It depends on what "lesser-known" is to you, as we don't know how avid a movie watcher you are. But assuming you mean films that aren't necessarily obscure but aren't too mainstream, I'd suggest:

• Wind River

• The Handmaiden (Korean)

• Incendies

• Blue Ruin

Oh goodness, too many to count: Boy Kills World, I Saw The TV Glow, American Fiction, Kalki 2898-AD, Leave The World Behind, Dirty Girls, and I didn't love it but I think The Beast/La Bete is worth watching as well for its stunningly accurate depiction of what it's like to be lonely while in love and how that affects both men and women over time.

Wake in Fright.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067541/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

An Aussie movie from the 70's that was thought lost until a print was discovered and a restored version was released.

I'm not going to spoil it, it's well worth a look but there are scenes of a real-life kangaroo hunt which might put some people off.

Sir! No, Sir! (2005, 1080p)

Sir! No Sir! is a documentary film about the anti-war movement within the ranks of the United States Military during the Vietnam War. It consists in part of interviews with Vietnam veterans explaining the reasons they protested the war or even defected. The film tells the story of how, from the very start of the war, there was resentment within the ranks over the difference between the conflict in Vietnam and the "good wars" that their fathers had fought. Over time, it became apparent that so many were opposed to the war that they could speak of a movement.

Didn't see Big Man Japan (2007) listed here.

I few are talking about lesser-known movies then

Gloria Bell

The movie is a remake of a 2013 film and is directed by the same guy who made the original.

It's about a middle-aged woman living in LA (or it New York? Idrc) and dating.

The reason it's one of my fav movies of all time is that Julianne Moore gives a performance that is so human that you can see yourself and everyone else and all our normal human experiences in just one woman who is living her life and dating, it's a beautiful experience.

Rustlers Rhapsody. A comedy western that mixes eras and has a genre savvy protagonist.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cIE1fT395HM

Dersu Uzala (1080p, Eng subtitles)

Based on the work of the scientist and writer, famous traveler and explorer of the Far East V. Arseniev. The story of his friendship with the guide Dersu Uzala with extraordinary personal qualities. Their journey through the taiga-forest, full of dangerous adventures, is the plot of the film, but the meaning of the story goes far beyond the plot: it's a story about the brotherhood of people, that we are all children of the same land.

Year of production: 1975

Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
Screenwriters: Yuri Nagibin, Akira Kurosawa
Composer: Schwartz Isaac
Cinematographers: Gantman Yuri, Dobronravov Fedor, Nakai Asakazu
Production Designer: Raksha Yuri
Cast: Yuri Solomin, Alexander Pyatkov, Maxim Munzuk, Vladimir Kremena, Svetlana Danilchenko, Suymenkul Chokmorov, Mikhail Bychkov, Dima Korshikov, Nikolay Volkov, Igor Sykhra, Janis Yakobson, Alexander Baranov

Prizes and awards:
1975 - FIPRESCI Prize at the IX IFF in Moscow
1975 - gold prize at the IX IFF in Moscow
1976 - "Oscar" by the American Film Academy in Los Angeles (USA) for the best foreign film
1976 - diploma of the II degree "for achieving the best results in the artistic, visual and technical solution of the film" at the I All-Union competition for the best use of domestic negative color films when shooting feature films
1976 - participation diploma at the XIV New York International Film Festival (USA)
1977 - Special Prize of the National Association of Screenwriters of Spain, for the best foreign film shown in the country
1977 - diploma of participation at the IFF in Brussels (Belgium)
1977 - honorary award to producer Krichevsky Georges (posthumously) at the IFF in Brussels (Belgium)
1978 - M. Munzuku French critics' award "for the best acting work"
1976 - diploma of participation at the IFF in Vienna (Austria)
1977 - International Cinema Prize "David di Donatello" (Italy) for the best foreign film shown in Italy

The three tensest films I've seen -

Flight of the Phoenix (original B&W one)

Duel (Spielberg's first film)

And one with David Wotsisname that plays Poirot but he's a terrorist on a plane

Do you have a favorite genre?

The Kings Of Summer

Coming-of-age comedy about three teenage friends -- Joe (Nick Robinson), Patrick (Gabriel Basso) and the eccentric and unpredictable Biaggio (Moises Arias) - who, in the ultimate act of independence, decide to spend their summer building a house in the woods and living off the land. Free from their parents' rules, their idyllic summer quickly becomes a test of friendship as each boy learns to appreciate the fact that family - whether it is the one you're born into or the one you create -- is something you can't run away from.

I give you lesser known movies that also have popular actors! (And I think they're very good)

"With Honors"

"Renaissance Man"

"Regarding Henry"

Dororo Based on a Manga from the '60s, the story is about a boy that has to slay a bunch of different demons to reclaim pieces of his body that were stolen from him at birth. It's a rather silly movie, and I found it to be a fun journey.

Ruben and Ed. It stars Crispin Glover and Howard Hesseman.

As a side note, it was filmed entirely in Utah and, at the time, I actually lived in the apartment building (not the unit) they used when filming.

Swept Away and really anything else those two co-stared in.

If you like animation you have to see Son of the White Mare. It's a gorgeous and elegant retelling of traditional Hungarian fairy tales with clever nods to a modern psychedelic sensibility.

A Man for All Seasons. Excellent legal drama and look into the birth of the Anglican church.

Thunderpants.

Late to the party but didn't see it listed yet.

Chumscrubber

"But, it's for school..."
Shows how wrapped up people become in their own stories they become totally disconnected from what's happening around them. Sheriff doesn't realize his son is kidnapped Bunch of teens run around with a kid they've kidnapped, even tell one of their moms, who gets too wrapped up in who his mom knows to take it seriously.

Jamie Bell, Camilla Belle, Justin Chatwin, William Fichtner, Allison Janney, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Carrie-Anne Moss, Rita Wilson, Rory Culkin

We saw it back when it was "new to dvd" desperate to see something new at the time, and have gone through a couple copies now because it doesn't come back when we lend it out. Happy to spread it though!

Stay 2005

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

https://youtu.be/ytA4_dI2mjc?si=9ds_I5_w39-Yphoz

I enjoyed it, it's an artsy Japanese film directed by Paul Schrader who wrote Taxi Driver. Unique and engaging film that touches on gender roles and fighting for "valiant causes."

I liked the cinematography and how they wove the chapters together.

Volcano (1997) - It is a brilliant 90's version of a classic 50's disaster flick. One thing after another, never letting up, and all of so catastrophic as to defy belief; and yet suspension of disbelief is maintained. It is quite possibly the most 90's movie ever made. The writing is solid, there's very little cringe, and the practical effects are amazing. This movie would look completely different if made today, and would probably suck.

High Fidelity

It's just a very weird romantic comedy that works for people who don't like romantic comedies.

If you liked Napoleon Dynamite, you will probably enjoy rainbow time.