Want to know what the best movies on Netflix are, but don’t know how? Finding a good movie on Netflix can sometimes be difficult, at best. Filtering through all of the sequels that no one cares about is a daunting task, and there’s a risk in watching something you’ve never heard of—which is why we’ve gone through the trouble for you. We’ve got you covered for a whole host of genres: romance, dramas, comedies, documentaries, and even one musical. In fact, we found the best movies Netflix has to offer, right now.
When you’re ready to watch a good movie, look no further than this list. Read on, keep calm, and watch the best movies on Netflix.
Romance
Y Tu Mamá También
Set in the summer heat of Mexico, two wealthy young men meet a beautiful older woman, Luisa. While on a spontaneous road trip together, Luisa seduces the two men, and things quickly escalate and heat up.
I watched this movie purely to feast my eyes on the morsel that is Gael García Bernal. I continued watching it because this is a good movie. The intensity of lust and the dynamics of the relationships is tangible, and the acting is stellar. Seriously one of the best movies out there.
Jane Eyre
Based off of Charlotte Brontë’s novel of the same name, this takes place in early 19th century England, and follows a poor orphan’s life, hardships, and romance.
English Gothic romance film. Need I say more? If you love Jane Austen, watch this. If you love Downton Abbey, watch this. If you love English romance period pieces, watch this. Mia Wasikowska is strong, unassuming, and a perfect Brontë heroine.
Shakespeare In Love
A romantic period piece (but not cheeseball romantic) of the famous playwright and poet falling in love with the actor who plays his famous Juliette.
Period pieces are awesome. Shakespearean-inspired period pieces with romance with cross dressing are even better. This is basically a perfect romance movie, and both Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes rock it as two passionate lovers.
Blue Is The Warmest Color
An intimate French film in which a teenage girl learns about and comes to terms with her sexuality when she meets a blue haired woman.
I started watching this movie out of curiosity, thinking that I might turn it off halfway through (it’s a long one at 3 hours and 7 minutes). But it was so good that I watched the whole damn thing. Watching Adèle discover who she is, and her interactions with friends, family, and her partner was emotional. It provides heterosexual people a glimpse into what LGBTQ people may face in a heterosexual world.
Drama
Woman In Gold
A remarkable story and film, it is based on a true story and follows Austrian-born American Maria Altmann, played by Helen Mirren. Altmann seeks to reclaim a famous painting of her aunt from Austria. Ryan Reynolds and Helen Mirren are a great team, and together they bring light laughter and hope to the film.
This movie is for all of you who love history, art, and have an interest in anything Nazi-Germany or Holocaust related. With the premise set around a woman attempting to reclaim a beloved piece of art stolen by the Nazi’s, it offers a look into how they impacted private rights and cultural heritage. Woman In Gold also felt eerily close to home, as Altmann occasionally has flashbacks to Nazi-occupied Austria and the prejudices and persecution Jewish people endured by her fellow Austrians.
Goodwill Hunting
Robin Williams and Matt Damon star in this story about a rough Boston genius who is pretty good at math, but has some personal issues.
One of my all time faves, I thought everyone had seen it until talking to a friend and realized she had never watched this before(!). Oftentimes hilarious, very touching, and with a great story, both Robin Williams and Matt Damon are amazing in this. Best of all, it will leave you feeling pleasantly satisfied.
Amadeus
The story of the musical mastermind Amadeus Mozart. Witty, weird, and fascinating, Jason Schwartzman shines in this 1984 film.
Amadeus is not your typical historical movie. Sure, it may take a look at young Mozart’s life, but it does so in an odd and unconventional manner. Some people love this film, others hate it, but for me, Schwartzman’s sometimes crass and funny Mozart makes for a perfect movie.
Amélie
This quirky French movie follows an unusual young woman, Amélie. She decides to secretly intervene in her eccentric acquaintances lives, just to make them a little bit happier.
A somewhat strange movie and definitely a different style from what Americans are used to, the interesting characters are what drive this. Each time I watch it, I appreciate something new, and it really encourages the viewer to love everyone around them.
Sing Street
Taking place in 1980’s Dublin, a young teenager, Conor, and his friends band together to impress a girl. They end up performing songs, shooting videos, and getting into the rock music scene of the ‘80’s.
One of my favorites on here, purely because of the music performed, the integrity of Conor, and the humor. The Irish accents are a big cherry on top, but this is just a really great feel good movie. It’s a great one to watch when feeling a bit lethargic.
The Imitation Game
Based off of a true story, the film is set during World War II, and follows Alan Turing (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), a gay mathematician who was part of an operation to crack the enigma code.
The truth: I watched this movie when I was craving a Benedict Cumberbatch fix, but had watched the Sherlock series too often and too much to justify watching it again. While he does play another genius, it certainly isn’t another Sherlock. But the suspense and drama of figuring out the code, and the constant worry if Turing and his team will be able to break it is beyond nail biting. The fact that this stars Keira Knightley, the Queen of period pieces, makes The Imitation Game so much more enjoyable.
Nightcrawler
Creepy and gripping, Jake Gyllenhaal plays a man who goes out on his own to capture and film the first footage of newsworthy accidents around Los Angeles.
This borderline-thriller movie will give you the chills, and is somewhat disturbing. Nightcrawler isn’t really my preferred type of movie to watch, but the writing, camera angles, and premise really make this a more than worthwhile film. The most disturbing thing for me was how well Gyllenhaal, my old celebrity crush, convincingly played a creeper.
Documentaries
Virunga
In this riveting documentary, the park rangers of the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo are more like soldiers as they fight to protect the highly endangered mountain Gorilla.
Inspiring, heartbreaking, beautiful, devastating, Virunga will make you want to go over to the Congo and fight alongside park rangers in order to protect mountain gorillas. This is probably the best documentary I’ve ever watched, and it potently illuminates what people are doing to protect wildlife.
Planet Earth
So yes, this is not a movie. But Planet Earth is spectacular in its scenery, ingenious in its shots, and has incredible footage. See amazing animals up close and personal.
Animals, animals, animals. That alone is enough reason to watch. Watch ducklings leave their nest to wander in a forest. See dolphins swimming, jumping, and being awesome. This has some of the best recordings of all kinds of animals – strange, familiar, far away and remote, or close to home – ever.
Sonita
A powerful documentary, Sonita is an Afghan refugee in Iran who dreams of being a superstar rapper. But then her mother decides to sell her as a bride.
This is a complex documentary that will leave you rooting for Sonita and girl power, and is both engrossing and unsettling. The director’s transition from mere observer to an active participant in Sonita’s story is unusual, and brings into question when observers, journalists, and artists should step in to help humankind. Loved this movie.
Paris Is Burning
In this 1980’s documentary, which was filmed over a 7-year period, you’ll be dropped in the African-American and Latino trans, gay, and drag community of New York City.
Paris is a fascinating documentary, and it brought international attention to an important subculture. I found it enlightening and funny—and it had that can’t-stop-watching feel to it. It’s also remarkable that so much of this film and it’s featured community had a linguistic and strong cultural effect on the nation—words like “fierce” and “shade” are used aplenty in the film, and their origins can be traced back to it.
Grizzly Man
An exceptional look on wildness and Timothy Treadwell’s life and death amongst wild grizzly bears. The documentary weaves together Treadwell’s (a conservationist and bear lover) own video footage and various interviews.
I first watched this film in a Environmental Studies class in college, and it has stayed with me throughout the years. As someone who always planned on living out my days as a member of a wolf pack (still in the works), it was fascinating to watch Treadwell. He was perhaps unhealthily obsessed and in love with grizzly bears, and lived amongst them for several months year after year. The circumstances surrounding the fact that he was mauled by one of ‘his’ beloved bears casts an interesting light onto the human and wild animal relationship.
Comedy
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
This classic John Hughes film follows popular high school senior, Ferris Bueller of Chicago, playing hooky to take a day from school on a beautiful day. Watch his shenanigans play out.
“Bueller?” This is a classic that you can watch anytime, no matter what. Perfect to watch by yourself, with a new friend, at parties—you will always laugh at this movie, even if you’ve seen it 99 times before. I don’t know what else to say, other than watch it (and twist and shout).
Moonrise Kingdom
One of Wes Anderson’s more popular films, it follows an orphaned boy scout and troubled girl who run away together across the fictional island of Penzance. Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Bruce Willis, and Bill Murray all participate in this typically Anderson theater-inspired production.
Moonrise is my favorite Anderson movie. I love movies that make me feel good and happy. I also love dry and cynical humor. Moonrise delivers on both accounts. Adventurous? Check. Whimsical? Check. A salty female lead? Check. Not to mention, the scenery is lovely and the dance moves are groovy.
Finding Dory
Dory, Nemo, and Marlin are back. This time, Dory slowly begins to piece together her memories, and tries to trace her way back home, and to her parents.
Love Finding Nemo, Disney, or Ellen Degeneres? Then Finding Dory is the bomb. Cute otters and a funny new character in the shape of a whale shark are the highlights. I personally don’t think it is quite as brilliant as Finding Nemo, but it still has the same charm and will heal any feelings of nostalgia.
Musical
Grease
One of the best musicals with hip-moving dances, it is a timeless story of a boy meeting a girl, and how their high school romance unfolds.
If you haven’t watched this classic, you seriously need to. Sure, it’s sometimes a bit cheesy and over the top, but John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John will keep you dancing and singing for days on end.
What do you think are the best movies on Netflix? Comment or Tweet us @LitDarling!
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