From foreign films, thrillers, and anime, to horror and indies, here is a list of gems not trending that you should definitely give a chance. Don’t overlook these hidden gems.

Netflix has such an extensive catalog that you could literally spend an hour just looking for something to watch. Instead of binging the same shows and movies over and over, we composed a list of hidden gems featuring underrated movies and tv series to watch on Netflix. While there are many good movies out there, there are tons of bad ones as well. However, some movies just get overlooked, don’t hit the mark or are overshadowed by blockbusters or “safe and cliche” films. We give these impressive motion pictures a chance, from horror to anime check out this list of underrated and deserving gems to watch right now.

1. OATS STUDIOS (2017)

Director/Writer: Neil Blomkamp
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Sigourney Weaver

From the eccentric director of the modern sci- fi cult classics “District 9” and “Elysium” comes the must-watch Sci- Fi thriller series Oats Studios. Filmmaker Neil Blomkamp astonishes science fiction fans again with the experimental short films depicting different storylines of post apocalyptic worlds and horrifying scenarios in each episode. Blomkamp features expansive storytelling, top-notch effects and world building as well as eerie spine-chilling creatures.

2. SUPER CROOKS (2021)

Supercrooks by Mark Millar, Leinil Francis Yu
Story by: Mark Millar / Screenplay by: Dai Satō
Directed by: Motonobu Hori
Starring: Kenjiro Tsuda, Maaya Sakamoto, Hiroshi Yanaka

Most viewers aren’t aware that the super-hero heist anime series is an adaptation of the graphic novel Super Crooks by Mark Millar, and is actually set in the world of Jupiter's Legacy. It features a ragtime team of supervillains getting together for one last heist. The adaptation works phenomenally as an anime, every episode is action packed and thrilling, viewers can’t help but cheer on this ragtime team. It also features a funkadelic soundtrack that totally adds to the ocean eleven vibes.

3. LOOPER (2012)

Director/Writer: Rian Johnson
Starring: Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt

A note-worthy mention is the mind-blowing time travel thriller Looper where Joseph Gordon Levitt and Bruce Willis play the same character decades apart. The exciting sci.-fi thriller features a futuristic timeline where a hired gun-man kills people who are sent back from another time, but what happens when the target is his future self? This movie is thought-provoking, thrilling and original in its unique perception of time travel and corruption.

4. MESSAGE FROM THE KING (2016)

Director: Fabrice Du Welz
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Luke Evans, Teresa Palmer, Alfred Molina

Rest in power King, Chadwick Boseman starred in the very underrated film Message From the King, sometime before filming for Black Panther. Very surprised that a lot of people haven’t heard of this film, as it is a terrific performance by the late Boseman. He plays the relentless Jacob King, a man from Cape Town searching the dark networks of lowlifes and elites in the streets of Los Angeles. This heartbreaking, non-stop action and brutally violent thriller is a must-watch.

5. NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (2016)

Director: Tom Ford
Starring: Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon

Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal star in this very chilling dark tale of revenge. Adams plays a successful Los Angeles gallery owner that is haunted by her ex-husband's violent novel manuscript that forces her to confront some dark truths about their past. Aaron Taylor-Johnson gives a terrifying performance showing us his range in this extremely brutal, dark twisted and beautifully crafted drama.

6. OUTLAW KING (2018)

Director: David Mackenzie
Starring:Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh

This biographical war drama surprisingly didn’t do great at its initial film premiere, apparently the director even made major cuts and changes to the film before its Netflix release. Happy that the final cut made it to netflix as the medieval epic has become somewhat of a fan favorite amongst

historical drama fans. The historical epic is based on real events, and takes place in 14th century Scotland, as the legendary warrior Robert the Bruce leads an uprising to reclaim his throne and win back independence from English rule.

7. LOVE DEATH & ROBOTS (2019)

Creators: Tim Miller, David Fincher, Jennifer Miller, Josh Donen
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Elodie Yung, Joe Dempsie

Love Death & Robots is 2 seasons of collected animated short stories spanning from science fiction, to fantasy, horror and comedy. Similar to Black Mirror the anthology series features different unrelated episodes with no specific order, and different cast members. However, LD&R’s features different art styles, and the series won the 2019 and 2021 Emmys for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program. The animated anthology series features captivating stories such as “if your home-cleaning unit is attempting to murder you”, and “awakening after traveling light years off course” and life for robots in a post- apocalyptic city.

8. GANTZ:O (2016)

Director: Yasushi Kawamura, written by Tsutomu Kuroiwa, chief directed by Keiichi Sato Based on the manga series Gantz, written and illustrated by Hiroya Oku
Starring: Daisuke Ono, M・A・O, Tomohiro Kaku

Gantz: O is a Japanese CGI anime sci- fi action movie based on the manga series Gantz.It isan impressive adaptation, whose quality still holds up pretty well today with its awesome effectsand character designs. Witness the bloody survivor game between resurrected humans who’vebeen given high-tech weapons and an army of monsters as they battle it out in Tokyo andOsaka.

9. THE RITUAL (2018)

Director: David Bruckner, Story: Adam Nevill
Starring:Arsher Ali, Rob James-Collier, Rafe Spall

The chilling British horror film The Ritual, (based on the book by the same title) is definitely one of the best more-recent horror films of this day. The movie follows four friends who reunite after a tragedy and set out on a hiking trip in the Scandinavian wilderness, where they end up lost in a mysterious forest of Norse legend and ancient evils. The movie features disturbing imagery, frightening sound effects and music, and intriguing mythology.

10. DARK (2017)

Creators: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese
Starring: Louis Hofmann, Oliver Masucci, Jördis Triebel

The suspenseful mystery crime series is a true masterpiece of time travel and introduces mind blowing twists and intricate storytelling. "Dark" represents the first German original series produced for Netflix. If you are looking for something new to binge, this series is most definitely it. When a child goes missing in a small German town, four families go on a hunt for answers exposing double lives, sinful past and a mind-blowing mystery that spans generations. Dark is three seasons of drama, intricate twists, lies,and deception with supernatural elements. The cinematography is astounding, paired with phenomenal storytelling, acting, and music, Dark is certainly one of the greatest shows of all time.

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The 10 Best Underseen Gems on Netflix

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Otakus & Geeks