Let's start with some honorable mentions:
Big Miracle (2012) - Terrific true story starring Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell and John Krasinski is entertaining, touching and exciting. Has been one of the most rewatchable movies of the past decade. If only some PG-rated language could be toned down.
Black Panther (2018) - Marvel's most unique picture also has a touching story, some memorable visuals and fight scenes, and a multi-layered villain. Its' not Marvel's first Best Picture nominee for no reason.
Inside Out (2015) - Just barely missed the Top 10 in 2015, but remains one of Pixar's biggest creative achievements. A unique, original story with some truly heartbreaking moments, it might not be their best but its' one of their most interesting.
The Wind Rises (2014) - Another movie that just fell short of the Top 10 list for 2014, but that doesn't rob it of its merits. Some of the most stunning animation, a touching and heartbreaking story and some great scenes make this close to an animated classic.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) - This was one of the first superhero flicks I ever watched. I didn't think it was amazing as a first-time watcher, but it has grown on me over the years. It remains the most honest and most old-fashioned of Marvel's entire catalog.
Man of Steel (2013) - This adaptation of Superman is perhaps the most technologically impressive. But there's also a strong heart and soul here that is irresistible, with a unique narrative angle, great acting, and some impressive/memorable action scenes.
Thor: The Dark World (2013) - Often considered the weakest movie in the MCU, but Thor's first sequel is among the saga's most entertaining films. There's plenty of memorable moments, some great humor, and a perfect balance of serious stakes and lighthearted moments.
Risen (2016) - This unique retelling of Jesus' resurrection is one of the most interesting movies of the past decade. Subverts but remains respectful to the true event's intention spiritually and morally. It is a riveting and exciting take on the story also.
Hotel Transylvania (2012) - An animated film that really has grown on me over time. Memorable jokes, characters, and an ending song that rivals "Let it Go" from Frozen in terms of earworm, this is a heartwarming and fun romp that remains extremely rewatchable (no wonder the sequels have grown in business, with a fourth one set for 2021).
Winnie the Pooh (2011) - Short and sweet hand-drawn (in fact, as of now its' the last hand-drawn feature out of the Disney studio) movie has memorable music (from the Lopez's, songwriters of Frozen) and a refreshingly simple story. It's among the most underrated in the Disney catalog, and perhaps even more entertaining than the 1977 original.
Now....here's the list of my 10 most-underrated movies of the past decade:
#10: The BFG (2016)
I'll admit, I didn't enjoy this movie as much as I would have hoped the first go round. I didn't find it bad, it was just slow. But, upon watching it a few more times, I found it to be better and better. And, I realize that its' slow for a reason. Steven Spielberg opted to make this like a kids' fantasy bedtime story, a lush world no one would want to leave. And with fantastic character development, terrific visual effects, great performances, and a winsome story, you have a very charming fantasy that does harken back to E.T. in some ways. Of course it's not the classic that particular movie is, but it gets close at times.
#9: Despicable Me 2 (2013)
A rare sequel that's better than the first? Yes indeed. This colorful and more ambitious sequel hits just about all the right notes. Memorable jokes, characters, scenes, and music by Pharrell Williams make this one of the best films Illumination has put out. When you have all of that, you have a great kids' movie. And in many ways, Despicable Me 2 is one of the most underrated kids movies of the past decade (too bad the next two weren't as good).
#8: The Secret World of Arrietty (2012)
Speaking of great kids movies, this quiet little movie really didn't get the attention it deserved. A rare hand-drawn movie full of old-fashioned charm, Studio Ghibli's most kid-friendly (and perhaps their safest) effort is engaging, fun, beautiful, and even a little bit saddening in a few places. Add in a memorable Cecil Corbel score and terrific voice performances (including then husband and wife Will Arnett and Amy Poehler), Arrietty is an unsung classic.
#7: Alone Yet Not Alone (2014)
This true story thriller was infamous for earning an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song (and then losing that nomination over stupid decision-making). But there's an old-fashioned faith story here that is well-acted and intriguing. Again, this is one of those stories that makes you learn something in the process that you never knew. That puts this movie alongside Hidden Figures as movies that aren't just good movies, they are important as well. Whereas the former made cases for female and ethnic equality, this makes a case for how Christian faith has always been under attack, even in times when we might not expect it. Add in a memorable music score, and you have a great movie.
#6: Here Comes the Boom (2012)
This MMA comedy is probably one of the best and most memorable comedies of recent memory. Kevin James' best movie by a long-shot is corny, but in a good way. There's a lot to love about his character. He willingly goes outside of his comfort zone for his students. Yes, the film follows sports movie cliches, but in comedic, self-aware and brutally honest ways that the genre really doesn't delve into ever. It's these elements (plus a huge amount of heart) that make this dramedy particularly memorable in itself.
#5: The Avengers (2012)
Yes, this movie did not appear in my Top 10 back in 2012 (some of you may cry, "Boo!"). But, yes, the original Avengers is definitely a film I've rewatched time and time again. And each time, I pick up on something deeper and more interesting. Yes, this team-up movie was revolutionary in filmmaking at the time. But, at its' heart, its' a fundamental character story that works wonders for every main character involved (and established in earlier MCU films). It sets things up for future movies while keeping it remarkably simple and true to its' comic book roots. Joss Whedon really did a masterful job with this film, and I do wish he would be back to direct another film if he chose to do so.
#4: Megamind (2010)
As far as animated superhero films go, audiences first think of The Incredibles. As far as supervillain movies go, audiences first think of Despicable Me. DreamWorks Animation had the unfortunate timing of opening this film just five months after that latter movie was a big hit. Its a shame too, because MegaMind is not only a movie that has aged well, but its better than many superhero films. It keeps its comedy and heart balanced (way better than many DWA efforts), and it benefits from superb voice acting as well. The animation is terrific, and the overall ending is very memorable. In many words, out of the many animated films that have come in recent times, this is one that definitely deserved more attention.
#3: Hugo (2011)
This little gem wasn't nominated for 11 Oscars for nothing. Yes, its' sophisticated and slow for a kids' movie (and on first viewing, not quite enough to reach my Top 10 for the year, even though I bought the DVD later on). But underneath (and with a few more viewings), the screenplay and direction here is nothing short of spectacular. Martin Scorsese's first attempt at a family film is a celebration of cinema, and a young orphan boy's search for his life purpose. Its' a gently moving, character-driven and wonderfully whimsical throwback to older, more simpler films. With terrific performances, a memorable production design and Howard Shore music score, this is a great film that definitely deserved more at the box office.
#2: Goosebumps (2015)
A super-underrated scare fest for kids, Goosebumps is simple yet surprisingly effective. It was a movie I walked in knowing just about nothing of the source material. And yet, there was a Scooby-Doo meets Sky High feel that I found irresistible. Even more impressive (beyond Jack Black's incredibly memorable performance) is that the film has a solid (and even lightly heartbreaking) story of love and loss in the middle of it. With all of these elements in place, its' no wonder director Rob Letterman is such an underrated talent these days. He just knows how to find that right balance to make even the most insane ideas work (just look at Detective Pikachu and how he made that one work). But all things said, Goosebumps is a movie that would have appeared in the upper third or half of my Top 10 list if it debuted a year or two later than 2015 (which was a crowded year).
#1: How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Another movie that will shock people, as it also missed the cut for my Top 10 of 2010 list (that year was chock full of great animated films). That's because, at first, I didn't find the first How to Train Your Dragon to be incredible. I liked it, but didn't love it. It wasn't until rewatching it a couple of times later on that I started to realize why people love this movie. This was a breakthrough movie for DreamWorks, as they finally found their way into Pixar-level storytelling. A simple boy-and-his interesting friend story filled with character development, some breathtaking animation, jaw-dropping action sequences, a memorable score, some truly surprising moments and twists, and some great supporting characters make for what is the underdog classic of the decade.
That wraps up my list. I gotta admit, movies that end up growing on me later on are ones I get pretty excited about. They say nowadays that the best movies deserve more than one viewing, as we sometimes miss important stuff after the first time watching it. With these 10 (and others), I can definitely attest to that truth. Now onto the next decade...:)
