Top Underrated Films
There will always be movies that fly under the radar. Sometimes, underrated films have the bad luck of being released alongside bigger-budget flicks. Other times, they just don’t garner enough publicity for crowds to take notice.
Whatever the reason may be, there are some gems out there that are vastly underappreciated, and often overlooked. Binging these underrated films will have you wondering what else you’ve been missing.
- Meet The Robinsons (2007)
- Detroit (2017)
- Accepted (2006)
- Ip Man (2008)
- Chronicle (2012)
- Almost Famous (2000)
- Oldboy (2005)
- Palm Springs (2020)
- The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)
- Sorry To Bother You (2018)
- End of Watch (2012)
- Looper (2012)
Meet The Robinsons (2007)
You might think it’s impossible for a smash hitmaker like Disney to release any underrated films. While it’s true they still get more exposure than most, some slip through the cracks when compared to mega box-office hits like Frozen. Meet The Robinsons is one of those.
The movie offers everything you’d expect from Disney: bright and colorful visuals, creative twists, and a storyline with humor and heart that make it a film guaranteed to delight young and old alike.
A young and intelligent orphan, Lewis, struggles to make his inventions work. After a disastrous science fair, Lewis resolves to give up inventing for good…until a stranger named Wilbur Robinson approaches him and urges him to keep going—and avoid a mysterious man in a bowler hat.
To prove his claims, Wilbur takes Lewis to the future but accidentally gets them both stuck. Lewis builds a rapport with the quirky, creative Robinson clan, but soon discovers things are far more complicated than they seem.
This movie includes lots of crazy, funny characters that kids will love, with a heartwarming moral about the importance and origin of the family that parents will love.
Watch it on Disney+ here.
Detroit (2017)
This movie is an emotional rollercoaster. Based on the events of the motel incident during the Detroit riot in 1967, it’s not easy to watch, but a moving and, perhaps, even a necessary one.
While some details of the Detroit 12th Street Riots have been altered for the film, the cast performs spectacularly, beautifully conveying the fear and anger of the event.
Detroit is one of those underrated films that will make you upset more people have never heard of it, much less seen it.
Watch it on Hulu here.
Accepted (2006)
Are you tired of the stress of college? Do you feel like you’re studying for something you don’t enjoy? Then this comedy movie might be just what you need!
This easy watch features a high school grad whose parents force him to attend college. When he doesn’t get accepted anywhere, he decides to create a fake college.
Unfortunately, everything backfires when word gets out, and other students want to actually attend.
Realizing he can make money, he opens the school for real, encouraging students to choose what they want to learn—no matter how absurd.
Watch it on Amazon Prime here.
Ip Man (2008)
Fans of martial arts films will enjoy this foreign feature. Ip Man tells the story of the titular martial arts grandmaster of Wing Chung, who was also the teacher of legendary Bruce Lee.
The biopic portrays Ip Man’s life during the time of the Sino-Japanese war. What makes Ip Man so amazing isn’t just his proficiency in the Wing Chun style of fighting, but also his humbling nature and kindness to others—so even those who don’t like violence will enjoy this movie.
Watch it on Netflix here.
Chronicle (2012)
While many found footage films fall short, Chronicle deserves credit for its realism and creativity.
Three teenage boys miraculously gain superpowers from a glowing, underground rock. However, what makes this film different from other superhero films is the more realistic direction it takes.
Instead of going off to help people and fight crime like most films, the three boys decide to go and goof off with their new powers, such as entering the talent show or playing harmless pranks in grocery stores.
Rent or buy it on Amazon Prime here.
Almost Famous (2000)
Fans of ’70s music will love this coming-of-age film about a high schooler named William, who gets hired by Rolling Stone to write an article on a new rock n’ roll band, Stillwater.
This proves to be a difficult task when the band takes him along on their tour, despite his mother’s objections. William discovers the pros and cons of the rockstar lifestyle while struggling to still interview the band.
While William also learns lessons about love, music, and growing up, keep in mind that this film is rated R, so consider bumping it out of the family movie night line-up.
Watch it on Amazon Prime here.
Oldboy (2005)
If you are a fan of thrillers and haven’t seen Oldboy yet, you’re missing out. However, it’s better to watch the original, Korean version than the remake.
The story follows an alcoholic named Dae-Su. He’s held captive in a room, with nothing but a TV for company, for 15 years.
When he is suddenly released, his captor tells him to figure out who he is and why he kidnapped him.
The adventure in this film is equally exciting as it is disturbing, and the twist ending will shock you to your core.
Watch it on Shudder here.
Palm Springs (2020)
If you enjoy movies like Groundhog Day or Happy Death Day, this time loop film needs to hit your Hulu list ASAP.
Sarah, while reluctantly attending her sister’s wedding, meets a man named Nyles who tries to cheer her up.
When Nyles gets attacked by a strange man with a bow and arrow, he runs off. Sarah follows him into a strange cave, then suddenly wakes up…on the same wedding day as before.
Sarah goes to confront Nyles, and he explains to her that she is now stuck in a time loop with him.
As nihilistic as this movie gets, it teaches a lesson on learning to live life by enjoying the little things and staying in the moment.
Watch in on Hulu here.
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of the best coming-of-age movies out there. High school freshman Charlie, who suffers from clinical depression and PTSD, befriends a bunch of misfit seniors and falls in love with a girl named Sam.
Like the book it was based on, The Perks of Being a Wallflower explores mental health, trauma, and sexuality, all while still being a family film (though better suited for older children or teens).
While its difficult subject matter makes it tough to watch at times, it’s also fun and inspiring, celebrating all the highs, lows, and endless in-betweens of teenagehood.
Watch it on Netflix here.
Sorry To Bother You (2018)
Fair warning: this movie gets weird and, at times, features very graphic nudity.
Sorry To Bother You is about Cassius Green (get it—cash is green?) who gets a job working for a telemarketing company.
When Cassius isn’t doing well, a coworker gives him some advice: he needs to use a “white voice.”
Cassius’s success leads to a promotion, selling higher-tier products and services that many would not approve of.
This movie deserves more recognition not only for its amazing acting but also for its unique filmmaking style. You’ll find yourself keeping an eye on the background frequently, as any tiny detail can become an important plot point later. The film also has an innovative twist most will never see coming.
Watch it on Hulu here.
End of Watch (2012)
Shot found-footage-style, this film follows the daily grind of two young police officers in South Central LA who are partners and friends, and what happens when they meet criminal forces greater than themselves. In South Central Los Angeles, street cops Brian and Mike, played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena, respectively, are partners – balls-out cowboys patrolling the streets as gang tensions increase.
Brian and Mike get lucky a couple of times, making big drug and human-trafficking busts, so a Mexican cartel orders their deaths. There are internal squabbles within the ranks of the LAPD and lots of squad-car conversation. Can the lads escape the cartel’s murderous reach?
If you viewed and enjoyed this movie, get excited because a series adaptation of this movie is in the works at Fox.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video here.
Looper (2012)
In 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent into the past, where a hired gun awaits – someone like Joe – who one day learns the mob wants to ‘close the loop’ by sending back Joe’s future self for assassination.
When this day comes, Joe’s future self is prepared and escapes, and the two men struggle separately in the past trying to evade capture and attempting to fulfill their own personal agendas. This film does take some keen awareness skills to keep timelines straight, though.
Watch it on Netflix here.
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This list barely scratches the surface of underrated films worth watching. Everyone can name a few movies that never got the recognition they deserved. It’s a bit depressing, actually, the amount of great, underrated films that should have hit it big but didn’t.
Luckily, you can show your love by streaming these hidden gems and singing their praises to fellow film fanatics.
For film lovers looking to expand their horizons, they should look no further than starting at Amazon’s originals, spine-tingling horror movies, or chilling pandemic movies. Or if you’re taking a break from a movie binge, these mystery-filled foreign detective shows will have you guessing what’s next.
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