Whenever a new movie arrives on Netflix, it tends to pop up on the homepage which causes millions of subscribers to check it out. This has allowed brand new releases to be big hits and even breathed life into films from previous years like Den of Thieves, which recently was in the streaming service's top 10.
Of course, there are still plenty of movies that have flown under the radar and remain that way on Netflix. They get added but might not appear on the homepage, so people overlook them. Thankfully, there are some great ones worth checking out from the 2010s if you look deeper.
Kodachrome (2017)
More often than not, Netflix originals get promoted pretty heavily by the streaming service but a few don't receive that treatment. That's the case for the less-famous indie films made with a small budget, including Kodachrome.
The story of a son taking his father and his dad's nurse on a road trip to get pictures developed before the Kodachrome photo hut closes forever might not sound all that intriguing. However, the movie is carried by strong performances from Jason Sudeikis, Elizabeth Olsen, and Ed Harris, who combine to make this into a special film.
What Happened To Monday (2017)
Some of the movies that don't get heavy promotion from Netflix certainly deserve more love. What Happened to Monday is one of those as it's an intriguing high concept dystopian sci-fi flick about septuplets who live at a time where overpopulation means each household is only allowed one child.
The talented Noomi Rapace portrays the septuplets, each named after the day of the week they're allowed outside to live their lives. When one goes missing, the others must try to save her while remaining secret. Although reviews weren't overly positive, those who enjoy exciting sci-fi stories will likely love it.
Cam (2018)
2018's Cam is a horror film that critics were big fans of, even if it wasn't watched by all that many people. The movie centers on a woman working as a camgirl who gets replaced by an exact replica and can't figure out what caused it.
Led by a stellar performance from Madeline Brewer, the film will keep you guessing at every turn and you'll never fully understand what's causing the events to unfold. Everything from the acting to the atmosphere to the mystery was praised, making this a true hidden gem.
Hush (2016)
It's hard to imagine that something made by Mike Flanagan could be unknown to so many. Flanagan has become a horror legend thanks to The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep, and Midnight Mass but some of his work from before those days deserve to be just as popular.
While Gerald's Game fits into that category, Flanagan's best project could very well be Hush. The film tells a frighteningly realistic horror tale about a deaf woman who must fight off a deadly home intruder. It's completely terrifying and will chill viewers to the bone.
I Lost My Body (2019)
When Toy Story 4 won Best Animated Feature at the 92nd Academy Awards, it wasn't surprising since it was well-received and the most popular of the nominees. That said, there's no doubt that the other films deserved to win, especially I Lost My Body.
This French film only runs about 80 minutes but it captivates audiences with the dual story it tells. On one side, an engaging love story is told and on the other side, a creative tale is woven about a severed hand that goes on an adventure to find its body. The film won plenty of accolades across various award shows.
Hunt For The Wilderpeople (2016)
These days, everyone seems to know who Taika Waititi is. After he directed Thor: Ragnarok and won an Oscar for Jojo Rabbit, Waititi fans have gone back to check out his part work, with What We Do in the Shadows standing out from the pack.
However, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is basically Waititi at his peak. The film focuses on a man and his foster son who become the targets of a manhunt through the wilderness. It has Waititi's signature blend of absurd comedy and surprisingly heartwarming moments, making for a gem of a film.
Tangerine (2015)
It's rare these days that you find a movie that was made for less than $1 million and it's even more shocking to find one that was finished for just $100,000. That's part of the appeal of Tangerine as the film feels down-to-earth and realistic given it was filmed on multiple iPhones.
Tangerine follows a day in the life of a transgender sex worker who finds out that her pimp/boyfriend has been cheating on her. The screenplay and acting were both well-received, as was the use of the small budget and the booming soundtrack.
Sorry To Bother You (2018)
There's no doubt that LaKeith Stanfield has become a breakout star over the past few years, starting with Short Term 12 and really branching out thanks to Get Out and Atlanta. Among his best film roles is the Boots Riley created Sorry to Bother You.
Stanfield plays a Black telemarketer who uses a white accent to become successful and move up the corporate ladder. The movie shines because it takes this wacky concept and dares to go further than anyone likely expected, delivering unexpected twists and turns that will truly shock you.
Begin Again (2013)
If a film features Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, and Catherine Keener, you can almost guarantee that it'll be great. Begin Again is indeed a movie that boasts that talented quartet of stars and it tells an emotionally engaging story with some beautiful music to make it even better.
The plot revolves around a failing record label executive (Ruffalo) who discovers a great singer (Knightley) and produces an album with her across New York while trying to reconnect with his daughter (Steinfeld). The film was nominated for the Best Original Song Oscar and received strong reviews across the board.
Raw (2016)
Another French film that should be seen more on Netflix is Raw. It's much different from the aforementioned I Lost My Body though, as this is a psychological horror movie that tells a truly harrowing story.
The film focuses on a vegetarian who tastes meat for the first time at veterinary school and develops a hunger for human flesh, resulting in cannibalism. Although the graphic content made it somewhat controversial, the movie was met with widespread acclaim and remains a standout international film from the decade.