19 great directors and their most underrated films

Behind every icon of modern filmmaking, there is a gold mine of underrated masterpieces waiting to be rediscovered. From Oscar-winning directors to indie darlings, even those who have done very well in the commercial sense have offered some smaller films that haven't made much of an impression. From Sofia Coppola to Spike Lee and Sam Raimi to Paul Thomas Anderson, explore these underrated gems from these cinematic masters and witness the craftsmanship hidden in plain sight. Here is a list of 19 great directors and their most underrated films.

19) David O. Russell- Flirting With Disaster (1996)

David O. Russell's Flirting with Disaster is an amusing, original comedy that tussles with the complexities of family dynamics and identity. The screenplay excels in both humorous and tender moments. Featuring an excellent ensemble cast that includes Ben Stiller, Patricia Arquette, and Mary Tyler Moore, the film draws laughs with sharp dialogues and creates bittersweet moments. With later successes like The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook, Flirting with Disaster just stays as an underrated gem in Russell's filmography.

18) Sam Raimi- The Quick and the Dead (1995)

Sam Raimi's The Quick and the Dead deserves more recognition as a stylish, action-packed Western-themed movie. The film features an impressive ensemble cast led by Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, and Russell Crowe, with high-stakes showdowns and witty dialogue. Raimi's direction combines dark humor and exciting gunfights to make The Quick and the Dead an underrated masterpiece in his varied filmography which includes big films like Spiderman and The Evil Dead.

17) Paul Thomas Anderson- Hard Eight (1996)

Paul Thomas Anderson's Hard Eight is a gritty, character-driven, crime drama about the complex relationships between a seasoned gambler and a young pupil. Philp Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, and Gwyneth Paltrow stand out in this film, which marks Anderson's directorial debut and gives the audience a first-hand experience of his responsive vision of atmosphere and character. Completely overshadowed by his iconic films Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood, Hard Eight has remained an underrated treasure in Anderson's filmography.

16) Spike Lee- Clockers (1995)

Spike Lee's Clockers is a gritty, thought-provoking drama that explores the complexities of urban life, crime, and redemption. Based on Richard Price's novel, the film follows a young clocker's struggle to escape the streets. With its vivid characters, social commentary, and Lee's masterful direction, Clockers is an underrated gem in Lee's filmography, overshadowed by his more iconic works like Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X.

15) Kathryn Bigelow- Detroit (2017)

Detroit is a gripping and memorable historical drama that gives an account of the riots in Detroit in 1967 and the incident that took place at the Algiers Motel that year. It's masterfully directed by Bigelow with a talented cast illuminating a dark chapter in US history. Regrettably, despite the acclaim that followed it, Detroit found itself neglected, making it an underrated gem in Bigelow's illustrious filmography which includes movies like Zero Dark Thirty and The Hurt Locker.

14) Kim Jee-Woon- The Quiet Family (1998)

Kim Jee-woon directed The Quiet Family, is a darkly comic, genre-bending thriller exploring the complexities of family dynamics. The film depicts a family's plunge into madness while managing a mountain lodge. With humor, scares, and social commentary, The Quiet Family is an underrated gem predating Kim's more popular films, A Tale of Two Sisters and I Saw the Devil.

13) Allison Anders- Grace Of My Heart (1996)

Allison Anders' Grace of My Heart is a musical drama from 1996, which is an account of Denise Waverly's travails through the music industry as a young singer-songwriter, under the cultural dictates of the male-dominated 1950s and '60s. With a rich score and a powerful female protagonist, the film is at once heartbreaking and uplifting in its take on artistry against the odds. Unless proven otherwise, Grace of My Heart is less mainstream but will always be Anders' ultimate tribute to telling musical stories with female protagonists.

12) Sofia Coppola- On the Rocks (2020)

Sofia Coppola's On the Rocks is a charming, nuanced comedy-drama that explores the complexities of relationships and identity. Rashida Jones and Bill Murray shine as a daughter and father reconnecting in New York City. With Coppola's signature atmospheric direction and a witty script, On the Rocks is an underrated gem overshadowed by bigger movies, deserving of more attention and acclaim.

11) Clint Eastwood- The Eiger Sanction (1975)

Clint Eastwood's The Eiger Sanction, follows a retired assassin, Jonathan Hemlock. He has been cunningly lured back in order to take on one last job. Its dazzling mountain climbing scenes and Eastwood's rugged charm all combine to make an entertaining and suspenseful ride. Mostly overlooked within Eastwood's filmography, The Eiger Sanction is nevertheless a well-made, gripping thriller that exemplifies Eastwood's versatility as a director.

10) Bong Joon-Ho - The Host (2006)

The Host, directed by Bong Joon-ho, is an engrossing, socially conscious monster movie that deserves more recognition. This horror flick from South Korea is an amalgamation of different genres; it also provides some witty humor and poignant commentary on the incompetence of the government and social class. Balanced with impressive creature effects and an absorbing narrative, The Host, an underrated gem is often overlooked in the wake of Bong's later Oscar-winning success for Parasite.

9) David Fincher- Panic Room (2002)

David Fincher's 2002 film Panic Room is a tense thriller in which a mother, recently divorced, Meg Altman, and her daughter, Sarah, are trapped in their panic room because of a group of thieves. Exactly what one would expect from David Fincher: with clever twists the film is filled with suspense. It might be low on the list among his other hits, but it showcases Fincher's talent for turning out films, tension-filled and thrilling.

8) Richard Linklater- Tape (2001)

Richard Linklater's Tape is another taut, stimulating drama that really looks at how complex guilt and human relationships can be. Set in a single motel room, the film follows three high school friends reuniting that uncover a dark secret from their past. With solid performances and Linklater's direction, Tape is one of the underrated gems that is overshadowed by his more iconic films, such as Dazed and Confused and Boyhood.

7) Peter Weir- Fearless(1993)

Peter Weir's Fearless is a rich, meaningful film that explores the intricacies of human trauma and guilt. Jeff Bridges and Rosie Perez give brilliant performances as plane crash survivors. It is directed by Weir, and although the movie garnered critical acclaim, it remains slightly less recognized in the shadow of Weir's big hits, like Dead Poets Society and The Truman Show.

6) John Carpenter- Memoirs Of An Invisible Man (1992)

In 1992, John Carpenter released Memoirs of an Invisible Man. An exuberant witty comedy about Nick Halloway, a stock analyst who becomes invisible due to an unfortunate accident. The movie is a brilliant ride, with funny one-liners and clever special effects. Though not particularly well-known Memoirs of an Invisible Man deviates from John Carpenter's preferred genre.

5) Alfred Hitchcock- The Paradine Case (1947)

The Paradine Case is a courtroom drama released in 1947 and based on a novel by Robert Hichens. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, The Paradine Case creates a study of the human heart. Gregory Peck stars as Anthony Keane, the defense counsel for the purported murderess, who is accused of murdering her husband. It isn't exactly a film one ordinarily associates with Hitchcock. The uniqueness of this film lies in its character study and is one of the best examples of his suspense and drama style.

4) Dennis Villeneuve- August 32nd On Earth (1998)

A poignant and reflective melodrama, August 32nd on Earth is the first film of Denis Villeneuve and deserves more recognition. It is a film from Canada about two friends who take a road trip after a tragic accident. Its sensitive direction reveals issues of grief, identity, and human connections. Underappreciated, this film is further overshadowed by the more successful films of Villeneuve, namely Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, or a recent one Dune.

3) Martin Scorsese- Cape Fear (1991)

Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear is a brilliant thriller that is a worthy contender for better acceptance. De Niro plays the role of an ex-con seeking vengeance in a terrifying performance. The direction from Scorsese adds to the tension, all the while exposing the themes of obsession and justice. Even though received critical acclaim, Cape Fear barely managed to shine through Scorsese's more iconic pieces-Goodfellas and Raging Bull.

2) Tim Burton- Frankenweenie (2012)

Tim Burton's animated project, Frankenweenie, is a return to his roots in stop-motion animation. It is a curious and funny little tale about Victor, a boy who discovers how to bring his dog Sparky back to life. While this may not be among Burton's more memorable works, it is a fantastic showcase for his unique storytelling approach. He brings out emotional depth in themes like beauty and ugliness and good and evil.

1) Christopher Nolan- Following (1998)

Christopher Nolan's first film, Following, is a fine thriller that has largely escaped most people's notice. This rather low-budget, black-and-white film meant to bring to light Nolan's emerging talent intertwines themes of identity and questions of morality through a non-linear narrative. Notwithstanding all the rave reviews, Following still remains quite an underrated gem in Nolan's otherwise illustrious film career. It is less famous than his better-known films like Memento or The Dark Knight trilogy.