good biography movies on netflix

15 Best Biopics on Netflix Right Now

Biopics have now become a hot genre because there’s something about real-life stories of certain individuals that lure filmmakers. It may be an entire lifetime of a person or just a few crucial years that act as an amazing storyline for a film. It’s no surprise why biopics are able to do so well. Extraordinary stories of successful people or people who had a deeper cause to serve society, all of these inspire us to live a better life. But these stories become more impactful when they are based on the lives of real individuals. Some make us believe in ourselves and our goals while some restore our faith in humanity. The good news is that a great number of these movies are already available on Netflix. So all you have to do is scroll down and choose one of the few biopic movies that we have listed. Here’s the list of really good biopic movies on Netflix that are available to stream right now.

15. Roxanne Roxanne (2017)

Directed and written by Michael Larnell, ‘Roxanne Roxanne’ is an autobiographical musical drama film that stars Chanté Adams, Mahershala Ali, Nia Long, and Elvis Nolasco. Roxanne Shante, a young rapper from New York, has already made her reputation as one of the most feared battle emcees in the 80s. Whoever had seen her perform knew that she was all set to become a hip-hop legend. ‘Roxanne Roxanne’ recounts Shante’s inspiring story as she worked tirelessly to provide for her family and achieved musical success in the process.

14. Come Sunday (2018)

This film is based on an episode of the public radio series called ‘This American Life’. The biopic is about an internationally renowned pastor who went by the name Carton Pearson. When Carton defied the morals of the church and started preaching that there is no hell, he found himself being ostracized by his own church and the Christian community who labeled him as an unorthodox non-conformist. The film has a lot of mixed opinions when it comes to the reviews because it goes against the religious values of a lot of people. But don’t let the reviews fool you, this film is great and has some amazing cinematography with acting.

13. Milk (2008)

Starring Sean Penn and James Franco, ‘Milk’ tells the life story of Harvey Milk starting from his 40th birthday all the way up to his death. The film traces his journey as he struggles to fight for gay rights in the country as an activist and later becomes California’s first gay elected official. The biopic also highlights his relationships with two men along the way and how the death of one really moves him. ‘Milk’ is an extremely moving film and will make you truly feel the struggles of Harvey Milk and all the gay activists of that era.

12. First They Killed My Father (2017)

Directed by Angeline Jolie , this one is the true story of a 5-year-old girl named Loung Ung and her struggles with her family when the Khmer Rouge had taken over Cambodia in the year 1975. Their terrorizing rule led to the death of over 2 million Cambodians. The film shows how Ung and her siblings were sent to Labor Camps and were trained to become soldiers at such a young and delicate age. This film holds a great amount of historical accuracy and clearly, a lot of effort has been into portraying Loung Ung’s story. It does not focus too much on showing the violence and gore prevailing at that time and instead shows the underlying terror and chaos during the time which makes this one a great watch.

11. Christine (2016)

Christine Chubbuck was a TV reporter back in the 70s. This film tells her story by narrating her struggles as a working woman, pressures from her home and also her own depression . This film has been quite under the radar but deserves more appreciation. It tends to get inside your head with its depressing characters and storyline with uncomfortable slow burn throughout. Note that this movie can be triggering for those who are already going through something but overall, it’s a very good movie with some brilliant acting.

10. Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed (2021)

Featuring Bob Ross, Steve Ross, Vicky Ross, and John Thamm, ‘Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed’ is a biographical documentary film directed by Joshua Rofé. As the name suggests, the movie revolves around the rise of the titular protagonist, a brilliant painter and television host, who spread love, joy, and happiness to the millions of viewers glued to his programs on their television screens from around the world. With great success came significant financial burdens. While offering a touching overview of Bob’s inspiring life, the film immediately turns its attention towards the battle for his business empire that saddened and infuriated a lot of his fans.

9. Baggio: The Divine Ponytail (2021)

Written by Ludovica Rampoldi and Stefano Sardo, ‘Baggio: The Divine Ponytail’ is a biographical sports film that stars Andrea Arcangeli, Valentina Bellè, and Thomas Trabacch. The Letizia Lamartire directorial recounts the inspiring life story of Roberto Baggio, a former footballer who dedicated 22 years of his life to the sport. From successes to his failures and regretful mistakes, the movie captures everything. It also introduces viewers to the man behind closed doors and his relationship with his loved ones. Roberto’s affinity to Nichiren Buddhism and his adherence to its philosophy is also deeply discussed.

8. Sergio (2020)

Greg Barker’s ‘Sergio’ is a biographical drama movie produced by Wagner Moura, Brent Travers, and Daniel Dreifuss. The film focuses on Sérgio Vieira de Mello, a United Nations diplomat who, after working tirelessly on several international political programs for more than three decades, decides to do something about the American invasion of Iraq in 2003. Despite warnings not to visit Baghdad in the middle of conflict, Sérgio tries to negotiate the withdrawal of American troops so that the country can achieve freedom. However, his attempts do not go as planned as he gets trapped in the basement of a hotel after a terrorist attack.

7. Mank (2020)

Directed by David Fincher, ‘Mank’ is a black-and-white biographical drama film that revolves around the development of the popular 40s film ‘Citizen Kane’ and its screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. It is set in the 1930s and offers an exciting insight into the Hollywood of the time. However, the films’ focus remains on the development of the iconic movie and challenges faced by Herman along the way.

6. The Dirt (2019)

Written by Rich Wilkes and Amanda Adelson, ‘The Dirt’ is a biographical comedy-drama film that is based on Neil Strauss’s book ‘The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band.’ After spending several crucial years of his early life with his abusive mother, Frank Carlton Feranna Jr. ventures into the outside world in search of his father and eventually stumbles upon the purpose of his life. When he met Tommy Lee in 1980, the musician shared his plan to form a new band, and the two joined hands to include other members in the team. After the inclusion of Mick Mars and Vince Neil, the Mötley Crüe was formed and, in just a few years’ time, became one of the most popular rock bands on the planet.

5. Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Featuring stand-out performances by Eddie Murphy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps, and Craig Robinson, ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ is a biographical comedy film written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. It revolves around a struggling artist named Rudy Ray Moore, who is desperately trying to get his music on the air in the 1970s. Unfortunately, he has had little success, and his future is still clouded in uncertainty. However, on one ordinary night, an unexpected encounter with a homeless man changes Rudy’s life as he discovers his true calling and ends up entertaining the world, albeit in his own humble and small way.

4. A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018)

Inspired by Josh Karp’s 2006 non-fiction book of the same name, ‘A Futile and Stupid Gesture’ is a biographical comedy-drama film written by John Aboud and Michael Colton. The David Wain directorial follows Douglas Kenney, who, along with his classmate Henry Beard lays the foundations of a monthly magazine named the National Lampoon. The duo leaves the life-transforming opportunity of attending law school for their ambitious goal and, with Douglas’ big vision, manages to change the American comedy scene in innovative ways.

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3. Schumacher (2021)

Directed by Hanns-Bruno Kammertöns, Vanessa Nöcker, and Michael Wech, ‘Schumacher’ is a German sports documentary film that focuses on the inspiring career of the titular protagonist and features Corinna Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Mika Häkkinen, Jean Todt among many others. The movie offers an intimate understanding of German Formula One racing driver Michael’s personal and professional life using unseen videos, archive footage, and interviews. From his early go-kart career to the struggle with the death of Ayrton Senna, ‘Schumacher’ paints a moving portrait of the legendary racer with an accurate depiction of his failures, successes, and fears.

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2. Barry (2016)

Directed by Vikram Gandhi, ‘Barry’ is a drama movie that centers upon Barack Obama’s college days and gives viewers a unique perspective on his life. In the early 1980s, the 44th President of the United States reached New York as a 21-year-old exchange student to Columbia University, where he made friends with his roommate, Will. Barack participated in debates about philosophy and American society and took an active interest in political affairs. ‘Barry’ gives viewers an intimate understanding of what Obama was like during his early 20s and offers a closer look at the interests that eventually made him the leader he is today.

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1. The Most Hated Woman in America (2017)

Tommy O’Haver’s ‘The Most Hated Woman in America’ is a biographical drama film that stars Melissa Leo, Peter Fonda, Sally Kirkland, and Rory Cochrane. The film centers upon Madalyn Murray O’Hair, an activist, atheist, and proponent for the separation of church from the state who fiercely advocated for his beliefs despite the challenges in her path. Unfortunately, she gets kidnapped in the mid-90s along with her son Garth and granddaughter Robin by people who detest her ideas which eventually ends tragically.

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18 biopics to watch on Netflix right now

• Biographical movies exploring the lives of real people are always popular films.
• Actors are often given awards for these roles while audiences learn more about historical figures.
• Insider lists the 18 best biopics to watch on Netflix listed in chronological order by release year.

'Bonnie and Clyde' (1967)

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway took on the title roles in this movie, which focus on American criminals, Bonnie and Clyde, infamous bank robbers during the Great Depression.

Both landed Oscar nominations for their portrayals. In fact, the movie earned five acting nominations in total (winning supporting actress for Estelle Parsons), plus nods for best director and best picture, too.

'The Pianist' (2002)

Controversial director Roman Polanski won best director for this movie that is based on the autobiography of Holocaust survivor Władysław Szpilman.

The movie also won best actor for its young star Adrien Brody, too, for his critically acclaimed performance as Szpilman. 

'Milk' (2008)

Gus Van Sant's "Milk" tells the story of gay rights activist Harvey Milk , the first-ever openly gay person to be elected to public office in California.

Sean Penn won an Oscar for playing Milk, while a stellar supporting cast includes James Franco, Josh Brolin, and Diego Luna.

The movie was written by Dustin Lance Black, who also won an Oscar for his work.

'Ip Man' (2008)

"Ip Man" and its three sequels are the ultimate compendium of the life and times of Ip Man, the grandmaster of Wing Chun and the teacher of Bruce Lee. 

The stunning cinematography and choreography help to bring a unique visual style to these biographical films.

Good news, too. "Ip Man" two, three, and four are all also on Netflix, so you can watch the entire saga.

'The Social Network' (2010)

Aaron Sorkin's masterful screenplay served as the basis for this film, which explores how Mark Zuckerberg created what would later be known as Facebook.

Jesse Eisenberg plays Zuckerberg, while Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, and Rooney Mara chip in with outstanding supporting performances, too. The movie competed for multiple Oscars, but ultimately only won for Sorkin's script despite David Fincher being a hot contender for best director. 

'My Week With Marylin' (2011)

There have been many biographical films and TV shows that have explored the life of Marilyn Monroe , but none match up to Michelle Williams' performance as the iconic actress.

This movie cleverly focuses on one week in 1956, when Monroe was shooting the 1957 film "The Prince and the Showgirl" with Laurence Olivier (played in this film by Kenneth Branagh).

While shooting the film in London, Monroe is escorted around the town by a young, hopeful filmmaker (Eddie Redmayne).

'The Iron Lady' (2011)

Meryl Streep won her third Oscar for this biopic, winning best actress for playing Margaret Thatcher .

While the movie itself received luke-warm reviews, this is worth a watch for Streep's powerhouse performance alone as we are shown Thatcher's life from a young politician to her days as Prime Minister to the years when her health began to decline.

'Get on Up' (2011)

The late, great Chadwick Boseman starred in multiple biopics, but his performance as James Brown in "Get on Up" is one of his very best.

This biopic tells the complete story of Brown's life as he rose from poverty to become one of the most iconic musicians of all time.

'Fruitvale Station' (2013)

Michael B. Jordan made a name for himself with this heartbreaking and tragic movie following the story of Oscar Grant III.

The movie, which also stars fellow future MCU star Brie Larson, follows Oscar on the last day of 2008, which detailed how he was killed at the hands of police.

'Philomena' (2013)

Steve Coogan traded in his comedy chops for more drama with this movie, which he also wrote (with Jeff Pope).

Coogan plays a journalist who agrees to take on the story of an elderly Irish woman's (Judi Dench) search for her long-lost son, who was taken away from her by nuns when she was forced to live in a convent.

Dench earned an Oscar nomination for her funny and moving performance.

'The Theory of Everything' (2014)

This movie explores the lives of Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his now ex-wife Jane Hawking (Felicity Jones), from their times as university students to Hawking's diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and onwards.

Jones earned an Oscar nomination for her role while Redmayne won the Oscar for best actor.

'Legend' (2015)

Another case of an actor's performance outshining their own film. In "Legend," Tom Hardy takes on the dual role of Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie, as the film follows the rise and fall of the infamous gangsters.

Hardy is unrecognizable in both roles and this film is worth watching for him alone.

'Trumbo' (2015)

Bryan Cranston earned his first and (so far) only Oscar nomination for his portrayal of blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, the man who wrote "Spartacus," "Roman Holiday" and "The Brave One."

This biopic follows Trumbo's early success in the industry to his eventual blacklisting in Hollywood for being a member of the USA's communist party and his career thereafter.

'Steve Jobs' (2015)

Another killer script from Aaron Sorkin served as the basis for this quietly-thrilling look at Steve Jobs, the late creative who built Apple.

The movie cleverly focuses on three separate product launches in different years, showing the sort of person Jobs was at work and at home.

Despite a troubled production history, which saw a change of actors and directors more than once, the movie soars with Michael Fassbender in the lead role of Jobs. He and Kate Winslet were both nominated for Oscars.

'The Founder' (2016)

This is the story of how one of the largest and most recognizable brands in the world was made: McDonald's.

Michael Keaton stars as the shady, ruthless, and ambitious businessman Ray Kroc, who stole the McDonald brothers' fast food business out from under them.

'The Two Popes' (2019)

While a movie about two Popes chatting for two hours might not sound thrilling, it actually is.

Written by "The Theory of Everything" scribe Anthony McCarten, Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins star as the future Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI, respectively.

The two men engage in conversational battles of wit, principles, and conflicting opinions as Pope Benedict's time as the head of the Catholic Church comes to an end.

'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile' (2019)

In Zac Efron's darkest ever role , the "High School Musical" alum plays serial killer Ted Bundy.

Told from the point of view of his longtime girlfriend Liz (Lily Collins), who refused to believe the truth about Bundy, we learn of the horrific nature of one of America's most infamous killers.

'Mank' (2020)

Nominated for 10 Oscars and winning two , David Fincher's expertly-crafted movie explores the life of Hollywood screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and how he wrote "Citizen Kane."

Oldman earned an Oscar nomination for playing Mankiewicz, while Amanda Seyfried landed her first-ever Oscar nod for her supporting performance as actress Marion Davies.

Fincher presents this story in the format of a 1940s movie itself, complete with reel-change cigarette burns, which indicate when a film reel needs to be changed.

Disclosure: Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Business Insider's parent company, Axel Springer, is a Netflix board member.

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15+ Best Biography Movies (Biopics) On Netflix Right Now

Biopics are becoming a more popular genre as filmmakers are drawn to the real-life experiences of certain individuals. It might be someone’s entire life or just a few pivotal years that form the basis of a fantastic film plot. It’s no surprise that biopics have a strong following. People who have excelled or who have a higher purpose to contribute to the community have amazing stories to tell. They all motivate us to live a more fulfilling life. These stories, on the other hand, are more impactful when they are based on real-life situations. Some stories inspire us to believe in ourselves and our ambitions, while others renew our confidence in humanity.

With films like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “On the Basis of Sex,” and “First Man,” 2012 was a big year for biopics. The next few years will also be jam-packed with fantastic biopics that are already generating a lot of excitement and will give us a closer look at the lives of significant people who have contributed to the evolution of humanity. This includes the Leonardo Da Vinci biopic, Sir Elton John’s story in Rocketman, and the upcoming J.K Rowling biopic. However, until the films are released, you should watch these excellent biopics that you may have missed. The good news is that most of these movies are available on Netflix. All you have to do now is scroll down and pick one of the few biopic movies we’ve featured. This is a selection of good biopics that you can watch right now on Netflix.

With a younger Chadwick Boseman The story of ’42’ is the story of the first African American Major league baseball player Jackie Robinson. The film tells the inspirational tale of an athlete who did not let racial prejudice hinder his chances of having a successful career in sports. With his exceptional abilities and talents, Jackie Robinson proves that his talent extends far beyond the boundaries of racial segregation. If you’re a fan of sports and enjoy watching films about racism from the past This one is for you.

Come Sunday (2018)

The film is based on one episode from the popular radio show known as ‘This American Life’. The biopic follows an internationally famous pastor who was known as Carton Pearson. When Carton refused to conform to the morals that the Church imposes and began proclaiming there was no heaven, the pastor was ostracized by his church as well as the Christian community, who branded the pastor as an unorthodox nonconformist. The film is a source of mixed reviews when it is viewed by critics due to the fact that it is against the beliefs of many people. Don’t let the negative reviews make you believe that this film is fantastic and features some incredible cinematography and acting.

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Christine (2016)

Christine Chubbuck was a TV reporter back during the 1970s. The film tells her story through the lens of her struggles as a woman working and the pressures of her home, and her own depression. The film has been unnoticed, but it deserves more attention. It can get inside your head and make you feel sad with its sadistic characters and storyline that is a bit slow and uncomfortable throughout. Be aware that this film can cause anxiety for people who are currently going through some sort of issue, but it’s an excellent film with some outstanding acting.

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

With Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto The film ‘Dallas Buyers’ is a touching tale of a rodeo star named Ron who lives his life on his own terms and doesn’t care about the people around him. However, his life is turned upside down when he’s identified with AIDS and this is when Ron discovers a drug that is banned that can help him live. Incredibly moved by the struggle of fellow AIDS sufferers, he decides to sneak the drug into his home and distribute it to those who are in need. If you’ve ever doubted Matthew McConaughey’s actingskills, this film will convince you of his talent and to Jared Leto, this one is likely to be one of his finest performance.

First They Killed My Father (2017)

Produced and directed by Angeline Jolie. This film is the real story of a five-year-old girl known as Loung Ung and her struggles with her family members when she was a victim of the Khmer Rouge had taken over Cambodia in 1975. The Khmer Rouge’s brutal rule resulted in the deaths of more than two million Cambodians. The film reveals the process by which Ung and her family members were taken to Labor Camps and were taught in the art of becoming soldiers an extremely young and fragile age. The film has a significant quantity of accuracy in the past, and it is evident that much effort was put into telling Loung the story of Ung. The film doesn’t focus too much on the gore and violence that was prevalent in the time, but instead depicts the chaos and terror of the period, which makes this film a fantastic film to watch.

Lincoln (2012)

“Lincoln” gives you the most accurate historical insight into the struggles of America’s president to abolish slaves during his time in the American Civil War, Confronted by the nation as well as the Cabinet members. Lincoln does his best and is racing against time to secure approval of the Congress before peace is restored to the country. Lincoln was among the top acclaimed films at the Oscars because of its stunning depiction of the American heroes Abraham Lincoln. It certainly is a benchmark for a biopic, and definitely will not be surpassed by other film on similar subject.

Lion (2016)

“Lion” is a biopic that centers on the story of the life of an Indian child who is adopted and raised in the care of the same Australian couple. The film stars Dev Patel, the movies tells the story of a little Indian child who is living in the slum along with his family. One day, he is lost while going to the park with his older brother. One incident leads to another, and he is taken in by an Australian couple who treat the child like they would their own in Australia. Beset by the traumatic memories of his family and past The boy attempts to find his family and then returns to his family after more than 25 years. Saroo’s tale is a heartbreaking drama with some great performances from Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel and will make you want to pour the tears out.

Milk (2008)

With Sean Penn and James Franco James Franco and Sean Penn, “Milk” is a story about Harvey Milk starting from his 40th birthday all the way until his passing. The film follows his life through his struggle to fight for the rights of gay people across the United States as an activist , and then becomes the first Californian elected gay official. The biopic also focuses on the relationships he had with two men throughout his journey and how the loss of one truly affects him. “Milk” is a moving film that will make you feel the pain that Harvey Milk and all the gay activists of the time.

Neruda (2016)

“Neruda” tells the story of the poet who won a noble prize Pablo Neruda who is chased by an inspector after joining his Communist group in latter part of 1940s. The most appealing thing about the movie is the fact that it actually transports you back to the 1940s, giving you an entire retro feel featuring car chases that appear to come straight from the 1940s detective films. The narration of both inspector and the suspect battle with one another, giving viewers a mixed impression however, they are at the same time two distinct stories.

Nowhere Boy (2009)

Aaron Taylor Johnson plays the character of a teenager John Lennon who lives with his aunt Mimi and Aunt Mimi in Liverpool. John struggles to establish an authentic connection with his mother following the loss of her husband’s wife and her mother introduces him to musical world when she gives him with a banjo. In the midst of family tensions and conflict, Lenon decides to pursue his interest and begins his own group. The film was produced by the wife of Aaron Taylor Johnson Sam Taylor Johnson and offers an in-depth look at this moment in time. It reveals how specific circumstances shaped John Lennon into becoming the famous musician he became and the way in which the idea of starting The Beatles came through.

Roxanne, Roxanne (2017)

“Roxanne” Roxanne” is a biopic about Lolita “Roxanne Shante” Gooden who, at 14 is battling to become an international hip hop star. Lolita was forced to balance taking care of her family, defending herself from the shady streets in Queensbridge, NYC and make her own life which revolves around her love of. The film offers an inside view of her struggles, but is not a look from the outside at the way she rose to the top of the billboards. It’s still a fun film with great acting performances.

Schindler’s List (1993)

One of the most acclaimed films of this category, this classic tells the touching tale of a self-centered businessman who initially focused on his own advantages from any situation and then becomes an hero after he begins sympathizing with Jews during the World War II and provides them with a shelter to sleep under. He does this to shield the Jews from being gassed at Auschwitz. Auschwitz Concentration Camp and ends in saving the lives of over a thousand Jews. A classic that should be watched by all cinephiles, it proves that there is something good in everyone of us.

The Aviator (2004)

With Leonardo DiCaprio, ‘The Aviator The Aviator’ tells the story about Howard Hughes who started his early filmmaking career at his very personal R.K.O Pictures and spent his remaining time designing aircraft. Hughes was always afflicted with signs of mental illness from an early age, and was also a germophobe. The film also traces his many relationships as well as his willingness to take risks that led him to establish an airline of his own. However, the higher he rises the more the fall, and so do Howard Hughes. The film might not be the best Leo’s work, but it is worth watching and will make you want to learn more about American History around the 30s and 40s.

The Fighter (2016)

Marky Mark is the character of Micky Ward, a struggling with his career as a boxer. The reluctance and inattention of his older sister Dicky (Christian Bale) and his family members towards his professional career don’t really aid his efforts. However, determined to get something worthwhile out of his professional boxing career, Micky Ward does not quit and continues to fight with the help from his partner Charlene (Amy Adams). As his older brother is struggling to rid himself from his drug addictions Micky continues to push himself until he begins to show his potential. Dicky is aware of the struggles that his older brother is experiencing and decides to assist him in his training which eventually helps him become the boxer he’s always wanted to become. The Fighter is the ideal film for all boxing film enthusiasts out there. The film is filled with fantastic music, amazing performances, and a real story that will definitely motivate you.

The Founder (2016)

The Founder is the real tale of Ray Croc who was a salesperson and saw a lucrative business opportunity when he went to two brothers’ exclusive food establishment. The restaurant he founded became an international business that is now known as McDonald’s. As a salesman, Ray was always an entrepreneur and an individual with determination. However, when life handed his lemons, he made sure to made the most of them. However, a closer look at the film could reveal more. Perhaps the film isn’t really about perseverance, but more about the greed of people and their treachery. Check it out to learn more about the joy food that is spreading across the globe.

The King’s Speech (2010)

The story is set during The Second World War, ‘The King’s Speech’ narrates the real tale of the King George VI, who was suffering from several major speech impairments. The stammering issues he suffered from got in his way of showing himself as a leader. To assist him in the issue his wife employs an expert in speech therapy who has an innovative yet efficient ways of overcoming the King’s stammering. Through the process the therapist and King form a strong connection and the King eventually overcomes his handicap to become the leader he’s always wanted to be.

The Pianist (2002)

The film ‘The Pianist’ is inspired by an autobiography written by Wladyslaw Szpilman, an Polish Radio station’s pianist. The main role plays Adrien Brody, who sees the world changing around him in the wake of World War II begins. The film reveals the way in which Szpilman is hidden in the ruin of Warsaw beginning from the moment the war breaks out and he’s separated from his family all the way until the prisoners from those camps get released. The film is among the most enthralling portrayals of the Holocaust and the emotional impact it affected the lives of people in the Jewish community. There has probably never been an even better Adrien Brody in a previous film.

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Last updated May 12, 2024

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The Pianist

Famed Polish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman struggles to survive the onslaught of Nazi tyranny during World War II in this drama based on his memoirs. In spite of his well-known talent, Szpilman spends several years holed up in Warsaw, clinging to life. Details about The Pianist

In this biographical drama, the young Mary of Nazareth grows up as just another young Israelite working in the olive groves under Roman occupation. Following her life, the film captures the weight of Mary's fated role as the Mother of God. Details about Maria Di Nazaret

The Legend is Born: Ip Man

This martial arts biopic follows the early years of Ip Man -- the master who would one day become Bruce Lee's mentor -- as he perfects his Wing Chun style of combat against a small army of villainous foes. Details about The Legend is Born: Ip Man

Masterpiece Classic: The Diary of Anne Frank

In this production based on the classic book, teenager Anne Frank tells, in her own words, how she and her Jewish family hid from the Nazis during World War II. As time drags on, they must balance the fear of their situation and "normal" family life Details about Masterpiece Classic: The Diary of Anne Frank

The Ryan White Story

After contracting HIV from a tainted blood treatment, young hemophiliac Ryan White is ostracized by his Kokomo, Ind., community, forcing the ailing teen and his determined mother to hire a lawyer to fight for Ryan's right to attend public school. Details about The Ryan White Story

Haute Cuisine

Based on real characters and lives, this food-rich drama recounts Hortense Laborie's experiences as personal chef for the president of France. After reluctantly accepting the job, Hortense braves the intimidating atmosphere of the Elysee Palace. Details about Haute Cuisine

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness

Ingrid Bergman stars as Gladys Aylward, a real-life missionary who goes to China during the Sino-Japanese War. As the hostile Chinese begin to trust her, she takes on an arduous task: guiding 100 children through enemy territory and into safety. Details about The Inn of the Sixth Happiness

American Violet

Inspired by true events, this penetrating drama centers on Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie), a 24-year-old mother of four who's forced to take on a corrupt district attorney (Michael O'Keefe) when she's unjustly prosecuted in a large-scale drug case. Directed by Tim Disney, the inspiring tale also stars Alfre Woodard as Dee's mother, Alma, Tim Blake Nelson as ACLU attorney David Cohen and Will Patton as retired narcotics officer Sam Conroy. Details about American Violet

Both her father (Sam Neill) and mother (Alice Krige) are white, but Sandra Laing (Sophie Okonedo) is born with dark skin -- a complex problem in the era of South African apartheid that soon drives a wedge into the family in this poignant drama based on a true story. Though her parents fight to have the government classify her as white, Sandra grows up in a divided world, and experiences her parents can't understand make her question her identity. Details about Skin

Ike: Countdown to D-Day

Tom Selleck stars as Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower in this action-packed dramatization that chronicles the 90 tense days leading up to his execution of one of history's most renowned military operations: World War II's Normandy invasion. Details about Ike: Countdown to D-Day

Florian Gallenberger directs this gripping drama about John Rabe (Ulrich Tukur), a German businessman living in Nanking, China, who in 1937 used his Nazi party affiliation to save some 200,000 Chinese civilians from slaughter at the hands of the Japanese army. As Rabe labors to establish an official safety zone to shelter the innocent, he forms an unlikely friendship with an American doctor (Steve Buscemi). Anne Consigny and Daniel Brühl co-star. Details about John Rabe

The World's Fastest Indian

This fact-based drama stars Anthony Hopkins as quirky New Zealander Burt Munro, a 67-year-old grandfather who flies across Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats and attempts to break into the record books on his customized Indian Scout motorcycle. Details about The World's Fastest Indian

Brian's Song

In this remake of the Emmy-winning 1971 tearjerker, the friendship of Chicago Bears running backs Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers gets them through difficult times -- especially when Piccolo is stricken with terminal cancer. Details about Brian's Song

My Left Foot

Daniel Day-Lewis won an Oscar for his emotionally and physically complex portrayal of Irish writer Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy and eventually learned to write using the only body part he could control: his left foot. Details about My Left Foot

Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen

This biopic chronicles how the shrewd Virgin Queen assumed the throne of a nation in turmoil, stabilized the economy, earned her subjects' devotion and manipulated a succession of suitors to political advantage. Details about Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen

When King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) names his former drinking partner Thomas à Becket (Richard Burton) the new Archbishop of Canterbury, he counts on his friend's unbending loyalty when it comes to religious matters. But he doesn't expect Becket to take his job so seriously. O'Toole, Burton and co-star John Gielgud turn in a trio of Oscar-nominated performances in this critically acclaimed drama rooted deep in English history. Details about Becket

October Sky

As the Soviet satellite Sputnik streaks across the heavens in October 1957, it's a source of inspiration for 17-year-old Homer Hickam. Drafting a few friends to help, Homer crafts a rocket to compete for a science fair scholarship. Details about October Sky

About Best on Netflix USA

Best on Netflix is the place to discover the best TV shows and movies available on Netflix. Find the newest releases of your favorite movies and TV shows available for streaming on Netflix today. This site lists all the amazing content available to Netflix members. If you want to watch a movie or TV shows, you must go to the official Netflix website. Best on Netflix is not related to Netflix and its purpose is to highlight the great content already available on Netflix since we're such huge fans of their service. We love Netflix just as much as you do! We hope you enjoy this movie and tv show discovery tool.

We have a lot of great features coming up in the next few weeks to help highlight the best movies and TV shows on Netflix, so stay tuned!

7 best Netflix movies based on true stories

These fascinating Netflix movies are based on true events

Some of the best films of all time are based on stories that are so unique, they could only be based on a true story. In an era marked by the limitless possibilities of fantastical storytelling featuring superheroes and larger-than-life characters, there's a definite allure to films that draw inspiration from real events, offering audiences a grounded perspective on the world as it exists or once existed. 

From riveting dramas that chronicle the triumphs and tribulations of remarkable individuals to heartwarming comedies that find humor in the quirks of reality, these are the best movies on Netflix that are based on true stories, ranked. 

Former Vice President Dick Cheney doesn’t immediately come across as a compelling subject for a film. However, Vice, from writer-director Adam McKay takes an absurdist tone to the secretive VP’s time as a politician, with moments of Shakespearean dialogue, an end-credits fake-out right in the middle of the movie, and perhaps one of the most jarring fourth wall breaks in recent cinema history. The film stars an almost unrecognizable Christian Bale as Dick Cheney, with Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Justin Kirk, Tyler Perry, Alison Pill, Lily Rabe, and Jesse Plemons rounding out its all-star ensemble cast. 

The film may be unorthodox in its approach to the biopic, but it was a hit with critics when it was released in 2018, garnering eight nominations at the Oscars that year, including for Best Picture, Best Director (Adam McKay), and Best Actor (Christian Bale). It may be one of the weirder titles on this list, but you could argue that the life of this cryptic politician was also stranger than fiction, which is why it makes the 

Watch on Netflix

6. Hacksaw Ridge

Andrew Garfield gives a career-defining performance in Hacksaw Ridge as Desmond Doss, a real-life conscientious objector who served as a medic during World War II who refused to carry a weapon. This gripping drama shows how Doss’ beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist cause his superiors to try and attempt to force him to leave the military. 

However, Doss perseveres and plays a critical role at the Battle of Okinawa, particularly the assault on the Maeda Escarpment (also known as "Hacksaw Ridge"), rescuing 75 wounded soldiers under heavy enemy fire, earning him the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States. 

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The film does not shy away from portraying the brutal and harrowing nature of warfare, but its overall message about the power of peace is one that will deeply resonate with audiences today. 

5. Dolemite is my Name

A more traditional biopic, Dolemite is my Name stars Eddie Murphy and is based on the life of Rudy Ray Moore, a comedian, singer, and film producer in the 1970s. Inspired by the stories he hears at a record store, Moore creates the character Dolemite, a flamboyant and raunchy pimp. After debuting the character successfully on stage, Moore is determined to bring him to the silver screen via a blaxploitation film. However, when production issues and a distribution shut-out threaten to derail his plans, Moore takes the future of Dolemite into his own hands, refusing to give up on his dream of bringing the character to life on film.

The film seamlessly blends humor with a heartfelt story, and seeing how the real-life Moore overcame incredible obstacles to bring his vision to movie theaters makes this a hilarious movie that is surprisingly full of heart. 

4. The Social Network

You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies. 

The tagline from David Fincher’s The Social Network perfectly encapsulates the tone of this film, which chronicles not only the rise of Facebook but also the lengths co-founder Mark Zuckerberg went to keep control of what would become the world’s largest social media platform. 

Jesse Eisenberg plays young Mark Zuckerberg, who audiences first meet in the film as a student at Harvard University. The film then goes on to explore the creation of the social media giant, as well as the role that Zuckerberg’s associates Eduardo Saverin (played by Andrew Garfield) and Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (both played by Armie Hammer) played in its development. The film uses a unique, non-linear structure, which weaves together multiple timelines and legal depositions to underscore just how competitive and cutthroat the creation of Facebook truly was. 

3. BlacKKKlansman

Spike Lee’s 2018 movie BlacKKKlansman follows the incredible true story of Ron Stallworth, played by John David Washington, a Black police detective in Colorado Springs, who successfully infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan.

In the film, Stallworth poses as a white supremacist over the phone and uses his Jewish colleague, Flip Zimmerman (played by Adam Driver), to attend Klan meetings in person. Together, they work undercover to expose the Klan's activities and prevent potential acts of violence.

Though the movie takes place in the 1970s, Lee draws sharp parallels to the modern era. The film’s final sequence features an impactful double dolly shot that transports audiences in a way that may be uncomfortable, but hammers home the film’s themes in a very unique and powerful way. 

2. The Wolf of Wall Street

Martin Scorcese tackles the excess of the 1990s with The Wolf of Wall Street, which follows the story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who committed massive securities fraud in the 1990s to get obscenely rich very quickly. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Belfort as a cocky, uniquely driven borderline-sociopath who not only tries to convince other characters on screen that he’s the smartest guy in the room, but also the audience as well, through the use of frequent fourth-wall breaks where he addresses them directly. 

The film is unflinching in its examination of the culture of greed and excess prevalent on Wall Street not only during the 1990s but in the modern day as well. It also features strong performances from its stacked supporting cast, which includes Margot Robbie, Matthew McCougnahey, and Jonah Hill. 

1. The Trial of the Chicago 7

Directed by Aaron Sorkin, 2020’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 is based on the real-life court case that charged a group of seven people with conspiracy related to anti-Vietnam War protests during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Though primarily a courtroom drama, the film weaves in flashbacks to the events leading up to the protests, providing context for the motivations and actions of the defendants as it shows how a fundamental right as basic as the right to protest was under attack during this time period. Featuring strong performances from an ensemble cast that includes Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Rylance, Jeremy Strong, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Frank Langella, this film is a stark reminder of the power of free speech, and how it can often come under threat from those tasked with its protection.

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Amanda Kondolojy is an entertainment journalist based in Florida with over 15 years of experience covering film, TV, theme parks and more. When not in front of a screen you can find her reading something at the beach (usually by Neil Gaiman, Grady Hendrix or Brandon Sanderson) or dancing around the kitchen to her favorite showtunes. 

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The 50 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now

There are so many film experiences to choose from on Netflix, let us help you narrow down your choices.

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By Jason Bailey

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The sheer volume of films on Netflix — and the site’s less than ideal interface — can make finding a genuinely great movie there a difficult task. To help, we’ve plucked out the 50 best films currently streaming on the service in the United States, updated regularly as titles come and go. And as a bonus, we link to more great movies on Netflix within many of our write-ups below. (Note: Streaming services sometimes remove titles or change starting dates without giving notice.)

Here are our lists of the best TV shows on Netflix , the best movies on Amazon Prime Video and the best of everything on Hulu and Disney Plus .

‘Four Daughters’ (2023)

In 2015, two of Olfa Hamrouni’s four daughters disappeared into the world of Islamic extremism. The director Kaouther Ben Hania could have told their story as a standard documentary, intermingling talking heads with archival footage and the like. Instead, she stages re-creations and dramatizations of central moments in these splintering relationships, casting actors as the departed daughters to act alongside the two daughters who remain, and with Hamrouni involved in some scenes and directing an actor playing her in others. It sounds gimmicky, but Ben Hania’s approach becomes a powerful method of grappling with the mistakes of the past. (“ Procession ” is a similarly powerful example of filmmaking as therapy.) Watch on Netflix

‘Starship Troopers’ (1997)

The director Paul Verhoeven pulled one of the great bait-and-switches of the modern blockbuster era with this sci-fi and action hybrid, which lured in viewers with the promise of laser-toting heroes vaporizing giant bug creatures. It delivered that action, but then surrounded it with a merciless satire, in which a futuristic authoritarian government uses propaganda and jingoism to convince its youth to die cheerfully for the flag. His young, pretty cast — including Denise Richards, Casper Van Dien, Neil Patrick Harris and Dina Meyer — plays the material absolutely straight, which somehow renders it especially disturbing.

Watch on Netflix

‘Mister Organ’ (2023)

The New Zealand journalist David Farrier has carved out an unusual niche for himself, making documentaries about fringe figures who at first seem to be jokey oddities but later reveal disturbing dimensions and shadowy back stories. His previous feature, “Tickled,” took him into the bizarre world of Competitive Endurance Tickling, and the mysterious figure bankrolling it; this time, an investigation into predatory parking practices puts him in the sights of a con artist named Michael Organ. And that’s when things really get strange. As with “Tickled,” Farrier’s latest begins like a human interest story and turns into something closer to a thriller, as the peculiarities of this unstable personality reveal themselves, often unnervingly. Farrier is a solid anchor for this strange journey, proving unflappable (and capable of finding the gallows humor) in even the most extreme of circumstances. Watch on Netflix

‘Frances Ha’ (2013)

Greta Gerwig writes ( with the director Noah Baumbach ) and stars in this charming chronicle of the struggles of a young woman who is trying to make her way in the big city. It’s a tale as old as time, but Gerwig’s off-center charm juices it with new life while Baumbach’s “Manhattan”-style, black-and-white photography gives the picture a lushness uncharacteristic of New York indies. It’s an approach that mirrors the film itself, which seems lightweight and offhanded but holds unexpected truths about friendship, maturity and finding a true version of oneself. Our critic praised its “ swift, jaunty rhythms and sharp, off-kilter jokes .” (Baumbach’s “ Marriage Story ” is also on Netflix.) Watch on Netflix

‘El Conde’ (2023)

Pablo Larraín, who directed “Jackie” and “Spencer,” delivers his most unconventional riff on the biopic yet with this stylized hybrid of dark comedy, social commentary and gore-heavy horror. The premise is delicious, positing that the Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet (Jaime Vadell) was, in fact, a vampire who faked his own death and went into hiding in the country. The razor-sharp script, by Larraín and the Chilean playwright Guillermo Calderón, ruminates on the parasitic nature of capitalism with wit and intelligence. The cleverness of the narration (which not only tells the story but wryly comments on it) is topped only by the reveal of who is voicing it. Ed Lachman’s black-and-white cinematography stuns, and Larraín injects the proceedings with genre thrills and bleak laughs. Watch on Netflix

‘The Edge of Seventeen’ (2016)

Nadine Franklin (Hailee Steinfeld) is a fairly typical teen — cynical, bitter, intelligent and mouthy, yet plagued by , awkwardness, a lack of confidence and self-destructiveness. In this “ smart, achingly bittersweet comedy ,” the first-time director Kelly Fremon Craig tells the story of how Nadine hits bottom (the high school version of it, anyway) and struggles mightily to bounce back with the help of a teacher with the patience of a saint (Woody Harrelson), and a best friend who has made things … complicated (Haley Lu Richardson). Steinfeld plays Nadine to the hilt, crafting a portrait of teenage ennui and social anxiety that’s as recognizable as it is uproarious. Watch on Netflix

‘Roma’ (2018)

This vivid, evocative memory play from Alfonso Cuarón is a story of two Mexican women in the early 1970s: Sofía (Marina de Tavira), a mother of four whose husband (and provider) is on his way out the door, and Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), the family’s nanny, maid and support system. The scenes are occasionally stressful, often heart-wrenching, and they unfailingly burst with life and emotion. Our critic called it “ an expansive, emotional portrait of life buffeted by violent forces, and a masterpiece .” Watch on Netflix

‘Jumanji’ (1995)

The first film adaptation of the beloved 1981 children’s book, this breathlessly energetic family adventure stars Robin Williams as a child trapped for decades in a board game, Bonnie Hunt as a friend who barely made it out and Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce as the contemporary children who help him escape — and must then finish the game. Joe Johnston (“Captain America: The First Avenger”) directs with the proper mixture of childlike enthusiasm and wide-eyed terror, and the special effects (of wild animals and swarms of insects descending on suburban enclaves) remain startlingly convincing. (For more family-friendly fun, try “ Paddington ” and “ Storks .”) Watch on Netflix

‘Traffic’ (2000)

This tough, wise and somewhat cynical take on the war on drugs is told from the separate perspectives of a street-smart Mexican cop, a newly-appointed American drug czar and a pair of D.E.A. agents. The director and cinematographer Steven Soderbergh gives each section its own look, tempo and attitude, all captured with the energy of a ground-level documentary. The result is a panorama of a film, its variety of styles and aesthetics a masterly match for the geopolitical complexity of its subject. The performances are stunning, with standout turns by Benicio Del Toro (who won an Oscar for the role) as a good cop trying to play both sides of the fence, Catherine Zeta-Jones as a California housewife whose husband’s arrest brings out her inner kingpin, and Michael Douglas as the political expert who discovers exactly how much he doesn’t know. (For more Oscar-winning acting, stream “ Minari ,” “ Places in the Heart ” and “ Darkest Hour .”) Watch on Netflix

‘The Thin Blue Line’ (1988)

The director Errol Morris had one of the most commercially successful documentaries of his era with this searing profile of Randall Dale Adams, wrongly convicted in 1976 for the murder of a Dallas policeman. The film was made and marketed less as a documentary than as “nonfiction noir,” using stylized re-enactments, haunting music, colorful characters and striking visuals to create a real-life thriller with the tension and tautness of a Hitchcock picture. Our critic called it a “ brilliant work of pulp fiction .” (For more fascinating nonfiction, try “ The Life and Death of Marsha P. Johnson .”) Watch on Netflix

‘The Act of Killing’ (2013)

In profiling leaders of the Indonesian death squads of the mid-1960s, the documentarian Joshua Oppenheimer invites them to stage elaborate and surreal recreations of their crimes in the cinematic style of their choosing (musical, gangster, western, etc.). In doing so, Oppenheimer directs his subjects to make an upsetting but telling statement on self-deception and the toxicity of power, and on the lies we tell ourselves in order to sleep at night. Our critic deemed it “ dogged, inventive, profoundly upsetting and dismayingly funny .” (Oppenheimer’s follow-up, “ The Look of Silence ,” is also on Netflix.) Watch on Netflix

‘Amadeus’ (1984)

Milos Forman’s adaptation of Peter Shaffer’s stage hit was the big winner of the 57th annual Academy Awards, taking home eight trophies, including best picture, best director and best actor (F. Murray Abraham). The combination of its hardware and logline — a period biography of the classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — makes it sound much more like homework than it is. But “Amadeus” is an all-out entertainment, an “ exhilarating ” and funny two-hander that approaches Mozart less as a serious musical genius than a punk-rock provocateur, a giggling vulgarian whose bad manners render his unmistakable genius all the more heartbreaking to his jealous contemporary Antonio Salieri (Abraham). (Other Oscar winners on Netflix include “ The Killing Fields ,” “ Born on the Fourth of July ” and “ Out of Africa .”) Watch on Netflix

‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984)

Wes Craven went from a genre journeyman to a horror icon — and launched one of the most venerable slasher franchises ever — with this 1984 creeper. Craven wrote and directed this story of suburban teens that find their dreams haunted — often with deadly, real-life results — by the neighborhood boogeyman, Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). Heather Langenkamp is the resourceful protagonist, while Johnny Depp, in his film debut, is one of the more memorable victims. Subsequent sequels would highlight Krueger with greater prominence but diminishing returns, effectively turning the films into horror-comedies. But this inaugural entry is a lean, mean, scare machine, filled with terrifying images and well-crafted suspense. (For more Craven and Freddy, stream “ Wes Craven’s New Nightmare ”; for more horror, try “ The Babadook .”) Watch on Netflix

‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1’ (2003) / ‘Kill Bill: Vol. 2’ (2004)

Quentin Tarantino spent six years making his follow-up to “Jackie Brown,” and he ended up shooting enough material for not one, but two movies. They’re best seen together, in old-school, grindhouse double-feature form, allowing Tarantino to spin this globe-trotting yarn about a retired assassin (a fierce and furious Uma Thurman) who hunts down the former colleagues who left her for dead on her wedding day. Paying loving tribute to the exploitation movies of multiple eras and cultures, Tarantino dabbles in kung fu, anime, spaghetti western and blaxploitation, deliriously hopping styles like a movie-crazy kid swapping out VHS tapes. But in all the pyrotechnics, he maintains his gift for quotable dialogue and charismatic characters, ending his blood-soaked saga on a surprisingly warm and human note. Watch ‘Vol. 1’ here and ‘Vol. 2’ here on Netflix

‘Melancholia’ (2011)

The first half of this “ excursion from the sad to the sublime by way of the preposterous” is a virtuoso portrait of social awkwardness and inappropriateness, as a bride (a stunning Kirsten Dunst) struggles and fails to overcome her crippling depression at her wedding reception. Her family and friends are an assemblage of human triggers far more distressing to her than the crisis of the second half, in which it’s learned that a rogue planet is on a collision course with Earth, and our protagonist discovers that when you’ve spent your life feeling like the world is ending, the event itself can produce a strange calm. The writer and director Lars von Trier (“Breaking the Waves”) tells this dark story with bleak humor and operatic flourishes, as well as a deep empathy for the women at its center. (For more of Dunst, stream “ The Beguiled ” and “ All Good Things .”) Watch on Netflix

‘Starman’ (1984)

John Carpenter’s “The Thing” is now acknowledged as one of the great science fiction and horror mash-ups of all time, but it didn’t connect with audiences or critics upon its 1982 release, forcing Carpenter to try something new for his follow-up. This earnest romantic drama was initially compared to “E.T.” for its story of an alien visitor and the human life he changes. But the stakes are quite different; Jeff Bridges stars as the alien, who lands near a remote cabin and takes on the human form of the dead ex-husband of its inhabitant (Karen Allen). Bridges is terrific as the being not at home in its temporary body — the role is “ a fine showcase for the actor’s blend of grace, precision and seemingly offhanded charm ,” our critic wrote — and he and Allen generate genuine if unexpected chemistry. (Fans of this genre mash-up may also enjoy “ Repo Man .”) Watch on Netflix

‘Moscow on the Hudson’ (1984)

Robin Williams turns in an “ extraordinarily complex performance ” as a Russian circus saxophonist who defects to the United States — during a trip to Bloomingdale’s, no less — in this delightful fish-out-of-water story from the co-writer and director Paul Mazursky (“Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice”). It’s a gentle tale of a good man making his way in the Big Apple, which Mazursky pitches with both Capra-esque innocence and a pointed perspective; everyone our hero encounters is, in their own way, also not from here , making this warm comedy-drama a tender Valentine to found families and new beginnings. (For more ’80s comedy-drama, try “ Birdy .”) Watch on Netflix

‘Role Models’ (2008)

The raw edge yet soft heart of this wildly funny bad-boy comedy, and the presence of the frequent leading man Paul Rudd, might lead you to assume it’s the work of Judd Apatow. But the roots of “Role Models” go back farther than that — the director is David Wain, one of the minds behind the comedy troupe the State — and several of its members (including Kerri Kenney-Silver, Joe Lo Truglio and Ken Marino) turn up in supporting roles. Rudd and Seann William Scott star as a pair of irresponsible energy drink salesmen who are ordered to perform community service, and wind up in a Big Brother-type program, mentoring a foul-mouthed kid and a cosplaying nerd.

‘The Hunger Games’ (2012)

Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen, a resourceful teenager who volunteers to compete in the decadent, dangerous televised title event, in which teens engage in blood sport to entertain the rich. The film series hadn’t quite found its footing in this initial outing, but it contains much of what makes the movies memorable — the tense action sequences, the striking costume and production design and especially Lawrence’s tough, muscular work in the leading role. (Netflix is also streaming the sequels “ The Hunger Games: Catching Fire ,” “ The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 ” and “ The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 .”) Watch on Netflix

‘Wild Things’ (1998)

The impressive 1990s run of erotic thrillers was nearly at its end when the director John McNaughton (“Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer”) directed his entry into the subgenre, which gleefully revels in the sordidness of its story while also slyly winking at its conventions — he has his sleazy cake and eats it too. Denise Richards became a star via her hubba-hubba turn as a rich bad girl who accuses a teacher (Matt Dillon) of assault, a charge echoed by a tough young woman from the wrong side of the tracks (Neve Campbell, turning her “Scream” image inside out). But that’s just the setup; the clever script is filled with reverses, reveals and double-crosses, resulting in a trashy delight that is equal parts Hitchcock and Cinemax After Dark. (If you love lurid erotic thrillers, try Brian DePalma’s “ Body Double .”)

‘A Single Man’ (2009)

The fashion designer turned filmmaker Tom Ford made his feature directorial debut with this moving, melancholy (and, unsurprisingly, aesthetically stunning) adaptation of the novel by Christopher Isherwood. An Oscar-nominated Colin Firth stars as George, a college professor and “bachelor,” as gay men in his era were so often euphemistically known. Accompanying George through one long, difficult day — the anniversary of the death of his boyfriend — Ford burrows deep into the tortured psyche of his protagonist, and Firth is up to the challenge, playing the role with what Manohla Dargis called “ a magnificent depth of feeling .” Watch on Netflix

‘Inside Man’ (2006)

Spike Lee is the heir apparent to Sidney Lumet as New York’s most reliable hometown filmmaker, so it only makes sense that he would eventually work his way around to a homage to Lumet’s sweaty-city classic, “Dog Day Afternoon.” In Lee’s variation, Clive Owen is a cool and confident bank robber who’s interested in something much more valuable than money; Denzel Washington is at his smooth-talking movie-star best as the brilliant police hostage negotiator who’s trying to beat the criminal and the clock. (Lee’s “ Da 5 Bloods ” is also streaming on Netflix.) Watch on Netflix

‘The Matrix’ (1999)

When this mind-melting hit from the Wachowskis landed in theaters in the spring of 1999, its shock waves reverberated throughout the filmmaking of the new millennium. Adroitly combining elements of dystopian science fiction, Asian action cinema, anime and cyberpunk, it concerns a dissatisfied hacker (Keanu Reeves) who learns that reality is an illusion and the mentors (Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss) who lead him on that journey. It is among the most imitated of blockbusters of the past quarter-century, but none have matched its relentless energy and narrative dexterity. (For more stylish ’90s action, watch “ Mr. & Mrs. Smith ” or “ Léon: The Professional .”) Watch on Netflix

‘Molly’s Game’ (2017)

The Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin made his feature directorial debut with this brisk and intelligent adaptation of the memoir by Molly Bloom, who ran secret poker games for the obscenely wealthy until she got in too deep with the Russian mob. Jessica Chastain stars as Bloom, and her icy cool demeanor and rapid-fire delivery make her an ideal Sorkin heroine. Idris Elba stars as her lawyer, and the two of them perfect a rat-tat-tat back-and-forth that, at its best, recalls Hepburn and Tracy. It’s an engaging picture, filled with solid performers and smart dialogue.

‘Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’ (2006)

Will Ferrell re-teamed with his “Anchorman” co-writer and director, Adam McKay, for this goofy sports comedy, which features Ferrell playing another self-assured blowhard surrounded by sycophants. This time, that character is Ricky Bobby, a NASCAR superstar whose life of high speeds and lucrative endorsements comes to a crashing halt. It’s as broad and silly as his and McKay’s previous collaboration, but it also hints at McKay’s later pivot to social commentary (he was a multiple Oscar nominee for “The Big Short”). McKay sets this story in the so-called Red States, and subtly subverts both the conventional wisdom about that world and about those it sees as outsiders. To do all of that, while landing so many solid laughs, is no small accomplishment. (For more wild comedy, stream “ No Hard Feelings ” or “ The Nutty Professor .”) Watch on Netflix

‘American Graffiti’ (1973)

Between his debut feature “THX 1138” and the seismic sensation of “Star Wars,” George Lucas made a pit stop in the genre of coming-of-age comedy-drama with this teen-centered smash, which he co-wrote and directed. Set entirely on the last night of high school, circa 1962, “Graffiti” tells several stories of seniors standing on the precipice of “real life,” and not sure where to go next. The prescience of the casting is stunning — it’s filled with soon-to-be-stars, including Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Mackenzie Phillips, Suzanne Somers and Cindy Williams — the period music is delightful and the one-crazy-night vibes are immaculate. (If you like comedy and cars, check out “ Smokey and the Bandit ” and “ Baby Driver .”) Watch on Netflix

‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ (2022)

The set-up is a familiar one: a group of highly attractive and wildly irresponsible young people are isolated in a remote location, where they begin turning up dead, one by one. But the director, Halina Reijn, isn’t just cranking out another “Friday the 13th” ripoff; this contemporary thriller-comedy is less interested in a high body count than a biting satire of contemporary narcissism. Sarah DeLappe and Kristen Roupenian’s savvy screenplay has a keen ear for the therapy-speak and personal branding of today’s 20-somethings, while the first-rate ensemble uses its considerable charisma to make their characters fascinatingly repellent; the “Shiva Baby” and “Bottoms” star Rachel Sennott and the “S.N.L.” fave Pete Davidson are the standouts. Watch on Netflix

‘National Lampoon’s Animal House’ (1978)

This wild blockbuster launched the film career of John Belushi, the “slobs vs. snobs” comedy subgenre and the mainstream aspirations of the subversive humor magazine National Lampoon. Following a pair of misfit fraternity pledges (Tom Hulce and Stephen Furst) through their first semester at Faber College in 1962, the randy screenplay by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney and Chris Miller wonders if perhaps that last year of American innocence wasn’t so innocent after all. A deliriously funny rampage of food fights, toga parties, horse abductions and wrecked parades ensues, with the director John Landis engagingly orchestrating the chaos and Belushi stealing every possible scene as the frat’s resident party animal. (For more classic comedy, try “ Richard Pryor: Live in Concert ,” “ Top Secret! ” and “ Micki & Maude .”) Watch on Netflix

‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ (2022)

The impressive haul of Academy Awards accumulated by this indie smash — best picture, best actress Michelle Yeoh, best supporting actor Ke Huy Quan, best supporting actress Jamie Lee Curtis and best directors and original screenplay to Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, known collectively as the Daniels — make it sounds like some kind of awards-bait prestige picture. It’s anything but; this is a madcap mixture of every genre under the sun, in which a harried laundromat owner (Yeoh) unlocks the “multiverse,” and the various lives she is living simultaneously within it. It’s an “ exuberant swirl of genre anarchy ,” A.O. Scott wrote, in which the multiverse conceit allows the Daniels to make several movies (madcap comedy, martial-arts extravaganza, tender relationship drama, science fiction dreamscape), well, all at once. Watch on Netflix

‘She’s Gotta Have It’ (1986)

Spike Lee helped launch the ’90s indie movement and a renewed interest in Black cinema, to say nothing of his own durable career, with this, his feature debut. Lee writes, directs, edits and memorably co-stars as Mars Blackmon, one of the three men vying for the physical and emotional attention of Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns), a Brooklyn graphic artist who has decided not to settle for any one suitor. The picture’s low-budget seams occasionally show, and its sexual politics are occasionally out of date (particularly in the third act). But the cinematic energy, fierce comic spirit and unflinching realism of Lee’s best work is already on display in this formative effort, which also inspired a Netflix series adaptation . Watch on Netflix

‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ (1992)

David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, about real estate salesmen and the desperate measures they’ll take to keep their lousy jobs, was adapted into one of the most potent pictures of the ’90s, thanks to the brute force of Mamet’s dialogue and one of the most remarkable ensemble casts of the era: Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, Jonathan Pryce and Alan Arkin . It’s something of a profanity-laden counterpart to “Death of a Salesman,” its scorched-earth monologues and inventive insults providing the flashy surface to a melancholy indictment of empty capitalism and toxic masculinity . Our critic called it “a movie for which everybody deserves awards .” (Pacino is also excellent in “ The Irishman .” ) Watch on Netflix

‘Devil in a Blue Dress’ (1995)

Denzel Washington is terrific — smolderingly sexy, offhandedly funny, endlessly engaging — as Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins, a ’40s-era private detective, in this beautifully crafted adaptation of Walter Mosley’s novel, from the director Carl Franklin (“One False Move”). Yet even with that great performance at its center, Don Cheadle steals the show as “Mouse,” Rawlins’s troublemaking best friend; this was Cheadle’s breakthrough role, and he makes every scene crackle with energy and unpredictability. “Devil” was based on the first of Mosley’s series of 16 Rawlins novels (to date), and in a just world, we’d have seen Washington play him 15 more times. But at least we got this one. Watch on Netflix

‘Train to Busan’ (2016)

This white-knuckle zombie-apocalypse thriller from the South Korean director Yeon Sang-ho, set onboard a train hurtling toward possible safety, is a fantastic entry into the “relentless action in a confined space” subgenre (recalling “Snowpiercer,” “The Raid,” “Dredd” and the granddaddy of them all, “Die Hard”). The set pieces are energetic, the makeup effects are convincing, and the storytelling is ruthless. (Don’t get too attached to anyone.) But it’s not all blood and bluster; there’s a patient, deliberate setup before the orgy of gore and mayhem, leading to a surprising outpouring of emotion at the story’s conclusion. Our critic deemed it “ often chaotic but never disorienting ” and praised its “spirited set pieces.” (For more South Korean cinema, try “ Okja ” or “ Oldboy .”)

‘Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget’ (2023)

Aardman Animations’s high-spirited and rambunctious sequel to “Chicken Run” (2000) pulls off the tricky sequel balancing act of recapturing the magic of the original without resorting to outright, beat-by-beat imitation. Here, the lives of the chief chickens in the story are disrupted when Molly, the daughter of Ginger and Rocky, slips away from their idyllic island paradise and ends up trapped in the impenetrable fortress of a food factory. “Last time, we broke out of a chicken farm,” says Ginger. “Well, this time, we’re breaking in. ” So instead of the escape adventures that inspired the original film, “Dawn of the Nugget ” is riffing on heist movies, and cleverly; it’s impeccably designed and detailed, the laughs are plentiful and the voice performers are clearly having a ball.

‘ May December’ (2023)

As with so much of his best work, this “sly, unnerving” latest from the director Todd Haynes positions itself precariously in that hair’s breadth between drama and melodrama, between naturalism and camp. Natalie Portman, gamely satirizing actorly pretension, stars as a TV actress cast in an indie film dramatizing the scandalous relationship between a 36-year-old wife and mother and a seventh grade boy. Decades have passed, and the couple is still together, so the actress embeds in their hometown to observe them up close. Haynes winks at the “ripped-from-a-true-story” aesthetics of TV movies and indies, but he takes these people and their rampant narcissism seriously; between the broad comic beats, he finds moments of stealth, emotional brutality and piercing insight. It’s a sharp, funny, merciless movie. (Haynes’s “ Dark Waters ” is also on Netflix.) Watch on Netflix

‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)

Josh and Benny Safdie have all but singlehandedly kept the tradition of the grimy New York street movie alive in the 21st century , with films like “Heaven Knows What” and “Good Time” explicitly recalling the sweaty desperation of ’70s Gotham cinema. Their latest is also their best, featuring a career-high performance from Adam Sandler as a diamond dealer and inveterate gambler whose eternal quest for one big score puts his livelihood — and his very life — on the line. Manohla Dargis called it a “rough and glittering thing of beauty .” (The much earlier, much sillier Sandler vehicle “ Happy Gilmore ” is also on Netflix). Watch on Netflix

‘Stamped From the Beginning’ (2023)

The Oscar-winning documentarian Roger Ross Williams adapts the National Book Award-winner by Ibram X. Kendi into a thought-provoking rumination on the myths and realities of American history. Diving into the knotty legacies of Blackness, whiteness, and white supremacy, Williams brilliantly and incisively juxtaposes archival materials with contemporary insights from an array of scholars, authors and activists. The brisk, 91-minute running time leaves little room for throat-clearing; the results are blunt, provocative and pointed. (Ava DuVernay’s “ 13TH ” is a similarly stimulating exploration of these themes.)

‘Rustin’ (2023)

Bayard Rustin was not the most famous figure of the 1963 March on Washington — that was the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who delivered one of the most quoted pieces of modern oratory at its climax — but Rustin dreamed it up and made it happen. He was a fascinating figure, a driven civil rights organizer who was also openly gay (at a time when that was, to put it mildly, frowned upon) former Communist (ditto). “Rustin” wisely takes its cues from Selma , centering on a single, earth-shattering event, rather than attempting to summarize an entire life from cradle to grave. The director, George C. Wolfe, bracingly gets into the weeds, compellingly dramatizing the logistics of organizing, recruiting and raising both money and awareness for an event of this magnitude. And Colman Domingo, a valuable utility player for years now, shines big and bright in the “ galvanic title performance .” (Wolfe’s adaptation of “ Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom ” is also on Netflix.)

‘Boyz N the Hood’ (1991)

John Singleton’s debut film burned with the kind of energy and intensity that only a first-timer can produce — the feeling that they may not get another shot, so they’re making this one count. Singleton’s heartfelt story of growing up in the Crenshaw section of Los Angeles netted him Academy Award nominations for best original screenplay and best director (he was both the youngest-ever nominee in the latter category, and its first African American), and launched not only his career, but those of several cast members, including Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Angela Bassett, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long and Regina King. Our critic praised Singleton for “ saying something familiar with new dramatic force , and in ways that a wide and varied audience will understand.”

‘I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore’ (2017)

This wildly out-of-the-box dark comedy plays, at first, like the sly story of an amateur sleuth: Our heroine (Melanie Lynskey), frustrated with the indifference of the police to the crime against her, hits pawn shops and confronts criminals to recover her laptop and her grandmother’s silver. But as she gets in over her head, the film’s tone subtly shifts into a key closer to that of a thriller, particularly when we meet the perpetrators, who are scarily small time (and thus have nothing to lose). Such stark tonal contrasts could sink a lesser movie, but the actor-turned-director Macon Blair never loses control, and the increasingly panicked reactions of the marvelous Ms. Lynskey to her escalating situation keep the story grounded in something resembling the real world. It’s a strange little movie, but an oddly satisfying one.

‘The Wailing’ (2016)

What begins as a “Memories of Murder”-style police procedural veers into darker, wilder territory in this unnerving and occasionally stomach-churning horror thriller from the writer and director Na Hong-jin. Jong-goo (Kwak Do-won) is a policeman whose investigation of a string of grisly killings is influenced by the gossip around him: “All this happened,” he is told, “after that Japanese man arrived.” When his family is drawn into the investigation, Jong-goo discovers exactly what he’s capable of — and then things get really horrifying. The expansive 156-minute running time allows leisurely detours into character drama and bleak humor, but the picture never goes slack; there is something sinister in the air of this village, and Na builds that sense of inescapable dread with patience and power. (For more South Korean drama, stream “ Burning .”) Watch on Netflix

‘A Walk Among the Tombstones’ (2014)

It’s a real shame that Liam Neeson had already burned off the good will of his third-act man-of-action career resurgence with too many “Taken” sequels and retreads by the time this taut thriller hit theaters — because it’s far superior to any of his other pictures of the time. That’s partly thanks to the personnel; it’s based on one of a series of crackerjack novels by Lawrence Block, and adapted and directed by Scott Frank (who would later perform the same duties on “The Queen’s Gambit”). But Neeson is also at his best, imbuing cop-turned-private-eye Matthew Scudder with a mixture of soulful regret, unwavering faith and righteous indignation. (For more character-driven action-drama, try Clint Eastwood in “ The Mule .”)

‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ (2022)

This new twist on the classic tale from the Oscar-winning del Toro (who co-directed with Mark Gustafson) is, to be clear, not for the tiny ones — it’s set in Fascist-era Italy and takes several period-appropriate dark turns, while exploring the running theme of the inevitability of death. But older kids, not to mention imaginative adults, will find much to embrace here. The voice performances are terrific (with Ewan McGregor, Christoph Waltz and Tilda Swinton the standouts), the set pieces are jaw-dropping (particularly the staggering whale sequence) and the stop-motion animation is gorgeously detailed, an appropriate match of subject and form — the film itself looks as lovingly handcrafted as Geppetto’s woodwork.

‘High Flying Bird’ (2019)

The director Steven Soderbergh reunites with Andre Holland, his co-star from “ The Knick ,” for this rarest of beasts: a sports movie without any sports. The screenplay by Tarell Alvin McCraney is instead about the business of professional athletics, set during an N.B.A. lockout in which a high-powered agent (Holland) attempts to use the shutdown to turn the entire league — and all of the presumptions and hierarchies of organized sports — upside down. McCraney’s script is rich with historical references and inside-basketball shout-outs; Soderbergh’s direction is reflexively nimble, using on-the-fly photography and interviews with real N.B.A. players to give the film a sense of documentary immediacy. A.O. Scott called it “ an exhilarating and argumentative caper .”

‘Descendant’ (2022)

When the remains of the Clotilda, the last known ship to bring enslaved Africans to the United States, were discovered off the shore of Mobile, Ala., in 2019, it was physical evidence of a long-told piece of local lore — an illegal operation, long after such ships were outlawed, five years before emancipation. So this amounted to the excavation of a crime scene, prompting a giant question for the descendants of those victims: What does justice look like? Margaret Brown’s spellbinding documentary asks that question, which opens up many more thornier conversations about history, complicity and legacy. Our critic called it “ deeply attentive ” and “moving.” (Documentary lovers will also enjoy “ What Happened, Miss Simone? ” and “ Sr. ”) Watch on Netflix

‘The Imitation Game’ (2014)

Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley star in this Oscar-nominated biopic about the British mathematician Alan Turing, who went to work as a German code-cracker in World War II and, in the process, created a machine that many consider the first incarnation of the modern computer. Cumberbatch adroitly conveys the tortured brilliance of Turing, who helped save his country, and was later prosecuted by it for his homosexuality. The efficient direction by Morten Tyldum captures the immediacy and intensity of its subject’s work, yet cleverly folds in his later mistreatment as tragic counterpoint. “The Imitation Game” never quite explodes the conventions of the big-screen biopic, but it’s a sleek, well-made example of the form. (For more Oscar-nominated drama, try “ Living .”)

‘Glass Onion’ (2022)

The writer and director Rian Johnson follows up his Agatha Christie-style whodunit hit “Knives Out” with this delightfully clever comedy-mystery, featuring the further adventures of the world’s greatest detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, still outfitted with neckerchiefs and a deliciously Southern-fried accent). Johnson constructs a “classic detective story with equal measures of breeziness and rigor ,” again focusing on the haves and have-nots, as a gang of rich pals (including Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr., Dave Bautista and Kathryn Hahn) meet up on the isolated island of a Silicon Valley millionaire (Edward Norton). Janelle Monáe, not unlike Ana de Armas in the original, steals the show as the interloper who’s not what she seems. (Johnson’s “ Looper ” is also on Netflix.) Watch on Netflix

‘Emily the Criminal’ (2022)

The thumbnail summary — “Aubrey Plaza becomes a thief” — conjures up a bone-dry comedy in which her deadpan persona creates ironic friction with the criminal underworld. But “Emily the Criminal” isn’t that movie at all; it’s a “ chilly, assured thriller ,” a Michael Mann-ish procedural with nary a wink in sight, and it absolutely (albeit surprisingly) works. The writer and director John Patton Ford creates moments of real tension while also giving what feels like an insider’s view of this world of thieves and hustlers. And if Plaza’s turn as a deep-in-debt temp worker trying her hand at life on the margins sounds like novelty casting, think again — she’s spectacular. (For more indie drama, try “ To Leslie .”) Watch on Netflix

‘Miss Juneteenth’ (2020)

Of all the films that would have been sleeper hits, had they not been released in 2020 when a theatrical push was off the table, it’s hard to top this, the debut feature from the writer and director Channing Godfrey Peoples. Nicole Beharie stars as Turquoise Jones, a Texas single mother whose 15-year-old daughter (Alexis Chikaeze) is about to compete in the local Miss Juneteenth pageant that Turquoise won, once upon a time. Peoples’s screenplay sensitively explores poignant questions of opportunities lost and gained, and the mother/daughter dynamics are convincing and compelling. But the real takeaway here is Beharie, whose marvelous, lived-in performance is both inspiring and shattering.

‘Phantom Thread’ (2017)

The writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson reunited with his “There Will Be Blood” star Daniel Day-Lewis for this strange, beautiful, darkly comic romantic fable. Day-Lewis stars as Reynolds Woodcock, a fictional fashion designer in 1950s-era London; Vicky Krieps is Alma, his latest mistress and muse. He meets her as a waitress and believes her to be yet another disposable lover — only to find that he has, at long last, met his match. Gorgeously rendered and thrillingly acted, “Phantom Thread” initially seems like another portrait of a great and tortured artist, only to curdle into something more insightful (and peculiar). A.O. Scott deemed it “ funny, wrenching, full of large and small surprises .” (For more period drama, queue up “ A Passage to India ” and “ Mudbound .”)

‘American Factory’ (2019)

Documentary filmmakers have long been fascinated by the logistics and complexities of manual labor, but Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert’s recent Oscar winner for best documentary feature views these issues through a decidedly 21st-century lens. Focusing on a closed GM plant in Dayton, Ohio, that’s taken over by a Chinese auto glass company, Bognar and Reichert thoughtfully, sensitively (and often humorously) explore how cultures — both corporate and general — clash. Manohla Dargis calls it “ complex, stirring, timely and beautifully shaped, spanning continents as it surveys the past, present and possible future of American labor.” (Documentary fans should also seek out “ Dick Johnson Is Dead .”) Watch on Netflix

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The 30 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now

Netflix Movies by Category

This post is updated regularly as movies leave and enter Netflix. *New additions are indicated with an asterisk.

With hundreds of films from around the world on the streaming giant that changed the game, how does one even know what to watch when they fire up their Netflix? Start here! We’ve gone through the many films available on the platform and pared down the selection to 30 must-see titles, including acclaimed dramas , action films , comedies , horror flicks , and even stuff for the whole family , with Netflix Originals peppered in throughout, alongside its licensed films. No algorithm nonsense here: Our picks represent the personal favorites of seasoned movie critics, and they’re updated every week and month to include or remove films that join or depart from the streaming service. This list represents the best of Netflix’s movie offerings, and it starts with a new rotating critic’s pick of the week.

This Week’s Critic’s Pick

Public enemies.

Year: 2009 Runtime: 2h 19m Director: Michael Mann

The great director turned his eye to the history of the American mob with the story of John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) and the FBI Agent (Christian Bale) who hunted him across the Midwest. Shot on digital, the look of the film threw a lot of people off, allowing this big-budget epic to be underrated in the film history books. Give it another look. There’s a lot to admire here.

How We Pick Our Films

Critic Brian Tallerico watches and writes about movies and TV every day. To curate this list, he dives into Netflix’s catalogue to surface acclaimed, surprising, or otherwise noteworthy titles — using his taste and a lifetime of cinema study as his guide, instead of whatever the algorithm happens to be pushing. After triple-checking to make sure they’re still available, he watches each, organizes them by category, then writes his recommendation. We highlight more than just Oscar winners or popcorn flicks: These films present interesting ideas, made an impact on cinema, and changed our culture. Read on to find something to watch.

Born on the Fourth of July

Year: 1989 Runtime: 2h 24m Director: Oliver Stone

In 1986, Oliver Stone tackled what it was like to be in country in his personal Platoon , and only three years later he followed up with a story about what it was like to come home from Vietnam in the story of Ron Kovacs. Tom Cruise does arguably the best work of his career in this powerful deconstruction of patriotism and examination of the human cost of war. It’s even better than you remember.

Dark Waters

Year: 2019 Runtime: 2h 7m Director: Todd Haynes

Dark Waters will make you angry. Mark Ruffalo stars in this true story from director Todd Haynes, known for more formally ambitious stuff but able to nail the old-fashioned outrage needed for this one. Based on a New York Times article, the movie details an investigation into the DuPont corporation’s poisoning of a small town with chemicals in the drinking water. Ruffalo is great, and so are Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, and especially the great Bill Camp.

Devil in a Blue Dress

Year: 1995 Runtime: 1h 41m Director: Carl Franklin

Carl Franklin wrote and directed one of the most underrated Denzel Washington performances of all time in this 1995 adaptation of the novel of the same name by Walter Mosley. Washington plays Easy Rawlins, a World War II vet in 1948 who gets drawn into a mystery that classic noir filmmakers would have adored. Charming and riveting, the only crime here is that there wasn’t a whole franchise of films with Washington playing Easy.

Glengarry Glen Ross

Year: 1992 Runtime: 1h 40m Director: James Foley

For a long time, it felt like David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1984 masterpiece was unfilmable, but Foley, working with the playwright as screenwriter, figured it out, assembling one of the best ensembles of the ‘90s to do so. Alec Baldwin notoriously steals his one scene, but the entire cast here is a stunner, especially Al Pacino (who was Oscar-nominated), Alan Arkin, and Jack Lemmon.

Year: 2006 Runtime: 2h 8m Director: Spike Lee

Yes, Spike Lee once made a great action movie. The director of Do the Right Thing and Da 5 Bloods put his spin on the heist film with this great 2006 Denzel Washington vehicle. The regular collaborator plays an NYPD hostage negotiator, called in when a bank heist goes down on Wall Street. Tight and effective, this is just further evidence that Spike Lee can nail any kind of movie he chooses to make. This might be Lee’s most underrated movie. It hums.

Year:  2023 Runtime:  1h 59m Director:  David Fincher

Michael Fassbender gives his best performance in years as an icy hired assassin who struggles to hold things together when a job goes horribly wrong. It’s a movie about a self-proclaimed perfectionist who is constantly defying his own voiceover, a great film that’s alternately hysterical and thrilling. One of the best of 2023.

* The Killing Fields

Year: 1984 Runtime: 2h 21m Director: Roland Joffé

The story of the Khmer Rouge and the genocidal atrocities in Cambodia in the ‘70s is detailed in the Oscar-winning The Killing Fields , a movie that’s sometimes hard to watch but worth the effort, especially as violence around the world has become such a vital talking point in 2024. Sam Waterston and Haing S. Ngor (who won an Oscar) star as journalists investigating the war crimes of the Khmer Rouge in this bleak but important film.

L.A. Confidential

Year: 1997 Runtime: 2h 17m Director: Curtis Hanson

Curtis Hanson directed this adaptation of James Ellroy’s epic crime novel of 1950s Los Angeles. Starring Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, and Kim Basinger, it’s a perfect thriller and one of the best movies of the ‘90s. So many films since this one have tried to mimic the tough-talking thrills of it and fallen completely flat. It’s harder than it looks to be this cool.

May December

Year: 2023 Runtime: 1h 57m Director: Todd Haynes

Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman star in the latest from Carol and Far from Heaven director Todd Haynes, a stunning character study of an actress who discovers that some people are impossible to figure out. Portman plays a star who tries to get under the skin of Moore’s character, a woman who raped a child when she was a teacher, and later married that young man. Charles Melton is phenomenal as the now-grown victim, stuck in perpetual adolescence.

Year:  2011 Runtime:  2h 13m Director:  Bennett Miller

One of the best baseball movies ever made was adapted from the 2003 book by Michael Lewis, which recounts the management of the 2002 season of the Oakland Athletics, and how they changed the way the game is run by bringing analytics into the mix. Brad Pitt gives one of his best performances as general manager Billy Beane, a man who knew he would have to find a new way to evaluate talent if the A’s were going to compete. This is a rich, smart, riveting movie that’s extra-interesting given what the Oakland franchise is going through in 2024.

Year: 2020 Runtime: 1h 47m Director: Sean Durkin

A victim of the pandemic, this was one of the best films of 2020. Carrie Coon and Jude Law star as a married couple with two kids who move from New York City to London in the 1980s and watch as the divides in their union start to widen. A great character study amplified by Durkin’s sharp visual language, this is a fantastic domestic drama, and the best movie on this list that you probably haven’t seen.

The Power of the Dog

Year: 2021 Runtime: 2h 6m Director: Jane Campion

The film that finally won an Oscar for Jane Campion for directing is one of the most acclaimed in the history of the streaming giant. Campion helmed this adaptation of the novel of the same name by Thomas Savage, the story of a vicious landowner (Benedict Cumberbatch) who torments the new wife (Kirsten Dunst) of his brother (Jesse Plemons). A drama that plays like a thriller, this gorgeously rendered period piece unpacks themes of toxic masculinity and manipulation in a way that makes it impossible to turn away. It’s not just one of the best Netflix Original films, it’s one of the best, period, of the 2020s so far.

Year: 2000 Runtime: 2h 27m Director: Steven Soderbergh

Steven Soderbergh and Benicio del Toro won Oscars for an epic examination of the illegal drug trade at the turn of the century. One of the incredible craftsman’s best films, Traffic tackles no less than the entire structure of drugs in North America, intertwining stories of users, politicians, traffickers, and lawmen. Some of the movie feels a little dated, but the sheer force of the filmmaking will always be timeless.

Wild Things

Year: 1998 Runtime: 1h 48m Director: John McNaughton

A classic of the B-movie sleazy thriller era, this is actually a deeply underrated movie, a flick that works from old-fashioned noir and even Greek tragedy to tell the tale of two teenagers (Neve Campbell, Denise Richard) who get caught up in a scheme with a slimy teacher played perfectly by Matt Dillon. It’s remembered most for its sex factor, but this is a clever flick, a movie that plays with class and privilege in fascinating ways.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Year: 2022 Runtime: 2h 19m Directors: The Daniels

After a brief stint on Amazon Prime, this is the first Netflix drop for the 2023 Best Picture winner, a movie that defies categorization as it tells a story of alternate realities and butt plugs. A film that debuted at SXSW, this daring piece of work built an audience through 2022 until it won multiple Oscars, including Best Picture and Director. It’s like nothing else. Anywhere.

Baby Driver

Year: 2017 Runtime: 1h 53m Director: Edgar Wright

It’s a little harder to watch this movie now given the allegations against some of its cast members , but it’s still a remarkably well-made piece of action filmmaking, the kinetically unforgettable story of a getaway driver who knows all the best tunes. Ansel Elgort, Jamie Foxx, and Lily James may be the stars of this movie, but it’s Wright’s showmanship that really steals the spotlight.

Year: 2003 Runtime: 1h 50m Director: Quentin Tarantino

We will still have to wait for the long-promised full cut of the two Kill Bill films into one epic movie (and the long-rumored third volume of this tale), but that shouldn’t stop you from revisiting two of Quentin Tarantino’s best films — both volumes are on Netflix now. In a catalog that includes a lot of great performances (and a few Oscar winners), one of QT’s best is Uma Thurman as The Bride, a legendary action character seeking vengeance on the man who betrayed her.

Year: 1999 Runtime: 2h 16m Director: The Wachowskis

Neo and the gang returned to HBO Max in late 2021 with The Matrix Resurrections , and the response was predictably divisive. You know what’s not divisive? The fact that the first movie still absolutely rules. The story of an average guy who learns that nothing is what it seems has influenced so much pop culture in the over-two decades since this movie was released. You can see Neo everywhere. (And you can watch the entire original trilogy on Netflix now.)

Year: 2003 Runtime: 2h Director: Park Chan-wook

It’s hard to explain to people how this movie moved through the film-loving world before Film Twitter was a thing. Recently restored for its 20th anniversary, Oldboy has now been dropped on Netflix again, and it’s lost none of its searing power. It’s the tale of a man who is kidnapped, and its genius is that it’s not a whodunit as much as a whydunit, forcing viewers and protagonists to wonder about a truly grisly motive until the final unforgettable act.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Year:  2023 Runtime:  2h 20m Director:  Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson

What a gift to Netflix subscribers for this to already be on the service, mere weeks after playing in theaters and landing on Blu-ray. This is how you do a big-budget blockbuster sequel, developing the themes of the first movie and setting up the stake for what now appears will be one of the best trilogies in superhero history. Packed with so much detail and creativity, it’s a film Netflix subscribers will want to watch over and over again. Do so while you still can.

* Knocked Up

Year: 2007 Runtime: 2h 9m Director: Judd Apatow

The movie’s gender politics seem shakier than when it came out, but Judd Apatow’s biggest hit still works because of the intelligence of its screenplay and commitment of its cast, especially Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl. The story of a man forced to grow up when his one-night stand gets pregnant errs a bit too much on the side of the male view, but one can’t deny the pure laughs-per-minute ratio. It’s fun to contrast this with the more recent Long Shot to see how much Rogen has changed (and how much he really hasn’t).

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Year: 1975 Runtime: 1h 29m Director: Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones

During a hiatus between the third and fourth seasons of Monty Python’s Family Circus , the gang of mega-talented comedians decided to make movie history. Inspired by the King Arthur legend, Holy Grail is a timeless comedy, the rare kind of film that will still be making people laugh hundreds of years from now. And while the Monty Python boys were already famous, this film took them to another level, cementing their place in movie history.

Pineapple Express

Year: 2008 Runtime: 1h 52m Director: David Gordon Green

Seth Rogen gives one of his best performances as Dale Denton, an average guy who just wants to get high. He visits his dealer (played perfectly by James Franco) on the wrong night as the pair cross paths with hitmen and a police officer on the wrong side of the law. This is an incredibly funny movie, and you don’t need to be high to love it.

The Babadook

Year:  2014 Runtime:  1h 33m Director:  Jennifer Kent

One of the best horror films of the 2010s has not been widely available for streaming subscribers so take the chance to watch it again while it’s on Netflix. Jennifer Kent’s directorial debut centers on a mother (Essie Davis) who struggles to raise her problem child alone after the death of her husband. Oh, and there’s also a real monster in the boy’s room.

Gerald’s Game

Year: 2017 Runtime: 1h 43m Director: Mike Flanagan

Before he helmed The Haunting of Hill House , Mike Flanagan co-wrote and directed one of the best Netflix Original horror films in this adaptation of Stephen King’s 1992 novel of the same name. Carla Gugino is phenomenal as a woman who gets handcuffed to her bed by her toxic husband…and then he has a heart attack. As she tries to figure out how she will survive, she accesses the trauma of her past.

Year: 2016 Runtime: 1h 57m Director: M. Night Shyamalan

James McAvoy gives the best performance of his career in what’s widely considered M. Night Shyamalan’s comeback film. He plays a kidnapper who happens to have many personalities, and the most dangerous one of all is on its way. The script kind of falls apart, but this is an impressive performance platform for McAvoy, who gives it his all, and then some.

For Kids & Family

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Year: 2022 Runtime: 1h 56m Director: Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson

The Oscar-winning director took his visionary skills to stop-motion animation with this instant classic, a retelling of the beloved fairy tale about the wooden boy who longed to be real. With spectacular voice work, this version reimagines Pinocchio during the period before World War II, allowing del Toro to explore his themes of innocence and violence again. It’s a deeply personal, beautiful film.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Year: 2023 Runtime: 1h 42m Director: Joel Crawford

No one would have predicted that the presumed-dead Shrek franchise had another spin-off sequel of this caliber yet to be released, but December 2022 saw the critical and commercial success of arguably the best film in the entire series. Using a style more reminiscent of Into the Spider-verse than typical DreamWorks, The Last Wish is a gorgeous and surprisingly moving story of the title character dealing with something he never expected to face: mortality. It’s funny, clever, and memorable.

Wendell & Wild

Year: 2022 Runtime: 1h 46m Director: Henry Selick

The director of A Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline finally returned this year with this clever and twisted tale co-written by Oscar winner Jordan Peele. The comedian also co-stars as one of the title characters, the literal demons for a girl who blames herself for the death of her parents. Selick is a master of stop-motion animation and this project allows him to stretch his visual prowess in new, gross ways. It’s a new Halloween classic (that can be watched any time, of course!)

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The 45 Best Movies on Netflix This May

Our handy, extensive guide is updated weekly with all-new picks.

Spring is finally in the air, but that doesn't mean you can't still stay in and have a great movie night. As new plants start to grow, so does Netflix's movie selection, from romances like Set It Up to recent Oscar contenders like Rustin and Nyad . Whether you're looking for something deep and thought-provoking or light for the whole family, there are a plethora of incredible films on Netflix. With over 40 amazing movies on this list alone, it can be difficult to choose, but our carefully written recommendations will help you find just what you're looking for.

Rest assured, this list has been carefully considered and curated by seasoned Collider editors with decades of combined experience — not to mention a passion and enthusiasm for the medium. Only the crème de la crème has made the cut. Read on to discover the best movies to watch on Netflix right now.

For even more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Netflix , best comedies on Netflix , and best dramas on Netflix .

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

Editor's note: This article was updated May 2024 to include Anyone But You.

'Anyone But You' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 55% | imdb: 6.2/10, anyone but you.

is a romantic comedy directed by Will Gluck that’s loosely based on the William Shakespeare play Much Ado About Nothing . Gluck also co-wrote the screenplay with Ilana Wolpert . The film stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell as two people who have an instant connection that quickly turns sour, only to find themselves reunited at a destination wedding where they must pretend to be a couple. Though Anyone But You received a mixed reception from critics, the film has performed quite well at the box office, earning over $200 million globally. The chemistry between its two talented stars is what makes Anyone But You such a fun rom-com and has made the film so popular with audiences. Sure, there are better Shakespeare adaptations and better enemies-to-lovers rom-coms out there, but Sweeney and Powell’s enjoyable performances make this a much better movie than it would otherwise have been.

Watch on Netflix

'Shrek' (2001)

Rotten tomatoes: 90% | imdb: 7.9/10.

It’s easy to forget just how big of a deal Shrek was when it hit theaters in 2001, but it was a very big deal. DreamWorks Animation challenged Pixar in the realm of CG animation with a more edgy, slightly more adult-oriented animated film — one in which parents would be laughing at jokes that went over their children’s heads. But at its core, Shrek works beautifully as a story of an outsider looking for acceptance, and of love coming from unexpected places. It’s also just a really pretty and fun fairy tale in its own right. While technology has advanced considerably in the two decades since its release, Shrek still holds up all these years later. – Adam Chitwood

'Four Daughters' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 85% | imdb: 7.3/10, four daughters.

Read Our Review Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania , Four Daughters is an Arabic-language documentary film that explores the true story of a Tunisian woman whose two eldest daughters were radicalized by Islamic extremists. After the disappearance of her daughters, the filmmaker invites professional actresses to take their place, blending reality and fiction to give the audience an intimate view of the family’s life. The movie was a co-production between France, Tunisia, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. Four Daughters premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the prestigious Palme d'Or Award. The film received near-universal acclaim and was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 96th Academy Awards. Critics have lauded Kouther Ben Hania’s form-breaking approach to the film, and that masterful storytelling is what makes this documentary all the more engaging. Four Daughters makes the lives of its subjects come alive in heartbreaking detail in a way that few other documentaries have done before.

'American Graffiti' (1973)

Rotten tomatoes: 95% | imdb: 7.4/10, american graffiti.

George Lucas ’s directorial debut, American Graffiti is a coming-of-age comedy-drama starring Richard Dreyfuss , Ron Howard , and Paul Le Mat . The film follows the adventures of a group of teens in 1960s Modesto, California, on the last day of summer as they grapple with their futures. The film is comprised of a series of vignettes that come together to tell a concurrent story of cruising culture, rock-and-roll, greasers, and mysterious blondes. Far removed from Lucas’ later creations, American Graffiti is a nostalgic and bittersweet film that speaks to a more thoughtful sensibility. Critically acclaimed, the movie is visually striking and features some great performances, including an appearance by a pre- Star Wars Harrison Ford . The movie is a nostalgic return to the sixties, full of heart and humor — and it helps that it also has one of the greatest rock soundtracks of all time.

'The Matrix' (1999)

Rotten tomatoes: 83% | imdb: 8.7/10.

Written and directed by the Wachowskis , The Matrix is a science fiction film that stars Keanu Reeves as a hacker who discovers that the world he lives in is an illusion crafted by malevolent Artificial Intelligence. The movie also stars Laurence Fishburne , Carrie-Anne Moss , and Hugo Weaving and spawned a franchise that includes three sequels and an animated anthology. The Matrix is an ambitious movie that presents the very best in technical filmmaking, winning the Oscars for Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Sound Editing. The performances are solid, the action is spectacular, and the plot is intricately crafted. The film’s narrative style feels quite surreal, drawing the audience into its ever-expanding world in a way that feels like a blend of Hong Kong action movies, cyberpunk anime, and 1990s techno-futurism. It’s dystopian, slick, and easily one of the best films ever made in its genre.

'Molly's Game' (2017)

Rotten tomatoes: 81% | imdb: 7.4/10, molly's game.

Based on the true story of Molly Bloom , Molly’s Game was written and directed by Aaron Sorkin and stars Jessica Chastain in the lead role. An Olympic-level skier whose career was ended by an accident, the film follows Molly as she seeks a different kind of gold by running a high-stakes underground poker ring. The movie also stars Idris Elba , Kevin Costner , Jeremy Strong , and more. Sorkin’s directorial debut, the film received critical acclaim, largely thanks to Sorkin's Oscar-nominated script and the phenomenal performances by Chastain and Elba. The role of Molly Bloom earned Chastain her fifth Golden Globe nomination, further cementing her reputation as an acting powerhouse. It’s one of the defining performances of her career, and that alone should make the movie worth watching. Tightly written and expertly paced, Molly’s Game is a complete entertainer from beginning to end and a brilliant showcase of Sorkin’s abilities as a writer and filmmaker.

'Minari' (2020)

Rotten tomatoes: 98% | imdb: 7.4/10.

2020's Minari is a Drama film that showcases a young boy's upbringing by Korean immigrants in the United States in the 80s. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, the film is a partial autobiography about his own experiences and stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Noel Kate Cho, and Alan Kim as a family trying to make it in rural Arkansas.

Lee Isaac Chung ’s 2020 drama film Minari is a semi-autobiographical story based on Chung's childhood. The movie is set in the 80s and follows a South Korean immigrant family that moves from California to rural Arkansas. Chung wrote and directed the film, which stars Steven Yeun , Han Ye-ri , Alan Kim , Noel Kate Cho , and Youn Yuh-jung , who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.

Minari premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the US Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and the US Dramatic Audience Award. The film received critical praise for its direction and screenplay, as well as for the performances of its talented cast. Minari expresses its intimate multi-generational story through a beautifully shot narrative, and it’s widely regarded as one of the best films of the 2020s so far.

'Uncut Gems' (2019)

Rotten tomatoes: 91% | imdb: 7.4/10.

A film that features the best Adam Sandler performance to date, Uncut Gems is a stressful journey into gambling that is as comedic as it is chaotic. Sandler is Howard 'Howie' Ratner, a New York City jeweler who is facing a lot of debts and decides to make one last bet to make it all back. Sound easy? It very much isn’t. Howie will have to somehow talk his way out of more than one dangerous situation and keep his family together while also having an affair.

If it wasn’t clear, this is not the best of guys we’re dealing with, though it is watching him self-sabotage that it all becomes both frightening and fascinating. You may shout at the screen a couple of times in frustration, though there is nothing quite like it. By the time it arrives at its explosive conclusion, you’ll be short of breath as you can finally exhale from the wild ride you’ve been on. - Chase Hutchinson

'American Symphony' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 94% | imdb: 6.9/10, american symphony.

Even if you just watch the trailer for American Symphony, you will be in tears. The documentary tells the story of Grammy winner Jon Batiste and his wife, Suleika Jaouad , as they live a life of drastic contrast. While Batiste continues to take over the music world, Jaouad goes through an intense battle with cancer. Jaouad begins chemotherapy on the same day Batiste is nominated for 11 Grammy Awards – an obviously unplanned detail that sums up the entire message of the film: that a wonderful thing and terrible thing can happen at the same time. Over the course of the documentary, Batiste is writing a composition that he plans to play for one night only at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival to great reviews, with Variety Magazine calling it “one of the best love stories seen on film.” Currently, American Symphony is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “It Never Went Away” by Batiste and Dan Wilson . - Emily Cappello

'Rustin' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 85% | imdb: 6.6/10.

Read Our Review

Currently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Leading Actor for its star, Colman Domingo , Rustin tells the story of Bayard Rustin (Domingo), a civil rights activist heavily inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. Rustin sets out to organize the March on Washington against huge obstacles like racism and homophobia. Those familiar with the March on Washington, which occurred in 1963, know how paramount it was in the fight to end racial discrimination and that it concluded with Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The film follows these incredible historic events while highlighting Rustin’s passion and enthusiasm for civil rights.

The film also stars Aml Ameen ( The Maze Runner ) as Dr. King, Glynn Turman ( Super 8 ) as A. Philip Randolph , Chris Rock ( The Longest Yard ) as Roy Wilkins , and Audra McDonald ( A Raisin In The Sun ) as Ella Baker . Rustin was previously nominated for two Golden Globe Awards for Best Original Song by Lenny Kravitz and Best Performance by Domingo. - Emily Cappello

'Nyad' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 86% | imdb: 7.1/10.

Oscar winners Annette Bening and Jodie Foster dominate in the biographical sports drama Nyad . Directed by documentarians Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin , Nyad is their feature directorial debut, which benefits from their experience capturing authenticity. As expected from most sports dramas and biopics, Nyad shares a story of perseverance, the triumphs of determination, and a message of hope, showcased by the undeniable on-screen power of Bening and Foster.

The actors’ dedication to truth in storytelling, as well as their chemistry, shine alongside the smart script written by Julia Cox . Nyad engages the audience with its solid foundation while entertaining through grounded drama based on reality instead of relying on cheap cliches. - Yael Tygiel

'Society of the Snow' (2023)

Society of the snow.

In 1972, a Uruguayan flight crashed while carrying a rugby team on their way to Chile, and the survivors of the wreck had to work together to survive in the treacherously cold weather of the Andes. This real-life event is the subject of J.A. Bayona 's film Society of the Snow , which tackles the incredible story of the survivors and their attempts to survive for two months in the mountains. Director Bayona got the idea for the film upon discovering the book The Society of the Snow , which was written by Pablo Vierci , and used the same name for his film. The cast, largely composed of newcomers in the acting world, is completely composed of Uruguayan and Argentinian performers.

The film was nominated for two Oscars, including Best International Feature Film, a Golden Globe for Best Non-English Language Film, and a Critic's Choice Award for the same category. With a budget of 60 million euros, The Society of Snow is the most expensive Spanish film ever made. With music by Michael Giacchino , the film is acclaimed for its emotional undertone and important message. - Emily Cappello

'May December' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 90% | imdb: 6.9/10, may december.

While watching May December , I found myself laughing out loud almost as much as I was cringing. I also found myself looking online afterward to see if my reaction was “normal.” This kaleidoscope viewing experience shows the brilliance of May December and how its subject matter — a thirty-six-year-old woman entering into a relationship with a seventh grader and having his three children — will dramatically change depending on the person telling the story. The plot follows actress Elizabeth ( Natalie Portman ) as she shadows Gracie ( Julianne Moore ), the controversial woman (and sex offender) who inspired Elizabeth’s latest film role. Or, depending on your point of view, it’s about Gracie’s experience as Elizabeth enters and disrupts the parts of her she’s been able to keep hidden. Or it’s about Gracie’s much, much younger husband, Joe ( Charles Melton ), as he discovers what Elizabeth’s presence means about his own life.

Written and directed by Todd Haynes , the film was inspired by the real-life relationship between teacher Mary Kay Letourneau and her sixth-grade student, Vili Fualaau. The two had children together and eventually married upon Letourneau’s release from prison, as Gracie and Joe did in May December . While it seems impossible that, given these themes, the film would have any laugh-out-loud moments, Haynes has crafted the story in such a way that it’s aware of its own absurdity. And, perhaps, we would find humor in the smallest moments, like Gracie dramatically revealing they “need more hot dogs” just to forget the insanity of the situation we’ve found ourselves in as an audience. - Emily Cappello

'Maestro' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 79% | imdb: 6.7/10.

One of the most talked-about films of 2023, Maestro tells the story of American composer Leonard Bernstein ( Bradley Cooper ), his rise to fame, and how that fame affected his relationship with long-time love Felicia Montealegre ( Carey Mulligan ). Directed and co-written by Cooper alongside screenwriter Josh Singer , the film was produced by cinema heavy hitters Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg . The film won the American Film Institute (AFI)’ s “Movie of the Year” and was nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, including “Best Motion Picture, Drama,” “Best Director,” and “Best Performance by a Male Actor” for Cooper and “Best Performer by Female Actor” for Mulligan. It co-stars Matt Bomer ( In Time ), Vincent Amato ( Unbroken ), and comedian Sarah Silverman .

Leonard Bernstein began his career as an assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic and rose to fame when he filled in for the main conductor, who had fallen ill. Maestro follows Bernstein as he meets and marries Felicia Montealegre, who struggles with her new husband’s infidelity. While Bernstein goes on to compose some of the most famous music in American history, including West Side Story , he struggles with alcohol and other substances, causing more issues in his marriage. - Emily Cappello

'Set It Up' (2018)

Rotten tomatoes: 92% | imdb: 6.5/10.

Two corporate executive assistants hatch a plan to match-make their two bosses.

Read Our Review 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

'It Follows' (2015)

Rotten tomatoes: 95% | imdb: 6.8/10.

Read Our Review In a world filled with remakes and reboots, It Follows defied the norm by finding an original way to tell a mysterious horror story. The story follows Jay ( Maika Monroe ), a teenager who has sex with a guy named Hugh ( Jake Weary ), whom she doesn’t know very well. Afterward, Hugh tells her that she’s inherited a curse that he's now free of. Jay starts to be followed by a phantom who wishes her dead, and the only way Jay can get rid of the curse is if she sleeps with someone else, passing it along to them.

It Follows premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014, where it was then a part of a limited theatrical release before moving to a nationwide release in 2015. Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell ( Under the Silver Lake ), audiences raved about the movie not just for its originality but also for their different interpretations of the meaning behind the plot. Throughout its time in theaters, the film continually received great reviews for its terrifying scares and for its deeper meaning. As of October 2023, a sequel is in the works entitled They Follow . - Emily Cappello

'Burning' (2018)

Rotten tomatoes: 95% | imdb: 7.5/10.

Based on the short story “Barn Burning” by Haruki Murakami , Burning is a South Korean-Japanese thriller written and directed by Lee Chang-dong in his first film after an eight-year hiatus. The film focuses on Lee Jong-su ( Yoo Ah-in ) after he runs into an old classmate named Shin Hae-mi ( Jeon Jong-seo ), who asks him to feed her cat while she’s away. Jong-su obliges, but upon Hae-mi’s return with a mysterious man named Ben ( Steven Yeun ), things take an odd turn. When Ben admits his illegal and dangerous hobby to Jong-su, Jong-su becomes worried for Hae-mi’s safety. It's a story that knows how to heighten the tension little by little and, by the end, has viewers' hearts racing.

Burning premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018, where it won the International Critics’ Prize and was then released in South Korea and later in the United States. Perhaps more impressive, the film was voted as the best Korean film of all time on Korean Screen. Burning appeared on many critics’ “Top 10” lists for 2018, with critics at The A.V. Club and The Los Angeles Times rating it number one. The film also made some “Best Films of the Decade” Lists, proving the power of the writing, directing, and the three lead actors’ performances. - Emily Cappello

'Mobile Suit Gundam I' (1981)

Imdb: 7.9/10, mobile suit gundam i.

In outer space, an interplanetary war is raging. This is the story of Mobile Suit Gundam I , a Japanese animated action and adventure movie based on an animated series of the same name. While the battle rages on in the Solar System, there is hope in the form of a mobile battle suit named the “Gundam,” but there’s one problem: the only person able to pilot the massive machinery is a boy named Amuro Ray ( Toru Furuya ). Now, Amuro must fight alongside other kids to save themselves and their families as the war rages on. The film also stars Hirotaka Suzuoki , Toshio Furukawa , Kiyonobu Suzuki , and Shôzô îzuka .

The film, directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Ryoji Fujiwara , premiered in Japan in 1981 and acted as a compilation of episodes 1-13 of the popular Animated series Mobile Suit Gundam . Later dubbed in English and released on VHS tape in the United States in 1999, both the film and its original show material were suddenly popular worldwide, finding a completely new fanbase with English-speaking audiences. - Emily Cappello

'Miss Juneteenth' (2020)

Rotten tomatoes: 99% | imdb: 6.6/10, miss juneteenth.

Miss Juneteenth follows the story of single mother Turquoise ( Nicole Beharie , who won a Gotham award for Best Actress for the role) as she enters her fifteen-year-old daughter Kai ( Alexis Chikaeze ) into the Miss Juneteenth Pageant. Kai is rebellious and doesn’t follow the path her mother has laid out for her willingly, but she ends up making Turquoise proud nonetheless.

When Miss Juneteenth premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020, it received critical praise and a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize in the “Dramatic” category. The film continued its victory lap with wins at the SXSW Film Festival, where it won the Louis Black/Lone Star Award, as well as numerous other honors from different festivals across the US. The film had a prominent release date to video-on-demand: June 19, 2020: the 155th anniversary of the holiday Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The film tackles the significance of the holiday while also bringing in other themes within the characters’ lives. In January 2021, it was announced that Miss Juneteenth would be adapted into a television series with NBCUniversal, but it is still listed as “in development.” - Emily Cappello

'Paddington' (2014)

Rotten tomatoes: 97% | imdb: 7.3/10.

The filmmakers of 2014’s Paddington had big, fuzzy shoes to fill. Based on the beloved children’s books by Michael Bond that premiered in 1958, Paddington Bear was already known worldwide when he hit the big screen, putting a lot of pressure on the film’s creators to get him right. The story follows a computer-animated Paddington, voiced by Ben Whishaw , as he travels from Peru to London to find a home under the advice of his uncle (the late, great Michael Gambon ) and aunt ( Imelda Staunton , another Harry Potter alum). There, Paddington meets the Brown family, played by Hugh Bonneville ( Notting Hill ), Sally Hawkins ( The Shape of Water ), Madeleine Harris ( Man Down ), and Samuel Joslin ( The Impossible ), who take Paddington home with them. All is going swell until Paddington catches the interest of a taxidermist.

The film was widely critically praised, earning $282 million at the box office and generating a sequel that is regarded by some to be one of the best films ever made. The film is fun and light and also has a surprising amount of depth for what might be viewed as a “kid’s movie.” It contains an all-star cast, with additional stars like Julie Walters ( Billy Elliot ), Nicole Kidman ( The Hours ), and Matt Lucas ( Bridesmaids ), and an excellent score by Nick Urata . The film won awards from the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain and a British Screenwriters’ Award for Best Screenplay by Paul King. It was also nominated for two BAFTA Awards. No matter your age, Paddington is sure to put a smile on your face. - Emily Cappello

The 10 Best Movies Netflix Has Ever Made

N etflix has revolutionized the way we consume entertainment, and its original movies have become a cornerstone of its success. From powerful dramas to gripping thrillers, Netflix has produced some truly remarkable films that have left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide. Here, we’ve curated a list of the 10 best movies Netflix has ever made, showcasing the diverse range of storytelling and cinematic excellence available on the streaming platform.

Alfonso Cuarón’s deeply personal masterpiece “Roma” transports viewers to 1970s Mexico City, where a maid’s quiet existence intersects with the tumult of political and social change, earning accolades for its breathtaking cinematography and emotional depth.

2. All Quiet on the Western Front

Edward Berger’s haunting adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s anti-war novel captures the brutality and despair of trench warfare, offering a harrowing glimpse into the horrors of World War I.

3. The Irishman

Martin Scorsese’s epic crime saga “The Irishman” reunites screen legends Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci in a sweeping tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of power.

4. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

In this Knives Out sequel, Daniel Craig returns as the eccentric and scenery-chewing gentleman detective Benoit Blanc, delivering a performance filled with infectious energy and wit.

5. Marriage Story

Director Noah Baumbach’s intimate portrayal of a modern divorce is brought to life by the compelling performances of Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, offering a raw and honest examination of love and loss.

6. Uncut Gems

Adam Sandler delivers a career-defining performance in the adrenaline-fueled thriller “Uncut Gems,” portraying a jeweler caught in a high-stakes game of risk and reward.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, “The Dig” is a poignant drama that explores human connections and the pursuit of meaning, anchored by stellar performances from Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan.

8. The Mitchells vs the Machines

A hilarious and action-packed animated adventure produced by the creative minds behind “The Lego Movie,” “The Mitchells vs the Machines” delivers laughs and heart in equal measure as a family faces off against a robot uprising.

9. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Featuring the late Chadwick Boseman in a poignant role alongside Viola Davis, “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom” is a soul-stirring portrayal of a recording session in 1920s Chicago, delving into themes of identity and ambition.

10. Mudbound

An unflinching exploration of race and politics in the Southern United States during and after World War II, “Mudbound” captivates with its powerful performances and gripping narrative.

From riveting dramas to thought-provoking documentaries, Netflix continues to raise the bar with its original content. The 10 films listed here represent the pinnacle of Netflix’s cinematic achievements, showcasing the platform’s commitment to diverse storytelling and unparalleled quality. Whether you’re in the mood for gripping drama, heartwarming comedy, or pulse-pounding action, Netflix offers something for every cinephile to enjoy. With its ever-growing library of original movies, Netflix remains at the forefront of entertainment innovation, enriching the viewing experience for audiences around the globe.

The post The 10 Best Movies Netflix Has Ever Made appeared first on New York Tech Media .

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The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

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What Made Cleopatra Such a Powerful Ruler

The new Netflix docuseries Queen Cleopatra looks beyond tired tropes of the Egyptian queen to examine her leadership legacy.

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Cleopatra ruled Egypt from 51 BCE until 30 BCE, when she took her own life following defeat by her Roman rival Octavian. Too often portrayed as a sultry seductress or tragic heroine, she was in fact an incredibly intelligent leader who excelled at politics, diplomacy, communications, and building strategic allegiances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony , among others.

Here are eight attributes of the legendary queen of Egypt that made her such a powerful and effective ruler.

She was well-educated and intelligent

Cleopatra was a “remarkably educated person,” particularly considering that women in her time period were not usually afforded the same educational opportunities as men, according to Cleopatra: A Biography by Duane W. Roller. “She was said to take an almost sensuous pleasure in learning and scholarship,” Roller wrote.

She was knowledgeable about a wide range of topics, including economics, law, military strategy, and linguistics. By contrast, her brother Ptolemy XIII, with whom she jointly ruled Egypt from 51 to 47 BCE, was believed to have had little education, according to Roller.

She was an excellent communicator

Cleopatra was an extremely strong communicator, believed to have been fluent in at least nine languages, and was one of the few Ptolemaic leaders to learn and use the native Egyptian language, according to The Reign of Cleopatra by Stanley M. Burstein. This allowed her to speak directly to the diverse populations under her rule.

In addition to her subjects, Cleopatra excelled at communicating with neighboring heads of state and other political allies. For example, her communication with Herod the Great—despite her own personal dislike of the king of Judea—resulted in trade routes and mercantile arrangements between the two leaders, according to Roller.

She had a ruthless side

Cleopatra was not afraid to get her hands dirty, and in fact she had several of her own siblings killed to secure her power. She engaged in a civil war with her brother Ptolemy XIII for the control of the crown and ultimately combined forces with Julius Caesar to claim victory during the Battle of the Nile . Ptolemy XIII died shortly after in 47 BCE.

Cleopatra arranged for Mark Antony to execute her half-sister Arsinoe IV for her role in a siege against Cleopatra’s forces, according to the book Cleopatra by Michael Grant. She is also widely believed to have poisoned her 15-year-old brother Ptolemy XIV so that her son, Caesarion, could replace him as pharaoh, according to the Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece .

She had public relations skills

While clearly capable of brutality when necessary, Cleopatra was equally known for her charisma. In fact, Shannon Bowen, a professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina, argues Cleopatra was a master of what today would be considered public relations .

Cleopatra garnered appreciation from her subjects by holding public forums, providing information about agriculture and commerce, and hosting events with performers, animals, and free food for spectators. “She had a way of making people feel at ease and was able to win over even the most skeptical of individuals with her wit and charm,” Bowen wrote. “This made her an effective leader, as she was able to inspire loyalty and respect from those around her.”

She formed important strategic alliances

Throughout her reign, Cleopatra formed partnerships with powerful allies to position herself and her kingdom for maximum advantage. Perhaps her most famous such alliance was with Julius Caesar, with whom she had both a political allegiance and romantic affair, which gave her the military strength she needed to dethrone her brother and seize the Egyptian crown.

Following Caesar’s assassination in 44 BCE, Cleopatra married his successor and key ally, Mark Antony, who formed part of the three-man Second Triumvirate that ruled Rome. Both benefited from this relationship , with Antony receiving financial and military support from Cleopatra, who in turn sought Antony’s help in expanding Egypt’s eastern border.

She was a risk-taker

Cleopatra didn’t hesitate to make bold moves or calculated risks for the benefit of her power or her kingdom. One famous example was approaching Caesar on the island of Antirhodos to propose an alliance, despite losing her civil war against Ptolemy XIII at the time. Films about Cleopatra, from the 1934 movie starring Claudette Colbert to the better-known 1963 biopic starring Elizabeth Taylor , depict her being secretly smuggled to Caesar inside a rolled up carpet. That story is largely a myth , but nevertheless, Cleopatra’s willingness to make those overtures to Caesar speaks to her calculating and risk-taking nature.

She was charming, if not beautiful

Although Cleopatra is often portrayed as stunningly beautiful, historians say that wasn’t necessarily the case. Greek biographer Plutarch wrote “for her beauty, as we are told, was in itself not altogether incomparable, nor such as to strike those who saw her.” Likewise, The National Inquirer infamously reported in a 2000 article that Cleopatra had a “big schnozz.”

But while Cleopatra might not have been the seductive temptress the way we’ve seen in the movies, even Plutarch noted she had an “irresistible charm” as well as a sweet voice, persuasive nature, and stimulating presence. The New York Times described her as unafraid to show her age or blemishes , noting coins with her image did not attempt to conceal her wrinkles.

She was skilled at naval tactics

Cleopatra was the first queen of Greek descent to be a skilled naval commander since Artemisia of Halicarnassus more than four centuries earlier, according to Roller. Cleopatra commanded a formidable fleet, which she personally brought to Greece to assist Mark Antony in his conflict with Caesar’s assassin Cassius, according to Burstein.

Octavian, the future Roman emperor, did manage to defeat the naval fleet of Cleopatra and Antony during the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE. Based on this, Cleopatra has sometimes been called a poor naval commander, but historian Barry Strauss argued that is undeserved, noting she was able to save much of the fleet despite being outnumbered and coping with poor weather.

Watch Queen Cleopatra on Netflix

Queen Cleopatra is executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith and features actor Adele James as Cleopatra in reenactment scenes. Watch the four-part documentary series now on Netflix .

Colin McEvoy joined the Biography.com staff in 2023, and before that had spent 16 years as a journalist, writer, and communications professional. He is the author of two true crime books: Love Me or Else and Fatal Jealousy . He is also an avid film buff, reader, and lover of great stories.

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