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These days, it seems like every other movie is either an MCU picture, a DCEU film, or the most recent Fast & Furious edition due to the constant barrage of movie franchises and blockbusters. Innumerable other films have been shown that have been overlooked for each critical darling that has taken on a life of its own. These undiscovered gems may be overlooked because of subpar marketing strategies or bad timing that aligns them with releases or blockbusters.

However, with so many films available to fans, it is not unexpected that many of them go unnoticed, even though many of them are quite good. There are many movies on streaming sites that are far more deserving of attention than they have gotten. Therefore, as we rank some of the most underrated works from the past five years, it’s time that we provide them some traditional legitimacy.

In 2020, Freaky
Vince Vaugh explains the secret that makes Freakybelievable.
There are a lot of movies that go unnoticed, and while Freaky (2020) might not be a hidden gem, it nevertheless masterfully strikes a balance between comedy and horror. The idea of a body swap has, of course, been used many times; Freaky Friday is the most famous example. With Kathryn Newton as a high school girl who unintentionally switches bodies with a serial murderer (Vince Vaughn), the film, of course, adopts a grimmer tone. It is a bizarrely entertaining classic that combines the body exchange trope and slasher genre with cartoonish deaths and outrageous scenes.

Cam (2018)
In keeping with the topic of underappreciated horror movies, Daniel Goldhaber’s 2018 thriller Cam on Netflix is another one that catches our eye and explores the murky world of online personas. A prominent camgirl who is replaced online by a Doppelgänger is played well by Madeline Brewer in the movie. The film, which combines live action and the emerging subgenre of screenlife, is a grippingly eerie thriller about the struggle for survival and the danger of practically losing oneself in the digital age.

The Child Investigator (2020)
The Kid Detective (2020) definitely goes unnoticed in the world of dark comedies. The titular former kid investigator (played by Adam Brody of The OC) gets caught in the aimless gloom of adulthood in this ostentatiously happy film. Brody’s struggling investigator never quite recovered from his inability to unravel the mystery of the disappearance of his preteen secretary, once the buzz of the little village where he was raised. However, he is hoping for a chance at atonement when a teenager requests his assistance in identifying the murderer of her lover.

Along with intriguing plot twists, what initially appears to be a comedy is loaded with darker and more serious themes. Brody’s compelling performance, which parallels his character’s search for atonement, enhances this underappreciated treasure. He also gets a chance to revive his career after his wildly successful time on The OC.

Guilty (2018)
A scene from the movie Spring by Guilty Nordisk
To be clear, the 2018 original Danish version of The Guilty, which was directed by Gustav Moller, is absolutely amazing. However, there is a 2021 American adaptation, which also has Jake Gyllenhaal and is rather captivating. The main character of the movie is a Copenhagen police officer (Asger Holm), who is given a desk job and is responsible for taking emergency calls to the police station. The plot begins when the unhappy police officer is on duty one night and surreptitiously accepts a call from a woman who claims she has been abducted.

Despite the fact that the majority of the film is a “bottle,” which means that everything that happens in it takes place in a single location, in this case the police station, Moller and Holm are able to build suspense and hold our interest throughout the entire film, which is no minor accomplishment.

Shadowy Waters
Dark WatersFocus Features: Mark Ruffalo in a courtroom
Although Mark Ruffalo is best known for playing the Hulk, Robert Bilott’s name should also be more widely associated with the MCU actor. Ruffalo plays the corporate lawyer who filed an environmental case against a corporation with a long history of polluting in the 2019 legal thriller Dark Waters, which dramatizes the true story of Bilott. In addition to Ruffalo’s riveting performance, which shares the limelight with Anne Hathaway, who is just as engaging as his wife, the underrated movie offers us a powerful glimpse into the problems of corporate greed.

CODA (2021)
Alright, so CODA (2021) might not be the most underappreciated movie when it comes to hidden jewels, but it did win Best Picture. Despite its critical acclaim, it is the most well-known movie and should undoubtedly be given far more credit. This is precisely what the movie is about—CODA stands for Child of Deaf Adults. Ruby, the youngest and only hearing member of her Deaf family, is the main character of the story (Emilia Jones from Locke & Key).

In addition to having strong performances (as seen by the numerous accolades the movie received), CODA was a pioneer in the way it portrayed handicap. The 2014 French film La Famille Bélier, which included Deaf individuals played by hearing actors, served as the inspiration for the highly regarded film. However, the 2021 movie chose to portray Deaf characters in a more authentic way. In addition, it is renowned for being the first feature film to have captions integrated into the print. This means that Deaf spectators can see the movie without the need for special equipment or separate screenings, which is a major victory for Hollywood.

Ancient (2021)
From exhilarating masterpieces like The Sixth Sense to mediocre horror films like The Happening, Night Shyamalan has undoubtedly produced a vast collection of terrifying films. Old (2021), a thriller about aging and time passing, is a recent addition to his legacy that merits greater recognition. It centers on a group of strangers on vacation on a beautiful but enigmatic beach that unsettlingly seems to age its residents at an unusually rapid pace.

Its diverse cast of characters and its incredibly relevant premise about the evils of aging and the benefits of spending time with loved ones are what make the movie an underappreciated gem in Shyamalan’s canon.

The Kindergarten Instructor (2018)
The Kindergarten Teacher (2018), which was directed by Sara Colagenlo, is a masterpiece, but it’s by no means one of Netflix’s most popular originals—mostly because the streaming site hasn’t done much to promote the movie. The film, which is based on the Israeli film of the same name from 2014, follows a kindergarten teacher and aspiring poet whose discontent with life becomes a subtle but desperate obsession until she learns that one of her young kids is actually a prodigy.

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s compelling portrayal of a woman who loses control and makes increasingly worse choices due to her obsession is one of the primary elements that makes the movie worthwhile to see. Gyllenhaal’s eerie performance shows off her range as an actor and departs significantly from her other performances.

Pearl (2022)
Pearl, Ti West’s 2022 horror movie, is a prequel to X, which was also released that year. The underappreciated picture merits much more recognition. Ultimately, it demonstrates West’s skill as a storyteller and crafts an evocative and incredibly terrifying psychological thriller that captivates audiences from start to finish. The film, which is regarded as more of an intense character portrait than an outright horror movie, centers on the perspective of the title character and aspiring serial murderer, performed by Mia Goth, through the use of visual flare. And how did she depict the wounded damsel? The chef’s kiss.

Midsommar (2019)
Alright, so Midsommar (2019) hasn’t exactly gone unnoticed because it’s been talked about extensively since it came out, but the horror movie, which was directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Ari Aster, who is also known for Hereditary, deserves much more recognition. A group of friends travel to a Scandinavian festival for some rest and relaxation, but they quickly discover that their surroundings are anything from peaceful in this eerie thriller.

Aster’s ambitious objectives for the picture have paid off with its weird horror and flawless acting, especially from Florence Pugh, despite the horror film’s divisive reception. Furthermore, there is something really striking about the contrast between the commune’s ostensibly tranquil setting—which is full of flowers and verdant pastures—and the unsettling activities that take place there.

These five underappreciated horror films will help you get ready for Halloween, which is soon approaching.

Emily the Criminal (2022)
The subdued crime caper Emily the Criminal, which was directed by John Patton Ford for the first time, is one of the best additions to independent film. The film centers on Aubrey Plaza’s character, Emily, a disgruntled Millennial whose debt and unfulfilling career drive her to turn to crime and, in essence, become a developing Robin Hood. Plaza gives an Oscar-worthy performance as the title character.

In addition to Plaza’s riveting performance, Ford sees the movie as a powerful reaction to a time when millions of Millennials are caught between debilitating student loan debt and an exploitative gig economy.

(2018) The Domestics
In The Domestics: Orion Classics, Kate Bosworth
The majority of us typically associate post-apocalyptic movies with films like I Am Legend (2007), 28 Days Later (2002), and 12 Monkeys (1995). Nonetheless, The Domestics (2018) has become a significantly underappreciated contribution to the genre. As they try to make their way back home from a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a young married couple (Kate Bosworth and Tyler Hoechlin) encounter gangs and one another. In addition to having some excellent writing, the movie approaches the genre in a unique way because it’s a heartwarming, humorous, and exciting trip.

When you want to watch a movie but are strapped for time, there are several excellent short film options available.

Booksmart (2019)
When it comes to teen comedy, Booksmart (2019) is frequently disregarded despite its humor, intelligence, and incredibly relatable ideas. This coming-of-age tale, which also marks Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut, centers on two scholarly high school seniors who come to terms with the things they’ve lost out on because they were too preoccupied with their studies. Thus, the two buddies decide to have a crazy high school graduation party.

The film explores the complex world of adolescence, highlighting themes of social pressures, teenage friendships, and the fear of missing out. Despite falling between other, possibly more iconic, coming-of-age films, this one deserves much more credit because it is so endearing and devilishly clever.

The Gray Man (2022)
Despite having the potential to be a summer blockbuster, the recently released Netflix film The Gray Man has not been considered as such and has been pushed aside. To be honest, it’s difficult to imagine how. Based on Mark Greaney’s 13-novel spy series, this thrilling and entertaining thriller was directed by veteran Marvel filmmakers, the Russo brothers. It features an A-list cast that includes Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, and Regé-Jean Page, and it packs a punch with some seriously underrated wit, humor, and suspense. I hope this becomes a reality because it has all the makings of a successful franchise.

Absent (2023)
In Missing 2023: Sony Pictures Releasing, Storm Reid answers her phone.
Films that ought to receive critical acclaim occasionally fall between the cracks because, while in theaters, they are overshadowed by box office successes. And earlier this year, the underappreciated thriller Missing, the stand-alone follow-up to 2018’s Searching (discussed further below), experienced precisely this. Unfortunately, the release of the viral hit M3GAN and the blockbuster Avatar: The Way of Water coincided with the release of the screenlife thriller in theaters earlier this year. Fans largely ignored the film as a result.

Fortunately, the suspenseful movie attracted new viewers on Netflix, and with good reason. Storm Reid, a teenager, is the main character of the gripping tale, which is told exclusively on computer and phone screens and centers on her search for her mother. Like its predecessor, Searching, the thriller is full of surprises and gripping performances that keep viewers on edge for the entire underappreciated movie.

Soho’s Last Night (2021)
Highlights of Soho’s Last Night
It’s hard to believe that some acclaimed films don’t get more attention—and Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho (2021) is a prime example. Perhaps it’s because the film didn’t get the proper promotion that it deserved. Equipped with compelling performances across the board and a killer screenplay, Wright’s thriller effortlessly blends together fantasy mystery combined with the whimsical approach that Wright is known for—which integrates dazzling asthetics and his narratives.

We’ve seen this before in the director’s other works, such as Baby Driver and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, but in Last Night in Soho, Wright reinvents his style while making it seemingly reminiscent to make this acclaimed thriller an undervalued masterpiece.

The Half of It (2020)
The Half of ItLikely Story
Booksmart isn’t the only coming-of-age film that falls through the cracks. The Half of It (2020)—a modern, compassionate rendition of Cyrano de Bergerac—depicts the odd friendship between jock Paul Munsky (Daniele Diemer) and shy, introverted girl Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis). The two youths bond with one another when Ellie decides to send letters to Paul’s crush on his behalf, as he is unable to do it himself. But things take a change when Ellie falls for Paul’s crush as well.

With engaging narratives and top-notch acting from the trio of young adults—Lewis, Diemer, and Alexxis Lemire as the object of their affections—the film stands out as an underrated entry in the tradition of teenage rom-coms. The movie eschews standard rom-com stereotypes and, in contrast, focuses on normalizing LGBTQ+ love stories, builds a genuine friendship between Ellie and Paul, and places a spotlight on Ellie’s life as a queer immigrant.

I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
Charlie Kaufman is known for ambitiously complicated films that often leave us puzzled. One of his more recent efforts, I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020), based on the acclaimed novel of the same name, might be the most strange film of them all. The story concerns a young woman (Jessie Buckley) who travels on a road trip with her boyfriend (Jesse Plemons) to meet his parents, although she is having questions about their relationship, hence the title.

The primary story is also intertwined with the film of a school janitor (Guy Boyd), and, eventually, the two plot lines cross. In addition to riveting performances by both starring actors, the picture simultaneously makes us scratch our heads and melts our hearts.

Searching (2018)
Searching movie with John ChoSony Pictures Releasing
Aneesh Chaganty’s 2018 thriller Searching—concentrating on the struggles of a father (played by John Cho) to recover his daughter who disappeared—is possibly one of the most undervalued films of the decade. Not only is the acclaimed film full of suspense, twists, and turns that keep audiences on the edge of their seats, but it also manages to do this even when depending exclusively on computer and phone displays to deliver the tale.

The reliance of Searching on the digital screen as a medium for telling its tale contributed to the advancement of the screenlife thriller subgenre. Furthermore, a powerfully emotional story illustrating the relationship between a parent and their adolescent daughter was brought to life by Cho’s engrossing, nuanced portrayal of a desperate father. In addition, the movie created history by being the first Asian-American actor to play the lead in a Hollywood production.

Grade Eight (2018)
Upon viewing the independent film Eighth Grade (2018), you might not have guessed that this comedy-drama was comedian Bo Burnham’s first filmmaking endeavor. The coming-of-age tale, which centers on eighth-grader Kayla (Elsie Fisher in a remarkable performance), is likely the most candid examination of the challenges that teenagers encounter. It follows Kayla through her final week of elementary school before she leaves for high school. The movie highlights the stressors associated with social media and teenage anxiety.

Everything about this picture is flawless, from the brilliant acting to the clever and genuine storyline. It also serves as a reminder that many films like this one are overlooked by moviegoers and should receive greater recognition.