The success of Barbarian, which has largely been because of word-of-mouth, shows that there is still a great deal of power to be had in audience reception. For many productions, success is often dependent on viewers sharing their love of the movie with anyone who will listen.
Indeed, the s of Reddit have proven remarkably adept at providing readers with examples of movies that, though they might be beloved by those familiar with them, have gone largely unknown and unappreciated by the general public. These comments reveal that there is often much to be gained from watching movies that one might not otherwise have heard of.
The Prophecy (1995)
Stream On Pluto TV
The idea of a cosmic battle between good and evil is one that has excited the Hollywood imagination, and many religious thrillers appeared during the 1990s. It appears very frequently, including in The Prophecy, which focuses on the angel Gabriel and a human detective as they both become ensnared in a battle between good and evil.
Though somewhat forgotten, is a movie that has nevertheless interested Redditors such as Emperorko, who writes: “Christopher Walken as a genocidal archangel? Yes please.” The fact that it stars Viggo Mortensen as the Devil himself just adds to the supernatural appeal of The Prophecy.
Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)
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There have, of course, been many great mockumentaries. Drop Dead Gorgeous deserves to be seen as one of the best, though, as it stars a truly spectacular cast, including Kirstie Alley and Kirsten Dunst.
It is one of those films which manages to disguise a subversive message about the perils of beauty pageant culture, all while being deliciously funny. pacMatty praises the film, writing that it is “such a funny movie, and had the ‘mockumentary’ style before it was popular.” While it is not always particularly subtle and wasn’t particularly well-received at the time, it has become a cult classic in its own right.
The Fall (2006)
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Lee Pace has been in many great movies, and one of the more undersung of his efforts has to be The Fall. It is, to be sure, a strange movie with a unique blend of fantasy and adventure and a narrative that is often very self-reflexive about the nature and purpose of storytelling itself.
Captrehtaeh is particularly full of praise for the movie, and they go so far as to call it “The most beautiful move I've ever seen.” It is, indeed, one of those movies that shows in every frame the extent to which it is a labor of love and a reminder that there is often a bit of genuine magic in the moving image.
Run Lola Run (1998)
Stream On The Roku Channel
There are few movies like Run Lola Run, which uses the narrative strategies of the video game in the service of a typical movie story. It is a unique take on the perennially popular–and sometimes overdone–genre of the thriller.
Though it isn’t as widely known to American audiences, TimeLordAsparagus praises it, writing: “It’s surprisingly accessible to both mainstream audiences and fans of more avant-garde stuff. It’s weird and surreal and experimental, but it’s also just a really fun, really silly action flick. Currently my favourite film.” It is, indeed, one of those movies which reward multiple viewings so that the viewer can appreciate its true complexities.
The Pagemaster (1994)
Not Currently Streaming
Those who grew up in the 1990s know that there are a number of great animated movies from the decade. While those released by Disney usually demand the lion’s share of the attention and the nostalgia, there are some, like The Pagemaster, which are just as deserving of love.
Focusing on a young boy who goes on a series of adventures in his local library, it features the voices of, among others, Macaulay Culkin, Whoopi Goldberg, and Patrick Stewart. Though largely forgotten, some Reddit s, such as blackaubreyplaza, identify it as one of their favorite gems that go unappreciated by others.
In The Mood For Love (2000)
Stream On HBO Max
Wong Kar-wai is often regarded as one of the most talented directors of his generation. His movies have a visual sumptuousness to them that sets them apart from almost any other director’s output.
His movie In the Mood for Love is particularly exemplary in this regard, with a careful attention to visual detail and an evocative color palette that is quite appealing to various cinephiles. Even so, it is a movie that often flies under the radar. Maegorthecruel1 calls it “one of the most beautiful films i ever felt.”
The Last Unicorn (1982)
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There are many great animated movies from the 1980s, and The Last Unicorn is, for some Redditors, among the best. With its unique animation and its bittersweet and melancholic story about a unicorn who sets out to find out what happened to the rest of her kind, it manages to be both beautiful and heartbreaking in equal measure.
Thesafflower writes: “I think it gets overlooked in the flood of other animated movies. Absolutely beautiful movie, with a great voice cast and wonderful soundtrack.” It is, indeed, one of those animated movies which manage to stand the test of time, and it still has the power to engender tears.
I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)
Stream On Hulu
Ewan McGregor has been in many great roles, but it has to be said that I Love You Phillip Morris is one of his more underrated appearances. In the movie, he plays the title character, who is the object of affection for Jim Carrey’s Steven Jay Russell. The movie is remarkably funny, poignant, and heartfelt.
It’s thus not surprising that thewidowgorey writes: “it’s genuinely hilarious. It’s a real romantic comedy that was made during that sea of awkward improv comedies.” It is, indeed, one of those movies which could only have been made when it was and features two actors at the top of their game.
Titan AE (2000)
Not Available To Stream
Though Titan AE may not be one of Don Bluth’s best movies, it nevertheless deserves credit for its artistic ambition. With its mix of post-apocalyptic drama and science fiction, it is a testament to what animation as a form can achieve.
Mattjthroop points out how much the film affected them, writing: “wow you just unlocked a core memory. that and Treasure Planet made me who i am today lol.” Though it might have been forgotten by many, there is still clearly a great deal to this film that is worth enjoying today, if for its ambition it for nothing else.
Clue (1985)
Stream On Prime Video
Clue has come to be regarded as one of the best cult classic movies. However, it is still one of those movies which, for those not in the know, manages to slip through the cracks.
Fortunately, there are many on Reddit who are more than willing to sing its praises. AmandaExpress writes that it is “actually one of my comfort movies!” It is one of those movies which has actually benefited from being released on home video, as this allows the viewer to fully grasp the absurdity of the multiple endings.
