Three overlooked Netflix films you ought to check out this weekend (February 28-March 2).

      The Orchard

      Often, the finest films aren’t those at the forefront of your Netflix homepage — they are the hidden treasures waiting to be found. While big-budget hits and popular originals from the platform may seem like the obvious choices, certain movie nights call for lesser-known films that can pleasantly surprise and engage any movie enthusiast.

      Netflix has a selection of excellent films that have remained under the radar. Whether you’re in the mood for a whimsical anime, a cyberpunk narrative, or a chilling found-footage piece, there’s something in Netflix's catalog for everyone. So why not stray from the typical choices and explore something new this weekend? With plenty of hidden gems available, you’re sure to uncover a new favorite that you’ll be recommending to friends by Monday.

      Additionally, we provide guides to the best films on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and Disney+.

      **Suzume (2022)**

      Toho

      Suzume is an impressive anime film directed by Makoto Shinkai that deserves your attention. It tells the story of a 17-year-old girl named Suzume (voiced by Nanoka Hara) who discovers a mysterious door in an abandoned house. She soon realizes that this door leads to another realm, unwittingly triggering a series of supernatural occurrences. As disasters begin to unfold across Japan due to the door, she teams up with a young stranger named Sōta (Hokuto Matsumura)—a “Closer” tasked with sealing these portals. The situation takes an unexpected turn when Sōta is transformed into a three-legged chair — indeed, a literal wooden chair.

      Despite its stunning visuals and original narration, Suzume is sadly underrated when compared to Shinkai's earlier works, Your Name and Weathering with You. Perhaps its more profound engagement with Japan's historical traumas—such as the 2011 earthquake and tsunami—makes it feel more personal for domestic audiences, while international viewers might find it less relatable. Furthermore, the film’s romantic angles defy conventional expectations. Those who resonate with its narrative understand that it powerfully captures themes of trauma, growth, and the complexities that accompany them.

      Suzume is available to stream on Netflix.

      **Upgrade (2018)**

      OTL Releasing

      After a vicious mugging leaves Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green) paralyzed and his wife dead, he opts for an experimental AI implant known as STEM as a remedy. The billionaire tech mogul (Harrison Gilbertson) offers him this technology, which not only restores Grey's movement but also provides him with superhuman reflexes and combat abilities. Grey uses these powers to pursue vengeance but soon realizes he is not entirely in control, as the AI begins to exhibit a will of its own.

      Despite its innovative premise, Upgrade is among the most underrated sci-fi thrillers of the last decade. Written and directed by Leigh Whannell (The Invisible Man), this low-budget film offers exhilarating action and a unique perspective on the cyberpunk genre. Lacking A-list stars meant it missed out on significant studio attention, despite being more incisive, darker, and thought-provoking than many mainstream films. The 2018 feature is destined to become a cult classic—an original, intense, and stylish cyberpunk thriller that deserves much more recognition.

      Upgrade is streaming on Netflix.

      **Creep (2014)**

      Netflix

      In Creep, struggling videographer Aaron (Patrick Brice) responds to a mysterious Craigslist ad offering $1,000 for a day’s work at a remote cabin. His client, Josef (Mark Duplass), claims to be terminally ill and wants to record a heartfelt message for his unborn child. Initially, it feels like easy money as Josef seems odd yet harmless, merely awkward and overly friendly. However, as the day progresses, Aaron senses that something is gravely wrong. Josef’s actions become more erratic, and his stories don’t add up. The unsettling atmosphere escalates to psychological horror as Aaron must determine if Josef is just a desperately lonely man or something much more dangerous.

      Directed by Patrick Brice on a minimal budget of under $500, Creep is one of the most underrated horror films of the 2010s. Its raw, unsettling authenticity makes it far more frightening than many high-budget thrillers, but it largely went unnoticed, likely due to its minimalist style and found-footage format, which many horror fans had become weary of by 2014. The film has aged well and garnered increased attention from genre enthusiasts, with many considering it a gripping and eerie character study that illustrates how a simple concept, when executed well, can create a chilling and memorable viewing experience.

      Creep is streaming on Netflix.