The 2010s saw the release of some of the biggest blockbusters in movie history, but the decade also produced its fair share of underrated gems that turned out to be modern masterpieces. As the Aughts ended and the 2010s began, the way audiences consumed movies was rapidly changing. Movie theaters were still putting up record box office numbers, but the advent of streaming slowly began to alter the landscape of cinema. By the time the 2010s drew to a close, mᴀssive streaming platforms like Netflix had become original content powerhouses, and a deluge of movies flooded the market.
Because of this, many films from the 2010s simply slipped through the cracks and went unnoticed. Smaller movies with smaller advertising budgets were shoved to the side in favor of huge tentpole franchise films, and many of the best movies of the 2010s didn’t get a fair shake upon initial release. Even while earning high praise from critics, there were masterpieces from the decade that failed financially. Whether they were lost in the shuffle of streaming or didn’t get a wide enough theatrical release, there are movies from the 2010s worth seeking out.
10
Fruitvale Station (2013)
Ryan Coogler’s Directorial Debut With Michael B. Jordan In The Starring Role
A few years before they re-teamed for 2015’s Creed, director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan delivered the tense based-on-a-true-story drama, Fruitvale Station. Inspired by the shooting of Oscar Grant, the film follows the character during the final day, eventually culminating in his death. The low-budget film puts all its emphasis on character, and Jordan showed exactly what would make him a blockbuster star in the coming years.
Unlike a lot of other hidden masterpieces from the 2010s, Fruitvale Station actually fared quite well financially. Making almost all of its money domestically, the 2013 film snagged $17 million against a reported budget below $1 million (via Box Office Mojo).
9
Ex Machina (2014)
Despite Being Celebrated, Ex Machina Doesn’t Get Enough Praise
Alex Garland’s first film as a director proved he wasn’t just an amazing screenwriter, and Ex Machina is one of the best modern sci-fi movies. Despite exploring complex themes like the intersection of humanity and technology, and the sentience of robots, Ex Machina is a very human story. The film has only gotten better with age, as the ideas examined have become more frighteningly relevant in the years since.
Ex Machina was praised by critics and did decently at the box office, but was somewhat overlooked when award season rolled around. It won the Best Visual Effects Oscar, but it was relegated to second-tier status, likely because of its science fiction concepts.
8
Tangerine (2015)
Sean Baker’s Indie Gem That Was SH๏τ On IPhones
Before Sean Baker got his flowers for Anora, the indie filmmaker delivered one of his most groundbreaking movies with 2015’s Tangerine. SH๏τ entirely on IPhones, the slice-of-life comedy is an unflinching portrait of its characters without the veneer of conventional filmmaking methods. The raw quality of Tangerine is its biggest strength, and Baker has never shied away from portraying reality onscreen.
Since Baker’s career has hit new heights, more viewers are finally discovering his 2015 masterpiece.
The movie got a ton of great press, and excellent reviews from critics, but it naturally had a limited scope. After tearing it up on the festival circuit, Tangerine didn’t land a large theatrical release, and was therefore mostly seen by audience members who actively sought it out. Since Baker’s career has hit new heights, more viewers are finally discovering his 2015 masterpiece.
There was a campaign to get Tangerine nominated for an Oscar, but the film was not considered.
7
20th Century Women (2016)
An Early A24 Classic With Brilliant Writing
Though A24 is now a major player in movie production, their early years delivered plenty of hidden gems throughout the 2010s. 2016’s 20th Century Women is the quintessential early A24, and mixes elements of coming-of-age with dramedy to create a charming story about several women at different stages in their lives. Set in 1979, the movie cleverly uses its time period to contextualize the story and why the characters act the way they do.
The all-star cast includes Annette Bening, Greta Gerwig, and Elle Fanning, and there is a charming and low-stakes feel to the entire film. While not exclusively a comfort movie, 20th Century Women eschews exaggerated drama in favor of character beats that resonate much stronger.
6
Short Term 12 (2013)
An Understated Indie Drama That Deserves More Attention
Short Term 12 was the first leading role of Brie Larson’s career, but it was just a precursor to what she would accomplish in a few years’ time. The indie drama is set in the тιтular group home for teens, and is a complex exploration of Larson’s Grace as she tries to deal with her own emotional issues while working with the troubled kids.
Like a lot of indie films from the 2010s, Short Term 12 strikes a balance between realistic unflinching drama and cinematic storytelling, and there is an intimate quality not found in many bigger movies. The movie was a big success critically, but was considered an Oscar snub when it failed to secure even a single nomination.
5
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
One Of The 21st Century’s Best Movies Is Often Overlooked
The Coen brothers are one of the rare examples of artistic and expressive filmmakers breaking into the mainstream, but Inside Llewyn Davis is overlooked. Oscar Isaac gives one of his best performances as a struggling folk singer in the early ’60s, and the film deftly balances its drama and humor. Unlike the sprawling musical biopics that would come later, Inside Llewyn Davis is focused on its storytelling.
The movie was met with widespread acclaim when it debuted, and fared well financially, but its reputation hasn’t grown beyond its critical reception. Despite being regarded as one of the best movies of the 21st century so far, Inside Llewyn Davis is missed among many other excellent Coen movies.
4
Frances Ha (2012)
The Perfect Young Adult Comedy
There are plenty of great films about coming-of-age, but Frances Ha is a rare dramedy about the struggles of young adulthood. Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach teamed to pen the script, with Gerwig starring as the тιтular wannabe dancer who tries to find her place in the world. Playful and fun, the movie examines its concepts without getting too bogged down in sappy drama.
it was ignored by most major awards and has been further buried by the dizzying heights that Greta Gerwig’s career has reached since.
Gerwig is electric as Frances, and there is a realness to the filmmaking that is offset pleasantly by the quirky script. The black-and-white film was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, and helped usher in a new era of female screenwriters. However, it was ignored by most major awards and has been further buried by the dizzying heights that Greta Gerwig’s career has reached since.
3
Portrait Of A Lady On Fire (2019)
A Groundbreaking Queer Romance From The Late ’10s
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a French romantic drama set in the late 18th century. The 2019 release explores the relationship between two women, and is anchored by the performances of Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel. Unlike other period dramas and romances of the time, the movie’s unabashed portrayal of queer love also allowed for deeper storytelling possibilities.
While many period romances tend to opt for an anachronistic approach that ignores the real circumstances of women in previous centuries, Portrait of a Lady on Fire leans into them. The movie succeeds on multiple levels because it is not only a compelling romance, but a fascinating character drama too.
2
Your Name (2016)
One Of The Highest-Grossing Films In Japan
Animated films are tricky in the American market, and Your Name is a prime example of how a classic in one country fails to move the needle elsewhere. The Japanese romantic fantasy features beautiful artwork and a one-of-a-kind story, and Your Name is one of those films that works best in the animated medium. Despite its over-the-top fantasy, it is the heartfelt drama at the center of the story that’s the most powerful element.
It’s one of the highest-grossing movies in Japanese history, and though it was acclaimed internationally, Your Name never really caught on in the West. None of the major American awards even nominated the film, and it only made about $5 million in the U.S. on the way to grossing over $400 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo).
1
The Handmaiden (2016)
The South Korean Classic Could Have Been A Worldwide Smash
Hearkening back to the classic thrillers of older eras, Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden had all the ingredients to be a worldwide sensation. The epic-length erotic historical drama combines the grandeur of costume movies with a stunningly modern story of intrigue among the higher classes. It’s also uniquely Korean in that it explores a certain piece of the country’s long history.
The film did modestly well in its native country, but missed the opportunity to become something more in international markets. While it is still Chan-wook’s highest-grossing movie in the U.S., The Handmaiden came just a few years too early. Parasite was another great Korean film from the 2010s, and it helped to pave the way for the country’s cinema in the West.
