7 Overlooked Movies From The 2010s That Are Almost Perfect

by

The 2010s produced a lot of fantastic films, and many—like La La Land, The Shape of Water, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Hereditary, The Social Network, Drive, and The Wolf of Wall Street—quickly became modern classics. While films like Nightcrawler and Prisoners (which showcased a strong performance by Paul Dano) were well-received and commercially successful, they haven’t quite reached that classic status. However, there are seven other movies from the decade that deserve even more recognition.

These films didn’t receive the awards recognition they deserved, and haven’t gained a much wider audience over time, despite being worthy of both.

7) Killer Joe

William Friedkin, a recently passed and highly influential director, consistently challenged audiences. Whether through the raw depiction of life in The French Connection, the shocking imagery of The Exorcist, the exploration of taboo subjects in Cruising, or the unexpected fate of his characters in To Live and Die in L.A., he had a knack for creating tension and making viewers feel uneasy – and he did it masterfully.

His last movie, Killer Joe, based on a play by Tracy Letts (who also wrote the film’s script), continues his trend of compelling storytelling. This dark, Southern-set crime drama centers on small-time criminals who find themselves in a dangerous situation with a ruthless man – Joe, played by Matthew McConaughey, who fully embodies his chilling nickname. Between 2011 and 2014, McConaughey experienced a career resurgence, and while most of his nine films from that period were well-received, Killer Joe and Bernie didn’t get the recognition they deserved.

Stream Killer Joe on Prime Video.

6) The Final Girls

Though primarily a comedy, The Final Girls is clearly made by fans of classic slasher films. Even more impressively, it expertly uses and subverts the typical elements of the genre, making it a surprisingly clever, fun, and genuinely touching movie within the slasher world.

What makes The Final Girls truly special is its emotional depth. Ultimately, it’s a story about dealing with loss and the possibility of finding peace, though surviving a terrifying, violent attack is part of the journey.

Stream The Final Girls on Prime Video.

5) Under the Skin

I really loved Under the Skin when it came out, and I’m surprised it’s not talked about more now. It feels weird that a film starring Scarlett Johansson – who’s a huge star and a fantastic actress – isn’t considered one of her best performances, because I honestly think it is! It’s a really special movie.

Johansson spends most of the film without speaking, and because her character is an alien pretending to be human, her facial expressions are also limited. Despite these restrictions, she captivatingly carries the simple story forward.

Stream Under the Skin for free on Kanopy.

4) The Killing of a Sacred Deer

Despite being a lesser-known film, this indie thriller-horror holds its own against the more celebrated work of Yorgos Lanthimos. It’s as strong as films like The Lobster and Poor Things, and even surpasses Kinds of Kindness in quality.

The film was both financially successful and well-received by critics. However, its intense and twist-filled revenge plot deserved more recognition as one of the year’s best. Though Emma Stone has become a frequent collaborator with the director, his working relationship with Colin Farrell is equally strong, and this is arguably one of Farrell’s strongest performances to date.

Stream The Killing of a Sacred Deer on HBO Max.

3) Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Okay, so everyone loved Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, but if you ask me, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is where Taika Waititi really shines. It came out in 2016 and honestly, it’s still a bit of a hidden gem. What I love about it – and what he does so well in his other movies too – is that it’s hilarious and genuinely touching. He just balances that perfectly, you know?

The three main actors deserve a lot of praise – they clearly understood and connected with Waititi’s vision. It’s no coincidence that Rachel House and Sam Neill appeared in Ragnarok the following year. However, Julian Dennison truly shines; he went on to star in major films like Deadpool 2, Godzilla vs. Kong, and How to Train Your Dragon.

Stream Hunt for the Wilderpeople on fuboTV.

2) The Death of Stalin

Armando Iannucci is a brilliant comedic writer. Though shows like Avenue 5 and The Franchise (which he helped produce) weren’t huge hits, his work on Veep, I’m Alan Partridge, and In the Loop clearly demonstrates his talent.

Don’t forget to include The Death of Stalin – it’s a hilariously sharp and insightful film about the chaotic scramble for control after Joseph Stalin’s death. The acting is fantastic, particularly from Simon Russell Beale, Rupert Friend, and Steve Buscemi. Everyone involved delivers Armando Iannucci’s witty dialogue perfectly, making you question how much of this absurd power struggle actually happened.

Stream The Death of Stalin on Hulu.

1) Shame

Despite directing only five movies, Steve McQueen is widely considered one of the most emotionally impactful directors working today. While 12 Years a Slave earned significant awards recognition, his earlier films, Hunger and Shame, are arguably his most powerful and unforgettable.

Similar to 12 Years a Slave, the film Shame is deeply disturbing and leaves a lasting impact on viewers. It explores the destructive nature of sex addiction, forcing audiences to confront the inner turmoil of someone overwhelmed by their impulses. Many consider it the best film of 2011, and it remains surprising that it didn’t receive any Academy Award nominations, especially considering that films like Hugo, War Horse, The Help, and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close were all nominated for Best Picture.

Stream Shame on HBO Max.

https://comicbook.com/movies/list/5-underrated-2000s-superhero-movies-nobody-talks-about/embed/#

Read More

2025-12-13 03:42