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The best dramas on Netflix right now

Adam Sandler wears a spacesuit in Spaceman.
Netflix

Since the release of its critically acclaimed war movie Beasts of No Nation, Netflix has built a strong movie library, especially in the dramatic genre. The best dramas on Netflix include several high-profile star vehicles, helmed by some of the industry’s most acclaimed filmmakers. Revered directors like Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuarón, Jane Campion, and David Fincher have all worked with Netflix, cementing its reputation as the undisputed leader of the streaming world.

From underrated gems to international offerings and even a few award contenders that took the streamer all the way to the Dolby Theater, Netflix is killing it in the dramatic genre. However, because Netflix has a wide and diverse collection of quality films, it might be difficult for you to choose just one, especially because some are not as high-quality as others. To save you some time and effort, we’ve compiled a list of the best dramas on Netflix right now.

Netflix may be a treasure trove when it comes to content, but it doesn’t have everything. Thankfully, we’ve also curated a list of the best dramas on Hulu and the best drama shows on Amazon Prime Video.

Spaceman (2024)

Spaceman
51 %
5.8/10
108m
Genre Science Fiction, Drama
Stars Adam Sandler, Paul Dano, Carey Mulligan
Directed by Johan Renck

Adam Sandler has quickly become the reigning king of Netflix. His latest effort, Spaceman, is a sci-fi drama about an astronaut who, half a year into his solo mission on the edges of the solar system, bonds with the mysterious creature he finds hiding on his ship. Spaceman features a strong performance from Sandler and an equally impressive supporting cast, including the always-reliable Carey Mulligan and a gripping Paul Dano as the voice of the creature. Far more concerned with the lead character’s fractured psyche than with exploring its sci-fi themes, Spaceman is an engaging character study that allows Sandler to flex the acting muscles he seldom gets to use.

The Unforgivable (2021)

The Unforgivable
41 %
7.1/10
112m
Genre Drama, Crime
Stars Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis, Vincent D'Onofrio
Directed by Nora Fingscheidt

A powerful Sandra Bullock delivers some of her finest work on the screen in The Unforgivable. The 2021 drama features Bullock as Ruth, a woman recently released from prison after serving 20 years for murder, who becomes determined to reconcile with her younger sister. Bullock is the main draw behind The Unforgivable, an otherwise by-the-numbers drama elevated by the actress’ committed, heart-wrenching portrayal. The film risks being overly dire, but Bullock and a great supporting cast, including Vincent D’Onofrio and the mighty Viola Davis, ultimately drive the story home, ending on a safe yet positive note.  

Society of the Snow (2023)

Society of the Snow
72 %
7.8/10
144m
Genre Drama, History
Stars Enzo Vogrincic, Agustín Pardella, Matías Recalt
Directed by J. A. Bayona

J. A. Bayona’s Society of the Snow is among Netflix’s most acclaimed recent films. The plot dramatizes the 1972 Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash, forcing the survivors, including several members of a Uruguayan rugby team, to rely on each other to survive. Harrowing yet powerful, Society of the Snow is an expertly crafted survival drama that boasts the best of Bayona’s technical skill. Featuring a cast of mostly inexperienced actors who bring an additional layer of realism to the ordeal, Society of the Snow is a gripping tale of resilience and willpower. It received two Oscar nominations for Best International Feature Film and Best Makeup and Hairstyling at this year’s Oscars. 

Erin Brockovich (2000)

Erin Brockovich
73 %
7.4/10
131m
Genre Drama
Stars Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart
Directed by Steven Soderbergh

Julia Roberts won an Oscar for her performance as the titular character in Steven Soderbergh’s 2000 drama Erin Brockovich. The plot follows Brockovich, a single woman who receives a job as a legal assistant, where she uncovers a cover-up by a powerful company that’s been poisoning a local city’s power supply. The film is a brilliant showcase for Roberts, who delivers the most purposeful, spirited, and memorable performance of her career. The actress is dynamite as Brockovich, fully supporting a crowd-pleasing story about the pursuit of justice against powerful corporations that care little about the people they damage.

Whiplash (2014)

Whiplash
89 %
8.5/10
107m
Genre Drama, Music
Stars Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser
Directed by Damien Chazelle

Damien Chazelle jumped to the peak of success and acclaim with his 2014 drama, Whiplash. Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick) stars as Andrew, an ambitious aspiring drummer who enrolls in the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory. There, he is bullied and pushed to his limit by his overbearing and ruthless instructor, Terrence Fletcher, played by a masterful J. K. Simmons. Whiplash is an intense look at the cost of overwhelming ambition and the humanity that’s lost on the path to success. Featuring an Oscar-winning villainous turn from Simmons, Whiplash is a dramatic masterpiece that viewers won’t soon forget. 

May December (2023)

May December
86 %
6.9/10
117m
Genre Drama, Comedy
Stars Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, Chris Tenzis
Directed by Todd Haynes

Acclaimed auteur Todd Haynes reteams with his long-time muse, Julianne Moore, for the dramedy May December. Natalie Portman stars as Elizabeth, an actress traveling to Savannah to spend time with Gracie (Moore), the woman she’s set to play in an upcoming movie. Gracie rose to infamy years earlier after her scandalous affair with a 13-year-old boy became public. Anchored by career-best turns from Portman and Moore, May December is a discomforting masterpiece that seamlessly blends drama and humor to tackle profound issues. The film also benefits from a stunning showcase from Charles Melton, who delivers one of the year’s most heartbreaking performances.  

Maestro (2023)

Maestro
77 %
6.8/10
131m
Genre Drama, Romance, Music
Stars Carey Mulligan, Bradley Cooper, Matt Bomer
Directed by Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper’s second directorial effort, Maestro, chronicles the life of renowned composer and conductor, Leonard Bernstein. Cooper stars as Bernstein, with the film revolving around his marriage with actress Felicia Montealegre, played by a stellar Carey Mulligan. Maestro sees Cooper go overboard both in front of and behind the camera, with a showy performance and even showier directing. However, the film finds strength in Mulligan’s stoic performance, even if it doesn’t necessarily reveal anything new about Bernstein’s private life or his legacy in modern music.

Rustin (2023)

Rustin
68 %
6.6/10
108m
Genre Drama, History
Stars Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman
Directed by George C. Wolfe

Colman Domingo stars as activist Bayard Rustin in George C. Wolfe’s biographical drama Rustin. Based on Rustin’s real life, the film follows his efforts and contributions to the civil rights movement and his pivotal role in helping Martin Luther King Jr. organize the 1963 March on Washington. Powered by an outstanding turn from Domingo, Rustin shines a light on one of history’s most undersung heroes, whose name was all but erased because of his standing as a Black gay man. Rustin does not reinvent the biopic, but it remains a worthwhile showcase for both Domingo and Bayard Rustin.

Nuovo Olimpo (2023)

Nuovo Olimpo
7.2/10
112m
Genre Romance, Drama
Stars Damiano Gavino, Andrea Di Luigi, Luisa Ranieri
Directed by Ferzan Özpetek

Fans of LGBTQ+ movies can’t find a more worthy movie than Nuovo Olimpo. The Italian romantic drama stars Damiano Gavino and Andrea Di Luigi star as Enea and Pietro, two young men who meet and fall in love in 1970s Rome. Unexpected circumstances separate them, leading them to try to reunite throughout the years, even as their lives take different directions. Sweeping and rising on the strong chemistry between Gavino and Di Luigi, Nuovo Olimpo is a gorgeous and emotional romantic drama that makes the best out of its straightforward premise. Well-crafted romantic dramas are becoming a rarity, making Nuovo Olimpo stand even taller in the current entertainment landscape.

Fair Play (2023)

Fair Play
73 %
6.4/10
113m
Genre Drama, Thriller
Stars Phoebe Dynevor, Alden Ehrenreich, Eddie Marsan
Directed by Chloe Domont

Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor star in Chloe Domont’s erotic thriller Fair Play. The plot centers on a young couple working at a hedge fund firm. When one gets an unexpected promotion over the other, their relationship slowly unravels. A glorious return for the long-dormant erotic thriller genre, Fair Play offers the same psychological thrills as classics like Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct. Rising on the strength of its well-matched leads and Domont’s wicked screenplay, Fair Play is a biting, engaging, and steamy thriller that will keep audiences on edge.

NYAD (2023)

NYAD
65 %
7.1/10
121m
Genre Drama, History
Stars Jodie Foster, Annette Bening, Rhys Ifans
Directed by Eliza beth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin

Four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening and two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster star in the biographical drama Nyad. The directorial debut of Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the film is based on Diana Nyad’s biography and chronicles her efforts to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. Featuring a traditional crowd-pleasing narrative elevated by the considerable talents of its two leads, Nyad is an uplifting sports drama that paints its real-life subject in a decidedly positive light. The film has stirred controversy and reignited doubts about Nyad’s real-life swimming feats, adding another fascinating layer to this story.

The Impossible (2012)

The Impossible
73 %
7.5/10
113m
Genre Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Stars Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland
Directed by J. A. Bayona

Two-time Oscar nominee Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor star in J. A. Bayona’s 2012 disaster drama The Impossible. Based on María Belón’s experience during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the film chronicles her family’s struggle to survive and reunite following the disaster. The Impossible marks Tom Holland’s film debut and features a harrowing performance from Watts that earned her an Oscar nomination in 2013. Tough to watch but undeniably rewarding, The Impossible does justice to its incredible real-life story. 

The Devil All the Time (2020)

The Devil All the Time
55 %
7.1/10
138m
Genre Crime, Drama, Thriller
Stars Tom Holland, Bill Skarsgård, Riley Keough
Directed by Antonio Campos

A large ensemble led by Spider-Man himself (Tom Holland) proves a major draw for Antonio Campos’ Southern Gothic thriller The Devil All the Time. Also starring Bill Skarsgård, Sebastian Stan, and Robert Pattinson, the film is set in the years following World War II and continues into the 1960s, following several storylines of revenge and violence in two Ohio towns.

Although harrowing and violent, The Devil All the Time provides a worthy showcase for its impressive cast and a suitably engrossing decades-spanning mystery. The film’s constant descent into darkness might be too much for some, but its storytelling approach, engrossing atmosphere, and excellent ensemble are reason enough to press play on this gothic nightmare.

The King (2019)

The King
62 %
7.3/10
140m
Genre Drama, History, War
Stars Timothée Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris
Directed by David Michôd

Academy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet stars in the 2019 historical drama The King. Drawing from several Shakespeare plays, the plot centers on the young King Henry V of England, chronicling his rise to power and his handling of the war against France. Featuring a stellar supporting cast, including Robert Pattinson as the Dauphin of France, The King is a riveting tale of court intrigue for fans of period pieces. It might not be a faithful retelling of history, but it features enough lush scenery and outstanding production values to satisfy viewers. 

To Leslie (2022)

To Leslie
84 %
7.1/10
119m
Genre Drama
Stars Andrea Riseborough, Andre Royo, Owen Teague
Directed by Michael Morris

Andrea Riseborough stars in Michael Morris’ 2022 drama To Leslie. The plot revolves around Leslie, a single mother struggling with alcoholism who starts working in a motel after squandering the money she won at the lottery. To Leslie might be more famous for the controversial Oscar campaign that resulted in Riseborough’s much-discussed Best Actress nomination. However, the film is a haunting, poignant portrayal of addiction powered by Riseborough’s committed, passionate performance. To Leslie‘s plot is conventional, but Riseborough’s work is worth the price of admission.

I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

I'm Thinking of Ending Things
78 %
6.6/10
135m
Genre Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
Stars Jesse Plemons, Jessie Buckley, Toni Collette
Directed by Charlie Kaufman

Charlie Kaufman’s surrealist, genre-bending 2020 film I’m Thinking of Ending Things stars Oscar nominees Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons. It follows a young woman on a trip to visit her boyfriend’s parents. The story is intercut with scenes of a school janitor at work, adding to the film’s layered and challenging narrative. I’m Thinking of Ending Things will leave audiences scratching their heads, as it offers multiple questions and no answers. However, the film is also among the most daring and thought-provoking Netflix originals, making it required viewing for fans of intricate and slightly frustrating narratives.  

Lady Chatterley's Lover (2022)

Lady Chatterley's Lover
67 %
6.6/10
126m
Genre Drama, Romance
Stars Emma Corrin, Jack O'Connell, Matthew Duckett
Directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre
 The Crown breakout star Emma Corrin stars opposite Jack O’Connell in the steamy Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Based on D.H. Lawrence’s seminal novel, the story centers on the torrid and forbidden affair between the wealthy but inexperienced Lady Chatterley and the gamekeeper at her husband’s estate. Sensual and earnest, Lady Chatterley’s Lover thrives on the strength of Corrin’s vulnerable and empathetic performance, offering a frank and mature depiction of the story’s weighty themes. 

The Dig (2021)

The Dig
73 %
7.1/10
112m
Genre Drama, History
Stars Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James
Directed by Simon Stone

Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan and Harry Potter‘s Ralph Fiennes star opposite Lily James in the 2021 historical drama The Dig. The plot dramatizes the real-life story of Edith Pretty and Basil Brown and his 1939 excavation on her land in Sutton Hoo. Although the plot might not sound like a prime source for a compelling drama, The Dig is a rich and gorgeously-shot story about friendship, legacy, and the importance of the past. Mulligan and Fiennes are at their usual best, while Mike Eley’s cinematography perfectly captures the lush vistas of the English countryside.

The Wonder (2022)

The Wonder
71 %
6.6/10
108m
Genre Drama, Mystery
Stars Florence Pugh, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Tom Burke
Directed by Sebastián Lelio

Sebastián Lelio’s 2022 period psychological drama The Wonder stars Academy Award nominee Florence Pugh. Based on the eponymous 2016 novel, the film follows an English nurse sent to a rural village to observe a young girl who has seemingly survived for months without eating. Led by a remarkable turn from Pugh and benefitting from Lelio’s atmospheric approach, The Wonder is a fascinating look at faith and prejudice that ranks as one of Netflix’s most ambitious original efforts. 

The Woman King (2022)

The Woman King
77 %
6.8/10
135m
Genre Action, Drama, History
Stars Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood

Academy Award winner Viola Davis leads an impressive ensemble cast in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s historical epic The Woman King. Davis plays General Nanisca, the leader of an all-female group of warriors, the Agojie, tasked with protecting the kingdom of Dahomey.

As Nanisca trains the next generation of warriors, a foreign threat forces the Agojie to defend their kingdom and way of life. The Woman King received praise for its cast and action sequences, with many considering it among the best films of 2022. Unfortunately, it received no recognition from the Academy, with Davis’ snub in the Best Actress category being particularly controversial.

Carol (2015)

Carol
94 %
7.2/10
118m
Genre Romance, Drama
Stars Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson
Directed by Todd Haynes

Acclaimed director Todd Haynes united Oscar winner Cate Blanchett and Oscar nominee Rooney Mara in the sweeping romantic drama Carol. The film follows the blossoming romance between Carol Aird, a mature woman going through a divorce, and Therese Belivet, an aspiring photographer, in 1950s New York.

Carol received universal acclaim from critics, who praised Haynes’ direction, Blanchett and Mara’s performances, and the film’s screenplay and production values. Carol often ranks among critics’ best movies of the 2010s, cementing its place as a modern classic.

Mudbound (2017)

Mudbound
85 %
7.4/10
135m
Genre Drama
Stars Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Jason Mitchell
Directed by Dee Rees

Dee Rees directs the 2017 historical drama Mudbound. Set in World War II, the film centers on two veterans dealing with severe PTSD returning from the war as their families struggle with poverty in rural Mississippi. Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Clarke, and Mary J. Blige star. Mudbound received acclaim from critics, with the cast attracting near-universal praise. Blige earned considerable praise, including an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress and one for Best Original Song for the film’s theme, Mighty River.

The Harder They Fall (2021)

The Harder They Fall
68 %
6.6/10
139m
Genre Western
Stars Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King
Directed by Jeymes Samuel

Jeymes Samuel makes his feature directorial debut with The Harder They Fall, starring Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, and Lakeith Stanfield. The plot centers on an outlaw who reunites his gang upon realizing his long-time enemy will soon get released from prison. The Harder They Fall is among the few Westerns with an all-Black cast, with characters loosely based on real-life figures from the American West.

Emily the Criminal (2022) new

Emily the Criminal
75 %
6.7/10
r 97m
Genre Crime, Drama, Thriller
Stars Aubrey Plaza, Theo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke
Directed by John Patton Ford
Aubrey Plaza gives one of her finest turns to date in this crime drama full of clever and insightful social commentary. The plot centers on Emily Benetto, a young woman living in Los Angeles and drowning in student loan debt. Unable to secure a high-paying job due to a minor felony conviction, Emily becomes involved in a credit card fraud ring, leading to dangerous and potentially deadly consequences.

Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Da 5 Bloods
82 %
6.5/10
r 156m
Genre War, Drama
Stars Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters
Directed by Spike Lee

Spike Lee directs an ensemble cast including Delroy Lindo — robbed of an Oscar nomination — Jonathan Majors, and the late Chadwick Boseman in Da 5 Bloods. The plot follows a group of four aging Black Vietnam veterans who return to the country to retrieve the remains of their squad leader and the gold treasure they buried during their war days.

Hustle (2022)

Hustle
68 %
7.3/10
r 118m
Genre Drama, Comedy
Stars Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Juancho Hernangómez
Directed by Jeremiah Zagar
The king of the underdogs, Adam Sandler, stars in Jeremiah Zagar’s drama Hustle. The veteran actor plays Stanley Sugerman, a down-on-his-luck basketball scout for the Philadelphia 76ers looking for an opportunity. When he discovers a promising but inexperienced young talent in Spain, Sugerman sets out to prove they are both worthy of making it to the NBA.

Roma (2018)

Roma
96 %
7.7/10
r 135m
Genre Drama
Stars Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Diego Cortina Autrey
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
Four-time Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón directs Roma, a semiautobiographical film based on his childhood in 1970s Mexico. The story follows Cleo, a Mixteco housekeeper living with an upper-middle-class family. Things get complicated when Antonio, the patriarch, leaves to be with his mistress while Cleo discovers she is pregnant, throwing the family’s fragile balance into disarray. Nominated for 10 Oscars at the 2019 ceremony, Roma became the first-ever Mexican film to win Best Foreign Language Film.

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) new

All Quiet on the Western Front
77 %
8.1/10
r 147m
Genre Action, Drama, History, War
Stars Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer
Directed by Edward Berger
The 1930 adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s classic World War I novel is considered an all-time great war movie, but modern special effects add another level of heightened reality in this Netflix original. Motivated by romantic dreams of heroism and glory, Paul Baumer (Felix Kammerer), and his friends Albert (Aaron Hilmer) and Muller (Moritz Klaus) answer the call to fight for Germany on the Western Front of World War I, but the initial euphoria of fighting for their country and a just cause quickly turns into a terrifying hellscape in the trenches.

Phantom Thread (2017)

Phantom Thread
90 %
7.5/10
130m
Genre Drama, Romance
Stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps, Lesley Manville
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
If Daniel Day-Lewis is truly retired from acting, then he went out on a high note in Phantom Thread. In the film, Day-Lewis portrays Reynolds Woodcock, a fashion designer in the ‘50s whose dresses are highly sought after. After encountering a waitress named Alma Elson (Vicky Krieps), Reynolds courts her to become both his muse and his lover. However, Reynolds’ controlling ways alienate Alma, who wants to reassert control over her own life. And she will go to some surprising lengths to get it.

The Lost Daughter (2021)

The Lost Daughter
85 %
7.1/10
r 122m
Genre Drama
Stars Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal
Somewhat polarizing between critics and audiences, The Lost Daughter is an artsy drama about memory and the endurance of pain. Leda (Olivia Colman) is alone on a seaside vacation when she becomes obsessed with the relationship between a mother and daughter — as well as their extended family. As Leda gets closer to the family, she becomes overwhelmed by a wave of memories of her own early motherhood until an impulsive act shocks her deep into the recesses of her own mind, forced to face the choices she made as a young mother.

The Power of the Dog (2021) new

The Power of the Dog
89 %
7.7/10
r 127m
Genre Drama, Western
Stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons
Directed by Jane Campion
 Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch stars as cowboy Phil Burbank in this slow-burning Western. Phil’s entire life is tied up in the land, and he’s known throughout 1920s Montana as one of the best ranchers around. One night, he heads into market with his brother, George (Jesse Plemmons), where they meet Rose (Kirsten Dunst), the widowed proprietress of the Red Mill restaurant, and her son, Peter. While George takes an immediate liking to Rose, Phil treats her barbarically. But when George returns to the restaurant to propose to Rose and bring her back to the Burbank ranch, Phil is forced to adapt. As such, he takes Peter under his wing. Or does he?

Passing (2021)

Passing
85 %
6.6/10
pg-13 98m
Genre Drama
Stars Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland
Directed by Rebecca Hall
In 1920s New York, Irene (Tessa Thompson) reconnects with an old childhood friend (Ruth Negga) whom she soon discovers is passing as white in the city. Irene soon finds her consideration of her own identity and her relationship with the world turned upside down by this shocking development.

The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)

The Fundamentals of Caring
55 %
7.3/10
pg-13 97m
Genre Comedy, Drama
Stars Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, Selena Gomez
Directed by Rob Burnett
Paul Rudd headlines The Fundamentals of Caring as Ben Benjamin, a frustrated writer whose marriage has crumbled. Ben reinvents himself as a caregiver, and he is soon hired to look after Trevor (Craig Roberts), a teenager suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Despite their shared emotional pain, Ben and Trevor form a bond and take a road trip together. Along the way, they run into a hitchhiker named Dot (Selena Gomez), a young woman who also wants to get away from her life. But while the trip is a fun experience, it also leads the trio to face some uncomfortable truths about themselves and each other.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

The Trial of the Chicago 7
76 %
7.8/10
r 130m
Genre Drama, History
Stars Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Directed by Aaron Sorkin
Aaron Sorkin wrote and directed The Trial of the Chicago 7, based on the real experiences of anti-war protesters Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen), Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong), Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne), Rennie Davis (Alex Sharp), David Dellinger (John Carroll Lynch), Lee Weiner (Noah Robbins), and John Froines (Daniel Flaherty). Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) may not have been among the seven, but he was also on trial, and the film tells his story as well. Together, they took a strong moral stand even as the judge appeared to be hellbent on putting them away.

Pieces of a Woman (2020)

Pieces of a Woman
66 %
7.1/10
r 127m
Genre Drama
Stars Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Ellen Burstyn
Directed by Kornél Mundruczó
Tragedy runs rampant in Kornél Mundruczó’s Pieces of a Woman, starring Vanessa Kirby and Shia LaBeouf as Martha and Sean, a Boston couple welcoming their first baby by way of a home birth. When the beautiful moment turns into devastation, Martha slips into a spell of overbearing grief, an emotional bubble that begins to eat away at the young woman and her closest relationships. Featuring one of the most intense first acts in recent dramatic history, Pieces of a Woman is led by a powerhouse performance from Kirby, elevating our sense of grief and pain to whole new levels.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
87 %
7.0/10
r 94m
Genre Drama, Music
Stars Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman
Directed by George C. Wolfe
Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis were nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress for their powerhouse turns in the adaptation of August Wilson’s play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. While neither Boseman nor Davis won, this is a movie that will only add to their respective legends. Davis portrays an iconic blues singer, Ma Rainey, during a contentious studio recording in 1927. The late Boseman plays Levee Green, Ma’s ambitious trumpeter who dreams of having a band of his own. Unfortunately, Levee’s antagonistic personality threatens to destroy all of his hopes in one night. Regardless, Boseman imbues the role with raw emotion and an unforgettable performance.

Mank (2020)

Mank
79 %
6.8/10
r 132m
Genre Drama, History
Stars Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins
Directed by David Fincher
Mank was the passion project of writer Jack Fincher, who wrote the screenplay in the ‘90s. Three decades later, Jack’s son, David Fincher, directed the film for Netflix and earned a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars. Fittingly, the movie is about the making of one of the all-time great films: Citizen Kane. Herman J. Mankiewicz (Slow Horses actor Gary Oldman) is chosen by Orson Welles (Tom Burke) to write his magnum opus, which was inspired in part by the powerful publisher William Randolph Hearst. In flashback, we learn that Herman has a history with both William and William’s much younger lover, Marion Davies (Amanda Seyfried). Creating a masterpiece isn’t easy, but it sure is entertaining.

Concrete Cowboy (2020)

Concrete Cowboy
67 %
6.3/10
r 111m
Genre Drama, Western
Stars Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome
Directed by Ricky Staub
When 15-year-old Cole (Caleb McLaughlin) is uprooted from the hard streets of Detroit, the youth is sent to live with his father, Harp (Idris Elba), in Philadelphia. What Cole could never expect to experience in a new city setting is an Old West lifestyle, propagated by his father and a larger band of inner-city Black cowboys. Patrolling the streets on horseback, the nomadic cavalcade acts as a vigilante group for crime-plagued North Philly. Inspired in part by the Fletcher Street Stables and based upon the novel Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri, Concrete Cowboy is powered by an incredible script, superb cinematography, and an especially impressive father-and-son dynamic between Elba and McLaughlin.

Marriage Story (2019)

Marriage Story
94 %
7.9/10
r 137m
Genre Drama
Stars Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern
Directed by Noah Baumbach
Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story was one of an astonishing number of Netflix Originals to win Academy Awards in 2019. On the surface, it’s an ordinary movie about an ordinary situation: Man and wife struggle through a divorce. But the depths through which Baumbach explores his characters and gut-wrenching performances from Scarlett Johansson and 65‘s Adam Driver make it hard to look away as these two people who clearly still love each other come to the unavoidable conclusion that they just can’t stay married.

The Two Popes (2019)

The Two Popes
75 %
7.6/10
pg-13 125m
Genre Drama, Comedy, History
Stars Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Juan Minujín
Directed by Fernando Meirelles
Headlined by tour de force performances from two legendary actors, The Two Popes centers on the transition from Pope Benedict and Pope Francis. A quiet movie that takes place behind the Vatican walls, the two popes could not be more different, but they’re bound by a devotion to the Catholic Church and a shared desire to leave the world a better place. Regardless of your feelings on the Catholic Church, The Two Popes is an entertaining, heartwarming movie about finding common ground through difference. Something we could all learn a little about these days.

The Irishman (2019)

The Irishman
94 %
7.8/10
r 209m
Genre Crime, Drama, History
Stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci
Directed by Martin Scorsese
One of the first Netflix Original Films to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman is one of his most ambitious films to date. Scorsese helped establish the gangster genre with films like Goodfellas and Casino, but The Irishman is notably more subdued than those seminal films. The story follows Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), an employee of legendary union leader and mob boss Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), as he rises from bodyguard to confidante. But as Hoffa becomes more trouble than he’s worth, the other mafia bosses feel it may be time to move on from him, and Sheeran’s the key to it all.

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