Netflix distribution and the rental revenue possible from Video On Demand sites are becoming go-to outlets for independent and micro-budgeted films to gain a greater platform of release. It beats chasing screen bookings at the multiplex and finding the few remaining art-house theaters. Every year, the amount of possible “buried treasure” movies is immeasurable.
Even with my access to more-than-most with festival coverage and press credentials, I can’t see everything. What I can do is prop up some hidden gems that I was lucky enough to see and review. Here are 16 under-seen winners from 2016. The qualifier for the list was title earning less than $1 million at the box office. They are ranked from highest-scoring review to least.
If you’re always looking for something different, unique, and off the beaten path, seek these out. If you want to where to find them, I recommend the website JustWatch to search for streaming or rental availability in a snap across all platforms. Happy hunting and even happier viewing!
Chicago Indie Critics 