Jennifer M. Wood’s WIRED list, published December 24, 2020, is a time-capsule selection of films from roughly 2000–2020—not a ranking and not a rolling list updated through 2026. It groups together movies that struggled to find viewers, divided audiences, or earned stronger regard than their reach suggested. The titles below remain in WIRED’s original sequence; choose by premise or genre rather than treating the order as a score.
What “underrated” means in this list
There is no single measure of a film being underrated. In her 2020 article, Wood included films that underperformed commercially, films that drew negative reviews but merited another look, and films that critics and viewers liked but that failed to find a large audience. That makes the list a discovery guide, not a claim that all 20 were overlooked for the same reason. TIME critic Stephanie Zacharek likewise describes “underappreciated” as a matter of individual taste.
The box-office amounts below are figures WIRED reported in 2020, not independently verified grosses. The article’s viewing-platform information is also dated to December 2020, so it does not establish where a title streams or rents today.
The 20 films, in WIRED’s original order
-
The Assistant (2019)
Kitty Green’s restrained workplace drama follows a junior assistant in a powerful entertainment office, with Julia Garner at its center. WIRED characterized its reviews as broadly positive but its theatrical release as limited, reporting a $1 million theatrical gross in 2020.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.#1 Best Overall
Official IMDb Top 100 Movies Scratch Off Poster | Premium Bucket List - Made in USA | 16.5x23.4 Inches | Unique Gift for Men and Women Film Lovers | Movie Night Supplies and Room Décor- OFFICIALLY LICENSED BY IMDb - Based on millions of IMDb user ratings and the only top 100 movies scratch off poster licensed by IMDb - The most official and complete movie list of all time!
- WORK OF ART - Friends and family will appreciate the professional illustration and detail that went into all 100 original "mini movie poster" designs. Perfect gift for movie lovers!
- SUPERIOR QUALITY - With the high level of satisfied custumers, you can trust us to provide the best possible print quality and scratch-off experience. A great addition to your movie room accessories!
- INVESTING IN LOCAL QUALITY: We designed this poster in Madison, WI and printed it down the highway Vernon Hills, Illinois with one of the best scratch-off printers in the USA.
- STANDARD A2 POSTER SIZE - (16.5"x23.4") - Fits standard frame sizes. Frame the poster once all the movies are scratched-off and add it to your home movie theater room decor.
-
Annihilation (2018)
Alex Garland sends a team of scientists into the Shimmer, an expanding zone where nature behaves in uncanny ways. Its favorable critical reception and polarizing audience response make it a fit for viewers who enjoy science fiction that leaves room for interpretation.
-
Good Time (2017)
In the Safdie brothers’ crime thriller, Robert Pattinson plays Connie, whose desperate effort to help his brother Nick drives an increasingly tense night. It suits viewers drawn to restless, pressure-cooker stories rather than conventional crime-movie polish.
-
99 Homes (2014)
This foreclosure drama follows a man who takes work evicting other homeowners after losing his own home. WIRED reported that its limited theatrical release earned less than $1.5 million in 2020; the premise makes it a pointed choice for viewers interested in the human consequences of housing and financial crises.
-
The One I Love (2014)
A couple’s attempt to repair their relationship takes an unexpected turn into science fiction. WIRED suggested the film’s genre-mixing marketing may have obscured what it was—a useful pick if you like entering a story without knowing exactly which category it belongs to.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Locke (2013)
Tom Hardy carries this contained drama as a man handling a personal and professional crisis during a drive. WIRED gives its runtime as 85 minutes. Its single-journey setup puts the emphasis on conversation, pressure, and Hardy’s performance.
Rank #2
Starstruck: Vintage Movie Posters from Classic Hollywood- Used Book in Good Condition
-
Enemy (2013)
Denis Villeneuve’s unsettling doppelgänger story stars Jake Gyllenhaal. Choose it for psychological unease and ambiguity rather than a mystery that neatly explains every detail.
-
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
This apocalyptic romantic comedy pairs two neighbors on a road trip as the end approaches. It brings an intimate relationship story into a world-sized crisis, balancing an end-of-the-world premise with companionship.
-
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
A bleak family drama unfolds through a mother’s memories after her son commits a violent act. It is the list’s most harrowing option, built around fractured recollection and the aftermath of tragedy.
Recommended Free Tools
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Chloe (2009)
Atom Egoyan’s erotic thriller begins when a wife hires a sex worker to test her suspicion that her husband is unfaithful. Its premise turns a test of fidelity into a study of jealousy and desire.
-
Big Fan (2009)
Patton Oswalt plays a devoted sports fan whose encounter with a player unsettles his identity and loyalty. The dark comedy-drama is a natural choice for viewers interested in fandom as more than simple entertainment.
Rank #3
Star Wars Episode VI Return of the Jedi Authentic 35mm FilmCells Special Edition Display 7x5, Home Office,Black USFC2406- Features an image of the official poster for Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, a certificate of authenticity, and one clip of real 35mm film from the movie
- Highly Collectible, Officially Licensed, Special Edition
- Clear acrylic allows light to emphasize clip of film
- 7 x 5 black frame with easel back for instant display
- Special Edition plaque with Star Wars Logo
-
The Strangers (2008)
Bryan Bertino’s home-invasion horror film uses pared-back character development and plot to heighten menace, as WIRED observed. Viewers who prefer implication and dread to elaborate backstory may find its austerity effective.
-
The Foot Fist Way (2006)
Danny McBride stars as a small-town Tae Kwon Do instructor in this low-budget comedy. WIRED reported that its theatrical release earned less than $250,000 in 2020, one example of the modest reach behind the list’s “underrated” label.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
The Fountain (2006)
Darren Aronofsky’s nonlinear meditation on love, death, and immortality stars Hugh Jackman. WIRED lists its runtime as 96 minutes. Its ambitious, interwoven approach is a better match for viewers open to mood and symbolism than those seeking a straightforward narrative.
-
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
Adapted from Patrick Süskind’s novel, the film follows a perfumer whose extraordinary sense of smell becomes entangled with murder. Its unusual sensory premise sets it apart from a conventional serial-killer story.
-
Two for the Money (2005)
Matthew McConaughey and Al Pacino lead this sports-crime drama, which follows sports betting and a run of shifting fortunes. It offers a different route into the list for viewers who like stories about risk, money, and changing power.
-
The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)
Sean Penn stars in a film based on Samuel Byck’s real-life plan to hijack a plane. Its grounding in a real historical plot gives this character-driven drama a distinctive place among the list’s more fantastical premises.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Owning Mahowny (2003)
Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a bank manager with a gambling addiction. WIRED reported in 2020 that the film made about $1 million on a $10 million budget, and noted that Roger Ebert included it among his top 10 films of 2003.
-
The Believer (2001)
Ryan Gosling stars as a Jewish student who becomes a neo-Nazi. WIRED describes distribution difficulties amid protests and the aftermath of 9/11, context that helps explain why the film had a complicated path to audiences.
-
Vanilla Sky (2001)
Cameron Crowe’s psychological thriller is a remake of Open Your Eyes. WIRED reported that it made over $100 million while receiving sharply negative reviews from critics. Its commercial reach makes it a reminder that “underrated” does not always mean financially obscure.
How to choose where to start
Use the list’s differences rather than its label as a viewing guide. For tense, tightly focused stories, consider Locke or Good Time; for speculative or psychologically uncertain films, try Annihilation, Enemy, or The Fountain. The Assistant and 99 Homes offer grounded workplace and economic dramas, while The Strangers leans into horror. If you are curious about films whose reach or reception is part of their story, WIRED’s reported figures for The Assistant, 99 Homes, The Foot Fist Way, Owning Mahowny, and Vanilla Sky offer examples—but they are not a shared measure of artistic value.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallFor any title, check current streaming or rental catalogs in your country: WIRED’s platform listings reflect December 2020, and availability changes by territory and date.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
