People often sit down for a night of Netflix. That’s because Netflix has such a robust lineup of shows and movies. Ever since Netflix started producing its own content, it has continued to expand its offerings for fans, making it one of the best and biggest streaming services for quality movies and TV shows.
Something easy to count on is how many movies and shows are added to Netflix each month. At the beginning of every month, Netflix adds (and subtracts) films from its streaming platform. This gives you plenty of options to watch, no matter what kind of genre you want to enjoy. There are some underrated gems that have been added to Netflix recently that customers shouldn’t overlook.
Here are 10 underrated movies to check out that were added to Netflix recently.
‘Caramelo’ (2025)
Pedro (Rafael Vitti) is an aspiring chef whose dream of owning his own restaurant is cut short when he is diagnosed with a terminal illness. At this pivotal moment in his life, Pedro happens upon a dog he names Caramelo and finds a new kinship he had not previously experienced. Together, the two travel as Pedro seeks meaning in life amid the inevitable.
The Unbreakable Bond Between a Man and His Dog
While Caramelo would trend in some countries on Netflix, the emotional drama would largely fly under the radar as just another international Netflix Original. However, Caramelo takes its tailored premise — aimed at tugging every heartstring — and delivers an emotionally poignant script that blends humor and drama. Of course, for those who love dogs, Caramelo is a must-watch, as it beautifully celebrates the bond between pet and parent.
‘404’ (2024)
404, also known as 404 Run Run, follows a clever and deceptive house flipper named Nakrob, who targets the abandoned Sukhee Nirun hotel for his next scam. Yet shortly after beginning work, Nakrob and his team are confronted by a spirit, Lalita, who is determined to stop them from changing the property. As Nakrob learns more about the ghost to exorcise her and claim his property, her tragic past begins to change his perceptions and morals about his dirty business.
A Haunted House with Heart
Those looking for a stylized horror comedy will find this Thai production a pleasant surprise. Here, the movie forgoes cheap jump scares and instead builds its comedy off of its eccentric cast of characters and some absurd moments of supernatural horror. Moreover, as Nakrob develops as a character, the silliness leads the way to a rather heartfelt exploration of personal growth and moving on.
‘IHostage’ (2025)
While the case would not gain global recognition, IHostage takes inspiration from the real-life crisis that occurred in 2022, which saw a man hold a group hostage at an Apple Store in Amsterdam’s Leidseplein Square. The film, a dramatization of the events, stars Soufiane Moussouli as Ammar Ajar, who holds Ilian Petrov (Admir Šehović) hostage for 5 hours in exchange for €200 million in cryptocurrency.
Based on Real Events
As with much of Netflix’s international content, unless it explodes in popularity, it primarily just impresses a niche or those from the region. The Dutch crime thriller did not make waves, but it is an intense, well-executed dramatization of real-life events. Here, focusing on realism and trying to recount the events as closely as possible drew viewers into the bizarre case while also shedding more light on them. The film does, admittedly, have some rough edges, but fans of true-crime-inspired thrillers will find this one to be a Netflix gem.
‘Alpha’ (2018)
Set over 20,000 years ago, during the Earth’s Ice Age, Alpha follows a young hunter, Keda, played by Kodi Smit-McPhee, who is abandoned and left for dead after being injured on a hunt. It is in the unforgiving winter landscape that he befriends a wolf (the titular Alpha), who forms a bond and works together to make it back to Keda’s tribe.
An Engaging Tale of Survival and the Early Bond Between Canines and People
Meant as a fictional account of humanity’s early steps toward bonding with dogs, Albert Hughes’ survival drama offered a visually stunning, immersive experience. On release, the film certainly won praise for just that, including IMAX showings that fully immersed viewers in the profound journey. Despite this, its box-office performance was modest, and as 2018 came to a close, the film became less discussed. Still, the film stands as an emotional journey that pet parents, in particular, will love.
‘The Hating Game’ (2021)
Lucy Hutton (Lucy Hale) and Joshua “Josh” Templeman (Austin Stowell) find themselves transforming from rivals to reluctant co-workers after the respective publishing companies they worked for merge. Unable to get over their dislike because of their drastically different personalities, the two strike a deal when a promotion comes up: they both apply, and whoever doesn’t get it has to quit. Yet as the two spend more time together, they slowly begin to appreciate each other and develop feelings for one another.
Enemy to Frenemy to Romantic Interest
If you are looking for a by-the-numbers yet charming rom-com, then The Hating Game is going to be your next must-watch title on the platform. Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell make the perfect enemies-turned-romantic pair, with sharp, playful dialogue and an emotionally engaging build-up to the inevitable. More importantly, for fans of classic rom-coms, The Hating Game resonates just that, with an emphasis on moral good and an undeniable wholesomeness that makes it utterly infectious.
‘Cell 211’ (2009)
Juan Oliver’s (Alberto Ammann) first day on the job as a guard at a prison starts in utter chaos, with a violent riot from the prisoners seeing the facility overtaken. Not yet a familiar face, to survive, Juan instead claims to be a prisoner and soon finds himself under the wing of the violent and feared Malamadre (Luis Tosar). As events escalate and hostages are taken, Juan finds himself having to balance allegiances to stay alive and not lose his humanity.
Finding Humanity in the Darkest Corners
Those who like crime stories with a gritty realism will appreciate Daniel Monzón’s perfect blending of unrelenting tension and high-stakes drama set inside the Spanish prison system. The film certainly presents a desperate situation and maintains a tight pace, but it also offers a rather emotional exploration of Juan’s survival and the balance between good and evil. For those who enjoy social commentary, Cell 211 also provides unique insight into a critique of authority from a different cultural perspective. Netflix would acquire the rights to Cell 211 for its own limited series, Celda 211, which is underrated in its own right.
‘The Outrun’ (2024)
Rona (Saoirse Ronan) returns to her hometown of the Orkney Islands, Scotland, after personal struggles that led to substance abuse and having to complete a 90-day alcohol rehab program. The Outrun follows Rona’s recovery, including reconnecting with her estranged parents, to eventually moving out on her own to a remote location where she learns to rebuild her confidence and sense of self.
A Touching Tale of Self-Love and Recovery
While gaining critical acclaim, particularly for Saoirse Ronan’s performance, The Outrun’s nonlinear structure and emotional character study ensured the film would remain more of an Indie darling. Yet looking past the indie tag, there is a lot to love in The Outrun that makes it deserving of a wider audience. Visually, the movie is charming, with Rona’s love of nature blending idyllically into her personal recovery. The Outrun is also far from a cliché for a film about addiction. Instead, it offers a rather poetic reflection on one’s ability to grow and learn, rather than focusing on the grim realities of the struggle.
‘Demon City’ (2025)
Hitman Shuhei Sakata (Tôma Ikuta) is looking to leave the business, having done what he thought was his last job that would allow him to spend time with his family, only to be double-crossed and have them murdered. Left paralyzed, decades pass with Shuhei unable to do anything. However, as he starts to gain his mobility and memory, Shuhei becomes a demon to exact revenge on those who betrayed him.
An Over-the-Top Tale of Bloody Revenge
While some elements held back Demon City from gaining popularity on the platform—a rather convoluted plot being one of them—the movie delivers ultra-violent, gritty action that culminates in an explosive, ridiculous climax. Expect a lot of blood, some silly kills, and a cookie-cutter plot that is pretty easy to predict. Still, as far as raw action and entertainment goes, Demon City is a blast once it starts to pick up and Shuhei’s kill count reaches the hundreds.
‘Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital’ (2024)
Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital sees real actors, celebrities, and YouTubers from the Philippines in a fictional ghost hunt in a haunted hospital in Taiwan. The group, drawn together under the idea of making a successful live stream, is lured to a hospital where past urban explorers and ghost hunters have turned up dead. Soon after arrival, the threat of supernatural forces and ancient evil practices proves the stories are far from fiction.
Fans of international found-footage horror will be quick to pick up on Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital’s nods to the popular Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum. Yet the two present the best of the found footage genre, with tense atmosphere, disturbing lore, and plenty of shocking jump scares. The film also does not mess around, setting up the characters only to have them quickly succumb to all manner of evil, perfect for those who want some thrills and chills with little story.
‘A Little White Lie’ (2023)
Based on the novel Shriver by Chris Belden, A Little White Lie follows a down-on-his-luck handyman, Schriver, played by Michael Shannon, whose life is changed when he is mistaken for a celebrated author with the same name. Instead of clarifying, Schriver embraces his new popularity, attending a literary festival and falling for an English professor, played by Kate Hudson. However, as he becomes more embroiled in the lie, his life and path to happiness turn muddy.
A Little Rocky But Utterly Charming
A Little White Lie would land with mixed critical and fan reaction, with pacing issues and a lack of character development falling short of its premise. Yet, for those willing to push past its shortcomings, Michael Shannon delivers a phenomenal performance, and the movie offers an engaging exploration of something many can relate to: impostor syndrome. The offbeat humor also adds to the film’s indie charm; it won’t be for everyone, but it is worth a shot, especially with the title tucked away on Netflix.
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