From anime to pitch-black thrillers, here’s our pick of the underrated movies of 1987…

Sometimes the challenge with these lists isnt just what to put in, but what to leave out.

Likewise Joe DantesInnerspace, a fabulously geeky, comic reworking of the 60s sci-fi flick,Fantastic Voyage.

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19.

Everything suddenly makes sense when you notice that Cannon Films Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus are among the producers.

We want lots of guns!

Were guessing, then, that the more outre elements inSurrenderwere Golans idea.

It also contains the unforgettable line, You have aroused the three snakes!

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17.

The third, and the best, isAkiradirector Katsuhiro Otomos Construction Cancellation Order.

LikeAkira, its designed and animated with an obsessive attention to detail.

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15.

Also look out for Lawrence Fishburne and Brion James among the supporting cast.

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14.

The Hidden

Mind-controlling parasites cause chaos in Los Angeles in this entertaining sci-fi thriller starring Kyle MacLachlan.

MacLachlan keeps an admirably straight face as an FBI agent, even when hes wielding a flame thrower.

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13.

The Monster Squad

What a year 1987 was for Shane Black.

And he co-wrote this horror comedy offering with his friend Fred Dekker, who also directed.

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12.

But going by its year of release, this taut little thriller still qualifies as a 1987 movie.

What distinguishesThe Stepfatherfrom forgettable stuff likeThe Hand That Rocks The Cradleis the fearsome title performance from Anthony OQuinn.

Forget about the tawdry sequels and the depressing 2009 remake the 1987 original is still by far the best.

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11.

Among Boormans best films,Hope and Gloryis a superbly observed delight.

Escape from Sobibor

Given its made-for-TV roots, this British-Yugoslavian co-production is shot and acted with real class.

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8.

Its a bittersweet, keenly-observed and sad film.

Director David Leland was better known as an actor before he made his assured debut with this period drama.

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7.

Stage Fright

Director Michele Soavi also made the uniquely surreal horror comedyDellamorte Dellamorein 1994.

It has feathers and everything.

It really is a hoot.

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6.

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5.

Oldmans terrific as the outgoing, prodigiously talented Orton, but Molinas equally good as his increasingly embittered lover.

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4.

As weve mentioned before, the film can also be enjoyed as a companion piece to Christopher NolansInterstellar.

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2.

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