You know Sherlock Holmes, now see what his sister is capable of. Millie Bobby Brown plays the titular character who finds herself in a mischievous plot to locate her mother. Also starring Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, and Helena Bonham Carter, the film was originally planned for a theatrical release but ended up on Netflix for all to see.

This docudrama follows the rise of social media. It shows the dark side of Facebook, Twitter, and other sites and how they’ve brought about an increase in conspiracy theories. You’ll learn how all these mega-companies are actually using your data, and you may not like the answer.

A father figure and his stepson end up as part of a manhunt after venturing into the New Zealand bush. Taiki Waititi’s film stars Sam Neill and Julian Dennison as the primary duo in this understated comedy.

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I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a denser film than what may appear on the surface. The story of a woman wanting to break up with her boyfriend of six weeks is intercut with various scenes that don’t make a lot of sense at first. You have to be willing to roll with the absurdity and Charlie Kaufman’s patented disjointing. But the performances bolster this film to something that warrants Academy consideration.

Many movies of late are obsessed with class warfare. From Parasite to Joker, many films explore the division between the upper and lower classes. The Platform follows in this tradition, serving as a political allegory. It takes place in a prison where food is lowered one level at a time until nothing is left for the prisoners at the bottom. Resources literally “trickle down,” so anyone who was a fan of Parasite will also find substance in this sci-fi flick.

Considered by many to be one of the greatest movies of all time, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest follows a group of misfits trapped at an Oregon psychiatric hospital under the tyrannical rule of Nurse Ratched. With an award-winning cast consisting of Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, and Brad Dourif, the film is must-watch viewing for anyone who loves the Netflix original series Ratched.

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Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

Breaking the fourth wall is typically done for comedic effect. However, Fiddler on the Roof does it for a much different reason. During those moments, Tevye discusses important concepts to the Jewish community. It gives the audience time to reflect on the musical’s themes before we get back into another number.

Fargo is the Coen Brothers’ masterpiece. Starring Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, and William H. Macy, the dark comedy follows a pregnant police chief attempting to solve a slew of murders taking place in her quiet town.

Will Ferrell and Maggie Gyllenhaal star in this absurdist comedy. Ferrell plays an IRS agent trapped in an author’s novel. The only problem is that she plans on killing him off.

The Squid and the Whale follows a simple story of two kids dealing with their parents’ divorce. Starring Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, and Jesse Eisenberg, the film takes an unflinching look at what it’s like to grow up in such toxicity.

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.

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The Half of It (2020)

There are some films you watch and wonder why no one has ever made it before. The Half of It takes a cue from Cyrano de Bergerac when a friendless high school student writes love letters for a jock to the popular girl, whom she also has a crush on. It goes to show the true power in taking familiar premises and finding a way to tell them in a relevant way to modern audiences.

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.

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13th (2016)

A great deal of social upheaval has taken place over the last year. And if you’re interested in learning more about the root of that unrest, just watch 13th from director Ava DuVernay. The film explores mass incarceration in the United States and how it disproportionately impacts Black Americans. It all can be traced back to the passage of the 13th Amendment, which most people learn in high school abolished slavery but actually just altered the definition. The 13th Amendment still allows for slavery except for punishment of a crime. It’s eye-opening, shocking, and will make you want to protest for a better tomorrow.

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The Founder (2016)

The Founder follows a person responsible for changing society as we know it. And the person pulling the strings isn’t some kind-hearted, gentle soul. Ray Kroc takes advantage of the true founders of McDonald’s, never giving them the money they were owed. It’s fascinating watching a global behemoth emerge in front of your eyes on screen.

This documentary follows several teenagers as they try to navigate the social hierarchy in the 21st century. The film highlights the way kids these days are bullied like never before, and it sometimes leads to tragic consequences. It stars a slew of children all playing themselves and being heartbreakingly honest in their portrayal of what it’s truly like to grow up these days.

Aardman Animations brings another delightful stop motion animated romp to your television screen. Featuring the voice acting talents of Hugh Grant, Martin Freeman, and David Tennant, the film follows a sorry crew of amateur pirates doing everything they can to win the coveted Pirate of the Year award.

Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson star in the romantic film about a man with the ability to travel back in time to correct the mistakes of the past. Ultimately, the film’s about learning to love the life you have and the people you share it with.

Two stoners find themselves in the middle of a gang war in this hilarious comedy. Seth Rogen and James Franco team up for the buddy comedy that’s perfect for anyone wanting drug references coming at lightspeed.

Elisabeth Moss and Mark Duplass star in this captivating thriller. They play a married couple who have a surreal experience while on vacation, and the less that’s said about it before watching it the better.

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Disclosure (2020)

Disclosure provides fascinating insight into the transgender experience in modern America. And a big part of that experience involves seeing (often not-so-flattering) portrayals in the media. Featuring interviews with filmmakers like Lilly Wachowski and Susan Stryker, as well as actors, musicians, and producers, Disclosure sheds knowledge everyone needs to know and understand.

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Midnight Special (2016)

A gamer finds himself trapped in his family’s flat when the zombie apocalypse breaks out around him. He forms a connection with a woman across the way, and the two work together to survive. The film stars Yoo Ah-in, Park Shin-hye, and Lee Hyun-wook.

Classic Movies on Netflix Now

West Side Story (1961)

With Steven Spilberg directing a remake, now’s the perfect time to revisit an all-time classic musical. Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story follows two star-crossed lovers from rival New York street gangs. In particularly, it’s important to pay attention to the editing, which is fast-paced as ever and allows a movie that’s nearly 60 years old to still feel vibrant and energetic.

Referring to a movie as “slow” may seem like a bad thing (and in some cases it is). But Burning shows precisely how to do a slow burn (no pun intended) well. The characters are engaging, and it subverts your expectations at nearly every turn. It creeps up on you, and you remain at the edge of your seat until your patience is ultimately rewarded.

Dramatizing the death of Stalin is one thing, but making a comical farce out of the event and the ensuing power struggle must have been a monumental task. The movie was banned in Russia, but anyone who wants to give it a chance will find a hilarious piece of art with timely parallels to our current political state. It’s a superb example of a dark comedy that balances out its varying tones with such expert precision.

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Taxi Driver (1976)

In the aftermath of the Great Recession, many movies dealt with themes related to capitalism and greed. Killing Them Softly is a great example and turns the focus into the realm of small-time organized crime. The movie isn’t subtle with what it’s trying to say, but it’s entertaining and since it’s removed several years past 2008, it can turn a critical eye onto the events that transpired that year.

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Being John Malkovich (1999)

Nightcrawler is a unique story in that its protagonist, Lou Bloom, has no character arc. He’s an unethical person at the beginning and remains that way throughout the film. He doesn’t learn any lessons by seeing the dark sides of capitalism and consumer demand. Instead, he embodies the worst components of those ideas. He shows what kind of person you have to become the make it in the world, and the answer is a sociopath.

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Donnie Brasco (1997)

There are numerous mafia movies out there. But what makes Donnie Brasco one of the best gangster movies of all time is how it divides time equally between the mob and the FBI. You get a more complete picture, and people on both sides appear as real people. Plus, the performances from Johnny Depp and Al Pacino are second-to-none and add real gravity to what could have been another forgettable mobster picture.

How do you adapt one of the most famous English works of all time? For screenwriter Deborah Moggach, it consisted of being fairly faithful to the source material. The structure and dialogue from the novel remains largely intact, but when you have one of the greatest romances ever written at your disposal, you don’t exactly need to reinvent the wheel.

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Casino Royale (2006)

Salma Hayek had to fight vigorously to get Frida made. She even sought out the administrator to the rights of Frida Kahlo’s works to secure paintings for the film. You can see that passion in every scene Hayek is in, making this a biopic that stands apart from many in its class.