10 Most Underrated Movies on Netflix You Should Watch
Netflix has many films, but some great titles do not get the attention they deserve. Most people choose popular movies or watch whatever appears on the home screen. As a result, many excellent stories remain hidden from viewers. These films may not always receive the same attention as big releases, but they can offer powerful stories, strong performances, and fresh ideas.
If you want something different from the usual popular titles, underrated movies are worth a try. They cover many genres, such as horror, comedy, mystery, animation, and historical drama. Some offer a good laugh, while others leave you with serious questions about life, family, and society.
Here are ten underrated movies that deserve more attention. This list includes films from different years, from 2016 to 2023. Each title offers something special, whether it is a unique story, a powerful message, or a memorable cast.
Netflix availability can vary by country, so some titles may not appear in every region. The list serves as a guide to films worth your time, rather than a guarantee that every title is available in your local Netflix library.
1. His House (2020)
His House is a horror film with a deep and emotional story. It follows a refugee couple who leave their home country and move to England in search of a safer life. At first, their new home seems like a chance to start again. Soon, however, they notice strange events inside the house.
The couple face more than a supernatural threat. They also carry painful memories of their past. Their fear, loss, and guilt affect their new life and make it hard for them to feel safe. As the story moves ahead, the audience learns more about their past and the reason for their pain.
What makes this film special is its mix of horror and real human struggles. It does not rely only on loud sounds or sudden scares. Instead, it uses a dark mood and a strong story to build fear. The film also explores the pain that people may carry after war and loss.
His House is a great choice for viewers who want a horror film with more meaning than a simple ghost story. It offers suspense, emotion, and a serious message about the cost of survival.
2. The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
The Mitchells vs. the Machines is an animated science fiction comedy about a family whose road trip turns into a fight for the future of the world. When a robot uprising begins, the Mitchell family must work together to stop the machines and save humanity.
At the heart of the film is the relationship between Katie and her father, Rick. Katie wants to follow her dreams and study film, while Rick struggles to understand her interests. Their different views lead to tension, but the danger around them forces the family to work as a team.
The film has bright visuals, funny scenes, and a fast pace. Its robot battles make the story exciting, while its family moments give it real heart. The characters are far from perfect, which makes them easy to understand and enjoy.
Although the movie has a science fiction setting, its main message is about family bonds. It shows that people do not need to agree on everything to care for each other.
This film is a good choice for families, animation fans, and anyone who wants a light story with humour and emotion. It proves that an animated movie can offer both fun and a strong message.
3. The Lost Daughter (2021)
The Lost Daughter is a psychological drama about a woman named Leda who goes on holiday and meets a young mother and her daughter. Their relationship catches her attention and brings back memories from her own life as a mother.
As Leda watches the young family, she thinks about her past choices and the effect they had on her children. Her thoughts reveal the difficult side of motherhood, a subject that films do not always show in an honest way.
The movie does not present its main character as a perfect person. Leda has flaws, regrets, and feelings that she finds hard to explain. This makes her story more complex and real. The film asks viewers to think about the pressure that society places on mothers and the personal cost of family duties.
The performances add depth to the story, while the quiet setting helps create a tense mood. Rather than offer easy answers, the film allows the audience to form its own views about Leda’s choices.
The Lost Daughter is best for viewers who enjoy thoughtful dramas with complex characters. It may not suit those who prefer fast action, but it offers a serious look at motherhood, memory, and regret.
4. Under the Shadow (2016)
Under the Shadow is a supernatural horror film set in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War. It follows a mother named Shideh and her young daughter, Dorsa, who remain in their home while the city faces the threat of war.
As the danger outside grows, strange events begin to take place inside their apartment. Dorsa becomes afraid of a possible supernatural presence, and Shideh tries to protect her child. Yet it becomes hard to tell whether their fear comes from a real spirit, the stress of war, or both.
The film stands out because it links personal fear with the wider fear of life during wartime. The home, which should be a safe place, becomes a source of worry. This gives the story a tense and unsettling feel.
Unlike many horror films, Under the Shadow does not depend only on sudden scares. It builds fear through its setting, sound, and the bond between mother and daughter. The story also offers a view of life in a place and time that many viewers may know little about.
This film is ideal for fans of slow, serious horror. It combines supernatural mystery with family drama and social themes, which makes it more than a standard ghost story.
5. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a Western anthology film from the Coen brothers. Rather than tell one long story, it presents six separate tales set in the American Old West.
Each part has its own characters, mood, and message. Some stories are funny and strange, while others deal with death, loss, and the harsh side of life. The film moves between comedy and tragedy, so viewers may find that each story creates a different response.
One of its strengths is the way it challenges common ideas about the Western genre. The film does not present the Old West as a place full of brave heroes and simple moral lessons. Instead, it shows a world where luck, chance, and human choices can lead to unexpected results.
The varied stories also make the film different from a typical movie. Some sections may appeal more than others, but the changing tone keeps the experience fresh.
This film is a strong choice for viewers who enjoy dark humour, unusual stories, and Western settings. It may not suit those who want one clear plot from start to finish, but its creative style makes it worth a look.
6. Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
Dolemite Is My Name is a comedy based on the life of Rudy Ray Moore, an entertainer who wants to make a name for himself. Eddie Murphy plays Moore, a man who refuses to give up on his dream, even when other people doubt his talent.
The story follows Moore as he creates the character of Dolemite and works to turn his idea into a film. He faces a lack of money, limited support, and many reasons to quit. Still, his belief in his work helps him push ahead.
The film has plenty of humour, but it also offers a clear message about effort and self-belief. Moore does not wait for others to give him a chance. He uses the skills and resources he has to create his own path.
Eddie Murphy gives the role energy and charm. The supporting cast also helps bring the story to life. The film offers a fun look at the world of independent cinema and the people who build careers outside the usual system.
Dolemite Is My Name is a great choice for comedy fans who also enjoy real-life stories. It is funny, lively, and full of heart. It also reminds viewers that success can begin with a simple idea and the courage to follow it.
7. Mudbound (2017)
Mudbound is a historical drama set in rural Mississippi after World War II. The story follows two families, one white and one Black, whose lives are linked by work, land, and the social rules of the time.
The film explores racism, poverty, family duty, and the effect of war on people who return home. Two men come back from military service with different experiences, but both face serious challenges as they try to adjust to life at home.
The story shows how racism shapes daily life and limits the choices available to Black characters. It also explores the way family pressure and social rules affect personal relationships. Rather than present a simple tale of good and bad people, the film looks at the systems and beliefs that cause harm.
Mudbound has a serious tone and a strong cast. Its rural setting adds to the sense of hardship, while its careful story gives each family room to express its own struggles.
This film is worth a watch for those who enjoy historical dramas with social meaning. It may be emotionally heavy, but it offers an important view of American history and the long-term effects of racism.
8. Passing (2021)
Passing is a black-and-white drama set in New York during the 1920s. It follows two Black women, Irene and Clare, who were childhood friends but now live very different lives.
Clare has chosen to live as a white woman, while Irene remains part of the Black community. When the two women meet again, their friendship brings questions about identity, race, class, and personal choice to the surface.
The film uses quiet scenes and careful dialogue to explore its themes. It does not depend on major events or fast action. Instead, much of its power comes from the thoughts, fears, and tensions between its main characters.
The black-and-white style suits the story and gives it a clear sense of time and place. The lead performances also help show the complex feelings that the women struggle to express.
Passing is a good choice for viewers who enjoy thoughtful period dramas. It asks difficult questions about identity and belonging without offering simple answers. Its quiet approach may not appeal to everyone, but those who enjoy character-based stories may find it deeply rewarding.
9. The Wonder (2022)
The Wonder is a period mystery set in Ireland in the 1860s. Florence Pugh plays Lib Wright, an English nurse who travels to a small village to observe a young girl named Anna. The girl claims that she has not eaten for months, yet she appears to remain alive.
Lib must decide whether Anna’s condition has a natural cause or whether the family and village believe in a miracle. As she looks for the truth, she faces the strong influence of religion, family beliefs, and local traditions.
The story builds mystery through its quiet setting and its focus on the people involved. It also asks questions about faith, science, and the power of shared beliefs. The village’s response to Anna reveals how hard it can be to challenge ideas that a community holds dear.
Florence Pugh gives a strong performance as a nurse who must balance care with doubt. The film’s mood and setting add to its sense of mystery.
The Wonder is best for viewers who enjoy slow mysteries and period dramas. It offers a thoughtful story that looks at the line between belief and fact.
10. May December (2023)
May December is a psychological drama with dark comedy. It follows an actress who travels to meet a woman whose past relationship with a much younger man once drew major public attention. The actress plans to study the woman as research for a film role.
As she learns more about the couple and their family, the difference between public image and private life becomes clear. The story explores how people tell their own stories, how others judge them, and how the past can affect the present.
Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore lead the cast with strong performances. Their characters have complex motives, and the film often leaves viewers unsure about what to believe. This uncertainty is part of its design.
The movie uses dark humour to explore serious subjects. Some scenes may feel uncomfortable, but they encourage the audience to think about power, truth, and the way people shape their own public image.
May December is a good choice for viewers who enjoy unusual psychological dramas. It is not a simple story with clear answers, but it offers plenty to discuss after the credits roll.
Conclusion
Underrated movies can offer a welcome change from the usual popular titles on Netflix. They may come from different years, genres, and cultures, but each film on this list has a clear reason to deserve attention.
His House and Under the Shadow are strong choices for horror fans. The Mitchells vs. the Machines offers fun for the whole family, while Dolemite Is My Name brings humour and a message about self-belief. The Lost Daughter, Passing, Mudbound, The Wonder, and May December explore serious themes through complex characters. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs offers a fresh take on the Western genre through six unusual stories.
The best choice depends on your mood. If you want fear and suspense, try a horror film. If you prefer humour, choose a comedy. If you want a story that makes you think, one of the dramas may be a better fit.
These ten films show that a movie does not need to be a major hit to offer a memorable experience. Before you choose a title, check your local Netflix library, as availability can change by country and over time. You may find your next favourite film among the titles that receive less attention.
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