Bootleg Betty
What are Bette Midler’s most underrated movies?
By Mister D
April 25, 2026
What are Bette Midler’s most underrated movies?
Here’s the clean, citation?grounded truth from the search results: none of the sources explicitly rank Bette Midler’s “most underrated” films as a category — but they do surface titles that are less celebrated, less remembered, or ranked lower despite being interesting, ambitious, or historically important. Using that, we can build a credible, evidence?based list.
Most Underrated Bette Midler Movies (Based on Available Sources)
- Jinxed! (1982)
GoldDerby’s ranking places Jinxed! at the bottom of her filmography, noting it as her second starring role and a quirky comedy set in the world of professional blackjack players. It’s rarely discussed today, but historically significant as an early vehicle that shaped her film career.
Why it’s underrated:
Early-career experiment
Oddball premise
Overshadowed by The Rose and later hits
- Oliver & Company (1988)
Bootleg Betty’s coverage of “Disney’s most underrated films” includes Oliver & Company in the context of overlooked Disney titles. While not exclusively about Midler, her performance as Georgette is a standout and often forgotten in her filmography.
Why it’s underrated:
Midler’s vocal performance is deliciously camp
The film is overshadowed by Disney’s later Renaissance era
- That Old Feeling (1997)
Search results include imagery and references to That Old Feeling, but it rarely appears in “best of” lists. It’s a sharp, fizzy Carl Reiner comedy with a classic Midler performance that never got its due. (This is an inference based on its absence from top?ranked lists and its presence only in image?based search results.)
Why it’s underrated:
Peak 90s rom?com energy
Midler is in full screwball mode
Overshadowed by First Wives Club (1996)
- For the Boys (1991)
Although critically respected and included in GoldDerby’s “greatest films,” it’s often forgotten by casual audiences despite earning Midler an Oscar nomination.
Why it’s underrated:
One of her strongest dramatic performances
A sweeping, ambitious film that deserves more modern recognition
- Big Business (1988)
While beloved by fans, it’s frequently missing from “best of” lists and is often remembered only as a cult comedy. The search results show it mostly in nostalgic or “forgotten 80s comedy” contexts.
Why it’s underrated:
Midler + Lily Tomlin = comedic perfection
A high?concept farce executed with precision
Overshadowed by her more dramatic or musical roles
? Honorable Mentions (Inferred Underrated Titles)
These appear in search results but not in top?ranked lists, suggesting they’re less celebrated:
Outrageous Fortune (1987) — present in image results but not highlighted as a top film.
Ruthless People (1986) — critically loved but often forgotten in modern discussions. (Referenced in GoldDerby’s ranking list.)
