Who doesn’t love a good drama? Whether it’s a movie, a TV show, a reality series, or a great novel, dramatic stories always demand our attention. Many streamers have strong libraries for the genre, but the best dramas on Netflix offer a special something, a great mix of stories, and points of view that make for riveting entertainment. The streaming giant has more than a few dramatic gems, many of which are previous Oscar winners, proving their inherent quality. Netflix caters to all tastes and ensures quality by recruiting some of modern Hollywood’s most acclaimed auteurs. On any given day, you can find masterpieces from Scorsese and Cuarón while browsing Netflix.
Beyond the new arrivals and awards fare, the best dramatic movies on Netflix offer a mix of searing romantic tales, intense family dramas, passionate romances, tragic tales, and a few small-scale yet no-less-worthy movies. Although Netflix has a wide and diverse collection of quality films, it might be difficult for you to choose just one. Some are not as high in quality as others. To save you some time and effort, we’ve compiled a list of the best dramas on Netflix right now.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
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The Life List2025 -
American Sniper2014
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Nonnas2025
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The Founder2016
The Life List (2025)
49%
6.8/10Well-intentioned if somewhat lackluster, The Life List is a solid drama that greatly benefits from likable lead actors. It could’ve greatly benefited from a tad more gumption, but it remains a serviceable effort and yet another feather on Carson’s impressive Netflix cap.
American Sniper (2014)
73%
7.3/10Bradley Cooper received an Oscar nomination for his performance in Clint Eastwood’s war biopic American Sniper. The film tells the story of Chris Kyle, the deadliest marksman in U.S. history, with 225 kills over four tours during the Iraq War. Although it’s very easy to disqualify it as American military propaganda — a label that, to be fair, the film carries proudly — American Sniper is an intriguing character story of one of the army’s most infamous figures.
Cooper delivers standout work here, and Eastwood’s work behind the camera goes a long way in injecting tension and drive into the story. It might be superficial in its exploration of trauma, but American Sniper remains a worthwhile late-career effort from Eastwood.
Nonnas (2025)
57%
7.1/10A new arrival to Netflix, Stephen Chbosky’s Nonnas is a great blend of comedy and drama. Vince Vaughn stars as Joe, a man who decides to open an Italian restaurant following his mother’s passing. To cook, he recruits four nonnas, or grandmothers, to give the place a genuine Italian touch. Oscar winner Susan Sarandon and Oscar nominees Lorraine Bracco, Brenda Vaccaro, and Talia Shire co-star as the titular nonnas, adding warmth and authenticity to the story.
Vaughn does a suitable job as the protagonist, but the four women are the reason to tune in and the film’s true heart. It might not offer anything new to the genre, but Nonnas serves a well-crafted plate that will prove irresistible to audiences.
The Founder (2016)
66%
7.2/10Oscar nominee Michael Keaton stars in John Lee Hancock’s biopic The Founder. It tracks Ray Kroc’s discovery of the small-town burger business McDonald’s and his efforts to take control of the business from founders Dick (Nick Offerman) and Mac (John Carroll Lynch) McDonald via ruthless tactics. Like many other Hollywood biopics, The Founder is guilty of overly dramatizing the real story to make for a more riveting viewing experience.
However, it’s hard to resist when Keaton is doing such deliciously diabolical work as Kroc, considerably elevating what would otherwise be a standard story. The Founder might not be strictly accurate, but boy, is it engaging.
It Ends with Us (2024)
53%
6.4/10Before all the drama and controversy, Blake Lively delivered one of the biggest hits of her career with the romantic drama It Ends With Us. The film, based on an infamous Colleen Hoover novel, follows Lily Bloom (Lively), a woman struggling to open a business while dealing with a complicated relationship with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kinkaid (Justin Baldoni). When her first love re-enters the picture, Lily finds herself at a romantic crossroads.
The film adaptation of It Ends With Us improves on the source material, largely thanks to Lively’s performance. The storyline is still questionable, and the real-life drama surrounding the protagonists surely casts a cloud over the film. However, It Ends With Us remains a solid effort for all those who like their romances with a heavy dose of melodrama.
Beasts of No Nation (2015)
79%
7.7/10Cary Joji Fukunaga’s harrowing war drama Beasts of No Nation is the first film released directly for Netflix. It follows Agu (Abraham Atta), a young boy who becomes a child soldier as his country experiences a brutal civil war. Idris Elba co-stars as the Commandant, a ruthless military leader who takes Agu under his wing.
Beasts of No Nation is not an easy watch: it’s a violent and often scarring depiction of cruelty in wartime elevated by a pair of spectacular performances from Atta and Elba. However, it’s also a thought-provoking study of human nature that ultimately ends on a positive note despite all the haunting brutality that came before.
Joy (2024)
62%
7.1/10One of Netflix’s most underappreciated recent offerings is the biographical drama Joy. Academy Award nominee Bill Nighy joins Thomasin McKenzie and James Norton to tell the story of the first in vitro fertilization baby, Louise Joy Brown. The film has all the makings of a crowd-pleasing historical biopic: a compelling real-life story, a trio of personable and engaging lead performances, and solid production values that accurately recreate 1960s Cambridge.
The narrative is straightforward but satisfying, making Joy a satisfying and entertaining biopic that ranks among Netflix’s strongest offerings of 2024. It’s a shame not many people know about this underappreciated drama because it makes for the perfect afternoon viewing.
The Piano Lesson (2024)
69%
6.2/10Malcolm Washington, the son of acclaimed two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington, directs the 2024 drama The Piano Lesson, based on August Wilson’s 1984 Pulitzer Prize-winning play. The film follows the Charles family as they grapple with legacy in the form of an old piano, an heirloom that came at a great cost to the family. One of the best Netflix movies of 2024, The Piano Lesson deals with profound themes of loyalty, duty, nostalgia, and catharsis while draped in a coat of Southern Gothic.
The ensemble cast is brilliant, but Danielle Deadwyler, an actress snubbed of an Oscar nod a few years ago for her brilliant performance in the harrowing drama Till, is the clear standout, receiving numerous nominations from major guilds.
Emilia Pérez (2024)
71%
6.6/10The controversial musical Emilia Pérez stars Karla Sofía Gascón as the titular character, a cartel boss who recruits an ambitious but underappreciated lawyer to help her transition into a woman to leave her violent life behind. The film also stars Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Édgar Ramírez, and Adriana Paz. Acclaimed for its ambition and visual style, Emilia Pérez has been heavily criticized for being surface-level and having a lack of care in portraying Mexico and the severe issue of cartel violence.
Nevertheless, Emilia Pérez is still one of Netflix’s most prominent bets this award season and a frontrunner for several Oscars, including supporting actress for Saldaña and International Feature Film.
The Six Triple Eight (2024)
51%
6.8/10Emmy nominee Kerry Washington stars in the war drama The Six Triple Eight, written and directed by Tyler Perry. The film tells the story of the 6888th Central Post Directory Battalion, an all-Black and all-female battalion in World War II.
Although praised for its focus on a lesser-known but fascinating element of World War II and for Washington’s lead performance, The Six Triple Eight also received criticism for Perry’s hammy approach to the story. The film is enough of a crowd-pleaser to satisfy those looking for an inspiring story set in the deadly trenches of World War II, though.
Woman of the Hour (2024)
74%
6.6/10Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick makes her directorial debut in the drama thriller Woman of the Hour, based on an unbelievable real-life event. Kendrick stars as Sheryl Bradshaw, the contestant on a dating game show who inadvertently meets Rodney Alcala, later identified as a serial killer responsible for the murders of seven women.
The film benefits from Kendrick’s spunky approach behind and in front of the camera, as she finds clever ways to explore the intricacies of the story. Woman of the Hour works as both a tense thriller and a more in-depth study of misogyny and violence, allowing Kendrick to show new sides to her persona as both an actress and director.
Pedro Páramo (2024)
59%
6.3/10Pedro Páramo, the seminal magical realism masterpiece of Mexican literature, receives the Netflix treatment courtesy of esteemed cinematographer and four-time Oscar nominee Rodrigo Prieto. The Lincoln Lawyer‘s Manuel García-Rulfo stars as the eponymous character, a powerful figure in a town full of mystery and dread. One day, his son, Juan Preciado, played by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s Tenoch Huerta, arrives searching for answers, only to find heartbreak.
In his feature film directorial debut, Prieto brings to life this iconic story with style and immersive atmosphere. He’s supported by a game performance from García-Rulfo. Pedro Páramo doesn’t quite live up to the novel’s legacy, but it doesn’t die trying to translate the action to the small screen.
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
65%
7.3/10Lily James is one of our best and most dynamic younger actresses, and her charm is on full display in Mike Newell’s romantic drama The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society. James plays Juliet Ashton, a London writer who travels to the remote island of Guernsey after exchanging letters with its inhabitants. There, she begins to fall in love with their stories, discovering a new side to herself in the process. Aside from having one of the best movie titles in the past decade, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society is a delightful and quirky romance that remains emotionally poignant and entertaining. James is incredible in the lead role, accompanied by an equally wonderful ensemble, including Michiel Huisman, Jessica Brown Findlay, Penelope Wilton, Tom Courtenay, and Hit Man‘s Glen Powell.
Shirley (2024)
57%
6.3/10Oscar-winner Regina King stars as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black congresswoman, in John Ridley’s biopic Shirley. The film chronicles her 1972 presidential campaign, which made her the first Black candidate to run for a major party nomination and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s nomination. Although somewhat generic, Shirley benefits from a stellar cast led by the ever-reliable King and includes Oscar nominees like Terrence Howard and Lucas Hedges. King is the reason to stay, delivering yet another commanding performance that more than compensates for the screenplay’s by-the-numbers approach.
Scoop (2024)
63%
6.5/10Emmy winner Gillian Anderson dusts off her now-iconic English accent to play British journalist Emily Maitlis in the biographical drama Scoop. The plot dramatizes the pivotal 2019 Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew. Anderson is joined by British icons Billie Piper, Keeley Hawes, and Rufus Sewell, with the film depicting the process leading to the interview, the taping, and the aftermath. Solid, tight, and well-acted, Scoop is as much a fictionalized take on one of the U.K.’s most scandalous events in recent history as it’s a love letter to journalism. Anderson is great, as usual, but the film belongs to a discomforting Sewell as the eerie Prince Andrew and a never-better Piper as the tough and resourceful producer Sam McAlister.
The Good Nurse (2022)
65%
6.8/10Oscar winners Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne join forces for the dramatic thriller The Good Nurse. Based on the real-life case of serial killer Charles Cullen, the plot centers on Amy Loughren, whose close relationship with new colleague Charlie Cullen deteriorates when she begins suspecting him following a patient’s suspicious death. Soon, she discovers his involvement in a series of murders throughout the past 16 years. The Good Nurse succeeds on the strength of Chastain’s passionate performance and Redmayne’s unnerving work. The duo does wonders with the screenplay, turning an already shocking story into a true work of cinematic discomfort that will more than satisfy true-crime fans.
The Boys in the Band (2020)
70%
6.8/10From producer Ryan Murphy (The Watcher) and director Joe Mantello comes The Boys in the Band, a remake of the eponymous and seminal 1968 play, previously adapted as a 1970 film. The plot follows Michael, who is throwing a party for his friend Harold’s birthday. However, the arrival of an unexpected guest throws the event into disarray, pushing the guests into an increasingly uncomfortable situation. Starring a cast of openly gay performers, including Emmy-winner Jim Parsons and Emmy nominees Matt Bomer and Zachary Quinto, The Boys in the Band is a poignant yet challenging depiction of homosexuality, identity, and torment. Although a challenging watch, especially toward the end, the film remains insightful and resonant, largely thanks to Mantello’s assured direction and the kinetic, unabashed performances of a brilliant ensemble.
Spaceman (2024)
51%
5.8/10Adam 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)
41%
7.1/10A 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)
72%
7.8/10J. 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.
May December (2023)
86%
6.9/10Acclaimed 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)
77%
6.8/10Bradley 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)
68%
6.6/10Colman 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)
7.2/10Fans 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)
73%
6.4/10Alden 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)
65%
7.1/10Four-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 Devil All the Time (2020)
55%
7.1/10A 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)
62%
7.3/10Academy 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.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
78%
6.6/10Charlie 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)
67%
6.6/10The Dig (2021)
73%
7.1/10Academy 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)
71%
6.6/10Sebastián 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.
Mudbound (2017)
85%
7.4/10Dee 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)
68%
6.6/10Jeymes 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.
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
82%
6.5/10Spike 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)
68%
7.3/10Roma (2018)
96%
7.7/10All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
77%
8.1/10The Lost Daughter (2021)
85%
7.1/10The Power of the Dog (2021)
89%
7.7/10Doctor 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)
85%
6.6/10The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
55%
7.3/10The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
76%
7.8/10Pieces of a Woman (2020)
66%
7.1/10Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)
87%
7.0/10Mank (2020)
79%
6.8/10Concrete Cowboy (2020)
67%
6.3/10Marriage Story (2019)
94%
7.9/10The Two Popes (2019)
75%
7.6/10The Irishman (2019)
94%
7.8/10
