Looking for interesting, underrated movies? This page can help. It provides underrated movies, their genres, the streaming platforms, quotes from students who’ve watched them, and movie ratings from www.rottentomatoes.com. If you’re stuck deciding what your next movie to watch is, then this page is definitely for you. The genres this page provides include action, adventure, drama, comedy, science fiction, fantasy, and romance. All are either rated G or PG, which creates a safe environment for those under 13. There are eight movies to choose from, each with a summary of the movie. Above the summary is something called a tomatometer, which is the rating that movie critics have left. The higher the meter, the more critics have liked it.
Nimona (Rated PG) |Genre: Action| [Where to watch: Netflix]
Year: 2023
Tomatometer: 92%
In a fantasy world, there lies a kingdom that’s protected by the Institute for Elite Knights. However, one of these knights gets framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and a shape-shifting girl named Nimona is the only person who can help prove his innocence. However, this shapeshifter might be a monster that the knight is sworn to take down.
Howl’s Moving Castle (Rated PG) |Genre: Adventure| [Where to watch: Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Youtube TV]
Year: 2004
Tomatometer: 87%
In a magical kingdom, a young woman named Sophie is transformed into an elderly lady by a wicked witch’s curse. Sophie seeks out the mysterious wizard, Howl—who lives in a magical, walking castle—to break the spell. Eighth-grader Hannah Gorrie watched this movie and commented, “The animation and storyline are top tier. The book is already incredible, but there’s such life that Hayao Miyazaki puts into the story that’s so beautiful. Of course, Ghibli animation is just so gorgeous; every movie has stunning work. I think what puts this movie for me on top of my list is how the magic of first watching it never goes away. I’ve rewatched the film about 50 times, and it never gets old. The characters are amazing, the storyline is amazing, and the animation is stunning.”
Holes (Rated PG) |Genre: Drama| [Where to watch: Disney+, Youtube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video]
Year: 2003
Tomatometer: 78%
Stanley Yelnats, a young boy who was wrongfully accused of theft, was sent to a brutal camp and meets other boys who are forced to dig holes in the desert. The camp’s warden is secretly searching for a lost treasure, and the story later reveals the history of the treasure and how Stanley’s ancestors are connected to this mystery. Ninth grader Julie Chernichenko watched this movie and said, “Stanley Yelnats is my favorite character. He’s the protagonist, and he is also the one who found a lot of the interesting things about his ancestors and found the treasure.”
Rango (Rated PG) |Genre: Comedy| [Where to watch: Paramount+, Youtube, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV]
Year: 2011
Tomatometer: 88%
Rango, a quirky chameleon, becomes an unlikely hero by accidentally ending up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West. Rango appoints himself sheriff and sets out to solve the mystery of the town’s missing water supply.
Ninth grader Robel Wondimagegn reviewed the movie, saying, “I enjoyed the fights and the villains. The plot is fine; it’s normal. It’s worth watching and is especially entertaining for country fans.”
Hairspray (Rated PG) |Genre: Comedy| [Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Youtube, Apple TV]
Year: 2007
Tomatometer: 92%
Tracy Turnblad, a teenager who dreams of dancing on the popular TV show “The Corny Collins Show,” manages to land a spot on the show. She uses her newfound fame to advocate for racial integration.
Flight of the Navigator (Rated PG)|Genre: Science Fiction| [Where to watch: Disney+, Apple TV, Fandango At Home]
Year: 1986
Tomatometer: 84%
A 12-year-old boy named David Freeman mysteriously disappears in 1978 but reappears in 1986 with no memory of the time that has passed. David discovers that during his missing years, he was taken aboard a spaceship piloted by an intelligent, wise alien AI named Max. Together, they go on a journey to uncover the mysteries of time travel and to help David return home.
Spirited Away (Rated PG) |Genre: Fantasy| [Where to watch: Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Youtube TV]
Year: 2001
Tomatometer: 96%
Ten-year-old Chihiro is stuck in a magical and confusing world of spirits after her parents are transformed into pigs. Chihiro meets odd people and problems while trying to navigate this fantasy world in her search to save her parents and return to the human world. Diana Biletska, a ninth-grader, stated in her review, “I enjoyed the fantasy plot and the fact that this is not real. The overall experience was enjoyable because of the intriguing plot and endearing characters.”
The Parent Trap (Rated PG) |Genre: Romantic Comedy| [Where to watch: Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Youtube]
Year: 1998
Tomatometer: 87%
Hallie Parker and Annie James were separated at birth due to their parents’ divorce. The twins unexpectedly meet at a summer camp and devise a plan to reunite with their parents.