In addition to a vast library of Disney-exclusive content from the likes ofMarvel,Star Wars,andNational Geographic,Disney+ also plays host to many criminally underrated movies.Ranging from critically acclaimed blockbusters that failed to break into the mainstream to films that attained fan favorite status despite mixed reviews, Disney+ is home to some of cinema’s most underappreciated films. From epic tales of survival and battles of the human spirit all the way to laugh-out-loud romantic comedies, there’s something for every brand of film fan out there.
15Predators (2010)
Directed By Nimród Antal
The third film in thePredatorseries,Predatorstook the franchise off-world for the first time, chronicling the trials and tribulations of an elite group who find themselves marooned on a mysterious alien planet to serve as target practice for the titular extra-terrestrial hunters.WhilePredatorsreceived mixed reviews from critics, Nimród Antal’s picture is contentiously the series' finest offering since the iconic originaldebuted in 1987.
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In addition to the talents of a diverse ensemble cast,Predatorsoffers a fresh take on the franchise that crackles with intensity. The film decidedly isn’t perfect, but it’s a return to much of what made the original such a success, emphasizing adrenaline-infused action sequences and psychological tension.
Togo
Cast
Togo is a Disney+ original movie starring Willem Dafoe as musher Leonhard Seppala, the owner of Togo, who is a sled dog that was thought to be too weak to perform in the 1925 serum run to Nome. The film is directed by Ericson Core, who previously directed the films Invincible and Point Break.
Given Willem Dafoe’s vast body of acclaimed work, it’s hardly surprising thatTogostands as one of his more underappreciated outings. When critics typically point to the likes ofPlatoon,The Lighthouse, orAt Eternity’s Gateas examples ofWillem Dafoe’s best movies, his stunning bow inTogoflies beneath the radar in terms of mainstream appreciation. While Ericson Core’s film is easy to dismiss as just another dog movie,Togotranscends the usual standards associated with such titles, producing a gripping tale of loyalty and love that never fails to tug on heartstrings.
King Arthur
Arthur is a reluctant leader who wants to return to Rome and live in peace. However, he sets out on a rescue mission alongside the Knights of the Round Table when the Saxon army is about to attack.
A heavily embellished take on the legend,King Arthurreimagines the titular character as a Roman cavalry officer during the fall of the Empire, as opposed to the traditional character mold of a medieval knight typically used inKing Arthur movies. Despite being lambasted as little more than a ham-fisted action flick by critics, there’s an enjoyable viewing experience to be found inKing Arthur,if viewers are willing to look past its weaknesses.The movie’s thrilling battle sequences and unconventional depictions of the Knights of the Round Table serve to elevateKing Arthurabove similar genre contemporariesin terms of sheer entertainment.
Sunshine
Sunshine, directed by Danny Boyle, follows a team of astronauts on a critical mission to reignite the dying Sun and save Earth from an impending freeze. Set fifty years into the future, the film explores their journey and the challenges faced in their attempt to restore solar life.
Sunshinebears the unenviable accolade of being one of the greatest sci-fi films in recent memorythat virtually nobody remembers. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Cillian Murphy, the film chronicles a perilous mission through space to reignite the dying sun using a stellar bomb. A box office disaster, the 2007 movie had faded into almost complete obscurity before discovering a new lease of life as one of Disney+’s most underrated attractions. Utilizing an eerie sense of realism and visually stunning cinematography, Danny Boyle’s film effortlessly blends the genres of science fiction and horror to jaw-dropping effect.
Holes
A teenage boy finds himself at a juvenile detention camp after being falsely accused of theft. Each day, he and the other boys are forced to dig holes in the desert, supposedly to build character. As the protagonist delves deeper into the camp’s secrets, he uncovers a mysterious connection to his own family’s history, leading to the revelation of a hidden treasure and the resolution of an ancient curse.
A comedy-drama based on Louis Sachar’s novel of the same name,Holesis often overlooked in conversations about great book adaptations given the film’s relatively small budget and promotional fanfare in comparison to some of its contemporaries.Holesis a vastly underrated offering, deftly juggling dark subject matter and uplifting sentimentin a family-friendly manner that makes the movie accessible to audiences of all ages. A surprisingly layered story that invites introspective reflection on themes in the vein of authority, justice, and redemption,Holesstill manages to maintain the tongue-in-cheek aura of any classic coming-of-age story.
10Ready Or Not (2019)
Directed By Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett
Starring scream queen Samara Weaving in the leading role,Ready or Notis a glorious piece of horror comedy that stands out as one of the subgenre’s sleeper hits.The film chronicles the tribulations of a young bride who finds herself hunted through her new spouse’s ancestral home by his family as part of a twisted ritual. A crowd-pleasing blend of black humor and thrilling horror,Ready or Notis a riotously entertaining watch.
Weaving’s superb lead bow is complemented by an array of excellent supporting performances from the likes of Adam Brody and Andie MacDowell, expertly carrying the film to its electrifying conclusion. A first-rate genre subversion,Ready or Notis one of the most underrated horror films of the 2010s.
Remember The Titans
Remember The Titans is a 2000 sports drama directed by Boaz Yakin and starring Denzel Washington. The film is based on the true story of a newly integrated high school football team in Virginia. Under the leadership of coach Herman Boone, the team navigates racial tensions and strives for success on and off the field.
Loosely based on the true story of Herman Boone and his attempt to integrate a high school football team,Remember the Titansis contentiously the finest American football film ever made.Spearheaded by Denzel Washington, the film effortlessly balances social commentary with an array of motivational sequences. Given the movie’s positive reviews, it’s hard to pinpoint whyRemember the Titansis such an underrated offering. It could be argued that the movie doesn’t possess the same appeal to audiences outside the traditional demographic associated with American football. Whatever the case may be,Remember the Titansretains its status as a top-tier inspirational sports drama.
An orphan who lives with his two cruel aunts befriends anthropomorphic bugs who live inside a giant peach, and they embark on a journey to New York City.
James and the Giant Peachtells the tale of a young boy who embarks on a fantastical adventure with an array of talking insects in an enormous magical peach.One of Roald Dahl’s most celebrated and inherently feel-good stories,it’s remarkable that the film holds status as an underrated flick. While the superb voice-over performances turned in byJames and the Giant Peach’ssupporting casthave never received the full amount of praise due to them, the film’s blend of live-action and stop-motion animation is easily its most unappreciated aspect, with borderline psychedelic visual effects used in the film were years ahead of their time.
Road to Perdition
2002’s Road to Perdition sees Tom Hanks step into the role of Michael Sullivan, a man raised by an Irish Mob boss who betrays him. Directed by Sam Mendes, Sullivan embarks on a journey to get vengeance on the man who wronged him.
A somber crime drama led by Tom Hanks,Road to Perditionsees theForrest Gumpstar take on the uncharacteristically dark role of a mob enforcer on the run from his former employer.One ofHanks' more underrated cinematic outings, Sam Mendes' picture is often overlooked givenRoad to Perdition’s lack of instantly quotable one-liners or glamorized depictions of criminality associated with films of its ilk.
However, the film’s evocative exploration of the bond between fathers and sons is what sets it apart from many gangster contemporaries.Road to Perditioneschews the traditional narrative structure of a mobster movie, in favor of a poignant commentary on the nature of this unshakable bond set against the backdrop of a brutal revenge story.
The Drop (2014)
Led by Tom Hardy andThe Sopranosstar James Gandolfini in his final film appearance,The Dropis a masterful crime thriller of the highest order. However, despiteThe Drop’sstar-studded cast, understated advertising and a limited release for the film meant that it flew under the radar even at the time of its release. This lack of mainstream recognition is a shame, consideringThe Dropis a glorious case study in gritty, atmospheric filmmaking. The movie received glowing reviews from critics, with particular praise directed towards the intense performances by Hardy and Gandolfini in the leading roles in a slow-burn character-focused enterprise.
