With so many films out there, it’s easy to miss some real gems. Even the most dedicated movie buffs can feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything.
Some movies skyrocket to fame while others, equally deserving, fade into obscurity due to low box office numbers, competition from major releases, or simply the passage of time. I’ve put together a list of 36 underrated movies that deserve more attention. To curate this collection, I polled friends (both cinephiles and casual movie-goers) and fellow editors, aiming for a range of genres and audience ratings.
I also tapped into my own memory for films that left an impression on me but seem to have flown under the radar for most people. Each movie was ranked based on two main criteria: Rotten Tomatoes scores and general recognition.
Some may have scored well with critics but remain underappreciated, while others are simply unheard of despite their quality. Without further ado, here’s my lineup of hidden movie treasures you’ll want to check out. Highly Acclaimed but Lesser-Known
1. Rachel Getting Married (2007)
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Debra Winger Rating: R | Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | Familiarity: Acclaimed but underappreciated This family drama stands out for its raw emotion and complex relationships. Anne Hathaway sheds her typical heroine image to play a troubled younger sister fresh out of rehab, while Rosemarie DeWitt and Debra Winger deliver powerful performances as her cynical older sister and estranged mother.
2. Lost in America (1985)
Cast: Albert Brooks, Julie Hagerty Rating: R | Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | Familiarity: Acclaimed classic comedy Albert Brooks offers a witty critique of the “American Dream” in this comedy about a couple who sells everything to live life on the road—only to face immediate problems when gambling enters the picture.
3. The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Zack Gottsagen, Dakota Johnson Rating: PG-13 | Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | Familiarity: Acclaimed indie, less known This uplifting tale of an unlikely friendship between a young man with Down syndrome and a troubled fisherman is both heartwarming and powerful. Despite its stellar reviews, it’s still relatively unknown.
4. Paper Moon (1973)
Cast: Ryan O’Neal, Tatum O’Neal Rating: PG | Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | Familiarity: Acclaimed classic This black-and-white gem follows a con artist and a girl who may or may not be his daughter as they travel across the country during the Great Depression. Tatum O’Neal won an Oscar for her role, but the film remains underappreciated.
5. The Long Goodbye (1973)
Cast: Elliott Gould Rating: R | Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | Familiarity: Cult classic, underseen This neo-noir film directed by Robert Altman may not be well-known to casual viewers, but it’s a must-see for fans of offbeat comedy and 1970s cinema.
6. Wait Until Dark (1967)
Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin Rating: NR | Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | Familiarity: Acclaimed but overshadowed In this thriller, Hepburn plays a blind woman who must outwit criminals in her own home. It’s a suspense-filled classic that deserves more recognition outside of her more famous roles.
7. A Little Princess (1995)
Cast: Liesel Matthews, Eleanor Bron Rating: G | Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | Familiarity: Acclaimed but overlooked Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, this touching story of hope and imagination set during World War I appeals to both children and adults. Despite its acclaim, it’s often forgotten.
8. The Iron Giant (1999)
Cast: Eli Marienthal, Jennifer Aniston Rating: G | Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | Familiarity: Cult following This animated Cold War-era film flopped at the box office but has since gained a devoted fan base. It tells the story of a boy who befriends a giant robot and must protect him from government forces.
9. Don’t Be a Dick About It (2018)
Cast: Peter, Matthew Rating: N/A | Rotten Tomatoes: N/A | Familiarity: Extremely low This slice-of-life documentary follows two brothers navigating their unique challenges. It’s a sweet and humorous look at family life, but few people have heard of it outside of film festivals.
10. Swallow (2021)
Cast: Haley Bennett Rating: R | Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | Familiarity: Acclaimed but obscure A chilling psychological thriller, this film follows a young housewife who develops a compulsion to swallow inedible objects as a way of exerting control over her life.
11. Pig (2021)
Cast: Nicolas Cage Rating: R | Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | Familiarity: Acclaimed, underseen Nicolas Cage plays a reclusive truffle hunter searching for his kidnapped pig. What unfolds is a surprisingly tender and emotional journey.
12. Babe (1997)
Cast: James Cromwell Rating: G | Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | Familiarity: Moderately known family film Although it was an Oscar-nominated hit, “Babe” is often overlooked today. This sweet story of a pig who learns to herd sheep has timeless appeal.
13. The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
Cast: Ian Holm Rating: R | Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | Familiarity: Acclaimed but obscure This heart-wrenching drama about a small town grappling with a school bus tragedy is both haunting and deeply moving.
14. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
Cast: Forest Whitaker Rating: R | Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | Familiarity: Low This Jim Jarmusch film follows a hitman who lives by the code of the samurai. It’s a unique blend of crime drama and philosophical meditation.
15. Run Lola Run (1998)
Cast: Franka Potente Rating: PG-13 | Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | Familiarity: Acclaimed internationally This fast-paced German thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat as Lola races against time to save her boyfriend. Despite being one of the highest-grossing foreign-language films of its time, it’s still underappreciated.
16. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Cast: Sam Neill Rating: PG-13 | Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | Familiarity: Acclaimed but not mainstream Taika Waititi’s adventure-comedy about a father-son duo on the run in the New Zealand bush is as heartwarming as it is funny, yet remains lesser-known outside of indie film circles.
17. All I Wanna Do (1998)
Cast: Kristen Dunst Rating: PG-13 | Rotten Tomatoes: N/A | Familiarity: Extremely low This quirky teen comedy about a group of girls at a boarding school trying to stop it from merging with a boys’ school is nearly impossible to find, but it’s worth the hunt if you’re craving nostalgia.
