Currently, it seems like the most popular aspect of Paramount+ is their original series, Halo but their catalog of movies is impressive and deserves just as much hype. While new releases like The Lost City and 2022's Scream will grab an audience, there are some true hidden gems available as well.
The relatively new streaming service has amassed a strong slate of movies from the '90s and hidden among the classics like Saving Private Ryan are some overlooked projects. These didn't do all that well at the box office and aren't beloved by the masses but are certainly worth a viewing.
Tank Girl (1995)
The always lovable Lori Petty has typically been a supporting player in almost all of her greatest roles. That includes Point Break, A League of Their Own, and Orange is the New Black but one film where she got to be the lead actor was Tank Girl.
Based on a comic book of the same name, Tank Girl takes place in Australia during a drought after a catastrophic event and follows the titular character and others as they go after an oppressive corporation. The film flopped in a big way at the box office but has attained a cult following, especially among women.
54 (1998)
One of the most iconic nightclubs in history is New York's Studio 54, which famously played host to some of the biggest stars in the world during its heyday. A movie based on it seems like it would be filled with wild scenes that captivate everyone who watches.
Unfortunately, 54 ended up missing the mark from both a commercial and critical standpoint. Looking back at it though, there is fun to be had and it's worth watching the cast of Neve Campbell, Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek, Mark Ruffalo, and so many others.
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
Following in the footsteps of her acclaimed father, Francis Ford Coppola, Sofia Coppola has become a very talented filmmaker in her own right. Her career has seen her helm works like Lost in Translation, The Bling Ring, and On The Rocks on Apple TV+.
Her directorial debut came back in 1999 with The Virgin Suicides and although this didn't make much money, it was a critical success that shined at the Cannes Film Festival. The plot centers on five sisters who get sheltered by their overprotective parents after one attempts to take her own life.
Kiss The Girls (1997)
One of the bigger box office successes of Paramount+'s hidden gems is Kiss the Girls, which grossed just over $60 million in theaters. It likely helped that the legendary Morgan Freeman is the lead actor and folks were flocking to anything starring the icon.
Based on a best-selling novel of the same name, Kiss the Girls focuses on the hunt for a serial kidnapper after one of their victims goes free. The 2001 sequel, Along Came a Spider, was a bigger hit and is more well-known but those who check out the first are in for a treat.
Fire In The Sky (1993)
A lot of these hidden gems are based on books and Fire in the Sky fits that mold. Based on a novel titled The Walton Experience, this film centers on someone who disappears for nearly a week and returns with reports of being abducted by aliens.
Reviews were mixed and that can often be what holds people back from watching a movie. However, those who watch Fire in the Sky will find a story that feels more realistic than expected and has moments that are genuinely scary. It blends horror, mystery, and sci-fi impressively well.
Jacob's Ladder (1990)
Tim Robbins was on quite the roll from the late '80s into the '90s, appearing in a slate of impressive movies. Top Gun, Bull Durham, The Player, and of course, The Shawshank Redemption are his most iconic roles but Jacob's Ladder deserves love too.
Barely grossing back its budget, Jacob's Ladder was a failure commercially but critics were much more pleased with it and it has gained something of a cult following. The psychological thriller tells the tale of the titular Jacob's experiences before and during the Vietnam War, which results in bizarre hallucinations.
Dead Again (1991)
The career of Kenneth Branagh as a director goes back a lot further than most people realize. He made his directorial debut way back in 1989 with Henry V before moving on to helming Dead Again two years later.
Branagh leads a tremendous cast that also features Emma Thompson, Andy Garcia, Robin Williams, and a BAFTA-nominated Derek Jacobi. The movie focuses on an unexpected connection between a woman who loses her memory and the private investigator sent to track her down.
Blue Chips (1994)
Athletes have been appearing in movies and typically doing well with their performances for a long time. A handful of them stand out above the rest, with one of those being basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, who made his big-screen debut in Blue Chips.
The story is about a college basketball coach who tries to recruit the best possible team but must deal with the various bits of drama that come with handling athletes. O'Neal is joined by Larry Bird, Penny Hardaway, Kevin Garnett, and many other players, making it an ideal watch for basketball fans.
Fresh (1994)
Not to be confused with the Hulu original movie of the same name, 1994's Fresh is entirely different in terms of its premise. The crime drama centers on a young boy (nicknamed Fresh) who is forced to deal drugs for his neighborhood's notorious gangsters.
Fresh is a brilliant kid who manages to concoct a plan to get out of his dangerous life, making for a gripping story. The film also features an underrated supporting turn from Samuel L. Jackson. Fresh was praised for the direction, acting, and realistic portrayal of New York City projects.
Bound (1996)
After The Matrix, The Wachowskis became household names as they had made one of the most inventive and memorable movies in history. However, more people should go back into their filmography to find their debut, which came three years prior with Bound.
The small crime thriller sees Violet (Jennifer Tilly) and Corky (Gina Gershon) fall in love and attempt to steal $2 million from Violet's criminal husband, only for it all to go wrong and become chaotic. Though it wasn't well-known when it was released, more people have found it over the years and it is a pivotal LGBTQ+ film.