Cinema made its triumphant return in 2022, with theatrical releases going back to the way they were before the global pandemic. Even so, the advent of streaming-only films also stuck around, which gave film studios a lot more options in diversifying their content.
So whether they debuted on the silver screen or tinier screens, there are bound to be a handful of films that audiences may have overlooked. Without further ado, here are IGN Southeast Asia’s top ten underrated movies of 2022.
Amsterdam
One would think that a film starring Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie would be an instant hit, but Amsterdam didn’t turn out to be the hit it should have been. A historically inspired tale of intrigue, Amsterdam has the same quirky feels that a Wes Anderson movie would, so fans of movies like French Dispatch should definitely check it out.
Belle
Mamoru Hosoda’s return to a tale set in the world wide web came in the form of Belle, a modern take on Beauty and the Beast with a pop star twist to it all. It is a beautiful film with a spectacular soundtrack that may have drawn some criticisms when compared to Hosoda’s previous films like Summer Wars and Digimon Adventure: Our War Game.
See How They Run
See How They Run is a love letter to Agatha Christie’s body of work that does so much more for the mystery genre than the actual Christie adaptations Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. Featuring a bumbling cast and a Knives Out-style of humour, See How They Run is a movie best watched blind to truly keep you on your toes.
Shin Ultraman
Hideaki Anno’s childhood dream come true, Shin Ultraman is another reinvention of a Japanese icon. Anno is no stranger to innovation as evidenced by the recent Shin Godzilla and next year’s Shin Kamen Rider. Shin Ultraman may not be as much of a political drama as Shin Godzilla, but this science fiction outing has us excited for more.
Hocus Pocus 2
It isn’t easy to revive a cult classic, especially one as revered and loved as the original Hocus Pocus. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker’s return as the Sanderson Sisters adds a whole new dimension to the three witches, and the all-new teenage protagonists are compelling for audiences old and new.
The Bad Guys
The second film on this list that stars Sam Rockwell, this animated caper sees a group of anthropomorphic criminals looking to change their ways. It’s the closest thing video game fans can get to a Sly Cooper film, only with a more conventional heist and truly a sublime art style. It is a film that did well but should have reached the same level of popularity as Zootopia.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicholas Cage has proven that he can shine in smaller projects, just as he did in the blockbusters he was known for in the 2000s. His recent outings in Mandy and Pig prove that Cage does well in his element, and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent makes full use of that, with Pedro Pascal babysitting Cage as he plays a heightened version of himself.
The Princess
A classic subversion of the damsel in distress trope is to have the princess take action and save herself from whatever predicament she’s in. It’s a well-worn trope that has been done in many different pieces of media, but what The Princess does is to turn this premise into a martial arts-filled action movie with jaw-dropping sequences.
All Quiet on the Western Front
The third remake of Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front, this World War I film encapsulates the novel’s anti-war messaging and repackages it for a modern audience. It is a stunning war film, but it may have been eclipsed by other famous war films like Dunkirk or 1917, which had massive theatrical releases. All Quiet on the Western Front, on the other hand, was released on Netflix before getting a select run in movie theaters.
The Bob's Burgers Movie
Bob’s Burgers has been going pretty strong since its debut, a sleeper hit that has thirteen seasons under its belt. Naturally, this would lead to a full-length movie, with The Bob's Burgers Movie embracing the show’s knack for silly songs and is a full on musical. It is a great expansion of a typical episode of the show and one that may have only reach of the radar of fans instead of general audiences.
