, competition, and household life.

The film is directed by Russell Mulcahy and is based on Tony Fingleton’s memoir. It was produced in Australia with location work in Queensland and New South Wales and features a period setting supported by archival design and music cues from the era.

‘The Eye of the Storm’ (2011)

Set in Sydney, this drama follows adult children returning to the bedside of a powerful mother. Geoffrey Rush plays Sir Basil Hunter, a stage actor whose career and personal history are part of the family’s conflicts. Judy Davis plays Dorothy, and Charlotte Rampling portrays Elizabeth Hunter, with the story exploring inheritance, care, and status.

The film is directed by Fred Schepisi and adapts the novel by Patrick White, the Australian recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. The production uses Sydney interiors and coastal exteriors to reflect the family’s social world, and it was released nationwide in Australia with later international screenings.

‘The Daughter’ (2015)

Adapted from Henrik Ibsen’s play ‘The Wild Duck’, this Australian feature is set in a logging town facing a mill closure. Geoffrey Rush plays Henry, whose wedding brings his estranged son back to the community and sets off a series of revelations that impact another family. Ewen Leslie, Paul Schneider, Miranda Otto, Anna Torv, Odessa Young, and Sam Neill appear in lead roles.

The film is written and directed by Simon Stone, expanding his stage interpretation into a naturalistic screen version. It was shot in New South Wales with a production approach that favors location sound and muted palette, and it opened domestically before reaching additional markets.

‘Storm Boy’ (2019)

In this new screen adaptation of Colin Thiele’s novel, Geoffrey Rush plays the adult Michael Kingley who recounts his childhood on the South Australian coast with a rescued pelican named Mr Percival. Finn Little portrays the younger Michael alongside Trevor Jamieson as Fingerbone Bill and Jai Courtney in a present day storyline with corporate stakes.

The film is directed by Shawn Seet and was produced with support from South Australian screen agencies. Location work includes the Coorong National Park and adjacent beaches, and the release brought the story to a new generation following the earlier film version.

Share your own favorite underseen Geoffrey Rush performances in the comments so others can discover what to watch next.