Best Netflix Movies You’ve Never Seen

There are plenty of great films hiding in plain sight on Netflix, and many of them slip past without the buzz they deserve. This list pulls together gripping thrillers, sharp indies, and bold international hits that deliver big ideas and memorable performances. You will find everything from nerve shredding horror to slick action and twisty mysteries. Queue a few of these and you might discover a new favorite.

‘Calibre’ (2018)

Set in the Scottish Highlands, this tense thriller follows two friends whose hunting trip spirals after a tragic mistake. Director Matt Palmer builds the story around a small village where loyalties and secrets collide. Jack Lowden and Martin McCann lead the cast with a focus on guilt and escalating consequences. The film won a major audience award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and drew praise for its grounded realism.

‘Cam’ (2018)

This psychological thriller centers on a camgirl whose online identity is stolen by a perfect double. Writer Isa Mazzei brings authentic detail from real world experience while Daniel Goldhaber directs with sharp precision. Madeline Brewer anchors the story with a performance that explores control, privacy, and obsession. The film premiered at a major genre festival before landing on Netflix with strong word of mouth.

‘Apostle’ (2018)

Gareth Evans trades urban action for folk horror in a story about a man infiltrating a remote island cult to rescue his sister. Dan Stevens stars alongside Michael Sheen in a tale steeped in ritual, faith, and creeping dread. The production design leans into muddy fields, makeshift machinery, and eerie iconography. Practical effects and meticulous staging give the violence and myth a visceral punch.

‘The Night Comes for Us’ (2018)

This Indonesian action epic features bone crunching choreography from members of the ‘The Raid’ team. Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais face off across cramped apartments, neon soaked clubs, and warehouse gauntlets. Director Timo Tjahjanto crafts set pieces that push knife work and close quarters combat to extremes. The result is a relentless showcase for some of the most inventive fight design on the platform.

‘1922’ (2017)

Based on a Stephen King novella, this slow burn horror story follows a farmer who conspires against his wife for control of their land. Thomas Jane delivers a grim, haunted turn as guilt begins to fester. Rats, storms, and failing crops create a portrait of decay and punishment. The adaptation sticks close to the source while leaning on atmosphere and narration to build dread.

‘Gerald’s Game’ (2017)

Mike Flanagan adapts another Stephen King tale about a woman left handcuffed in a secluded lake house after a roleplay goes wrong. Carla Gugino carries the film with a performance that blends survival, memory, and trauma. The story shifts between hallucination, inner monologue, and practical problem solving. Smart editing and makeup effects support a standout third act.

‘Shimmer Lake’ (2017)

This crime puzzle unfolds in reverse as a small town sheriff tracks a botched bank robbery. Director Oren Uziel structures each day backward to reveal motives and collisions. Benjamin Walker, Rainn Wilson, and Wyatt Russell headline a cast that mixes dark humor with grim fallout. The timeline gambit rewards attention as clues slot into place.

‘ARQ’ (2016)

A contained sci fi thriller traps two researchers in a looping home invasion. Director Tony Elliott uses a tight location and incremental reveals to keep the resets fresh. Robbie Amell and Rachael Taylor navigate shifting alliances as technology and corporate warfare close in. The compact runtime keeps the stakes immediate and the rules clear.

‘The Platform’ (2019)

This Spanish dystopia takes place in a vertical prison where food descends level by level. Iván Massagué leads a cast that navigates rationing, class, and survival under a brutal system. Director Galder Gaztelu Urrutia stages stark imagery with spare production that highlights the central metaphor. The film sparked wide discussion for its social commentary and bold ending.

‘His House’ (2020)

A refugee couple from South Sudan moves into public housing in England and encounters a haunting that ties directly to their past. Wunmi Mosaku and Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù deliver nuanced performances that balance fear with resilience. Director Remi Weekes blends folklore with real world displacement and bureaucracy. The film earned strong accolades for its fresh perspective within the genre.

‘I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore’ (2017)

After a break in, a nursing assistant teams up with an eccentric neighbor to track stolen items. Director Macon Blair mixes crime, awkward humor, and sudden violence with precise control. Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood form an unlikely duo whose choices spiral into danger. The film captured a top prize at Sundance before reaching a wider audience.

‘The Perfection’ (2019)

This twisty thriller follows two elite cellists whose reunion turns disturbingly competitive. Allison Williams and Logan Browning drive a story that shifts genres as new information drops. Director Richard Shepard uses quick chapter breaks and sharp edits to reframe events. The music conservatory setting adds a chilling backdrop of prestige and control.

‘The Ritual’ (2017)

Four friends take a hiking trip in Scandinavia to honor a lost companion and stumble into ancient menace. Director David Bruckner uses dense forests and eerie symbols to build unease. Rafe Spall leads a cast navigating grief and survivor’s guilt as tensions flare. Creature design and practical effects pay off a careful buildup.

‘Hold the Dark’ (2018)

A reclusive writer travels to rural Alaska to investigate a missing child case that intersects with violence and myth. Director Jeremy Saulnier crafts wintry landscapes and sudden eruptions of brutality. Jeffrey Wright, Alexander Skarsgård, and Riley Keough ground a story about isolation and instinct. Long takes and natural light emphasize realism over spectacle.

‘Wheelman’ (2017)

A getaway driver is forced to stay behind the wheel as a double cross unfolds over one night. Director Jeremy Rush keeps the camera inside the car for most of the runtime to heighten tension. Frank Grillo carries the film with terse phone calls, sharp turns, and split second decisions. The minimal approach delivers clean geography and propulsive pacing.

‘Okja’ (2017)

Director Bong Joon Ho tells the story of a girl who risks everything to save her genetically engineered companion from a powerful conglomerate. The cast features Ahn Seo Hyun, Tilda Swinton, Steven Yeun, and Jake Gyllenhaal. Production spanned South Korea, the United States, and Canada with a mix of Korean and English dialogue. The film competed at a major European festival and drew attention for its blend of satire and creature work.

‘I Am Mother’ (2019)

This sci fi thriller follows a teenage girl raised by a robot inside a sealed bunker after a global catastrophe. Hilary Swank, Clara Rugaard, and the voice of Rose Byrne lead the small cast. Director Grant Sputore builds the mystery around questions of trust, protocol, and programmed ethics. Practical sets and a Weta Workshop built droid give the story a grounded feel.

‘Spectral’ (2016)

A special ops team and a scientist investigate lethal apparitions that appear on the battlefield of a war torn city. Director Nic Mathieu uses thermal cameras, specialized optics, and urban combat tactics to frame the threat. The cast includes James Badge Dale, Emily Mortimer, and Bruce Greenwood. Weta Digital contributed visual effects that tie the phenomenon to a plausible piece of technology.

‘Tallulah’ (2016)

A drifter impulsively takes a neglected child and turns to an ex boyfriend’s mother for help. The film stars Ellen Page, Allison Janney, and Tammy Blanchard in a character driven story set in New York. Writer director Sian Heder explores custody, responsibility, and strained family ties. The project premiered at Sundance before reaching a wider audience.

‘Blue Jay’ (2016)

Two former high school sweethearts reconnect by chance in their hometown and spend a day revisiting old memories. Filmed in black and white, the story features Sarah Paulson and Mark Duplass. Alex Lehmann directs with a focus on conversation and small details. The script was largely outlined with room for natural dialogue between the leads.

‘Hush’ (2016)

A deaf novelist fights for her life when a masked intruder targets her secluded home. Director Mike Flanagan designs set pieces around sign language, visual cues, and the absence of sound. Kate Siegel co wrote the screenplay and stars as the lead. The production used a single location and tight timeline to keep the action immediate.

‘Cargo’ (2017)

A father in the Australian outback searches for safe harbor for his infant daughter during a viral outbreak. Martin Freeman leads the cast alongside Simone Landers and Susie Porter. Directors Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke expand their earlier short into a full journey across remote terrain. The film highlights Indigenous communities and survival strategies within a collapsing system.

‘Clinical’ (2017)

A trauma therapist attempts to rebuild her life after a violent attack while treating a new patient with severe disfigurement. Director Alistair Legrand uses case files, flashbacks, and home visits to escalate tension. Vinessa Shaw and William Atherton headline the cast. The story leans on psychiatric procedure and the ethics of patient care.

‘A Sun’ (2019)

This family drama from Taiwan tracks two brothers whose lives diverge after a criminal act. Director Chung Mong Hong follows the ripple effects through school, work, and the justice system. The film won top prizes at the Golden Horse Awards including best feature. Cinematography by the director under a pseudonym gives the story a precise visual identity.

‘Time to Hunt’ (2020)

A group of friends plans a high risk heist in a dystopian South Korea and draws the attention of a relentless pursuer. Yoon Sung Hyun directs with Lee Je Hoon, Ahn Jae Hong, and Park Jung Min leading the cast. The production uses abandoned sites and industrial zones to map a city in economic decline. Sound design emphasizes cat and mouse chases through alleys, rooftops, and tunnels.

‘Forgotten’ (2017)

After a kidnapping and a sudden personality change, a man begins to suspect his brother is hiding something. Director Jang Hang Jun structures the mystery around amnesia, false memories, and a past crime. The cast is led by Kang Ha Neul and Kim Mu Yeol. Careful reveals reframe earlier scenes as the investigation pushes forward.

‘The Call’ (2020)

Two women connected by a single phone line speak across different timelines from the same house. Park Shin Hye and Jeon Jong Seo anchor the thriller with parallel storylines that affect each other. Director Lee Chung Hyun tracks changes through props, scars, and altered spaces. The narrative uses cause and effect rules that shift as the calls continue.

‘Athena’ (2022)

Civil unrest erupts in a French suburb after a tragedy, and three brothers find themselves on opposing paths. Director Romain Gavras stages extended oners that move through courtyards, stairwells, and rooftops. The ensemble features Dali Benssalah, Sami Slimane, and Ouassini Embarek. Practical pyrotechnics and crowd choreography drive the large scale set pieces.

‘The Decline’ (2020)

A survivalist training camp in rural Quebec fractures when an accident triggers suspicion and conflict. Director Patrice Laliberté places the story inside a self sufficient compound with strict routines. The cast includes Real Bossé and Marc Beaupré as plans unravel under pressure. Winter landscapes and live fire exercises add to the realism.

‘I Lost My Body’ (2019)

An animated hand escapes a lab and searches for its owner across Paris while the owner navigates a new job and a budding connection. Director Jérémy Clapin adapts a French novel and weaves parallel timelines. The film features an original score by Dan Levy and expressive sound design that guides the hand’s journey. It won the top prize at Cannes Critics’ Week and later earned major awards recognition.

‘Outlaw King’ (2018)

Director David Mackenzie follows Robert the Bruce as he regroups nobles, trains forces, and employs guerrilla tactics after a defeat. Chris Pine and Florence Pugh lead a cast that films across castles, moors, and coastal strongholds in Scotland. The production uses large scale practical battle scenes with cavalry, siege engines, and hand to hand choreography. Costumes and weapons reflect period research into armor, heraldry, and clan insignia.

‘The Discovery’ (2017)

A scientist proves the existence of an afterlife and the world faces a spike in self inflicted deaths as people seek answers. Director Charlie McDowell centers the story on a reclusive estate where experiments record brain data. The cast features Robert Redford, Jason Segel, and Rooney Mara. The narrative explores informed consent, memory recordings, and the risks of a controlled trial.

‘Imperial Dreams’ (2014)

A young writer returns home from prison and tries to support his son while avoiding gang demands. John Boyega plays a man navigating parole meetings, housing rules, and a stalled social safety net. Filmed in and around Los Angeles housing projects, the production focuses on family logistics and daily obstacles. The story highlights probation conditions, custody paperwork, and barriers to formal employment.

‘The Most Hated Woman in America’ (2017)

This biographical crime drama follows activist Madalyn Murray O’Hair and the events that led to her disappearance. Melissa Leo portrays the founder of an atheist organization while the investigation moves through financial records and accomplices. The film reconstructs media appearances, fundraising operations, and interstate travel patterns. Archival inspired costumes and sets recreate offices, studios, and motel rooms.

‘I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House’ (2016)

A live in nurse cares for an elderly horror author in a New England home filled with quiet disturbances. Director Osgood Perkins emphasizes long takes, whispering voices, and faint stains or marks that suggest prior events. Ruth Wilson and Paula Prentiss anchor scenes set around locked rooms and unfinished manuscripts. The production design uses wallpaper, moldings, and dim fixtures to track shifting spaces.

‘Fractured’ (2019)

After an accident on a road trip, a father brings his injured daughter to a hospital and struggles to find them after an unexplained transfer. Brad Anderson directs a story that moves through intake desks, imaging labs, and restricted corridors. Sam Worthington and Lily Rabe lead the cast as procedures and records fail to align. Security footage, consent forms, and patient logs become key details.

‘Earthquake Bird’ (2019)

An expatriate translator in Tokyo becomes entangled in a missing persons case. Director Wash Westmoreland films on location in alleys, riversides, and rooftop views while tracking workplace routines and photography sessions. Alicia Vikander and Riley Keough headline a story that uses police interviews and language barriers as obstacles. The production uses analog cameras, darkrooms, and expat social circles to frame clues.

‘The Siege of Jadotville’ (2016)

An Irish UN company defends a remote outpost during a crisis in central Africa. Director Richie Smyth stages repeated assaults, radio negotiations, and rationing as supplies run low. Jamie Dornan and Jason O’Mara lead a unit that relies on field fortifications and artillery spotting. The film maps battle lines with sand tables, trench works, and convoy routes.

‘The Occupant’ (2020)

A former executive loses his home and begins to infiltrate the lives of the new tenants. Spanish directors David and Àlex Pastor follow the character through surveillance, forged applications, and staged encounters. Javier Gutiérrez leads a cast that uses social media, building access, and employment leads to tighten control. The plot tracks identity shifts and the use of personal data.

‘Incantation’ (2022)

A viral video and a family curse intertwine as a mother documents paranormal events connected to a rural cult. Director Kevin Ko uses found footage, ritual symbols, and repeated phrases to guide viewer participation. Tsai Hsuan yen leads scenes that incorporate internet uploads, chain messages, and audience cues. Props include talismans, shrine objects, and altered household items.

‘Tau’ (2018)

A kidnapped woman attempts to outsmart a smart home controlled by an experimental AI. Director Federico D’Alessandro stages interactions with robotic arms, drones, and environmental sensors. Maika Monroe, Ed Skrein, and the voice of Gary Oldman drive scenes that revolve around learning protocols and behavioral tests. The house layout and power sources become tactical elements.

‘How It Ends’ (2018)

A cross country drive unfolds during a mysterious national catastrophe that disrupts communications and fuel supplies. Director David M. Rosenthal charts detours through roadblocks, damaged highways, and shifting local rules. Theo James and Forest Whitaker navigate bartering, convoy protection, and vehicle maintenance. Maps, shortwave radios, and improvised repairs structure each stop.

‘iBoy’ (2017)

After an attack, a teenager finds that fragments embedded in his head allow him to interface with nearby electronics. Adam Randall directs a story that moves through council estates, school corridors, and gang territories. Bill Milner and Maisie Williams lead sequences that exploit text logs, camera feeds, and wireless signals. The character uses contact lists and encryption gaps to expose a criminal network.

‘Tramps’ (2016)

A courier mix up forces two strangers to retrieve a lost briefcase around New York. Director Adam Leon keeps the plot on subways, diners, and apartments as the pair improvises a plan. Callum Turner and Grace Van Patten work through small time operators, voicemail messages, and misread directions. The story tracks timing windows, handoffs, and cover stories.

‘In the Shadow of the Moon’ (2019)

A Philadelphia officer pursues a suspect whose crimes recur at precise intervals tied to a rare lunar event. Director Jim Mickle structures the investigation across changing forensic tools and departmental roles. Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman, and Michael C. Hall connect clues through medical anomalies and transport technology. The case file expands with autopsy notes, chemical residues, and timeline charts.

Tell us which hidden gems you would add to the list in the comments.