50 amazing films you've probably never seen

Beyond The Black Rainbow (2010)

The Film: A cult leader keeps a teenage girl hostage in a giant laboratory, hoping to unlock her latent psychic powers in order to reveal the secrets of the universe.

Why It's Amazing: Beautifully shot, Rainbow looks like a cross between 2001 and Suspiria. Tonally, it's mesmerising--think Berbarian Sound Studio being played at the wrong speed.

Why You've Never Seen It: Rainbow hasn't been picked up for UK distribution but you can pick it up on R1.

Even The Wind Is Afraid (1968)

The Film: A cruel headmistress torments a group of girls at a boarding school--refusing to believe their claims that there's a ghost haunting the hallways.

Why It's Amazing: It's been described as the greatest Mexican horror film of all time, and for good reason. Creepy, atmospheric and with a gripping story full of twists, this is a very special film.

Why You've Never Seen It: Once again, it's never had a UK release, but it's easy enough to import from Amazon under it's slightly less catchy title Hasta el Viento Tiene Miedo.

The Friends Of Eddie Coyle (1973)

The Film: An aging criminal is forced to turn informant to avoid a lengthy jail sentence.

Why It's Amazing: The kind of movie Hollywood doesn't seem to make any more, it's almost entirely populated by anti-heroes. Mitchum's world-weary and worn-out performance is unlike anything he'd done before, and it deserves more attention.

Why You've Never Seen It: Overshadowed by director Peter Yates' other classic crime thriller Bullitt, Eddie Coyle is nonetheless available to stream on Netflix.

Manborg (2011)

The Film: When Nazi vampires kill a young soldier, he is resurrected as the ultimate tool of revenge: Manborg.

Why It's Amazing: It's basically a Frankenstein's mix of every single late '80s / early '90s b-movie you grew up on and loved. Just ridiculous fun.

Why You Haven't Seen It: You were probably put off because it looks like an Asylum knock-off, but it's far fresher, and funnier than that. A smart script (just wait until the final scene) combined with genuinely joyful special effects add up to a brilliant experience.

Return Of Doctor X (1939)

The Film: Humphrey Bogart's first (and last) science-fiction horror film about a mad doctor who's murdering people with a rare blood type in order to extend his lifespan. Despite the title, it's a stand-alone story.

Why It's Amazing: Bogart considers this to be his worst film, which could partly explain why he's so incredibly hammy in it. As so-bad-it's-amazing watches go, you can't go far wrong with this one.

Why You've Never Seen It: We're wouldn't be surprised if Bogart burnt every copy. But you can pick it up in a double bill with the unrelated Doctor X on R1.

The Two Faces Of Dr Jekyll (1960)

The Film: In a twist on the Jeykll and Hyde story, here Dr Jekyll is a weakling and Mr Hyde is a charismatic creep. When the Dr discovers his wife is having an affair, Hyde takes revenge.

Why It's Amazing: Brilliant story, shot beautifully, with a stunning score. The central performance(s) is electrifying. There's nothing ironic about this one, it's just fine filmmaking.

Why You've Never Seen It: Despite the fact it's one of Christopher Lee's favourite Hammer films, it hasn't the reputation of some of his other classics. Available on R1 and R2, it deserves a place in your collection.

Fiend Without A Face (1958)

The Film: The earth is invaded by aliens. Who take the form of human brains. Brains!

Why It's Amazing: A '50s monster movie so influential it found its way onto the Criterion Collection, Fiend Without A Face has the typical charm of the b-movies of the era, with a hard edge. Believe it or not, there are some scenes that have retained their power to shock.

Why You Haven't Seen It: Despite the fact it's a British film, it's currently out of print in this country. But the Criterion set is fantastic, a loving tribute to a great film.

Fragment Of Fear (1970)

The Film: A former drug addict uncovers a government conspiracy. Or does he?

Why It's Amazing: One of the greatest films about paranoia ever put to celluloid, Fragment perfectly replicates the feeling experienced by our protagonist of the blurring lines between fantasy and reality. And the ending is unforgettable.

Why You Haven't Seen It: Despite the fact it's a British thriller starring one of our greatest actors (David Hemmings), this is another one you'll have to import from America.

The Bad Seed (1956)

The Film: A mother slowly starts to suspect her daughter is an evil killer.

Why It's Amazing: Extraordinarily ahead of its time, The Bad Seed is a complex mediation on the nature of evil. And it's as terrifying as any modern horror.

Why You've Never Seen It: Despite picking up four Academy Award nominations, Seed appears to have been forgotten--but you can pick it up on a R2 DVD.

Return Of The 5 Deadly Venoms (1978)

The Film: A gang of martial artists who have had limbs removed / been blinded by an evil warrior, team up to take revenge.

Why It's Amazing: The fight scenes are genuinely incredible. Without going into spoiler territory, the way our heroes combine their resources has to be seen to be believed.

Why You've Never Seen It: It's best known by a different (less politically correct) title which may have put you off. But trust us, it's a triumph.

Sam Ashurst is a London-based film maker, journalist, and podcast host. He's the director of Frankenstein's Creature, A Little More Flesh + A Little More Flesh 2, and co-hosts the Arrow Podcast. His words have appeared on HuffPost, MSN, The Independent, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, and many more, as well as of course for us here at GamesRadar+.