James Gunn has never been one to take the road everyone’s already walked on. From his early days, he’s been crafting bizarre and unconventional stories, and it’s this approach that has made him one of Hollywood’s most visionary directors of all time. He’s built a reputation for breathing life into underdog characters and elevating sights that would otherwise go unnoticed.
From turning obscure comic book teams like The Suicide Squad into household names to reviving beloved franchises with a fresh twist, Gunn’s fingerprints just make modern cinema better. He’s a storyteller at heart, and like most directors, Gunn has always leaned towards offbeat narratives, and his work in the superhero genre is testament to his ability to deliver wildly inventive and equally hilarious films. Now the CEO of DC Studios, Gunn is steering an entire cinematic universe, and the anticipation is high.
Like any cinephile, James Gunn regards classics like The Godfather, The Matrix, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as his favorites and suggests everyone watch them at least once in their lifetime. But what makes him a fascinating enthusiast is his endorsement of movies that fly under the radar for one reason or another. He regularly shares long lists of film recommendations, ranging from beloved classics to obscure gems.
This list counts down 10 underrated movies recommended by James Gunn.
10
‘Mesrine’ (2008)
Mesrine
Release Date
February 29, 1984
Runtime
110 minutes
Director
André Génovès
Cast
-
Caroline Aguilar
Sylvia Jeanjacquot
-
Nicolas Silberg
Jacques Mesrine
-
Gérard Sergue
François Besse
-
Michel Poujade
Le commissaire Broussard
Split into two parts, Mesrine: Killer Instinct and Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One, this French biographical crime drama explores the life of Jacques Mesrine, a notorious gangster whose sheer audacity made him both feared and admired by all. The film chronicles his rise from a small-time criminal to France’s most wanted man after navigating his way through prison escapes, robberies, and a relentless cat-and-mouse game with law enforcement.
Sharp and Nuanced
Mesrine stars Vincent Cassel in the lead role and the actor embodies the character’s charm and savagery with precision. The kinetic pacing and immersive plot, paired with the uniquely European take on the crime genre, makes it a must-watch. Despite being a hit, Mesrine remains underrated outside France.
9
‘United 93’ (2006)
Release Date
April 28, 2006
Runtime
111 Minutes
Directed by Paul Greengrass, United 93 is a real-time depiction of the events that took place on United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. It reconstructs the hijacking and focuses on the passengers’ desperate attempt to fight back and reclaim control of the plane before its crash in Pennsylvania. Because of the passengers and the crew, the plane was the only one not to hit its intended target.
A Harrowing Thriller
United 93 takes a documentary-style approach and is very meticulous in depicting the chaos and fear of that day. It has no big-name stars, which amplifies the authenticity and makes the experience feel visceral and emotionally devastating. The movie gets overlooked in discussions of modern thrillers because the subject matter is difficult for audiences to revisit, but it’s still truly powerful.
8
‘Brotherhood of the Wolf’ (2001)
Release Date
January 25, 2002
Runtime
142 Minutes
Director
Christophe Gans
Writers
Stéphane Cabel, Christophe Gans
-
Samuel Le Bihan
Grégoire de Fronsac
-
Jeremie Renier
Thomas d’Apcher
Set in 18th-century France, Brotherhood of the Wolf is a wildly entertaining mashup of genres like historical drama, horror, and martial arts. It follows the Chevalier de Fronsac and his Iroquois companion Mani as they arrive in the county to investigate a series of brutal killings caused by a mysterious beast. But their search leads to the discovery of deeper conspiracies.
Unconventional Genre Mashup
It takes little time for the movie to shift from creature feature to political intrigue, but the cinematography is so stunning and the action sequences are so breathtaking that the viewer completely loses themselves in the story. The cast includes Vincent Cassel, Monica Bellucci, and Mark Dacascos. And to put it simply, Brotherhood of the Wolf is too action-packed for a period piece, too cerebral for a monster flick, and too stylish to be a horror movie.
1:50
Related
The 25 Most Mind-Bending Movies Ever Made
Movies can open your mind to new ideas and leave you questioning your very sense of reality, and these are 25 of the best.
7
‘Together’ (2000)
Memfis Film
James Gunn’s favorite movies’ list also includes this criminally overlooked comedy, Together. Set in a 1970s Swedish commune, it follows Elisabeth, a woman who escapes her abusive husband with her two children and finds a safe haven in her brother Göran’s home, which he shares with a bunch of eccentric individuals ranging from idealists to free spirits.
A Heartfelt Drama
A warm, fuzzy, satirical slice-of-life comedy, this one is all about exploring the clash between personal freedom and communal responsibility as soon as Elisabeth and her kids enter the chaotic yet oddly nurturing environment. The adults form their own bonds, and the ensemble cast delivers authentic performances. Together boasts a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score, but perhaps its niche setting and subtle storytelling didn’t cater to a wider audience.
6
‘JSA: Joint Security Area’ (2000)
Release Date
September 9, 2000
Runtime
108 minutes
Writers
Sang-yeon Park, Jeong Seong-san, Park Chan-wook, Kim Hyun-seok, Lee Mu-yeong
Producers
Lee Eun
-
Lee Young-ae
Maj. Sophie E. Jean
-
Lee Byung-hun
Sgt. Lee Soo-hyuk
-
Kim Tae-woo
Pvt. Nam Sung-shik
Written and directed by Park Chan-wook and adapted from a novel written by Park Sang-yeon, JSA: Joint Security Area is a South Korean mystery thriller that begins with a deadly shooting incident between North and South Korean soldiers. As a Swiss investigator named Sophie E. Jean delves into the mystery, the movie reveals a secret friendship that exists between soldiers on opposite sides.
Thought-Provoking Geopolitical Thriller
Set against the backdrop of the Korean Demilitarized Zone, this gripping, morally ambiguous film subverts the expected tropes of the thriller genre by using a geopolitical setting as a canvas for a nuanced character story. Through flashbacks, the movie presents moments of laughter, camaraderie, and quiet understanding, which makes the eventual events more poignant and devastating. It was a box office hit in South Korea, but JSA is often overshadowed by Park Chan-wook’s later works like Oldboy.
5
‘The Heroic Trio’ (1993)
4.5
/5
Release Date
February 12, 1993
Runtime
88 Minutes
Director
Johnnie To
Writers
Sandy Shaw
-
Anita Mui Yim-Fong
Tung/The Wonder Woman
-
Ching/The Invisible Woman
When it comes to Hong Kong action movies, being over-the-top is what’s appealing. In the same spirit, The Heroic Trio tells the story of three formidable women – Wonder Woman, Thief Catcher, and Invisible Woman – who find themselves entangled in a sinister plot involving the kidnapping of babies at the hand of a mysterious, supernatural villain known only as the Evil Master.
Rare Gem in Hong Kong Cinema
Directed by Johnnie To, the movie chronicles the extraordinary women’s journey to taking down the mastermind. It’s filled with high-octane action sequences and jaw-dropping stunts. Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui, and Maggie Cheung bring power and resilience to their roles and elevate the film beyond mere spectacle. The fights are innovative and the pacing is infectious. But what’s interesting is that The Heroic Trio refuses to be boxed into one genre. Martial arts, fantasy, and superhero elements, it’s got them all.
4
‘Ms. 45’ (1981)
Release Date
April 24, 1981
Runtime
80 minutes
Writers
Nicholas St. John
Ms. 45 is another underrated movie recommended by James Gunn. It tells the story of Thana, a mute young woman in New York City who endures a horrifying ordeal when she is assaulted twice in a single day. The trauma pushes her into a psychological break, and she transforms into a ruthless vigilante. Armed with a .45 caliber pistol, she targets men who are predators and hunts those who wronged her.
A Stylish Feminist Revenge Thriller
As Thana’s killing spree in Ms. 45 escalates, the movie builds towards a haunting climax, and Abel Ferrara’s direction captures the raw and gritty atmosphere of ‘80s New York with ease, making her madness and ferocity feel disturbingly real. Of course, it is the mesmerizing performance delivered by Zoë Tamerlis Lund that is just the right amount of subtle and chilling. Albeit unsettling, it is a standout in the exploitation genre and deserves more attention.
3
‘The Brood’ (1979)
Release Date
May 25, 1979
Runtime
92 Minutes
Frank Carveth is desperate to protect his five-year-old daughter from his estranged wife, Nola, who happens to be undergoing radical treatment in a remote, self-contained therapeutic facility. After a series of questionable murders surface, Frank grows suspicious of a possible connection between Nola’s therapy and the child-like creatures committing the crime.
A Twisted Horror Masterpiece
James Gunn’s directorial debut, Slither, borrows its elements of body horror from a bunch of movies that came before, so it’s not really a surprise that the director is a fan of David Cronenberg’s films. Crafting a deeply unsettling environment and culminating things in what can only be described as one of the most shocking reveals in horror history, Cronenberg makes sure The Brood stands out from his other popular works, such as The Fly and Videodrome.
Related
All 6 Superhero Movies Directed by James Gunn, Ranked
From cult gems to big-budget blockbusters, here’s the ultimate ranking of the James Gunn superhero experience.
2
‘The Long Goodbye’ (1973)
Release Date
March 8, 1973
Runtime
112 Minutes
Director
Robert Altman
Writers
Leigh Brackett, Raymond Chandler
Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye tells the story of Philip Marlowe, a world-weary private investigator who finds himself embroiled in a complex and convoluted mystery that involves murder and betrayal when his friend Terry asks for a late-night ride to Mexico. Apparently, Terry’s wife is killed, and Terry himself is found dead in an apparent suicide, and all eyes turn to Marlowe, who is arrested soon after.
Defies Neo-Noir Conventions
A washed-up novelist, a ruthless gangster, and a woman with secrets of her own are all involved in this adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s novel, which plucks the classic noir setting and places it in 1970s Los Angeles. Despite its brilliance, the movie was met with mixed reviews, largely because it was nothing like people expected from the genre. Elliot Gould’s Marlowe is a laid-back, chain-smoking protagonist and not a hard-boiled detective we’re used to seeing. But maybe that’s good enough for James Gunn. And devoted fans of the film.
1
‘Hail the Conquering Hero’ (1944)
Release Date
August 9, 1944
Runtime
101 minutes
Director
Preston Sturges
-
Eddie Bracken
Woodrow Truesmith
-
Raymond Walburn
Mayor Everett D. Noble
-
William Demarest
Sgt. Heppelfinger
Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith, the son of a war hero, dreams of following in his father’s footsteps, so he joins the Marines during World War II. When he is discharged due to chronic hay fever, he’s too embarrassed to go home. So he settles in San Diego and writes deceptive letters home. But Woodrow’s lies spiral out of control, and it leads to a hilarious climax that makes you rethink everything you know about heroism.
A Satirical Take On Heroism
One of Preston Sturges’ finest works, Hail the Conquering Hero boasts a razor-sharp script that blends satire with genuinely heartfelt moments, making it both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply introspective. Eddie Bracke’s performance is pitch-perfect. He captures the character’s sincerity and growing anxiety with such honesty that it’s fascinating to watch. The movie was a critical darling, but it has not maintained the same level of popularity as Sturges’ other classics.
You can view the original article HERE.
