Photo Credit (Freepik)

In the history of entertainment, the 2010s will be remembered as the decade when home video and cable were replaced by online streaming and major films became unimaginably popular. However, with so many more films coming out than ever before, which ones really went unnoticed? Even better, which films from the 2010s have we all forgotten about?

A lot of smaller films with relatively lower price tags found their way to different streaming and VOD services as tentpole series with budgets of hundreds of millions each squeezed out theaters. Not all of these “smaller” films maintained a permanent presence in public awareness, even though some of them continued to garner notice. Even while these movies are still in your streaming queues, there are moments when it seems like they were erased from your mind.

34. Sleight, 2016

Under the superhero blockbusters that dominated the late 2010s, director J.D. Dillard’s microbudget genre-bending film Sleight marked his feature-directing debut. Bo (Jacob Latimore), a teenager, leads two lives as an L.A. A street magician who dazzles onlookers with his levitation tricks and a low-level drug dealer for a criminal gangster. Things eventually get out of hand, and Bo has to utilize his magic skills to protect himself from his ruthless mafia boss (Dulé Hill). Sleight is a compelling film that skillfully combines coming-of-age and superhero origin tropes with crime/revenge narratives. It is an excellent film that is not to be taken lightly.

33. Mercy & Love (2014)

Love & Mercy is a beautiful, empathetic biopic about Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson and his well-documented struggles with serious mental illness, directed by Bill Pohlad. Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti co-star as Wilson’s second wife and psychologist, respectively, while Paul Dano and John Cusack play Wilson at various points in his life. Love & Mercy transports viewers outside of the recording studio and into the twisted psyche of one of rock music’s most laid-back performers. It is set during Wilson’s therapy in the 1980s as well as the creation of the Beach Boys’ popular album Pet Sounds. In a 2015 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Wilson stated that the film is “very factual,” despite the artistic license used.

32. The Legendary (2010)

John Cena divided his time between winning WWE titles and honing his acting skills prior to becoming a well-known Hollywood celebrity. Cena is thrown into a tragic role in his third film, Legendary (2010), as a recently released ex-convict who teaches his estranged younger brother (Devon Graye) after he joins the high school wrestling team. Legendary is notable for having a deadly serious John Cena still learning the subtleties of his secondary, post-WWE art, despite being dreadfully maudlin and uninspired, with even prominent supporting performers like Patricia Clarkson and Danny Glover set to autopilot.

31. Tomahawk Bone (2015)

S. wrote and directed the film. Kurt Russell plays an Old West sheriff who leads a rescue effort to free townspeople being held captive by cannibalistic Native Americans in Craig Zahler’s feature debut, Bone Tomahawk. Although Zahler’s film heavily relies on antiquated stereotypes about Native Americans, Bone Tomahawk is a remarkable example of the blending of Western and horror genres. The individuals’ desperate search for answers amid an increasingly threatening open wilderness is complemented by the film’s eerie and somber ambiance. Along with a cast that includes Matthew Fox, David Arquette, and Patrick Wilson, Russell is particularly excellent here.

30. Elephant Water (2011)

Water for Elephants, which was released at the height of Robert Pattinson’s Twilight stardom, stars Pattinson alongside an enthralling, if obviously mismatched, Reese Witherspoon in a handsome but terribly underappreciated period romance. The film, which is based on a 2006 novel, follows a young medical school dropout (Pattinson) as he boards a circus train and falls in love with one of its stunning performers (Witherspoon). Water for Elephants is a charming romantic treasure that can cure everyone who is in love, even though Witherspoon and Pattinson don’t have the exact chemistry to relieve thirst.

29. Regarding Time (2013)

It appears that Rachel McAdams has a thing for men who are in charge of their schedules. McAdams was the focus of Domnhall Gleason’s devotion in 2013’s About Time, following her role in 2009’s The Time Traveler’s Wife but prior to her appearance in 2016’s Doctor Strange. Richard Curtis is the director of the film, which centers on a young guy (Gleason) who goes back in time to plan his happily ever after with a stunning woman (McAdams). Despite critics and viewers finding the film’s slack handling of time travel annoying, About Time manages to be both a fun romantic comedy and a cautionary tale about manipulating fate.

28. Apostle (2018)

Dan Stevens portrays a man from 1905 who is attempting to save his sister from the grasp of an enigmatic Satanic sect in this captivating goth action horror directed by Gareth Evans. Apostle’s later bursts of violence remind you that Evans was also the brains behind some of the best martial arts films of the 2010s: The Raid duology, even though it initially seems to be inspired by the most austere folk and cult horror films, such as The Wicker Man, The Witch, and Midsommar. Evans’ bizarre fusion of the two tastes creates a superb example of cinematic gastronomy that evokes both frightening terror and heartbreaking thrills with its gory action.

27. Joshy (2016)

Thomas Middleditch portrays a lonely man who is troubled by the unexpected suicide of his fiancée (Alison Brie in a “cameo”) on his birthday in this subtle comedy-drama that reflects on loss and unfathomable sadness. Months later, Josh’s buddies make every effort to give their friend a fresh start on the weekend that would have been his bachelor party. Despite being mostly overlooked in the big picture, Jeff Baena’s Joshy is a tight film about the hazy boundaries between love and anger. It features a ton of comedic talent, including Adam Pally, Nick Kroll, Brett Gelman, Jenny Slate, Aubrey Plaza, Jake Johnson, and even Paul Reiser.

26. Keep the Dark (2018)

Jeffrey Wright plays a wolf specialist who is asked by an Alaskan lady (Riley Keough) to track down the wolves thought to be responsible for her toddler son’s disappearance in this snow-frosted action thriller directed by Jeremy Saulnier. After the woman’s army husband (Alexander Skarsgård) returns from Iraq, things become more convoluted and much deadlier. The film, which was originally scheduled for distribution by A24 and does, in fact, reflect the studio’s well-established house style, ended up being available only on Netflix, which may account for its lackluster reaction among users who were not aware of it because of algorithms.

25. Columbus (2017)

John Cho and Haley Lu Richardson, two passing souls, meet in Columbus, Indiana, a working-class town notorious for its concentration of modern architectural wonders, in Kogonada’s minimalist feature-directing debut. With its methodical and captivating style and calming Hammock score, Kogonada creates a unique cinematic experience that poses important queries like identity, family dynamics, and what to do when faced with life’s turning points. The city of Columbus itself provides a useful backdrop for Kogonada’s picture, with its iconic structures tastefully placed inside Kogonada’s lenses to evoke awe and reflection like few other films do.

24. Rush (2013)

Rush is a critically lauded dramatic tentpole film that did mediocrely well at the box office; thus, it’s difficult to call it a “forgotten” film. However, Rush no longer feels as quick and furious because other race-oriented films, such as Ford v. Ferrari (2019) and Ferrari (2023), have surpassed it for the top spot on the winners’ podium. Nevertheless, it’s a respectable film that tells the story of the real-life rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda, who are portrayed by Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl, respectively, and whose professional rivalries cause them to inhale each other’s smoke during the 1976 season. Rush may still raise your heart rate with its fast-paced racing scenes and captivating tale of one upmanship.

23. Novices (2010)

Ewan McGregor is the legendary Jedi Obi-Wan in a distant galaxy. However, he is Oliver, a graphics illustrator troubled by strained relationships in a world more similar to our own. Oliver meets and falls in love with a French actress (Mélanie Laurent), who is also aware of her own personal problems, while he is dealing with the death of his father (Christopher Plummer), who lived out his remaining years as an openly gay man. Beginners, which is heartfelt and sensitive, demonstrates that it’s never too late for anyone to start afresh.

22. As Above/So Below (2014)

John Erick and Drew Dowdle, brothers, worked together on the incredibly muscular supernatural film As Above, So Below, which came out toward the end of the found footage studio horror genre. The film follows a group of young adults, led by ambitious archaeologist Scarlett (Perdita Weeks), when their search for ancient relics unleashes something wicked in the expansive Catacombs of Paris—you know, those eerie tunnels with all the human skulls. As Above, So Below surpasses low expectations by fusing Satanic horror with Indiana Jones-style adventure, making it one of the last occasions Hollywood-produced discovered video horror movies gave viewers genuine frights.

21. Joy’s Ode (2019)

Martin Freeman plays Charlie in Jason Winer’s Ode to Joy, which is based on a true tale that This American Life documented. Charlie has cataplexy, a rare ailment that causes him to faint when he feels intense emotions, in this case joy. When Charlie meets Morena Baccarin, a stunning, free-spirited lady, his life becomes challenging. Freeman demonstrates his abilities as a leading man in a romantic comedy that makes us feel that love is worth literally falling in love with, despite the fact that critics did not find Ode to Joy very compelling.

20. Bunraku (2010)

Guy Moshe’s Bunraku (a title inspired by traditional Japanese puppet theater) is a stylish, under-the-radar action film with a star-studded cast and an arresting color palette. It tells the story of a samurai without a sword (Japanese rock star Gackt) and a cowboy without a gun (Josh Hartnett), who join forces to seek revenge against a feared crime lord known as “The Woodcutter” (Ron Perlman). Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, and Kevin McKidd complete the film with similarly vibrant roles that are as exaggerated as the peculiar mise-en-scène. Bunraku is a multi-genre hybrid that combines Westerns, samurai, and crime epics, along with a hearty dose of pulp aesthetics. Despite this, the film is incredibly unique and stands alone.

19. The 2016 Belko Experiment

American office workers working overseas in Colombia are abruptly thrust into a deadly challenge where they must kill each other until the last one remains, or else they will all perish, in this graphic workplace satire by author James Gunn and director Greg McLean. Think of it as a hybrid between Battle Royale by Kinji Fukasaku and Mike Judge’s Office Space. Even though The Belko Experiment isn’t as thought-provoking or challenging as it probably ought to be, it’s still a lot of fun since it gives our boring office occupations a true dose of blood. Michael Rooker, Adria Arjona, Sean Gunn, David Dastmalchian, Tony Goldwyn, and John Gallagher Jr. round out the ensemble.

18. Sparks of Ruby (2012)

Fox Searchlight Pictures provided the image.
Ruby Sparks is a charming romantic comedy fantasy that flips the script on manic pixie dream girl stereotypes. Paul Dano plays Calvin, a novelist who is shocked to discover that his unrealistic, overly idealized fictional heroine is suddenly a real person (played by Zoe Kazan, who also authored the film). Following the first thrill, Calvin finds himself at odds with Ruby’s growing independence from her own—pardon the word—”creator.” In a 2013 interview with the Irish Times, Kazan discussed the themes of Ruby Sparks, stating that it is about “being gazed at but never seen.”

17. Logan Lucky (2017)

Steven Soderbergh comes out of retirement to focus on a Bible Belt blue collar family who organize a robbery around a championship NASCAR race during the first year of Donald Trump’s administration. Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig, Riley Keough, Katie Holmes, Hilary Swank, and other top-tier actors complete what Soderbergh himself called a thematic counterpoint to his more glamorous Ocean’s Eleven films. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics and performing well at the box office, Logan Lucky has been overshadowed by the ongoing success of all of its performers, who have gone on to work on even more ambitious projects.

16. 2014’s A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

The vampire film genre is transported to contemporary Iran in Ana Lily Amipour’s breathtaking directing debut, where Sheila Vand, a vigilante vampire, targets unsuitable males with her terrifying abilities. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night defies convention and expectations to provide a spooky, fulfilling experience that broadens our collective perception of vampires by leveraging feminine wrath against sexual abuse prior to the critical mass of #MeToo. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is worth delving into since it touches on issues like agency, power, and the underlying sexuality of vampire mythology.

15. Indeed, God, indeed (2019)

Natalie Dyer (Stranger Things) plays Alice, a pious Catholic student who fears everlasting damnation after developing inappropriate feelings after a hot AOL chat room encounter. Yes, God, Yes awkwardly and hilariously puts the “coming” in coming-of-age stories. (Remember that Yes, God, Yes is from the early 2000s? Talk about nostalgia! Alice is put through even more hardship after being sent to an abstinence camp when she encounters a small group counselor who happens to be a hot hunk. Yes, God, Yes is a charming film that has us all in stitches. It’s funny and emotionally affecting.

14. MacGruber (2010)

In MacGruber (directed by Jorma Taccone of The Lonely Island), Will Forte plays the title character, an incompetent special operations operative who comes out of retirement to discover a nuclear bomb stolen by his arch-enemy. The show began as a sketch series on Saturday Night Live that parodied spy action shows from the 1980s. Even though MacGruber didn’t go well in theaters—and not in a humorous way—it has revived as a cult classic that can be quoted. Despite the fact that many viewers claim it’s the funniest film they’ve seen in decades, MacGruber continues to lurk in the background, waiting to be rediscovered in large numbers.

13. Locke (2013)

Tom Hardy is a construction foreman who spends the night traveling and talking on the phone with a number of different individuals in Locke, a minimalist thriller with maximum effect. Hardy is the sole character on screen, and the majority of the film is set inside the BMW X5 that Hardy drives. Locke transcends its gimmicky setup to become a captivating tale of deceit and loyalty, in which Hardy displays the full extent of his acting prowess in a psychological thriller that is a pressure cooker. Even though Locke received high praise from critics when it was first released, it is still ignored because Hardy’s fame has increased tenfold thanks to films like Mad Max: Fury Road and the Venom series.

12. (2016) Midnight Special

Michael Shannon plays a father who flees with his son after learning that he has odd alien powers, evading both the authorities and a religious cult. This is a rare instance of the renowned actor playing “good” people. Midnight Special, which pays homage to classic sci-fi films while firmly establishing them in genuine creative maturity, revitalizes stale genre clichés, akin to a superhero film combined with Amblin-era productions like E.T. In a film that dreadfully underperformed in theaters, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, and Sam Shepard complete the cast.

11. Colossal (2016)

An alcoholic writer (Anne Hathaway) returns to her childhood home in Nacho Vigalondo’s second English-language feature film, where she reunites with an old acquaintance (Jason Sudeikis). In a strange turn of events, Hathaway discovers that she is psychically linked to a gigantic monster that is tearing through South Korea. Colossal, a bizarre blend of surrealist dramas and kaiju films in the vein of Being John Malkovich, is mostly about female agency, how men can make women feel inferior, and how terrifying alter personalities may be empowering.