36 Underrated Movies You Probably Haven't Seen (But Should)
So many movies, so little time, amirite? Even the biggest film nerds fight an uphill battle just sifting through the Criterion Collection. And this is a bummer because the nature of the industry makes it so that while some films skyrocket to blockbuster or instant classics, others (aka these underrated movies) flare and then fizzle out, thanks to low box offices, overshadowing big releases or just this thing called time. So, I curated my own little underrated movie collection, one made of hidden gems that have been overlooked by the general public and/or the critics or simply forgotten.
Here's the method to my madness: I polled both my cinephile and laymen friends as well as fellow editors, taking into account various genres and ratings. I foraged my memory for movies I've seen, loved but have found that most other people in my life have never heard of. I ranked the roster based on two primary criteria: Rotten Tomatoes scores and recognizability. Was this film popular with a low Rotten Tomatoes score or is it unheard of with near perfect reception? However you slice it, here are 36 underrated movies that deserve a watch.
15 Underrated Denzel Washington Movies to Watch Right Now
Lesser-Known but Highly Acclaimed
1. Rachel Getting Married (2007)
Cast/Who's in it: Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Debra Winger, Bill Irwin, Mather Zickel
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Recognizability: acclaimed but not widely known
As far as family dramas go Rachel Getting Married, is right up there with the best of them, replete with fraught relationships, blistering subtext and painfully beautiful moments—I promise you will never load a dishwasher without tearing up again. This was the first time I saw Anne Hathaway really stretch outside of her on-the-up-and-up heroine roles, and wither, instead, into the histrionic, unpredictable younger sister who returns from rehab to her childhood home for her sister's wedding. While Hathaway was nominated for an Oscar for the role, Rosemarie DeWitt as the cynical older sister and Debra Winger as their estranged, cold mother are most definitely underrated performances.
2. Lost in America (1985)
Cast/Who's in it: Albert Brooks, Julie Hagerty, Sylvia Farrel, Tina Kincaid, Jim Bland
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Recognizability: acclaimed classic comedy
After watching the Albert Brooks: Defending My Life documentary, I realized just how underrated Albert Brooks is as a subversive, American comedian—and not just an anxiety-ridden (but lovable!) nudnik a la Finding Nemo or The Muse. It got my husband and I into more Albert Brooks movies, including Lost in America, which just felt so ahead of its time as a smart, hilarious critique of the "American Dream." The gist of the film is this: after losing out on a promotion at work, David (Brooks) and Linda (Hagerty) sell everything they own to take their life on the road. The problems start almost immediately when it turns out a quick stopover in Vegas reveals Linda's gambling problem. Hilarity ensures.
3. The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Cast/Who's in it: Shia LaBeouf, Zack Gottsagen, Dakota Johnson, John Hawkes, Bruce Dern
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Recognizability: acclaimed indie, but not widely known
We love an unlikely friendship story, and Peanut Butter Falcon is that, and more. But have you heard of it? Probably not. Hence why it's on the underrated list. When a young man with Down syndrome escapes his home to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler, he meets a troubled fisherman and the duo winds up journeying through the South. Uplifting and inclusive, Zack Gottsagen also gives an exceptional performance.
4. Paper Moon (1973)
Cast/Who's in it: Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal, Madeline Kahn, John Hillerman, P.J. Johnson
Rating: PG
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Recognizability: acclaimed classic
Set during the 1930s Great Depression, Paper Moon follows con artist (Ryan O'Neal) and his possible daughter (Tatum O'Neal) as they travel the country, promising to deliver the girl to her aunt. With witty dialogue and stunning black-and-white cinematography, not only did this picture bring real-life father-daughter duo to the silver screen, but it won Tatum an Oscar. Today, it's still got a ripe score of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a big change that you've probably never heard of it.
5. The Long Goodbye (1973)
Cast/Who's in it: Elliott Gould, Nina Van Pallandt, Sterling Hayden, Mark Rydell, Henry Gibson
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Recognizability: acclaimed but not mainstream
Film buffs praise Robert Altman and his 1973 The Long Goodbye, but if you're not obsessed with neo-noir films from the mid-to-late 20th century, you might have missed this caper starring a young Elliott Gould. The film is a modern adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel of the same name set in 1970s Los Angeles and is praised for its offbeat comedy.
6. Wait Until Dark (1967)
Cast/Who's in it: Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin, Richard Crenna, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Jack Weston
Rating: NR
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Recognizability: acclaimed classic thriller
You've heard of Breakfast at Tiffany's or Roman Holiday, but have you heard of the Audrey Hepburn thriller, Wait Until Dark? My dad rented this 1967 suspense film for me as a kid, and it sparked my love of thrillers. A blind woman, played by Hepburn, finds herself at the center of criminal plot and she must navigate her own apartment, without sight, to find her way to safety.
7. A Little Princess (1995)
Cast/Who's in it: Liesel Matthews, Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham, Rusty Schwimmer, Arthur Malet
Rating: G
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Recognizability: highly acclaimed, kinda known
Rings a bell, right? Or maybe you even saw this one when you were a kid. But nearly 30 years later, A Little Princess has earned underrated status. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón—yep, that Alfonso Cuarón, the movie tells the story of a young girl sent to a strict boarding school while her father fights in World War I. When her father is presumed dead, she is relegated to servitude but remains hopeful and imaginative. It's an entree into magical realism that kids and adults will still enjoy.
8. The Iron Giant (1999)
Cast/Who's in it: Eli Marienthal, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., Vin Diesel, Cloris Leachman
Rating: G
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Recognizability: has gained a cult following over time
Repeat after me: science fiction, Cold War, animated, Cloris Leachman. If you're not already roped in by those descriptors, I'll elaborate. When a child befriends a giant robot from outer space he must protect his new friend from government forces. Beyond the awesome cast, the film, despite being a box-office flop, scored a 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and continues to collect fans 25 years on.
9. Don't Be a Dick About It (2018)
Cast/Who's in it: Peter, Matthew
Rating: NA
Rotten Tomatoes: NA
Recognizability: low
I saw this sweet, slice-of-life documentary at a film festival in 2018, and I fell in love with it. Filmmaker Ben Mullinkosson brings the camera close to home, following his cousins, brothers Peter and Matthew over one Maryland summer. Peter, the older brother, has autism, epilepsy and an undying obsession with Survivor. Matthew, the younger brother, is neurotypical but trying to overcome a crippling fear of dogs. I love this intimate portrayal of a family that showcases how normal moments for one clan—like a tribal council gone awry—would be a hilarious comedy of errors for another.
10. Swallow (2021)
Cast/Who's in it: Haley Bennett, Austin Stowell, Denis O'Hare, Elizabeth Marvel, David Rasche
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Recognizability: acclaimed but low
Whether you categorize this one as psychological thriller or suburban housewife horror, Swallow will have you thinking about it long after its 94 minutes is up. The film follows a young, alienated housewife with a compulsion to swallow inedible objects—think, marbles or...thumbtacks. The compulsion is rooted in her desire to control her own life, her own body. And when she learns she pregnant, the condition escalates. If you liked Rosemary's Baby, you'll definitely enjoy (if that's the right word) this chilling indie darling.
11. Pig (2021)
Cast/Who's in it: Nicolas Cage, Alex Wolff, Adam Arkin, Nina Belforte, Gretchen Corbett
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Recognizability: acclaimed but not well known
Yep, another pig-centered picture. This Nicolas Cage movie has a 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and we bet you've never heard of it. Cage plays a reclusive truffle hunter who returns to his old stomping grounds after his beloved swine is kidnapped. A comedy this is not. As the hunter searches for his pig, he confronts the fine dining scene he was once a part of, and the story that unspools is deeply touching and surprising.
12. Babe (1997)
Cast/Who's in it: James Cromwell, Christine Cavanaugh Miriam Margolyes, Danny Mann, Hugo Weaving and Miriam Flynn
Rating: G
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Recognizability: fairly well-known family film
Between Paw Patrol and Spidey, have kids these day even heard about the darling lil' herding piglet, Babe? Since having kids, I've rewatched this charmer two or three times, and it's one of those family-friendly movies that plays well to both adult and kid audiences. The premise follows pig-out-of-water, Babe, who's brought to a new farm where he must navigate the animal hierarchies and roles. But when a sheep dog takes him under her wing, Babe realizes he may have a knack for something pigs are not meant for. Tonally, I'd call it "twee realism." And even though Babe the nominated for Academy Awards at the time of its release, it has become a dreadfully underrated flick in the age of streaming.
13. The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
Cast/Who's in it: Ian Holm, Sarah Polley, Bruce Greenwood
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Recognizability: highly acclaimed, but obscure
Looking for a tearjerker? Based on the Russell Banks novel of the name, and directed by Atom Egoyan, this heart wrenching, haunting movie about a small town dealing with the aftermath of a tragic school bus accident will bring on the tissues. With a score of 98 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, it may be a slow burn, but it's worth the watch.
14. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
Cast/Who's in it: Forest Whitaker, John Tormey, Cliff Gorman
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Recognizability: low
Take it from the comments on the YouTube trailer that this is a highly underrated film: "One of my top movies ever ! All my fav things in one! Mafia theme, samurai, samuria code, wu tang! Etc a masterpiece!" "Excellent trailer and brilliant, much underrated, film." "The best movie that few have seen or even heard of." A Jim Jarmusch movie, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai follows a hitman who lives by the code of the samurai and works for the mafia. It's a little bit crime drama, a little bit philosophical meditation, and a lot of terrific, brought together by a strong (and underrated) performance by Forest Whitaker.
15. Run Lola Run (1998)
Cast/Who's in it: Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu, Herbert Knaup, Nina Petri, Armin Rohde
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Recognizability: acclaimed and well-known in internationally
It was, according to Deadline, one of the highest-grossing foreign-language films of its time and even won the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award...but have you heard of it? The German thriller has you on the edge of your seat through innovative and dynamic storytelling as the eponymous Lola runs through the streets of Berlin to save her boyfriend. Each tiny decision makes in her 20 minutes has a mountain of impact on whether she succeeds or not. Good thing for those of us who didn't get in on the action in the first place, Run Lola Run will be re-released in theaters for its 25th anniversary this summer. Sony Pictures Classics said, “Over the past 25 years, Run Lola Run remains one of the most enduring Sony Pictures Classics titles of all time. It is as timely now as when it first appeared in theaters in 1999. Our nationwide reissue in June is a celebration of this first hi-tech thriller presented as it deserves, to be seen and reseen on the big screen, and to continue to dazzle new generations of viewers.”
16. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Cast/Who's in it: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House, Oscar Kightley
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Recognizability: acclaimed and moderately known
If you've enjoyed Taika Waititi's other productions (Thor Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit, What We Do In the Shadows), you will undoubtedly fall for this sweet adventure comedy that takes place in the New Zealand bush. With some of the funniest characters I've seen on screen (cough, cough, Rachel House and Julian Dennison), as well as a refreshing portrayal of a "father"-"son" relationship helmed by a prickly Sam Neill, at the heart of Waititi's Wilderpeople is something soft, surreal and very underrated.
17. All I Wanna Do (1998)
Cast/Who's in it: Kristen Dunst, Rachel Leigh Cook, Gaby Hoffman
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes: NA
Recognizability: low
This movie is so darn underrated that it's almost impossible to find online! I wasn't sure if I'd made up the memory of seeing it (or the oft repeated phrase of my youth, "Up your ziggy with a wawa brush!") All the more reason to include it on this list. Starring a holy trinity (and then some) of teen icons—Kristen Dunst, Rachel Leigh Cook, Gaby Hoffman—All I Wanna Do was released by two other titles (Strike! and The Hairy Bird), which is partially to blame for its obscurity. The comedy-drama set in the 1960s is about a group of girls at an all-female boarding school who band together to prevent their school from merging with a nearby boys' school. I couldn't find a legit way to stream this flick, but let's just say if you're in the market for a nostalgic, feminist Animal House, the whole film might just be available here.
18. Girlhood (2015)
Cast/Who's in it: Karidja Touré, Assa Sylla, Lindsay Karamoh, Mariétou Touré, Idrissa Diabaté
Rating: NR
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Recognizability: acclaimed, but obscure
Céline Sciamma's Girlhood is in French, but I nearly forgot that since the subject matter feels so universal. The movie follows a teenage girl from a rough Paris neighborhood who joins an all-girl gang. Sheilla O'Malley reviewed the film for RogerEbert.com, writing, "A masterpiece scene comes halfway through, so powerful in its representation of shared joy and freedom that it sets off echoes around it that continue throughout the rest of the film." Kinda sounds like this one might be a bit underrated...no?
Moderately Recognized with Moderate-to-High Scores
19. Safe (1995)
Cast/Who's in it: Julianne Moore, Xander Berkeley, Peter Friedman, Susan Norman, Kate McGregor-Stewart
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
Recognizability: acclaimed, but not widely known
No, not the 2012 Jason Statham vehicle with the same title. The 1995 Safe directed by Todd Haynes and starring Julianne Moore is a psychological horror film about a suburban housewife who becomes increasingly affected by some mysterious environmental illnesses. I have loved Haynes's and Moore's other suburbia-phobic collaborations (including Far From Heaven and, the also-underrated, May December), and couldn't believe I hadn't heard of this one until now considering it has an 87 percent Rotten Tomatoes score.
20. Dumb Money (2023)
Cast/Who's in it: Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Vincent D'Onofrio, America Ferrera, Shailene Woodley
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: NA (too recent)
Recognizability: too soon to tell ˉ\_(ツ)_/ˉ
Have you heard of this movie? Me either! But it's got an 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and a glowing review from Special Projects Director Rachel Bowie: "I loved Dumb Money! The film about the GameStop stock revolution—and based on the book by Ben Mezrich—is a familiar David vs. Goliath story, but I was on the edge of my seat for the entire duration due to the incredible storytelling, surprising plot twists." Bowie's kind words don't end there. From the all-star cast (Nick Offerman, America Ferrera, Pete Davison, Anthony Ramos, Paul Dano, Shailene Woodley and more) to the film's poignant pandemic setting, who knew a film chronicling the GameStop stock surge would be so riveting? Exactly. Underrated.
21. The Fall (2006)
Cast/Who's in it: Lee Pace, Catinca Untaru, Justine Waddell, Daniel Caltagirone, Leo Bill
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 62%
Recognizability: recognized among film lovers but not mainstream
A fantasy film about a stuntman (Lee Pace) who tells a fantastical story to a young girl while they both recover in a hospital. Another pick—this time more high-brow—from Editor Abby Hepworth: "It is absolutely gorgeous and everything was shot on location. It's so, so wonderful and one of my favorites of all time. Sweet, a little sad and 100 percent a must watch." Unfortunately, this film is so devastatingly underrated that it's not available to stream at the moment. *Gets in car and drives to the last Blockbluster on Earth.*
22. Love and Other Disasters (2007)
Cast/Who's in it: Brittany Murphy, Matthew Rhys, Catherine Tate, Santiago Cabrera, Stephanie Beacham
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 19%
Recognizability: low, low score
Maybe overshadowed by the similarly named rom-com, the 2010 Love and Other Drugs, this 2007 picture is about a single woman (Brittany Murphy, replete with terrible English accent) working at British Vogue who tries to set up her friends while ignoring her own romantic troubles. It's storyline is a bit dated, but even with its 19 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, Editor Abby Hepworth says that Love and Other Disasters is the charming, fun rom-com that's sweet and silly and just what you want when you're having a rough day.
23. Dan in Real Life (2007)
Cast/Who's in it: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Alison Pill, Brittany Robertson
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes: 65%
Recognizability: fairly well-known
Senior Food Editor Katherine Gillen writes that this dramedy about a single father raising his three daughters is sweet, funny and pretty underrated. Starring Steve Carell, his touching performance makes this movie the heart-warmer you didn't know you needed.
24. Green Room (2015)
Cast/Who's in it: Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Patrick Stewart, Alia Shawkat, Joe Cole
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Recognizability: lots of acclaim, but not widely known
"Green Room is such an underrated modern classic," says Senior Editor Stephanie Maida. "It really leans into the claustrophobia of being trapped somewhere where danger abounds. I watched it with friends on a movie night and we were screaming, gasping and yelling at the TV!" A tense, violent thriller, the film follows what unravels after a rock band and group of neo-Nazis witness a murder.
25. Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
Cast/Who's in it: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle Jennifer Beals (Flashdance), Tom Sizemore, Lisa Nicole Carson
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Recognizability: lots of acclaim, but not widely known
Assistant Editor Karelle McKay says that this gritty crime film starring Denzel Washington is one of his most under-rated flicks. "Though the 1995 murder mystery thriller didn’t hit any of Netflix’s top content lists, it has definitely piqued my interest. Set in 1948 Los Angeles, the film follows Easy Rawlins (Washington), a war veteran who is hired to locate a missing woman named Daphne Monet (Jennifer Beals). Soon, he finds himself mixed up in a murderous political scandal. Sounds like my kind of movie." Mine too, Karelle.
26. Stoker (2013)
Cast/Who's in it: Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode, Nicole Kidman, Dermot Mulroney, Jacki Weaver
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes: 70%
Recognizability: not widely known
Let me guess. You haven't heard of this supremely underrated movie. Ugh. But if you know me, you know I love a psych0-sexual thriller. Ya know, a movie where the sexual tension and scary tension are rolled up into one ball of absolute mess. Stoker, starring Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman and Matthew Goode, is just that cup of poison-spiked tea. The story follows an introverted girl who, after the unexpected passing of her beloved father, is visited by her strange uncle. There are piano scenes that would give the sexual tension in Bridgerton a run for its money (and that's saying something). And fun fact: the screenplay was written by Wentworth Miller, who you might recognize from shows like Prison Break and Madame Secretary.
27. Crooklyn (1994)
Cast/Who's in it: Alfre Woodard Delroy Lindo Spike Lee Zelda Harris
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Recognizability: known by Spike Lee enthusiasts, but not mainstream
"I absolutely love Spike Lee's Crooklyn," says Assistant Editor Nakeisha Campbell of the slice-of-life film about a Black middle-class family in 1970s Brooklyn. "It's a beautiful, intimate coming-of-age story that brings up memories of my own childhood—mainly because of the sibling dynamics and because I saw so much of myself in Troy. I also like how it balances humor with heavier themes like loss and grief. By far one of his most underrated movies."
28. Love & Basketball (2000)
Cast/Who's in it: Omar Epps, Sanaa Lathan, Alfre Woodard, Dennis Haysbert
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Recognizability: pretty well-known
This sporting epic follows the intertwining stories of Quincy (Epps) and Monica (Lathan) from childhood to adulthood as they both pursue professional basketball careers and fall in love along the way. Since it was released in 2000, the movie has garnered a strong following and was even selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress! If you've seen it before, you're probably a fan. But if you've never heard of it? That's because it's definitely underrated.
29. About Time (2013)
Cast/Who's in it: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
Recognizability: moderately known
It's funny, I've seen the thumbnail for this movie pop a bunch in my scrolling-for-something-to-watch fugue states, and Senior Editor Dana Dickey actually says that next time, I should stop and press play. "It's a time-travel romcom, which I know, sounds like 'Um, no thank you,' but the dad-son relationship (the dad is played by Bill Nighy) is so touching that by the end I was teary-eyed. (It's by 4 Weddings and a Funeral's Richard Curtis, so no wonder.)"
30. That Thing You Do! (1996)
Cast/Who's in it: Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Johnathon Schaech, Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry, Tom Hanks
Rating: PG
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Recognizability: pretty well-known
This Tom Hanks-directed film about a fictional 1960s one-hit-wonder band came out in 1996, and I've been watching it once or twice a year ever since—not to mention singing along with its earworm of a bopper: Youuuuu doing that thing you dooooo. Breaking my heart into a million pieces, like you always dooooo. In fact, in middle school, I'd play the CD (yep) album over and over, acting out all the scenes from the movie. No, it's not a musical, but the music does add to its underrated-ness (and makes it more enticing for kids to watch alongside you). Music aside, I'll always have a place in my heart for heartthrob drummer, Guy Patterson. (And psst: this is the third movie that Liv Tyler's been in on this list!)
Widely Recognized with Lower Scores
31. Dicks: The Musical (2023)
Cast/Who's in it: Josh Sharp, Aaron Jackson, Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, Megan Thee Stallion, Bowen Yang
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: NA (too recent)
Recognizability: low, niche
Ratings and critics be damned, this powder keg of an underrated movie musical is an alt-comedy gem that somehow got made—and by cult-favorite production company A24, no less. Based on the uproarious staged comedy musical originally written and performed by New York City comedians Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson, this wild take on The Parent Trap will have you scratching your head and laughing at loud, possibly at the same time.
32. The Other Woman (2014)
Cast/Who's in it: Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Kinney, Don Johnson
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes: 25%
Recognizability: moderately known for big name cast
It may have a 25% on Rotten Tomatoes, but I'm including this revenge comedy starring two beloved American sweethearts—Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann—in this list thanks to a recommendation from Olivia Dubyak, Commerce Editor: "I do not hear this movie talked about enough. I absolutely adore the girlies ganging up on a cheater and getting strategic revenge and becoming lifetime besties, it makes you laugh, cry and want to have a girls night with your best friends."
33. Drowning Mona (2000)
Cast/Who's in it: Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Neve Campbell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Case Affleck
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes: 29%
Recognizability: known among fans of dark comedy, but still obscure
You probably haven't seen this 2000 movie. Why? Because it's criminally underrated! Drowning Mona takes an all-star ensemble cast, sets them in small-town America, and investigates the murder of the universally hated Mona Dearly (Bette Midler). A family favorite, my brothers and I still quote one of the lines that makes us laugh every re-watch:
Chief Wyatt: My mother always used to say, "When life hands you potatoes, make potato salad."
Mona Dearly: Yeah? Well life handed me a pile of sh*t. What am I supposed to do with that?!
Phil Dearly: Make sh*t salad?
34. Empire Records (1995)
Cast/Who's in it: Anthony LaPaglia, Maxwell Caulfield, Liv Tyler, Debi Mazar, Renée Zellweger
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes: 29%
Recognizability: cult following
It wouldn't be a shock if you didn't see this underrated movie when it was released in 1995 since it was riddled with negative reviews. But this coming-of-age film that takes place in a record store has become a cult-classic the 30 years since it hit theaters. Empire Records. "Look, it's not cinematic brilliance," qualifies VP of Editorial, Candace Davidson, "but when you need something fun and lighthearted yet entertaining, it's a great break from reality. The whole movie spans 24 hours, as it follows a bunch of misfit record store employees before 'the Man' shuts it down. (It's from 1995, so the Man here is corporate America, not Napster/Limewire/streaming.) Plus, it's Liv Tyler and Renée Zellweger before they were Armageddon- and Bridget Jones-famous! And I dare you not to sing the Rex Manning song for three days after you watch it."
35. Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)
Cast/Who's in it: Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
Recognizability: fairly well-known
"A movie with Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, Janeane Garofalo, Elaine Hendrix and none other than Alan Cumming?! Talk about a stacked cast," shared Editorial Assistant, Delia Curtis, who is very enthusiastic about the 1998 buddy comedy. "In this hilarious comedy, two best friends and outcasts from high school show up to their reunion with totally fabricated lives to impress their old classmates. Their friendship is tested along the way as they vie for everyone’s approval. There are some laugh-out-loud moments that definitely went over my head as a younger kid and calls for a rewatch soon! Exercising with heels on? Eating cookie dough straight from the role? A nerd turned well-to-do millionaire? Sign me back up."
36. Dr. Doolittle (1998)
Cast/Who's in it: Eddie Murphy, Ossie Davis, Oliver Platt, Lisa Kudrow, Albert Brooks
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes: 42%
Recognizability: widely known
I was surprised as you might be to learn that Editor in Chief, Jillian Quint cited Dr. Doolittle starring Eddie Murphy as an overlooked favorite: "It has a did awful Rotten Tomato rating, but I watched it last week with my kids and aside from having an all-star cast (Norm MacDonald! Lisa Kudrow! Albert Brooks!) it has a lot of jokes that truly land. Well…at least with the under-10 set." And if you watch and agree this flick is underrated, you're in for a treat: there are four more sequels.
