10 Underrated Films by Hayden Christensen You Must See

Hayden Christensen has worked across studio productions and independent features since the late 1990s, taking on roles that range from character driven drama to suspense and action. His filmography stretches well beyond franchise entries in the ‘Star Wars’ universe and includes projects with Academy Award winning filmmakers, festival premieres, and international shoots that show the breadth of his work.

This list brings together ten films that spotlight different sides of his career. Each entry notes the role he plays, the creative team behind the project, key plot points, and production or release details that help place the film in context.

‘Life as a House’ (2001)

Christensen plays Sam Monroe, a teenager who moves in with his father during a summer when the family home is being rebuilt and long standing conflicts are confronted. The film was directed by Irwin Winkler and stars Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Jena Malone, with a story that centers on reconciliation within a coastal California setting.

His performance earned a Golden Globe nomination for supporting actor and a Screen Actors Guild nomination for supporting performance. The production was released by New Line Cinema and features a score by Mark Isham along with location work that emphasizes the shoreline and the house construction that drives the plot.

‘Shattered Glass’ (2003)

Christensen portrays journalist Stephen Glass at ‘The New Republic’ during the period when fabricated stories were uncovered inside the magazine. The film was written and directed by Billy Ray and features Peter Sarsgaard, Chloë Sevigny, and Hank Azaria in principal roles, with scenes set inside editorial meetings and reporting trips that chart how the articles were produced.

The screenplay is based on the Vanity Fair article by Buzz Bissinger that documented the case and the internal investigation that followed. The production examines newsroom procedures, fact checking practices, and the steps that led to comprehensive retractions, and it was distributed by Lions Gate Films in North America.

‘Awake’ (2007)

Christensen plays Clay Beresford, a finance executive who experiences anesthesia awareness during a heart transplant, which means he is conscious while immobilized on the operating table. Joby Harold wrote and directed the film, and the cast includes Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard, and Lena Olin, with hospital interiors and surgical sequences staged to follow the operation in real time.

The plot interweaves a medical thriller with a criminal conspiracy that unfolds around the surgery and the people closest to the patient. The project was produced by GreeneStreet Films with release handled in the United States through a partnership that included MGM and The Weinstein Company.

‘Jumper’ (2008)

Christensen stars as David Rice, a man who discovers he can teleport and begins moving instantly between cities while a secret organization works to capture him. The film was directed by Doug Liman and co stars Jamie Bell, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachel Bilson, and Diane Lane, with action set pieces that shift between Rome, Tokyo, and North America.

The production used a mix of practical location shoots and visual effects to stage jumps that span landmark sites and remote areas. The film is based on the novel by Steven Gould, and the story introduces a decades long conflict between the group known as Paladins and those who can teleport.

‘Takers’ (2010)

Christensen appears as A J, a precision minded member of a professional robbery crew planning a high risk armored car job with tight timing and heavy firepower. John Luessenhop directed the film, which features an ensemble that includes Idris Elba, Paul Walker, Michael Ealy, T I, Chris Brown, Matt Dillon, and Zoë Saldana, with urban locations that frame surveillance, planning, and getaway sequences.

The story follows overlapping arcs for detectives and thieves as the crew attempts multiple coordinated moves that rely on detailed logistics. Production emphasized large scale stunts, practical explosions, and downtown street chases, with Screen Gems handling the domestic release.

‘Vanishing on 7th Street’ (2010)

Christensen plays Luke, a reporter who finds himself in a deserted Detroit after a sudden darkness causes people to disappear, leaving only their clothing and personal items behind. Brad Anderson directed the film with a cast that includes Thandiwe Newton, John Leguizamo, and Jacob Latimore, and the narrative places the remaining survivors inside a bar with power that is slowly failing.

The production shot in Michigan locations that could depict abandoned streets and empty public spaces while using low light setups to build the central threat. The film premiered on the festival circuit and was released in the United States by Magnet Releasing with a focus on limited theatrical runs and video on demand.

‘Outcast’ (2014)

Christensen portrays Jacob, a disillusioned crusader who crosses paths with two imperial children on the run from a usurping brother after the death of their father. The film was directed by Nick Powell and co stars Nicolas Cage as Gallain, and it stages sword fighting and pursuit sequences across fortified towns and mountain passes.

The production filmed in China with period costumes and weapons designed to merge Western and Eastern styles for an international audience. The release strategy included theatrical runs in select territories along with digital platforms that brought the film to viewers in North America and Asia.

‘American Heist’ (2014)

Christensen plays James Kelly, an auto mechanic whose life is upended when his older brother is released from prison and draws him into the planning of a major bank robbery. The film was directed by Sarik Andreasyan and stars Adrien Brody, Jordana Brewster, and Akon, with locations in New Orleans that frame the crew’s operations and the law enforcement response.

The screenplay takes inspiration from ‘The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery’ and updates the setup with modern crews, surveillance gear, and getaway tactics. Production combined practical effects with armored vehicle work and used local streets to stage the heist and its aftermath.

‘First Kill’ (2017)

Christensen leads as Will Beeman, a Wall Street broker who returns to his hometown with his family and becomes entangled in a police investigation after witnessing a shooting during a hunting trip. Steven C Miller directed the film, and the cast includes Bruce Willis and Gethin Anthony, with small town settings that place the story around rural roads, cabins, and a local police station.

The plot tracks overlapping motives among officers and criminals as Will tries to protect his son while recovering a key piece of evidence. The production was shot largely in Ohio and Georgia with a schedule that focused on exterior scenes and practical stunt work for foot chases and near misses.

‘Little Italy’ (2018)

Christensen stars as Leo Campo, a young chef whose relationship with his childhood friend runs into trouble when their families operate rival pizzerias in the same neighborhood. The romantic comedy was directed by Donald Petrie and co stars Emma Roberts, Andrea Martin, and Alyssa Milano, with Toronto locations used to capture the community where the story is set.

The film features kitchen competition, a cooking show subplot, and scenes that center on traditional recipes and family businesses. Production worked with local restaurants and markets to stage culinary sequences and neighborhood gatherings that mirror day to day life in a tight knit district.

Share your picks for overlooked Hayden Christensen performances in the comments so everyone can compare viewing lists.