Before Netflix was the home of some of the biggest and best shows on TV, Netflix was more associated with movies. It all started with its red envelopes, sending DVDs directly to people's homes. It soon became one of the most popular platforms to stream movies in the world (now streaming is the only option as the Netflix DVD service has ended). And it doesn't disappoint, as the amount of Netflix movies to stream is vast.
Of course, such a big library is a positive and a negative. It's a positive because there are seemingly endless options to choose from, but that amount of choice can lead to a lot of scrolling an in decision on what to settle on watching. Allow us to help with that by assembling on official ranking of the best Netflix movies to stream right now.
The list we've put together below (not ranked, just in alphabetical order) includes both the best of the ever expanding slate of Netflix original movies, which are always going to be available on Netflix, and movies that rotate in and out of the service each month; so be sure to check back with this post to see what's new on the service that you should be watching. (FYI, we're only doing feature length movies, so not including shorts, even the Oscar-winning The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.)
Let's not waste any more time and dive right into WTW's picks for the best Netflix movies to watch right now.
83 best Netflix movies to stream right now
13th (2016)
Netflix has plenty of amazing documentaries in its library that challenge and inform viewers, perhaps none more so than the Oscar-nominated 13th, directed by Ava DuVernay. The movie reexamines the 13th amendment to the US Constitution, which officially ended slavery but, as the movie posits, also may have led to the racial inequality of the current US prison system. Available: US/UK
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
1930's All Quiet on the Western Front, an anti-war story depicting a young German soldier's harrowing experiences during World War One, was among the first Best Picture winners, but Netflix's remake of All Quiet of the Western Front from German director Edward Berger maybe even better than the original. With today's technology they can masterfully reconstruct the intense battle sequences of the story, but at its heart are still the characters who are forced to endure the worst. Available: US/UK
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
The rom-com has found new life on Netflix, with Always Be My Maybe as one of the streamer's best original movies in the genre. Ali Wong and Randall Park star as childhood friends we reconnect as adults wondering with the question hanging over their heads: why did they never end up together? An excellent script, Wong and Park's great chemistry and a memorable Keanu Reeves cameo make Always Be My Maybe a movie you'll love in love with. Available: US/UK
Amadeus (1984)
Ignore the historical accuracies and just get swept up by the music and the drama of Amadeus, the story of the (again, mostly fictitious) rivalry between composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. The Best Picture winner is lush and grand, with two strong performances from its leads, Tom Hulce as Mozart and F. Murray Abraham as Salieri, the latter of which won the Oscar for Best Actor. Available: US
American Factory (2019)
One of Netflix's Oscar-winning documentaries, American Factory focuses on an Ohio factory that was set to close when it is rescued by a Chinese billionaire. The documentary focuses on the struggles of how the Chinese and American work cultures mix. Available: US/UK
American Graffiti (1973)
Before George Lucas changed the movies forever with Star Wars, he earned critical acclaim and a Best Picture nomination for his ode to the 1960s in American Graffiti. Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Cindy Williams and a newcomer named Harrison Ford starred in this story of recent high school graduates cruising around town. It's a far cry from what Lucas has become known for, but it is a time capsule of his formative years. Available: US
Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood (2022)
Richard Linklater is a singular American filmmaker with such classics as Dazed and Confused, the Before trilogy and Boyhood. With Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood, he manages to capture the awe of the Moon Race era as he imagines what it would be like if a child from a small town in Texas was recruited to help NASA as they work on the Apollo missions. Available: US/UK
Apollo 13 (1995)
From Linklater's imagination of a secret NASA mission to Ron Howard's retelling of one of the true Apollo missions, Apollo 13 depicts the dramatic scramble to return a group of astronauts (played by Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton) home from space when their spaceship malfunctions. Available: US only
Baby Driver (2017)
People love Edgar Wright's Cornetto trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, World's End) and rightly so, but the director has done some great work beyond that, including the heist movie Baby Driver. The story centers on a young getaway driver, Baby (Ansel Elgort), who is always listening to music, but that doesn’t stop him from being the best in the business. Attempting to get out of the game though proves quite difficult for him. The movie is edited to fit perfectly with the soundtrack, which just adds to the overall excitement. Available: US/UK
Beasts of No Nation (2015)
One of the first Netflix original movies remains one of its best. Beasts of No Nation, directed by Cary J. Fukunaga and featuring Idris Elba in an acclaimed supporting performance, is a drama based on the experiences of a child soldier fighting in Africa. Available: US/UK
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Oliver Stone's Platoon may have won the Oscar, but for my money Born on the Fourth of July is the better movie. It is the biography of Ron Kovic, who enlisted for Vietnam after high school but after being over there and ultimately being paralyzed became a staunch anti-war and human rights activist. Tom Cruise gives one of his best performances in the movie and Stone won his second Best Director trophy in the span of three years. Available: US
Bullet Train (2022)
Bullet Train seems destined to be a movie that didn't get the best critical reception (it's technically "Rotten" on Rotten Tomatoes) but that movie fans love because it's bonkers and fun. Brad Pitt stars as a hitman tasked with a simple retrieval job that becomes anything but as other assassins are on board all with their own agenda. The all-star cast helps sell this movie, including Brian Tyree Henry, Joey King, Bad Bunny, Logan Lerman, Zazie Beetz, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Sandra Bullock and (reported next James Bond) Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Available: US only
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
If you ever need the Christmas spirit, Netflix has plenty of holiday-themed movies to pick from. A fun one is The Christmas Chronicles, which sees Kurt Russell play Santa Claus, whose delivery of presents is interrupted by a sister and brother who attempt to capture him on camera. There is also a sequel, The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two, if you're interested. Available: US/UK
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Spike Lee took on the Vietnam War in this tale of four African-American vets who return to Vietnam seeking the treasure that they buried and to bring back the remains of their fallen squad leader. Lee was on a hot streak with Da 5 Bloods and BlackKlansman, and we're still shocked that Da 5 Bloods didn't earn more than its one Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. Available: US/UK
Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
Eddie Murphy gives one of his most critically acclaimed performances as he honors a beloved figure of the 1970s Blaxploitation movies, Rudy Ray Moore, who created and starred as the character Dolemite in various movies. Dolemite Is My Name tells Moore's story and features a fantastic cast that includes Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Titus Burgess, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Snoop Dogg, Ron Cephas Jones, Luenell, Chris Rock and Wesley Snipes. Available: US/UK
Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels proved to be an all-time great comedy duo with Dumb and Dumber (opinions vary on which character is which). The hilarious movie, directed by the Farrelly Brothers (Peter and Bob) remains one of the most quotable comedies of the last 30 years and is always worth a rewatch if you need a laugh. Available: US only
Dumb Money (2023)
Retelling the story of the GameStock revolution during the pandemic, Dumb Money is a fun, underdog story about a group of small time investors taking on the major hedge funds and disrupting Wall Street like never before. Paul Dano leads a great ensemble that includes America Ferrera, Seth Rogen, Nick Offerman, Shailene Woodley, Pete Davidson and more in what WTW called the "Rocky of Wall Street movies" in our Dumb Money review. Available: US only
Enola Holmes (2020)
Millie Bobby Brown has practically become the de-factor queen of Netflix between Stranger Things and her number of Netflix original movies, the best of which is definitely Enola Holmes. Brown stars as the titular younger sister of famed detective Sherlock Holmes (played by Henry Cavill), who takes on her own case involving a young lord in trouble. Available: US/UK
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Julia Roberts put a twist on her America's sweetheart persona to play the tough single mom who becomes a legal assistant and helps lead a major lawsuit against a power company polluting a small town in Erin Brockovich, which ultimately wound up winning her an Oscar for Best Actress. While Roberts headlines things, Steven Soderbergh's direction, Susannah Grant's script and a strong supporting cast (most notably Albert Finney) are invaluable. Available: US/UK
*Leaving Netflix on May 1
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most popular and wonderfully bonkers events in the world, so Will Ferrell's movie on the singing competition is no less joyfully insane. Starring alongside Rachel McAdams, the pair star as Icelandic musicians who may not be the most talented, but are desperate to live their dreams and compete in Eurovision. Funny and with some great musical moments, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is one of the better Will Ferrell movies we've had of late. Available: US/UK
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Everything Everywhere All at Once dominated the 2023 Oscars, winning six awards in total including Best Picture and Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh. It is definitely one of the more gloriously out-there picks from the Academy, as the story centers on a struggling Chinese-American family that is pulled into a multiverse adventure and involves martial arts, hotdog fingers, sentient rocks and plenty more. It was also supported by one of the best movie posters of all time. Available: US only
Extraction (2020)
Chris Hemsworth may have traded in his hammer but he is still nearly superhuman in Extraction, an action movie that sees him play a black market mercenary hired to rescue a kidnapped son of an international crime lord. Extraction features multiple incredible action set pieces that will wow viewers, but the movie may also be among Hemsworth's better performances. Available: US/UK
Fair Play (2023)
A modern-day take on the erotic thriller genre that was popular in the 1990s, Fair Play stars Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich as a young couple whose relationship is pushed to the brink when an unexpected promotion shifts the dynamics in their relationship. Both young stars give good performances and first-time feature director Chloe Domont crafts a taut viewing experience. Available: US/UK
The Florida Project (2017)
The Florida Project is a Disney-adjacent story, literally, as the drama follows a group of kids that live in a motel just down the road from the Magic Kingdom. Sean Parker directed critically acclaimed movie that was the debut for young actress Brooklynn Prince and featured an Oscar-nominated performance from Willem Dafoe. Available: US only
*Leaving Netflix on May 1
The Forty-Year-Old Version (2020)
Playwright, rapper, comedian and filmmaker Radha Black pulled triple duty on The Forty-Year-Old Version: directing, writing and starring in the dramedy loosely based on her own experiences as a playwright attempting to make her career breakthrough before she turns 40. Black is great in all three aspects, delivering a funny and inspiring story of artistic persistence. Available: US/UK
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc is back on the case in Glass Onion, the second movie in the Knives Out mystery franchise from Rian Johnson. The second installment is just as funny and twisty as the original Knives Out, with just as (and perhaps even more) star-studded cast that included Edward Norton, Janelle Monae, Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr., Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Jessica Henwick and Madelyn Cline alongside Craig. Available: US/UK
The Guns of Navarone (1961)
Gregory Peck leads a team to sabotage a key German weapons base during World War II in The Guns of Navarone. Hollywood legends Peck, Anthony Quinn, David Niven, Richard Harris and more set out on the mission, which is a great example of the old-school Hollywood epics of the 1950s and 1960s. Available: US only
Happy Gilmore (1996)
One of Adam Sandler's pre-Netflix classics is now available to watch on the streamer in Happy Gilmore. The hilarious sports movie sees Sandler stars as a little talent hockey player with a short fuse who picks up golf to win some much needed money after he learns he has the ability to drive the ball farther than anyone. It's a fan favorite of Sandler's from his heyday in the 90s (so much so a sequel is reportedly in the works), while also featuring Carl Weathers as Happy's mentor, one of the late actor's move beloved roles. Available: US
The Harder They Fall (2021)
Writer-director Jeymes Samuel put his own spin on the western with the magnificent The Harder They Fall. Thrilling and funny, it brought a fresh spin to a classic Hollywood genre (something Samuel did again with the 2024 movie The Book of Clarence). We'll ride with this movie any time and highly recommend checking it out for yourself. Available: US/UK
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
All four of the original The Hunger Games movies are streaming on Netflix right now, so binge at your leisure. But if we're picking which of the Jennifer Lawrence movies we think is the best from the franchise, we'd have to go with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. What helps make this edition stand out is the mix of action and political intrigue (the latter of which was mostly missing from the first movie). Plus, it handles the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale the best of any of the movies. Oh yeah, and the arena sequence is fantastic. Available: US
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Before Taika Waititi became truly mainstream with Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, the Oscar-winning filmmaker made Hunt for the Wilderpeople. The story is about a kid and his reluctant foster uncle traveling through the New Zealand bush and stars Julian Dennison and Sam Neill, with Waititi's trademark humor and heart on full display. A must-watch for all fans of his work. Available: US only
Hustle (2022)
One of the best new movies coming from then Adam Sandler/Netflix partnership of the last few years is the basketball drama Hustle. Sandler plays a pro scout who risks it all when he discovers an unknown prospect in Spain. Sandler is probably still best known for his comedies, but he has proven time and time again (and again in a movie further down) that he is a more than capable dramatic actor as well. Available: US/UK
Icarus (2017)
This is a great example of how a documentary can start out being one thing and then take on a life of its own. Documentarian Bryan Fogel was an avid cyclist who wanted to see if his results would truly be better using a doping program that often clouds the sport. He works with a Russian scientist to create the plan, only for things to come out that snowball into a global scandal and turn the documentary into a geopolitical thriller. Icarus would wind up winning the Oscar for Best Documentary. Available: US/UK
The Impossible (2012)
Telling a story about a tourist family in Thailand when the devastating 2004 Indian Oscan tsunami hit, The Impossible will hit you with so many feels as the family (played by Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts and a young Tom Holland) attempt to reunite. Available: US/UK
Inside Man (2006)
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington have partnered many times for fantastic results (Malcolm X, He Got Game), and Inside Man is another fun instance of this, as the two craft an impeccable heist movie. Washington stars as the NYPD detective tasked with figuring just what the mysterious bank robber played by Clive Owen wants as he takes an entire bank hostage, because it definitely isn't just the money. Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Willem Dafoe also star in this crime thriller that lives up to its genre. Available: US/UK
The Irishman (2019)
Before making Killers of the Flower Moon for Apple TV Plus, Martin Scorsese worked with Netflix on his epic crime drama The Irishman, which featured Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel, among others. De Niro stars Frank Sheeran, a mafia hitman who allegedly assassinated union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). It's a three-hour plus movie, but a masterful one in the hands of Scorsese and these legendary actors. Available: US/UK
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
Another entry to get you in the holiday spirit any time of year is Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. In the movie, Forest Whitaker is a master toy maker whose latest invention is stolen from him. It takes his adventurous granddaughter to get him out of his funk and save the day in time for Christmas. It's a charming musical that is perfect for the whole family. Available: US/UK
Jurassic Park (1993)
Steven Spielberg's dinosaur adventure is beloved by movie fans everywhere. While you can watch the first three Jurassic Park movies on Netflix right now, let's be honest, the first is far and away the best one, as Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum are at first awed by the resurrection of dinosaurs as the center of a new theme park, but quickly realize that the danger of these creatures' reemergence is massive. Available: US only
The King (2019)
Before Timothée Chalamet was a messianic figure in Dune, he played the king of England in Netflix's The King. This historical epic depicts young Henry V as he rises to the throne and wage war against a strong French army. It's a showcase of how Chalamet became one of the biggest young actors in Hollywood. Available: US/UK
Klaus (2019)
A different take on the Santa story, Klaus is a gorgeously animated movie featuring the voice work of Jason Schwartzman, J.K Simmons, Rashida Jones, Norm MacDonald and Joan Cusack. Once you watch it good luck not making it a part of your annual Christmas movie rotation. Available: US/UK
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Corruption and a mystery involving call girls that look like movie stars are at the center of the 1950s set crime drama L.A. Confidential. Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe lead things in this adaptation of James Ellroy's book, which was nominated for Best Picture (losing to the behemoth that was Titanic) but with Kim Basinger winning Best Supporting Actress. Available: US only
The Land Before Time (1988)
Millennials will undoubtedly remember The Land Before Time, the animated dinosaur movie that probably was many of our first experiences crying to a movie. The adventure of Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie and Spike to find their families in a dangerous preshitoric world will give you plenty of nostalgia. Available: US
Looper (2012)
For our money, Looper is one of the better sci-fi movies of the last 15 years or so, but it seems to have been forgotten a little bit. No better time to remind yourself of why it rocks then watching it on Netflix. In case you need a reminder, it stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a hitman who disposes of people from the future, but things go awry when his future self (played by Bruce Willis) is sent back to be killed and escapes. Available: US only
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)
While Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is probably most known for being the last movie that Chadwick Boseman starred in, the adaptation of the August Wilson play is a showcase for Boseman as well as the great Viola Davis, with strong supporting turns from Colman Domingo and Glynn Turman as members of a 1920s band going through a contentious recording session. Available: US/UK
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
While we usually wouldn't say a movie gets better when it loses Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again may be the exception (though the Oscar-winning actress makes an emotional cameo toward the end of the movie). Telling parallel stories of a younger Donna (Lily James) as she meets her three beaus Harry (Hugh Skinner), Bill (Josh Dylan) and Sam (Jeremy Irvine) and Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a joyful sing-a-long to some classic ABBA tunes. Available: US/UK
*Leaving Netflix on May 1
Mank (2020)
A movie about the writing of what is widely considered the greatest movie of all time (Citizen Kane), David Fincher's Mank is pretty great in its own right. While it definitely helps if you have some base knowledge of Hollywood history ahead of time, the story of screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz using his first-hand experience to criticize some of the most powerful political and media players of the day is enthralling to watch. Available: US/UK
Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (2022)
From viral hit to movie star, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On took the idea of a talking shell living in our everyday world created by Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer Camp and turned it into a funny and touching faux documentary. Just try and not to be won over by Marcel as he goes about trying to reconnect with his long-lost family. Available: US only
Marriage Story (2019)
The opposite of a romance movie, Marriage Story takes a look at the ending of a relationship, specifically the divorce between Adam Driver's Charlies and Scarlett Johansson's Nicole. The two stars are brilliant as the story doesn't shy away from all facets of a messy divorce, as is Laura Dern as Nicole's lawyer (winning the actress an Oscar). For all the bad that happens though, there is an underlying message of hope that when it really comes to it, there's still love between these two even if it's no longer romantic love. Available: US/UK
The Matrix (1999)
One of then most influential action movies of all time, The Matrix helped redefine what could be done on screen. And even 25 years later (happy anniversary to the movie) it still looks incredible. The sequels struggled to live up to the bar that the original set, in all honesty few action movies have reached the same kind of heights since, so it's not really fair. Available: US
Minari (2020)
Minari is a touching family and immigrant story about a Korean family that moves to Arkansas to try and find their version of the American dream. It is a beautifully delicate example of a culture clash being overcome with a strong sense of family. It is a movie that just gets better every time we see it. Available: US only
The Mitchells vs the Machines (2021)
Produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, though co-written and co-directed by Michael Rianda and Jeff Rowe, The Mitchells vs the Machines definitely fits nicely into the Lord and Miller style of absolutely bonkers narrative (a family road trip goes off the rails when a machine takeover threatens humanity) that is just the icing on the cake for a truly emotional and heartwarming movie about family. Available: US/UK
Moneyball (2011)
A very different kind of baseball story, Moneyball isn't as much about what happens on the field, but the way that Oakland Athletics General Manager Billy Beane went against conventional wisdom to overcome the financial deficit his club had against the likes of the New York Yankees and others. In our opinion, it features the best Brad Pitt performance of his career and is masterfully directed by Bennett Miller. Available: US/UK
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
The Monty Python comedy troupe of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam already had made comedy history with their sketch show on UK TV, but then they took their brand of silliness to the big screen for the hysterical Arthurian spoof with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It's easily one of the funniest movies ever made and a must watch if you haven't yet seen it (or if you haven't seen it in a while). Quick programming note, Monty Python's Life of Brian is also streaming on Netflix right now, if you want to make it a double feature. Available: US/UK
Mudbound (2017)
Dee Rees' Mudbound is kind of a forgotten gem on Netflix, as the Netflix original movie was critically acclaimed, was nominated for four Oscars and features outstanding work from its ensemble (Jason Mitchell, Garrett Hedlund, Carey Mulligan, Mary J. Blige and others). The story follows two rural Mississippi families, one white and one black, as they struggle in the aftermath of World War Two. Available: US/UK
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
People fell in love with My Octopus Teacher when it first landed on Netflix, as it tells the incredible story of a diver who forms a special friendship with an octopus and learning incredible lessons from the sea creature. Be warned though, the movie may make you think twice about ordering sea food any time soon. Available: US/UK
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Wes Craven is one of the masters of the horror genre, and A Nightmare on Elm Street was one of his movie's the solidified that status. The first movie (though a number of the sequels are also available on Netflix) introduces Freddy Krueger, who terrorizes teens in their dreams, but the danger is very real for them when they are awake. Krueger has become one of the iconic movie monsters, so see where it all started if you haven't yet. Available: US
Okja (2017)
Bong Joon Ho's Okja is an ambitious story of a young girl who goes on a mission to rescue the genetically altered pig that she has helped raise from the company that created it and wants to turn it into a new kind of food. While that seems dark, and the movie is certainly that at times, it also has a sincere heart amplified by the friendship of the girl and the titular Okja. Available: US/UK
The Old Guard (2020)
Netflix's adaptation of the graphic novel series, The Old Guard follows a group of immortal warriors who perform missions to protect the world. However, when they discover a new immortal their secret is at risk of being exposed by nefarious individuals. Charlize Theron leads the exciting, action-packed movie directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. Available: US/UK
The Other Guys (2010)
Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg aren't your standard action movie heroes in this movie, their just the other guys. But when they have the chance to tackle the biggest cases of their careers they seize at the opportunity and try not to bungle it. Ferrell and Wahlberg are a great team here, with a strong blend of action and laughs that will leave everyone entertained. Available: US/UK
Outlaw King (2018)
Mel Gibson's Braveheart is not the most accurate movie about the 14th century fight for Scottish independence, particularly when it comes to the character of Robert the Bruce. That's where Outlaw King comes in, putting the Scottish king (played by Chris Pine) at the center of the story as he bravely goes up against a larger forces of England, ready to do anything to claim his country's freedom. Available: US/UK
Paddington (2014)
There is probably not a more wholesome movie franchise right now than Paddington, based on the beloved children's books by Michael Bond. While Paddington 2 has been called The Godfather Part II of kids movies, lets not overlook the original Paddington, which introduced us to Ben Whishaw's courtesy and curious bear, who quickly wins the heart of the Brown family (Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin) and us viewers. Available: US/UK
Phantom Thread (2017)
Phantom Thread is such a wonderfully strange movie, as Paul Thomas Anderson tells the story of an obsessive 1950s London fashion designer (played by Daniel Day-Lewis) and the strong-willed woman (Vicky Krieps in her breakout role) who he begins a relationship with. The movie has a surprisingly dark comedy tone to it which is the secret to its success. Also, it must be appreciated that this is the (at least currently) final performance of Day-Lewis magnificent career. Available: US only
Pieces of a Woman (2020)
Pieces of a Woman is an emotional drama if you are in need for a good cry, as Vanessa Kirby plays a woman who experiences a tragedy while pregnant and her journey through grief. It's a brilliant (and Oscar-nominated) performance from Kirby that makes the whole experience worthwhile. Available: US/UK
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Director Jane Campion became just the third woman ever to win Best Director at the Oscars for her dark western drama The Power of the Dog. Incredible performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee anchor this drama about an intimidating rancher who torments his brothers' new wife and stepson, but eventually, long-hidden secrets complicate their relationships. Available: US only
Private Life (2018)
Kathryn Hahn and Paul Giamatti are brilliant together in this dramedy about a couple's struggles to get pregnant. Writer-director Tamara Jenkins and her stars are able to walk the tightrope in showing just how hard it can be going through different fertility options to have a child, but never losing a softer touch that makes us laugh and sympathize for these characters. Available: US/UK
Roma (2018)
Arguably Netflix's best chance to win the Oscar for Best Picture to date (it did win Best Director and Best Foreign Language Film), Roma is the beautiful story of a year in the life of the housekeeper for a middle-class family in 1970s Mexico City, loosely based on of director Alfonso Cuaron's own experiences. Available: US/UK
Set It Up (2018)
Netflix has become one of the main places for romantic comedies to thrive in recent years, with one of the best examples being the fantastic movie Set It Up. Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell are fantastic together as two overtaxed assistants who scheme to make their lives easier by setting up their two bosses (Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu). Of course their antics also bring them closer together as well. Available: US/UK
Shirley (2024)
Regina King gave her first on-screen performance since The Harder They Fall in Shirley, a biopic about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress who would take history a step further by also taking on a campaign to be president in 1972. Shirley is one of WTW's best-reviewed movies of 2024, with much of the praise going to King's performance and highlighting a US history lesson that may have been skipped in high schools. Available: US/UK
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Jennifer Lawrence (who won Best Actress for her performance) and Bradley Cooper (nominated for Best Actor) are great together in the dramedy Silver Linings Playbook, which combines family, Philadelphia sports, an amateur dance competition and finding the people who can help you manage the day-to-day into a winning combination. As a Philly sports fan the movie holds a special place in my heart, but it works even if you're not. Available: US only
*Leaving Netflix on May 1
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
I only watched Smokey and the Bandit for the first time in the last year, but I would definitely recommend others giving the movie a try as well if they have not. Burt Reynolds is the definition of a movie star as he plays a the fast-driving Bandit who takes the challenge of transporting a truck full of beer across state lines (illegal at the time), while having to deal with a fuming local sheriff (hilariously portrayed by Jackie Gleason) and picking up a runaway bride (Sally Field) along the way. It's just a fun, easy to watch movie. Available: US
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
Love doesn't have to be a young person's game, as shown in Nancy Meyers great romantic comedy Something's Gotta Give, which sees Jack Nicholson's life-long bachelor form an unexpected relationship with the mother of the younger woman he is dating, played by Diane Keaton. The two screen legends are great together and Meyers script is among her best. Available: US only
Spaceman (2024)
Another instance where Adam Sandler goes dramatic, Spaceman is an ambitious psychological drama where an astronaut on a solo mission investigating a new phenomenon comes in contact with an alien creature that attempts to understand his complicated past. While Sandler and company (including Carey Mulligan and Paul Dano) are all good, this is truly a showcase for director Johan Renck, who crafts an intriguing and thoughtful drama. Available: US/UK
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
While Spider-Man has been memorably portrayed by the likes of Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland in eight live-action Spider-Man movies, the best iteration of the character honestly may be the animated Spider-Verse movies, including Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Ambitious in animation style and scope, Across the Spider-Verse is a spectacle but never loses track of its emotional heart in the journey of young Miles Morales as he deals with the challenges of being Spider-Man. Available: US only
The Sting (1973)
After their dynamic pairing in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Paul Newman and Robert Redford reteamed on the crime caper The Sting. Think of it as a 1920s set Ocean's Eleven, as a team of grifters try to pull off a big con job. The entertaining flick is also a Best Picture winner. Available: US only
tick, tick... Boom! (2021)
Who knew Andrew Garfield could sing? Well he does, and quite convincingly, earning a Best Actor nomination for this adaptation of Jonathan Larson's semi-autobiographical musical that was directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. While Larson's Rent is his most well known work, tick, tick... Boom! is an emotional detailing of the creative process and friendship. Available: US/UK
The Two Popes (2019)
Two acting legends, Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, play opposite each other as the two most recent popes, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. The movie focuses on what led to the historic decision of Pope Benedict XVI (Hopkins) stepping down from his position, discussing his decision with the future Pope Francis (Pryce) and why he should be the one to take his place. Available: US/UK
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Aaron Sorkin wrote and directed the star-studded ensemble The Trial of the Chicago 7, which recounts the historic case that came after the violence at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Redmayne, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Frank Langella are just some of the names that star in the courtroom drama. Available: US/UK
Uncut Gems (2019)
Instead of Netflix like his previous two movies on this list, Adam Sandler teamed up with A24 for the high-octane drama Uncut Gems, where he plays a jeweler and gambler who takes a big risk in an attempt to settle things with his debt collectors. Directed by the Safdie brothers, Uncut Gems is a frenetic watching experience that, like Sandler's Howard, leaves you itching for another go around once you're done with it. Available: US/UK
Warrior (2011)
Amid UFC's rise in popularity in the late 2000s, Warrior arrived and delivered an emotional story of family and perseverance. Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton star as estranged brothers who are on a collision course at a big ultimate fighting competition. One is fighting to save his family home, the other in remembrance of his fallen friend from the military. Available: US only
Whiplash (2014)
Damien Chazelle's breakout movie, Whiplash follows an aspiring drummer (Miles Teller) who is tormented by a demanding instructor (J.K. Simmons), who will do anything to make sure that his standards are met. A brilliant, Oscar-winning performance by Simmons is the main attraction, but the skills that made Chazelle the youngest Best Director winner (for La La Land) ever are on full display here. Available: US/UK
*Leaving Netflix on May 1
The Woman King (2022)
Gina Prince-Bythewood is one of the better action directors around, as evidenced by her 2022 movie The Woman King. This historical drama focuses on the group of female soldiers that protected the kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful kingdoms in Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries. Viola Davis owns the movie as the general who leads and trains her troops. Available: US only
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
Mr. Rogers is one of the most influential people in TV history, with his show teaching valuable lessons to kids for more than 30 years. Won't You Be My Neighbor? is an incredible documentary that explores the life, lessons and legacy Fred Rogers. Available: US only
X (2022)
Ti West has crafted a fan-favorite horror franchise in recent years with X and Pearl (soon to be joined by MaXXXine), but if you've missed the boat on this one you can catch up with X right now on Netflix. The movie centers on a group of young filmmakers who set out to make an adult film on an elderly couple's ranch. But when the reclusive ranch owners find out what they're doing, all hell breaks loose. Available: US
