20 Actors and Directors Who Refuse to Watch Their Best Works

Even big stars like Hollywood actors and directors struggle to watch themselves. There is just something so cringy about listening to your voice or watching a video where you're moving around. How many times have you heard yourself on video? Do you like it? Most people don't, and it seems actors and directors are no different.

Quite a few celebrities skip their movies, preferring to watch other things. This isn't always because they don't want to see themselves. It can also get tiring shooting the same scene over and over again. While we, the audience, watch a seemingly perfect two-minute scene, the actors may have had to re-shoot it for hours.

So, who's skipping the movies when it comes to their own films? Follow along to find out. To find the information on this slideshow, 24/7 Tempo consulted entertainment websites with recorded interviews (and comments) with each actor/director.

Although he isn't completely against it, Adam Driver prefers not to watch his movies. He's stated it's because he's too critical of himself, he doesn't want to feel narcissistic, and comes from a theater background where watching yourself isn't the norm. Honestly, this makes sense.

Even big stars like Dakota Johnson feel insecure watching themselves. This is a big reason she won't watch movies she's starred in (her fear of being overcritical). On top of this, she's stated previously that not watching movies, like "Madame Web," is her form of self-care.

Johnny Depp is in practically everything, and yet he also won't watch his own movies. This isn't new either. The big star has repeatedly come forth talking about how watching himself on screen feels unsettling. And yet, while he's never seen any of his movies (with the exception of one or two), he's won 16 awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

Johnny Depp isn't the only Hollywood legend against watching yourself on screen. Drew Barrymore also struggles, although she will if her children want to see it. However, she finds watching herself on screen feels creepy and is nervous about getting caught watching her movies in public as (to her) it's embarrassing.

Tom Hanks has starred in some of the best movies ever made, including "Forrest Gump," and yet isn't a fan of watching movies he stars in. He doesn't believe it's helpful or improves your craft and instead finds himself pointing out mistakes and flaws. Maybe it's just enough to know that other people like it.

Another talented star afraid to watch themselves on the big screen is Javier Bardem. He can't stand watching his own work and doesn't find it helpful, much like others on this list. Even with a long list of awards, Bardem gets insecure listening to his voice and picks apart his body in films. He cringes when watching his performances (if he does) and has stated previously that it's so different from acting. When he's acting, it's like he's become a different person.

Reese Witherspoon also has an impressive list of movies and awards, and yet doesn't watch herself. She is open about how she doesn't recommend watching your own movies, as it's easy to fall apart and wonder how you could improve on something already out in the world. Instead, she says that the best way for her to stay confident as an actress is to avoid watching herself.

In a round table discussion, Matthew Fox, one of the main stars of "Lost," admitted he doesn't watch his performances. Instead, he prefers to get to know the story and characters while reading and performing the script.

While she doesn't get nervous or insecure watching herself perform, Helena Bonham Carter prefers not to see her movies or shows. This is because she sees no point in watching the finished product, as there is nothing to learn. The learning happens while on set.

Although he's watched one or two of his movies/shows, he doesn't like them. Al Pacino would rather not watch himself perform, despite being one of the best actors of all time. Fun fact, Al Pacino left the premiere for "The Godfather" to avoid watching it and himself.

How could someone who starred in great films like "Malcolm X," "Fences," and "Flight" hate seeing his work? Denzel Washington only watches parts of his movies to know the overall plot/flow, but not enough to start worrying about what he could have done better. He prefers to leave them in the past and move forward.

Sometimes, to enjoy life and your career, you have to avoid things like reviews and watching your performances. Jesse Eisenberg follows this path. Even when he promotes his work at movie theaters/showings, he leaves before the show begins. He's previously stated that watching himself on screen is too distracting, especially because all he can think about is all the behind-the-scenes stuff.

Even after winning an Oscar and performing in over 20 films, Jared Leto doesn't watch his own movies. When the film wraps up, he's done! He hasn't even seen the film that won him an Oscar, "Dallas Buyers Club". Leto's also starred in "House of Gucci," "My So-Called Life," and "Requiem for a Dream."

Also on our list of actors and directors who don't watch their best works is Julianne Moore, known for her roles in "Still Alice," "Game Change," and "Magnolia." While she loves acting, she doesn't watch her performances unless on the set, looking for feedback.

William Shatner is more of an educational documentary kinda guy, so he skips out on watching his own shows/movies. Despite his epic performance in "Star Trek," Shatner won't go back to them. The only time he has is with the film "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," since he directed it.

Angelina Jolie has watched some of her movies, but very few. Most of the films she watched that she starred in were ones where there was an ensemble cast, so she wasn't the focal point, like in "Eternals." It's hard for her to rewatch her old films because she's too close to the creative process, and the finished product isn't always what she imagined.

Andrew Garfield doesn't shy away from sharing his feelings about watching his films. Even though he's an actor with a long list of achievements and films, he turns the other way when his movies are on, as he's too self-critical.

Imagine forgetting you starred in one of the best film franchises in the world. According to a few interviews, Robert Pattinson forgot he starred in the Harry Potter franchise. Maybe it's because it was decades ago, or maybe it's because the seasoned actor doesn't watch his movies after they release.

Megan Fox has been crowned one of the most beautiful people in the world, over and over again. And yet, the stunning and seasoned actress doesn't watch her films or performances because of insecurities. Watching herself on the big screen freaks her out.

While Constance Wu has seen "Crazy Rich Asians," one of her most well-known films, she hasn't seen many others. For instance, she's stated on "Live with Kelly and Ryan" that she hasn't seen "Hustlers," despite being a box office hit. It's too weird seeing herself on screen, and she prefers, like others on this list, the process over the finished product.