The 9 Most Underrated Movies of 2015

Jason Bateman is ridiculously good at playing an assh*le (see: Juno, Bad Words), and in this super taut, disturbing, excellently shot thriller, he gets to put those skills on full display. Also, the movie's kick-you-right-in-the-gut twist at the end will stay with you long after the credits roll, so definitely don't watch this movie alone in your house at night.

I thought Paper Towns was a gem, but it didn't get the attention it deserved. The film is entertaining, is sweet, and really captures the high school nostalgia feeling. Plus, Nat Wolff is an endearing rising star who I look forward to seeing more of in coming years.

Prepare yourself — thanks to some quality laughs and a breakout performance from newcomer RJ Cyler, this heartwarming, quirky movie will charm your pants off right up until the moment it unleashes a tidal wave of tears upon you.

I loved Ex Machina! Why didn't that film receive more love? The graphics, the plot twists, and the technology all kept me at the edge of my seat.

This movie might initially seem like James Bond for kids, but don’t be fooled. Between its bloody-good fight scenes (emphasis on bloody), nonstop jokes, slick spy gear, and Colin Firth's face (*swoon*), it's an absolute must watch. Bonus observation: there's a really adorable pug puppy.

This Guillermo del Toro movie delivers what his movies always do: a hauntingly beautiful storyline and a film in which each frame is so gorgeous it could stand alone as a still photograph.

Let me clarify: Brooklyn is probably about to get a lot more love, considering it's one of this award season's early breakouts. But award fanfare or no, this movie, about a young Irish immigrant (Saoirse Ronan) finding her way in 1950s Brooklyn, needs to be seen by more people. It's a story of homesickness and coming of age that anyone can relate to, and the love story at the heart of the film (thanks to the dreamy Emory Cohen) makes it the most romantic movie of the year.

There are always a few standout horror movies each year, and It Follows is definitely one of 2015's best. It's a simple premise: a young woman (Maika Monroe) has sex and suddenly strangers start following her. The who and why isn't as important as finding out the new rules she has to play by. It will terrify and delight you.

The perfect Cabin in the Woods-esque response to formulaic horror movies, The Final Girls is hilariously meta, with a great cast and a well-executed and over-the-top play on an often over-the-top genre.