10 Underrated Zachary Quinto Movies You Must See

Zachary Quinto has built a film career that stretches from intimate independents to large scale studio releases. His roles span true stories, literary adaptations, and genre pieces, and they show steady range across drama, thriller, action, and ensemble storytelling. This list brings together projects that many viewers miss when they think only of the major blockbusters.

You will find character driven dramas alongside high tension thrillers and a few distinctive streaming era releases. Each entry notes what the film covers and how Quinto fits into the story world, along with helpful details about the creators, release context, and production background.

‘Margin Call’ (2011)

This financial drama follows employees at a New York investment firm during the first hours of a market crisis. Quinto plays a young analyst whose discovery sets the overnight scramble in motion and his scenes map how data moves up the chain during a critical window.

The film is written and directed by J C Chandor and features an ensemble that includes Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Stanley Tucci, and Demi Moore. It opened in the United States in 2011 and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

‘What’s Your Number?’ (2011)

This romantic comedy tracks a Boston woman who reconnects with former partners while searching for a long term match. Quinto appears as one of the exes on that list and his scenes are part of a run of cameos that move the story through a series of past relationships.

The film stars Anna Faris and Chris Evans with supporting turns from Martin Freeman, Anthony Mackie, Andy Samberg, Thomas Lennon, and Joel McHale. It was released by a major studio in 2011 and adapts material from a contemporary novel for a wide theatrical audience.

‘I Am Michael’ (2015)

This biographical drama tells the story of Michael Glatze from his early work in LGBTQ media to later life choices that changed his public profile. Quinto plays Bennett who is central to the timeline that the film reconstructs through key personal and professional chapters.

The film is written and directed by Justin Kelly with performances from James Franco and Emma Roberts. It premiered at a major film festival in 2015 and later reached audiences through limited theatrical bookings and on demand platforms.

‘Hitman: Agent 47’ (2015)

This action thriller is based on the long running video game series and follows a genetically engineered assassin targeted by rival interests. Quinto plays John Smith who operates around the central pursuit and whose objectives drive several of the film’s set pieces.

The production shot on international locations including Berlin and Singapore and was released by a major studio in 2015. Rupert Friend leads the cast as Agent 47 and Aleksander Bach directs his first feature with emphasis on practical stunts and high speed chases.

‘Snowden’ (2016)

This drama presents the events around the disclosure of classified surveillance programs through a mix of timeline jumps and recreated interviews. Quinto portrays journalist Glenn Greenwald and his scenes cover the reporting process that shaped how the source material reached the public.

The film is directed by Oliver Stone with Joseph Gordon Levitt as Edward Snowden and Shailene Woodley as Lindsay Mills. It debuted in 2016 after principal photography that included work in Germany and it used a combination of locations and sets to depict overseas settings.

‘Tallulah’ (2016)

This character drama follows a drifter who takes a child from a negligent parent and seeks help from a former partner’s mother. Quinto plays Nico whose early scenes establish the personal ties that frame Tallulah’s later decisions and the family dynamics that follow.

The film is written and directed by Sian Heder with leads from Elliot Page and Allison Janney. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016 and was released globally by Netflix after its festival run, part of an early wave of original features on the service.

‘Aardvark’ (2017)

This psychological drama centers on a man who experiences troubling visions while starting therapy for long standing issues. Quinto plays Josh Norman whose treatment forms the spine of the plot and whose sessions connect to complicated relationships beyond the office.

Brian Shoaf wrote and directed the film with Jenny Slate and Jon Hamm in key roles that intersect with Josh’s past. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2017 and received a limited theatrical release that focused on urban specialty markets.

‘Hotel Artemis’ (2018)

This near future thriller is set inside a secret hospital that treats criminals under a strict set of house rules. Quinto plays Crosby Franklin who arrives with a powerful guest and his presence shifts the balance among patients and staff during one volatile night.

The film is written and directed by Drew Pearce with a cast that includes Jodie Foster, Sterling K Brown, Sofia Boutella, Jeff Goldblum, Dave Bautista, Brian Tyree Henry, Charlie Day, and Jenny Slate. It opened in 2018 and combines contained location work with practical design to build the title setting.

‘The Boys in the Band’ (2020)

This screen adaptation presents a gathering of friends in late 1960s New York and follows an evening that exposes old tensions. Quinto plays Harold whose birthday brings the group together and whose scenes anchor several of the most critical exchanges in the apartment.

The film is directed by Joe Mantello and produced for Netflix with the Broadway revival cast returning for the screen version. It premiered in 2020 and preserves the period detail of the stage production through costume, set design, and music cues from the era.

‘He Went That Way’ (2024)

This crime drama is inspired by a real life encounter between a celebrity animal trainer and a hitchhiker on a desert highway. Quinto plays the handler whose road trip becomes the frame for a story about identity, trust, and survival over a short span of time.

The film pairs Quinto with Jacob Elordi and features a chimpanzee character that draws from archival accounts. It premiered on the festival circuit and saw a 2024 release that brought the film to theaters and digital platforms with marketing that highlighted the true crime angle.

Share your favorite underseen Zachary Quinto performances in the comments and add any hidden gems that belong on this list.