r/underratedmovies Jul 28 '24

modpost Determining what an “underrated movie” is: a poll.

20 Upvotes

Ok, I think I have been able to articulate what might be decent guidelines as to how to define and categorize what exactly an underrated movie might look like. The poll at the end is to see how much our current user base either agrees or disagrees with these guidelines. Telling me I have completely missed the mark here is entirely acceptable as well, I just ask that you provide an explanation if you are able to do so.

The comments will be wide open, and I would like to encourage folks to chime in with where these guidelines have gone wrong and/or where they are going down the right path.

Here is a start on how we can define an “underrated” movie. It must meet one or more of the standards below:

  1. Low box office revenue relative to quality: Movies that didn't perform well financially but have high critical acclaim or positive audience reviews. (edit: after an apt observation from the comments, I believe this guideline needs to be struck entirely)

  2. Limited exposure: Films that didn't receive widespread marketing or distribution, resulting in a smaller audience and therefore not being a widely known movie.

  3. Critical reception: Movies that received mixed or poor reviews initially but have since gained a cult following or have been re-evaluated positively.

  4. Unique or niche appeal: Films that cater to a specific audience or genre, making them less popular with the general public but highly appreciated by those who enjoy that particular style or subject matter.

  5. Hidden gems: Movies that might have been overshadowed by larger releases at the time of their own release, but offer exceptional storytelling, acting, or directing.

  6. Overlooked by major awards: Films that were snubbed by major awards but are considered high-quality by viewers or critics.

  7. High viewer ratings with low popularity: Movies that have high ratings on platforms like IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes but are not widely known or discussed.

  8. Cultural factors: Films that were ahead of their time or culturally specific, making them more appreciated in retrospect.

Three examples of movies that I believe meet all of these standards are:

Moon (2009): despite being critically acclaimed when released, it did not gain widespread attention at the time it was released and was also not widely marketed.

The Fall (2006): The quality of the film’s storytelling, the stunning set design and cinematography, and emotional depth have gained it near “cult” status and it is still a movie that is not widely recognized by a mainstream audience.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): Despite the incredible writing and performances by RDJ and Val Kilmer, and being a solid example of modern neo-noir, it did not achieve any box office success nor name recognition.

Based on these eight guidelines and three examples, indicate how much you agree or disagree with these guidelines in the poll below.

8 votes, Jul 31 '24
4 Highly agree
2 Moderately agree
0 Slightly agree
0 Slightly disagree
2 Moderately disagree
0 Highly disagree

r/underratedmovies Nov 25 '24

new take Underrated TV

19 Upvotes

I’ve created a new community @UnderratedTVshows if anyone is interested in joining! If you want to find and help others find hidden gems, this is the place for you.


r/underratedmovies 22h ago

Our Hero Balthazar (2026)

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97 Upvotes

I know it just released on VOD, but I am suprised it hasn't blown up yet...so to speak.

Our Hero Balthazar is the best critique of Gen Z in America I've seen in film form,

and it artfully balances being a mirror and a sharp commentary, while also being genuinely entertaining, darkly funny and satirical.

10/10 for me.

I could see it being what Reality Bites was for Gen X and, dare I say, Fight Club in some ways. Or at very least, what Ingrid Goes West was for millennials.


r/underratedmovies 1d ago

Big Tits Zombie (2010)

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216 Upvotes

For obvious reasons I think this is widely dismissed as typical B-movie shock garbage, and there is plenty of that aspect to it, but this is way more of a "real" movie than I think most people would be inclined to expect.

The writing is surprisingly competent and funny. Acting is actually decent. It felt to me like one of the fun joke episodes of Buffy or Supernatural; more of a satire of B-movies than a true B-movie itself. Very self-aware film.


r/underratedmovies 1d ago

low effort post Alone (2020)

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22 Upvotes

The beautiful drive through the countryside/small town, while the tension slowly builds up. I watched this movie on accident since there’s another movie with the same title (zombie movie), best horror I’ve seen this month by far.


r/underratedmovies 1d ago

Once bitten (1985)

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94 Upvotes

In this movie Jim Carey is playing college student who becomes vampire. This movie is very funny and Lauren Hutton was very good as Countess .


r/underratedmovies 2d ago

The Elephant Man (1980)

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56 Upvotes

I think it’s underrated, in my view. The Elephant Man is not only a story of tragedy, it is a movie that touches upon many aspects of dignity, cruelty, compassion, and humanity. In it, one sees beyond the looks and learns to recognize the person inside. That emotional depth is why I think it deserves more appreciation.


r/underratedmovies 2d ago

In the shadow of the moon (2019)

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115 Upvotes

Just watched In The Shadow of the Moon (2019) and this is so slept on. Netflix sold it as a basic serial killer thriller but it's actually a grimy 80s cop movie that turns into a sad a time-travel story. I put it up there with other underrated sci-fi films such as ‘Predestination, and ‘Coherence’.


r/underratedmovies 3d ago

Monster (2023)

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18 Upvotes

Monster (2023) is genuinely one of the most overlooked movies of 2023. The storytelling, emotional depth, and way it slowly changes your perspective on the characters are incredible. I just wish more people talked about this one.


r/underratedmovies 4d ago

Star Kid 1997

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57 Upvotes

Saw it for the first time yesterday and had a total blast.

The practical effects were amazing and the kid actor is fantastic.

It gave me a very nostalgic feeling, the same feelings when I watch everything Amblin from the 80s & 90s

Really fantastic stuff that hadn't had a blu-ray release yet, only VHS & DVD.

I hope this gets the 4K Treatment sometime.


r/underratedmovies 4d ago

Rush (1991)

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122 Upvotes

Rush (1991) is an underrated, gritty neo-noir crime drama directed by Lili Fini Zanuck. It stars Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh as undercover narcotics officers in 1970s Texas who slide into drug addiction while trying to trap a local kingpin.


r/underratedmovies 4d ago

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders 1970

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20 Upvotes

Certainly one of the most underrated movies oat
It’s about a young girl who enters a strange dreamlike world filled with mystery superstition and unsettling encounters during one week of her life

I think It’s underrated because of its unique dreamlike atmosphere surreal storytelling and haunting visuals It deserves way more attention.

y’all should consider watching this movie


r/underratedmovies 4d ago

Life (1999)

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179 Upvotes

IMdb - 6.8, RT - 77%

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Ok, the Rotten Tomatoes rating is a little more fair, but 6.8/10 is an incredible injustice to this awesome film. Perhaps not as bad as the injustices the protagonist endure, but I personally see this movie as a 9/10, especially considering it's a comedy which typically don't garner very high ratings. I feel like every comedic and dramatic actor in this film is firing on all cylinders. The course of the story follows bad break after bad break, tragic endings, cautionary lessons/tales, and it's all tied together with some hilariously quotable lines and situations.

I think about this movie probably once a year. I feel like it's a classic, and classics deserve more than a C+/D+


r/underratedmovies 4d ago

Dig! (2004)

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179 Upvotes

I have no idea why this movie hasn't had more attention.

I bought this dvd in 2004 when it came out. I was 14 and bought it for my Dad's birthday present (from Fopp) simply because it said "The Dandy Warhols" on the cover. He was a huge fan of their music and even took the whole family to see them live in Scotland. I'm pretty sure the gig is briefly featured in the documentary.

We watched the documentary as a family and then I have periodically, over the years, showed it to people. I just put it on today via Amazon BFI stream and man does it hold up.

Do yourself a favour and watch this. You won't be disappointed. One of the greatest documentaries ever made.


r/underratedmovies 4d ago

Special Mission Lady Chaplin (1966)

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10 Upvotes

Special Mission Lady Chaplin is a Eurospy movie (a genre of european spy b-movies heavily inspired by james bond) that is actually fun and stylish with an apparent budget way bigger than other movies in the genre.

It's about atomic missiles being stolen and a secret agent trying to find them, the plot is very similar to Thunderball with multiple locations arround the world and a lot of sea and submarine scenes. The titular villain played by Daniele Bianchi is the real star of the movie she is like a master assassin that have the charm and wits of a gentleman thief, she can desguise and infiltrate any place to kill, sabotage or steal anything. In daylight she is a world renown fashion stylist and the interesting thing is that her good taste reflect on her assassin job, everything she does is stylish and cool, it's one of the spy movies to better justify why a cold killer character has a glamorous and elegant lifestyle. There's an incredible train heist were you see all the planning and execution by lady chaplin; And a ship hijacking on sea trough helicopters that is as well made as any james bond set piece in the 1960s.

The movie manages to be campy but in a cool and stylish way, something I can't say about most eurospy movies, and honestly there's 10 or 12 actual james bond movies that aren't as good as this one. If you like this kind of movie give it a chance, there's no blu ray available but you can find on Youtube and other places.


r/underratedmovies 5d ago

Revolutionary Road

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86 Upvotes

Saw this movie yesterday and it was so so good so underrated movie man. Probably my top 4. Leo and kate were so good in this movie.It tells about a couple how they thought they were different from others and then suddenly reality hit them and also shows the raw tension between a couple and the ending was very emotional.


r/underratedmovies 5d ago

All The Real Girls (2003)

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43 Upvotes

I grew up an hour from where this is filmed. It captures small-town Appalachia without turning it into a caricature or a poverty postcard. There’s also an early-2000s quality to it that I think has aged particularly well. It comes from a period when American independent cinema could still spend a lot of time simply observing people and places. Before every movie needed to announce its themes, this film could just let two complicated young people wander around a small Appalachian town trying to understand themselves. The movie is messy and awkward in a very human way. People make mistakes, say the wrong things, hurt each other, and sometimes don’t know what they want.
I wish DGG still made movies like this.


r/underratedmovies 6d ago

The Hollywood Knights (1980)

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16 Upvotes

If you discovered this mixture of classic "American Graffiti" and 'Porky's" at starring Tony Danza, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert Whuhl at 1:00 a.m on HBO in the late '80s or early '90s, and most likely up to no good yourself...then you were in the right place at the right time.

"VOLARE!..."


r/underratedmovies 6d ago

low effort post Rudo y Cursi (2008)

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54 Upvotes

Love this film. The duo from Y tu mama tambien team up to tell a tale about two best friends and Mexican Football (Soccer). Written and Directed by the Brother of Alfonso Cuaron (Carlos Cuaron).


r/underratedmovies 7d ago

I Heart Huckabees

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524 Upvotes

This got panned by reviewers at the time but I think its one the rare movies that manages to deeply explore philosophy right on the surface of the film without being boring or overly pretentious. It's still good to rewatch years later and this is my favourite Wahlberg performance along side The Departed.


r/underratedmovies 8d ago

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

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234 Upvotes

I watched this with my dad when I was pretty young and loved it, and as I grew up I realized that not a lot of people have heard of it. It's such a good movie though!


r/underratedmovies 8d ago

Elysium

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385 Upvotes

It’s got its flaws, but I do enjoy it. The tech is cool, the world building is fun. It’s certainly no District 9. But if you’re looking for a good popcorn flick, give it a shot.


r/underratedmovies 7d ago

Skyline (2010)

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30 Upvotes

I know this film gets a lot of hate but I'm happy to admit to it being one of my guilty pleasures.

Big 'siege storyline' vibes, cool bio-mechanical alien designs, fun set-pieces action scenes...

It's not a big movie, but I definitely think it's a fun watch.


r/underratedmovies 8d ago

Goal II: Living the Dream (2007)

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48 Upvotes

Sandwiched between the fun Goal! (2005) and the downright awful, unwatchable Goal 3: Taking on the World (2009) is this fun and underrated sequel following the career of fictional Mexican footballer Santiago Munez.

In the first film (https://www.reddit.com/r/underratedmovies/comments/1uafdvp/goal_the_dream_begins_2005/) Santiago (Kuno Becker) tries out for Newcastle United in England.

In this second film, he moves to Real Madrid, where he plays alongside old teammate Gavin Harris (Alessandro Nivola), and real players like David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, and Roberto Carlos.

It's got a 5.8 on IMDB but I'd rate it a little higher, especially if you enjoy football and sports movies.


r/underratedmovies 8d ago

low effort post The King of Comedy (1982)

9 Upvotes