Top 10 Underrated Martin Scorsese Movies You Should Watch

10. Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)

While Scorsese is known for male-centric stories, ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ stands out as a rare and powerful exception. Ellen Burstyn stars as a strong-willed single mother pursuing her dream of becoming a singer. Both hilarious and heartbreaking, this early film showcases Scorsese’s comfort and capability with female protagonists.

9. Boxcar Bertha (1972)

This Depression-era tale, made for legendary producer Roger Corman, is Scorsese’s only true exploitation film. Though far from perfect, it’s a fascinating glimpse into what his career might have looked like had he not broken into the mainstream. ‘Boxcar Bertha’ captures a young Scorsese honing his craft while working within genre constraints.

8. Kundun (1997)

Released the same year as ‘Titanic,’ ‘Kundun’ was largely overshadowed but remains a visually stunning passion project. Drawing from Scorsese’s religious background and admiration for the Dalai Lama, the film presents an impressionistic portrait of the young spiritual leader. With Roger Deakins’ cinematography and Philip Glass’s score, ‘Kundun’ is a poetic meditation on peace and perseverance.

7. New York, New York (1977)

Scorsese’s love for classic musicals like ‘The Band Wagon’ and ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ led him to create this ambitious entry, starring Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli. They play a saxophonist and a singer trying to balance love and career. Though dismissed at its release, this stylized take on the ‘A Star Is Born’ narrative deserves a second look from Scorsese fans.

6. The Age of Innocence (1993)

Long before ‘Gangs of New York,’ Daniel Day-Lewis teamed up with Scorsese in this lush adaptation of Edith Wharton’s novel. As Newland Archer, he’s caught in a love triangle between his fiancée (Winona Ryder) and her scandalous cousin (Michelle Pfeiffer). With opulent visuals and simmering emotion, Scorsese proves just as adept with period romance as with crime drama.

5. The Color of Money (1986)


A sequel to ‘The Hustler,’ this film sees Paul Newman reprising his role as “Fast Eddie” Felson, now mentoring a young Tom Cruise. While it’s often overlooked in Scorsese’s oeuvre, the film offers a dynamic mix of stylish visuals and strong performances, especially Newman’s Oscar-winning turn.

4. New York Stories (1989)

This anthology features segments from Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Woody Allen. Scorsese’s contribution, ‘Life Lessons,’ stars Nick Nolte as Lionel Dobie, a tormented artist whose inspiration (and torment) comes from his muse Paulette (Rosanna Arquette). Unsurprisingly, his segment is the standout—raw, energetic, and emotionally potent.

3. Cape Fear (1991)

A bold remake of the 1962 thriller, ‘Cape Fear’ showcases a terrifying Robert De Niro as Max Cady, a vengeful ex-con targeting the family of the lawyer who put him away. Scorsese dials up the psychological tension with striking visuals and intense performances, elevating the material beyond its pulpy roots.

2. Silence (2016)

Scorsese’s passion project took 30 years to realize. ‘Silence’ follows two Jesuit priests (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) facing persecution while spreading Christianity in 17th-century Japan. It's a deeply spiritual and emotionally draining film that asks profound questions about faith, sacrifice, and resilience—unjustly overlooked on release.

1. After Hours (1985)

After the commercial failure of ‘The King of Comedy,’ Scorsese returned with this low-budget black comedy. ‘After Hours’ follows a man’s surreal and increasingly disastrous night in SoHo. What begins as an innocent evening spirals into chaos. It’s a claustrophobic, nightmarish odyssey through New York City, told with biting wit and masterful direction.