There are some movies that are so good and so fun to watch but are not recognized by people and have not gotten the fame that they deserve. But the real question is why? Why are some good movies underrated? Today you will witness why some good movies are underrated and what are some good underrated movies that you need to watch.
Generally, underrated means those things that are not highly valued or praised enough, but some of those things are like gems that are not recognized or discovered by everyone. In terms of movies/films, there are some good movies that are not recognized by everyone; they come in the form of underrated movies. Today we will see why some good movies are underrated and what are some good underrated movies that we are going to witness now in 2025.
We are mentioning movies generally from all the movie industries, which are the Indian film industry, the English film industry, the Korean film industry, and the Animated film industry from both nations (China and Japan).
The list will contain 10 good underrated movies from the mentioned industries.
Indian Film Industry
It is one of the most underrated films of Anurag Kashyap’s filmography; however, most of Kashyap’s films are underrated. Then, there is Ugly, an Indian thriller/mystery film that was released in 2019 with an IMDb rating of 7.9/10 and 60% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. A very underrated star cast deserves praise for their finest acting.
The Indian film industry is widely recognized by the world. It is the largest film industry that produces the most films in the world. Although people only recognize Bollywood films because of their popularity and marketing, they are also famous for making cringy flop films, but there are some masterpieces in there, which define someone’s passion and art. I will include two films from the Indian film industry in this list.
Ugly
The film revolves around the kidnapping of a small girl and the people with their greed, anger, lust, and ego. The film defines how anger and greed can manipulate anyone and depict their dark side. This will shake you to your core and force you to question yourself and the society you live in.
Ship of Theseus
This film is the definition of an underrated Bollywood film; a lot of people might not know about this film. In fact, I was also one of them, but after watching the film, I got to know this is a hidden gem directed by Anand Gandhi. It is a drama film that will change your life and way of thinking. It was released in 2012 with an IMDb rating of 8/10 and 95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
This film is the prime example of good underrated movies. The film explores “questions of identity, justice, beauty, meaning, and death through the stories of an experimental photographer, an ailing monk, and an enterprising stockbroker.” There are different choices from different people in the same situation.
English Film Industry (Hollywood)
3. Green Room
This is one of the underrated movies out there in Hollywood, Green Room. It is a horror-action film that was released in 2015 with an IMDb rating of 7/10 and 90% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film focuses on a punk band who find themselves attacked by neo-Nazis after witnessing a murder at a club. Although there are some loopholes in this film, it is fun to watch. It is tense and keeps you hooked until the end.
4. Love & Basketball
This is a romantic sports film that is one of the most underrated on the whole list. This film is like La La Land, where you can see how different perceptions and decisions affect the love life of two people. This film also follows the same line, but both the lead characters have the basketball spirit, which makes it fun to watch.
It was released in 2000 with an IMDb rating of 7.2/10 and 86% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Both characters meet at the age of eleven, grow together, and love blossoms among them, but their desires to be the best basketball players stand in the way.
Animated Film Industry
5. The Emperor’s New Groove
This is one of the most underrated Disney movies. If we talk about Disney films, we will remember The Lion King, Aladdin, and Snow White, but few people know about The Emperor’s New Groove. This film was released in 2000 with an IMDb rating of 7.4/10 and 86% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. A good lesson of life is presented visually so beautifully.
The film focuses on a power-hungry emperor who becomes a llama due to his stupidity, and now he must take the help of a very kind-hearted, gentle llama herder to get his throne back.
6. Ne Zha
It’s a Chinese anime that was underrated at one time, but after the popularity of its sequel, it also got some recognition. Still, many cinephiles out there haven’t witnessed Ne Zha yet. So, I am going to recommend Ne Zha this time. It is a Chinese animated adventure movie based on the mythological character Ne Zha and his friend Ao Bing. This film was released in 2019 with an IMDb rating of 7.4/10 and 89% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Ne Zha is the demon child of prophecy but raised to fight demons and learn to help people. But when he learns the truth, chaos occurs. I explained this very briefly, but the story is not so simple. When you watch this film, you will understand the whole plot. The animation of this film is mind-blowing; in terms of animation, they are way ahead of many other animation industries.
Anime
7. Steins Gate
It is one of the best and most underrated anime of all time in my opinion. It does not get the recognition it truly deserves. There are two possible reasons in my opinion: it has dark visuals, a slow pace, and a complex story. But do not judge the anime with these points—when you watch it, you will know how great this series is.
Steins Gate is an anime series with 24 episodes that was released in 2011 with an IMDb rating of 8.8/10. The story revolves around some college students who create a machine that can send messages to the past and alter their present timeline. Between the storyline, an evil organization is introduced which has to be stopped by these university students.
8. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
Vampire Hunter D and Van Helsing are so underrated that people don’t even recognize them. These are brutal anime with extreme action and horror. This film revolves around vampires and a vampire hunter. It was released in 2000 with an IMDb rating of 7.7/10 and 70% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Here, vampires rule the night and vampire hunters fight to stop them. If you want to explore more of it, then I recommend you to read the manga.
Korean Film Industry
9. Confession of Murder
This is one of the most underrated mystery-thriller Korean films out there. The plot of this film is also somehow unique, which will engage you until the end. Confession of Murder is a thriller film released in 2012 with an IMDb rating of 7/10 and 65% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
The plot revolves around a serial killer who releases a book confessing to his crimes after 15 years. While a detective and the victim’s mother search for him, another serial killer arrives and causes chaos.
10. The Wailing
If you want to experience a horror film, which we rarely see nowadays, then The Wailing is for you. It is a horror-mystery Korean film released in 2016 with an IMDb rating of 7.4/10 and 99% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
It is the story of a village where mysterious things are happening with people, and a policeman investigates a series of mysterious killings and illnesses in a remote Korean village in order to save his daughter.
If you have watched this film, share your opinion. But if you haven’t, just give it a try. You will thank me for this beautiful recommendation. Everyone watches and knows about famous films with a big cast and production, but not everyone is aware of these underrated gems, which also deserve the same level of love and fame that big films get.
But, some of you still think these are some old films, what are some good underrated movies released this year. So now, we will talk about those films which were released in 2025 but are still underrated because they have not reached a bigger audience yet.
1. Weapons
This is one of the best surprises to come out this year, which no one expected. This is a perfect movie that left everyone shocked, directed by Zach Cregger. It is a horror-mystery film with an IMDb rating of 7.8/10 and 94% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
This is a story of missing children who mysteriously vanish from one classroom on the same night at exactly the same time. Now, this is the story of hide and seek—what is the reason behind it?
2. Lokah Chapter One
The thing we experienced from Weapons, we experienced the same from this Indian film. In fact, this film gave us even more dopamine. What a film, man! You can’t see films like this every day. Every filmmaker has to watch this to learn how to make a great film on a small budget.
This is the prime example that if your marketing is not good enough your film will be going to feature in some good underrated movies list, directed by Dominic Arun, with an IMDb rating of 8.2/10, it is a fantasy adventure film and the start of a new franchise. This Malayalam superhero film focuses on a female lead exploring herself and her powers.
3. The Bad Guys 2
The sequel to the film The Bad Guys, it is an animated family comedy movie directed by Pierre Perifel with an IMDb rating of 7.1/10. A very good film released this year in 2025, it shows us some bad guys trying to be good guys. This film focuses on reformed criminals Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark, and Ms. Tarantula.
Now they are good guys trying to fit into society, but soon they find themselves trapped in a heist that is unexpected even for them.
4. Ne Zha 2
This is a sequel to another underrated and top-notch movie. Although it’s not underrated for cinephiles, for most of the audience it is still unknown. The film is so great, and it is China’s all-time highest-grossing movie. Just give it a try, and if you have already watched Ne Zha, then you are definitely going to watch the sequel.
5. No Other Choice
In all the films mentioned, there hasn’t been any comedy film, so we are including this Korean satirical black comedy-thriller film on the list. It has an IMDb rating of 8.1 and 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
It is the story of a man who wants a job, and to secure it, he comes up with a master plan. You can see in this film what’s the best way to get a job.
Some other good underrated movies I will mention:
- Sinners
- Fantastic Four
- Mickey 17
- 28 Years Later
- Stolen
Note:- Image Source:- WallpaperCave
Video Source:- YouTube
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