8 Most Underrated Movies of the 2010s

Rarely is there a Marvel movie that goes under the radar along with most of the movies coming from the big Hollywood studios. These movies have a huge marketing push, making it hard to avoid seeing advertisements or trailers for them.

Hundreds if not thousands of movies are released each year and most of us will watch dozens of these movies, but there are many gems that go under the radar. Most underrated movies are those that don’t get as much love or attention during their theatrical release, but still get a strong enough following to keep the film in circulation as time goes on. Streaming services have been an especially great way to help these movies thrive and find an audience after their theatrical run. In this blog post, we go through the 8 most underrated movies of the 2010s.

8 Most Underrated Movies of the 2010s

8. Fences

Fences is the pinnacle of a character-driven film. The film is an adaptation of the play written by August Wilson in 1985. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis starred in the Broadway revival as Troy and Rose Maxson in 2010. Then, in 2016, Denzel Washington took it upon himself to direct and star in the film adaptation. Viola Davis also reprised her role as Rose Maxson. The two are a dynamic duo that keeps you engaged through every scene. Fences follows Troy, a working-class African-American father who tries to raise his family in the 1950s while coming to terms with his unrealized dream of playing baseball. The film is dialogue-heavy and has minimal locations but is just as, if not more, enthralling than the wildest action movie.

Where To Watch Fences

Showtime
Amazon Prime w/ Showtime
Hulu w/ Showtime

7. Swiss Army Man

Swiss Army Man is a strange movie and it’s definitely not for everyone. Most people either love the movie or are confused by it. The film’s premise has more than enough to make it stand out from other films, but on its release, it was completely overlooked by audiences and critics. Paul Dano plays Hank, a hopeless castaway stranded on an island befriends a corpse (Daniel Radcliffe) while he struggles to find purpose in his lonely life. The film is an odd and hard-to-describe comedy, but it is unlike any experience you’ve had before.

Where To Watch Swiss Army Man

Showtime
Amazon Prime w/ Showtime
Hulu w/ Showtime

6. Good Time

Good Time is a complex film to describe. The crime thriller will have you rooting for the main character while also rooting against him. The film is an absolute roller-coaster of emotions. In the lead, Robert Pattinson delivers a career-best performance as Constantine “Connie” Nikas and it’s truly captivating to watch him on screen. The film is about a criminal named Connie Nikas who lands his younger brother in prison after a botched bank robbery and embarks on a twisted odyssey to free his brother from jail. Good Time is thrilling from the opening credits to the last second of its runtime.

Where To Watch Good Time

Netflix

5. Mud

Matthew McConaughey stars in this coming-of-age drama Mud. The film was inspired by The Adventures of Tom Sawyer written by Mark Twain. It is an ambitious and personal work that has a strong focus on friendship and brotherhood. Mud centers around two young boys who form a pact with a fugitive to help him evade the vigilantes that are on his trail and reunite him with his true love. The film is emotional and even shocking at times. McConaughey is perfect in the role of Mud, and Tye Sheridan delivers a brilliant performance as Ellis, one of the other main characters.

Where To Watch Mud

Youtube (Free)
Tubi
Amazon Prime
Hulu

4. A Most Violent Year

A Most Violent Year is another gem that underperformed during its initial release. Most critics gave the movie rave reviews, but audiences did not show up at the box office. The crime drama stars Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain, who deliver amazing performances throughout. A Most Violent Year takes place in early 1980s New York City when there was a spike in violence and crime. The film follows an ambitious immigrant who fights to protect his business and family during the most dangerous year in the city’s history. A Most Violent Year is a slow burn that portrays the harsh realities of living in a city rampant with violence and corruption.

Where To Watch A Most Violent Year

Showtime
Amazon Prime w/ Showtime
Hulu w/ Showtime

3. Upgrade

A classic revenge story with a futuristic twist, Upgrade is a breath of fresh air amongst the lack of originality today. The sci-fi action movie stars Logan Marshall-Green as Grey Trace, a technophobe who is forced to use an artificial intelligence implant to seek revenge against the ones who killed his wife. The film combines the elements of humor, action, and sci-fi to create a compelling experience enjoyable for everyone.

Where To Watch Upgrade

Youtube
Google Play Movies & TV
Apple TV
Vudu
Amazon Prime

2. Green Room

It’s no surprise that multiple A24 films have made our list of best-underrated movies. The film studio is famous for creating high-quality films without getting as much attention for them. Green Room is an A24 film and it’s one of the most original horror films released in the past decade. The movie follows members of a punk-rock band and a tough young woman as they fight for survival against murderous white supremacists. The movie is intense and extremely graphic. Make no mistake, it’ll shake you to your core.

Where To Watch Green Room

Showtime
Amazon Prime w/ Showtime
Hulu w/ Showtime

1. Sing Street

Between the charming cast and the huge heart, Sing Street is an irresistible musical. The catchy tunes don’t hurt the film either. Sing Street stars Ferdia Walsh-Peelo as Conor, a headstrong and rebellious boy who forms a band with his friends in order to impress a mysterious girl. The film is vibrant and joyful from start to finish. It’s also set in the 1980s, which provides many moments of nostalgic throwbacks. This feel-good movie is bursting with energy and will leave you smiling at the end.

Where To Watch Sing Street

Amazon Prime w/ IMDb TV (Free)
Pluto TV
Vudu (Free)

What’s Great About Underappreciated Movies

Underappreciated movies can be a great surprise for those of us looking for new movies to watch. Most underrated movies are overshadowed by the blockbusters released at the same time. They can also go under the radar because of a lack of marketing. That doesn’t mean they are not good. In fact, many underrated movies turn out to be some of the best movies of the year and these 8 underrated movies are some of the best movies of the decade.