Ten Most Underrated Movies of the Decade
What is a favorite movie of the decade? Is it one that lifts your spirits? Is it one that you can’t stop thinking about? Is it the culmination of a beloved franchise that nails the end and makes you weep but also stresses you out because of lax anti-trust laws and fear for the future of the film industry?
I’ve seen so many Best of the Decade lists from critics and friends, and I couldn’t even choose best of this year. I was a dumb baby 18-year-old in 2010! How would I even have known what a good movie was? I’ve also seen a lot of Most Overrated of the Decade lists, and that’s just rude. Honestly, we can all be better people if we decide to just like things at a normal volume and dislike things somewhat quietly. All this to say that I decided to make a little guide to what I think are the most underrated movies of the decade, plus who I think would enjoy them, and a 20-words-or-less description.
Read this with the usual set of disclaimers: I’m not really a deep cuts indie film person, these are just my tastes, and I’m sure I missed something. You should also read this according my arbitrarily formed set of rules as to what underrated means: no major franchises (which eliminated Captain America: The First Avenger and The Last Jedi), no major Oscar contenders or Best Picture noms (which eliminated Get Out, Arrival, A Star Is Born, Hell or High Water, and Lady Bird), and no movies that were widely lauded (which eliminated Hustlers, How to Train Your Dragon, and Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse). I did fudge the rules a little bit on a few. Oops, sorry not sorry, it’s my list and I’ll fudge if I want to.
10. Other People (2016)
Good for: anybody who likes The Farewell and The Big Sick, anybody who was thankful to get away from the small town where they grew up, anybody who wants to laugh but also cry
Top line: Jesse Plemons, Bradley Whitford, and especially Molly Shannon anchor this lovely movie about surviving tragedy and your problematic, beloved family.
Currently on: Netflix
9. Ready or Not (2019)
Good for: anybody who likes Knives Out and Succession and Get Out and Parasite and Cabin in the Woods, anybody who has ever said “rich people do be like that,” anybody who can handle a little gore in their mystery stories
Top line: This movie is wild. I barely breathed for two hours. It was so fun. A mystery/horror/comedy with teeth.
Currently on: Amazon Prime (for money)
8. Man Up (2015)
Good for: anybody who likes Crazy Stupid Love and Catastrophe and You’re the Worst, anybody familiar with the deep bench of wonderful actors currently working in the UK, anybody who wants their classic romcom to have a little edge
Top line: Simon Pegg and Lake Bell have the best chemistry. This movie moves and sings (and dances). Classic romcom, personal favorite.
Currently on: Netflix
7. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
Good for: anybody who likes Skyfall and Ocean’s Eleven and Charade and The Mummy, anybody who thinks that Henry Cavill and Alicia Vikander should get to have more fun in movies, anybody who longs for the sleek and colorful spy team-ups of old
Top line: Few movies look and feel this cool, and even fewer star actors this good. Where is my sequel, Guy Ritchie?!?
Currently on: Amazon Prime (for money)
6. Spy (2015)
Good for: anybody who likes Bridesmaids and the Fast & Furious franchise, anybody who wishes that action movies made your stomach hurt from laughing, anybody who wishes that comedy movies had better stunts
Top line: Career apex for Jason Statham. Career apex for Rose Byrne. Ideal use of Jude Law. I’ve seen it 47 times.
Currently on: Amazon Prime (for money)
5. Game Night (2018)
Good for: anybody who likes The Italian Job and Horrible Bosses, anybody who likes TV comedies but wishes they had a bigger budget, anybody who is competitive (or married to somebody competitive)
Top line: One of the smoothest action-comedies I know of, plus everyone you’ve ever liked from TV is in it.
Currently on: Amazon Prime (for money)
Note: I accidentally left out Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. It would be 4.5.
4. About Time (2013)
Good for: anybody who likes Groundhog Day and The Lake House and The Holiday, anybody who wants a father-son movie with time travel built in, anybody who likes incredible movie soundtracks
Top line: This movie makes me live better. It’s kind, funny, and features my favorite meet-cute ever.
Currently on: Netflix
3. Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017)
Good for: actually anybody. I’m serious. There is not a person alive who could not enjoy these movies.
Top line: These movies also make me live better, and pack serious star power. You can watch them any time with anyone!
Currently on: Paddington 1 is on Amazon Prime (for money), Paddington 2 is on HBO, both are on Emily’s TV at home (come on over)
2. Colossal (2016)
Good for: anybody who likes Her and Ex Machina and The Truman Show, anybody looking to see the world differently, anybody who loves to gasp at reveals (do not read up on this movie and risk spoilers! Just see it!)
Top line: Anne Hathaway fought to get this movie made, and it’s worth it. It’s a mystery movie only women can solve.
Currently on: Hulu
1. Widows (2018)
Good for: anybody who likes John Wick and Hustlers and Triple Frontier, anybody who wants a tense and Oscar-worthy thriller, anybody from or interested in Chicago
Top line: Why didn’t this win Oscars why didn’t this win Oscars why didn’t this win Oscars it is freaking perfect!
Currently on: HBO
I sure did have a good time at the movies this decade. Here’s to the 2020s!
Honorable mentions:
For a fun time, call Easy A (2010), The Nice Guys (2016), Logan Lucky (2017), or Booksmart (2019).
For a cool time, call Fright Night (2011), Edge of Tomorrow (2014), Happy Death Day (2017), or Upgrade (2018).
For a lovely time, call Morning Glory (2010), Home Again (2017) or Set It Up (2018).