20 actors who have admitted to not watching their own movies

Dakota Johnson seems to take her career less seriously than any other actor in Hollywood. It’s equal parts shocking and hilarious, especially considering the family she comes from. She’s probably seen Working Girl and The Birds, but she doesn’t watch her own films. 

Joaquin Phoenix is one of those rare actors who can count on his fingers how many times he’s watched one of his own movies. The star has only seen The Master and Her. Some might call those Phoenix’s best work, but so many other films of his are definitely worth watching. 

Javier Bardem doesn’t watch his own movies, but it seems to be out of insecurity of seeing himself on screen. He once said in an interview that he doesn’t like seeing his nose or hearing his voice (h/t GQ). Bardem might be alone in that opinion. 

Johnny Depp has stated before that he prefers to keep his distance from his movies, opting not to watch them. It’s heartbreaking to know that Depp has missed out on the joy of watching The Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands. 

Helena Bonham Carter doesn’t watch her own movies, but she has a justification for it. She says there’s nothing for her to learn by watching them (h/t The Telegraph). It’s hard to refute the method of such a successful actor who’s only continued to improve. 

Maggie Smith and Helena Bonham Carter won’t be having a Harry Potter marathon anytime soon. Smith doesn’t watch her own movies, either. She says she hates it. Smith will have to take everyone else’s word for it that she does a fantastic job. 

Megan Fox doesn’t like watching herself on screen due to insecurities, as she expressed to Entertainment Tonight. Looking at Fox, it’s hard to believe she’d be insecure about anything, but it’s proof that even the rich and famous deal with issues that plague the general population. 

Reese Witherspoon says that if she were to watch her own movies, she’d hate herself (h/t Daily Express). Fortunately for Witherspoon, that sentiment is not shared by basically everyone who’s ever seen one of her movies. Witherspoon is America’s sweetheart! But hey, if that’s what it takes for her to continue acting, so be it. 

Adam Driver loves to act, but he hates to see himself in film. It’s mostly due to his theater background. As the actor once shared, his craft was honed on the stage, and he’s not used to or comfortable with seeing himself on screen. Although he might be changing his mind (h/t IndieWire).

Gwyneth Paltrow not liking to watch her own movies is the most Gwyneth Paltrow thing ever. She once said in an interview that she dislikes seeing herself on screen, so it’s a good thing she hardly acts in movies anymore. 

Emma Stone doesn’t avoid all of her movies, but it seems she doesn’t like watching those that she stars in. These days, that’s most of them. Stone has never seen Easy A in its entirety, claiming that she doesn’t want to watch herself for such an extended period of time (h/t Variety). 

Jared Leto shared in the early 2020s that he had gone 22 years without watching any of his own films. In 2000, director Darren Aronofsky made Leto watch himself in the film Requiem for a Dream at the Cannes Film Festival. If Aronofsky suggests watching a film, it’s probably advice worth heeding. 

The only time Al Pacino will watch one of his own movies is if it happens to be on television. Otherwise, he prefers to let the past live in the past. He remembers his successes and tries to let go of the work he’s not as proud of. 

Don’t ask Constance Wu for her opinion on the movie Hustlers because she hasn’t seen it. While the actor did watch Crazy Rich Asians, she avoided watching the crime drama so she could stay in the present and not criticize her performance. 

Nicole Kidman has only seen two of her films throughout her entire career: Australia and Moulin Rouge! Kidman said she watched Australia because it was directed by Baz Luhrmann, and that’s likely the reason she watched Moulin Rouge! Or perhaps she wanted to see herself perform an Oscar-nominated role. 

Angelina Jolie loves making films, but she has no desire to watch herself in them. In fact, she loves making films so much she directs and produces in addition to acting. Jolie did once say that she loves to watch Brad Pitt films, but it’s safe to assume that that’s no longer the case. 

Andrew Garfield actively tries not to watch his own movies, but he did watch The Social Network. If he decides to watch any of the other films he’s been in, The Amazing Spider-Man series would be a great place to start. He should add tick, tick…BOOM! to his list, as well.  

Tom Hanks doesn’t believe he learns anything from watching his own movies, either. While he admits that he can get a sense of what he shouldn’t do in the future, watching his movies doesn’t benefit his craft overall. And who can tell Hanks he’s wrong? Whatever methods he uses, they’re effective. 

Julianne Moore hasn’t watched any of the films she’s starred in, either. She’s admitted that while she loves to act in films, she’s not fond of watching herself. Moore is one of several Oscar winners who abstain from watching their own films. Perhaps it’s a strategy more actors should employ. 

Jesse Eisenberg is about his craft and doesn’t let any outside noise affect what he’s doing. The actor has stated that not only does he not watch his own movies, but he also doesn’t read reviews of any of his work. Everyone could learn a thing or two from Eisenberg regarding self-confidence.