Underrated Gems of the 2010s
Photos courtesy of 20th Century Studios, Columbia Pictures, and Paramount Pictures.
The 1980s and 1990s brought us films mostly centered around the lives of the teenagers. The 2000s brought us a variety of different films from those similar to its predecessors and those with ensemble casts. The 2010s brought us coming of age films, rom-coms, and so much more. Popular films from the 2010s include: The Social Network (2010), The Avengers (2011), Call Me By Your Name (2017), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Parasite (2019). While there were critically and commercially successful films, there are a few that didn’t get the recognition they deserve.
Here are some underrated gems of the 2010s.
Flipped (2010)
Flipped is a 2010 romantic comedy-drama film that is directed by Rob Reiner. The cast includes: Callan McAuliffe, Madeline Carroll, Rebecca De Mornay, Anthony Edwards, Aidan Quinn, and Penelope Ann Miller. Its premise follows the story of two eighth-graders who fall in love with each other at opposite times.
One of my favorite comfort films. I adore this film and its story so much. I wish we got a sequel to see what happened with Bryce and Juli after how this one ended.
We Bought a Zoo (2011)
We Bought a Zoo is a 2011 comedy-drama film that is directed by Cameron Crowe. The cast includes: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning, Thomas Haden Church, and Colin Ford. Its premise follows a widowed father, his teenaged son, and young daughter who purchase a zoo and take on its reopening for the public.
While the film did make over the amount of its budget, I believe it’s underrated. It used to be on cable TV all the time and I’d rewatch it. It’s such a good film with a lot of heart. The acting is amazing and the story is so heartwarming.
Just Go With It (2011)
Just Go With It is a 2011 romantic comedy film that is directed by Dennis Dugan. The cast includes: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Brooklyn Decker, Griffin Gluck, and Bailee Madison. Its premise follows a surgeon who tries to woo a woman drags his assistant and her kids on an impromptu trip to Hawaii.
This films received mostly negative reviews but I love this film. It’s actually one of my comfort films. It’s criminally underrated. I love Jennifer Aniston in this film so much.
Monte Carlo (2011)
Monte Carlo is a 2011 comedy film that is directed by Thomas Bezucha. The cast includes: Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, Katie Cassidy, Cory Monteith, and Luke Bracey. Its premise follows three girls who go on a trip to Paris and end up on quite the adventure in Monte Carlo.
Another comfort film of mine. I love this film so much. It brings back so much nostalgia for me.
Super 8 (2011)
Super 8 is a 2011 science fiction film that is directed by J.J. Abrams. The cast includes: Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Ryan Lee, AJ Michalka, and Ron Eldard. Its premise follows a group of youngsters in 1979 Ohio who are make a zombie film and encounters a train derailment that leads into a number of disappearances and unexplained events.
I’ve loved this film for awhile now. It reminds me a lot of Stranger Things. I always say that if you’re a fan of that show, you’ll love this film. It has the same vibes.
This Is 40 (2012)
This Is 40 is a 2012 comedy film that is directed by Judd Apatow. The cast includes: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Maude Apatow, Iris Apatow, Megan Fox, Jason Segel, and Melissa McCarthy. Its premise follows the chaotic lives of Pete (Paul Rudd), Debbie (Leslie Mann), and their children Sadie (Maude Apatow) and Charlotte (Iris Apatow).
This film is a sequel to Knocked Up which came out in 2007. It stars Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen as the title characters. Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann’s characters were shoved to the side for the most part. I love this film so much more than Knocked Up. The humor is everything. The chemistry between Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann is so great. The best part of the entire film are Maude and Iris. There are so many iconic scenes in this film.
Warm Bodies (2013)
Warm Bodies is a 2013 paranormal zombie romantic comedy film that is directed by Jonathan Levine. The cast includes: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Rob Corddry, Dave Franco, and John Malkovich. Its premise follows the relationship of a zombie and a human.
This film is one I never thought I would love because I’m not a fan of horror films but I do. The soundtrack is iconic. I love the chemistry between R and Julie and how their relationship builds throughout the film.
Begin Again (2013)
Begin Again is a 2013 musical comedy-drama that is directed by John Carney. The cast includes: Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Levine, and James Corden. Its premise follows a singer-songwriter who is discovered by a struggling record label executive and the two collaborate with each other on an album on location in New York City.
This film just makes you feel good. It didn’t receive as much recognition as it deserved.
This Is Where I Leave You (2014)
This Is Where I Leave You is a 2014 comedy-drama film that is directed by Shawn Levy. The cast includes: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Rose Byrne, Timothy Olyphant, Connie Britton, and Jane Fonda. Its premise follows four siblings who return to their hometown to mourn their father’s death while running into exes, old friends, and spouses.
This is one of my favorite comfort films of all time. I’ve definitely seen it like a million times and I never get tired of it. The humor is just pure genius and the cast is amazing.
Boyhood (2014)
Boyhood is a 2014 coming-of-age drama film that is directed by Richard Linklater. The cast includes: Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, and Lorelai Linklater. Its premise follows the childhood and adolescence of Mason (Ellar Coltrane) from age 6 to 18 years old.
The thing I love about this film is that it follows the same actor as he grows up instead of a different actor playing him a young age or adult age. The acting is incredible and the story is so compelling.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this list of underrated gems from the 2010s. Please give them all a watch if you haven’t already. I promise you won’t regret it.
This is also the last edition of my underrated gems series. I hope you enjoyed it and found some films to watch.
Please feel free to DM me on my Instagram and let me know your favorite films from the 2010s!
