Insane 2010s Movies You Forgot About (& Need to Rewatch Again)

The 2010s delivered a surprising number of wild genre swings and bold experiments that many viewers skipped or simply let fade from memory. This list rounds up titles that mixed sharp ideas with memorable craft and casts, from nerve jangling thrillers to high concept science fiction. You will find festival favorites, sleeper theatrical releases, and cult discoveries that quietly built word of mouth over time. Each entry includes the essentials you need to place it and press play with confidence.

‘Attack the Block’ (2011)

Joe Cornish directs this South London alien invasion story that follows a teen gang defending their tower block. John Boyega made his feature debut here alongside Jodie Whittaker, with creature work by the team behind ‘The Descent’. The film premiered at SXSW and was produced by Big Talk Productions. It mixes street level action with practical effects and tight night shooting across real estates.

‘Coherence’ (2013)

James Ward Byrkit shot this dinner party science fiction puzzle on a microbudget with heavily improvised dialogue. Eight friends experience reality fractures during a comet flyby, and the story unfolds almost entirely inside a single house. The production used minimal lighting and note cards in place of a traditional script to keep reactions spontaneous. The result is a compact 89 minute mind bender that rewards close attention.

‘Dredd’ (2012)

Karl Urban stars as the helmeted law enforcer from the 2000 AD comics, with Olivia Thirlby as rookie Judge Anderson. Pete Travis directs from a screenplay by Alex Garland, delivering brutal action inside the towering Peach Trees complex. Shot in 3D with extensive slow motion sequences, the movie underperformed theatrically but became a strong home video seller. Its gritty Mega City One visuals were built with a mix of South African locations and detailed sets.

‘The Guest’ (2014)

Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett craft a neo slasher thriller about a mysterious soldier who visits a grieving family. Dan Stevens shifts gears from period drama to icy menace, with Maika Monroe co starring. The movie premiered at Sundance and features a synth heavy score by Steve Moore. It blends small town suspense with precise, stylish action beats across a lean running time.

‘Bone Tomahawk’ (2015)

S. Craig Zahler merges frontier drama with horror as a small posse rides out to rescue kidnapped townsfolk. Kurt Russell leads a cast that includes Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, and Richard Jenkins. The production emphasizes practical makeup effects and wide open desert vistas. It is a slow burn western that culminates in stark, memorable brutality.

‘Green Room’ (2015)

Jeremy Saulnier directs a siege thriller about a touring punk band trapped backstage after witnessing a crime. Anton Yelchin and Imogen Poots anchor the ensemble with Patrick Stewart as the icy club owner. The film premiered in the Directors Fortnight at Cannes before expanding to art house theaters. It was shot in Oregon with tight interiors that heighten the claustrophobic tension.

‘The Nice Guys’ (2016)

Shane Black sets this detective caper in 1977 Los Angeles with Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe playing mismatched investigators. The plot tracks a missing person case that intersects with the local auto industry and adult film world. Production recreated period detail across locations in Atlanta standing in for Los Angeles. Warner Bros handled distribution and the movie found a second life with repeat cable and streaming play.

‘Annihilation’ (2018)

Alex Garland adapts Jeff VanderMeer’s novel about a scientific expedition into a mutating zone called the Shimmer. Natalie Portman leads a team played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Gina Rodriguez, with Oscar Isaac in a key supporting role. Paramount released it in North American theaters while Netflix handled many international territories. The film is noted for its eerie sound design, experimental visuals, and practical creature work blended with CGI.

‘Upgrade’ (2018)

Leigh Whannell directs a cyberpunk revenge story about a man implanted with an experimental AI called STEM. Logan Marshall Green performs precise body movement to show the software taking control during fights. Principal photography took place in Melbourne with production design building a grounded near future. Blumhouse Tilt released the movie, which became a word of mouth favorite for its inventive action.

‘Only Lovers Left Alive’ (2013)

Jim Jarmusch tells a languid vampire story centered on two centuries old lovers played by Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston. The film moves between Detroit and Tangier, using both cities to reflect decay and endurance. Music by Jozef van Wissem and SQURL shapes the hypnotic tone throughout. It premiered at Cannes and earned Best Composer honors at the festival.

‘The Autopsy of Jane Doe’ (2016)

André Øvredal confines his supernatural mystery to a family run morgue where a father and son examine an unidentified body. Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch lead the minimal cast, with most of the narrative unfolding in real time. The movie premiered in the Midnight Madness section at Toronto. Detailed prosthetics and sound design sell the forensic procedures and the escalating dread.

‘The Invitation’ (2015)

Karyn Kusama directs a tense dinner party thriller set in the Hollywood Hills. Logan Marshall Green arrives at his former home for a reunion that gradually reveals a troubling agenda. The film ran the festival circuit before a theatrical and digital release through Drafthouse Films and other partners. It uses a single location, low light photography, and careful blocking to build unease.

‘Snowpiercer’ (2013)

Bong Joon Ho adapts the French graphic novel about a post apocalyptic train where class divisions are enforced by carriage. Chris Evans, Song Kang ho, Tilda Swinton, and Octavia Spencer headline an international ensemble. Production used large full scale train set pieces and extensive second unit work to simulate constant motion. The film faced distribution disputes in the United States before gaining a wide audience through specialty release and streaming.

‘The Endless’ (2017)

Filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead star as brothers who revisit the UFO cult they escaped years earlier. The story expands the mythos of their earlier feature ‘Resolution’ and plays with loops and cosmic phenomena. Shot on a microbudget, the production relied on in camera tricks and VFX completed by the directors. It premiered at Tribeca and was released in North America by Well Go USA.

‘A Simple Favor’ (2018)

Paul Feig adapts Darcey Bell’s novel into a twisty suburban mystery led by Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. The plot follows a mommy vlogger who investigates her glamorous friend’s sudden disappearance. Lionsgate handled distribution and the movie performed strongly worldwide. Its wardrobe, production design, and needle drops are used to shape character and keep the tone sleek.

‘Bellflower’ (2011)

Evan Glodell wrote and directed this indie about friends who build flamethrowers and a muscle car while their relationships unravel. The production used a custom camera rig that gave the images a gritty, scorched look. It premiered at Sundance and drew attention for practical pyrotechnics and handmade gear. The story plays out in Los Angeles locations that emphasize sun baked streets and DIY chaos.

‘Detention’ (2011)

Joseph Kahn mashes teen comedy with slasher and sci fi elements in a fast moving high school set story. The script fires off pop culture gags while a masked killer and time travel complicate senior year. Dane Cook and Josh Hutcherson appear alongside an ensemble of young actors. It was shot in Los Angeles and became a cult favorite for its rapid editing and genre juggling.

‘Kill List’ (2011)

Ben Wheatley blends domestic drama with hitman mystery that slides into occult unease. Neil Maskell and Michael Smiley play former soldiers turned contract killers whose assignment spirals into ritual horror. The movie uses naturalistic performances and stark British locations to ground the escalating dread. It built word of mouth through festival screenings and midnight programs.

‘Hobo with a Shotgun’ (2011)

Jason Eisener expands a fake trailer into a grindhouse tale about a drifter cleaning up a corrupt city. Rutger Hauer leads a cast facing cartoonish villains and splattery set pieces. The film was shot in Halifax with bold lighting and practical gore effects. It embraces neon soaked production design that matches its comic book tone.

‘Tucker and Dale vs. Evil’ (2010)

Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk star as well meaning friends mistaken for killers by terrified college campers. Director Eli Craig flips slasher tropes with a string of misunderstandings that turn bloody. The movie uses rural Canadian locations and physical gags to deliver its set pieces. It grew an audience through festival buzz and streaming after a limited theatrical run.

‘The Signal’ (2014)

William Eubank crafts a sci fi thriller about students lured into a desert encounter that fractures reality. Brenton Thwaites and Olivia Cooke lead the cast with Laurence Fishburne as a mysterious authority figure. The production mixes stark New Mexico landscapes with clean laboratory interiors. Careful sound design and restrained visual effects support the mounting reveals.

‘Predestination’ (2014)

The Spierig Brothers adapt Robert A Heinlein’s time loop story with Ethan Hawke and Sarah Snook in central roles. The narrative follows an agent on a mission that folds back on itself with precise plotting. It was produced in Australia with period detail spanning multiple decades. The film relies on character work and tight editing rather than heavy spectacle.

‘Spring’ (2014)

Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead tell a romance that merges European travel with ancient body horror. Lou Taylor Pucci and Nadia Hilker play travelers whose connection collides with a supernatural secret. The movie was shot in coastal Italian towns that provide sunlit contrast to its creature elements. In camera effects and restrained CGI support the mythic backstory.

‘Hardcore Henry’ (2015)

Ilya Naishuller directs an action movie filmed almost entirely in first person with custom camera rigs. Sharlto Copley appears in multiple wild personas guiding the amnesiac lead through Moscow set pieces. The production used stunt heavy choreography and parkour to sell the continuous perspective. It premiered at Toronto’s Midnight Madness and won the audience award in that section.

‘Turbo Kid’ (2015)

The filmmaking collective RKSS sets a retro future adventure in a wasteland filled with BMX bikes and comic book violence. Munro Chambers and Laurence Leboeuf star with Michael Ironside as a gleeful villain. Practical gore and synth music lean into an eighties flavor while staying low budget inventive. It premiered at Sundance and became a crowd pleaser on the genre circuit.

‘The Neon Demon’ (2016)

Nicolas Winding Refn explores the fashion industry through a glossy nightmare about beauty and ambition. Elle Fanning leads a cast that includes Jena Malone and Keanu Reeves. The movie features bold color lighting, electronic score, and precise framing across Los Angeles locations. It premiered at Cannes and sparked debate for its shocking images and cold tone.

‘The Bad Batch’ (2016)

Ana Lily Amirpour follows a young woman exiled to a desert where cannibal gangs and hermit communities survive. Suki Waterhouse anchors an ensemble that includes Jason Momoa, Keanu Reeves, and Jim Carrey. The film uses Texas desert vistas and striking costume design to build its world. It mixes minimal dialogue with music driven sequences to create a dreamlike pace.

‘A Cure for Wellness’ (2016)

Gore Verbinski spins a gothic mystery about a finance worker sent to retrieve his CEO from a secluded Swiss spa. Dane DeHaan and Mia Goth star in a story that reveals sinister treatments and hidden experiments. The production shot in Germany and used historic locations to sell the eerie wellness center. Elaborate water tanks and meticulous art direction shape the unsettling imagery.

‘Mandy’ (2018)

Panos Cosmatos crafts a revenge odyssey that blends metal album aesthetics with occult biker horror. Nicolas Cage and Andrea Riseborough headline, with a score by Jóhann Jóhannsson that drives the mood. The cinematography uses saturated gels and grainy textures to create a fevered look. It became a midnight sensation with audiences responding to its handcrafted weapons and operatic set pieces.

‘He Never Died’ (2015)

Jason Krawczyk writes and directs a deadpan supernatural crime story anchored by Henry Rollins. The lead character lives a regimented life that is disrupted by old debts and unexpected family ties. The film relies on dry humor, small scale action, and practical makeup. It later spawned a follow up project that expanded the character’s mythos.

‘Another Earth’ (2011)

Mike Cahill directs a science fiction drama about a duplicate planet appearing in the sky as a young woman confronts the aftermath of a tragic accident. Brit Marling co wrote the screenplay and stars alongside William Mapother. The production used low budget methods with location shooting around Connecticut and Rhode Island. It premiered at Sundance where it won a Special Jury Prize.

‘Super’ (2010)

James Gunn writes and directs a dark comedy about an ordinary man who decides to fight crime with a wrench after losing his wife. Rainn Wilson leads the cast with Ellen Page and Kevin Bacon in key roles. The film was shot largely in Louisiana with a compact budget and practical effects. IFC Films handled distribution following a Toronto premiere.

‘Blue Ruin’ (2013)

Jeremy Saulnier crafts a stark revenge story centered on a drifter who returns to his hometown after a prisoner release. Macon Blair headlines a cast of mostly non recognizable faces that heighten the film’s realism. Financing came partly through crowdfunding and the shoot used Virginia and Maryland locations. It won the FIPRESCI Prize in the Directors Fortnight at Cannes.

‘Locke’ (2013)

Steven Knight directs a contained drama that takes place almost entirely inside a moving car over one night. Tom Hardy performs alone on screen while other characters are heard through phone calls. The production recorded live phone conversations to keep timing natural and shot the driving in continuous runs. It premiered at Venice and was released by A24 in the United States.

‘The Raid’ (2011)

Gareth Evans stages a high intensity action film about a police team trapped in a high rise controlled by a crime boss. Iko Uwais choreographed and starred, showcasing Pencak Silat in tightly designed fights. The movie was filmed in Jakarta with extensive stunt work and minimal CGI. It premiered at Toronto’s Midnight Madness and won the Audience Award in that section.

‘Victoria’ (2015)

Sebastian Schipper’s thriller was shot as a single continuous take across Berlin in the early morning hours. Laia Costa and Frederick Lau lead the cast with dialogue largely improvised in Spanish, German, and English. The crew rehearsed for months and executed the final take at 138 minutes. It earned a Silver Bear for outstanding artistic contribution at the Berlin Film Festival.

‘The Lobster’ (2015)

Yorgos Lanthimos directs a dystopian satire about singles sent to a hotel where they must pair off within a set period. Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz headline an ensemble that includes Olivia Colman and Ben Whishaw. The production shot in Ireland with a decommissioned hotel serving as the primary location. It won the Jury Prize at Cannes and was released in the United States by A24.

‘Swiss Army Man’ (2016)

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert make a surreal buddy adventure about a stranded man and a corpse with unusual abilities. Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe performed physically demanding scenes on practical sets and natural locations. Music by Manchester Orchestra members shapes the a cappella heavy score. It premiered at Sundance where the directors received the U S Dramatic Directing Award.

‘Raw’ (2016)

Julia Ducournau tells a coming of age story about a veterinary student who discovers disturbing cravings during hazing rituals. Garance Marillier stars with scenes filmed at a Belgian veterinary school and surrounding areas. The production used detailed prosthetics and controlled lighting to sell the procedures. It premiered at Cannes in Critics’ Week and won the FIPRESCI Prize.

‘Colossal’ (2016)

Nacho Vigalondo connects a personal crisis in small town America to a giant creature appearing in Seoul. Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis lead the cast with production based in Vancouver and South Korea. The film used motion capture and miniature elements to integrate the kaiju set pieces. It premiered at Toronto and was released by Neon.

‘Brawl in Cell Block 99’ (2017)

S. Craig Zahler directs a prison set crime film starring Vince Vaughn as a former boxer turned inmate. The production shot in New York state with practical makeup effects and sparse score. Cinematography favors long takes to emphasize physicality during fights. It premiered at Venice before a limited theatrical and digital rollout.

‘Prospect’ (2018)

Christopher Caldwell and Zeek Earl create a grounded outer space western about a father and daughter on a toxic moon. Sophie Thatcher and Pedro Pascal star with costumes and props fabricated by the filmmakers’ Seattle shop. The movie expanded from a short and used forestry locations in Washington to represent the alien world. Dust and helmet filtration visuals were achieved with in camera techniques and restrained VFX.

‘Under the Silver Lake’ (2018)

David Robert Mitchell follows a Los Angeles drifter who chases cryptic clues through the city’s subcultures. Andrew Garfield leads a cast that weaves through music venues, old Hollywood sites, and hidden maps. A24 acquired the film after its Cannes premiere and later shifted to a targeted release. The score by Disasterpeace underscores the mystery with noir influences.

‘The Villainess’ (2017)

Jung Byung gil directs a South Korean action film that opens with a long first person sequence engineered with complex stunt rigs. Kim Ok vin stars as an assassin navigating rival factions and government handlers. The production used Seoul locations and intricate choreography designed for wide shots. It premiered at Cannes in the Midnight Screenings section.

‘The Wailing’ (2016)

Na Hong jin’s rural thriller centers on a policeman investigating a string of strange deaths after a stranger arrives in town. Kwak Do won, Hwang Jung min, and Chun Woo hee lead the ensemble. The film shot in mountainous South Korean villages and blends procedural detail with folklore elements. It screened out of competition at Cannes and became a major domestic hit.

Tell us which wild 2010s movie you think everyone forgot and which one you’re rewatching next in the comments.