Film noir remains one of Hollywood’s most influential genres, inspiring everything from modern crime thrillers to psychological mysteries. Yet beyond the iconic classics that dominate “best of” lists lies a treasure trove of overlooked gems packed with m*****, betrayal, and unforgettable performances. This June, HBO Max subscribers have the perfect opportunity to revisit five underrated noir films that deserve far more attention than they often receive.

From doomed lovers and crooked gangsters to relentless investigations, these noir classics prove why the genre continues to captivate audiences decades later.

The Mask of Dimitrios (1944)

Long before antiheroes became Hollywood’s obsession, director Jean Negulesco delivered one of noir’s most intriguing criminal mysteries with The Mask of Dimitrios. Based on Eric Ambler’s acclaimed novel, the film stars Peter Lorre as a mystery writer who becomes fascinated by the apparent death of notorious criminal Dimitrios Makropoulos. As he retraces the gangster’s dark past across Europe, he uncovers a web of m*****, blackmail, betrayal, and deception that stretches far beyond a single crime.

The film’s greatest strength lies in the electric pairing of Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet, two noir legends whose chemistry had already captivated audiences in The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. While Zachary Scott leaves a lasting impression as the elusive Dimitrios, it is Lorre and Greenstreet’s back-and-forth dynamic that elevates the entire experience. Stylish, intelligent, and packed with twists, The Mask of Dimitrios remains one of the most underrated noir gems available on Max today.

But if you prefer your mysteries with even more deception, mistaken identities, and psychological games, the next entry delivers exactly that.

The Unsuspected (1947)

Fresh off the success of Casablanca, legendary director Michael Curtiz ventured into noir territory with The Unsuspected, a gripping mystery led by Claude Rains, Audrey Totter, and Joan Caulfield. The story revolves around a celebrated radio host whose life becomes entangled with two suspicious deaths. Things grow even stranger when a man arrives claiming to be the husband of one of the victims, only for the supposedly dead woman to appear alive and insist she has never met him.

What follows is a deliciously twisted game of secrets, manipulation, and m***** that constantly keeps viewers guessing. Although the film holds a respectable 76% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, it remains one of noir’s most overlooked treasures. While comparisons to Laura are inevitable, The Unsuspected distinguishes itself by focusing less on discovering the killer and more on watching an exceptionally clever villain attempt to stay several steps ahead of everyone else.

Of course, noir isn’t always about detectives and m**** investigations, sometimes the darkest battles take place under bright lights and inside a boxing ring.

The Set-Up (1949)

Released in 1949 and directed by future Oscar winner Robert Wise, The Set-Up transforms a simple boxing match into one of film noir’s most tense and emotionally charged stories. The film stars Robert Ryan as an ageing boxer desperate to prove he still belongs in the ring. But unbeknownst to him, his manager has already fixed the fight with local gangsters, who have wagered heavily on his defeat. Suddenly, every punch carries consequences far beyond victory or loss.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest boxing films ever made, The Set-Up earned critical acclaim for its near real-time storytelling and relentless sense of urgency. Ryan delivers a powerhouse performance as a man caught between his fading dreams and a dangerous criminal scheme. Blending the grit of a sports drama with the moral ambiguity of classic noir, the film remains a masterclass in suspense more than 75 years after its release.

But if fixed fights and crooked managers aren’t dark enough, The Postman Always Rings Twice will raise the stakes with one of noir’s most infamous tales of passion, betrayal, and m*****.

The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)

Few films embody the essence of noir quite as The Postman Always Rings Twice. Directed by Tay Garnett and based on James M. Cain’s bestselling novel, the 1946 classic stars Lana Turner and John Garfield as Cora and Frank, two lovers who embark on a deadly affair and conspire to m***** Cora’s husband. What begins as a crime of passion quickly spirals into a dangerous web of suspicion, betrayal, and shifting loyalties as the consequences of their actions begin to close in.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest film noir movies ever made, the film thrives on the magnetic chemistry between Turner and Garfield. Rather than asking audiences to sympathize with its deeply flawed protagonists, The Postman Always Rings Twice embraces their darker instincts, making every decision feel more reckless than the last. Turner’s performance remains one of the defining femme fatales in Hollywood history, while Garfield delivers a career-best turn as a man willingly marching toward his own downfall.

Yet even among noir’s gallery of criminals and schemers, one character manages to stand out as especially despicable, Harold Goff.

Out of the Fog (1941)

Directed by Anatole Litvak and based on Irwin Shaw’s acclaimed play The Gentle People, Out of the Fog offers one of the most fascinating twists on the traditional noir formula. The film stars John Garfield as Harold Goff, a ruthless gangster who begins terrorising two working-class fishermen dreaming of buying a new boat. As Goff’s intimidation escalates, from extortion to manipulating those closest to them, the desperate pair slowly begin contemplating a drastic solution that could change all of their lives forever.

What makes Out of the Fog so compelling is Garfield’s unforgettable performance as one of noir’s most detestable villains. The film gives audiences countless reasons to despise Harold Goff, turning every scene into a powder keg of tension as viewers desperately wait for his comeuppance. Supported by strong performances from Ida Lupino, Thomas Mitchell, and John Qualen, the movie remains a gripping exploration of fear, desperation, and morality. More than eight decades later, it still stands as one of the most underrated crime dramas in classic Hollywood history. And with the new Spider-Noir now streaming on Prime Video, fans can watch the series in either black-and-white or full colour.

From m***** plots and doomed romances to corrupt gangsters and desperate underdogs, these five noir classics prove that some of Hollywood’s darkest stories only get better with age.

Which of these film noir classics have you watched, and which one are you adding to your watchlist first? Let us know in the comments.