Even though 2026 has proven to be a juggernaut for movies, unfortunately, several movies that are exceptionally good and refreshing have flown under the radar. While hits like Project Hail Mary, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Michael, and now The Devil Wears Prada 2 have helped elevate the first half of 2026’s box office to pre-COVID heights, a plethora of underrated movies have failed to make a splash among mainstream circles during their initial run.
Some of these titles, however, have the potential to amass a cult following over time, especially in the era of streaming, while others have already cultivated a dedicated fanbase despite a lukewarm theatrical reception. ‘Although we’re only five months into the year, here’s an overview of 10 such underrated movies, ranked by their likelihood of becoming cult classics.
10. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Despite glowing reviews, Nia DaCosta’s sequel to 28 Years Later made little splash at the box office, and the underwhelming returns have now put an asterisk on the planned threequel.
But beyond its commercial failure, which seems largely tied to its predecessor’s polarizing ending, The Bone Temple is visceral and unique in its focus on human terror, and has all the makings of becoming a cult hit. However, the only caveat is that it’s part of an existing franchise, and fans who aren’t familiar with the IP are unlikely to dive in without committing to its predecessors.
Movie28 Years Later: The Bone TempleTomatometer | Popcornmeter (as of May 3, 2026)92% | 88%Stream | Rent (as of May 3, 2026)Netflix
9. Mother Mary
A still from Mother Mary | Credit: A24
Starring Anne Hathaway as a pop star under the moniker of Mother Mary, the movie follows her as she reunites with her estranged best friend and costume designer on the eve of her comeback performance.
While it’s not for everyone and had the disadvantage of opening against a giant like Michael, the movie’s abstract and metaphorical nature, as opposed to leaning toward a conventional narrative, could allure more viewers in the future. Although time will tell how it shapes up once it opens on VOD and streaming, it definitely has the makings of a beloved classic in the future.
MovieMother MaryTomatometer | Popcornmeter (as of May 3, 2026)71% | 58%Stream | Rent (as of May 3, 2026)N/A (Currently playing in theaters)
8. The Bride
A still from The Bride | Credit: WB
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s bold retelling of The Bride failed to entice audiences upon release, as it managed to pull in only $23.8 million globally against a $80 million budget (via The Numbers).
And even though it’s far from perfect, with some taking issue with its pacing, unnecessary subplots, and messy script, Gyllenhaal’s bold swing, combined with Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale’s performances, does make for an interesting watch. While not everyone’s cup of tea, there’s a good chance it will find its audience in the years to come.
MovieThe BrideTomatometer | Popcornmeter (as of May 3, 2026)57% | 70%Stream | Rent (as of May 3, 2026)Apple TV
7. Hokum
A still from Hokum | Credit: NEON
Although not a genre-defining masterpiece, Hokum is a refreshing slow-burn horror that strips horror back to its fundamentals and executes them impeccably.
Even though the movie seems to be flying under the radar amid crowded competition from titans like Michael and The Devil Wears Prada 2, it has only cultivated a passionate niche following thanks to its atmospheric dread. It’s safe to say the movie is well-positioned to grow its reputation once Hokum hits digital and streaming.
MovieHokumTomatometer | Popcornmeter (as of May 3, 2026)86% | 83%Stream | Rent (as of May 3, 2026)N/A (Currently playing in theaters)
6. Primate
A still from Primate | Credit: Paramount Pictures
The killer chimpanzee movie delivers exactly what it promises, a low-budget genre fun with gory kills, which feels reminiscent of classic grindhouse cinema, thanks to its mean and lean approach.
The use of a practical suit instead of CGI also contributes to a raw and tactile quality that sets it apart from other B-shlock titles. While Primate is not the most polished and thematically resonant horror outing of the year, it certainly has the potential to become a modern classic in the realm of exploitation cinema.
MoviePrimateTomatometer | Popcornmeter (as of May 3, 2026)78% | 70%Stream | Rent (as of May 3, 2026)Paramount Plus
5. The Chronology of Water
A still from The Chronology of Water | Credit: The Forge
Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, is arguably one of the best biopics in recent years, as it doesn’t conform to a traditional structure in depicting Lidia Yuknavitch’s story.
Instead of following a straight line, the movie moves through elliptical thoughts, jumping between different eras of Lidia’s life. Although its difficult subject matter might be a bit too much for casual moviegoers at a time when family releases are soaring, given how visceral and masterfully filmed it is, it will hopefully find a larger audience, especially as Stewart continues to grow as a filmmaker.
MovieThe Chronology of WaterTomatometer | Popcornmeter (as of May 3, 2026)90% | 67%Stream | Rent (as of May 3, 2026)Apple TV
4. The Christophers
A still from The Christophers | Credit: NEON
Steven Soderbergh’s The Christophers stars Ian McKellen as a faded artist opposite Michaela Coel’s art forger, who has been hired by the former’s estranged children to complete his unfinished works for inheritance.
What starts out as a black caper gradually evolves into a melancholic and emotional character study, featuring some of McKellen’s best work to date. Although it didn’t make a huge splash, similar to Soderbergh’s 2025 black comedy, Black Bag, given its awards potential, as it has been touted as one of the best movies of the year so far, it could very well see a surge in popularity down the line.
MovieThe ChristophersTomatometer | Popcornmeter (as of May 3, 2026)97% | 87%Stream | Rent (as of May 3, 2026)N/A (Currently playing in theaters)
3. Pillion
A still from Pillion | Credit: Element Pictures
In addition to offering one of the most authentic and nuanced portrayals of BDSM on screen, refreshingly free of Hollywood clichés, Pillion is also technically one of the best Christmas movies in recent years.
Starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, Harry Lighton immaculately balances deadpan humor, intense intimacy, and heartbreaking tones in his directorial debut. Having. Having already cultivated a passionate niche following, the queer dark comedy is arguably one of the most notable BDSM-themed movies
MoviePillionTomatometer | Popcornmeter (as of May 3, 2026)99% | 89%Stream | Rent (as of May 3, 2026)Apple TV
2. Faces of Death
A still from Faces of Death | Credit: Independent Film Company
Rather than being a standard remake of the 1978 mondo cult classic of the same name, Daniel Goldhaber’s Faces of Death serves as a meta-critique of online gore culture by using the premise of the original movie.
The story follows a content moderator who discovers videos that seemingly recreate the death scenes from the 1978 movie, while becoming drawn into the killer’s dangerous game. Although it’s messy and the third act has drawn criticism for the protagonist’s questionable choices and inept cops, overall, it’s a breath of fresh air in the realm of horror and has the makings of a cult favorite.
MovieFaces of DeathTomatometer | Popcornmeter (as of May 3, 2026)67% | 65%Stream | Rent (as of May 3, 2026)N/A (Currently playing in theaters)
1. Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
A still from Nirvanna: The Band – the Show – the Movie | Credit: Elevation Pictures
Matt Johnson’s meta time-travel comedy is a direct continuation of the cult Canadian web series. It follows Matt and Jay’s long-running quest to book a gig at Toronto’s Rivoli venue.
However, their plans go south, and they accidentally get stranded in 2008, leading to an absurd adventure filled with meta jokes that prioritizes chaos and absurdity over traditional narrative structure. Although the original show already had a cult following, the word of mouth surrounding the movie has only elevated its global reach, and its stature has only grown ever since.
MovieNirvanna: The Band – the Show – the MovieTomatometer | Popcornmeter (as of May 3, 2026)98% | 95%Stream | Rent (as of May 3, 2026)Apple TV
Interestingly, one common thread across most of these titles is that they don’t conform to a traditional narrative structure, which makes them less accessible to casual moviegoers. Thankfully, the streaming era tends to aid such experimental titles to find their audience in the long run, and going by how original and fresh some of them are, expect these movies to bloom in the years to come.
RankingMovie1Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie2Faces of Death3Pillion4The Christophers5The Chronology of Water6Primate7Hokum8The Bride9Mother Mary1028 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Why are mainstream audiences less drawn to experimental movies?
Casual moviegoers, who are generally looking for something entertaining or a comfort watch, are reasonably less drawn to stories that are more straightforward as opposed to stories that take liberties with its stylized visuals and unconventional structures.
Why did The Bride bomb?
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s stylized approach and mixed audience reception, coupled with competition from other major releases, made it less appealing to general moviegoers.
What happened to 28 Years Later: Part 3?
Following the underwhelming commercial reception of The Bone Temple, the production of the planned threequel is currently stuck in limbo.
Drop your pick for the most underrated movie of the year so far below!
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
