Netflix is a convenient platform that has a vast variety of films, documentaries, and TV series. In fact, it is so vast that it can be a bit overwhelming and frustrating to find a good movie match, especially if you’re not in the mood for browsing the different rubrics and categories before settling on just one movie.
If you find that this happens to you often, we have a solution: here is a list of 14 noteworthy films, both well-known and new, that you can watch on Netflix right now. But even if you don’t have a Netflix subscription, these films are worth checking out. Each film suggestion contains a trailer, which you can view by clicking on the play button, as well as a short description of the movie.
If you don't know what Netflix is or simply want to learn more, you can read our comprehensive guide to Netflix.
Genres: musical, comedy, romance
Let’s start off on a cheerful note with the wonderful comedy starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan featuring, you guessed it, a lot of ABBA songs and dance performances. The premise of the plot revolves around a young woman trying to find her real father from a choice of 3 men, all of whom she invites to her wedding.
Genres: adventure, comedy, crime
Continuing the theme of humorous and aesthetic cinema is a film directed by Wes Anderson describing the adventures of a young concierge building his career at the famous Grand Budapest hotel set in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka at the beginning of the 20th century. The film is a mixture of great acting, hilarious, and often dark humor and some dramatic plots twists.
Genres: comedy, drama, Sci-Fi
On a more serious note, this quite famous film explores the questions of existence and reality. What if your whole life was just a reality TV show? This is the case with young Truman, a salesman whose life is turned upside down when he realizes that his whole life was a lie, and even his family and friends were nothing but a group of actors.
Genres: crime, drama, mystery
A crime drama set in San Francisco in the 1970s starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo showcasing a story about an amateur cartoonist who becomes obsessed with finding a mass murderer. The film is based on the real story of the Zodiac Killer, which remains one of the most famous unsolved criminal cases in history.
Genres: adventure, comedy, Sci-Fi
Are you excited about reminiscing about the past, but don’t want to watch a thriller? Why not re-watch this Sci-Fi classic? Admittedly, the acting is not always top notch, but the plot is extremely engaging and it’s so interesting to observe how the creators of the film envisioned the past, present, and future (and especially technology) back in the ’80s.
6. The Theory of Everything (2014)
Genre: drama, romance, biography
If you’re looking for a romantic drama, this is a great option. The film is, certainly, not meant as an accurate and objective biography of the great physicist Stephen Hawking. Instead, it is a one-of-a-kind story about love and loss, giving you a glimpse into the personal life of the genius scientist and his wife Jane Hawking. The acting, soundtracks and set design are all immaculate, too.
Genre: comedy, crime, drama
This film is a choice for you if you like unusual, unique films. Also, since it's a Netflix special, watch out for the rude language (yes, even in the trailer). The plot revolves around Ruth, who lives an ordinary, one might say even boring, life until a very bad day when her home is burglarized. She makes it her goal to find the culprit and gets caught up in a really dangerous situation that soon spirals completely out of her control.
Genre: comedy, drama
Does our life have any order and meaning? The short answer from directors Joel and Ethan Cohen who created this distinguished film is “no”, at least judging from the main character’s life that crumbles and falls apart in front of his eyes. Yet, this is definitely a drama, but with a generous sprinkling of sarcastic humor.
9. As Good As It Gets (1997)
Genres: comedy, drama, romance
Speaking of sarcasm, how could we possibly forget about Jack Nicholson’s role as a misanthropic actor in “As Good As It Gets”? It’s a must-watch for everyone and a very funny, and yet touching movie. Even if you’ve already seen this one, which I’m sure a lot of you surely have, it’s a great film to re-watch.
10. Okja (2017)
Genre: action, adventure, drama
This Netflix special is one of the few fantasy adventures tackling real environmental and moral issues linked to consumerism and our relationship with the planet. Simultaneously, it’s an inspiring story about a young girl trying to save her best friend, a fictional hippo and pig hybrid, from being kidnapped and corrupted by a multimillion corporation.
Genre: biography, comedy, crime
This film is an intriguing crime investigation about a very pleasant, even charming bank robber who succeeded in escaping from prison at the age of 70 and carried out a series of heists throughout the U.S. The film is based on a true story of Forrest Tucker, an ingenious escape artist who managed to escape from prison 18 times.
12. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Genre: adventure, comedy, fantasy
Did you know you that this British comedy classic is available in excellent quality on Netflix? This ironic postmodern interpretation of the legend about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table needs no introduction. Join the not-so-heroic knights as they embark on a low-budget journey to find the Holy Grail.
Genres: comedy, crime, drama
Two hitmen (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson) were instructed by their boss to lie low in Bruges, Belgium, after a job gone wrong in the course of which an innocent bystander gets killed. Hitman Ray is guilt-stricken and depressed, but they have to pass the time somehow, so what do they do? That’s right, they go sightseeing.
Genre: comedy, drama, musical
The last, but definitely not the least on our list of films is a Netflix special written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film is a collection of 6 short stories set in the Old West. The stories are an emotional rollercoaster, consisting of a mixture of humor, moral dilemmas, and violence. It’s a must watch, in our humble opinion.
If you like these movie recommendations, don't forget to share them with your friends and family, or read another article we wrote about movies based on books you don't want to miss.
