10 Best Movies on Netflix — A Playlist for Filmmakers (Dec. 2019)

If you only have time to watch one movie on Netflix this month, then carve out three and a half hours to watch Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman. Don’t do what everyone else is saying and turn it into a miniseries as you won’t be able to appreciate exactly what Scorsese has actually accomplished. 

It’s lengthy for a reason, and Scorsese has never been more methodical about what he chooses to say and who he selects to talk. 

At its core, this film is a tragedy set against a backdrop of political and social turbulence. The film is a slow march toward death. One can’t help but feel Scorsese is ruminating on his own eventual demise while making this film. Hopefully, he has enough fuel in the tank for a few more classics like this one.

When you’re more in the mood for an action-packed sci-fi flick with ample doses of social commentary, District 9 is right up your alley. A field operative is exposed to a biotechnology that alters his DNA, transforming him into one of the aliens being segregated in South Africa.

He quickly becomes the most wanted man in the country as he desperately tries to make things right with those he used to persecute. 

The film heavily utilizes a handheld shaky-cam aesthetic, but it holds up pretty well. The themes are still emotionally resonant, making for a tense thrill ride as you follow Wikus van der Merwe from one location to the next. From the first scene, you know you are watching a classic being born, so watch it for the first or 10th time this holiday season.

Drive proves there’s a place for violent action films in the arthouse scene. Ryan Gosling plays a stunt driver by day and a criminal getaway driver at night, but the film is ultimately a story about redemption and whether those we perceive as bad can be fully realized into good men. 

A man stranded on an island finds a corpse washed up on the shore, and the two go on a surreal journey to make it back home. While it sounds crass, Swiss Army Man is a gorgeous, bizarre dream.

It’s unlike anything else out there, and it’s the perfect film to watch if you have an out-there sense of humor. 

Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe (yes, even as a corpse) are brilliant. There are moments of hilarity but also moments of genuine emotional truth. You may just find yourself relating heavily to a dead body, which is an experience no other film can give you.

Another Netflix original that was unfortunately slept on when it was released in 2017 is I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore. Unwieldy title aside, it’s a brilliant crime comedy that touches on gender norms in today’s world. 

What’s so brilliant about the film is the way in which in weaves between comedic goofiness and explosive violence. It’s both grim and charming. It’s one of those indie gems that may have been forgotten if Netflix didn’t pick it up, so do yourself a favor and watch it when you can.

Zodiac is a film that does everything right. Every minute is filled with tension and/or anxiety. But the suspense never comes at the expense of building fully-developed characters. The movie is a nuanced portrayal of obsession and gives the audience insight into the hunt for one of the most notorious serial killers in American history.

It’s a rare kind of thriller because there’s no happy ending. All you’re left with is a bunch of loose threads. It makes sense considering the Zodiac killer was never found, but on a larger scale, it works because sometimes, our obsessions lead us nowhere.

Studio Ghibli has been responsible for producing some of the most beloved animated films of all times. Now, Studio Ponoc shows it has learned much from Ghibli with Mary and the Witch’s Flower.

​The film has the usual stunningly fluid animation you will find, and it has an upbeat, carefree score to follow our protagonist on her journey of self-discovery.

Personal Shopper shows Kristen Stewart has come a long way since her Twilight days and is a fantastic actress to be watched. She’s phenomenal in this film where she plays a personal shopper to the stars who haunts the Paris home of her recently deceased twin brother. 

It’s an arthouse ghost story that won’t leave you shaking in your seat like traditional horror flicks. Instead, you watch to see Kristen Stewart take command of the screen. She’s in practically every scene, and the film makes for a wonderful showcase of what she’s capable of.

Obvious Child is a must-watch for every 20-something. It follows an aspiring comedian when her life is turned upside down when she loses her job, gets dumped, and finds out she’s pregnant. All of a sudden, a young woman with few responsibilities now has to grow up and learn to accept help from others. 

Revenge movies are a dime a dozen. However, Blue Ruin manages to transcend its genre into something truly outstanding. It’s clear writer/director Jeremy Saulnier understands this genre inside and out, so he’s able to transcend expectations, and just when you think you know where the film is headed, you get thrown for a complete 180. 

Up Next

Martin Scorsese Movies

After getting through The Irishman, you may want to go on a full Martin Scorsese binge. He’s directed some of the best films of all time, and you can gain a better appreciation of his craft by learning about his unique directorial style. Check out StudioBinder’s analysis of what truly makes Scorsese one of the finest directors of all time, which includes a complete rundown of his filmography. 

Up Next: A Filmmaker’s Guide to Scorsese’s Style →