Most Underrated Movies You Should Watch on Netflix Right Now

If you want great films that flew under the radar, Netflix has a deep bench of originals that deliver strong stories, bold ideas, and memorable performances. The picks below span thrillers, horror, sci-fi, and grounded drama, with details on who made them and why they stand out so you can jump in with confidence. Each one is available as a Netflix release and easy to find the moment you open the app. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose what to watch tonight.

‘Calibre’ (2018)

This tense Scottish thriller follows two friends on a hunting trip that spirals into a cover-up in the Highlands. Matt Palmer wrote and directed, and the cast is led by Jack Lowden and Martin McCann. It won the Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Distribution was handled by Netflix as a UK original film.

‘The Night Comes for Us’ (2018)

This Indonesian action film centers on a triad enforcer who turns on his bosses to protect a young girl. Timo Tjahjanto directs with kinetic fight choreography featuring Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais. The film is known for elaborate set pieces and practical effects work. Netflix acquired and distributed it worldwide.

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

After a home burglary, a nursing assistant teams up with a quirky neighbor to track down the thieves. Macon Blair wrote and directed, with Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood starring. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Netflix released and distributed the film following its festival debut.

‘His House’ (2020)

A refugee couple from South Sudan tries to settle into a British town while confronting a sinister presence in their new home. Remi Weekes directs, with standout performances from Wunmi Mosaku and Sope Dirisu. The story weaves trauma and folklore into a tightly constructed horror narrative. Netflix served as the distributor for its global release.

‘1922’ (2017)

Based on a Stephen King novella, this slow-burn thriller follows a farmer who confesses to murdering his wife and faces grim consequences. Zak Hilditch directs, and Thomas Jane leads the cast with Molly Parker in support. The film leans into period detail and atmospheric Midwestern settings. Netflix produced and distributed the adaptation.

‘Cam’ (2018)

A camgirl discovers a duplicate of herself has taken over her channel and identity. Daniel Goldhaber directs from a screenplay by Isa Mazzei, drawing on insider knowledge of online creator spaces. The film blends techno-thriller elements with psychological tension. Netflix handled distribution as an original feature.

‘Beasts of No Nation’ (2015)

A young boy is forced to become a child soldier under a charismatic commander in a civil war. Cary Joji Fukunaga directs and serves as cinematographer, with Idris Elba and Abraham Attah delivering acclaimed performances. The film garnered multiple awards attention and helped reshape streaming-era releases. Netflix distributed it as one of its early prestige originals.

‘Apostle’ (2018)

A man infiltrates a remote island cult to rescue his sister from a mysterious leader. Gareth Evans directs, expanding from action into folk horror, with Dan Stevens and Michael Sheen headlining. The production features detailed period design and practical effects. Netflix released and distributed the film globally.

‘Wheelman’ (2017)

A getaway driver must navigate a double-cross while stuck behind the wheel and fielding cryptic phone calls. Jeremy Rush directs, with Frank Grillo in a tight, performance-driven role. The story unfolds largely from inside the car for a contained, real-time feel. Netflix acted as the distributor for the release.

‘Shimmer Lake’ (2017)

Told in reverse, this crime story follows a small-town sheriff investigating a bank heist involving people he knows. Oren Uziel wrote and directed, and the ensemble includes Benjamin Walker, Rainn Wilson, and Wyatt Russell. The nonlinear structure pieces together clues one day at a time. Netflix distributed the film as an original.

‘Cargo’ (2017)

Amid a viral outbreak, a father in the Australian outback searches for a safe home for his infant daughter. Yolanda Ramke and Ben Howling co-direct, expanding their short into a feature starring Martin Freeman. The film emphasizes survival drama and Indigenous Australian perspectives. Netflix released and distributed it internationally.

‘Hold the Dark’ (2018)

A wolf expert travels to remote Alaska to investigate a child’s disappearance and uncovers violent secrets. Jeremy Saulnier directs from a screenplay by Macon Blair, adapting William Giraldi’s novel. The cast includes Jeffrey Wright, Riley Keough, and Alexander Skarsgård. Netflix handled worldwide distribution.

‘The Platform’ (2019)

In a vertical prison, food descends level by level, forcing inmates to confront scarcity and hierarchy. Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia directs, with Iván Massagué leading the cast, and the production uses stark single-set design to striking effect. The concept originated in Spain and became an international conversation piece. Netflix acquired global distribution rights outside its original territory.

‘The Perfection’ (2018)

Two elite cellists cross paths and set off a chain of unsettling events tied to their conservatory. Richard Shepard directs, and Allison Williams and Logan Browning star. The film uses sharp turns and precise music-world details to build tension. Netflix released and distributed it as an original.

‘I Am Mother’ (2019)

A teenage girl raised by a robot inside an underground facility faces new truths when a stranger arrives. Grant Sputore directs, with Clara Rugaard, Rose Byrne, and Hilary Swank in key roles. The film features notable practical and visual effects, including a full robot suit created by Weta Workshop. Netflix distributed the film in many international markets as a branded original.

‘The Ritual’ (2017)

A hiking trip in Sweden turns into a nightmare for four friends who take a shortcut through dense forest. David Bruckner directs from Adam Nevill’s novel, and the film features creature design rooted in Scandinavian folklore. Principal photography took place in Romania to replicate the remote setting. Netflix acquired distribution rights and released it as a branded original in most regions.

‘ARQ’ (2016)

A trapped engineer relives the same home invasion during a time loop created by an experimental device. Tony Elliott wrote and directed, expanding high concept sci-fi within a contained single-location setup. Robbie Amell and Rachael Taylor lead the cast, with practical production design emphasizing the machine’s mechanics. Netflix handled worldwide distribution as an original feature.

‘Spectral’ (2016)

A special ops team joins a DARPA scientist to identify lethal apparitions haunting a war-torn city. Nic Mathieu directs a military sci-fi story with effects work from Weta Workshop and Weta Digital. The film uses real Eastern European locations and weapon props designed for plausibility. Netflix acquired and distributed the film globally after its initial studio plans shifted.

‘Gerald’s Game’ (2017)

A weekend getaway turns dire when a woman is left handcuffed to a bed in an isolated lake house. Mike Flanagan adapts Stephen King’s novel with a focus on memory and survival. Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood anchor the chamber piece with minimal locations and practical effects. Netflix released and distributed the film following its festival premiere.

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

A live-in nurse cares for a retired horror author in a creaking New England home filled with secrets. Oz Perkins crafts a slow-burn ghost story built around sound design and period furnishings. Ruth Wilson leads the cast with Paula Prentiss and Lucy Boynton in key roles. Netflix distributed the film as part of its early slate of original horror.

‘Extinction’ (2018)

A father plagued by apocalyptic visions faces an invasion that tests his family’s safety and identity. Ben Young directs with Michael Peña and Lizzy Caplan starring, and the story pivots on a mid-film reveal. Production combined practical sets with digital environments for urban warfare sequences. Netflix acquired global distribution and released it as an original.

‘The Discovery’ (2017)

A scientist proves the existence of an afterlife, triggering worldwide consequences and a rash of life-changing decisions. Charlie McDowell directs with Robert Redford, Rooney Mara, and Jason Segel. The film blends speculative science with grounded character work across coastal locations. Netflix financed and distributed the release internationally.

‘Mute’ (2018)

A silent bartender searches Berlin’s criminal underworld for his missing partner. Duncan Jones directs a near-future noir connected loosely to the world of ‘Moon’. The production emphasizes practical sets, analog tech, and neon-lit streets to build its setting. Netflix handled worldwide distribution as an original film.

‘The Titan’ (2018)

A military experiment attempts to adapt a pilot’s body for life on Saturn’s moon Titan. Lennart Ruff directs with Sam Worthington, Taylor Schilling, and Tom Wilkinson. The story uses prosthetics and makeup effects to chart the physical transformation. Netflix acquired distribution in key territories and released it as a streaming original.

‘A Sun’ (2019)

A Taiwanese family confronts fallout after their younger son is sent to a juvenile center. Chung Mong-hong directs, serving as cinematographer under the name Nagao Nakashima. The film won multiple Golden Horse Awards and gained international attention during awards season. Netflix licensed and distributed the global streaming release outside its original market.

‘The Siege of Jadotville’ (2016)

Irish UN peacekeepers face a tense standoff against overwhelming forces in the Congo in 1961. Richie Smyth directs, adapting Declan Power’s nonfiction account with Jamie Dornan in the lead. The production uses on-location shooting and military advisement for combat realism. Netflix financed and distributed the film as an original.

‘Fractured’ (2019)

After an accident at a rest stop, a father takes his injured daughter to a hospital where records and staff contradict his memory. Brad Anderson directs a psychological thriller anchored by Sam Worthington. The narrative uses layered point-of-view shots and institutional spaces to escalate doubt. Netflix released and distributed the film worldwide.

‘The Decline’ (2020)

A survival training camp in rural Quebec unravels after a fatal accident exposes divisions among participants. Patrice Laliberté directs with a focus on practical wilderness skills and improvised tactics. The production uses cold-weather location work to support its realism. Netflix produced and distributed the film as its first Quebecois original feature.

‘Time to Hunt’ (2020)

Four friends plan a heist to escape a bleak near-future economy and draw the attention of a relentless pursuer. Yoon Sung-hyun directs a Korean thriller featuring extended urban chase sequences. The film highlights modified weapons and industrial backdrops to establish tone. Netflix acquired global distribution and premiered it worldwide.

‘A Classic Horror Story’ (2021)

Travelers on a rideshare detour into a remote forest and encounter ritualistic dangers. Roberto De Feo and Paolo Strippoli direct an Italian feature that blends folk motifs with modern road-movie elements. Production design leans on handcrafted masks, wood structures, and practical night lighting. Netflix released and distributed the film as a worldwide original.

‘Earthquake Bird’ (2019)

An expat translator in Tokyo becomes entangled in a missing person case that exposes a knot of jealousy and memory. Wash Westmoreland directs, adapting Susanna Jones’ novel with Alicia Vikander, Riley Keough, and Naoki Kobayashi. The production leans on on-location shooting across Japanese neighborhoods and coastal vistas. Netflix handled global distribution for its streaming release.

‘Tramps’ (2016)

After a briefcase handoff goes wrong, two strangers spend a long day and night navigating New York to fix the job. Adam Leon directs a street-level caper with Grace Van Patten and Callum Turner. The film favors natural light, quick setups, and neighborhood textures over big set pieces. Netflix acquired and distributed the film worldwide.

‘Kodachrome’ (2017)

A music executive joins his estranged father on a road trip to develop a final batch of film at the last lab still processing it. Mark Raso directs, with performances from Jason Sudeikis, Ed Harris, and Elizabeth Olsen. The story uses real highway locations and period photo gear to ground its premise. Netflix released and distributed the film following its festival pickup.

‘Tallulah’ (2016)

A drifter impulsively takes a neglected child and seeks help from her ex’s mother while authorities close in. Sian Heder writes and directs, led by Elliot Page and Allison Janney. The film balances intimate interiors with New York street work to keep the tension personal. Netflix financed and distributed the feature as an original.

‘The Fundamentals of Caring’ (2016)

A newly hired caregiver and his sarcastic teenage client take a spontaneous road trip that becomes unexpectedly restorative. Rob Burnett adapts Jonathan Evison’s novel with Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, and Selena Gomez. Production favors small-town diners and roadside attractions to keep the focus on character. Netflix served as the distributor and premiered it after a festival bow.

‘First They Killed My Father’ (2017)

A Cambodian author’s childhood account of surviving the Khmer Rouge is portrayed from a ground-level perspective. Angelina Jolie directs with local casting and extensive Khmer-language dialogue. The crew partnered with regional organizations for historical accuracy and training. Netflix produced and distributed the film globally.

‘Sand Castle’ (2017)

A young soldier and his unit are tasked with repairing a village’s water system during an occupation, drawing them into local tensions. Fernando Coimbra directs, with Nicholas Hoult and Henry Cavill among the ensemble. The production uses desert locations and practical vehicles to stage patrols and convoy scenes. Netflix financed and distributed the release.

‘Outlaw King’ (2018)

The story follows Robert the Bruce as he regroups a rebel force through guerrilla tactics and risky alliances. David Mackenzie directs, with Chris Pine and Florence Pugh in key roles. Large-scale battle scenes were mounted with horses, armor builds, and on-location castles across Scotland. Netflix handled worldwide distribution and released multiple edit refinements after festival feedback.

‘The Highwaymen’ (2019)

Two former Texas lawmen come out of retirement to track notorious criminals using patient surveillance and backroad know-how. John Lee Hancock directs, anchored by Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson. Period vehicles, road maps, and analog gear shape the film’s investigative approach. Netflix produced and distributed the feature for streaming audiences.

‘Private Life’ (2018)

A couple pursues fertility treatments while trying to maintain their creative lives and marriage. Tamara Jenkins writes and directs with Kathryn Hahn, Paul Giamatti, and Kayli Carter. The production emphasizes lived-in apartments, clinic spaces, and publishing circles to ground the story. Netflix released and distributed the film with a focus on awards-season visibility.

‘The Call’ (2020)

A cross-line phone connection lets two women communicate across time, altering events with escalating consequences. Lee Chung-hyun directs a Korean thriller starring Park Shin-hye and Jeon Jong-seo. Practical set redressing tracks timeline changes inside the same house as choices ripple outward. Netflix acquired and distributed the international streaming release.

‘Forgotten’ (2017)

After his brother returns from a kidnapping acting strangely, a student digs into gaps in his family’s story. Jang Hang-jun directs a Korean mystery that pivots through multiple revelations and shifting loyalties. Production design uses identical spaces and mirrored compositions to seed clues. Netflix licensed and distributed the film for global streaming outside its home territory.

‘Revenger’ (2018)

A former detective infiltrates a prison island to confront the criminal who destroyed his family. Lee Seung-won directs with Bruce Khan choreographing extended hand-to-hand fights. The film relies on wide-angle coverage and long takes to showcase stunt work on rugged beaches and cliffs. Netflix acquired worldwide distribution rights for streaming.

‘Clinical’ (2017)

A psychiatrist coping with her own trauma treats a patient whose past may be more dangerous than he lets on. Alistair Legrand directs a contained thriller built around therapy sessions and night terrors. Sound design and makeup effects drive key set pieces over large-scale action. Netflix served as the distributor as part of its genre slate.

‘Mercy’ (2016)

Siblings gather at a remote house to decide on care for their ailing mother and collide with intruders from a parallel dispute. Chris Sparling writes and directs with a structure that replays events from different perspectives. The film uses a limited location and precise blocking to reframe earlier scenes. Netflix released and distributed the title as an original thriller.

Share your own underrated Netflix gems in the comments so everyone can find their next great watch.