How often do you find yourself scrolling through Netflix for an hour trying to find something to watch? The next time that happens, put down the remote for a second and bring up this list.
We’ll be updating this guide to the best movies on Netflix monthly, so all of you aspiring filmmakers out there can keep up with what you need to watch next.
From horror to comedy and everything in between, it’s all gathered right here. We’ll rank each film based on its acting, filmmaking, writing, and overall entertainment value for people bored on Friday night.
Of all the top Netflix movies available to stream, who knows? One of them may well inspire your next project.
Movies to Watch on Netflix
Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)
How Quentin Tarantino Made Kill Bill Vol. 1 • The Most Unruly
Quentin Tarantino has said he wanted to challenge himself as a filmmaker. He was known for his dialogue scenes, but he wanted to throw himself head-first into a straight-up action flick with beautiful choreography. It resulted in one of his most kinetic works complete with awesome practical effects.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Kill Bill Vol. 1 is a heck of a good time. And just in case you want the conclusion, you’ll be happy to learn that Vol. 2 is on Netflix.
Relevant Netflix Movies to Watch
Outbreak (1995)
The Motaba Virus • Outbreak
If there was ever a relevant Netflix movie to watch in 2020, it would be the 1995 contagion movie Outbreak. It’s a film about an airborne virus that gradually spreads around the country. It may not put your fears to rest, but it shows how some movies can remain pertinent in extremely frightening ways.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Outbreak may not be the best movie about epidemics around. But if you’re stuck at home for an extended period of time for one reason or another, it may make for an interesting watch.
Good Movies on Netflix
Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004)
Tarantino Dialogue • Subscribe on YouTube
Vol. 2 manages to keep you engaged throughout the four hours you’ll spend watching both movies back-to-back. It manages to accomplish this by being a very different kind of movie. There are still awesome action set pieces, but not as many as the first one.
Instead, Tarantino goes back to his roots and includes some amazing dialogue sequences and provides us with ample backstory on The Bride. Together, they make an amazing motion picture.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Kill Bill Vol. 2 makes for a satisfying sequel. The two films complement one another to make for an engaging experience.
Great Movies on Netflix for Filmmakers
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Mike Myers • Creation of Austin Powers
What would a fourth Austin Powers movie look like? Well, after the first trilogy of films, the James Bond movies took themselves much more seriously. Perhaps we’d see Austin Powers trying to reinvent himself in a gritty way. We may never see that version, but at least we’ll always have International Man of Mystery.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Austin Powers is plain, good fun. This comedy has aged surprisingly well and is still enjoyable to watch to this day.
Movies to Watch on Netflix
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight Interrogation Scene • Script to Scene
To this day, The Dark Knight remains the pinnacle of superhero films. It works within the confines of the Batman mythos to deliver an insanely satisfying crime story, and star Heath Ledger delivers a Joker performance to end all Joker performances.
For better and worse, The Dark Knight influenced a decade of superhero movies. While other superhero films tend to fade from memory shortly after their post-credits scenes roll, The Dark Knight demands revisitation. Each rewatch of the film reveals previously unnoticed details and deepens one’s appreciation for such a layered work of art.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
The Dark Knight remains a prime example of top-form superhero storytelling. Over a decade after its release, the film and its themes would undoubtedly still make waves even if it had just hit theaters today.
Awesome Netflix Movies
Good Time (2017)
Robert Pattinson on working in Good Time
The Safdie Brothers are experts at craftins highly tense, anxiety-ridden films. Uncut Gems brought that aesthetic into the mainstream, but it all started with 2017’s Good Time, which has similar frenetic editing and fast-paced plot to put you in the protagonist’s shoes. Once the film’s over, you’ll finally feel like you can breathe.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
If you’re a fan of Uncut Gems, then Good Time makes for an excellent companion piece. But be warned, it may test the limits of how much anxiety you can stomach.
List of the Top Netflix Movies
The Evil Dead (1981)
The Making of Evil Dead • The Gore the Merrier
The 1980s spawned plenty of classic horror films, but none have aged quite as well as Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead. Its sequels may have darted in more comedic directions, but the original remains a masterclass in blending pitch black humor with full-blown horror.
The premise is simple: A group of friends escape to a cabin in the woods and come face to face with demonic spirits. But The Evil Dead unfolds at a kinetic pace that’s rarely been matched, with each shot meticulously composed and carefully placed. It’s a rollercoaster ride of terror, and one that’s still scarier than most horror movies being released today.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
The Evil Dead is called a horror classic for a reason. Plus, its sequels are far better than most follow-ups in horror franchise could ever hope to be.
Netflix Streaming Movies
American Honey (2016)
Sasha Lane Interview • American Honey
American Honey proves one thing: Shia LaBeouf is one hell of an actor. LaBeouf starred in a stint of popcorn films that rarely gave him much room to showcase his talent, but his range has been on full display for several years now, and that renaissance began with American Honey.
American Honey is a different kind of coming-of-age film, set against a backdrop of partying and debauchery. It’s a challenging film for sure, but if you can make it through its nearly three-hour runtime, you’ll be rewarded in the end.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
American Honey offers an earnest depiction of a carefree life and all that it entails, both good and bad.
Top Rated Netflix Movies
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
How The Shawshank Redemption Humanizes Prisoners • Pop Culture Detective
Stephen King offers aspiring filmmakers a great deal. For $1, you can purchase the rights to adapt one of his short stories. Frank Darabont did this back in 1983, and a decade later, he had built up enough credits to direct The Shawshank Redemption. It goes to show just how much $1 can get you.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
The Shawshank Redemption is one of the ultimate 90s movies. You no longer have to wait for it to show up on TBS to finally give it a watch.
Netflix Original Movies
Atlantics (2019)
Mati Diop on Her Cinematic Inheritance • TIFF Originals
Atlantics is one of the most rewarding cinematic experiences of 2019. It almost feels as if the film created its own genre: Just when you think you know where its plot is headed, it changes direction on you.
That misdirection—that sense of gradual discovery with new narrative development—isn’t frustrating. It’s rewarding.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Atlantics may not have received the recognition other Netflix originals have, but it deserves to be seen all the same. The film announces the arrival of emerging auteur in director Mati Diop, and it’ll get you excited to see what she does next.
Hilarious Netflix Movies
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
Leslie Nielsen: Giving Into the Silly • Ministry of Cinema
It’s hard to find a good parody movie these days. So many give into “reference” jokes where you just mention a pop culture thing and expect it to give a laugh. The reason films like The Naked Gun work well is that they stand up as their own movies. They have plots and characters you like, and they just happen to poke fun at other movies.
But at their core, you can also sense a respect for the genre. The filmmakers obviously love police movies, and you can see that love on display, which is something you can’t say for something like Disaster Movie, Epic Movie, or any other “Insert Word Here” Movie.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
The Naked Gun can still make audiences laugh themselves silly. It’s highly re-watchable and serves as an excellent template for any screenwriters who want to write parody.
Original Netflix Movies
Klaus (2019)
The Story Behind Klaus • Netflix
Klaus is a strange little film. Though it’s less than a year old, its gorgeous animation and unexpected take on the story of Santa Claus make it feel like it’s been a part of Christmas programming for years.
It’s also the kind of film that reminds of Netflix’s important role in the modern distribution landscape. It’s hard to imagine Klaus getting a wide theatrical release, so it’s reassuring that its accessibility via streaming will allow generations of kids to experience its charms.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Klaus’ beautiful hand-drawn animation will captivate audiences of all ages.
Complete Netflix Movie List
Event Horizon (1997)
Why Event Horizon is the Scariest of All Horror Films • Deadly Analysis
Event Horizon had a stressful production process and a shortened editing turnaround time. This all likely resulted in the final product meeting below expectations and meeting mostly negative reviews upon release. However, when you watch the film today, you see the nuggets of something great, including a genuinely terrifying horror story that shakes you to your core. It has plenty of faults, but in this instance, you can still learn from and appreciate the mess.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Some people love Event Horizon, and some people hate it. The only way to know which camp you fall into is to watch it, which will be worth your time one way or the other.
Top Rated Movies on Netflix
End of Watch (2012)
Deleted Scene • End of Watch
The found footage sub-genre is typically associated with horror movies, but End of Watch applied some of its stylistic techniques to the buddy cop movie. While there are action and thrills by the handful, this film is first and foremost a bromance and an awesome one at that.
There are memes out there that suggest men have cried at the finale of End of Watch, and, well... they’re not lying. Cop movies set in Los Angeles have been done to death, but in 2012, End of Watch breathed new life into that formula to deliver something truly special.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
End of Watch is a rarity: a “guy’s movie” with emotional heft. And its story has a lot more to say than other movies in this particular genre.
Best Movies on Netflix now
Tremors (1990)
The Making of Tremors • Behind the Scenes
You didn’t expect to find Tremors on this list, did you? When you want plain good B-movie fun on a Friday night, Tremors is where it’s at. The film pokes fun at the tropes of creature features without ever tipping over into self-parody. And not only does it establish a serious set of rules—it actually follows them.
All of this results in one of the best monster movies of the 1990s. And if you like what you see, you’ll be happy to learn it has a plethora of sequels, each one more insane than the last.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Don’t sleep on Tremors. You can watch the entire franchise on Netflix right now.
Best Original Netflix Movies
Horse Girl (2020)
Alison Brie Explains Horse Girl • Variety
Jeff Baena dug comedy out of tragedy with his excellent Joshy. He returns to similar territory with Horse Girl, a film about a woman battling mental illness who soon finds herself struggling to distinguish dreams from reality. Alison Brie, who co-wrote the script, plays the lead role in a truly remarkable performance, no doubt inspired by something personal in her.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Horse Girl is a strange, little film. However, if you give it a chance, you’ll find yourself sympathizing with Alison Brie’s well-developed lead character.
Superb Netflix Streaming Movies
The Adventures of Tintin (2011)
Making Of The Adventures of Tintin
Various directors came to visit Steven Spielberg as he made The Adventures of Tintin, including David Fincher, Guillermo del Toro, and Stephen Daldry. Spielberg also treated the making of the film as though it were live-action. With numerous influences and a unique perspective, it’s easy to see why there’s nothing else quite like Tintin out there.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
The Adventures of Tintin may have a few weak links, but it all adds up to a fun adventure. If nothing else, you have to respect the craft at play.
Cool Netflix Movies
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)
Terry Gilliam Interview • Empire Magazine
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is noteworthy for being the last film the late Heath Ledger starred in (Ledger passed away before the crew finished filming, so director Terry Gilliam had to bring on Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell to finish his parts). Considering all that went on behind the scenes, it’s impressive to see how all these moving parts mostly came together.
Though slightly disjointed, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is visually stunning. Discovering this overlooked gem is a great way to pay tribute to one of the finest actors of the 2000s.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus may leave you scratching your head, but the film will at least give you one more ride with the incredible Heath Ledger.
Drama Movies to Watch on Netflix
Philadelphia (1993)
Tom Hanks Interview • Philadelphia
Philadelphia is noteworthy for being one of the first major Hollywood productions to focus on homosexuality and HIV/AIDS. It tapped into the zeitgeist and delivered a story people may not have wanted to have but needed to listen to.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Even today, Philadelphia’s message rings true. It also features a pair of powerhouse performances from Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, making it valuable to watch for both directors and actors alike.
New 2020 Movies on Netflix
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2020)
Behind the Scenes • Farmageddon
Practically any Aardman movie shows how much you can do with little dialogue. You always want to show not tell, and when your main character can’t even talk outside of grunts, you really need to show every little thing. In this stop motion adventure, the animation is stunning, making for a visual delight for kids of all ages.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Farmageddon is a delightful sequel to the first Shaun the Sheep movie. It’s fun and sweet and perfect for lifting your spirits.
Top 10 Netflix Movies Right Now
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
10 Biggest Mistakes in Kung Fu Hustle You Missed • Movie Mistakes & More
A great amount of wire work went into creating the stunts in Kung Fu Hustle. Thanks to a first-class VFX team, you can’t even notice, and the final product is a film with a Looney Tunes-esque zaniness that’s a ton of fun to watch.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Kung Fu Hustle plays like a cartoon in real life. The action is a wonder to behold, so you’ll just want to kick back and enjoy.
Popular Movies on Netflix
Horns (2014)
Daniel Radcliffe Talks Horns
You have to give credit to Horns for really shooting for the moon. Daniel Radcliffe stars as a man wanted for the murder of his girlfriend. He inexplicably grows horns, which compels him to admit to his greatest sins and submit to his basest impulses.
Horns’ bizarre premise gives Radcliffe free reign to ramp up the insanity of his performance. Part mystery, part romance, Horns truly breaks the mold of every subgenre to which it belongs, and is well worth the watch.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Horns’ greatest flaw is that it bites off more than it can chew. However, as a meditation on morality, the film is fairly engrossing and it might even spark a spirited debate between you and your friends.
Best Movies to Watch on Netflix
Dirty Harry (1971)
Dirty Harry breakdown
Dirty Harry was insanely influential in the 1970s: The film paved the way for how the action genre would evolve during the era. And it all started with a bad cop out to do anything to bring the bad guy to justice.
How Dirty Harry reflects the time in which it was made is a subject of near-endless debate. Is the film a satire of vigilante justice, or a call to action that sincerely celebrates “the power of one”? Regardless of how you interpret its ideology, Dirty Harry is never boring and will leave you pondering over its message for a long while.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Dirty Harry will give you a lot to chew on. And it may be best to watch this one with your dad.
Great Netflix Streaming Movies
American Factory (2019)
A Short Conversation With the Obamas
Documentaries are interesting to create. You may set out with one idea in mind but change the film’s focus halfway through production. The filmmakers behind American Factory had that happen as they decided during the editing process to focus on the experiences of average workers at an Ohio plant during a takeover from a Chinese business. The decision was a good one. The film would go on to win Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
American Factory provides an excellent portrait of modern globalization. It provides crucial information for everyone with a job.
Great Movies on Netflix
Blade Runner: The Final Cut (1982)
Blade Runner documentary
Blade Runner is required viewing for any science-fiction fan. With director Ridley Scott’s Final Cut now on Netflix, you can see the film the way it was intended to be seen, with an ending that greatly improves upon the theatrical version.
Blade Runner exceeds on so many fronts. As you take in the film’s weighty ideas about the human condition and its fascinating approach to world-building, you’ll be reminded of just how many other sci-fi features it’s influenced.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Blade Runner is one of the few films truly deserving of the designation “profound.” Its brilliantly conceived themes and visual style continue to influence generations of sci-fi-minded cinematic storytellers.
Must Watch Movies on Netflix
Frances Ha (2013)
Sarah Polley and Greta Gerwig on Frances Ha • VICE
Frances Ha is content to move at its own pace. While the film’s narrative may wander, you never really mind because Greta Gerwig is utterly charming as the titular character. Frances moves along trying to make something out of life, before discovering what she needs to do to actually have a life in the first place.
It’s one indie comedy that has grown better with age. As millennials like Frances get over and grow discontent with drifting through life, they may also need to make some concessions. Frances Ha is at times funny and others heartbreaking.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Director Noah Baumbach and Gerwig made a great slice of life film. Frances Ha essential viewing for those also trying to figure out their place in life.
Best Movies on Netflix Right Now for You
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Filming Locations in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre featured mostly unknown actors at the time. Combined with documentary-style camerawork, it gave the entire production a rawer, more realistic feel. It made the violence seem like it was happening right in front of you. This movie changed the horror game forever.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is still frightening to this day. The violence is palpable, and if you look beyond the gore, you’ll find some pertinent themes that make this one horror movie with some extra bite.
Top Rated Netflix Movies
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (1990)
Animatronics • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Jim Henson’s Creature Shop designed the costumes for the titular turtles. There may not be a whole lot to talk about with this movie in terms of plot or character, but those costumes sure are cool. They’ve held up remarkably well, and they give the movie an extra layer of cheesy, 80s greatness.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
You don’t go into a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie expecting the height of cinema. However, for a fun movie that makes you feel like a kid again, there’s something to be gained out of this hokey gem.
Best Netflix Original Movies of All Time
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017)
What’s the Story • Jim & Andy
There have been plenty of incredible film performances over the years. What makes Jim Carrey’s turn as Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon so worthy of a documentary? Well, the doc dives far deeper than you likely imagine into how we all basically perform in our day-to-day lives.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Actors have much to gain from watching Jim & Andy. It’s so much more than an exploration into a single event of method acting. It’s a reflection on being an artist.
Best New Movies on Netflix
Freaks (2019)
Behind the Scenes of Freaks
Tropes are generally seen as a bad thing. But while you can always kind of guess where Freaks is going, it finds subtle, interesting ways to surprise you. The performances and direction make what could have been a trite story feel original and new. It’s a tense sci-fi thriller that wasn’t widely seen but will hopefully gain a following on Netflix.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Freaks is great watching for anyone looking for sci-fi thrills. The fact they were able to make such an engaging film on such a low budget is all the more impressive.
What Movies Are on Netflix Now?
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Characters in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
Leonardo DiCaprio tends to get all the love for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. However, Johnny Depp also deserves some recognition for playing a far more restrained character than what he was known for at the time (and even today). The two complement one another to create a powerful portrayal of family and how different dynamics can coincide.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape has remained an enduring classic for a reason. It’s a charming, simple story about the power of family.
Best Movies on Netflix in 2018
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
Unscripted Moments • To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
There’s one thing To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before does incredibly well where other rom-coms fall short. The lead, Lara Jean, never changes who she is as a person. Instead, she discovers new aspects of herself while remaining ultimately the same person. There’s growth, but there’s also a message about how you don’t have to change who you are to find love. It’s a great message for teens, and it makes this a refreshingly unique rom-com.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a romantic comedy for everyone. Even if this genre isn’t normally your scene, it’s still a worthwhile watch.
Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
The Bling Ring (2013)
Interview With Sofia Coppola
Moneyball is based on true events, and follows the creation of sabermetrics and the Oakland Athletics as they compete with teams that have larger budgets for acquiring players and “buying playoff spots.”
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Some stretches of The Bling Ring miss their intended marks. Still, it’s a thoroughly entertaining watch.
Good Movies on Netflix for the Family
Space Jam (1996)
Remember Watching Space Jam for the First Time? • NowThis Entertainment
Space Jam is the highest grossing basketball movie of all time, and it’s easy to see why. While the human scenes may be bares bones, the Looney Tunes are just as zany and delightful as you want them to be. It’s a good time to rewatch this 90s favorite to get ready for Space Jam 2 coming out in 2021.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Space Jam isn’t high art. However, it hits all the right nostalgia buttons, and if you just want to pass the time, you can do a lot worse.
Good Movies to Watch on Netflix
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Designs for a Demon Barber • Behind the Scenes
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is one of Tim Burton’s best films. The macabre subject matter of this musical is brilliantly filmed and its surreal qualities are ideally suited to the director’s uncanny sensibility.
Burton blends musical performance and horror tropes splendidly. Instead of adopting the style of other musicals, Burton takes creative license wherever possible to align Sweeney Todd’s source material with his own singular vision.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Sweeney Todd can be gruesome. But anyone who’s a fan of Stephen Sondheim will enjoy seeing his beloved musical come to life.
Comedic Netflix Movies List
Groundhog Day (1993)
Groundhog Day • The New York Times
Groundhog Day has found a surprising audience with Buddhists. Many Buddhists view the ideas of self-improvement and a form of reincarnation positively, showing that there are numerous ways for a film to be interpreted. It’s for this reason the film remains a beloved classic for so many to revisit annually.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Groundhog Day is a comedy classic for a reason. It’ll make you laugh and think about life, and you don’t have to wait until next Groundhog Day to watch it.
Best Netflix Originals
I Lost My Body (2019)
A Conversation With Jeremy Claplin
With such an unusual plot, a severed hand going on a quest to reunite with its body, this kind of story needs a similar inventive animation. The medium works remarkably well for this offbeat story, creating one of the most idiosyncratic works of 2019.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
There’s something exciting to I Lost My Body. It’s clear it comes from an exciting, innovative voice, and you can’t wait to see what the director does next.
Good Animated Netflix Movies
9 (2009)
Making Of 9
9 shows just how far you can go with an inventive artistic style. It clearly wants to follow in the footsteps of Coraline by being a darker, stop motion animated kids’ film, and it largely succeeds in being a visual spectacle. If even one kid is encouraged to pursue a career in animation due to seeing 9, which is entirely possible, then that makes it a worthy addition to stop motion canon.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
9 is a triumph in animation. It may not have as good a story as the animation deserves, but it’s visually arresting enough to hold your attention.
Popular Movies on Netflix in 2020
Ip Man (2010)
Ip Man vs. 10 Black Belts
Many people may not realize that Ip Man is based on a true story. The real Ip Man was a master of Wing Chun, and from that story came an amazing franchise with stunning fight choreography. Donnie Yen kills it in the title role, and when you watch the first one, you’ll immediately want to binge the rest, which also happen to be on Netflix.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Watch Ip Man for the stunning visuals and fight scenes. Then read up on the real history of the real teacher of Bruce Lee.
The Ultimate Netflix Movies List
Haywire (2012)
Channing Tatum Interview
For six hours a day for six weeks, Gina Carano went through an intensive tactical training course. She also learned about the art of surveillance and counter-surveillance to prepare, including being tracked by a GPS system installed in her car. It’s an incredible amount of preparation, and the action scenes in the finished product really speak for themselves, making for a kinetic cinematic viewing experience.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
What Haywire lacks in plot, it makes up for in pure kinetic energy. The fight scenes are a highlight and great to watch when you need some inspiration for your own fight scene choreography.
Best New Movies on Netflix
Taylor Swift: Miss Americana (2020)
All the Details • Shared News
The great thing about Taylor Swift’s documentary is that you don’t have to be a die-hard Swiftie to enjoy it. That’s because it focuses less on the pop star’s rise to fame than on her complicated relationship with fame and her struggle to form some kind of political identity.
Taylor Swift: Miss Americana is a fascinating look at the disposability of women in the pop music industry, where self-reinvention is constantly required for a star to avoid being replaced by the next bright shiny object. The film may not convert you into a Taylor Swift fan, but you’ll at least gain an appreciation of what she and many other women in her business have to endure.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Taylor Swift: Miss Americana doesn’t offer an in-depth look into Swift’s psyche. But it does paint an intriguing portrait of a female pop star and the plight of women who live their lives in the public eye.
Good Movies on Netflix for Sci-Fi Fans
The Wandering Earth (2019)
Behind the Scenes of The Wandering Earth
The Wandering Earth has a pretty outlandish concept about the world’s nations physically moving the planet to avoid being consumed by the Sun turning into a red giant. However, the filmmakers still consulted scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences to help ground the film. Even if you don’t plan on obeying all the laws of nature, it still helps to have some kind of baseline to work off of.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
The Wandering Earth is one of the most audacious films to come out of China in history. It’s bold, brash, and silly, but that’s what makes it so insanely watchable.
Horror Netflix Movies List
Murder Party (2007)
Making Of Documentary • Murder Party
The Lab of Madness consists of Jeremy Saulnier, Christopher Sharp, and Macon Blair who shot films together back in the 1980s. After they had plenty of experience under their belts, they shot their first feature Murder Party even with no budget in place.
The minimal budget aesthetic adds to the gonzo nature of the film, and while it’s not recommended for those with weak stomachs, avid horror fans will find a new gem.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Murder Party is really only for major horror enthusiasts. But it’s a nice little gem that doesn’t get a ton of recognition even though it should.
Best Movies on Netflix in 2018
Apostle (2018)
Gareth Evans on Horror
Horror as a genre can consist of various other subgenres. With Apostle, you have something that really captures the essence of various aspects of horror and delivers them in a singular, terrifying package. You never quite know what’s going to happen next, but the tension is ever-present.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Apostle is a must-watch for horror fans. It’s a bit of a slow-burn, but you’ll find some very interesting ideas are being played with alongside the gore and violence.
Netflix Movie List
Coraline (2009)
Behind the Scenes at LAIKA
Coraline picked up the torch from The Nightmare Before Christmas and delivered an entertaining, albeit sometimes frightening, stop-motion animation film. It’s visually stunning, complemented by frames of utter beauty and significant terror.
You don’t need to have a kid to cue up Coraline on Netflix one night. The film has enough emotional weight to ring true with any audience. It’ll remind you of the horrors of childhood while also filling you with hope for the future.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Coraline is a visually arresting film. Its beauty has universal resonance and its genuinely creepier moments will satisfy horror fans, too.
Top Netflix Movies for Directors
Gangs of New York (2002)
Interview With Scorsese & Daniel Day-Lewis
Accents can do more than color a film. They can also serve the plot, which was Scorsese’s goal for Gangs of New York. In the film, a character’s accent often reveals his or her loyalties. A wide breadth of accents and speech patterns are on display, coloring the world and remaining true to history.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Martin Scorsese had a lot of ambition to make Gangs of New York. It makes for one of the director’s most passionate projects with some really interesting ideas at its core.
What Movies Are on Netflix?
The Master (2012)
How Scientology Works • The Nerdwriter
Out of all of PT Anderson’s films, The Master might be the most engrossing. That’s in part due to a trio of incredible performances from Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams.
While the film’s critique of cults of personality may have its sights set on Scientology, The Master is more broadly about humans’ need for belonging and stability. It’s PT Anderson’s masterpiece and about as perfect as a film can get.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Every film student should watch The Master at least once. Whether you want to learn more about acting, directing, or developing themes across a theme, The Master shows you how to do it all.
Action Netflix Movie List
Sin City (2005)
Sin City on a Low Budget • Filmmaking Tutorial
Sin City is noteworthy because three directors ultimately shared credit: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller, and Quentin Tarantino. Their kinetic directorial styles combined with a fierce devotion to filming the sources material as closely as possible led to a thriller roller coaster ride that’s just as pretty to look at today as it did in 2005.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Sin City has style in abundance. However, it very much feels like an action movie from the mid-2000s, both in a good and bad way.
Good Movies on Netflix
Inception (2010)
The Brilliant Deception of Inception • Wisecrack
If you haven’t already seen Inception, then you’ve likely been confused by the debate that’s surrounded it over the past decade. Director Christopher Nolan’s film follows a band of thieves who set out to implant an idea within a wealthy business owner’s mind. It’s discombobulating. It’s sneaky. It’s brilliant. And it remains one of Nolan’s very best films.
Don’t let the people who bemoan how confusing Inception is stop you from seeing it. The film’s plot is actually more straightforward than it would have you believe.BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Inception is one of the best action films of the last decade. It’s among the new movies on Netflix, so give it a watch (or re-watch) when you have the chance.
Fantastic Netflix Original Movies
The Two Popes (2019)
Hopkins and Pryce on The Two Popes • Netflix
They say the best VFX in film are those you don’t notice. The Two Popes takes place in many sensitive locations, and the crew couldn’t film absolutely everywhere around Rome. Therefore, there are many shots that were accomplished through green screens and CGI. It’s an impressive feat specifically because you don’t even realize you’re looking at a fake location. You’re just carried by the magnitude of the story and a pair of superb performances.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
The Two Popes features two brilliant actors in top form. The movie skirts around some serious issues regarding religion, but it remains a visually-striking, engaging story nonetheless.
Best Movies on Netflix
Goodfellas (1990)
The Power of Kinetic Cinema
Narration is usually frowned upon in screenwriting, but Scorsese perfected it with Goodfellas. There’s a part where Henry talks about how Tommy will become a “made man” before he’s unexpectedly killed off. The voiceover makes you put your guard down. It adds to the story and the tone, and anyone thinking about incorporating voiceover in their own script needs to watch this movie.
BEST MOVIES ON NETFLIX
Conclusion
Goodfellas is the perfect gangster movie. Honestly, it’s probably a perfect movie period.
Up Next
Best Movies of the Decade
Just a few more Netflix binges and your inner film encyclopedia should be up to date (until it’s time to update it all over again). Then, after you’ve seen everything on this list, take your streaming adventures a step further by consulting our list of the best films of the 2010s.
Up Next: Best of the Decade →
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