Tyler's Top 10 Underrated Films of the Past Decade

These sort of lists are always subjective, which is why I have tried to stay away from making them. A good friend posed the question to me about which movies I thought were underrated and while making the list I had fun rediscovering these movies.

Of course there are some honorable mention. It was hard to even trim the list down to five of those.

Honorable Mention: Escape Room (2019), All is Lost (2013), Blue Ruin (2014), Trance (2013), Haywire (2012)

10. Blockers (2018)

This teen comedy opened up the same weekend as A Quiet Place, and while it did have some success its opening weekend it was largely forgotten in the wake of that films success. To me, this is the second funniest movie of the decade (more on that later in this list). The acting across the board is honest and fantastic and the two groups, adults and kids, all have fantastic chemistry with each other and their adult parent. For a teen comedy, especially one that is female focused, it's remarkably sex positive.

9. The Gift (2015)

Written, Directed and co-starring Joel Edgerton this is a deviously clever and well acted thriller that launched STX. There are twists and turns aplenty and Edgerton's genuinely creepy performance is supported from great turns by Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall as the family he is following. Going in not knowing much about the plot is required.

8. Hanna (2011)

Although it was recently adapted into a TV series starring Esme Creed-Miles, Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman, this is a very underrated and character driven action film. The film, which is presented as a dark fairy tale features an incredible soundtrack from The Chemical Brothers, fantastic performances and some awesome action scenes (keep an eye out for one set in a shipping yard and a brutal one take in a parking garage)

7. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

If the picture above makes you uncomfortable, just wait until you see this thriller from director Yorgos Lanthimos. While many may prefer The Lobster or The Favourite, this twisted film is my personal favorite. It features an awards worthy performance from Colin Farrell and a scene stealing performance by Barry Keoghan. I shuddered again writing this when I looked at the picture of him eating spaghetti because it's so unsettling. My jaw was on the floor during the finale. I can't stress this enough, be prepared for how uncomfortable you will be watching this.

6. The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)

I'm upset that this movie wasn't a runaway hit. Joe Cornish, who made his incredible directorial debut with Attack the Block, finally made his follow up with this modern take on the Arthurian Legend. Louis Ashbourne Serkis is a delight as Alex and his relationship with his best friend Bedders had me smiling the whole movie. Plus you have Patrick Stewart as an old Merlin! It's a silly, fun and action packed ride that the whole family can enjoy!

5. Inherent Vice (2014)

Unpopular opinion: this is my favorite Paul Thomas Anderson film. It’s a leisurely paced stoner mystery with a hilarious lead performance by Joaquin Phoenix. He is helped by incredible supporting characters, namely a delightful Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro. It may not make a lot of sense but thats part of its underrated charm.

4. American Animals (2018)

Part documentary and part reenactment, this thriller had me gripped from the get go. The style, which flips between talking head of the real subjects and the reenactment, works in its favor as you are constantly questioning what is true because the real subjects all remember things differently. It may prove to be frustrating to some as occasionally mysteries aren't solved and at one point one of the real subjects looks directly at the camera and says "I guess you'll have to take my word." Evan Peters is fantastic in the lead and the central heist is gripping.

3. Enemy (2014)

Denis Villenueve made this quiet and twisty mystery right after the success of Prisoners and before he would go on to direct Sicario, Arrival and Blade Runner 2049. He brought star Jake Gyllenhaal with him in a tricky dual role. To reveal more about the plot would be a disservice but its a well done and intense thriller that is lost in A24’s esteemed lineup.

2. Blindspotting (2018)

I've honestly never seen anything like it. Equal parts dramedy and social commentary, the film features star making and awards worthy turns from Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal. You’ve probably never seen anything like it and the finale is one of the most intense things I’ve seen in a long time. Give this powerful film a chance.

1. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

While this could have easily been a tie with MacGruber for this top spot, I feel like that movie has already been been discovered by so many people it is no longer underrated. Lonely Islands skewering of the music industry, Justin Bieber and Macklemore take a lot of punches, is the funniest movie of the decade for me and deserves a place next to This is Spinal Tap in the mockumentary hall of fame. The jokes fly fast and you don't need an extensive knowledge of the music industry to get its humor. Andy Samberg is able to find the balance between the self absorbed and genuinely likeable, which makes his bond with Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer all the more genuine. The ending hits you in the feels and you can thank their relationship for that happening.

So there's my list! I hope this helped expose you to some underrated gems. If anything I look forward to hearing which movies I forgot about!

Check back next week for a brand new Top 10!