Top 10 Underrated Movies
#10- In Bruges (2008)
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We’re not surprised if you haven’t heard of this delightful dark British-American crime comedy. Only managing to double it’s already paltry budget of 15 million, it stars Ralph Fiennes as a crime boss who sends two hit men, Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, to lay low in the small town of Bruges. Ultimately, a crisis of conscience spurs a conflict loaded with incredible acting, amusing lines and surprising heart.
#9- The Iron Giant (1999)
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Taking place in the 1950s, this animated Warner Bros. film centers on a boy befriending a robot from outer space. Heavy on the themes of love and friendship, it starred Vin Diesel as eponymous metal eating machine. Unfortunately, it became just another smart family movie to getting slaughtered at the box office, pulling in only 31 million from a 50-70 million dollar budget.
#8- Gattaca (1997)
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This criminally underrated precautionary sci-fi tale suffered a poor box office draw, most probably due to its favoring of thought provoking storytelling over mindless action. Recouping only a third of its 26 million dollar budget. Set in a world where DNA dictates every aspect of a person’s life and career, it starred Ethan Hawke as a man who fakes his identity so that he can achieve his dream of going into space.
#7- Punch Drunk Love (2002)
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Everyone associates Adam Sandler with idiotic screwball comedies. However, at the peak of his popularity he took a special one-time detour through romantic dramedy. Reaching new acting depths, Sandler played a shy, sad and repressed man with anger issues who falls in love with Emily Watson, before being extorted by Philip Seymour Hoffman. It’s an odd film, but it’s also tragically underrated, as it’s genuinely touching and unique.
#6- Children of Men (2006)
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Coming up just shy of its modest budget at the box-office, this futuristic tale showcases a society without hope as all of mankind has been struck with infertility. With one woman inexplicably pregnant, Clive Owen plays a bureaucrat charged with escorting her to safety. Well rated but often under-appreciated, Children of Men is a true masterpiece that has been seen by far too few.
#5- Dredd (2012)
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Sylvester Stallone’s adaptation from the 90s was dreadful, so it’s easy to see why movie goes steered clear of this low budget 45 million dollar mulligan. Finally doing the dystopian source material justice, its extreme violence was loaded with deadpan humor and Karl Urban nailing the character, permanent helmet look and all. Maybe Dredd will become a classic when the slo-mo fueled reception has finally worn off.
#4- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
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Yes, it is possible for a tongue-in-cheek satire starring Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer to flop. Just breaking even, this memorable detective murder mystery brings a private eye and a small time thief together for a romp filled with comedy, bizarre twists and razor sharp banter. We guess audiences just aren’t as open to pitch perfect black comedy and noir themes anymore, which is a shame.
#3- Sunshine (2007)
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Sci-fi usually takes us on journeys to the other planets, not the sun. Here, a crew is sent to re-ignite our star with a nuclear bomb following the disappearance of the first crew several years earlier. Only winning technical achievement praise and failing to recoup its modest 40 million dollar budget, Sunshine is a memorable Danny Boyle film packed with intelligent action and the themes of science versus fundamentalism.
#2- The Fountain (2006)
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Nominated for several awards, this art film only won for its score, while recouping less than half it’s costs. A romantic drama Starring Hugh Jackman, it follows three story lines based on the themes of love and mortality. Despite getting a standing ovation leading up to release, popcorn chewing audiences didn’t gravitate to this visually rich tale focused entirely on the focus on loss and despair.
#1- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
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Taking the top spot on our list is the box office flop by director Wes Anderson. There’s a special magic in this eccentrically whimsical tale starring Bill Murray as an oceanographer seeking revenge on a shark. Shot with Anderson’s polarizing style, it interestingly animated all the underwater creatures in stop motion. A true hidden gem, you have to submerge yourself in it to understand what makes it so special. Do you agree with our list? Which film do you feel is underrated? For more entertaining top 10s, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.