Netflix is overflowing with content—it’s a vast, tangled jungle where it’s easy to get lost. For every trending blockbuster, there’s a quiet little gem waiting to be uncovered. If you’re burned out from endless scrolling and want something off the beaten path—quirky, heartfelt, sharp, or surprising—this list is for you. These 10 lesser-known Netflix original films might’ve flown under your radar, but they’re worth your time. And since the best discoveries often come last, we’re counting down from #10 to the top spot.
10. Tallulah (2017)
Before CODA’s Oscars, writer-director Sian Heder established herself with this affecting indie dramedy. Elliot Page stars as a free spirit who takes a baby from an abusive mom on impulse, joining forces with Allison Janney’s lonely divorcée on a bizarre and heart-wrenching journey. It’s intelligent, affecting, and surprisingly funny—a muddled, loving examination of motherhood, duty, and human connection.
9. The Half of It (2020)
A modest masterpiece of a teen film, this contemporary retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac follows Ellie Chu, a reserved student writing love letters for a classmate—who just happens to be pining for the same woman. Writer-director Alice Wu creates a moving, smart tale of love, loneliness, and speaking your mind. It’s sentimental, melancholy, and surprisingly insightful.
8. El Conde (2023)
Now here’s something crazy. El Conde conjures up ex-Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet as a centuries-old vampire desperate to die—but his avaricious children have other ideas. This black-and-white political farce from Pablo Larraín (Spencer, Jackie) is half horror, half farce, and 100% surprising. A vampire movie unlike any other, with teeth bared at history and hypocrisy both.
7. Kodachrome (2017)
If you’re in the mood for a heartfelt road trip movie, this one hits the mark. Ed Harris plays a dying father trying to reconcile with his estranged son (Jason Sudeikis) on a final journey to develop some old Kodachrome film. Elizabeth Olsen co-stars in this bittersweet, emotionally rich drama about legacy, forgiveness, and the power of memory. Bring tissues—and maybe a glass of wine.
6. They Cloned Tyrone (2023)
This genre-bending thriller is half sci-fi mystery, half social satire, and half outrageous comedy. A hustler, a sex worker, and a conspiracy theorist enter a government laboratory. And discover a clandestine operation aimed at their community. Snappy, funky, and full of pointed commentary, They Cloned Tyrone is a wild ride from beginning to end. Blaxploitation meets Get Out, with a heaping serving of Scooby-Doo.
5. It’s What’s Inside (2024)
A weekend wedding becomes a mind-bending horror show in this creative dark comedy. As a bunch of friends get together for a pre-wedding bash, they fall into a wild body-swap game that unleashes deep-rooted secrets. Well-shot and full of unexpected twists and turns, this one’s equal parts Coherence and Black Mirror, but with its unique vibe.
4. Rebel Ridge (2024)
This octane-packed thriller didn’t receive the buzz it needed. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier (Green Room), Rebel Ridge is about an ex-Marine (Aaron Pierre) who discovers corruption in the judicial system when an atypical bail pickup turns into pandemonium. It’s quick, violent, and socially explosive—with raw energy and a killer turn at its center.
3. Hit Man (2024)
Glen Powell gets to cut loose with his full charm in this lighthearted action-comedy-romance hybrid. He is a bookish teacher who poses as a bogus assassin for the police—blurring into different identities until he becomes enamored of a woman he’s tasked with trapping. Directed by Richard Linklater, Hit Man is smart, sexy, and brimming with surprises. It’s the sort of movie that’s just flat-out fun.
2. His Three Daughters (2024)
Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen give tour-de-force performances in this quiet family drama about three widely disparate sisters nursing their ailing father. Filmed largely in one apartment, the movie’s actual strength lies in its dialogue and intense emotional tension. It’s raw, truthful, and deeply moving—a silent masterclass in character acting.
1. Woman of the Hour (2024)
At the top of my list is Anna Kendrick’s daring and creepy directorial debut, an adaptation of the true story of the “Dating Game Killer.” Kendrick also plays a woman who appears on a television dating show—only to discover that her match is a serial killer. This isn’t only a dramatization of true crime, however; it’s an incisive, disturbing exploration of the way society views women and violence. Stylish, reflective, and profoundly disturbing, this lingers long after the credits stop.
Feeling motivated now? Whatever your genre, whether you’re a fan of satire, thrillers, or slow-burn drama, these underrated Netflix originals have something new to give. Next time you’re about to binge-watch the same old thing—give one of these underrated gems a go.