10 Best Movies on Netflix — A Playlist for Filmmakers (Jan. 2020)

Best on Netflix

1. Marriage Story (2019)

If you haven’t seen Marriage Story yet, there are a couple reasons you should do so immediately. It’s one of the best films of 2019 featuring some outstanding performances. And it will finally give you a chance to understand all those memes you’ve been seeing on Twitter. 

Writer/director Noah Baumbach uses the film to exorcise his own demons from his own divorce, using it as a showcase for some of the finest actors working today. In particular, Adam Driver proves he’s a force to be reckoned with, and it’s only a matter of time before he has an Oscar. Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern, and Ray Liotta are also incredible, so do yourself a favor and check it out immediately.

Best Movies on Netflix

2. Okja (2017)

Another Netflix original worth revisiting is the eclectic Okja. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Okja carries many of the same themes he would carry into his next impressive work, Parasite. It’s a pitch-black satire condemning the evils of unchecked capitalism, so if you enjoyed Parasite from last year, then this should be the next film on your bucket list. 

While it has a lot to say, the film is also a simple tale of a young girl trying to rescue her friend, a fascinating creature named Okja, from the hands of image-obsessed CEO Lucy Mirando, played brilliantly by Tilda Swinton. It may be a couple of years old, but you’ll soon see why this movie is worth repeated viewings.

Netflix Movies

3. Hot Rod (2007)

Your enjoyment of Hot Rod will probably depend on how much you’re into the antics of The Lonely Island. But if you’re anything like me, then you know Hot Rod was an underrated comedy gem when it first came out. It’s filled with the best kind of sophomoric humor. Don’t let the low Rotten Tomatoes score fool you, when you need a laugh after a long week, this is the film to play. 

Netflix Movies List

4. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)

The Long Kiss Goodnight takes its absurd premise all the way up to 11, making for an underrated gem from the 90s that deserves more love. Geena Davis plays a suburban mom who begins to recall aspects of her previous life as a secret agent after a bump on the head. On top of that, everyone’s out to kill her again, so she seeks help from a private detective, played by Samuel L. Jackson. 

With a script from Shane Black, you know you are in for a good time. The dialogue is top-notch with one-liners coming at you rapid fire. It’s very much a 90’s action movie, so it’s perfect when you’re feeling a bit nostalgic.

Great Movies to Watch on Netflix

5. Train to Busan (2016)

Train to Busan is hands-down one of the best zombie movies ever made. It’s creepy. It’s filled with social commentary. It’s heartfelt (anyone who doesn’t cry towards the end is a robot). All of that’s within a suspenseful zombie story where no one is safe. 

Good Movies on Netflix

6. Mudbound (2017)

Mudbound is a period piece set in the American South during World War II. Two families, one white and one black, try to attain their own versions of the American Dream. Their respective sons return to war, and their friendship remains at odds with the Jim Crow era. 

Having co-written and directed the film, Dee Rees captures a unique portrait of American life not often captured on film in this time period. It’s a moving story with heartbreaking portrayals of racism routine at the time. The performances are incredible, and it proved Dee Rees was a director to keep an eye on.

What to Watch on Netflix

7. Locke (2014)

If you needed any more proof Tom Hardy was one of the best actors of his generation, then look no further than Locke. Hardy carries the entire film, which focuses on one man’s late-night drive to the hospital where his illegitimate son will be born. Along the way, he has conversations with his family and his work, both of which deteriorate from his revelations. 

Netflix Films

8. Don’t Think Twice (2016)

If you want something a little lighter, then watch Don’t Think Twice. The film follows an improv troupe torn apart when one members ends up on a hit TV show and the others are forced to reconsider their life goals. It’s partly hilarious and party devastating as it presents its main characters as real people struggling to come to terms with how fame has passed most of them by. 

The film features some amazing comedic actors, including Keegan Michael-Key, Kate Micucci, and Chris Gethard. It’s a celebration of improv and how you can get something out of art even if you are unable to make a career out of it. It’s genuinely touching and a must-see for artists of all kinds.

Excellent Netflix Movies

9. Only God Forgives (2013)

When you’re more in the mood for a bloody, violent revenge flick, then Only God Forgives is for you. Ryan Gosling plays a former criminal hiding out in Bangkok when his brother is murdered. This forces Gosling’s character out of hiding to seek vengeance, resulting in a showdown between two shadowy forces. 

Top Netflix Films

10. A Serious Man (2009)

When conversations of the best Coen Brothers movies come up, A Serious Man is often pushed to the side in favor of their more popular works like The Big Lebowski and Fargo. However, A Serious Man is perhaps their densest work. It’s a movie that offers more rewards with rewatches as you’re struggling to find answers much like the protagonist. 

Larry Gopnik goes through trial after trial, suffering throughout the movie with only the faintest moments of reprieve. It’s a modern retelling of Job from the Bible, and the film itself is a sort of Schrödinger's cat, featuring one paradox after another. It’s a movie that begs for analysis and for the viewer to become introspective to answer the questions posed within.

Up Next

The Best Zombie Movies

Anyone who ends up enjoying Train to Busan (and who wouldn’t?) should definitely make a point to read through StudioBinder’s list of the best zombie movies of all time. You’ll definitely see Yeon Sang-ho’s film make the list, but there are a few surprises along the way. For any horror enthusiast, keep reading to see what you should check out next. 

Up Next: The Best Zombie Movies →