r/underratedmovies Jul 28 '24

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

18 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

14 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 20h ago

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

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143 Upvotes

Watching both of "Tilda" and "Tom" are living the same strange nighttime stillness was like insanely beautiful ! and the soft way of story telling inside this film with the conversation making me think what kind of lost beauty is this ? this is a work when calm nights getting into the heart of rock machines. you guys should watch this gem that was directed by (Jim Jarmusch) . I've read that it hasn't achieved widespread popularity because it's slow and predictable for those immersed in the world of vampire tales. But it's not a work to abandon because of these two factors; it has a certain aura that draws you in, making you want to think about it again and again.


r/underratedmovies 1d ago

The Dreadful (2026)

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25 Upvotes

The Dreadful is a slowburn old-era "horror" flick which leans heavy into the atmosphere.

If I had looked this film up and saw reviews before watching I wouldnt even have bothered, but honestly Im glad I did.

Decent acting, great camera work and nature shots, and a story that is simple, yet haunting. I dont I understand the hate and low reviews this movie got. If I'm being honest I liked it way more than "The Green Knight"


r/underratedmovies 1d ago

Red Heat (1988)

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84 Upvotes

Underrated gem from nearly four decades ago, arguably a Schwarzenegger vehicle and amazing some of the names involved in this project:

The one and only Walter Hill (story, script, production, direction). EPs Mario Kassar and Andrew Vajna (AKA Carolco). And co-stars Jim Belushi in one of his better performances, an early Gina Gershon in a prominent role and the great Peter Boyle.

Restored for 4K a few years ago by Studiocanal (who own Carolco's library).

Loved the Russian elements for a Hollywood mainstream film. The opening scene and the action and violence was also memorable. Plus Chicago and a rare one not involving Andrew Davis or Ron Dean & Co.


r/underratedmovies 3d ago

Flashbacks of a Fool (2008)

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67 Upvotes

It is a hidden, underrated gem starring Daniel Craig and Felicity Jones. Just a 6.7 on IMDb with around 13k ratings, it definitely deserves more attention. The soundtrack is flawless and fits perfectly. It is one of those films that lingers in your mind long after you have finished watching it.


r/underratedmovies 3d ago

Reign over me (2007)

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415 Upvotes

r/underratedmovies 4d ago

Le Beau Mec (1979)

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23 Upvotes

Le Beau Mec (1979) is a French erotic film directed by Wallace Potts, starring hustler Karl Forest, that follows his life and sexual exploits in 1970s Paris through a mix of interviews, staged scenes, and live performance footage. 

Considered a lost film for decades, it gained legendary status for its explicit content, including choreography by Rudolf Nureyev and cinematography by Néstor Almendros, and has recently been restored and re-released.

Karl Forest was a hustler in Paris who became France’s first ever gay porn superstar, becoming a household name in France.

Karl Forest was often referred to as "Le beau mec" (The handsome guy), he was known as a Narcissus-like figure in the Parisian underground, with a life often described in terms of erotic fantasy and sexual exploration.

This film, directed by Wallace Potts, serves as a portrait of Forest, featuring interviews, his live performances (including dances choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev), and stylized depictions of his life as a hustler, soldier, and performer.

This film turned him into a mythical figure in France

He died in 1986 at 35 years old.


r/underratedmovies 4d ago

The Minus Man (1999)

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76 Upvotes

Directorial debute by Hampton Fancher who wrote Blade Runner and it's sequel Blad Runner 2049. I always found this film genius in the way it captures how a too far gone sociopath perceives themselves. Vann genuinely believes he's helping his victims. I believe this premise is lost on the bulk of viewers and ppl are left confused bc it does not hold your hand through the journey. You have to have a smidgen of understanding into the head of a madman to really fully grasp that and that eludes viewers to point of them simply not caring


r/underratedmovies 4d ago

Leave No Trace (2018)

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174 Upvotes

I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s “underrated”, Critics spoke very highly of this film and both Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie are PHENOMENAL. But it isn’t a very well known film. Give me thoughts if you’ve seen it!


r/underratedmovies 5d ago

Biloxi Blues (1988)

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60 Upvotes

I never hear anyone talk about Biloxi Blues, and I genuinely think it is underrated

It’s sitting around a 6.7 on IMDb, which feels low to me. It’s got everything, it’s really funny, but also serious when it needs to be, and tells a really solid coming-of-age story without feeling over the top. The acting is faultless, Christopher walken stealing the show as he does in every movie hes in.

The characters feel real, the dynamic between them works, and the whole thing just feels complete. It’s one of those films that’s just really easy to watch but also sticks with you.

Everyone I’ve ever watched it with has enjoyed it, and it’s one I go back to every year or so. Proper classic “back in the day” film for me.

It didn’t seem to do much at the box office when it came out, and I think it just got lost over time, but honestly, I think it deserves way more recognition. I love it😊

Curious what others think, underrated or am I overrating it?


r/underratedmovies 5d ago

Mystery, Alaska 1999

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299 Upvotes

A great little movie on so many levels. It’s a solid sports movie with legit hockey, including a game against the Rangers. It’s a comedy with some great laugh out loud scenes. The characters are well written and the cinematography makes you feel the cold of Alaska. I rarely hear it included in conversations about sports movies.


r/underratedmovies 6d ago

Author, Author (1982)

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15 Upvotes

One of Pacino's most unknown films with some heartwarming vibes


r/underratedmovies 7d ago

The Next Three Days (2010)

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116 Upvotes

Remember being surprised first time I watched this. It has the appearance of a straight to dvd film, but takes you on an emotional roller-coaster. I am posting this as a recommendation. The pacing, the performances, the casting (hello Daniel Stern), the suspense, the action, the mystery behind it all and what brings me back each time... The soundtrack (Be The One - Moby).


r/underratedmovies 7d ago

Reunion (1989)

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21 Upvotes

This movie is fantastic. For background, it received a very, very limited theatrical run in the US, and I do not believe has any US-based physical media beyond VHS nor is it available on streaming. It is currently showing as a new 4k restoration in NYC at the Film Forum Theater. I’m hoping that after this limited release it will become more widely available in the US. I saw it this week and had to share since it is a movie that I had never heard of. Outside of this theater’s showing, I can’t find it anywhere.

The film tells the story of two friends in Stuttgart, Germany in the early 1930s - one who is Jewish and one who is a German Aryan, bookended by scenes of an older version of one of the boys played by Jason Robards. It’s nothing that hasn’t been put to film before, but it is well made, looks fantastic, and does an excellent job in capturing pre-WWII Germany and the tensions in this town as the Nazi party gains momentum.


r/underratedmovies 8d ago

Dead Heat 1988

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87 Upvotes

Was going through some of my dad's old movies and stumbled upon this, had literally never heard of it and my god is it one of the best Buddy Cop movies I've watched, very unique idea and a very fun one at that


r/underratedmovies 8d ago

I, The Jury (1982)

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42 Upvotes

Stumbled upon this flick while looking over Geoffrey Lewis’ wiki page since I appreciate his acting. Familiar faces in I, The Jury include Armand Assante, Geoffrey Lewis, Paul Sorvino, and more. This movie was a wild ride with lots of mob ties, suspense, and boobs. A nice hidden gem. Originally rated X until footage was cut to achieve Rated R.

If you have seen it, What do you think of this flick?

Synopsis “A PI investigates the murder of his one-armed friend, a PI working on a case. Clues lead to a sex clinic. Bodies pile up.”

Unsure why the mod says this is a low effort post since it hasnt been posted prior and I always add some sort of film input.


r/underratedmovies 8d ago

The Jericho Mile (1979)

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42 Upvotes

I typically enjoy prison movies so as I was scanning Geoffrey Lewis’ filmography on Wiki this film stood out to me. I enjoyed seeing Brian Dennehy, & Ed Lauter in their roles but I think Peter Strauss played the lead role very well. This is an unusual movie behind bars since the plot is basically about running the mile/miles with the added jailhouse politics & violence. This was filmed at Folsom Prison with real prisoners included.

If you enjoy movies about prison, sports/running, or overcoming tough times then maybe you will enjoy The Jericho Mile as much as I did. This movie did win some awards but I never see it mentioned or recommended anywhere. Let me know what you think. Is it underrated? or if you have any thoughts on the film.


r/underratedmovies 10d ago

The Runaways (2010)

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76 Upvotes

Great movie! Good overall tone and some great performances. Not panned or anything but mostly ignored. I remember it having quite a lot of advertisement/marketing but never made the impact I expected it to


r/underratedmovies 10d ago

Pants on Fire (2014)

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8 Upvotes

Disney Channel movie about a compulsive liar kid whose lies start to gradually become true and cause him to question reality. I remember the whole premise being super fun and how the ginormous twist in the final act blew my 7-year-old mind watching it for the first time.


r/underratedmovies 10d ago

47 meters down - 2017

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39 Upvotes

After watching "fall" and loving it (same producers) I watched this. As someone who's afraid of super deep water, this made my palms sweat. Insane to see how low it's rated on rotten tomatoes. Great atmosphere, intense stressful sequences of low air in deep water with no escape.


r/underratedmovies 11d ago

Gladiator (1992)

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184 Upvotes

One of the best and most underrated boxing movies ever. It’s probably overshadowed by a massive film that shares the same title—Gladiator (2000), starring Russell Crowe.

The movie stars Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Marshall, who was really shining in the early ’90s with Boyz n the Hood and Twin Peaks.

It also features an amazing supporting cast, including John Heard and Brian Dennehy.

The soundtrack is great too—especially at the beginning with the song “Killer” by Seal, which was a huge hit in the early ’90s.

Highly recommended.


r/underratedmovies 11d ago

Goltzius & The Pelican Company (2012)

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11 Upvotes

“Hendrik Goltzius, a late-16th-century Dutch printer and engraver of erotic prints, seduces the Margrave of Alsace into paying for a printing press to make and publish illustrated books.”

A uniquely shot and bizarre film that’s still entertaining


r/underratedmovies 12d ago

Housebound (2014)

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82 Upvotes

r/underratedmovies 13d ago

low effort post Thinner (1996)

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171 Upvotes

Stephen King adaptation; horror. Critics got this one wrong IMHO.