15 Underrated Movies on Netflix You've Probably Never Seen
Netflix's algorithm is great at showing you what is popular. It is terrible at showing you what is good but overlooked. Every month, the streamer adds dozens of films that the Top 10 never surfaces — independent gems, international masterpieces, and cult classics that slipped through the cracks. Here are 15 underrated movies on Netflix right now that you have probably never seen. Trust us: they are worth your time.
Underrated Action
These action films did not get the theatrical run or marketing push they deserved. Each one delivers thrills that rival any blockbuster.
The Night Comes for Us (2018)
Indonesian action cinema at its peak. Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais star in a film that makes John Wick look restrained. The fight choreography is brutal, balletic, and almost unbearably intense. There is a scene with a meat hook that will stay with you. Gareth Evans (The Raid) did not direct this, but his collaborators did.
Why you missed it: It is an Indonesian film that Netflix released with minimal marketing. Why watch: It has the best action choreography of any Netflix Original, period. If you love The Raid, this is essential.
Kate (2021)
Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays a dying assassin who has 24 hours to find out who poisoned her. The setup is familiar, but the execution is stylish and propulsive. Winstead is genuinely credible as an action lead, and the Tokyo setting is beautifully shot. The train fight sequence is a highlight.
Why you missed it: It was buried in Netflix's crowded 2021 slate. Why watch: Winstead deserves an action franchise. This is proof she can carry one.
The Man from Nowhere (2010)
Won Bin plays a quiet pawnshop owner with a dark past who must rescue a young girl from a human trafficking ring. This Korean action thriller is a masterclass in pacing — the final knife fight is one of the best action sequences ever filmed. It is John Wick before John Wick.
Why you missed it: It is a Korean film from 2010 that never got a wide US release. Why watch: It invented the "retired badass" genre template. Essential viewing for action fans. Available on Netflix.
The Shadow Strays (2025)
The latest Indonesian action film from the director of The Night Comes for Us. A young assassin codenamed 13 goes rogue to protect a child after a job goes wrong. The action is next-level — long takes, practical stunts, and choreography that redefines what the human body can do on screen.
Why you missed it: Netflix released it with little fanfare in late 2025. Why watch: It might be the best pure action film of 2025. Streaming on Netflix now.
Underrated Horror
These horror films did not get the love they deserved on release. Each one will get under your skin.
The Ritual (2017)
Four friends hike through the Scandinavian wilderness to honor a fallen comrade. They get lost. They find an abandoned cabin. Something is watching them. David Bruckner's folk horror film builds dread methodically and pays off with one of the most unique monster designs in modern horror.
Why you missed it: Netflix Original that was overshadowed by bigger releases. Why watch: The monster reveal is genuinely worth the wait. A thinking person's horror film with real scares.
Cam (2018)
A webcam performer discovers that someone has taken over her online identity. Madeline Brewer delivers a powerhouse performance playing multiple versions of herself. Written by a former cam girl, the film treats its subject matter with surprising sensitivity while delivering genuine chills.
Why you missed it: Low-budget Netflix Original with no theatrical release. Why watch: A smart, unsettling thriller about identity in the digital age. Brewer is phenomenal.
His House (2020)
A South Sudanese refugee couple resettle in a small English town but their new home is haunted — by both supernatural forces and the trauma they fled. Remi Weekes's debut is a horror film about the refugee experience that is as moving as it is terrifying. The 100% RT score is earned.
Why you missed it: Released during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why watch: It is one of the best horror debuts of the decade. 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Guest (2014)
Dan Stevens plays a mysterious soldier who visits the family of a fallen comrade and quickly becomes indispensable — but something is off. Adam Wingard's thriller is a genre-hopping blast: part home invasion, part conspiracy thriller, part slasher. Stevens is electrifying.
Why you missed it: Indie release that found a cult audience on streaming. Why watch: Dan Stevens at his most charismatic and menacing. The soundtrack alone is worth it.
Underrated Dramas
These dramas quietly landed on Netflix and deserve a much wider audience.
The Half of It (2020)
Alice Wu's coming-of-age rom-com reimagines Cyrano de Bergerac with a queer twist. A shy, straight-A student helps a jock write love letters to the girl they both secretly love. It is warm, funny, and genuinely moving. The final train station scene is perfect.
Why you missed it: Quiet Netflix release during a crowded awards season. Why watch: 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is the best teen rom-com on Netflix, full stop.
The Lost Daughter (2021)
Maggie Gyllenhaal's directorial debut stars Olivia Colman as a middle-aged academic whose beach holiday triggers memories of early motherhood. Jessie Buckley plays the younger version. It is an unflinching look at maternal ambivalence — the kind of film that starts conversations.
Why you missed it: It is a challenging, uncomfortable film that some found difficult to watch. Why watch: Colman and Buckley are both extraordinary. It is the best film about motherhood you have never seen.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
Charlie Kaufman's existential drama follows a woman (Jessie Buckley) on a road trip to meet her boyfriend's parents. Nothing is as it seems. It is a puzzle box about identity, time, regret, and the stories we tell ourselves. Baffling, beautiful, and unforgettable.
Why you missed it: It is deliberately difficult and alienated many viewers. Why watch: If you love Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine, Being John Malkovich), this is his most personal work. A film that rewards multiple viewings.
Atlantics (2019)
Mati Diop's dreamlike film follows a young woman in Dakar whose boyfriend disappears at sea along with other local workers. It is a ghost story, a social drama, and a romance all at once. The first film by a Black woman to compete at Cannes.
Why you missed it: Senegalese-French art film released with minimal marketing. Why watch: It is a ghost story like no other — political, romantic, and haunting. Essential international cinema.
The Hidden Gem Award
If you only watch one film from this list, make it this one:
The Night Comes for Us (2018) — It is not just the best action film on Netflix you have not seen. It is one of the best action films of the decade, period. The choreography, the stakes, the brutality — it rivals The Raid for pure adrenaline. And it is sitting in Netflix's library, waiting for you to discover it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most underrated movies on Netflix?
Our top picks for underrated Netflix films include The Night Comes For Us (2018) — the best action film you have not seen — His House (2020) — 100% on RT, a refugee horror masterpiece — and The Half of It (2020) — 96% on RT, the best teen rom-com on the platform. All are currently streaming.
What is the most underrated action movie on Netflix?
Without question, The Night Comes For Us (2018). This Indonesian action film has fight choreography that rivals The Raid, but it was released on Netflix with almost no marketing. It is brutal, balletic, and utterly thrilling. For a runner-up, The Man from Nowhere (2010) is a Korean classic that invented the modern retired-badass genre.
What is a hidden gem on Netflix I can watch tonight?
For a guaranteed great night, try His House (2020) — a refugee horror story that is both terrifying and deeply moving, with a 100% RT score. If you want something lighter, The Half of It (2020) is a warm, funny teenage rom-com. For pure action thrills, The Night Comes For Us (2018) will leave you breathless.
What are the best underrated foreign films on Netflix?
International gems on Netflix include The Night Comes For Us (Indonesia), The Man from Nowhere (South Korea), Atlantics (Senegal/France), The Shadow Strays (Indonesia), and The Ritual (UK/Sweden). Netflix's international catalog is deep, but the algorithm rarely surfaces it. These are worth seeking out.
Does Netflix have any good horror movies that are not well known?
Absolutely. Start with His House (2020) — a 100%-rated refugee horror story. Then try Cam (2018) — a smart thriller about identity in the digital age. The Ritual (2017) has one of the best monster designs in modern horror. And The Guest (2014) is a genre-hopping blast with Dan Stevens at his most charismatic.
Want more Netflix recommendations?
Our main guide to the best movies on Netflix right now is updated monthly with fresh picks across every genre. From blockbusters to deep cuts, we have your next watch covered.