The special thrill is when you stumble upon a movie that no one seems to know about. It is just like unlocking a hidden secret in a game; you are suddenly the one who knows the secret, ready to be the first to talk about the film that way more people, aside from you, would like. The issue is that with the streaming platforms being crowded with content, these gems are often buried below the endless algorithms and the flashy blockbusters. So let’s shine the light on 10 neglected streaming movies likely missed by you, from number 10 to number one, together.
10. The Outrun
While Saoirse Ronan has always been brilliant, The Outrun may be her most raw and vulnerable work. Adapted from Amy Liptrot’s memoir, the film charts the recovery of a woman addicted to alcohol who returns to the Orkney Islands of Scotland to rebuild her life. Its premiere at Sundance was a mere footnote, a consequence which is lamentable as Ronan’s combination of agony and resolve should be felt, not overlooked.
9. My Old Ass
If you were able to sit with your older self, what would you tell them? That’s the premise behind My Old Ass, as a college-bound teenager named Elliott (played by Maisy Stella) comes across her 39-year-old future self (played with signature sass by Aubrey Plaza) on a mushroom trip. The film is convoluted in some spots and is too obvious in its themes, but Stella’s genuine performance keeps it grounded. If you have ever longed for a future self to come and give you some advice, then you will find this film relatable.
8. Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1
Kevin Costner’s Western epic got lost in the shadow of Yellowstone, but Horizon is a grand, throwback blockbuster brimming with sweeping vistas and old-school action. Yes, it’s long. Yes, it teases a sequel instead of wrapping things up. But when the dust flies—especially in the jaw-dropping midnight raid sequence you’ll remember why Costner still knows how to stage spectacle like few others.
7. Woman of the Hour
For her directorial debut, Anna Kendrick makes true crime a razor-sharp thriller. Woman of the Hour stages the creepy true story of a serial killer who, ho back in the 1970s, was a contestant on The Dating Game. With social commentary mixed in with suspenseful character drama, Kendrick emerges as a confident filmmaker on her first try. It’s one of Netflix’s most underrated originals. Don’t let it slip by.
6. Blitz
Steve McQueen’s Blitz is Castell back to London during the terrible Nazi bombing campaign in the middle of World War II. It was quietly released on Apple TV+ and didn’t get the mass promotion it warranted, but McQueen delivers his usual mix of large-scale and down-to-earth survival storytelling. The result is a very personal and powerful historical drama that’s vibrant, compelling, and unforgettable.
5. The Order
In The Order, Nicholas Hoult turns in a chilling performance that delivers an FBI-inspired crime thriller narrative that follows agents fighting white supremacist hate groups. The robbery sequences are intense and explosive, but it is Hoult’s low-key threat that stays with you. The film barely made it to the theaters and had a very limited run before it was released on demand; however, if you are a fan of hard-hitting, brutal crime dramas, you do not want to miss this one.
4. The Bikeriders
With Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, and Austin Butler leading the cast, The Bikeriders presents a tough, gritty portrait of the rise and fall of a motorcycle gang during the 1960s. The film had a rocky release, but fans who did catch it found themselves in front of a hauntingly beautiful tale of love, duty, and rebellion. It’s half-romantic and half-deadly, the sort of film that lingers on your body like road grime.
3. Didi
Sean Wang’s debut, Didi, is a hilarious, bittersweet coming-of-age tale of a Taiwanese-American middle schooler negotiating the cringeworthy early days of social media. It’s retro for anyone who grew up with Myspace or awkward webcams, but it also provides a powerful portrait of a family led by Joan Chen’s devastating performance as the protagonist’s mother. It’s tiny, under-the-radar, and totally worth your time.
2. Strange Darling
Strange Darling appears to be a standard cat-and-mouse thriller on its surface, but soon turns conventions upside down. Willa Fitzgerald shines opposite an enigmatic stranger, and the fractured timeline of the film leaves you wondering until the last image. Low-budget though it is, it’s one of the year’s most memorable genre exercises with its daring narrative decisions and beautiful cinematography.
1. Self-Reliance
Coming in at number one is Self-Reliance, the lovely and quirky first-time-director feature of Jake Johnson. This film follows a man who enrolls in an unusual dark web game: the last 30 days, as people try to kill you, and you’ll get a million dollars. There is only one catch: he can’t be alone. What could have been a mere gimmick turns out to be a very effective and unexpected reflection on the themes of human connection, isolation, and resilience. It’s a low-key release on Hulu, a hit-sleeper that marks Johnson as a director to keep an eye on.
These ten movies demonstrate that the best stories from the streaming world are not the ones most hyped and highly visible. They are the ones that are waiting to be found quietly, the kind of films that surprise you, stay with you, and perhaps even become your new favorites. The next time you find yourself scrolling endlessly, why don’t you try one of these under-the-radar picks?