Add These 5 Lesser-known Movies to Your Watch List

In between old Disney favourites and new Marvel blockbusters, I sometimes find time to discover hidden gem movies. They’re films I hadn’t heard of before and usually discover by accident because I’ve already watched all of the more mainstream options that Netflix recommends to me. So in collaboration with Panasonic, inspired by the Panasonic wireless home cinema system, I’m recommending 5 lesser-known movies I have discovered that are available to stream in the UK right now. If you’re looking to discover a hidden gem, add these to your watch list.

The Invisible Guest

This Spanish crime thriller kept me on my toes the whole time, and even though it is entirely subtitled, this didn’t distract from the action. It’s the story of a business man awaiting trial for the suspected murder of his lover, though he has always claimed to have been set up. As he discusses details of his story to his defence attorney (and to us through flashbacks), more and more doubt creeps in as to what actually happened. It reminded me of The Usual Suspects because it has so many layers of plot twists which are gradually uncovered. So if you’re a fan of that then I’d totally recommend giving this one a go, as it’s not often that I am surprised by a movie I’ve never heard of!

Watch if you like thrillers full of twists.
Available on Netflix UK

Once

This low key musical is set in Dublin and stars real musicians rather than actors. Once tells the story of a busker and an immigrant making their way in life, and how they find love in each other and their music. Their lives are so ordinary that you’d wonder why tell their story at all, but by the end it’s both romantic and heartbreaking. It’s one of those films that’s so subtle that it gets you without you realising it – and now it’s even a hit stage musical too, proving that its story resonates with people!

Watch if you like films about music.
Available on Amazon Prime

What we Do in the Shadows

I’m forever recommending this movie, but to be honest it totally depends on your sense of humour whether you’ll love it like I do. The deadpan comedy in this mockumentary is totally my jam, and it’s full of vampire movie parody as 4 vampires from different centuries deal with modern life issues in their New Zealand flat share situation. And if (like me) you end up wanting more from Director Taika Waititi after watching this, his debut movie Eagle vs Shark is also available on Amazon Prime, and Thor: Ragnarok is on Now TV.

Watch if you like obscure comedies.
Available on Amazon Prime

Jane

This documentary film about primatologist Jane Goodall will appeal to anyone with an interest in wildlife, but also anyone who loves a biography about a truly interesting person. It was pieced together from archived National Geographic footage, and it’s amazing how much of her story was able to be captured on film. I find Jane’s story truly inspirational. As a young woman in the 1950s she had no interest in a traditional female role, and instead pursued her dream of living in Africa and working with animals. Despite having no prior scientific training she landed the opportunity of being able to spend years observing and recording chimpanzee cultures and behaviours in the wild in Tanzania, and eventually became the world’s leading expert on the subject, as well as an activist for animal rights.

Watch if you like biographical documentaries or stories of female empowerment.
Available on Netflix UK

What Happened to Monday

An intriguing Netflix Original sci-fi movie, set in a dystopia where there is a one-child policy in place to manage population growth. The plot follows 7 identical septuplets who have to hide their existence and survive by sharing one identity. Only one of them is ever allowed to leave their apartment at any one time and they each have an allocated day of the week to live the life of “Karen”. I loved the whole concept of this movie, and the plot really picks up pace when six of the sisters have to investigate what has happened to “Monday” when she goes missing on her day.