Photo Credit (Gettyimages)
There have been many great films released in 2016, but some could have gone unnoticed. There have been some huge box office successes, no doubt, but what about the lesser-known movies that received less attention? Our editors provided some excellent recommendations when we asked them which movies they thought were underappreciated this year. Find out which films you should add to your watch list by taking a look.
The American Honey
“I thought that American Honey would live up to my expectations ever since I saw the captivating trailer. It’s an eye-opening voyage about a teenager (newcomer Sasha Lane) who joins a group of free-spirited magazine marketers, even though it’s a touch long (two hours and forty-three minutes). It’s one of the year’s greatest movies, daring and magnificent. Entertainment’s Maggie Pehanick, editor
Moms who are bad
“My sister discovered she was pregnant at the time, which is why I viewed this film. The film demonstrated how mothers are subjected to a plethora of expectations, yet they will always face criticism for something. Even though they are already giving up all in their lives to please others, this can lead them to believe that they are not good enough or that they should try harder. The film served as a helpful reminder that, even if you’re not aware of it at the moment, you’re valued and that it’s acceptable to be selfish occasionally. Editorial intern Alaine Flandez
The Good Guys
“Listen, there are some problems with this Ryan Gosling comedy, but the more I consider it, the more I enjoy it. The attractive actor portrays a destitute father who joins forces with another private investigator to look into a sexy murder in Hollywood. It’s joyful and full of adorable ’70s threads, but it’s also strange and wacky. — MP
Sing Street
“Despite receiving great reviews from reviewers (an astounding 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes), this small gem of a film came and went with little notice. Fortunately, it’s now accessible on Netflix, and it’s a charming, funny, and heartwarming tale of coming of age. Furthermore, the soundtrack is undoubtedly amazing because it was composed by John Carney, the director of Once. Becky Kirsch, editorial senior director
The Two Strings and Kubo
“This year, Kubo and the Two Strings received almost no attention, but feel-good family films like Finding Dory received a ton of accolades. In addition to being one of the most exquisite films of 2016, this one has one of the most engaging family-friendly plots of any movie I’ve ever watched. Set in ancient Japan and stunningly produced in a stunning stop-motion technique, Kubo presents a complicated, occasionally creepy, occasionally melancholic plot that I believe too many children’s movies are concerned will turn off their viewers. Despite having a stellar cast that included Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey, I don’t think anyone really discussed this flawless movie. I promise you that you should view it right away. Brinton Parker, Trending and Viral Features assistant editor
Dates for Mike and Dave’s wedding are needed.
“This film is actually a comedy showcase for Aubrey Plaza and Anna Kendrick, despite being billed as a Zac Efron/Adam DeVine Bro comedy. The starring ladies are so hilarious as sloppy opportunists who use the boys for a complimentary Hawaiian vacation that the male characters are rendered rather inconsequential. However, I couldn’t say that many other 2016 comedies made me laugh aloud in a theater like this one did. — Director Shannon Vestal Robson
The Shallows
“86 Minutes of Blake Lively in a Bikini is another name for this film, but it’s still a good thriller! Is that Jaws? No. Your heart will leap out of your chest, though, when Nancy (Lively) must swim to a buoy to stop bleeding out while a ferocious great white circles her. — MP
Whiskey Foxtrot Tango
“This film made such a small impression that I thought it would be just meh.” Rather, I was astounded by what is both one of the most hilarious films of 2016 and one of the most biting political critiques to emerge from the Afghan War. As intelligent, powerful female leads, Tina Fey and Margot Robbie are dominant. In the same way that Spotlight made me long for seedy newsrooms, this film made me want to immerse myself in the terrifying, obscene world of war correspondents. Before you understand that Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is based on a true memoir, it looks improbable. Nancy Einhart, executive editor and vice president
An Army Man from Switzerland
“If you haven’t read anything about this film, I implore you to go in blind because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen on a large screen. It’s a very unusual movie, and you should watch it with an open mind. — MP
Shivering
“You must see Tickled if you enjoy documentaries with unexpected twists. A journalist is trying to find the company that is responsible for a number of competitive tickling films in this strange film. It’s true! Or is it? See the film and let me know what you think. — MP
Hush
A humorous tale… My plan didn’t exactly work out when I discovered the protagonist was deaf/mute after I had really put this movie on Netflix to have background noise while I worked. I watched the entire film and found it to be a really terrific thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. — AF
The Witch
Although this small film was well received by horror fans, it didn’t have the same impact at the box office as an Avengers film. The mystery of Black Phillip and the dismal conclusion will always bother me, even if the general public wasn’t searching for a straightforward psychological thriller set in the Puritan era. — MP
The Request
“This film is tense, much like 2015’s The Gift; you feel something is off, but you’re not sure what it is. I suppose you would classify it as a thriller, but it begins so slowly that you could believe it’s not really a thriller until the mystery and tension begin to build and build until they ultimately blow out. You’ll be left wondering till the very end. — Northeast
Jay Blue
“Even though it wasn’t a huge hit at the time, I got the opportunity to see this treasure at the Toronto Film Festival, and I strongly recommend it to everyone who enjoys a nuanced love drama. As a woman who returns to her hometown and runs into her first love (Mark Duplass), Sarah Paulson plays a role that is a welcome departure from any of her roles on American Horror Story. Anyone who can recall their first love—and heartbreak—will find the conversation to be both charming and humorous. SVR
Equals “The world may have had enough postapocalyptic films, which is why Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult’s Equals seemed to come and go with little fanfare. In this dystopian drama, Hoult and Stewart become outlaws in a society where love is forbidden. Although a bit forced, the protagonists’ chemistry is so intense that it’s a romantic must-see.
Leave a Reply