The 30 best Netflix original movies — including Best Picture nominees
The 30 best Netflix original movies — including Best Picture nominees
Ilana Gordon, Meg Walters, James MercadanteSun, April 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTC
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Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein in 'Maestro'; Matías Recalt as Roberto Canessa and Augustín Pardella as Fernando 'Nando' Parrado in 'Society of the Snow'; John Boyega as Fontaine, Teyonah Parris as Yo-Yo, and Jamie Foxx as Slick Charles in 'They Cloned Tyrone'Credit: Jason McDonald/Netflix; Netflix; Parrish Lewis/Netflix
Netflix turns 30 in 2027, and what a wild three decades it's been. The platform launched in 1997, debuted its streaming service in 2007, and began releasing original movies in 2012. By 2015, it had its first critical success (Beasts of No Nation), and in 2019 received its first Oscar nod for Best Picture (Roma). That's a lot of growth for a company that started off as a DVD rental website.
Entertainment Weekly has been keeping close tabs on the projects coming out of Netflix. Read on for the 30 best original movies streaming on the platform.
01 of 30
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
Felix Kammerer as Paul Bäumer in 'All Quiet on the Western Front'Credit: Netflix
Based on the 1929 literary novel — which was later adapted into an Oscar-winning movie in 1930, a made-for-TV movie in 1979, and finally, a film released theatrically and on Netflix in 2022 — this German language World War I movie remains one of the starkest examples of anti-war sentiment in cinematic history. All Quiet follows Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer), a young German recruit, over the course of the 18 months he spends serving in Northern France on the frontlines of the war's Western Front.
Director Edward Berger's film focuses on Paul's transformation; the longer the conflict rages on, the further the young man drifts from a youthful, patriotic enlistee, to a battle-hardened soldier, traumatized by what he's seen and those he's lost. —Ilana Gordon
Where to watch All Quiet on the Western Front: Netflix
EW grade: A–
Director: Edward Berger
Cast: Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Daniel Brühl
02 of 30
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
Tim Blake Nelson as Buster Scruggs in 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs'Credit: Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
The Coen brothers got tired of limiting themselves to one narrative in their projects, so for their Netflix film, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, they decided to mix it up and tell multiple stories. Set up as a six-part Western anthology, the film focuses thematically on the American frontier, and tells the stories of a cheerful cowboy, an unlucky would-be bank robber, a traveling promoter whose business is going downhill, a grizzled prospector, a woman headed West in search of a husband, and a group of passengers in a stagecoach.
While the directors mess around with genre in each chapter and the cast differs from story to story, the six narratives are given a sense of consistency courtesy of the unique Coen voice. —I.G.
Where to watch The Ballad of Buster Scruggs: Netflix
EW grade: B
Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Cast: Tyne Daly, James Franco, Brendan Gleeson, Bill Heck, Grainger Hines
03 of 30
Beasts of No Nation (2015)
Idris Elba as Commandant in 'Beasts of No Nation'Credit: Red Crown Prods/Participant Media/Come What May Prods/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
Another war film, the powerful drama Beasts of No Nation follows a brutal civil dispute in Africa as told through the eyes of a child soldier. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and starring Abraham Attah and Idris Elba, the film is a harrowing, confronting look at humanity in the face of the devastation of war. After its release on Netflix, it was a huge success on the platform, receiving more than three million views in North America in just 10 days. Despite its critical and relative commercial success, the movie didn't receive any Oscar nominations. —I.G.
Where to watch Beasts of No Nation: Netflix
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Cast: Idris Elba, Kurt Egyiawan, Jude Akuwudike, Emmanuel "King King" Nii Adom Quaye, Abraham Attah
04 of 30
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Delroy Lindo as Paul in 'Da 5 Bloods'Credit: David Lee/Netflix
Wars and wounds collide in Spike Lee's 2020 film, Da 5 Bloods, a meditation on race, generational trauma, and American intervention. Toggling between the past and present, the film follows four Black war veterans as they return to Vietnam, intent on recovering a locker of gold bars and the body of their fallen friend and squad leader, Stormin' Norman (Chadwick Boseman), both of which were lost during a napalm strike.
Guided in their quest by Tiên, the ex-girlfriend of one of the former soldiers, and forced to confront landmines — both real and emotional — the remainder of the squad must reconcile the horrors of their past with the difficulties of their present if they hope to escape Vietnam for a better future. —I.G.
Where to watch Da 5 Bloods: Netflix
EW grade: A–
Director: Spike Lee
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr.
05 of 30
Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
Eddie Murphy as Rudy in 'Dolomite Is My Name'Credit: François Duhamel/Netflix
Los Angeles in the 1970s is a terrible place to live if you're struggling, and aspiring show business professional Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy) can't seem to break in. After years of working a dead-end job as a record store manager and grinding for stage time, Rudy creates a character inspired (or stolen, depending on how literal you want to get) by an unhoused man who wanders into his store. Armed with a new name, new vocabulary, and new wardrobe, Rudy as Dolemite starts taking over the comedy scene — but he's not content to stop there. Based on the true story of Rudy Ray Moore, a comedian, filmmaker, and godfather of rap, Dolemite Is My Name is a period biopic that perfectly balances jokes and heart. —I.G.
Where to watch Dolemite Is My Name: Netflix
EW grade: B+
Director: Craig Brewer
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Wesley Snipes, Keegan-Michael Key, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Mike Epps
06 of 30
Frankenstein (2025)
Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein in 'Frankenstein'Credit: Netflix
If you thought you knew Mary Shelley’s Gothic novel Frankenstein, you haven’t seen Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of her story. Frankenstein — del Toro’s version — is faithful to Shelley’s book, but expands upon her world, giving Victor Frankenstein’s (Oscar Isaac) character a toxic relationship with his father, which is then replicated in Frankenstein’s relationship with his monster (Jacob Elordi).
Frankenstein’s monster also gets his say in this version — del Toro splits his script in two, with the first half centered around the scientist's story, and the second concentrated on the being he created. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, Elordi towers over the other actors and gives a surprisingly tender performance of a creature capable of destruction, who really just wants to be loved by the man who made him. —I.G.
Where to watch Frankenstein: Netflix
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Cast: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz
07 of 30
The Harder They Fall (2021)
Regina King as Trudy Smith, Idris Elba as Rufus Buck, and LaKeith Stanfield as Cherokee Bill in 'The Harder They Fall'Credit: David Lee/Netflix
The traditional Western movie gets a shot of adrenaline and style in The Harder They Fall, one of the few cowboy films in which all the main cast are played by Black actors. Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) is a former enslaved man turned cowboy hero whose tragic, Batman-esque origin story has led him down a path of vigilantism. Love uses his outlaw status to rob worse outlaws, and the biggest offender working is Rufus Buck (Idris Elba), supported by his loyal crew, including Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield). When Love was a child, Buck murdered his parents in front of him, and all these years later, Love is still desperate for revenge. —I.G.
Where to watch The Harder They Fall: Netflix
EW grade: B
Director: Jeymes Samuel
Cast: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo
08 of 30
Hustle (2022)
Juancho Hernangómez as Bo Cruz and Anthony Edwards as Kermit Wilts in 'Hustle'Credit: Scott Yamano/Netflix
"Guys in their 50s don't have dreams," says Adam Sandler's character, Stanley Sugerman, in the sports film Hustle. "They have nightmares and eczema." Stanley is unwilling to admit it, but he hasn't given up on his fantasy of becoming an NBA coach, even though he's spent his life on the road working as an international scout for the Philadelphia 76ers.
But when Stanley's mentor dies, precipitating a changeup in the 76ers' front office, he finds himself demoted back to talent scout. During a trip to Spain, he discovers Bo Cruz (former Toronto Raptors player Juancho Hernangómez), an unknown baller with an undeniable gift. But if Stanley is going to convince the league to take Bo seriously, both he and the budding athlete will need to put in some serious work. —I.G.
Where to watch Hustle: Netflix
EW grade: A–
Director: Jeremiah Zagar
Cast: Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Juancho Hernangómez, Ben Foster, Kenny Smith
09 of 30
The Irishman (2019)
Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa and Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran in 'The Irishman'Credit: Netflix
You'd probably expect any film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring the legendary trifecta of Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci to be nothing short of exceptional — and Netflix's The Irishman does not disappoint. The 2019 film is based on I Heard You Paint Houses, the 2004 memoir of Frank Sheeran, who found himself embroiled with a Philadelphia-based Italian mob. This is essential viewing for film fans of all kinds, but especially if your favorites include the likes of The Godfather (1972), Taxi Driver (1976), or Goodfellas (1990).
As EW's critic puts it, it's "kind of caps-lock Scorsese — the greatest hits of his career revisited once more, with feeling." Make sure to set aside plenty of time, as this epic effort from De Niro and Scorsese clocks in at three-and-a-half hours. —Meg Walters
Where to watch The Irishman: Netflix
EW grade: B+
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Anna Paquin
10 of 30
KPop Demon Hunters (2025)
Zoey (voice: Ji-young Yoo), Rumi (voice: Arden Cho), and Mira (voice: May Hong) in 'KPop Demon Hunters'Credit: Netflix
Netflix earned K-Pop cred when it introduced audiences to a new genre favorite: KPop Demon Hunters. The platform’s most-watched movie ever, this sci-fi musical follows a group called Huntr/x, which is made up of three performers who also happen to be talented demon slayers. Their most powerful weapon is their voices, which they use to create a magical barrier that prevents demons from entering the human world and feasting on the souls inside.
Huntr/x’s path toward demon eradication gets complicated when a demon boy band comes on the scene and starts attracting a fan base of their own. Add in incredible music numbers and some plot twists, and you have a golden opportunity to fall in love with Netflix’s most upbeat original movie. —I.G.
Where to watch KPop Demon Hunters: Netflix
Directors: Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans
Cast: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim
11 of 30
The Lost Daughter (2021)
Dakota Johnson as Nina and Olivia Colman as Leda in 'The Lost Daughter'Credit: Yannis Drakoulidis/Netflix
Complicated women take center stage in the stripped down plot of The Lost Daughter, a shimmering adaptation of author Elena Ferrante's 2006 novel. Olivia Coleman and Jessie Buckley bless us with their performances of protagonist Leda Caruso at different points in her life. The current version of Leda (played by Coleman) is an academic on a solo holiday in Greece, where she meets a young mother named Nina (Dakota Johnson), who is struggling to handle her active 3-year-old. Leda and Nina bond over the difficulties of motherhood, their interactions informed by the flashbacks of Leda's past history with her own two daughters.
Maggie Gyllenhaal's feature directorial debut — which she also wrote — The Lost Daughter is a brilliant psychological drama that feeds on the fire stoked by our perceived failures as parents, and the shame that follows. —I.G.
Where to watch The Lost Daughter: Netflix
EW grade: A
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Cast: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard
12 of 30
Mank (2020)
Gary Oldman as Herman Mankiewicz in 'Mank'Credit: Netflix
Mank tells the story of the making of Orson Welles' famous 1941 classic, Citizen Kane. Directed by David Fincher, the movie stars Gary Oldman as Herman J. Mankiewicz, or 'Mank,' the "scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter," as he struggles to complete the screenplay of Citizen Kane on time. Written by Fincher's late father, the film was shot in black-and-white and aimed to recreate some of the cinematographic style of Welles' work. And while the movie only took home two wins from 10 Academy Award nominations, it still won more than Citizen Kane.
As EW's critic notes, Mank might not be for everyone, but it is the ultimate film for lovers of old Hollywood: "part love letter, part cautionary tale, and still somehow a mystery." —M.W.
Where to watch Mank: Netflix
EW grade: B+
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Tom Burke, Lily Collins, Charles Dance
13 of 30
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)
Chadwick Boseman as Levee (left) and Viola Davis as Ma Rainey (center) in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'Credit: David Lee/Netflix
Chadwick Boseman could hardly have chosen a better vehicle to demonstrate his limitless talent than Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, the film, which ended up serving as the celebrated actor's final onscreen performance. Paired opposite Viola Davis, who disappears into the role of the titular Ma Rainey, a famous blues singer and force of nature, the two conjure up what EW's critic describes as an "acting master class" of a performance.
Adapted from August Wilson's 1984 play, the film tells the story of Ma and her group of Black bandmates as they attempt to record in a Chicago studio during the 1920s. What should be a straightforward day of music grinds to a halt as the artists struggle to deal with personality clashes, an ambitious trumpeter named Levee (Boseman), and the band's mercurial frontwoman. —I.G.
Where to watch Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: Netflix
EW grade: B
Director: George C. Wolfe
Cast: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts
14 of 30
Maestro (2023)
Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein in 'Maestro'Credit: Jason McDonald/Netflix
For Maestro, Bradley Cooper puts his six years of preparation on display, donning the black tux (and controversial prosthetic nose) of American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, a figure that has captivated him since childhood. This biopic — which Cooper also directed and co-wrote — centers on the complex relationship between Bernstein and his wife, the Costa Rican-Chilean actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan), while also exploring his clandestine affairs with men. Featuring dynamic performances, dreamlike symbolic imagery, and a six-minute dialogue-free conducting scene, Maestro is essentially catnip for film lovers and classical movie enthusiasts alike. —James Mercadante
Where to watch Maestro: Netflix
EW grade: B+
Director: Bradley Cooper
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, Sarah Silverman
15 of 30
Marriage Story (2019)
Scarlett Johansson as Nicole Barber and Adam Driver as Charlie Barber in 'Marriage Story'Credit: Wilson Webb/Netflix
Marriage Story was a smash hit from Netflix that garnered six Oscar nominations and one win (for Laura Dern in the Best Supporting Actress category). Directed by Noah Baumbach and starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Dern, the film follows a married couple going through an increasingly thorny divorce. While it's not always an easy watch, Marriage Story offers an unflinching, heart-wrenching look at how the practicalities and legalities of divorce can tear apart the people involved.
"They've lost their voices; they've lost a sense of who they are," Baumback tells EW. "They're trying to figure out what they believe anymore. And that's a dangerous place, I think, for a couple to find themselves." —M.W.
Where to watch Marriage Story: Netflix
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EW grade: A–
Director: Noah Baumbach
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern, Alan Alda, Ray Liotta,
16 of 30
Mudbound (2017)
Mary J. Blige as Florence Jackson in 'Mudbound'Credit: Netflix
Two families below the poverty threshold, each with a son who fought bravely in World War II, only to return to the Mississippi Delta with nothing but PTSD to show for their troubles. But the only difference between the Jacksons and McAllans is the color of their skin. Dee Rees' Mudbound follows the families as they fight their wars both abroad and within the home, and discover that trauma bonds deeper than blood.
Jason Mitchell is exceptional as Ronsel Jackson, bringing emotional honesty to a war hero who, because he is Black, is treated like anything but. Also featuring an all-star ensemble that includes Mary J. Blige, Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, and Garrett Hedlund, EW's critic writes that "Mudbound is never preachy, reductive, or undercut by its own good intentions." —I.G.
Where to watch Mudbound: Netflix
EW grade: A–
Director: Dee Rees
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Clarke, Jason Mitchell, Mary J. Blige
17 of 30
Okja (2017)
Okja and Ahn Seo-hyun as Mija in 'Okja'Credit: Netflix
Two years before Bong Joon Ho wowed the world with Parasite, the South Korean director partnered with Netflix to make Okja. A pig-centered movie that leans decidedly more towards Animal Farm than Babe (1995), the movie follows Mija, a South Korean teen who bonds with Okja, the "super pig" she's helped raise — only to have Okja taken from her after he is crowned the winner of an agrochemical company's competition for best pig. With Okja headed for the slaughterhouse, Mija travels from South Korea to New York City on a mission to save her friend and to help expose the inhumane practices of the Mirando Corporation and its leader, Lucy Mirando (Tilda Swinton). A mixture of science, fantasy, action, and adventure, Okja is one of those movies you have to see to believe. —I.G.
Where to watch Okja: Netflix
EW grade: B
Director: Bong Joon Ho
Cast: Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Ahn Seo-hyun, Byun Hee-bong, Steven Yeun
18 of 30
The Perfect Neighbor (2025)
Ajike Owens' family in 'The Perfect Neighbor'Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Florida is known for employing a stand-your-ground law, a legal policy that provides residents the option of employing lethal force rather than retreating as a means of self-defense. The law has proven controversial in the past, but in 2023, it was tested when 35-year-old Ajike Owens was shot through a locked door while waiting to speak with her neighbor.
The Perfect Neighbor gives an unvarnished accounting of the events leading up to and following Owens’ murder using body cam footage collected during the police’s prior visits to the killer’s house. What emerges is a documentary free from editorializing — the story is told by Owens, her neighbors, the police investigating the conflicts, and the killer herself. The events in the film are hard to stomach, but The Perfect Neighbor is a must-watch. —I.G.
Where to watch The Perfect Neighbor: Netflix
Director: Geeta Gandbhir
19 of 30
The Power of the Dog (2022)
Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter Gordon and Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank in 'The Power of the Dog'Credit: Kirsty Griffin/Netflix
Directed by Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog is a 1920s Western based on the book of the same name by Thomas Savage that follows Phil, a gruff cowboy, and his brother's new family who have recently moved onto the ranch. The film picked up a staggering 12 Oscar nominations and won Best Director, with Campion becoming the third woman director ever to win the award.
The four central actors each give remarkable performances and Benedict Cumberbatch is deeply complex and arresting as Phil. "He's really beautiful and also a little scary, and he's charismatic," Campion explained to EW. Unlike old-school Westerns, The Power of the Dog is a dark, twisted, slow burn of a film that hinges on emotion, manipulation, secrets, and desire. —M.W.
Where to watch The Power of the Dog: Netflix
EW grade: A–
Director: Jane Campion
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie
20 of 30
Private Life (2018)
Paul Giamatti as Richard Grimes and Kathryn Hahn as Rachel Biegler in 'Private Life'Credit: Jojo Whilden/Netflix
Creating a baby can suck the life out of even the most stable of relationships — especially when the process doesn't go as planned. Richard and Rachel (Paul Giamatti and Kathryn Hahn) are middle-aged artists living in New York City and struggling with infertility. As they submerge themselves in the process, juggling IVF procedures, adoption interviews, and researching other options, the couple's marriage becomes increasingly strained.
Their lives are further complicated when the couple's college-aged niece, Sadie (Kayli Carter), comes to stay with them and offers to assist with their conception issues. A nuanced, grounded look at living with infertility, Private Life brilliantly depicts the emotional journey that is struggling to conceive without pandering or offering convenient solutions. Hahn and Giamatti are brilliantly matched. —I.G.
Where to watch Private Life: Netflix
EW grade: A–
Director: Tamara Jenkins
Cast: Paul Giamatti, Kathryn Hahn, Kayli Carter, Molly Shannon, John Carroll Lynch
21 of 30
Roma (2018)
Yalitza Aparicio as Cleo, Marco Graf as Pepe, and Marina de Tavira as Sra. Sofía in 'Roma'Credit: Carlos Somonte/Netflix
Roma was arguably Netflix's first big original movie that really caught the attention of critics and film buffs alike. It was the first Netflix film to receive a Best Picture nod at the Oscars and ultimately won the award for Best Foreign Language Film. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring a cast of relatively unknown Mexican actors, the black-and-white film follows Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a housekeeper for an upper-class family in the 1970s, where Cuarón himself grew up.
Like life, Roma is a complex, sprawling film that is light on the plot and heavy on the atmosphere. With plenty of long, wide shots, it sends its viewers diving headfirst into Cuarón's version of 1970s Mexico City and ultimately, packs a weighty, emotional punch. —M.W.
Where to watch Roma: Netflix
EW grade: A
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Cast: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Jorge Antonio Guerrero
22 of 30
Society of the Snow (2023)
Enzo Vogrincic as Numa Turcatti, Matías Recalt as Roberto Canessa, and Augustín Pardella as Fernando 'Nando' Parrado in 'Society of the Snow'Credit: Netflix
With many retellings often fixating on the gruesome chain of events from the 1972 Andes flight disaster, Pablo Vierci's 2009 book La Sociedad de la Nieve — a narrative more attuned to philosophical rumination — lingered with director J.A. Bayona. Eleven years after making the tsunami film, The Impossible, Bayona set his lens upon this tragedy, where 16 passengers were marooned in the icy embrace of an Andean glacier after a Uruguayan plane accident.
Nominated for Oscars in the Best International Feature Film and Best Makeup and Hairstyling categories, Society of the Snow is not a story for the faint of heart, as it presents the unforgiving, stomach-turning brutality of the natural world juxtaposed with the exquisite resilience illustrated by the survivors. —J.M.
Where to watch Society of the Snow: Netflix
Director: J.A. Bayona
Cast: Enzo Vogrincic, Matías Recalt, Agustín Pardella, Felipe González Otaño, Luciano Chatton
23 of 30
They Cloned Tyrone (2023)
Teyonah Parris as Yo-Yo, Jamie Foxx as Slick Charles, and John Boyega as Fontaine in 'They Cloned Tyrone'Credit: Parrish Lewis/Netflix
Dropping the exact weekend as the dual box-office behemoth Barbenheimer, They Cloned Tyrone never received the flowers it truly deserved. A Get Out-esque sci-fi conspiracy caper steeped in the grainy stylings of a 1970s Blaxploitation cinema, Juel Taylor's feature directorial debut finds an unlikely trio — neighborhood drug dealer Fontaine (John Boyega), Nancy Drew-like sex worker Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris), and smooth-talking pimp Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx) — as they probe mysterious occurrences in their community, which leads them to an underground lab where Black people are the test subjects of government experiments.
Nailing the quick-witted, spitfire dialogue, all three leads demand attention with an electric chemistry and camaraderie. While embracing familiar tropes, They Cloned Tyrone weaves an original story that stands out as a diamond in the thick of many Netflix duds. —J.M.
Where to watch They Cloned Tyrone: Netflix
Director: Juel Taylor
Cast: John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, Teyonah Parris, Kiefer Sutherland, David Alan Grier
24 of 30
Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021)
Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson in 'Tick, Tick... Boom!'Credit: Macall Polay/Netflix
A movie musical directed by Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tick, Tick… Boom! is based on the stage show of the same name by Jonathan Larson, the composer of Rent. Starring Andrew Garfield in the leading role, the film loosely follows Larson's own life as a struggling songwriter as he turns 30 in 1990s New York City. Told in a series of flashbacks that come to life on screen during a performance of the stage version of Tick, Tick…Boom!, the biopic of sorts takes you on a painfully relatable journey of friendship, heartbreak, and being an artist. With numerous Broadway cameos and Easter eggs, it's the perfect, heartfelt ode to musical theater, and the remarkable Jonathan Larson is at the center of it all. —M.W.
Where to watch Tick, Tick… Boom!: Netflix
EW grade: A–
Director: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Shipp, Jordan Fisher, Robin de Jesus
25 of 30
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Alex Sharp as Rennie Davis, Jeremy Strong as Jerry Rubin, John Carroll Lynch as David Dellinger, and Sacha Baron Cohen as Abbie Hoffman in 'The Trial of the Chicago 7'Credit: Nico Tavernise/Netflix
A 2020 Netflix original based (loosely) on a true story, The Trial of the Chicago 7 details the story of seven men who find themselves on trial after a large protest against the Vietnam War during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, The Trial of the Chicago 7 bears his recognizable fast-paced, verbose style and features an almost impossibly starry ensemble cast. As Sorkin tells EW, The Trial of the Chicago 7 took 12 years to make after he first thought of bringing the famous court case to life on screen. Nevertheless, it still came at a remarkably appropriate political moment. —M.W.
Where to watch The Trial of the Chicago 7: Netflix
EW grade: B
Director: Aaron Sorkin
Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Rylance
26 of 30
The Two Popes (2019)
Anthony Hopkins as Cardinal Ratzinger and Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in 'The Two Popes'Credit: Peter Mountain/Netflix
Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles mines heart and humor from the holiest places in his biographical drama, The Two Popes. In the wake of the real-life Vatican leaks scandal, Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) hopes to abdicate the papacy but finds he must first convince his former rival, Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), not to pursue an early retirement so he might assume the role instead.
Adapted from New Zealand writer Anthony McCarten's play by the same name — which is inspired by the 2013 papal transition — the film tracks the German Benedict and the Argentinian Bergoglio (soon to be Pope Francis) as the two wax philosophic on everything from God and their own perceived failings to soccer and the Swedish pop band ABBA. —I.G.
Where to watch The Two Popes: Netflix
EW grade: B+
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
27 of 30
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)
Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
In the third installment of the Knives Out franchise, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) travels to upstate New York to solve a murder disguised as a miracle. After the controversial leader of an ill-attended parish is killed during services, Detective Blanc is brought in to determine which of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks’ co-workers and loyal followers orchestrated his demise.
Writer-director Rian Johnson works his misdirection magic, and Wake Up Dead Man is just as satisfying as Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion (2022). Josh O’Connor joins the cast as a young priest who is transferred to the church after punching a former parishioner, and Glenn Close is a lovely addition in her role as Martha, a longtime congregant and Wicks’ chief confidant. —I.G.
Where to watch Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery: Netflix
Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis
28 of 30
The White Tiger (2021)
Adarsh Gourav as Balram and Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Pinky in 'The White Tiger'Credit: Singh Tejinder/Netflix
An Indian Hindi-language comedy-drama, The White Tiger's title refers to a special kind of person; a once in a generation thinker. The movie tells the story of Balram (Adrarsh Gourav), a successful entrepreneur whose career belies his impoverished beginnings. Adapted from a 2008 novel and nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, the Ramin Bahrani-directed film elevates the story from the classic tale of rags-to-riches by grounding itself in the moral and ethical sacrifices Balram must make to rise above the paralyzing circumstances into which he was born. Also starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Pinky — the American-raised wife of Balram's employer — The White Tiger handles heavy themes of class, caste, and what one owes family with a light touch. —I.G.
Where to watch The White Tiger: Netflix
EW grade: B+
Director: Ramin Bahrani
Cast: Adarsh Gourav, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Rajkummar Rao
29 of 30
Will & Harper (2024)
Harper Steele and Will Ferrell in 'Will & Harper'Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Saturday Night Live launched Will Ferrell’s comedy career and turned castmates and co-writers into lifelong pals. Ferrell’s nearly 30-year friendship with one of the show’s former head writers changed one day when he received an email stating that said writer was transitioning to live as a woman.
Will & Harper follows Ferrell and comedy writer Harper Steele as the two embark on a road trip across America to better understand their new dynamic and explore this next phase in their friendship. A buddy comedy unlike any you’ve seen before, Will & Harper is an ongoing conversation about show business, platonic relationships, and living one's authentic life in modern America. Since leaving SNL, Ferrell has taken on dramatic roles, but never has he been more human and honest than in this prescient and funny documentary. —I.G
Where to watch Will & Harper: Netflix
Director: Josh Greenbaum
Cast: Will Ferrell, Harper Steele
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You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023)
Idina Menza as Bree Friedman, Samantha Lorraine as Lydia Rodriguez Katz, Adam Sandler as Danny Friedman, Sunny Sandler as Stacy Friedman, and Sadie Sandler as Ronnie Friedman in 'You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah'Credit: Netflix
Adam Sandler brings his family to work in You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, a Netflix original comedy starring him and his two real-life daughters. A film about the joys — and horrors — of middle school, becoming a woman, and throwing a kickass party, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is a Gen Z take on a coming-of-age story. If you need more convincing, EW named Bat Mitzvah as one of Adam Sandler’s 11 best movies, and the film is currently Sandler’s top-rated project on Rotten Tomatoes.
Nepo babies get a bad rap, but Sunny and Sadie Sandler prove their father’s talent is genetic, and with Sandler once again teaming up with his Uncut Gems (2019) costar Idina Menzel, Bat Mitzvah is a family reunion in more ways than one. —I.G.
Where to watch You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah: Netflix
Director: Sammi Cohen
Cast: Idina Menzel, Jackie Sandler, Adam Sandler, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
