Watch Netflix for free :Netflix Alternatives
From hidden gems to films everyone’s buzzing about, there are seemingly limitless good movies on Netflix. It can be difficult to choose, but this article will help you find just what you’re looking for: whether it be a comedy that’ll have you laughing so hard you cry or a heartbreaking drama that’ll have the tears flowing for a different reason. We’ve compiled the best movies to watch on Netflix right now to help you with the process.
*Editor’s Pick for the Best Movie on Netflix:
Set It Up (2018)
Run Time: 1 hr 45 min | Genre: Romantic Comedy | Director: Claire Scanlon
Cast: Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Pete Davidson
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a rom-com junkie — obsessed to the point of running a podcast on it, actually. So it’s no surprise that Set It Up, Netflix’s 2018 original film starring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell, is easily my favorite movie the streamer has on offer, even five years after its premiere. While they’ve made plenty of other rom-coms since the film was released, the story of two down-on-their-luck executive assistants who attempt to set their bosses up with each other for a little free time is easily still their best.
While it’s not the first time Powell and Deutch starred together — that award goes to Richard Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some!! — and both have gone onto much bigger projects, it’s a sweet and heartwarming film that’s easy to get into, even if the comedy’s a bit cringe-worthy. It’s rare to find rom-coms made after 2005 whose leads have such immediate, entertaining, and believable chemistry and even rarer to find a cast filled with heavyweights who are just as much fun — can you believe this film also boasts the likes of Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, and Pete Davidson? Not to mention it’s an easy hour and forty-five minutes, perfect for watching (and rewatching, as I do) whenever you want a little fun in your life. —Maggie Boccella, News Editor
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You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 43 min | Director: Sammi Cohen
Cast: Idina Menzel, Adam Sandler, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler, Samantha Lorraine
Adam Sandler invites the whole family to You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, in which he stars alongside his wife, Jackie Sandler, and daughters, Sadie Sandler and Sunny Sandler. In a coming-of-age story centering on a Jewish rite-of-passage, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah explores both the traditional impact of the event, as well as the cultural pressures often present in modern bat mitzvah celebrations. Co-written by Alison Peck and Fiona Rosenbloom and directed by Sammi Cohen, You Are So Not Coming to My Bat Mitzvah charmingly focuses on authenticity with a largely Jewish cast and an all-too-real story about friendship and heartbreak. – Yael Tygiel
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Heart of Stone (2023)
Run Time: 2 hrs 3 min | Director: Tom Harper
Cast: Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan, Alia Bhatt, Jing Lusi
Heart of Stone is a heart-pumping new action adventure from director Tom Harper. Centering on the highly trained agents of a secret global peacekeeping organization, Heart of Stone follows as these operatives attempt to protect a dangerous piece of technology from a nefarious hacker. With a Mission Impossible vibe and Fast and the Furious-type adventures, Heart of Stone is a fun ride thanks to writer Greg Rucka (The Old Guard). The film showcases espionage thrills, a hint of mystery, and huge cinematic stunts, allowing stars Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan, along with Alia Bhatt and Jing Lusi, to absolutely dazzle. – Yael Tygiel
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The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
Run Time: 1 hr 37 min | Genre: Drama Comedy | Director: Rob Burnett
Cast: Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, Selena Gomez
The 2016 Netflix original The Fundamentals of Caring is one of those movies I find myself inserting into any film conversation I’m having, and it’s unfortunately rare that someone has even heard of it, let alone seen it. Based on Jonathan Evison’s novel The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving and written and directed by Rob Burnett, this charming, heartwarming road trip dramedy stars Paul Rudd as Ben Benjamin (yes, that’s his name), an unemployed writer searching for meaning in his life after an unfathomable tragedy. Hoping to remedy his situation, he enrolls in a caregiving class and is paired with Trevor (Craig Roberts), a darkly humored, cynical teenager with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy who is not exactly keen on leaving the house or having a caregiver.
This isn’t the typical type of Paul Rudd vehicle you might be expecting. Yes, he’s still hilarious when the story calls for it (the scene of him and Roberts in the car with a Slim Jim is Rudd-tastic), but for the most part, he isn’t the one quipping witty jokes — rather, he’s leaning into his more vulnerable side as he fields Trevor’s insults and taking care of Trevor during their cross-country road trip. Along the way, they meet Dot, a fellow lost soul with a sharp tongue and an open mind, played beautifully by Selena Gomez. Just as these characters need each other, you need this movie in your life. The Fundamentals of Caring is the epitome of a hidden gem. – Emilly Bernard, Features Editor
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The Deepest Breath (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 46 min | Director: Laura McGann
Cast: Kristof Coenen, Sean Russel Herman, Stephen Keenan, Audrey Mestre
Witness the incredible strength and skill needed for one of the most dangerous, deadliest extreme sports in the water: freediving. The Deepest Breath provides background information on the sport and introduces audiences to Alessia Zecchini, an Italian woman with the goal, passion, and talent to break records. The Deepest Breath utilizes Zecchini’s family and loved ones to share her story, along with archive footage and chats with her friend and expert safety diver, Stephen Keenan. – Yael Tygiel
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They Cloned Tyrone (2023)
Run Time: 2 hr 2 min | Director: Juel Taylor
Cast: Jamie Foxx, John Boyega, Teyonah Parris
Drawing inspiration from real government experimentation on the Black community in America, They Cloned Tyrone is oozing with poignant satire bolstered by absurdity. Jamie Foxx (Day Shift), John Boyega (Attack the Block), and Teyonah Parris (Candyman) star in the feature film directorial debut of Juel Taylor (Creed II), which is a delightfully stylized throwback to 1970s Blaxploitation films. These three dynamite superstars play a hustler, a pimp, and a sex worker who stumble onto a vast government conspiracy taking place just below their neighborhood, forcing them to rise up to take down this sinister plot. This retro-futuristic film filled with existentialism and hope is the perfect summer watch. – Tauri Miller
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WHAM! (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 32 min | Genre: Documentary, Music | Director: Chris Smith
Cast: George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley
Director Chris Smith (Tiger King) does a retrospective on the influential band WHAM! featuring archival footage and interviews that paint the full picture of the musical careers of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. The documentary covers the early lives of the two best friends who would form the pop duo and follows their meteoric rise from ambitious teenagers to accomplishing their dream of playing their last concert at Wembley Stadium. It’s a wonderfully nostalgic walk through the 80s pop scene that gives never-before-seen insight into George Michael’s struggles with being a gay man in the spotlight during the height of the AIDS crisis. – Tauri Miller
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The Out-Laws (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 35 min | Genre: Comedy, Crime | Director: Tyler Spindel
Cast: Adam DeVine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin
The Out-Laws is a fun romp that feels like a mix of Meet the Parents and True Lies. Adam DeVine (Workaholics) and Nina Dobrev (Let’s Be Cops) lead this action comedy as a couple named Owen and Parker whose wedding weekend gets an unexpected wrinkle when Parker’s parents rob Owen’s bank. Turns out the parents, played by Pierce Brosnan (Mamma Mia!) and Ellen Barkin (Drop Dead Gorgeous), are an infamous criminal duo called the Ghost Bandits. But this time, they stole from the wrong person, and the only way to get Parker back from a dangerous group of killers is to enlist Owen’s help to rob more banks to pay off the kidnappers. – Tauri Miller
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Nimona (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 41 min | Director: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Indya Moore
Based on the charming graphic novel, Nimona is a delightful animated action-comedy film co-directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane. With a screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor, Nimona showcases an exciting animation style with unexpectedly gorgeous scenescapes created by blending a science-fiction futuristic aesthetic with medieval elements. Nimona features the voice of Chloë Grace Moretz in the titular role, a young and tenacious shapeshifter, alongside the voice of Riz Ahmed as Ballister Boldheart, a knight framed for murder. As unlikely allies fighting for freedom and each other, Nimona and Boldheart reveal the power of trust, love, and family. – Yael Tygiel
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Extraction 2 (2023)
Run Time: 2 hrs 2 min | Genre: Action | Director: Sam Hargrave
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, Olga Kurylenko
Written by Joe Russo (Avengers: Endgame) and directed by Sam Hargrave, Extraction 2 is a large-scale assault on the senses with incredible action, stellar casting, and a heart-pumping pace. The second film in the exciting franchise, Extraction 2 is brilliantly shot and spends most of its two-hour run time on thrilling, explosive stunts with graceful combat choreography. Chris Hemsworth reprises his role from the first Extraction film, once again playing fearless mercenary Tyler Rake alongside Golshifteh Farahani, who also returns as Nik Khan. Ideal viewing for Jason Bourne fans, Extraction 2 embraces the action thriller genre without hesitation. – Yael Tygiel
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A Man Called Otto (2022)
Run Time: 2 hr 6 min | Genre: Comedy, Drama | Director: Marc Forster
Cast: Tom Hanks, Mack Bayda, Mariana Treviño, Rachel Keller
Tom Hanks (Cast Away) stars in this American remake of the Swedish film adaptation of the Fredrik Backman novel about a miserable old widower who gets dragged into finding a new purpose in life by his neighbors. This film is a refreshing role for perpetual nice guy Hanks, who gets to stretch his acting muscles as he conveys grief and hopelessness in ways not often written for such a likable actor. His evolution from a misanthrope who’s ready to meet his wife on the other side to a caring and begrudgingly outgoing figure is endearing to watch, and his interactions with Mariana Treviño (Club de Cuervos) as Marisol, which serve as the catalyst for this change, are the best part of this rollercoaster of emotions.
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The Mother (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 57 min | Genre: Action Drama | Director: Niki Caro
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Fiennes, Paul Raci, Gael García Bernal
Jennifer Lopez kicks serious ass in The Mother, a gritty, action-packed drama about a military-trained assassin intent on protecting the daughter she had to give up. Directed by Niki Caro (Mulan), The Mother features Gael García Bernal and Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) as terrifying villains, building a suspenseful plot that feels like a delicious blend of Taken and Hanna. The Mother truly succeeds as both an action film and a drama solely due to Lopez and her innate ability to embody strength and vulnerability, love and passion, and fluidity through intense scenes and stunts. – Yael Tygiel
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The Magician’s Elephant (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 39 min | Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family | Director: Wendy Rogers
Cast: Brian Tyree Henry, Natasia Demetriou, Mandy Patinkin, Benedict Wong
Based on the fantastic novel of the same name written by Kate DiCamillo, The Magician’s Elephant is a whimsical and inspirational story of bravery in the face of the impossible. When a fortune teller convinces Peter (Noah Jupe), a young orphan, that he must follow a magical elephant to be reunited with his sister, he agrees to perform Herculean tasks to win the prized pachyderm. In his attempts to perform these gargantuan feats, he is aided and supported by a wonderful cast of characters with equally amazing voice talents, including Brian Tyree Henry (The Eternals), Mandy Patinkin (The Princess Bride), and Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange). – Tauri Miller
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Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023)
Run Time: 2 hr 9 min | Genre: Crime Drama, Mystery, Thriller | Director: Jamie Payne
Cast: Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Andy Serkis
Idris Elba (The Suicide Squad) reprises his role as John Luther, the disgraced London detective who always gets his man by any means necessary. At its core, Luther has always been a new take on the Sherlock Holmes character, and in this new film that takes place after the events of the series, it seems he has finally found his Moriarty in the brand-new character David Robey, played by Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings). Luther: The Fallen Sun makes great use of the film budget and promises to give fans bigger action sequences and an epic narrative displaying the full force of the London police as they chase down Luther, who has escaped prison to capture a serial killer. For long-time fans of the Luther series, this movie will be the next chapter we’ve all been waiting for. – Tauri Miller
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Pamela: A Love Story (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 52 min | Genre: Documentary | Director: Ryan White
Cast: Pamela Anderson, Gregory Butler, Rob Bowman
Following Hulu’s critically acclaimed limited series Pam & Tommy, actress Pamela Anderson is taking control of her narrative and allowing director Ryan White to help her tell her story in the documentary Pamela: A Love Story. Shared through her own words, Pamela: A Love Story prudently explores Anderson’s journey from a teenager with dreams to a universal sex symbol embroiled in an infamous scandal. Featuring archives of never-before-seen footage, personal home videos, diaries, and journals, Pamela: A Love Story is a raw look at the trauma, ambitions, and humanity behind the pop culture icon. – Yael Tygiel
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The Strays (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 40 min | Genre: Horror Thriller Mystery | Director: Nathaniel Martello-White
Cast: Ashley Madekwe, Jorden Myrie, Bukky Bakray, Michael Warburton, Caroline Martin
Nathaniel Martello-White both writes and directs The Strays, a clever film that explores classism, privilege, and perception through a unique lens. Building tension, The Strays has been compared to Get Out, as it is also a thrilling psychological drama set in an idyllic suburban town. The film stars Ashley Madekwe (The Umbrella Academy) as Neve, a mother and wife who has carefully curated her perfect life through details and deliberate lies. Raising questions both about Neve’s sanity and her reality, The Strays watches her world unravel when she mysteriously notices strangers infiltrating her delicate facade. – Yael Tygiel
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Jung_E (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 39 min | Genre: Sci-Fi Action | Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Cast: Kang Soo-youn, Kim Hyun-joo, Ryu Kyung-soo
Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, who also wrote the screenplay, Jung_E is a beautifully designed science-fiction/action drama set in the terrifying near future. After Earth becomes inhospitable, humans relocate to shelters in space, leading to a civil war between the Allied Force and the Adrian Republic. After 35 years, a leading tech company, Kronoid, clones the brain of an Allied Forces’ legendary mercenary, releasing an AI version of the Captain to save humanity. Starring Kang Soo-yeon in her final film performance before her death, Jung_E also features Kim Hyun-joo and Ryu Kyung-soo, rounding out the incredible cast of this fascinating film. – Yael Tygiel
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You People (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 57 min | Genre: Comedy Romance | Director: Kenya Barris
Cast: Jonah Hill, Lauren London, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Kenya Barris (Black-ish) directs Jonah Hill in You People, an uproarious comedy about race, family, and culture clashes based on a screenplay they co-wrote together. Co-starring with Hill are comedic icons Eddie Murphy (Coming 2 America) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), who absolutely dazzle in You People in a story that presents varying perspectives to universal themes, emphasizing progress and generational differences. Supported by a stacked cast, including Nia Long, Lauren London, and David Duchovny, You People’s narrative relies heavily on the on-screen talent more than the written dialogue to provide the laughs in this romantic comedy about families. – Yael Tygiel
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Dog Gone (2023)
Run Time: 1 hr 35 min | Genre: Biography Drama | Director: Stephen Herek
Cast: Rob Lowe, Johnny Berchtold, Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Rob Lowe stars in Dog Gone, a touching family film about a beloved pet dog whose unexpected disappearance inspires a young man to embark on a life-changing journey with his parents to find their furry friend who is in need of life-saving medication. Based on a true story chronicled in Pauls Toutonghi’s book, Dog Gone is, at its core, about a fractured relationship between a father (Lowe) and his son (Johnny Berchtold). Director Stephen Herek (Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure) carefully captures the slow and steady pace at which the family bond is repaired, paralleled by their hike into the Appalachian Trail. – Yael Tygiel
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The Pale Blue Eye (2022)
Run Time: 2 hrs 8 min | Genre: Thriller Horror Mystery | Director: Scott Cooper
Cast: Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Lucy Boynton, Gillian Anderson
Directed by Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart), who adapted The Pale Blue Eye from Louis Bayard’s novel, this gruesome thriller reunites the director with star Christian Bale (Thor: Love and Thunder). In The Pale Blue Eye, Bale plays a retired detective reluctantly investigating the odd murder of a cadet attending West Point Academy in 1830. Blending elements often associated with horror into a criminal investigation and murder mystery, The Pale Blue Eye is a unique feature about an even stranger crime. Cooper’s clever use of color and shadows presents an impressive allure as his characters put together the pieces of the puzzle. – Yael Tygiel
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White Noise (2022)
Run Time: 2 hrs 16 min | Genre: Absurdist Comedy Drama | Director: Noah Baumbach
Cast: Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, Don Cheadle
Written for the screen and directed by Noah Baumbach, White Noise is based on the book by Don DeLillo. An interesting balancing act by Baumbach, White Noise has been described as both a dark comedy and a horrific mystery, which could easily be a reflection on the philosophical questions broached by the absurdist film, such as the existence of joy in a precarious society. Starring skillfully adaptable actors including Adam Driver (House of Gucci) and Greta Gerwig (Barbie) as a fascinatingly mundane American couple attempting to grapple with existential dread blossoming from universal realities, White Noise provides these versatile performers a solid foundation from which to thrive. – Yael Tygiel
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Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Run Time: 2 hrs 19 min | Genre: Mystery | Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Janelle Monáe
Rian Johnson’s follow-up to his hit mystery movie Knives Out, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery allows Daniel Craig (No Time to Die) to reprise his role as investigator Benoit Blanc. With an intriguing new puzzle, the famed southern detective heads to Greece, where he finds a new group of suspects. The deliberate casting of incomparable talent deserves an award of its own. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery features stars like Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, and Kathryn Hahn (WandaVision), to name a few. Star power aside, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery continues to captivate with twists, enigmas, and even some clever laughs. – Yael Tygiel
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The Power of the Dog (2021)
Director: Jane Campion | Genre: Western Drama | Run Time: 2 hr 6 min
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee
The Power of the Dog is a slow, sly movie that reveals itself to you in subtle, measured glimpses at tenderness that are otherwise caked in grit, cruelty and crudity. Set in 1920s Montana, Jane Campion‘s awards contender stars Benedict Cumberbatch, giving one of his best performances yet as Phil Burbank; a gruff and bitter cowboy who takes an immediate disliking to his brother’s (Jesse Plemmons) new wife, Rose (Kirsten Dunst). In turn, her son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) takes a disliking to him, determined to protect his mother, setting the stage for fascinating, subtle power plays and dynamic shifts as the contentious new family attempts to settle in together. As with all Campion films, you can expect exquisite shots and stunning glimpses into small moments of human vulnerability, but The Power of the Dog is also a challenging, often caustic film about tracing the ripples of toxicity. It certainly isn’t your average Neo-western, so don’t go in expecting standoffs our shootouts, but even without those flashy calling cards, The Power of the Dog makes a striking impact that seems to land all in one final blow. – Haleigh Foutch
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Prisoners (2013)
Run Time: 2 hr 33 min | Genre: Thriller Crime | Director: Dennis Villeneuve
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard
For his first English language picture, Dennis Villeneuve delivered an instant classic in the vein of Seven or Zodiac. Prisoners may be Dennis Villeneuve’s most underrated film. It’s heavy, like a waterlogged coat, and driven forward by the dramatic reactions of the characters lost in the haze of mystery in this missing child thriller. Superb performances, melancholic music, and a rainy atmosphere reinforce the weighted tone of the film. Jake Gyllenhaal plays the fastidious detective Loki, trying to connect the dots between old cold cases, missing children, and a dead body. Hugh Jackman and Terrence Howard metamorphose into two men on the edge of desperation as they abduct the man (Paul Dano) they believe to be responsible for their missing daughters. It’s a dark story about faith, resolve, and morality that sees a community pushed to its emotional limit. There’s little respite from the darkness in the world of prisoners, as each scene compounds the mystery and pain in the wake of two missing children.
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Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)
Run Time: 1 hr 57 min | Genre: Fantasy Musical | Director: Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson
Cast: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is one of the most beautiful adaptations of the classic fairytale. Highlighted by the monster maestro’s love of creatures, Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) crafts an enchanting version of the story, working in tandem with co-director Mark Gustafson (The PJs) to bring this stop-motion masterpiece to life. Like most del Toro projects, Pinocchio may not be suitable for younger audiences as the director enjoys his darker themes and images, even in his most whimsical projects. Expressed through claymation, this rendition of Pinocchio follows the grieving Italian woodcarver Geppetto, voiced by Game of Thrones alum David Bradley, as his wish magically brings to life his wooden marionette. – Yael Tygiel
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Do Revenge (2022)
Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson | Genre: Teen Comedy | Run Time: 1 hr 58 min
Cast: Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke
This is what teen comedy dreams are made of. Starring Riverdale’s Camila Mendes and Stranger Things scenestealer Maya Hawke, Do Revenge revolves around an unlikely friendship between fallen popular girl Drea (Mendes) and new student Eleanor (Hawke). After being wronged by friends and exes, the two of them hatch the perfect plan: to help each other get revenge. With plot twists you won’t see coming, sharp comedy, and a killer soundtrack (not to mention epic cameos by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sophie Turner), this is a truly generation-defining film among the ranks of Heathers and Mean Girls. – Taylor Gates
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If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Director: Barry Jenkins | Genre: Romance Drama | Run Time: 1 hr 59 min
Cast: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Teyonah Parris
If there was ever a film that deserves more love and admiration, it is Barry Jenkins’ magnificent If Beale Street Could Talk. Adapted from the novel of the same name by one of history’s greatest writers, the great James Baldwin, and could not be a more graceful honoring of his legacy. In addition to being a gorgeous cinematic experience, every single frame is overflowing with compassion for characters trying to find a way to live a life together. Set in 1970s Harlem, it centers on Tish (KiKi Layne) who is about to have a child with her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt (Stephan James). As they dream of a future together, the couple’s hopes are dashed when Alonzo is arrested for a crime he did not commit. A moving look at the tragedy found in the everyday, both Layne and James are outstanding in every single moment. When your film also has a supporting cast of Regina King, who won an Oscar for her role as Tish’s mother, and Coleman Domingo as Tish’s father, it becomes a masterclass in acting from start to finish. – Chase Hutchinson
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When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Director: Rob Reiner I Genre: Romance Comedy I Run Time: 1 hr 35 mins
Cast: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby
Autumn is upon us, and you know what that means? Following two people who could not be more different from each other go from hate, to like, to hate again, and finally, to love. When Harry Met Sally.. stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in one of the most famous romcoms of all time. Harry and Sally bump into each other unexpectedly throughout their 20s and into their 30s, hating each time until heartbreak brings them together as best friends. They bond over their failed romances, even get their respective best friends together, and spend most of the movie oblivious to or purposefully ignoring the fact that they are perfect for each other. Oh – and there’s an orgasm in Kats Deli, we couldn’t forget that! Nora Ephron gave us a love story for the ages that still feels fresh and nuanced watching it thirty years later. Add in a sublime supporting cast of Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby – and you have yourself a timeless classic. Set against the red and yellow leaves of New York City, When Harry Met Sally.. Is essential Autumnal viewing. – Emma Kiely
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The Nice Guys (2016)
Director: Shane Black | Genre: Action Comedy | Run Time: 1 hr 56 min
Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer
Between Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang and The Nice Guys, writer/director Shane Black has proven himself to the be the king of crackling neo-noir. In The Nice Guys, you have private eye Holland March (Ryan Gosling) and fixer Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) teaming up to investigate the disappearance of a young woman (Margaret Qualley), but it’s all about how Black plays with genre conventions and film tropes to constantly upend expectations. Gosling has never been funnier, and in an alternate, better universe, The Nice Guys would have been a massive hit and we’d have an amazing comic franchise. As it stands, we only have this movie, so at least we can treasure this outing of March and Healy. – Matt Goldberg
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Tick, Tick… Boom! (2012)
Director: Lin-Manuel Miranda | Genre: Drama Musical Biography | Run Time: 1 hr 55 min
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús
Hamilton and In the Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda directs the long-awaited film adaptation of RENT creator Johnathan Larson‘s Tick, Tick… Boom! The result is an excellent movie musical that’s every bit a love letter to theater itself as much as it is to Larson and his tragic tale of short-lived genius. Which is perhaps what makes Miranda such an exceptional fit for the material in his filmmaking debut, and not just because his every-damned-award-winning musical Hamilton is all about capturing the beauty and tragedy of short-lived genius: the Broadway polymath has also been vocal about how Tick, Tick… Boom! influenced and inspired him as a creator, and he even starred in a production of the show several years ago. Equally at home is Andrew Garfield as Larson himself, showcasing a hell of a singing voice and yet another outstanding performance that will lift you up, rake you through the anxiety of excellence, before absolutely breaking your heart. It’s a beautiful film based on a beautiful piece of writing, and whether you’re a fan of Garfield’s, Miranda’s, Larson’s, or just the theater dahling, it’s a moving testament to those who openly embrace ambition, earnestly love performance, and believe that both give them the power to change lives. – Haleigh Foutch
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I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
Director: Charlie Kaufman | Genre: Thriller Horror | Run Time: 2 hr 14 min
Cast: Jessie Buckley, Jesse Plemons, Toni Collette, David Thewlis
Charlie Kaufman is no stranger to films that make you feel like your brain is leaking out of your head, like with his directorial debut Synecdoche, New York, or with screenplays like Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. With I’m Thinking of Ending Things, Kaufman adapts Iain Reid‘s novel of the same name, in which Jake (Jesse Plemons) brings his girlfriend (Jessie Buckley) to meet his parents (Toni Collette and David Thewlis). But of course no Kaufman story could be that simple, as I’m Thinking of Ending Things becomes a twisty, strange, and remarkable experience unlike any other film. By the end, I’m Thinking of Ending Things becomes one of the most insane and towering achievements of Kaufman’s career, which is really saying something. — Ross Bonaime
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Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
Director: George C. Wolfe | Genre: Drama Music | Run Time: 1 hr 34 min
Cast: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo
The 2020 film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a powerhouse showcase for the acting talents of all involved, including Chadwick Boseman in his final live-action performance. Based on the stage play of the same name, the film chronicles a day in the life of iconic recording artist Ma Rainey as she assembles her team to record a new album on a hot summer day in 1927. Tensions rise and the dialogue crackles between these various characters, as Boseman’s trumpeter dreams of making it big on his own while the temperamental Ma Rainey knows what lies ahead all too well. This is an excellent performance-driven drama. – Adam Chitwood
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The Good Nurse (2022)
Director: Tobias Lindholm | Genre: Drama | Run Time: 2 hr 1 min
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Eddie Redmayne, Noah Emmerich, Nnamdi Asomugha, Kim Dickens
Tobias Lindholm‘s haunting The Good Nurse, based on a true story, shows both how monstrous people can be, while also showing the importance of compassion. Jessica Chastain plays Amy Loughren, a nurse who is dealing with a dangerous heart condition, who meets the newest nurse, Charlie Cullen (Eddie Redmayne) and immediately strikes up a friendship with him. When a series of mysterious deaths at the hospital start to raise eyes, Amy believes that Charlie might be behind these deaths and attempts to find out what is really going on. Chastain is excellent as the caring nurse, but Redmayne is shocking as a potential monster waiting to be uncovered. But put together, Chastain and Redmayne play The Good Doctor like a battle between humanity and indifference, in a film that will both get under your skin, while also making the viewer thankful for those who see the best in people.
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The Lost Daughter (2021)
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal | Genre: Psychological Drama | Run Time: 2 hr 1 min
Cast: Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley
In her directorial debut, Maggie Gyllenhaal has to handle a complex balance in telling the story of Leda Caruso (Olivia Colman). Leda takes a holiday to Greece and upon watching young mother Nina (Dakota Johnson) with her child, Leda reflects back on her own struggles with motherhood. Adapting Elena Ferrante‘s novel of the same name, Gyllenhaal presents a lead character whose impulsiveness could easily have been seen as selfish, but instead, Gyllenhaal and Colman present Leda as an intricate and extremely complicated character. The Lost Daughter provides not only another great Colman performance, but a fantastic introduction to Gyllenhaal as a commanding filmmaker. – Ross Bonaime
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The Fear Street Trilogy (2021)
Director: Leigh Janiak | Genre: Horror | Run Time: 5 hr 30 min
Cast: Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr., Sadie Sink
Inarguably one of the best Netflix originals ever, the Fear Street trilogy is the perfect binge-watch. This adaptation of the R.L. Stine book series is an interconnected trilogy of horror movies, each with its own tone and twist on the slasher genre, bound by characters and mythology. The action begins in Fear Street: 1994, which introduces the town of Shadyside where everything bad always tends to happen. A group of teenagers finds themselves hunted down by a bevy of serial killers from the town’s past, only to discover the culprit may be a centuries-old curse. The second film, Fear Street: 1978, is a summer camp slasher that goes into Shadyside’s past to recount a horrific event while revealing more of the mythology until the third and final movie, Fear Street: 1666, works as an origin story for the curse and the Shadyside Witch. These movies absolutely rule, and are perfect for a Friday night date night. – Adam Chitwood
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The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
Director: Mike Rianda | Genre: Comedy Adventure | Run Time: 1 hr 54 min
Cast: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph
You’ve seen a zillion animated family comedy movies, but The Mitchells vs. the Machines is undoubtedly one of the best. Produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller and originally made by Sony Pictures Animation – the studio behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – the film finds a father and daughter struggling to connect, and follows the family as the father decides they should take a road trip to send her off to college where she’s studying to be a filmmaker.Alongthe way, the robot apocalypse occurs, forcing them to work together to make it through. At every turn The Mitchells vs. the Machines is surprising. It puts in the work so that the emotional scenes hit hard, but it’s also wildly colorful and beautifully artistic as Mike Rianda pushes the boundaries of visual expression. On top of all that, the film is hilarious, bringing to mind the colorful comedy of Lord and Miller’s other films – most notably Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. This movie will have you cackling and crying in equal measure, and it’s one of the best films of 2021 full stop. – Adam Chitwood
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Oblivion (2013)
Director: Joseph Kosinski | Genre: Action | Run Time: 2 hr 4 min
Cast: Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko, Andrea Riseborough, Morgan Freeman
My esteem for the 2013 sci-fi film Oblivion has grown over the years. At the very least, it’s a joy to look at, as director Joseph Kosinski (who previously helmed TRON: Legacy) has an eye for production design. Coupled with an outstanding score from M83, you’ve got a worthwhile watch on a Sunday afternoon. The film follows a technician (Tom Cruise) on an alien-ravaged planet who makes a startling discovery about his existence and what he’s been led to believe. If you missed this one in theaters, it’s worth popping on, especially since Cruise and Kosinski reunited for the Oscar-nominated Top Gun: Maverick. — Matt Goldberg
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Enola Holmes (2020)
Director: Harry Bradbeer | Genre: Mystery Crime | Run Time: 2 hr 3 min
Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Louis Partridge, Henry Cavill
Enola Holmes is one of the best and most charming Netflix original movies released thus far. Based on the book series of the same name by Nancy Springer, the period mystery follows Millie Bobby Brown’s titular character, who is the youngest Holmes sibling and has been raised nearly in solitude by her single mother. But when she awakes one day to find her mother is missing, she takes matters into her own hands and sneaks into London to solve the case. The film is tremendously fun as Enola fearlessly follows leads and hunts for clues, but it’s also a surprisingly touching mother-daughter story with legitimately feminist themes. The script actually takes time to consider what it means to be a woman in a man’s world in a way that’s organic (and important) to the story at hand. It’s one of Brown’s best performances, but Henry Cavill is also a delight as Sherlock Holmes himself. Once the movie ends you’ll be begging for Netflix to make many more sequels. – Adam Chitwood
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Mank (2020)
Director: David Fincher | Genre: Drama | Run Time: 2 hr 11 min
Cast: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins
Fair warning, Mank may really only be appealing to cinephiles or those who have a fondness for old Hollywood, but if it’s your thing, it’s very much your thing. The drama is the first Netflix movie from filmmaker David Fincher, and he clearly relishes the creative freedom as he chronicles the true-history behind the inspiration and writing of the screenplay for Citizen Kane. Gary Oldman plays Hollywood screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz, a drunk and script doctor who decides with Citizen Kane he’s going to write his masterpiece. We see the various inspirations for the controversial screenplay come in and out of Mank’s life, and the film has a soft spot for a screenwriter who, by and large, didn’t care about receiving credit… until Kane. The production value is impeccable, as Fincher crafts a lush black-and-white feature that’s made to look (and sound) like it was released in 1941. – Adam Chitwood
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Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Director: Taika Waititi | Genre: Adventure Comedy | Run Time: 1 hr 41 min
Cast: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rhys Darby
If you love Taika Waititi and want more of his sense of humor ASAP, definitely check out his film Hunt for the Wilderpeople. This is the movie that was released just before he went off and made Thor: Ragnarok, and his distinct sense of humor permeates every frame of this mismatched buddy comedy with a bit of a fantastical edge. The story follows a grumpy man played by Sam Neill who is forced to team up with a foul-mouthed child (Julian Dennison) when the two are the target of a manhunt throughout the New Zealand bush. It’s incredibly funny for sure, but also ultimately heartwarming in the way that these two outsiders come together. This is a must-see for all fans of Waititi’s sense of humor and knack for heart. —Adam Chitwood
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13th (2016)
Director: Ava DuVernay | Genre: Documentary | Run Time: 1 hr 40 min
Ava DuVernay follows up her acclaimed film Selma with a searing documentary that looks at the mass incarceration of minorities following the passage of the 13th amendment. As the documentary points out, it’s not just ingrained cultural racism that results in the widespread incarceration of African-Americans and other minorities. There’s a financial incentive as well, and it’s good business to lock people up. 13th systematically goes through the decades following the passage of the 13th amendment to show how black people were targeted by the media, by the government, and by businesses to create a new form of slavery. It is a movie that will infuriate you, depress you, and hopefully spur you to action against a system that done egregious harm to our fellow citizens. – Matt Goldberg
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Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
Director: David Dobkin | Genre: Comedy Musical | Run Time: 2 hr 3 min
Cast: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens, and Demi Lovato
If you’re expecting Eurovision to be a silly Will Ferrell comedy… well, you’re half right. Released in 2020, this movie was based on an original idea by Ferrell and while it is indeed extremely silly at times, it makes its way towards a shockingly emotional finale that just might bring tears to your eyes. Ferrell and Rachel McAdams play a pair of musicians from Iceland who decide to enter the Eurovision Song Contest, only to end up making the final cut after a (hilarious) freak accident. They struggle to maintain their friendship and make their country proud as these decidedly average musicians are thrust onto the world stage. The songs are genuinely catchy, the comedy is hilariously on-point, and you genuinely find yourself pulling for these two lovable goofballs as the final performance looms closer. This one will surprise you. – Adam Chitwood
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Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Director: Spike Lee | Genre: War Drama | Run Time: 2 hr 34 min
Cast: Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr.
When legendary filmmaker Spike Lee tackles the Vietnam War, you know he’s going to do it unlike any other filmmaker before him. Indeed, Lee’s 2020 drama Da 5 Bloods follows four Vietnam War veterans in present day who travel back to Vietnam to search for the remains of their fallen squad leader, as well as a cadre of gold they buried and left behind all those years ago. The film flashes back to their time in Vietnam briefly, but is mostly focused on the effects this war had on Black Americans, and how America left them behind. Come for Lee’s confrontational take on a Vietnam War movie, stay for Delroy Lindo‘s towering performance as a Trump-supporting father struggling to confront his trauma. – Adam Chitwood
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Crip Camp (2020)
Director: Nicole Newnham and Jim Lebrecht | Genre: Documentary | Run Time: 1 hr 42 min
The first Netflix documentary to hail from executive producers Michelle and Barack Obama was the Oscar-winning American Factory, and their second effort Crip Camp is just as great if not better. The film shines a light on the individuals who spent most of their adult lives fighting for basic human rights, with many having attended a camp for disabled tends called Camp Jened in the 1970s. Incredible archival footage from this camp opens the film, but we then follow the various people we’ve met as they spend the next few decades embroiled in activism to pass legislation to make the world accessible for those with disabilities. It’s a fight that never should have had to be fought, and it’s both inspiring and infuriating to see how tirelessly these individuals had to push and push and push to affect even the tiniest bit of change. – Adam Chitwood
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The Irishman (2019)
Director: Martin Scorsese | Genre: Crime Drama | Run Time: 3 hr 29 min
Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci
Despite the fact that it’s over three hours long, Martin Scorsese’s epic The Irishman actually flies by, and there’s a purpose to its length. This crime drama follows the life of Teamster and hitman Frank Sheeran from his early days in the mob to his final days on Earth, using cutting edge digital de-aging technology to allow Robert De Niro and Al Pacino and Joe Pesci to play their characters in each era. What begins as a rollicking mob movie in the vein of Goodfellas turns into a meditation on life and death, as the weight of Sheeran’s actions fall like a ton of bricks in the final hour of the picture, and he considers what it was all for. One piece of advice though: watch this one in one sitting if you can, as the pace of the film actually results in a tremendous feeling of overwhelming emotion by the end. — Adam Chitwood
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Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
Director: Craig Brewer | Genre: Drama Comedy | Run Time: 1 hr 57 min
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Wesley Snipes, Da’Vine Joy Randolph
If you long for the glory days of Eddie Murphy, you need to see his 2019 film Dolemite Is My Name. Based on the true story of Rudy Ray Moore, the film follows a comedian who takes his destiny into his own hands by writing, directing, and starring in an extremely low-budget film based on one of his original stand-up characters. This is one part behind-the-scenes Hollywood story, one part Murphy showcase, and one part emotional and heartbreaking tale of creative struggles. The film is truly inspiring, but it’s Murphy who shines here, giving a wonderful, dimensional performance as the titular character – Adam Chitwood
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Miss Americana (2020)
Director: Lana Wilson | Genre: Documentary | Run Time: 1 hr 25 min
The Taylor Swift Netflix documentary Miss Americana is probably not what your expecting. Yes the film does cover Swift’s journey in the business, but the crux of the film is a story about an icon who discovers her own identity in the public eye, and goes through a bit of an evolution as we watch Swift’s feminist awakening before our eyes. It’s a surprisingly intimate affair, and may make you look at Swift differently by the end of it. – Adam Chitwood
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Roma (2018)
Director: Alfonso Cuarón | Genre: Drama | Run Time: 2 hr 15 min
Cast: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Fernando Grediaga
Roma is a dramatic masterpiece. Oscar-winning Gravity and Children of Men filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón digs deep into his soul for this period drama, which recreates his childhood as told through the eyes of a domestic worker named Cleo. As this middle-class family living in 1970s Mexico City falls apart, Cuarón’s unique cinematography positions the viewer as an objective observer. That role becomes more and more heartbreaking as you, the viewer, become more emotionally invested in the lives of these individuals. – Adam Chitwood
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Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Director: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones | Genre: Comedy Fantasy | Run Time: 1 hr 29 min
Cast: John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman
The 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail surely one of the most quotable movies of all time, and really hits home for all ages. The story finds iconic comedy troupe Monty Python covering King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail in extremely silly fashion, as directors Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones relish in having fun with the production design that is at once Hollywood appropriate and extremely funny. If goofy comedies are your thing, give this one a shot. – Adam Chitwood
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Knock Down the House (2019)
Director: Rachel Lears | Genre: Documentary | Run Time: 1 hr 26 min
Rachel Lears’ documentary Knock Down the House isn’t really concerned with the right-left divide, despite the fact that it prominently features Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. Instead, it’s actually a story about insurgent, grassroots politicians fighting the entrenched establishment power. In addition to Ocasio-Cortez, the movie takes the time to follow other female politicians who are seeking to win their own primary battles. Knock Down the House is best when it shows the gritty, unglamorous work of campaigning and what it’s really like to build a movement. And it’s a swell watch for anyone who is frustrated by traditional, same-old politicians. – Matt Goldberg
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The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
Director: Joel and Ethan Coen | Genre: Western Drama | Run Time: 2 hr 12 min
Cast: Tim Blake Nelson, Tyne Daly, James Franco, Brendan Gleeson
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is unlike any other movie the Coen Brothers have ever made. This Western anthology continues in the genre the brothers traveled with No Country for Old Men and True Grit, but pushes further into “tall tale” territory with six distinct stories of varying tones. Each one deals with themes of mortality and death, and culminate in a final chapter that really drives home what this whole thing has been about all along. It’s a blast to see the who’s who of actors walk in and out of this feature, delivering the Coens’ signature dry wit with vigor, and Bruno Delbonnell‘s cinematography is striking and bold. You may go in thinking this is a fun romp and come out the other end feeling like you’ve just watched something profound. So yeah, it’s very much a Coen Brothers movie. – Adam Chitwood
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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
Director: Susan Johnson | Genre: Romance Drama | Run Time: 1 hr 39 min
Cast: Lana Condor, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Noah Centineo
If you’re looking for a fun, sweet, YA romance to brighten your day, you won’t do much better on Netflix than To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Based off the novel by Jenny Han, the story follows Lara Jean (Lana Condor), a teenager whose worst nightmares are realized when five letters she wrote to her secret crushes are sent out without her knowledge. When she’s confronted by her old crush Peter (Noah Centineo), she’s afraid it could get in the way of her current crush Josh (Israel Broussard), so Lara Jean and Peter resolve to fake a relationship so they can get with who they really want to be with. Naturally, pretending to be together starts to create real feelings between the two. The film is a joy from start to finish, letting you relive a time when who “liked” you was the most important thing in the world, but without any of the trauma high school entails. –Matt Goldberg
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Private Life (2018)
Director: Tamara Jenkins | Genre: Drama | Run Time: 2 hr 7 min
Cast: Kathryn Hahn, Paul Giamatti, Kayli Carter
Tamara Jenkins’ dramatic film Private Life, is a deft balancing act that plunges viewers into the frustration, anxiety, and hardship of a couple struggling to conceive, and yet it never loses sight of the humanity and even moments of odd comedy in their struggle. Kathryn Hahn and Paul Giamatti play Rachel and Richard Biegler, a couple in their late 40s who are desperately trying to get pregnant, but despite putting themselves through the fertility grinder, are no closer to having a child. When they learn that their only chance is an egg donor, they decide they want it to be someone they know, and land upon their wayward niece (not blood-related) Sadie (Kayli Carter), a well-meaning if slightly flighty young woman in her mid-20s to be their donor. When she agrees, it ends up creating new, unforeseen complications, but never anything so outlandish that it breaks the movie’s powerful credibility. Private Life is remarkable for a multitude of reasons, but it demands to be seen for Hahn’s remarkable performance. She has to play so many different levels and yet it’s not simply a case of “most acting” but fine-tuning her outrage and her heartache based on the scene. Sometimes she gets to lash out, but other times she has to bury her pain so that it doesn’t make other people uncomfortable. – Matt Goldberg
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22 July (2018)
Director: Paul Greengrass | Genre: Drama Crime | Run Time: 2 hr 23 min
Cast: Anders Danielsen Lie, Jon Øigarden, Thorbjørn Harr
In 2011, a far-right terrorist exploded a bomb at a government office in Norway and then made his way to a youth summer camp on an island, where he opened fire and killed 77 people in total. Bourne and United 93 filmmaker Paul Greengrass captures this terrorist attack in excruciating detail in the opening half hour of 22 July, but the film then moves on to the aftermath, where Greengrass contrasts the story of the terrorist—who was captured, affored an attorney, and sought to relay his political message—with that one one of his victims, a young boy who was shot in the head and faces a long road to recovery. The story is one of finding hope and courage in the face of absolute evil, and holds renewed relevance for the present day as far-right groups are on the rise. This is a harrowing, emotional, and necessary film. – Adam Chitwood
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The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) (2017)
Director: Noah Baumbach | Genre: Drama Comedy | Run Time: 1 hr 52 min
Cast: Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Dustin Hoffman, Elizabeth Marvel
The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) isn’t Noah Baumbach’s first story about a dysfunctional family, but it’s his best one yet. The story follows the Meyerowitz family, specifically sons Danny (Adam Sandler) and Matthew (Ben Stiller) and their strained relationship with their egotistical father Harold (Dustin Hoffman), a retired art professor whose work as a sculptor never brought him the acclaim or recognition he felt he deserved.
The film is at turns deeply funny and incredibly heartbreaking as we see how Harold has emotionally damaged his sons in different ways. With Danny, he’s always harping on how great Matthew is while never acknowledging how much Danny does as a son and as a father, and with Matthew, he’s always distracted or demanding credit for making more of a commitment than he did with Danny. It’s insightful, smart, and features outstanding performances from the entire cast, especially Sandler and Stiller, who turn in some of their best work while never leaving behind their comic gifts. Credit is also due to Hoffman who, at 80 years old, is still delivering magnificent performances that make you laugh and seethe in equal measure. – Matt Goldberg
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Mudbound (2017)
Director: Dee Rees | Genre: Historical Drama | Run Time: 2 hr 14 min
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Mary J. Blige, Garrett Hedlund
One of the best films of 2017, Dee Rees’ southern epic is a sprawling, rapturous piece that looks at the lives of two families, one black and one white, in the 1940s. Although a lesser film would have only looked at one of these families or only one perspective, Mudbound brilliantly examines the hardscrabble life of a white family who owns the land, the black family who must work the land, and the conflicts and kinships that arise from its various members. Aside from the masterful craftsmanship and outstanding performances, Mudbound is a brilliant meditation on race and power that transcends its time and place. While the rural Mississippi setting gives the film its flavor, the inequality and power dynamic feels painfully relevant without ever coming off as preachy or obvious. It’s an absolutely masterpiece, and while it may not be a Netflix film that’s perfect for relaxing, it’s one you’ll be grateful you experienced. – Matt Goldberg
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Resident Evil (2002)
Director: Paul W. S. Anderson | Genre: Horror-Action | Run Time: 1 hr 40 min
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius, James Purefoy, Martin Crewes, Colin Salmon
Paul W.S. Anderson’s 2002 movie Resident Evil is a loose adaptation of the video game series of the same name. While the movie follows a different narrative than the video games, it maintains the intense horror of its namesake from the beginning. After a disaster at the Umbrella Corporation’s secret underground research facility leaves its employees dead, a special ops team is sent to uncover what happened and keep Umbrella’s secret projects from reaching the outside world. As the team goes deeper into the facility, they not only discover that the employees might not be as dead as they thought, but also that the facility’s murderous Artificial Intelligence will do anything to keep Umbrella’s secrets safe. Resident Evil is a fun action-horror movie that features zombies, zombie dogs, deadly AI, and a biotech company trying to play God. What more could you want from a horror movie? — Brynna Arens
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Beasts of No Nation (2015)
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga | Genre: War Drama | Run Time: 2 hr 17 min
Cast: Abraham Attah, Idris Elba, Kurt Egyiawan
Netflix’s first major foray into original film territory was an ambitious awards play, as the streaming service acquired writer/director Cary Joji Fukunaga’s passion project Beasts of No Nation after the film had been completed. The drama chronicles the journey of a young boy in an unnamed West African country who becomes a child soldier, and while the subject matter should tell you that this isn’t necessarily a “cheery” watch, it’s a tremendous and incredibly powerful piece of filmmaking. Young Abraham Attah is phenomenal as the young Agu, while Idris Elba delivers a terrifying performance as the charismatic leader Commandant. Fukunaga serves as his own cinematographer to hauntingly beautiful results, and the film culminates in a tough and thought-provoking conclusion. It’s one of the best films of 2015 that went criminally underseen, but it’s a terrific film that deserves to be experienced. – Adam Chitwood
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