Top 10 Underappreciated and Underrated Netflix Movies to Watch

Netflix has a treasure trove of hidden gems beyond its popular and mainstream choices. These lesser-known films, while often underappreciated and underrated, offer unique storytelling, stellar performances, and compelling narratives. Here are ten must-watch titles to enhance your viewing experience on the streaming platform.

1. Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Moonrise Kingdom is directed by Wes Anderson and is described by The Hollywood Reporter as an “eccentric pubescent love story.” It features a great cast including Tilda Swinton, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, and Bill Murray. The movie is visually stunning and offers a suspenseful narrative that sets it apart from Anderson’s other works.

2. Nightcrawler (2014)

Nightcrawler, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and directed by Dan Gilroy, is an Oscar-nominated thriller that works on multiple levels. Gyllenhaal delivers a creepy performance as a freelance videographer tasked with shooting the late-night crime beat for regional news stations. The screenplay earned a nomination for an Oscar, while Gyllenhaal was nominated for a Golden Globe.

3. Tucker Dale vs Evil (2010)

This comedy horror film stars Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine as two West Virginia locals who encounter a group of college students on a camping trip. When one of the students is hurt, Tucker and Dale take care of her while university students try to save her from what they think are frightening backwoods hicks. The film is a great choice if you’re in the mood for a humorous and horrific experience.

4. Your Eyes

“Your Eyes” is a Joss Whedon masterpiece that tells the story of two individuals—a married social activist from New Hampshire and an ex-con from New Mexico—who share an inexplicable mental connection since childhood. The connection deepens as they realize it’s not madness but an actual mind-body connection. This unique premise makes for a fascinating and thought-provoking watch.

5. The Way Back (2010)

In The Way Back, a group of POWs, captured and imprisoned by the enemy during a war, escape from a Siberian camp and walk over 4,000 miles to freedom. The movie features a stellar cast, including Colin Farrell, Ed Harris, and Saoirse Ronan. Despite its modest box office performance, it’s a gripping tale of perseverance and survival.

6. Oldboy (2003)

The original South Korean version of Oldboy is far superior to the 2013 American remake. Directed by Park Chan-wook, it’s based on a Japanese manga and centers on a man who is abducted and held for 15 years with no knowledge of his captors. Released in 2003, it’s a thrilling mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

7. Kung Fury (2015)

Kung Fury is a cult classic that was funded entirely by Kickstarter. Debuting at the Cannes Film Festival before being released on YouTube, it gained a massive following. The movie features everything from time-traveling demi-gods to dinosaur cops and kung-fu Hitler. It’s a hilarious and over-the-top action film that you'll either love or hate.

8. Final Hours (2019)

In Final Hours, a man named James has only 12 hours left before an asteroid carrying a global firestorm reaches Australia. He leaves his pregnant girlfriend behind to search for the ultimate apocalyptic party. Along the way, he meets a young girl and faces a series of choices about how he wants to spend his last moments on Earth. This film offers a poignant look at human nature during crisis situations.

9. Centurion (2010)

Centurion was not well-received at the box office when it was first released in 2010. However, its inclusion on Netflix has given it a second life. Directed by Neil Marshall, known for his work on Game of Thrones, it features Michael Fassbender in a series of blood-soaked battles as a small band of Roman soldiers tries to make their way home. It’s a film that delivers much more than it promises.

10. What Happened to Monday (2019) / Seven Sisters (2019)

What Happened to Monday, known as Seven Sisters in various countries, is a sci-fi movie about seven genetically identical sisters living in a world with a strict one-child policy. They must avoid being put to sleep by the government and investigate the disappearance of one of their own. The movie delivers an intense plot with a surprising twist and has been a New Zealand film success.

These films are a mix of gritty realism, quirky comedy, and mind-bending sci-fi. Whether you’re a fan of Wes Anderson, Joss Whedon, or ACTION-packed films, these titles are sure to be favorites. Netflix is full of hidden gems, and these movies are worth their weight in popcorn.