10 Underrated Movies From 2016: Hidden Gems You Might Have Missed

It's kind of wild to consider that 2016 was now a decade ago, yet that makes it more fun to go back and look at some of the hidden gems from that year. 2016 had some stellar movies, from Moonlight to La La Land to Your Name to The Nice Guys, yet it's the lesser-known films that are fun to find.

The year played host to some great indie movies and films that were great, yet flew under the radar. Some of them feature major stars like Brie Larson, Anne Hathaway, and Daniel Radcliffe, while others showcase the versatility among genres in 2016. All are worth checking out, though.

Free Fire

Free Fire is one of those movies that expertly blends two genres. It's an action comedy film that mostly takes place in one location, meaning it has to rely on quality acting and a strong screenplay.

Thankfully, Free Fire succeeds in both avenues. The script is sharp with some snappy dialogue, while the performances are all strong. Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, and Sharlto Copley are just some of the names included in this film.

Set in 1978, Free Fire sees a gunfight go down at a warehouse between two gangs. It becomes a game of survival and you never quite know who to trust, making for an engaging experience from start to finish.

The Monster

Originally titled There Are Monsters, The Monster uses a simple premise to tell an intriguing story. The film follows hard-drinking and sometimes abusive Kathy as she drives her daughter Lizzy to stay with her father.

Along the way, they hit a wolf with their car and end up stranded on a deserted road where they start to get stalked by an unknown creature. The film builds tension masterfully and makes great use of its small budget.

In fact, despite a budget of only $3 million, the titular monster looks pretty realistic. Zoe Kazan delivers one of her best performances as Kathy, helping this to be one of the year's most underrated movies.

Swiss Army Man

Daniels is a filmmaking duo that made major waves when they were behind Everything Everywhere All At Once, which went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars. They also took home the Best Director award that night.

However, several years before that iconic film, the two made their feature debut with Swiss Army Man. The movie follows Hank, a man trapped on a deserted island, who finds unexpected hope when a dead body washes ashore.

Paul Dano is tremendous as Hank, while Daniel Radcliffe is masterful as Manny, the corpse. The fact that he delivers such a good performance as a dead body is telling of his talents.

The Love Witch

The Love Witch is one of the most underrated films of the entire 2010s and not just 2016. The movie tells the story of a modern witch who uses various spells and magic to get men to fall in love, often to disastrous results.

Shot on 35 mm film, The Love Witch looks beautiful and is boosted by a fantastic lead performance from Samantha Robinson as Elaine Parks. This is one of those movies that's firmly in the "good for her" subgenre.

The Love Witch has an astounding 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was praised for the acting, the visual style, and the thought-provoking battle of the sexes at its core. Thankfully, writer/director Anna Biller is returning with a new film in 2026.

Sing Street

The coming-of-age movie subgenre is as memorable as it gets. Sing Street is one of the more underrated entries into that world, focusing on a group of teenagers who start a band as the lead singer wants to impress a girl.

The concept itself lends itself to good musical moments, but Sing Street really works because of how it utilizes its setting. The film takes place in South Dublin in 1985, with the fashion and music from the era standing out.

Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Maria Doyle Kennedy, and several others lead an impressive cast. Although Sing Street isn't all that well-known among the masses, it was nominated for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes.

Hunt For The Wilderpeople

These days, everyone knows who Taika Waititi is. The filmmaker became a huge name because of his work in the MCU on Thor: Ragnarok and then ultimately won an Oscar for writing Jojo Rabbit.

However, an argument could be made that Waititi's best movie is Hunt for the Wilderpeople. The movie centers on a foster son and foster father who bond while on the run as a manhunt looks to separate them following the death of the foster mother.

Waititi's signature brand of comedy is everywhere, while there's a ton of heart to Hunt for the Wilderpeople. It also benefits from a great cast, including Julian Dennison, Sam Neill, Rhys Darby, and even Waititi himself.

Hush

There aren't many names more prominent in the world of horror these days than Mike Flanagan. He's the person behind Netflix's huge hits The Haunting of Hill House and The Fall of the House of Usher, as well as the film adaptations of Stephen King's Gerald's Game, Doctor Sleep, and The Life of Chuck.

Before getting into those major projects though, Flanagan put out an original hidden gem in Hush. It tells the harrowing tale of a deaf and mute woman who has her home invaded by a man looking to kill her.

Without much dialogue, the film is able to deliver an incredibly intense experience. You fight alongside the protagonist, played by Kate Siegel, and want to see her come out on top. It's a true horror hidden gem.

20th Century Women

One of the first things that will stand out when you see 20th Century Women is the excellent cast. It's a great look at three generations of acting with Annette Bening, Greta Gerwig, and Elle Fanning leading the way.

20th Century Women is set in Southern California in 1979 and is inspired by the childhood of writer/director Mike Mills. It centers on a single mother who enlists the help of two younger women in raising her teenage son.

While 20th Century Women didn't become a big hit, the film was beloved by critics. In fact, it was nominated for Best Picture - Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes and for Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards.

Colossal

Colossal has one of the most unique premises you'll find anywhere. It centers on an unemployed writer who struggles with alcoholism and learns that when she drinks, she unwittingly manifests a giant creature that destroys Seoul.

In theory, it kind of makes no sense and yet that's why it works so well. Seeing how the character learns what she's doing and how it affects everyone makes for an interesting perspective.

Anne Hathaway plays the lead, while the supporting cast includes Jason Sudeikis, Dan Stevens, and Tim Blake Nelson. Colossal sits at an impressive 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is one of Hathaway's best roles.

Raw

Julia Ducournau's sophomore film, Titane, made bigger waves but her best work is probably her debut, Raw. The film is a unique take on the horror genre, as you don't realize you're watching a movie about cannibals for a bit.

Raw follows Justine, a lifelong vegetarian, as she goes to veterinary school away from home for the first time. While there, a hazing incident leads her to consume raw meat, which she develops a craving for.

This sends Justine down a horrific path of cannibalism that makes the movie absolutely chilling. It's one of the best horror films of the 2010s, and more people need to be made aware of it.