15 Movies That Didn't Get Major Buzz This Year, but Deserve Your Love

"Ever since I saw the stirring trailer for American Honey, I hoped that it would live up to my expectations. While it runs a little long (two hours and 43 minutes), it's an eye-opening journey about a teenager (newcomer Sasha Lane) who joins a crew of free-spirited magazine salespeople. It's bold, brilliant, and one of the best films of the year." — Maggie Pehanick, editor, Entertainment

"I actually saw this movie because my sister found out she was pregnant at the time. The movie showed how there are so many expectations for moms, but no matter what, they will always be criticized for something. This can make people think they're not good enough or that they should try harder even though they're already sacrificing their whole life to please others. The movie was a good reminder that it's OK to be selfish sometimes and that you're appreciated even if you don't know it at the time." — Alaine Flandez, editorial intern

"Listen, this Ryan Gosling comedy isn't without its issues, but the more I think about it, the more I like it. The sexy star plays a down-and-out dad who teams up with a fellow private eye to investigate a salacious Hollywood murder. It's weird and kooky, but it's also fun and full of sweet '70s threads." — MP

"This little gem of a movie earned high praise from critics — an impressive 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes — but came and went without much fanfare. Thankfully, it's now available on Netflix and it's a delightful coming-of-age story that's both heart-warming and hilarious. Plus, it's from John Carney (the director behind Once), so obviously the music is killer." — Becky Kirsch, senior director, editorial

"I saw tons of praise this year for feel-good family movies like Finding Dory, but barely saw any buzz about Kubo and the Two Strings. Not only was this film easily one of the most beautiful ones released in 2016, but it also provides one of the most compelling family-friendly storylines of any film I've seen, period. Set in ancient Japan and beautifully animated in a breathtaking stop-motion style, Kubo offers up a complex sometimes-spooky, sometimes-sad plot that I feel too many children's films are afraid will alienate their audience. Despite a star-studded cast including Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron, I feel like nobody really talked about this impeccable film. Trust me on this and watch it ASAP." — Brinton Parker, assistant editor, Trending and Viral Features

"This movie was marketed as a Zac Efron/Adam DeVine bro comedy, but really, it's a comedy showcase for Aubrey Plaza and Anna Kendrick. As messy opportunists who take advantage of the guys for a free trip to Hawaii, the leading ladies are so funny that the male characters become kind of forgettable. That said, all of the cast had me actually laughing out loud in a theater, which I can't say for many other 2016 comedies." — Shannon Vestal Robson, director

"This movie may also be commonly known as 86 Minutes of Blake Lively in a Bikini, but it's a solid thriller! Is it Jaws? No. But when Nancy (Lively) has to swim to a buoy to avoid bleeding out while she's being circled by a vicious great white, your heart will jump out of your chest." — MP

"This movie made such a minor splash that I expected it to be merely 'meh.' Instead, I was blown away by what is simultaneously one of the funniest movies of 2016 and one of the most piercing pieces of political commentary to come out of the war in Afghanistan. Tina Fey and Margot Robbie dominate as smart, strong female leads, and much the way Spotlight made me yearn for dingy newsrooms, this movie made me want to dive headfirst into the scary, debauched life of a war correspondent. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot seems unbelievable until you realize it's based on a true memoir." — Nancy Einhart, VP and executive editor

"This movie is like nothing I've ever seen on the big screen, and if you haven't read anything about it, I beg you to go in blind. It's an extremely unique film, and it's best experienced with an open mind." — MP

"If you like documentaries that take weird turns, you have to seek out Tickled. It's a bizarre movie about a journalist who is tracking down the company behind a series of competitive tickling videos. It's a real thing! Or is it? Watch the movie and get back to me." — MP

"Funny story . . . I actually put this movie on on Netflix to have background noise while I worked and then I realized the protagonist was deaf/mute, so my plan didn't really work well. I sat through the whole movie and thought it was actually a pretty good thriller that had me on the edge of my seat." — AF

"This little movie made a big splash among horror aficionados, but it didn't quite climb the box office like an Avengers movie. Perhaps the masses just weren't looking for a bare-bones Puritan-era psychological thriller, but the mystery of Black Phillip and the bleak ending will forever haunt me." — MP

"Like The Gift from 2015, this movie seethes with tension; you know something isn't quite right, but you don't know what. I guess you'd call it a thriller, but it starts so slowly, you might think it's miscategorized, until the tension and mystery starts to build and build until it finally explodes. It will leave you guessing until the end." — NE

"I had a chance to catch this gem at the Toronto Film Festival, and even though it wasn't a big breakout then, I urge anyone who appreciates a subtle romantic drama to watch it. Sarah Paulson is in a role refreshingly far from any of her American Horror Story characters as a woman who returns to her home town and bumps into her first love (played by Mark Duplass). The dialogue is funny and beautiful, and will appeal to anyone who remembers their first love — and heartbreak." — SVR

"The world may have had its fill of postapocalyptic movies, which could explain why Equals, starring Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult, seemed to come and go without much buzz. This futuristic drama imagines a world where love is outlawed, and Hoult and Stewart become outlaws because of it. It's a little contrived, but the chemistry between the leads is so strong that it's a romantic must see." — SVR