While you were sleeping, a lot of critically-lauded films detonated in tens of theatres and blew away those who were lucky enough to see them. These are the most offensively underrated films that were released this year. If you’ve already seen them, then congrats, you can smugly gloat to someone who cares in the comments below. For those who haven’t, all of the films below share a common thread: ironically, they’re about misfits who struggle to find a place where they truly belong. In Morris From America, Morris is bullied about his weight and is the victim of racism; Closet Monster is a sexual self-discovery paradigm, perhaps the best coming out movie this side of 2000. While there are unfortunately too many incredible fringe films bulldozed by the unoriginal remake factory – Embrace of the Serpent, Captain Fantastic, Little Sister – these five below are empowering, visceral cannonballs that have moral resound far beyond their easy-to-digest plotlines.

MORRIS FROM AMERICA

Thirteen-year-old Morris and his dad relocate to Heidelberg, Germany, where Morris – an outcast in basically every way – falls hard for a leggy blond at school. At first, Katrin humours his crush, luring Morris to an ecstasy-fuelled party where she squirts a water gun at his crotch and takes a picture for later humiliation. When Katrin approaches him the next day at school, he forgives her and the two strike up an unlikely friendship. She becomes his protector of sorts, skiving off insults from others about Morris’ weight and lack of talent. Morris wants to be a rapper. So when Katrin offers the idea of a rebellious escape from Heidelberg to go on tour with a DJ friend, he obliges and ends up with a newfound confidence. Morris From America is easy-to-watch, and with its humour, director Chad Hartigan ferries a moral commentary about dealing with racism and bullying.

CLOSET MONSTER

Sexually frustrated teen and 18-year-old virgin Oscar escapes reality through his monster make-up. His dreams are to make it into the movie industry. If you’re still not sold, he talks to his pet hamster, voiced by legendary Blue Velvet actress Isabella Rossellini. The hamster is a gift from his parents, after they’ve told him that they’re splitting up. He also witnesses a particularly haunting gay bashing, which only abets in stifling his sexual orientation. Oscar goes through the motions working his home improvement day job, when Wilder comes to town and escalates Oscar’s questioning of his sexuality. Closet Monster, the debut of director Stephen Dunn, is the most unconventional coming out film in a long time.

KICKS

Like one long, gorgeously shot music video, Kicks bends a simple narrative into a seriously refreshing 90 minutes of hip hop-laced revenge. When Brandon empties his piggy bank to buy some Air Jordans out of the back of a van, he’s riding high. Finally, he’ll fit in amongst his cooler friends and peers at school. At least, until he gets jumped and has his kicks stolen by some thugs. The film follows Brandon and his two friends as they assemble a crew to venture out to the Oakland burbs and take back not just Brandon’s Js, but his dignity. Starring Biggie’s son Christopher Wallace Jr, the film is ablaze with an incredible hip hop soundtrack from Wu Tang Clan, RJD2, Mac Dre and Charles Bradley. It’s equal parts funny and thrilling, and if your head doesn’t bob throughout this entire flick then see a doctor; you’re deaf.

SING STREET

Straight outta 1985 Dublin comes Sing Street, a musical dynamo featuring disenfranchised youths who form a band in order to impress a girl. When he’s sent to private school, Conor cobbles together a ‘futurist’ band despite not knowing Duran Duran or Depeche Mode. But it’s not like they knew what they were doing when they started up either, right? That’s the logic behind the sound of Sing Street, a play on Synge Street, which is where their oppressive Catholic school is located. Newly minted New Romantic Conor begins wearing make-up and dyes his fringe, dodging vitriol and combatting insults by writing song lyrics he hopes Raphina, an aspiring model, will like. The further Conor and his bandmates take their music, the further Raphina is enthralled with their efforts. Sing Street is a happy-go-lucky karaoke party that subverts a bleak period of history for youth with totally replayable songs.

PRESENTING PRINCESS SHAW

One of the best documentaries to come out this year, Presenting Princess Shaw is the true story of Samantha Montgomery – a YouTube singer who became a viral sensation after a mash-up artist from the other side of the world discovers her Winehouse-esque vocals. It’s a truly uplifting story the moment we watch as Montgomery, aka Princess Shaw, discovers that her vocals have been included in a song by Israeli musician, Kutiman, that racks up millions of views. The two musicians make the world just that bit smaller by collaborating, as Princess Shaw’s heartbreaking backstory paves the way for a very bright future as a recording artist. Some have taken the doc to task over the fact that director Ido Haar had a hand in orchestrating the story. (He didn’t tell Shaw that she was in Kutiman’s viral video, hoping to catch her gut reaction on camera). However, find me a documentary that is genuinely neutral with no agenda and this gaddamn uplifting.