Underrated Netflix Movies You Should Stream Immediately

Netflix boasts a massive library that extends far beyond its trending top ten list and heavily marketed blockbusters. Many subscribers scroll past incredible films simply because the algorithm does not prioritize them or they lack mainstream star power. This collection highlights the hidden gems and critically acclaimed indie darlings that often fly under the radar. From tense psychological thrillers to heartwarming character dramas, these productions offer high-quality storytelling for those willing to dig a little deeper.

‘His House’ (2020)

A refugee couple from South Sudan seeks a fresh start in a crumbling English council estate after escaping their war-torn home. They soon discover that an unspeakable evil has followed them across the ocean and now lurks within the walls of their new residence. The film masterfully blends supernatural horror with the very real trauma of displacement and survivor guilt. Director Remi Weekes uses atmospheric tension to create a haunting experience that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll.

‘Calibre’ (2018)

Two lifelong friends head to a remote village in the Scottish Highlands for a weekend hunting trip that goes terribly wrong. A tragic accident forces them to make a series of desperate decisions as they try to cover up their involvement. The tension escalates rapidly when the local community begins to suspect that the visitors are hiding something dark. This taut thriller delivers a suffocating sense of dread and explores the fragility of morality under pressure.

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

A depressed nursing assistant finds a new sense of purpose after her home is burglarized and the police fail to help her. She teams up with her eccentric martial-arts-enthusiast neighbor to track down the thieves and retrieve her stolen grandmother’s silverware. Their amateur investigation quickly spirals out of control as they encounter a dangerous criminal underworld. The film balances dark comedy with crime elements to tell a story about finding empowerment in a chaotic world.

‘The Ritual’ (2017)

Four friends embark on a hiking trip through the Scandinavian wilderness to honor their deceased friend. They decide to take a shortcut through an ancient forest and soon realize they are being stalked by a menacing presence. Paranoia and past grievances surface as the group fractures under the strain of being hunted by something they cannot explain. The creature design and atmospheric cinematography make this a standout entry in the folk horror genre.

‘Shimmer Lake’ (2017)

This crime thriller unfolds in reverse time to reveal how a local sheriff chases three suspects through a bank heist gone wrong. The narrative structure peels back layers of the mystery one day at a time to expose the motivations of every character involved. Viewers must piece together the clues as the timeline moves backward from the aftermath to the planning stages. The unique storytelling format adds a compelling twist to the standard small-town crime drama.

‘Wheelman’ (2017)

A getaway driver finds himself in a life-threatening situation when a bank robbery goes sideways and he receives conflicting orders from unknown handlers. He must rely on his driving skills and wits to figure out who betrayed him while protecting his teenage daughter. The camera stays almost exclusively inside or attached to the car to create a claustrophobic and immersive experience. Frank Grillo delivers an intense performance in this high-octane action thriller.

‘Paddleton’ (2019)

Two misfit neighbors form an unlikely emotional bond after the younger man is diagnosed with terminal cancer. They embark on a road trip to retrieve medication that will allow him to end his life on his own terms. The film relies heavily on the chemistry between the leads and their improvised dialogue to create a raw and authentic portrait of male friendship. It balances moments of dry humor with heartbreaking reality to explore themes of mortality and companionship.

‘Win It All’ (2017)

A gambling addict agrees to watch a duffel bag for an acquaintance heading to prison and discovers it is filled with cash. He cannot resist the temptation to dip into the funds and quickly loses a significant portion of the money. He must then scramble to win it back before the owner is released and comes looking for the bag. The movie offers a sympathetic look at addiction and redemption without losing its comedic edge.

‘Tramps’ (2016)

Two strangers are thrown together when a shady bag exchange goes wrong and they must retrieve the lost package. They travel across the suburbs of New York City on a frantic quest that slowly turns into a tentative romance. The film captures the awkwardness and excitement of young love against the backdrop of a low-stakes crime caper. It is a charming and understated adventure that highlights the chemistry between its rising stars.

‘Apostle’ (2018)

A man travels to a remote island in 1905 to rescue his sister from a mysterious religious cult that is holding her for ransom. He infiltrates the community and uncovers the gruesome truth behind their harvest rituals and the entity they worship. The story descends into visceral horror as the protagonist fights to survive the island’s fanatical inhabitants. Director Gareth Evans brings his signature intensity and visual flair to this period horror piece.

‘Cam’ (2018)

An ambitious camgirl discovers that someone who looks exactly like her has hijacked her account and is performing broadcasts without her control. She struggles to reclaim her online identity while navigating the bizarre rules of the streaming platform. The film serves as a modern techno-thriller that examines the blurred lines between digital personas and reality. It offers a empathetic look at sex work while building a mystery that is both surreal and terrifying.

‘1922’ (2017)

A proud farmer conspires to murder his wife when she threatens to sell their land and move to the city. He coerces his teenage son into helping him commit the crime but soon finds himself haunted by guilt and a relentless curse. The adaptation of the Stephen King novella is a grim character study of a man consumed by his own pride and paranoia. Thomas Jane gives a transformative performance in this slow-burn gothic horror.

‘Gerald’s Game’ (2017)

A woman is left handcuffed to a bed in a remote lake house after her husband dies unexpectedly during a romantic getaway. She must battle dehydration and hallucinations while uncovering buried trauma from her past to survive. The narrative takes place largely within the confines of a single room but manages to be gripping and psychologically expansive. Carla Gugino delivers a powerhouse performance in this tense survival thriller.

‘The Kindergarten Teacher’ (2018)

A dedicated teacher becomes obsessed with a five-year-old student whom she believes is a child prodigy poet. Her attempts to nurture his talent cross professional and ethical boundaries as she grows increasingly desperate to protect his gift. The film explores the fine line between mentorship and exploitation in a world that often undervalues art. Maggie Gyllenhaal anchors the movie with a complex portrayal of a woman unraveling.

‘Private Life’ (2018)

A middle-aged couple navigates the emotional and financial exhaustion of fertility treatments and adoption in New York City. Their relationship is tested as they try various methods to start a family while maintaining their careers and sanity. The script treats the subject matter with honesty and humor to capture the specific pain of infertility. It is a deeply human drama that avoids melodrama in favor of authentic character dynamics.

‘Tallulah’ (2016)

A homeless young woman impulsively rescues a toddler from a negligent mother and pretends the child is her own. She seeks refuge with the mother of her ex-boyfriend and forms a fragile family unit based on a lie. The film examines the complexities of motherhood and the judgments society places on women who struggle with it. Elliot Page and Allison Janney deliver compelling performances that elevate the emotional stakes.

‘Imperial Dreams’ (2014)

A young father returns to his neighborhood in Watts after being released from prison and tries to build a better life for his son. He faces immense pressure from his former life and a system that seems designed to ensure his failure. The film highlights the difficulties of recidivism and the power of familial love in the face of systemic obstacles. John Boyega shines in this poignant drama about resilience and hope.

‘ARQ’ (2016)

An engineer and his ex-girlfriend are trapped in a time loop while protecting a new energy source from masked intruders. They must relive the same home invasion repeatedly to figure out how to defeat their attackers and escape the cycle. The plot twists and turns as characters reveal secret agendas with each reset of the timeline. This contained sci-fi thriller makes excellent use of its limited setting and budget.

‘Spectral’ (2016)

A DARPA scientist flies to a war-torn European city to investigate mysterious spectral anomalies that are killing soldiers instantly. He teams up with a special ops unit to develop weapons capable of fighting the invisible enemy. The film blends military action with science fiction concepts to create a unique combat experience. It features high production values and intense set pieces that rival theatrical releases.

‘Rebirth’ (2016)

A suburban father decides to surprise an old college friend by attending a weekend self-help retreat. He quickly realizes that the program is a psychological gauntlet designed to break down participants through manipulation and seduction. The story spirals into a nightmare of paranoia as he tries to escape the clutches of the organization. The film serves as a satirical and thrilling critique of cult mentality and the wellness industry.

‘Hold the Dark’ (2018)

A naturalist is summoned to a remote Alaskan village to hunt wolves that have allegedly taken three children. He soon finds himself caught in a harrowing mystery involving a grieving mother and her husband who returns from war seeking vengeance. The bleak landscape serves as a backdrop for a story about primal violence and human nature. It is a visually stunning and relentlessly grim thriller for those with a strong stomach.

‘High Flying Bird’ (2019)

A sports agent pitches a controversial business opportunity to a rookie basketball player during a pro league lockout. He attempts to disrupt the established power dynamic between the owners and the athletes in a high-stakes corporate game. Director Steven Soderbergh shot the entire film on an iPhone to give it a sense of immediacy and intimacy. The dialogue is sharp and the pacing moves as fast as the industry it depicts.

‘Tigertail’ (2020)

A Taiwanese factory worker leaves his homeland and the woman he loves to seek a better opportunity in America. Decades later he reflects on his choices and attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter. The narrative spans generations to explore the sacrifices made by immigrants and the lingering regret of lost love. It is a beautifully shot meditation on memory and the cost of the American Dream.

‘The Half of It’ (2020)

A shy straight-A student helps the school jock write love letters to the girl they both secretly admire. As they collaborate on the letters they develop a deep and unexpected friendship that challenges their understanding of love. The film puts a modern queer spin on the classic Cyrano de Bergerac story. It is a thoughtful coming-of-age tale that prioritizes emotional connection over romantic tropes.

‘Cargo’ (2017)

A father stranded in the Australian outback during a zombie pandemic has 48 hours to find a guardian for his infant daughter before he turns. He traverses the harsh landscape and encounters various survivors who help or hinder his mission. The film focuses on the emotional weight of parental sacrifice rather than typical horror action. Martin Freeman delivers a touching performance in this unique take on the zombie genre.

‘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 that seems to breathe with its own dark history. She begins to suspect that the protagonist of the author’s most famous book is actually present in the house. The film relies on poetic voiceovers and static shots to build a creeping sense of unease. It is an atmospheric ghost story that functions more like a visual poem than a traditional narrative.

‘The Perfection’ (2018)

A troubled musical prodigy seeks out the new star student of her former school and the two embark on a sinister journey together. The plot takes several shocking turns that recontextualize the events that came before. Viewers are kept off balance by a narrative that shifts genres from drama to body horror to revenge thriller. It is a campy and audacious film that revels in its own madness.

‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ (2019)

A supernatural force enacts revenge on those who allow their greed to get in the way of art in the high-end gallery scene of Los Angeles. Paintings by a deceased unknown artist begin to kill the critics and collectors who try to profit from them. The film functions as a satire of the art world mixed with slasher movie elements. The ensemble cast brings energy to this bizarre and colorful horror comedy.

‘Fractured’ (2019)

A man rushes his wife and injured daughter to the emergency room but falls asleep in the waiting area while they go for a scan. When he wakes up the hospital staff claims they have no record of his family ever checking in. He fights to prove his sanity and uncover what he believes is a hospital-wide conspiracy. The psychological thriller keeps the audience guessing about what is real until the final moments.

‘In the Shadow of the Moon’ (2019)

A Philadelphia police officer becomes obsessed with tracking down a serial killer who resurfaces every nine years. His investigation spans decades and costs him his career and family as he tries to solve the impossible timeline of the crimes. The film blends police procedural elements with sci-fi concepts to tell a sprawling story of obsession. It offers a fresh take on the time-travel genre with a strong emotional core.

‘Oxygen’ (2021)

A woman wakes up in a cryogenic chamber with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She must interact with the unit’s artificial intelligence to piece together her identity before her air supply runs out. The film is a claustrophobic race against time that relies entirely on the performance of Mélanie Laurent. It manages to maintain high tension despite being set almost entirely in a box.

‘The Discovery’ (2017)

A scientist proves the existence of an afterlife which causes a global wave of suicides as people rush to reset their existence. His son travels to his father’s compound and falls in love with a woman who has a tragic past. The film explores profound questions about regret and the meaning of life in a world where death is no longer the end. It is a somber sci-fi romance with a philosophical edge.

‘Kodachrome’ (2017)

A dying photographer convinces his estranged son to drive him across the country to the last lab that develops Kodachrome film. They hit the road with the photographer’s nurse and attempt to mend their broken relationship before time runs out. The movie is a nostalgic road trip drama featuring strong performances from Ed Harris and Jason Sudeikis. It serves as a tribute to the analog era and the complications of family.

‘Lost Bullet’ (2020)

A genius mechanic with a criminal past is recruited by the police to upgrade their fleet of pursuit vehicles. He is forced to go on the run in a modified car to clear his name when he is framed for murder by corrupt cops. The film features practical stunts and intense car chases that rival major Hollywood franchises. It is a gritty French action movie that delivers pure adrenaline without CGI enhancement.

‘The Call’ (2020)

Two women living in the same house but twenty years apart are able to communicate through an old cordless phone. They attempt to change their respective fates by sharing information across time but the consequences turn deadly. The Korean thriller escalates from a mystery into a violent game of cat and mouse. Jeon Jong-seo gives a terrifying performance as the antagonist in this twisty narrative.

‘Space Sweepers’ (2021)

A crew of misfits on a space debris collector ship discovers a humanoid robot that is actually a weapon of mass destruction. They plan to sell the robot for a massive ransom but end up getting involved in a conspiracy that threatens Earth. The film is a vibrant space opera with impressive visual effects and a heartwarming found-family dynamic. It was a massive hit in Korea and offers a fresh perspective on the sci-fi genre.

‘Night in Paradise’ (2020)

A mobster hides out on Jeju Island after a tragedy and meets a terminally ill woman who has her own demons. They form a quiet connection while the violent world they tried to escape closes in on them. The film juxtaposes the beautiful island scenery with brutal outbursts of gang violence. It is a melancholic noir that drifts towards an inevitable and bloody conclusion.

‘Forgotten’ (2017)

A young man welcomes his brother home after a kidnapping but begins to suspect that the man who returned is an impostor. He uncovers a complex web of lies as he tries to find out what really happened during those missing nineteen days. The plot twists are frequent and shocking in this psychological mystery. It is a tense ride that demands the viewer’s full attention to untangle the truth.

‘Psychokinesis’ (2018)

A bumbling security guard drinks water from a meteor site and gains telekinetic powers which he uses to help his estranged daughter. He tries to save her small business from a corrupt construction company and violent mobsters. The film is a grounded superhero story that focuses on social issues and father-daughter relationships. It comes from the director of ‘Train to Busan’ and offers a unique mix of comedy and action.

‘Passing’ (2021)

Two childhood friends reunite in 1920s New York and discover they are on opposite sides of the color line. One woman lives as a Black woman in Harlem while the other passes as white and is married to a racist man. The black-and-white cinematography emphasizes the themes of identity and the fluidity of race. Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut is a subtle and tense examination of societal expectations.

‘The Dig’ (2021)

A wealthy widow hires an amateur archaeologist to excavate the burial mounds on her estate on the eve of World War II. They make a historic discovery that echoes through the ages while the world prepares for conflict. The film is a quiet and contemplative drama about the legacy we leave behind. Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes deliver understated performances in this beautifully photographed period piece.

‘Operation Mincemeat’ (2021)

Two British intelligence officers hatch a bizarre plan to trick the Nazis into thinking the Allies will invade Greece instead of Sicily. They use a corpse carrying fake documents to plant the disinformation in a plot that seems too strange to be true. The film details the meticulous planning and odd humor involved in one of history’s greatest deceptions. It is a sophisticated war drama that focuses on the battle of wits rather than bullets.

‘Munich – The Edge of War’ (2021)

Two former Oxford friends find themselves on opposing sides of the negotiating table at the Munich Conference in 1938. One is a British civil servant and the other is a German diplomat plotting to reveal Hitler’s true intentions to the world. The film blends historical fact with fiction to create a tense spy thriller set against the backdrop of looming war. It offers a sympathetic portrayal of Neville Chamberlain and the desperate attempts to preserve peace.

‘Against the Ice’ (2022)

Two explorers are left behind in Greenland to recover maps that prove the island is one landmass and not separated by a channel. They must survive extreme cold and starvation while waiting for a rescue that might never come. The film is based on a true story of survival and the mental toll of isolation. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau stars in and co-wrote this gritty tale of endurance.

‘The Stranger’ (2022)

An undercover police officer forms a close friendship with a murder suspect in an elaborate sting operation designed to elicit a confession. The psychological toll of maintaining the deception weighs heavily on the officer as the bond between the two men deepens. The film is based on a real Australian crime investigation and avoids sensationalism for a dark and moody atmosphere. Joel Edgerton and Sean Harris give riveting performances in this slow-burning crime drama.

Share your favorite hidden Netflix gem from this list or your own discoveries in the comments.