If you look at our Best Movies of 2025 list, there would be plenty of well-loved films in the list, and ones you’re probably not super-suprised ot have seen make it into the top 10. But what about the films we feel went a little under the radar? Or didn’t get the appreciation they deserved, or were a bit misunderstood?
Here are our picks for the Most Underated Movies of 2025.
10.) The Rule of Jenny Penn
Shudders’ best release in 2025 was The Rule of Jenny Penn, which was horrific, a look at the loss of control in your life, and how it can feel to have someone else attempting to rule and control everything. And it all comes from the point of view of a judge, who used to feel in control, laying down the hammer and making life-changing decisions in other people’s lives, now left and unable to be in full control of his own home.
– Dylan
9.) The Monkey
Another Stephen King adaptation, but this time from Longlegs director Osgood Perkins, and also with the director playing in dark comedy for the first time. Which I do think is what confused some viewers with this one, as they were looking for more of a direct horror movie and didn’t expect this tone from the director of more serious, sombre films.
– Dylan
8.) Karate Kid: Legends
Perhaps hampered by the legacy of the franchise and expectations post-Cobra Kai, many didn’t give this delightful martial arts film a chance, and their missing out. Ben Wang is super likable and clearly capable of the martial arts needed for the role, the film has a nice twist on the Karate Kid formula, and Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio have enjoyable roles without making the film all about them. Give it a chance!
– Ashley
7.) Frankie Freako
In his follow-up to the ultra-violent and fun Psycho Goreman, writer/director brings some Gremlins-inspired action in Frankie Freako. It’s a fun concept with a very strict and boring man calling up a late-night ad service that promises to throw a party, and what he gets is far from what he could have even considered, but for us viewers, it makes for a wild ride once the wheels get going.
– Dylan
6.) Death of a Unicorn
A24 loves putting up left-field films, and Death of a Unicorn was one of their more unique and odd ventures last year. The cast was rather stacked with Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni and Richard E. Grant all part of the ensemble, and the plot revolves around the accidental murder of a unicorn. I would have thought this film would have been more discussed. But it seemed to miss the mark, possibly because its heavy-handed discussion of the pharma industry wasn’t for everyone who just wanted to see a unicorn slasher, but it’s a fun dark comedy.
– Dylan
5.) Bridget Jones: Mad About a Boy
The fourth film covering the dating misadventures of Bridget Jones turns out to be not only an enjoyable rom-com but also a beautiful story of grief and the struggle to move on after the loss of the love of your life. All your favourite characters return and deliver plenty of laughs as Bridget tries to find love one more time.
– Ashley
4.) Novocaine
Fans of dark humour will have plenty to enjoy in this high-concept film that constantly finds humour in grisly injury. Jack Quaid’s committed performance sells the film’s pain-free premise as both absurd and brutal, giving the action real bite. Slick, funny, inventive and well worth your time.
– Ashley
3.) Companion
Companion is one of the several new-tech and AI-tech horror films we’ve been getting, but with this one, it looks at how we could be moving to a rather disgusting sex-robot future if we’re not careful. And if you want to move into a world and conversation where we’re building life-like and fully-aware AI, then can we be using and treating them like slaves? Here’s what could happen if we go down that road.
– Dylan
2.) Clown in a Cornfield
I devoured the three Clown in a Cornfield books from Adam Cesare ahead of the film, and was super excited for the film. And although it left me a little disappointed that it didn’t fully capitalise on the social undertones that made this slasher special on paper, the movie still attempts to capture some of those same elements. And as it stands, it’s just a slasher, but it’s still a good one, with the classic horror movie villain: someone dressed as a clown.
– Dylan
1.) The Life of Chuck
Based on the Stephen King novel considered nearly impossible to adapt, Mike Flanagan, a huge fan of the author, gave it a grand go. And I loved the movie, finding its view of life on this earth beautiful. I do feel like viewers came into this one expecting one thing but didn’t get a clear, normal narrative, and left disappointed. But viewers who came in without knowing anything just enjoyed the story.
– Dylan
Find all of Explosion Network’s Best of 2025 coverage right here, and be sure to let us know your thoughts on any of our lists in the comments section.
