Most of the time, when a great movie comes out, people are excited and talking about it. However, sometimes it just so happens that an amazing movie is released that does not receive the credit it deserves. Here are 10 examples of recent flicks that should be given more recognition.

1. "Sicario"

Emily Blunt plays a hardline FBI agent who gets positioned into a secretive drug cartel task force led by Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro. It’s odd how underrepresented this one was during awards season given its great reviews, and that director Denis Villeneuve’s next movie, "Arrival," got so much more attention. If you like your movie intensity dialed up to eleven almost all the way through, or want an intimate perspective on current US/Mexico border issues that usually isn’t explored elsewhere in Hollywood or the media news cycle, look no further. It also has one of the most compelling final acts of any movie I can remember, from practically ever.

2. "The Nice Guys"

Ryan Gosling, a mediocre detective, and Russell Crowe, a hired muscle man, investigate the disappearance of a girl in 70’s Los Angeles. The movie starts out relatively simple but slowly unfolds into a crazy, elaborate conspiracy, and the two have great comedic chemistry that sets up a lot of eventual payoffs. Gosling’s daughter in the movie, Angourie Rice, is also great. Probably the most underrated movie of last year.

3. "Hunt for the Wilderpeople"

A boy and his adoptive father evade capture after they flee into the New Zealand wilderness amidst a nationwide manhunt. This is another quirky, charming movie that does a good job of balancing light-hearted moments with more somber bits, which you should see for its originality alone. The relationship between the man and the boy unfolds very similarly to the movie Up, with the kid in this one even looking the same.

4. "Ex Machina"

Even though there have been plenty of movies, books, and more so far about the ethical dilemmas brought up by creating thinking humanoid robots, none of them go as far into depth on the subject as this. The narrative feels incredibly tight, with only three main characters and one location as the setting, but still manages to deliver plenty of twists and turns. The ending made me think about the quandaries brought up in the film for a long time afterward, which is as good a mark as any of a powerful narrative.

5. "Dope"

A high school senior in a black Los Angeles suburb in the 90’s juggles the college admissions process, a scandal with a group of drug dealers, and his romantic life. There are some comparisons you can make between this movie and best picture winner "Moonlight," but I personally thought that this was the better of the two and should have received more awards buzz last year. This is definitely a “coming of age” style story that puts a fresh spin on the premise and puts on a good balancing act between humor and deeper looks at various social issues.

6. "Silence"

This movie definitely isn’t for everyone, but I still have to put it on here for its artistic value. In contrast to director Martin Scorsese's previous big showing, "The Wolf of Wall Street," this flick is much more somber and reserved instead of loud and bombastic. Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver star as Portuguese missionaries sent to Japan in the 17th century, who are persecuted under the Emperor’s inquisitors. The film is long and draining with an extremely bleak atmosphere, but is impactful in a way that very few movies can ever achieve.

7. "Snowden"

A must-see movie for anyone who’s ever used the “It’s okay, I have nothing to hide” argument in response to governmental mass surveillance. Director Oliver Stone gives an incredibly insightful look into the structure of the National Security Administration, and the political aftermath of Snowden’s whistleblowing. Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a great job of playing the character and guiding us through a number of lesser known real world events.

8. "John Wick 2"

Keanu Reeves is back as the legendary assassin, fighting off several bounty hunters at once as an enormous price is put on his head. Even though there isn’t too much of any plot to speak of, and Keanu still hasn’t developed much acting talent, this movie still has some of the best fight choreography and probably the highest individual body count ever put to the big screen. The culture of the shadowy “Continental” criminal organization also gives the film a very unique stylistic flavor.

9. "The Lobster"

In a dystopian society where single people are persecuted against, Colin Farrell is sent to “the hotel” a rehabilitation facility where guests need to find a significant other within 40 days or be turned into an animal and set loose. It’s almost so quirky that you need to watch it for the premise alone, and the movie branches into a really interesting direction in the second half. Keep an eye out for the subtle yet prevalent commentary on modern romantic culture.

10. "T2 Trainspotting"

I’ll admit that this movie won’t be as impactful if you haven’t seen the 1996 original, but is worth a watch nonetheless. The original cast returns 20 years later, now well into their respective mid-life crises, and play off of each other’s distinct personality types in a way that really makes the characters the main attraction of this movie. If you like British humor then this one is definitely for you, but you might need a box of tissues as well.