If you’re looking for a good movie to stream, Netflix has you covered, no matter what sort of film you’re in the mood to watch. The streaming service has a massive library filled with new and original films, as well as classic favorites and critical darlings that span Hollywood history. With a library that massive, picking one film can be a little tough, though. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best movies available on Netflix right now.
Looking for something else? We’ve also rounded up the best shows on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime, and the best movies on Disney+.
Jaws (1975) new
Genre
Adventure, Thriller
Stars
Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw
Directed by
Steven Spielberg
124m
Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking 1975 thriller made generations of movie audiences afraid to go in the water with its tale of a man-eating great white shark that terrorizes tourists and residents around a New England resort town. The film casts Roy Scheider as the local police chief who recruits a marine biologist played by Richard Dreyfuss and a salty sea captain played by Robert Shaw to hunt down the killer shark. Not only does the film feature groundbreaking practical effects that still hold up more four decades later, John Williams’ brilliantly simple score for the film remains one of the most iconic — and simple — pieces of movie music to this day. There’s a reason Jaws was one of the first big summer blockbusters, and despite a series of lackluster sequels and spinoffs in the years that followed, it remains as captivating and terrifying today as it was years ago.
Legally Blonde (2001)
Genre
Comedy, Romance
Stars
Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair
Directed by
Robert Luketic
96m
Reese Witherspoon stars in this 2001 comedy about a sorority girl who attempts to win back her boyfriend by enrolling in Harvard Law School and ends up battling bias and misogyny en route to becoming a successful lawyer. The film is based on Amanda Brown’s 2001 novel of the same name, and much like its eternally self-confident protagonist, the film might seem easy to dismiss on the surface but actually delivers its message with a surprising amount of nuance and self-aware wit. Both Witherspoon and the film itself received Golden Globe Award nominations, and the movie went on to spawn not just a pair of sequels but also a hit Broadway musical.
Stargate (1994)
Genre
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Stars
Kurt Russell, James Spader, Jaye Davidson
Directed by
Roland Emmerich
116m
Kurt Russell and James Spader star in this clever, entertaining sci-fi adventure as a pair of explorers tasked with venturing through a mysterious portal discovered in Egyptian ruins. Russell plays Colonel Jack O’Neil, while James Spader portrays the scientist whose theories regarding alien intervention in ancient Egypt just might prove true after all. Although the film failed to win over critics, it did earn a loyal fan following that supported not one but multiple spinoff series that spanned multiple seasons and expanded the Stargate universe exponentially.
Misha and the Wolves (2021)
Genre
Documentary
Directed by
Sam Hobkinson
90m
Move over, Tiger King, Netflix has another wild documentary you need to see to believe. The film chronicles the far-reaching investigation that took place after the publication of Misha Defonseca’s widely circulated 1997 memoir Misha: A Mémoire of the Holocaust Years, in which the author describes her experiences as a young Holocaust survivor who was raised by wolves while searching Europe for her parents. It’s best not knowing any of the twists and turns the story takes ahead of time, so just sit back and let this true, stranger-than-fiction story unfold. You won’t be disappointed.
I Care a Lot (2020)
Genre
Drama, Comedy, Thriller
Stars
Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
Directed by
J Blakeson
118m
Rosamund Pike portrays a diabolical con artist who poses as the legal guardian for elderly people in order to seize their assets in this dark, satirical thriller. Her highly profitable scam takes a dangerous turn when her latest victim turns out to be the mother of a powerful mob boss, leading to a deadly battle of wills between Pike’s character and a ruthless criminal kingpin played by Peter Dinklage. Eiza González and Dianne Wiest play supporting roles in the film, which earned praise from critics and led to Pike taking home a Golden Globe Award for her performance.
The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021)
Genre
Action, Fantasy
Directed by
Kwang-Il Han
Cast
Theo James, Lara Pulver, Graham McTavish
A prequel to the live-action The Witcher series, Nightmare of the Wolf follows a brash monster hunter whose investigation leads to a pivotal moment in the timeline of the show’s dark fantasy world. The film is animated by the same studio responsible for hit shows The Legend of Korra, Voltron: Legendary Defender, and Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, so it’s no surprise how beautiful it looks, but unlike those kid-friendly series, Nightmare of the Wolf is a brutal, bloody adventure aimed at the same audience as The Witcher. Theo James, Lara Pulver, and Graham McTavish are among the notable actors lending their voices to the film’s cast.
Untold: Crime and Penalties (2021)
Genre
Documentary, Sports
Directed by
Chapman Way, Maclain Way
Cast
Jimmy Galante, AJ Galante
What happens when a waste-removal tycoon with mob ties decides to buy a minor league hockey team and make his teenage son the general manager and president? That question was answered when Jimmy Galante brought the Danbury Trashers to his Connecticut hometown in 2004 and had his 17-year-old son, A.J., run the UHL expansion team for two wild, brawl-filled seasons — a run that eventually led to a massive FBI bust that sent the elder Galante to prison and forced the team to disband. Part Slapshot, part The Sopranos (Galante was rumored to be the real-world inspiration for Tony Soprano, after all), the outrageous story of the Trashers is almost too crazy to believe, but the documentary is packed with interviews and archival footage — including ESPN broadcasts from the Trashers’ brief run — that hammers home how real this crazy sports saga was.
Good Time (2017)
Genre
Adventure, Action, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller
Stars
Robert Pattinson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Benny Safdie
Directed by
Josh & Benny Safdie
101m
Josh and Ben Safdie, the writer/director duo behind 2019’s Uncut Gems, have a penchant for producing electric crime thrillers — a calling first realized with their 2017 film, Good Time. Our story follows Connie (Robert Pattinson) and Nick (Ben Safdie), two brothers who attempt to rob a New York City bank together. When their plan goes awry and Nick is arrested, Connie will do whatever it takes to free his brother before the authorities come crashing down on him, too. Good Time is a ceaseless NYC thrill ride with a firm foot on the gas, never once letting up on the adrenaline and chaos.
Mank (2020)
Genre
Drama, Biography, History
Stars
Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins
Directed by
David Fincher
131m
In this photographic gem of a Hollywood retrospective, director David Fincher delivers a finely layered drama about the writing of a Golden Age masterpiece. The writer in question is Herman J. Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman). The film he’s writing, commissioned by Orson Welles (Tom Burke), is Citizen Kane. Mank‘s narrative shifts back and forth from the 1930s to the 1940s, chronicling the turbulent life of its title character throughout his development of the screenplay. Mank was written by the late Jack Fincher, the director’s father, and features amazing performances from its rich ensemble cast. It’s a great watch for cinephiles and casual viewers alike and a dazzling and authentic take on La La Land’s heyday.
Ravenous (2017)
Genre
Horror
Directed by
Robin Aubert
Cast
Marc-Andre Grondin, Monia Chokri
Ravenous (originally titled Les Affamés) begins after a mysterious plague has annihilated much of Quebec, turning its victims into shrieking, flesh-eating monsters. The story follows various survivors who eventually band together to fight back the horde, but despite the familiar plot, this isn’t a typical zombie movie; it is a deliberately paced, eerily beautiful horror movie. The protagonist is a man named Bonin (Marc-Andre Grondin), who wanders the countryside, finding other survivors and slaying zombies. As the group grows, the film gives each character proper development, so they feel fully fleshed out, unlike the stock survivors of many a zombie film. While the film has its gory moments, Ravenous frequently employs an atmosphere of dread built through uncanny imagery, such as when the zombies congregate before a shrine made of furniture.
Django Unchained (2012)
Genre
Western, Drama, Action
Stars
Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio
Directed by
Quentin Tarantino
165m
In Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, the barrage of spaghetti-western bullets is never-ending. When Django (Jamie Foxx) is rescued from enslavement by the mysterious Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), the unlikely duo forms a partnership. Django agrees to help Schultz track down bounties. In return, Schultz will help Django locate his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington). After some winter bounty hunts, Django and Schultz track Broomhilda to the plantation of a notorious slaver named Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). He’s a charismatic host, but cunning like no other, and it’s not long before Candie and his cohorts begin sniffing out Django’s true intentions. Big, bold, and bloody, Django Unchained is Tarantino’s second collaboration with actor Christoph Waltz and the first with the late composer, Ennio Morricone.
The Beguiled (2017)
Genre
Drama, Thriller
Stars
Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning
Directed by
Sofia Coppola
94m
The tension just keeps getting higher in this Civil War-era drama from filmmaker Sofia Coppola, based on Thomas P. Cullinan’s novel of the same name. Colin Farrell portrays a Union soldier who’s forced to take refuge in a Southern boarding school for women, only to have his presence there upset the institution’s delicate balance of power. Sexual tension and dark secrets flame the fires of drama, pitting the women against each other while a terrible war rages outside the school’s doors.
The Old Guard (2020)
Genre
Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Stars
Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Directed by
Gina Prince-Bythewood
125m
Netflix goes superhero in this action-packed flick about a secret organization of immortals that has protected the Earth from extinction for centuries. But when they are set up on an emergency mission, their powers are mistakenly exposed to the world. Now they must work together to ensure none of the various powerful competing interests can control them for personal or monetary gain.
Do the Right Thing (1989) new
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Stars
Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro
Directed by
Spike Lee
120m
Often found on lists of the greatest movies ever made, Spike Lee’s 1989 drama unfolds during one of the hottest days of the year in a Brooklyn neighborhood where racial tension has reached a boiling point. An Italian-American pizzeria owned by Sal (Danny Aiello) becomes the focal point for drama in the film, which has Lee’s character delivering pizzas throughout the neighborhood while navigating the complicated relationships around every corner. The film earned a pair of Academy Award nominations and remains a critically acclaimed work of cinema decades after it first hit theaters.
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Genre
Drama
Stars
Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J. O' Connor
Directed by
Paul Thomas Anderson
158m
Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood is a grim character study of one Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), a burgeoning oil tycoon in early 20th-century California. Daniel is the type of man who would sell his soul to make a buck, which makes the arrival of Paul Sunday (Paul Dano) all the more serendipitous. The boy claims there is oil on his family’s property, and he’ll tell Daniel where it is for cash. The pair transact, and Daniel journeys to the town of Little Boston with his son H.W. (Dillon Freasier) to try and purchase the Sunday Ranch for drilling. What’s waiting for Daniel is a dastardly foe and his family’s cursed land. Or is Plainview the curse himself? There Will Be Blood is a two-hour-plus descent into a hell of business meets faith, featuring an Oscar-winning lead performance from Daniel Day-Lewis.
Nocturnal Animals (2016)
Genre
Mystery, Drama, Crime, Thriller
Stars
Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhall, Michael Shannon
Directed by
Tom Ford
116m
In Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals, Amy Adams is Susan Morrow, a successful Los Angeles art gallery owner. One morning, Susan receives a manuscript for her ex-husband Edward’s (Jake Gyllenhall) latest novel, entitled Nocturnal Animals, along with an invitation to meet for dinner. As Susan begins paging through the manuscript, a macabre tale of backcountry crime unfolds onscreen. Seamlessly combining three narrative threads (present-day, Edward’s novel, and Susan and Edward’s past), Nocturnal Animals lives in a bizarre and uncompromising world where fiction informs the real, and vice versa. Led by amazing performances from its key cast, this is one you don’t want to pass on.
The Midnight Sky (2020)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Drama
Stars
George Clooney, Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo
Directed by
George Clooney
158m
An adaptation of the 2016 Lily-Brooks Dalton novel Good Morning, Midnight, George Clooney directs and stars in this cataclysmic sci-fi thriller. After a powerful radiation event eradicates a majority of the earth’s population, scientist Augustine Lofthouse (Clooney) knows his days are numbered. Hoping to make contact with any returning spacecraft to warn the travelers of earth’s decimation, Augustine makes contact with the homebound crew of a Jupiter rover. When the signal is disturbed, Augustine’s discovery of a girl named Iris (Caoilinn Springall) encourages the weary scientist to journey across the North Pole in hopes of finding a stronger antenna to alert the Jupiter crew. A compelling Netflix movie from start to finish, Clooney’s stab at the post-apocalyptic genre is certainly not a miss.
Enola Holmes (2020)
Genre
Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Stars
Millie Bobby Brown, Helena Bonham Carter, Henry Cavill
Directed by
Harry Bradbeer
92m
So, you thought Sherlock Holmes was played out? Well, you thought wrong because you didn’t know he had a little sister. Millie Bobby Brown shines as the title character in this action-packed, fun-filled twist on the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories. When her mother turns up mysteriously missing, teenage Enola Holmes hits the trail to find her — something her more famous brother is simply too preoccupied to do. As she sniffs out clues, Enola discovers she might just have as much as, or even more of, a knack for this sleuthing thing than her brother, slowly uncovering a dangerous conspiracy that threatens to rattle the English aristocracy.
A Ghost Story (2017)
Genre
Drama, Romance, Fantasy
Stars
Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, Will Oldham
Directed by
David Lowery
92m
In the wake of a fatal car crash, C (Casey Affleck) returns to the earth as a white-sheeted phantom. After a spiritual pilgrimage back to the suburban ranch he shared with M (Rooney Mara), C’s spirit begins to haunt the home. Time seeps away as minutes, months, and years pass. M grieves, new families come and go, but the house (and the ghost) remain. Director David Lowery shot the project in relative secrecy, using the same VFX crew that lent their talents to Lowery’s Disney-financed remake of Pete’s Dragon. A cinematic experience like no other, A Ghost Story explores love, life, and loss in ways seldom seen onscreen.
Bad Trip (2021)
Genre
Comedy
Stars
Eric André, Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish
Directed by
Kitao Sakurai
84m
Eric André and Lil Rel Howery headline this hidden-camera prank film that has them playing two friends, Chris and Bud, who embark on an ill-fated road trip so Chris can tell his high school sweetheart he loves her. As they stumble from one ridiculous scenario to another, they’re pursued by Bud’s convict sister (Tiffany Haddish), whose car they stole for the trip. Raunchy, shocking, and relentlessly funny, the film blends scripted scenes with wild hidden-camera pranks and its duo’s signature comedy for a film that’s all about the journey, not the destination.
The Devil All the Time (2020)
Genre
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Stars
Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan, Bill Skarsgård
Directed by
Antonio Campos
138m
Written and directed by Antonio Campos, The Devil All the Time is American Gothic at its most perverse. Set in rural southern Ohio and West Virginia after World War II, the story follows Arvin Russell (Tom Holland), a young man who is determined to protect his loved ones against the corruption and violence that plagues his town. From complete strangers to the most powerful institutions in the area, brutality is pervasive as everyone seeks desperately to assert their own small bits of power in a broken — but recovering — world. Things aren’t getting better for everyone, however, and The Devil All the Time takes its time exploring the generational trauma and cold truths that inhabit this sinister town.
Digital Trends Streaming Roundup
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Musical
Stars
Liam Neeson, James Franco, Tim Blake Nelson
Directed by
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
133m
What’s better than a new Western from the Coen brothers? How about six? The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a sextet of short films, all set in the Wild West. They follow different characters through wild plots that explore the themes of human depravity and cosmic justice (or injustice) that recur so often in the Coens’ works. The stories and protagonists vary wildly. The eponymous sequence follows Buster Scruggs (Tim Blake Nelson), a sharpshooting, guitar-slinging cowboy roaming the West and singing of his adventures. In another, a lonely prospector (Tom Waits) digs for his fortune. The stories in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs fall on the surreal end of the Coen spectrum — they’re somewhat comical, occasionally brutal folk tales that don’t always leave the viewer feeling they’ve learned a lesson. Here’s our list of the best comedies on Netflix to browse if you’re looking for more in this genre.
Stowaway (2021)
Genre
Drama, Sci-Fi
Directed by
Joe Penna
Cast
Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson, Toni Collette
After the three-person crew of a manned mission to Mars discovers a fourth, accidental occupant of their ship, a crisis occurs when a related equipment failure leaves only enough oxygen to support the original crew. That’s the heart-wrenching premise of this sci-fi drama that Netflix won the right to distribute in the U.S. after a bidding war. The moral quandary posed by the film is supported by a small but impressive cast, with Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, and Toni Collette portraying the ship’s crew and Shamier Anderson portraying the engineer who wakes up inside the ship shortly after takeoff.
Vivo (2021)
Genre
Animation, Musical, Family
Stars
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldana, Juan de Marcos González, Gloria Estefan
Directed by
Kirk DeMicco
98m
The first musical animated feature from Sony Pictures Animation, Vivo follows a musically gifted kinkajou — a long-tailed, raccoon-like mammal usually found in tropical regions — as he embarks on a journey from Havana, Cuba, to Miami, Florida, in order to bring a message of love to his guardian’s former partner. Hamilton and In the Heights mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda created the songs for the film and voices Vivo the kinkajou, with Ynairaly Simo voicing Gabi Hernández, the young girl who helps Vivo on his quest. A long list of popular Cuban musicians and performers — including Gloria Estefan — fill out the film’s cast and contribute to a musical score rooted in the region’s history and culture.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Genre
Comedy
Stars
Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara
Directed by
John Hughes
108m
Widely considered one of the best films of celebrated filmmaker John Hughes, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off casts Matthew Broderick as the movie’s titular teenage slacker, whose decision to skip school one day kicks off an adventure with his best friend and girlfriend that could either be the best day of their lives or the worst. Alan Ruck and Mia Sara deliver wonderful performances as the pair swept away in Ferris’ plans, but it’s Broderick who steals the show as the fourth-wall-breaking hero of the story. While the film served as Hughes’ love letter to Chicago, it was Broderick’s portrayal of Ferris that made the character one of Hollywood’s most iconic teenage rebels of ’80s cinema.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
Genre
Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense
Stars
Jessie Buckley, Jesse Plemons, Toni Collette, David Thewlis
Directed by
Charlie Kaufman
134m
Writer-director Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Synecdoche, New York) is at his most delightfully weird in this Netflix original movie. This time- and the perspective-bending story follows a young, nameless woman on a road trip to her new boyfriend’s parents’ house in the middle of a blizzard. When she gets there, she finds the parents (Toni Collette, David Thewlis) are extremely weird, and the house seems to exist in some kind of surreal alternate reality where time and character morph with abandon. Alternatively strange and hilarious, and constantly thought-provoking, I’m Thinking of Ending Things is powered by strong writing and outstanding performances from all the actors involved.
Fear Street Part One: 1994 (2021)
Genre
Horror
Stars
Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr., Julia Rehwald, Fred Hechinger
Directed by
Leigh Janiak
105m
This retro slasher feature based on R.L. Stine’s book series of the same name follows a group of teenagers in fictional Shadyside, Ohio, who find themselves terrorized by a supernatural killer with a link to the town’s dark history. Dripping with ’90s nostalgia and plenty of blood, the movie is the first installment of a trilogy that explores Shadyside’s deadly reputation as the murder capital of the country, with each chapter unfolding in a different era. Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr., Julia Rehwald, and Fred Hechinger star in the terrifying tale.
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Genre
Action, Thriller
Stars
Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, Carla Gugino, Chloe Coleman
Directed by
Navot Papushado
114m
Karen Gillan plays a lethal assassin who finds herself on the run after she refuses to kill a young girl in this fast-paced, beautifully choreographed thriller. While fleeing the mysterious organization out to end her contract, Gillan finds an unexpected ally in the mother she thought she lost (played by Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey) and a trio of brutally effective hitwomen (Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, Carla Gugino). With nonstop action and an impressive ensemble of leading ladies, the film gives new meaning to smashing the patriarchy.
Wildling (2018)
Genre
Fantasy, Mystery and Thriller, Horror
Stars
Liv Tyler, Brad Dourif, Bel Powley
Directed by
Fritz Böhm
93m
Life has never been normal for Anna (Bel Powley). Confined to an attic bedroom, her adolescence is spent on empty days of staring out the window, longing for the wilderness. Cared for by a man she refers to as “Daddy” (Brad Dourif), he warns Anna that lurking in the world outside her bedroom is a terrifying creature called the Wildling. Traumatic events unfold, and a teenage Anna awakens in a hospital. When Ellen Cooper (Liv Tyler), the local sheriff, agrees to take Anna in, the dark mythos of the Wildling starts spreading. Is Anna losing her mind, or is something evil truly afoot in the woods? Director Fritz Böhm delivers a gripping yet morose fairytale about the coming-of-age process, a time where we lose touch with our mind and body when we need them most.
Midnight Run (1988)
Genre
Action, Comedy
Stars
Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin
Directed by
Martin Brest
122m
Robert De Niro plays a bounty hunter tasked with bringing in a shifty accountant portrayed by Charles Grodin in this classic comedy directed by Beverly Hills Cop filmmaker Martin Brest. Dubbed “the Casablanca of buddy comedies” by Rolling Stone, the film was a surprise hit based on the memorable chemistry between De Niro and Grodin, whose characters must deal with one setback after another on their cross-country journey, as well as corrupt cops, overzealous FBI agents, mafia hitmen, and a host of other threats. Nominated as one of the year’s best films at the 46th Golden Globe Awards, Midnight Run remains a truly underappreciated gem of ’80s cinema featuring two actors who bring the best out of each other’s performances.
Over the Moon (2020)
Genre
Adventure, Musical, Fantasy, Comedy, Kids And Family, Animation
Stars
John Cho, Sandra Oh, Ken Jeong
Directed by
Glen Keane
100m
Fei Fei (Cathy Ang), grieving the loss of her mother, clings to a legend about a moon goddess named Chang’e. Much to the dismay of her father and his new family, the girl aims to prove that the goddess does indeed exist. To do so, she begins work on a rocket that will take her to the moon to prove Chang’e’s existence. Filled with heart and mesmerizing animation, Over the Moon often looks and feels like your standard Disney epic, but the familiar structure and dazzling music are enough to keep everyone glued to the screen.
Fruitvale Station (2013)
Genre
Drama
Stars
Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Kevin Durand, Chad Michael Murray
Directed by
Ryan Coogler
85m
Before he was one of Marvel Studios’ most celebrated filmmakers, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler wrote and directed this 2013 biographical film that cast Michael B. Jordan as Oscar Grant, who was murdered by police officer Johannes Mehserle in 2009 while traveling on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system in Oakland, California. The film chronicles the events of Grant’s day leading up to his fatal encounter with BART officers that was caught on video and ignited months of protests that — after similar incidents were recorded in the years that followed — would eventually coalesce into the Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice. A powerful, personal film that puts a face on one of the many victims of deadly police misconduct in recent years, Fruitvale Station launched Coogler’s career and earned a long list of awards for both its director and star while bringing wider attention to Grant’s story.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Genre
Drama, Romance, Comedy
Stars
Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro
Directed by
David O. Russell
121m
Adapted from Matthew Quick’s 2008 novel of the same name, David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook is an ensemble tour de force with a stripped-down Bradley Cooper as its lead. When Patrick Solitano Jr. (Bradley Cooper) is released from eight months of intensive psychiatric care, he moves back in with his parents, Pat Sr. (Robert De Niro) and Dolores (Jacki Weaver). Intent on getting his wife back, Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a widowed woman with an unspecified disorder of her own. As she and Pat begin to bond, Tiffany asks Pat to enter a dance competition with her, a move that Pat is convinced will get him his wife back. A romantic comedy turned on its head and injected with emotional realism, Silver Linings Playbook explores love, family, and psychosis in ways that other filmmakers would never dare to.
His House (2020)
Genre
Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Stars
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Wunmi Mosaku, Matt Smith
Directed by
Remi Weekes
93m
After suffering a major tragedy on their pilgrimage from South Sudan to the U.K., Bol (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku), married refugees fleeing their war-ravaged country, are placed in a decrepit tenement home. As Bol does his best to acclimate to a new life of racial discrepancy, a series of horrific ghouls make themselves known to the grieving man. Blending a socio-political immigration story with a haunted house story, His House bends both sub-genres in a way we’ve never seen pulled off before. An exciting and unsettling directorial debut from Remi Weekes, His House should definitely fill your screen this weekend.
The White Tiger (2021)
Genre
Drama
Stars
Adarsh Gourav, Rajkummar Rao, Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Directed by
Ramin Bahrani
126m
Based on Aravind Adiga’s 2008 novel of the same name, The White Tiger follows the rags-to-riches story of Balram Halwai (Adarsh Gourav), an impoverished Indian villager that, through hard work (and a little manipulation), pushes himself into a much-lauded driver position for Ashok (Rajkummar Rao) and Pinky (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), two highly influential business magnates. Coming to love his position, a tragic misstep places Balram in the crosshairs of Ashok’s family. Unwilling to serve as a scapegoat, Balram chooses to fight back against the corrupt forces at play. A gripping class-drama akin to Parasite mates with Joker, The White Tiger is one of the greatest dramas you can stream today.
Finding ‘Ohana (2021)
Genre
Action, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Kea Peahu, Alex Aiono, Lindsay Watson
Directed by
Jude Weng
123m
Uprooted from her Brooklyn life, Pilialoha “Pili” Kawena (Kea Peahu) and her family travel to Oahu to care for her ailing grandfather. Initially disappointed by the lack of big-city buzz and activity, they discover a pirate journal that alludes to an ancient treasure buried somewhere on the island. As Pili and her older brother begin their quest for the trove, their journey takes them on a Hawaiian odyssey that connects them with their ancient island heritage. A loving family drama, Finding ‘Ohana is The Goonies meets visually breathtaking Hawaii.
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Genre
Comedy, Romance
Stars
Ali Wong, Randall Park, Keanu Reeves
Directed by
Nahnatchka Khan
102m
Childhood friends Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park) cross paths as adults, years after a teenage fling, and soon find themselves navigating life and love while maintaining two very different career paths and social circles. She’s a celebrity chef who hangs out with Keanu Reeves and he installs air conditioners. Can they ever find common ground? You probably know the answer to that already, but watching how they get there is where the fun lies — particularly when it comes to Reeves’ memorable performance.
Moonlight (2016)
Genre
Drama, Romance
Stars
Mahershala Ali, Ashton Sanders, Alex R. Little
Directed by
Barry Jenkins
111m
2016’s Best Picture winner established Mahershala Ali as a tour de force actor and introduced the world to the brilliant Ashton Sanders. Moonlight attempts to convey the Black experience through three defining chapters of one man’s life. Chiron (Sanders) grows up in Miami, surrounded by a community that is full of love and support despite the crack epidemic that is ravaging it. As Chiron is pulled from his biological family by drug abuse and misunderstanding, he’s guided into manhood by Juan (Ali), a man who recognizes the struggles Chiron will face as a gay Black man. Juan tries to help Chiron find peace with his identity.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)
Genre
Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
Stars
Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Mike Rianda
Directed by
Mike Rianda
114m
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the duo that gave us The Lego Movie and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, return for this animated feature about a dysfunctional family that ends up becoming humanity’s last, best hope against a robot uprising. Mike Rianda (Gravity Falls) makes his directorial debut with the film, which also features an impressive voice cast that includes Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre, Olivia Colman, Fred Armisen, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Blake Griffin, and Conan O’Brien, among other familiar names (and voices). An early favorite for the year’s best animated feature — and one of the best movies of the year — The Mitchells vs. The Machines has quickly become a surprise hit for Netflix.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Genre
Drama, History
Stars
Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baren Cohen, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Directed by
Aaron Sorkin
130m
Hollywood stalwart Aaron Sorkin rises to the occasion once more with his blistering interpretation of the 1969 Democratic National Convention trials, where seven Vietnam protestors were charged with crimes well beyond their intent. As peaceful demonstrations turn caustic, prejudice bleeds into testimony and eyewitness accounts of what took place the day of the riots. Featuring performances from Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baren Cohen, Alex Sharp, and John Caroll Lynch, Sorkin’s big-budget historical drama takes liberties here and there, but the result is a spellbinding examination of American history.
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
Genre
Documentary
Stars
Craig Foster
Directed by
Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed
85m
The Academy Award winner in the Best Documentary Feature category at the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony, My Octopus Teacher chronicles the year filmmaker Craig Foster spent free-diving off the South African coast and forging a relationship with a wild octopus he discovered there. In following the octopus’s life and experiences, Foster learns lessons about his own life and relationship to the world around him and his family.
Shadow (2018)
Genre
Drama
Directed by
Zhang Yimou
Cast
Deng Chao, Sun Li, Ryan Cheng
Legendary Chinese director Zhang Yimou followed up his misbegotten The Great Wall with 2018’s Shadow, a beautiful return to form. The film begins when Commander Ziyu (Deng Chao) is defeated in a duel with enemy commander Yang Cang (Hu Jun), losing an important city in the process. This infuriates Ziyu’s king, who demotes Ziyu to commoner status and tries desperately to reclaim the city. Unbeknownst to the king, the actual Ziyu is on the verge of death after the duel, replaced by a body double who must now train to beat Yang Cang. Shadow is a historical epic of grand scope, heavy on intrigue and stylish combat sequences accented by a stark color palette.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Genre
Comedy
Stars
Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Directed by
Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
90m
Widely regarded as one of the funniest movies ever made, this parody of Arthurian legend was written and performed by the famous Monty Python comedy troupe and directed by troupe members Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones. The film chronicles various elements of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail and those of his fellow Knights of the Round Table as they encounter one ridiculous scenario after another in pursuit of the relic. If you’ve ever wondered about the airspeed of a swallow, the best ways to determine whether someone is a witch, or how a fuzzy bunny could be the most terrifying creature in the world, well … you might not get all the answers in this film, but you’ll definitely find plenty of laughs.
Loving (2016)
Genre
Biography, Drama, History
Stars
Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Nick Kroll
Directed by
Jeff Nichols
123m
Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, and inspired by the 2012 HBO documentary The Loving Story, Loving depicts the trials and tribulations of Richard (Joel Edgerton) and Mildred Loving (Ruth Negga), an interracial couple who wanted nothing more than to be wed. But after traveling from Virginia to Washington D.C., to get married, the couple is tracked down by their hometown authorities and charged with violating Virginia’s segregation laws. For their prison sentences to be thrown out, the couple must agree to vacate Virginia and not return for 25 years. But the couple doesn’t want to give up on their love. Ruth writes to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, which sets into motion one of the most vital Supreme Court cases in civil rights history.
If Anything Happens I Love You (2020)
Genre
Drama, Animation
Directed by
Michael Govier, Will McCormack
12m
From writer/director duo Michael Govier and Will McCormack, If Anything Happens explores a world of profound grief in a beautifully illustrated and meditative manner. Navigating the emotional aftermath of one family’s tragic loss, the short animation begins in a dark and near-unforgiving place, but through the power of love and the will to move forward, the film progresses into a place of love, forgiveness, and hope. Not the easiest watch in this roundup, but worthy of attention for its emotional bravery and stellar composition.
Uncut Gems (2019)
Genre
Drama
Stars
Adam Sandler, LaKeith Stanfield, Kevin Garnett
Directed by
Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie
135m
Uncut Gems is not for the faint-hearted. The Safdie Brothers’ drama about a gambling-addicted jeweler is a relentlessly intense, high-stress ride through the world of high-stakes gambling. Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) is a charismatic New York City jeweler who is always on the lookout for the next big score. When NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett takes an interest in Howard’s most recent high-value acquisition, believing it brings him luck, Sandler makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. Unfortunately, not everyone in his life is willing to wait for that windfall. Howard has to perform a precarious balancing act between business, family, debt collectors, and more to get the payoff.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Genre
Drama, fantasy
Stars
Ivana Baquero, Sergi López
Directed by
Guillermo del Toro
115m
Pan’s Labyrinth is a breathtakingly beautiful and heart-wrenchingly tragic film. Winner of three Academy Awards (on six nominations), Pan‘s Labyrinth launched director Guillermo del Toro onto the American awards show radar and introduced audiences to the blend of sci-fi, horror, and surrealistic elements that characterize his style. Set in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the film follows an imaginative young girl who also may just be a princess of an underground kingdom. Cast aside by her cruel, militaristic stepfather and isolated from her mother, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) entertains herself on the grounds of their home in the Spanish countryside. When she stumbles upon a stone labyrinth presided over by a suspicious faun named Pan (Doug Jones), she is asked to complete three life-threatening tasks to prove she is the mythical princess, returned to reclaim her kingdom. Ofelia’s journey is expertly foiled by a guerrilla resistance to the rule of fascist Francisco Franco and the crumbling fragility of her newly formed family.
Roma (2018)
Genre
Drama
Stars
Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira
Directed by
Alfonso Cuarón
148m
Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma opens quietly, the camera staring, motionless, at a tile floor as the credits play; eventually, water pours over the floor, as the sound of a mop spills in from just offscreen. It’s a boldly mundane opening, fitting for a film about an ordinary woman. Roma follows Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a maid working in the household of a wealthy doctor, Antonio (Fernando Grediaga) and his wife, Sofia (Marina de Tavira). Cleo cleans the house, tends to the children, and keeps the household running as Antonio and Sofia’s marriage strains. Cleo is the type of character typically relegated to the background of stories like this, but Cuaron makes her the focus, depicting her daily labor and struggles with a surprise pregnancy and unreliable lover. It’s a beautiful Netflix film, delicately composed and shot in stark black and white.
The Disaster Artist (2017)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Stars
James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Alison Brie
Directed by
James Franco
103m
James Franco directs, produces, and stars in The Disaster Artist, an adaptation of Greg Sestero (portrayed in the film by Dave Franco) and Tom Bissell’s non-fiction book of the same name. Both the novel and film are a chronicle of Sestero’s rollercoaster friendship with infamous cult film legend Tommy Wiseau (Franco), an enigmatic actor with Hollywood dreams and plenty of money to pursue them — although no one can figure out why he’s so rich. After being turned down for role after role, Tommy decides to write, direct, and star in his own film called The Room, a bizarre and disjointed melodrama that he also casts Greg in. As the film runs into continued troubles and delays (mostly because of Tommy’s inabilities as a filmmaker), tensions rise between Greg and Tommy, along with the rest of the cast and crew. Whether you’ve seen The Room or not, The Disaster Artist is a mesmerizing examination of one of the strangest film productions of all time.
The Babysitter (2017)
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Directed by
McG
Cast
Bella Thorne, Judah Lewis, Samara Weaving
Cole (Judah Lewis) loves his babysitter, Bee (Samara Weaving). She’s fun, good-looking, and worships the dark lord of all dark lords. Behind Bee’s charming smile is a sinister satanist with a thirst for blood. As members of a creepy cult begin their descent over Cole’s life, it’s up to the preteen to outsmart their efforts before he becomes Bee’s next victim. A Netflix original film, The Babysitter doesn’t surprise in many ways but follows the genre formula to a tee, and we love the dedication. It’s campy, edgy, and a joyride through and through.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2017)
Genre
Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata
Directed by
Taika Waititi
101m
Based on Barry Crump’s novel Wild Pork and Watercress, Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople stars Sam Neill and Julian Dennison as an unlikely foster-father/foster-child duo. After his adoption by the Faulkner family, Ricky (Dennison) attempts to settle into his new family, but tragic events scare the boy into the dense New Zealand wilderness. Hec (Neill), Ricky’s foster-parent, tracks the boy down but suffers a debilitating injury in the process. Bonding over their pasts and hope for a freer future, the pair decide to hide away in the brush together. But with a national manhunt underway to find the man and boy, how long can their odyssey truly last? Hunt for the Wilderpeople lives and breathes through Neill and Dennison’s onscreen chemistry, an acting partnership only deepened by Waititi’s rich and emotive script.
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