The best dramas on Netflix right now
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Out of all the streamers currently vying for your attention, Netflix is probably the one with the best and most complete dramatic library. The best dramas on Netflix include several modern cinematic films helmed by some of the industry’s most acclaimed filmmakers, many of which have left a considerable mark on modern pop culture. Since the release of its critically acclaimed war movie Beasts of No Nation, Netflix has built a strong film library, recruiting auteurs like Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuarón, Jane Campion, and David Fincher to ensure its reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.
The best dramatic movies on Netflix offer a mix of searing romantic tales, intense family dramas, passionate romances, tragic tales of woe, and a few small-scale yet no less worthy movies. However, because Netflix has a wide and diverse collection of quality films, it might be difficult for you to choose just one, especially because some are not as high-quality as others. To save you some time and effort, we’ve compiled a list of the best dramas on Netflix right now.
Netflix may be a treasure trove when it comes to content, but it doesn’t have everything. Thankfully, we’ve also curated a list of the best dramas on Hulu and the best drama shows on Amazon Prime Video.
Captain Phillips (2013)
Metacritic: 82%
IMDb: 7.8/10
Duration: 134m
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Stars: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks stars in Paul Grengrass’ dramatic thriller Captain Phillips. Based on the 2009 hijacking of the cargo ship Maersk Alabam, the film centers on Captain Richard Phillips, whose vessel is taken hostage by a band of Somali pirates led by Abduwali Muse, played by an outstanding Barkhad Abdi. A masterclass in tension, Captain Phillips thrives on the strength of Greengrass’ assured direction and a reliably great performance from Hanks. Yet, it’s Abdi who ultimately steals the film. Captain Phillips is his vehicle, and he stirs it firmly and confidently, delivering one of the most impressive acting debuts in recent memory.
Molly's Game (2017)
Metacritic: 71%
IMDb: 7.4/10
Duration: 140m
Genre: Drama, Crime
Stars: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner
Directed by: Aaron Sorkin
A spectacular Jessica Chastain stars as real-life poker mogul Molly Bloom, who becomes the target of an FBI investigation upon the discovery of her underground poker empire catering to celebrities, athletes, and even the mob. Molly’s Game represents an assured directorial debut for Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin, but it works largely as a showcase for Chastain, who delivers another furious performance. In her hands, Molly Bloom is incandescent and irresistible, a fascinating and shifting figure who you can’t help but root for, even when it becomes clear that she is in over her head. Fans of anxiety-inducing biopics will not want to miss Molly’s Game.
Southpaw (2015)
Metacritic: 57%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Duration: 123m
Genre: Action, Drama
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Oscar nominee and Road House star Jake Gyllenhaal delivers one of his most impassioned performances in Antoine Fuqua’s 2015 sports drama Southpaw. The film tells the turbulent story of Billy “The Great” Hope, a boxer whose life becomes derailed after his wife dies and his daughter is taken away by child protective services. Determined to get his act together, Billy begins a journey to recovery after surrendering to alcohol and drugs. Like most other films from Fuqua, Southpaw is not particularly subtle. However, whatever flaws it may have are more than made up by Gyllenhaal’s committed performance and the work of a stellar supporting cast, including Oscar winner Forest Whitaker and Oscar nominee Rachel McAdams.
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
Metacritic: 65%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Duration: 124m
Genre: Romance, Drama, History
Stars: Lily James, Jessica Brown Findlay, Matthew Goode
Directed by: Mike Newell
Lily James is one of our best and most dynamic younger actresses, and her charm is on full display in Mike Newell’s romantic drama The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society. James plays Juliet Ashton, a London writer who travels to the remote island of Guernsey after exchanging letters with its inhabitants. There, she begins to fall in love with their stories, discovering a new side to herself in the process. Aside from having one of the best movie titles in the past decade, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society is a delightful and quirky romance that remains emotionally poignant and entertaining. James is incredible in the lead role, accompanied by an equally wonderful ensemble, including Michiel Huisman, Jessica Brown Findlay, Penelope Wilton, Tom Courtenay, and Hit Man‘s Glen Powell.
The Blind Side (2009)
Metacritic: 53%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Duration: 129m
Genre: Drama
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
The film that won Sandra Bullock the 2010 Oscar for Best Actress, The Blind Side is a sports drama based on the 2006 eponymous book. The plot centers on Michael Oher, a talented football player who overcomes difficulties to become an NFL pro with the help of the Tuohy family. Although The Blind Side is guilty of sugar-coating and simplifying what is otherwise a very inspirational story, it remains a compelling watch, if only because of Bullock’s fiery performance. Whether she deserved the Oscar remains debatable, but what’s undeniable is how much warmth and energy she brings into the picture, single-handedly elevating what could very easily be a run-of-the-mill biopic and turning it into something special.
Shirley (2024) [New]
Metacritic: 57%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Duration: 117m
Genre: History, Drama
Stars: Regina King, Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard
Directed by: John Ridley
Oscar-winner Regina King stars as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black congresswoman, in John Ridley’s biopic Shirley. The film chronicles her 1972 presidential campaign, which made her the first Black candidate to run for a major party nomination and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s nomination. Although somewhat generic, Shirley benefits from a stellar cast led by the ever-reliable King and includes Oscar nominees like Terrence Howard and Lucas Hedges. King is the reason to stay, delivering yet another commanding performance that more than compensates for the screenplay’s by-the-numbers approach.
Scoop (2024) [New]
Metacritic: 63%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Duration: 103m
Genre: Drama
Stars: Gillian Anderson, Billie Piper, Rufus Sewell
Directed by: Philip Martin
Emmy winner Gillian Anderson dusts off her now-iconic English accent to play British journalist Emily Maitlis in the biographical drama Scoop. The plot dramatizes the pivotal 2019 Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew. Anderson is joined by British icons Billie Piper, Keeley Hawes, and Rufus Sewell, with the film depicting the process leading to the interview, the taping, and the aftermath. Solid, tight, and well-acted, Scoop is as much a fictionalized take on one of the U.K.’s most scandalous events in recent history as it’s a love letter to journalism. Anderson is great, as usual, but the film belongs to a discomforting Sewell as the eerie Prince Andrew and a never-better Piper as the tough and resourceful producer Sam McAlister.
The Good Nurse (2022)
Metacritic: 65%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Duration: 121m
Genre: Drama, Crime, Mystery
Stars: Jessica Chastain, Eddie Redmayne, Nnamdi Asomugha
Directed by: Tobias Lindholm
Oscar winners Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne join forces for the dramatic thriller The Good Nurse. Based on the real-life case of serial killer Charles Cullen, the plot centers on Amy Loughren, whose close relationship with new colleague Charlie Cullen deteriorates when she begins suspecting him following a patient’s suspicious death. Soon, she discovers his involvement in a series of murders throughout the past 16 years. The Good Nurse succeeds on the strength of Chastain’s passionate performance and Redmayne’s unnerving work. The duo do wonders with the screenplay, turning an already shocking story into a true work of cinematic discomfort that will more than satisfy true-crime fans.
The Boys in the Band (2020)
Metacritic: 70%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Duration: 121m
Genre: Drama
Stars: Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer
Directed by: Joe Mantello
From producer Ryan Murphy (The Watcher) and director Joe Mantello comes The Boys in the Band, a remake of the eponymous and seminal 1968 play, previously adapted as a 1970 film. The plot follows Michael, who is throwing a party for his friend Harold’s birthday. However, the arrival of an unexpected guest throws the event into disarray, pushing the guests into an increasingly uncomfortable situation. Starring a cast of openly gay performers, including Emmy-winner Jim Parsons and Emmy nominees Matt Bomer and Zachary Quinto, The Boys in the Band is a poignant yet challenging depiction of homosexuality, identity, and torment. Although a challenging watch, especially toward the end, the film remains insightful and resonant, largely thanks to Mantello’s assured direction and the kinetic, unabashed performances of a brilliant ensemble.
Spaceman (2024)
Metacritic: 51%
IMDb: 5.8/10
Duration: 108m
Genre: Science Fiction, Drama
Stars: Adam Sandler, Paul Dano, Carey Mulligan
Directed by: Johan Renck
Adam Sandler has quickly become the reigning king of Netflix. His latest effort, Spaceman, is a sci-fi drama about an astronaut who, half a year into his solo mission on the edges of the solar system, bonds with the mysterious creature he finds hiding on his ship. Spaceman features a strong performance from Sandler and an equally impressive supporting cast, including the always-reliable Carey Mulligan and a gripping Paul Dano as the voice of the creature. Far more concerned with the lead character’s fractured psyche than with exploring its sci-fi themes, Spaceman is an engaging character study that allows Sandler to flex the acting muscles he seldom gets to use.
The Unforgivable (2021)
Metacritic: 41%
IMDb: 7.1/10
Duration: 112m
Genre: Drama, Crime
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis, Vincent D'Onofrio
Directed by: Nora Fingscheidt
A powerful Sandra Bullock delivers some of her finest work on the screen in The Unforgivable. The 2021 drama features Bullock as Ruth, a woman recently released from prison after serving 20 years for murder, who becomes determined to reconcile with her younger sister. Bullock is the main draw behind The Unforgivable, an otherwise by-the-numbers drama elevated by the actress’ committed, heart-wrenching portrayal. The film risks being overly dire, but Bullock and a great supporting cast, including Vincent D’Onofrio and the mighty Viola Davis, ultimately drive the story home, ending on a safe yet positive note.
Society of the Snow (2023)
Metacritic: 72%
IMDb: 7.8/10
Duration: 144m
Genre: Drama, History
Stars: Enzo Vogrincic, Agustín Pardella, Matías Recalt
Directed by: J. A. Bayona
J. A. Bayona’s Society of the Snow is among Netflix’s most acclaimed recent films. The plot dramatizes the 1972 Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash, forcing the survivors, including several members of a Uruguayan rugby team, to rely on each other to survive. Harrowing yet powerful, Society of the Snow is an expertly crafted survival drama that boasts the best of Bayona’s technical skill. Featuring a cast of mostly inexperienced actors who bring an additional layer of realism to the ordeal, Society of the Snow is a gripping tale of resilience and willpower. It received two Oscar nominations for Best International Feature Film and Best Makeup and Hairstyling at this year’s Oscars.
May December (2023)
Metacritic: 86%
IMDb: 6.9/10
Duration: 117m
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Stars: Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, Chris Tenzis
Directed by: Todd Haynes
Acclaimed auteur Todd Haynes reteams with his long-time muse, Julianne Moore, for the dramedy May December. Natalie Portman stars as Elizabeth, an actress traveling to Savannah to spend time with Gracie (Moore), the woman she’s set to play in an upcoming movie. Gracie rose to infamy years earlier after her scandalous affair with a 13-year-old boy became public. Anchored by career-best turns from Portman and Moore, May December is a discomforting masterpiece that seamlessly blends drama and humor to tackle profound issues. The film also benefits from a stunning showcase from Charles Melton, who delivers one of the year’s most heartbreaking performances.
Maestro (2023)
Metacritic: 77%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Duration: 131m
Genre: Drama, Romance, Music
Stars: Carey Mulligan, Bradley Cooper, Matt Bomer
Directed by: Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper’s second directorial effort, Maestro, chronicles the life of renowned composer and conductor, Leonard Bernstein. Cooper stars as Bernstein, with the film revolving around his marriage with actress Felicia Montealegre, played by a stellar Carey Mulligan. Maestro sees Cooper go overboard both in front of and behind the camera, with a showy performance and even showier directing. However, the film finds strength in Mulligan’s stoic performance, even if it doesn’t necessarily reveal anything new about Bernstein’s private life or his legacy in modern music.
Rustin (2023)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Duration: 108m
Genre: Drama, History
Stars: Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman
Directed by: George C. Wolfe
Colman Domingo stars as activist Bayard Rustin in George C. Wolfe’s biographical drama Rustin. Based on Rustin’s real life, the film follows his efforts and contributions to the civil rights movement and his pivotal role in helping Martin Luther King Jr. organize the 1963 March on Washington. Powered by an outstanding turn from Domingo, Rustin shines a light on one of history’s most undersung heroes, whose name was all but erased because of his standing as a Black gay man. Rustin does not reinvent the biopic, but it remains a worthwhile showcase for both Domingo and Bayard Rustin.
Nuovo Olimpo (2023)
IMDb: 7.2/10
Duration: 112m
Genre: Romance, Drama
Stars: Damiano Gavino, Andrea Di Luigi, Luisa Ranieri
Directed by: Ferzan ?zpetek
Fans of LGBTQ+ movies can’t find a more worthy movie than Nuovo Olimpo. The Italian romantic drama stars Damiano Gavino and Andrea Di Luigi star as Enea and Pietro, two young men who meet and fall in love in 1970s Rome. Unexpected circumstances separate them, leading them to try to reunite throughout the years, even as their lives take different directions. Sweeping and rising on the strong chemistry between Gavino and Di Luigi, Nuovo Olimpo is a gorgeous and emotional romantic drama that makes the best out of its straightforward premise. Well-crafted romantic dramas are becoming a rarity, making Nuovo Olimpo stand even taller in the current entertainment landscape.
Fair Play (2023)
Metacritic: 73%
IMDb: 6.4/10
Duration: 113m
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Stars: Phoebe Dynevor, Alden Ehrenreich, Eddie Marsan
Directed by: Chloe Domont
Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor star in Chloe Domont’s erotic thriller Fair Play. The plot centers on a young couple working at a hedge fund firm. When one gets an unexpected promotion over the other, their relationship slowly unravels. A glorious return for the long-dormant erotic thriller genre, Fair Play offers the same psychological thrills as classics like Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct. Rising on the strength of its well-matched leads and Domont’s wicked screenplay, Fair Play is a biting, engaging, and steamy thriller that will keep audiences on edge.
NYAD (2023)
Metacritic: 65%
IMDb: 7.1/10
Duration: 121m
Genre: Drama, History
Stars: Jodie Foster, Annette Bening, Rhys Ifans
Directed by: Eliza beth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin
Four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening and two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster star in the biographical drama Nyad. The directorial debut of Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the film is based on Diana Nyad’s biography and chronicles her efforts to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. Featuring a traditional crowd-pleasing narrative elevated by the considerable talents of its two leads, Nyad is an uplifting sports drama that paints its real-life subject in a decidedly positive light. The film has stirred controversy and reignited doubts about Nyad’s real-life swimming feats, adding another fascinating layer to this story.
The Devil All the Time (2020)
Metacritic: 55%
IMDb: 7.1/10
Duration: 138m
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Stars: Tom Holland, Bill Skarsg?rd, Riley Keough
Directed by: Antonio Campos
A large ensemble led by Spider-Man himself (Tom Holland) proves a major draw for Antonio Campos’ Southern Gothic thriller The Devil All the Time. Also starring Bill Skarsg?rd, Sebastian Stan, and Robert Pattinson, the film is set in the years following World War II and continues into the 1960s, following several storylines of revenge and violence in two Ohio towns.
Although harrowing and violent, The Devil All the Time provides a worthy showcase for its impressive cast and a suitably engrossing decades-spanning mystery. The film’s constant descent into darkness might be too much for some, but its storytelling approach, engrossing atmosphere, and excellent ensemble are reason enough to press play on this gothic nightmare.
The King (2019)
Metacritic: 62%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Duration: 140m
Genre: Drama, History, War
Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris
Directed by: David Mich?d
Academy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet stars in the 2019 historical drama The King. Drawing from several Shakespeare plays, the plot centers on the young King Henry V of England, chronicling his rise to power and his handling of the war against France. Featuring a stellar supporting cast, including Robert Pattinson as the Dauphin of France, The King is a riveting tale of court intrigue for fans of period pieces. It might not be a faithful retelling of history, but it features enough lush scenery and outstanding production values to satisfy viewers.
To Leslie (2022)
Metacritic: 84%
IMDb: 7.1/10
Duration: 119m
Genre: Drama
Stars: Andrea Riseborough, Andre Royo, Owen Teague
Directed by: Michael Morris
Andrea Riseborough stars in Michael Morris’ 2022 drama To Leslie. The plot revolves around Leslie, a single mother struggling with alcoholism who starts working in a motel after squandering the money she won at the lottery. To Leslie might be more famous for the controversial Oscar campaign that resulted in Riseborough’s much-discussed Best Actress nomination. However, the film is a haunting, poignant portrayal of addiction powered by Riseborough’s committed, passionate performance. To Leslie‘s plot is conventional, but Riseborough’s work is worth the price of admission.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
Metacritic: 78%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Duration: 135m
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
Stars: Jesse Plemons, Jessie Buckley, Toni Collette
Directed by: Charlie Kaufman
Charlie Kaufman’s surrealist, genre-bending 2020 film I’m Thinking of Ending Things stars Oscar nominees Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons. It follows a young woman on a trip to visit her boyfriend’s parents. The story is intercut with scenes of a school janitor at work, adding to the film’s layered and challenging narrative. I’m Thinking of Ending Things will leave audiences scratching their heads, as it offers multiple questions and no answers. However, the film is also among the most daring and thought-provoking Netflix originals, making it required viewing for fans of intricate and slightly frustrating narratives.
Lady Chatterley's Lover (2022)
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Duration: 126m
Genre: Drama, Romance
Stars: Emma Corrin, Jack O'Connell, Matthew Duckett
Directed by: Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre
The Crown breakout star Emma Corrin stars opposite Jack O’Connell in the steamy Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Based on D.H. Lawrence’s seminal novel, the story centers on the torrid and forbidden affair between the wealthy but inexperienced Lady Chatterley and the gamekeeper at her husband’s estate. Sensual and earnest, Lady Chatterley’s Lover thrives on the strength of Corrin’s vulnerable and empathetic performance, offering a frank and mature depiction of the story’s weighty themes.
The Dig (2021)
Metacritic: 73%
IMDb: 7.1/10
Duration: 112m
Genre: Drama, History
Stars: Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James
Directed by: Simon Stone
Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan and Harry Potter‘s Ralph Fiennes star opposite Lily James in the 2021 historical drama The Dig. The plot dramatizes the real-life story of Edith Pretty and Basil Brown and his 1939 excavation on her land in Sutton Hoo. Although the plot might not sound like a prime source for a compelling drama, The Dig is a rich and gorgeously-shot story about friendship, legacy, and the importance of the past. Mulligan and Fiennes are at their usual best, while Mike Eley’s cinematography perfectly captures the lush vistas of the English countryside.
The Wonder (2022)
Metacritic: 71%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Duration: 108m
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Stars: Florence Pugh, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Tom Burke
Directed by: Sebastián Lelio
Sebastián Lelio’s 2022 period psychological drama The Wonder stars Academy Award nominee Florence Pugh. Based on the eponymous 2016 novel, the film follows an English nurse sent to a rural village to observe a young girl who has seemingly survived for months without eating. Led by a remarkable turn from Pugh and benefitting from Lelio’s atmospheric approach, The Wonder is a fascinating look at faith and prejudice that ranks as one of Netflix’s most ambitious original efforts.
The Woman King (2022)
Metacritic: 77%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Duration: 135m
Genre: Action, Drama, History
Stars: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch
Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Academy Award winner Viola Davis leads an impressive ensemble cast in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s historical epic The Woman King. Davis plays General Nanisca, the leader of an all-female group of warriors, the Agojie, tasked with protecting the kingdom of Dahomey.
As Nanisca trains the next generation of warriors, a foreign threat forces the Agojie to defend their kingdom and way of life. The Woman King received praise for its cast and action sequences, with many considering it among the best films of 2022. Unfortunately, it received no recognition from the Academy, with Davis’ snub in the Best Actress category being particularly controversial.
Mudbound (2017)
Metacritic: 85%
IMDb: 7.4/10
Duration: 135m
Genre: Drama
Stars: Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Jason Mitchell
Directed by: Dee Rees
Dee Rees directs the 2017 historical drama Mudbound. Set in World War II, the film centers on two veterans dealing with severe PTSD returning from the war as their families struggle with poverty in rural Mississippi. Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Clarke, and Mary J. Blige star. Mudbound received acclaim from critics, with the cast attracting near-universal praise. Blige earned considerable praise, including an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress and one for Best Original Song for the film’s theme, Mighty River.
The Harder They Fall (2021)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Duration: 139m
Genre: Western
Stars: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King
Directed by: Jeymes Samuel
Jeymes Samuel makes his feature directorial debut with The Harder They Fall, starring Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, and Lakeith Stanfield. The plot centers on an outlaw who reunites his gang upon realizing his long-time enemy will soon get released from prison. The Harder They Fall is among the few Westerns with an all-Black cast, with characters loosely based on real-life figures from the American West.
Emily the Criminal (2022)
Metacritic: 75%
IMDb: 6.7/10
Rated: R
Duration: 97m
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Stars: Aubrey Plaza, Theo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke
Directed by: John Patton Ford
Aubrey Plaza gives one of her finest turns to date in this crime drama full of clever and insightful social commentary. The plot centers on Emily Benetto, a young woman living in Los Angeles and drowning in student loan debt. Unable to secure a high-paying job due to a minor felony conviction, Emily becomes involved in a credit card fraud ring, leading to dangerous and potentially deadly consequences.
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Metacritic: 82%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: R
Duration: 156m
Genre: War, Drama
Stars: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters
Directed by: Spike Lee
Spike Lee directs an ensemble cast including Delroy Lindo — robbed of an Oscar nomination — Jonathan Majors, and the late Chadwick Boseman in Da 5 Bloods. The plot follows a group of four aging Black Vietnam veterans who return to the country to retrieve the remains of their squad leader and the gold treasure they buried during their war days.
Hustle (2022)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: R
Duration: 118m
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Stars: Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Juancho Hernangómez
Directed by: Jeremiah Zagar
The king of the underdogs, Adam Sandler, stars in Jeremiah Zagar’s drama Hustle. The veteran actor plays Stanley Sugerman, a down-on-his-luck basketball scout for the Philadelphia 76ers looking for an opportunity. When he discovers a promising but inexperienced young talent in Spain, Sugerman sets out to prove they are both worthy of making it to the NBA.
Roma (2018)
Metacritic: 96%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rated: R
Duration: 135m
Genre: Drama
Stars: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Diego Cortina Autrey
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
Four-time Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón directs Roma, a semiautobiographical film based on his childhood in 1970s Mexico. The story follows Cleo, a Mixteco housekeeper living with an upper-middle-class family. Things get complicated when Antonio, the patriarch, leaves to be with his mistress while Cleo discovers she is pregnant, throwing the family’s fragile balance into disarray. Nominated for 10 Oscars at the 2019 ceremony, Roma became the first-ever Mexican film to win Best Foreign Language Film.
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
Metacritic: 77%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: R
Duration: 147m
Genre: Action, Drama, History, War
Stars: Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer
Directed by: Edward Berger
The 1930 adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s classic World War I novel is considered an all-time great war movie, but modern special effects add another level of heightened reality in this Netflix original. Motivated by romantic dreams of heroism and glory, Paul Baumer (Felix Kammerer), and his friends Albert (Aaron Hilmer) and Muller (Moritz Klaus) answer the call to fight for Germany on the Western Front of World War I, but the initial euphoria of fighting for their country and a just cause quickly turns into a terrifying hellscape in the trenches.
Phantom Thread (2017)
Metacritic: 90%
IMDb: 7.5/10
Duration: 130m
Genre: Drama, Romance
Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps, Lesley Manville
Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson
If Daniel Day-Lewis is truly retired from acting, then he went out on a high note in Phantom Thread. In the film, Day-Lewis portrays Reynolds Woodcock, a fashion designer in the ‘50s whose dresses are highly sought after. After encountering a waitress named Alma Elson (Vicky Krieps), Reynolds courts her to become both his muse and his lover. However, Reynolds’ controlling ways alienate Alma, who wants to reassert control over her own life. And she will go to some surprising lengths to get it.
The Lost Daughter (2021)
Metacritic: 85%
IMDb: 7.1/10
Rated: R
Duration: 122m
Genre: Drama
Stars: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Directed by: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Somewhat polarizing between critics and audiences, The Lost Daughter is an artsy drama about memory and the endurance of pain. Leda (Olivia Colman) is alone on a seaside vacation when she becomes obsessed with the relationship between a mother and daughter — as well as their extended family. As Leda gets closer to the family, she becomes overwhelmed by a wave of memories of her own early motherhood until an impulsive act shocks her deep into the recesses of her own mind, forced to face the choices she made as a young mother.
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Metacritic: 89%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rated: R
Duration: 127m
Genre: Drama, Western
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons
Directed by: Jane Campion
Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch stars as cowboy Phil Burbank in this slow-burning Western. Phil’s entire life is tied up in the land, and he’s known throughout 1920s Montana as one of the best ranchers around. One night, he heads into market with his brother, George (Jesse Plemmons), where they meet Rose (Kirsten Dunst), the widowed proprietress of the Red Mill restaurant, and her son, Peter. While George takes an immediate liking to Rose, Phil treats her barbarically. But when George returns to the restaurant to propose to Rose and bring her back to the Burbank ranch, Phil is forced to adapt. As such, he takes Peter under his wing. Or does he?
Passing (2021)
Metacritic: 85%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 98m
Genre: Drama
Stars: Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland
Directed by: Rebecca Hall
In 1920s New York, Irene (Tessa Thompson) reconnects with an old childhood friend (Ruth Negga) whom she soon discovers is passing as white in the city. Irene soon finds her consideration of her own identity and her relationship with the world turned upside down by this shocking development.
The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
Metacritic: 55%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 97m
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Stars: Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, Selena Gomez
Directed by: Rob Burnett
Paul Rudd headlines The Fundamentals of Caring as Ben Benjamin, a frustrated writer whose marriage has crumbled. Ben reinvents himself as a caregiver, and he is soon hired to look after Trevor (Craig Roberts), a teenager suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Despite their shared emotional pain, Ben and Trevor form a bond and take a road trip together. Along the way, they run into a hitchhiker named Dot (Selena Gomez), a young woman who also wants to get away from her life. But while the trip is a fun experience, it also leads the trio to face some uncomfortable truths about themselves and each other.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Metacritic: 76%
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rated: R
Duration: 130m
Genre: Drama, History
Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Directed by: Aaron Sorkin
Aaron Sorkin wrote and directed The Trial of the Chicago 7, based on the real experiences of anti-war protesters Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen), Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong), Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne), Rennie Davis (Alex Sharp), David Dellinger (John Carroll Lynch), Lee Weiner (Noah Robbins), and John Froines (Daniel Flaherty). Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) may not have been among the seven, but he was also on trial, and the film tells his story as well. Together, they took a strong moral stand even as the judge appeared to be hellbent on putting them away.
Pieces of a Woman (2020)
Metacritic: 66%
IMDb: 7.1/10
Rated: R
Duration: 127m
Genre: Drama
Stars: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Ellen Burstyn
Directed by: Kornél Mundruczó
Tragedy runs rampant in Kornél Mundruczó’s Pieces of a Woman, starring Vanessa Kirby and Shia LaBeouf as Martha and Sean, a Boston couple welcoming their first baby by way of a home birth. When the beautiful moment turns into devastation, Martha slips into a spell of overbearing grief, an emotional bubble that begins to eat away at the young woman and her closest relationships. Featuring one of the most intense first acts in recent dramatic history, Pieces of a Woman is led by a powerhouse performance from Kirby, elevating our sense of grief and pain to whole new levels.
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)
Metacritic: 87%
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rated: R
Duration: 94m
Genre: Drama, Music
Stars: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman
Directed by: George C. Wolfe
Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis were nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress for their powerhouse turns in the adaptation of August Wilson’s play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. While neither Boseman nor Davis won, this is a movie that will only add to their respective legends. Davis portrays an iconic blues singer, Ma Rainey, during a contentious studio recording in 1927. The late Boseman plays Levee Green, Ma’s ambitious trumpeter who dreams of having a band of his own. Unfortunately, Levee’s antagonistic personality threatens to destroy all of his hopes in one night. Regardless, Boseman imbues the role with raw emotion and an unforgettable performance.
Mank (2020)
Metacritic: 79%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: R
Duration: 132m
Genre: Drama, History
Stars: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins
Directed by: David Fincher
Mank was the passion project of writer Jack Fincher, who wrote the screenplay in the ‘90s. Three decades later, Jack’s son, David Fincher, directed the film for Netflix and earned a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars. Fittingly, the movie is about the making of one of the all-time great films: Citizen Kane. Herman J. Mankiewicz (Slow Horses actor Gary Oldman) is chosen by Orson Welles (Tom Burke) to write his magnum opus, which was inspired in part by the powerful publisher William Randolph Hearst. In flashback, we learn that Herman has a history with both William and William’s much younger lover, Marion Davies (Amanda Seyfried). Creating a masterpiece isn’t easy, but it sure is entertaining.
Concrete Cowboy (2020)
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Rated: R
Duration: 111m
Genre: Drama, Western
Stars: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome
Directed by: Ricky Staub
When 15-year-old Cole (Caleb McLaughlin) is uprooted from the hard streets of Detroit, the youth is sent to live with his father, Harp (Idris Elba), in Philadelphia. What Cole could never expect to experience in a new city setting is an Old West lifestyle, propagated by his father and a larger band of inner-city Black cowboys. Patrolling the streets on horseback, the nomadic cavalcade acts as a vigilante group for crime-plagued North Philly. Inspired in part by the Fletcher Street Stables and based upon the novel Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri, Concrete Cowboy is powered by an incredible script, superb cinematography, and an especially impressive father-and-son dynamic between Elba and McLaughlin.
Marriage Story (2019)
Metacritic: 94%
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rated: R
Duration: 137m
Genre: Drama
Stars: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern
Directed by: Noah Baumbach
Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story was one of an astonishing number of Netflix Originals to win Academy Awards in 2019. On the surface, it’s an ordinary movie about an ordinary situation: Man and wife struggle through a divorce. But the depths through which Baumbach explores his characters and gut-wrenching performances from Scarlett Johansson and 65‘s Adam Driver make it hard to look away as these two people who clearly still love each other come to the unavoidable conclusion that they just can’t stay married.
The Two Popes (2019)
Metacritic: 75%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 125m
Genre: Drama, Comedy, History
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Juan Minujín
Directed by: Fernando Meirelles
Headlined by tour de force performances from two legendary actors, The Two Popes centers on the transition from Pope Benedict and Pope Francis. A quiet movie that takes place behind the Vatican walls, the two popes could not be more different, but they’re bound by a devotion to the Catholic Church and a shared desire to leave the world a better place. Regardless of your feelings on the Catholic Church, The Two Popes is an entertaining, heartwarming movie about finding common ground through difference. Something we could all learn a little about these days.
The Irishman (2019)
Metacritic: 94%
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rated: R
Duration: 209m
Genre: Crime, Drama, History
Stars: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
One of the first Netflix Original Films to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman is one of his most ambitious films to date. Scorsese helped establish the gangster genre with films like Goodfellas and Casino, but The Irishman is notably more subdued than those seminal films. The story follows Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), an employee of legendary union leader and mob boss Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), as he rises from bodyguard to confidante. But as Hoffa becomes more trouble than he’s worth, the other mafia bosses feel it may be time to move on from him, and Sheeran’s the key to it all.
