Some of the most underrated Hollywood movies are Enemy, The Assistant, 99 Homes, Coherence, Stardust, Jennifer’s Body, Smokin’ Aces and The Nice Guys. Most got limited releases or confusing marketing, so many viewers missed them, but each offers strong performances and ideas that hold up well today.
- What makes a film underrated
- Quick list
- 1. The Assistant (2019)
- 2. 99 Homes (2014)
- 3. The One I Love (2014)
- 4. Enemy (2013)
- 5. Coherence (2013)
- 6. We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
- 7. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
- 8. Stardust (2007)
- 9. Jennifer's Body (2009)
- 10. Smokin' Aces (2006)
- 11. The Nice Guys (2016)
- How to pick from this list
- Frequently asked questions
What makes a film underrated
A film can be overlooked for many reasons. It may open against a big release, get a small number of screens, or be sold as one kind of film when it is really another. Some films only find their audience years later, on cable TV or streaming.
The picks below cover drama, thriller, fantasy, horror comedy and crime. Streaming availability in India changes often, so check the apps you use before planning a watch.
Also read7 Indian Books That Should Be Made Into Films or Web Series
Quick list
| Film | Year | Director | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Assistant | 2019 | Kitty Green | Drama |
| 99 Homes | 2014 | Ramin Bahrani | Drama |
| The One I Love | 2014 | Charlie McDowell | Romance, sci-fi |
| Enemy | 2013 | Denis Villeneuve | Psychological thriller |
| Coherence | 2013 | James Ward Byrkit | Sci-fi thriller |
| We Need to Talk About Kevin | 2011 | Lynne Ramsay | Drama |
| Perfume: The Story of a Murderer | 2006 | Tom Tykwer | Period thriller |
| Stardust | 2007 | Matthew Vaughn | Fantasy |
| Jennifer’s Body | 2009 | Karyn Kusama | Horror comedy |
| Smokin’ Aces | 2006 | Joe Carnahan | Crime action |
| The Nice Guys | 2016 | Shane Black | Action comedy |
1. The Assistant (2019)
Julia Garner plays Jane, a junior assistant at a powerful film executive’s office in New York. The film follows one ordinary working day, and the small things she notices slowly reveal a culture of abuse and silence.
Directed by Kitty Green, it has almost no big dramatic scenes, which is exactly why it is so effective. It received a limited theatrical release, and many viewers only found it later.
2. 99 Homes (2014)
Andrew Garfield plays a construction worker in Florida who loses his family home during the housing crisis. Desperate for money, he goes to work for the ruthless estate agent who evicted him, played by Michael Shannon.
Ramin Bahrani’s film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and earned strong reviews, but it made very little money in cinemas. Shannon’s performance is a highlight.
3. The One I Love (2014)
Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss play a couple whose marriage is in trouble. Their therapist sends them to a quiet retreat, where something very strange happens.
It looks like a small romantic drama at first, then turns into something closer to science fiction. Knowing as little as possible before watching is the best approach.
4. Enemy (2013)
Jake Gyllenhaal plays a history lecturer in Toronto who spots his exact double in a film and becomes obsessed with finding him. Gyllenhaal plays both men.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, who later made Arrival and the Dune films, it is based on José Saramago’s novel The Double. Its ending is still debated by fans.
5. Coherence (2013)
Eight friends meet for a dinner party on the night a comet passes close to Earth. After a power cut, odd things begin to happen, and the group starts to doubt what is real.
Made on a very small budget with a largely improvised script, it shows how a clever idea can matter more than big effects.
6. We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
Tilda Swinton plays a mother trying to understand her teenage son, played by Ezra Miller, after he commits a terrible act of violence at his school. The story moves between past and present as she looks back on his childhood.
Lynne Ramsay’s adaptation of Lionel Shriver’s novel is heavy, but Swinton’s performance is remarkable. John C. Reilly plays the father.
7. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
Ben Whishaw plays Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a young man in 18th-century France born with an extraordinary sense of smell. His obsession with capturing the perfect scent leads him to crime.
Directed by Tom Tykwer and based on Patrick Süskind’s novel, it also stars Alan Rickman and Dustin Hoffman. It is strange and unsettling, and visually rich.
8. Stardust (2007)
A young man named Tristan, played by Charlie Cox, crosses a magical wall to fetch a fallen star for the woman he loves. The star turns out to be a young woman, played by Claire Danes, and a witch played by Michelle Pfeiffer is also hunting her.
Based on Neil Gaiman’s novel and directed by Matthew Vaughn, it mixes fairy tale, comedy and adventure. Robert De Niro has a memorable role as a sky pirate captain.
9. Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Megan Fox plays a popular high school student who becomes possessed and starts preying on boys. Amanda Seyfried plays her best friend, who has to stop her.
Written by Diablo Cody and directed by Karyn Kusama, the film was marketed mainly to young men and did poorly at release. Critics and audiences have since reassessed it as a sharp horror comedy about friendship.
10. Smokin’ Aces (2006)
A Las Vegas magician turned mob informant, played by Jeremy Piven, hides in a Lake Tahoe hotel as several hitmen race to kill him and FBI agents race to protect him.
Joe Carnahan’s film has a large ensemble cast, including Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta and Alicia Keys. It is darker and more chaotic than its trailer suggested, which divided critics but won it loyal fans.
11. The Nice Guys (2016)
Russell Crowe plays a hired enforcer and Ryan Gosling a clumsy private detective who team up to investigate a missing girl in 1977 Los Angeles.
Shane Black’s buddy comedy received good reviews but modest box-office returns. The easy chemistry between the two leads makes it very rewatchable.
How to pick from this list
- For a serious drama: The Assistant, 99 Homes or We Need to Talk About Kevin
- For a mind-bending watch: Enemy, Coherence or The One I Love
- For light entertainment: Stardust, The Nice Guys or Smokin’ Aces
Looking for more? Browse our Entertainment section and Infotainment section for more watch lists.
Further reading: Enemy.
Frequently asked questions
Which underrated Hollywood movie is best for a first watch?
Stardust or The Nice Guys are easy starting points. Both are entertaining, well acted and do not need prior knowledge.
Is Enemy based on a book?
Yes. Enemy is based on The Double, a novel by Portuguese writer José Saramago.
Why did Jennifer’s Body fail at first?
It was marketed mainly as a film built around Megan Fox’s image, which missed its humour and its focus on female friendship. It has since gained a cult following.
Are these films suitable for family viewing?
Most are meant for adults. Stardust is the most family-friendly, while titles such as We Need to Talk About Kevin and Smokin’ Aces carry mature themes.
Sources: Wikipedia: Enemy, Wikipedia: Jennifer’s Body, Wikipedia: The Assistant.
