In 2015, Netflix put out their first original movie and they’ve gone on to become one of the go-to places for new films, including some that everyone should see at least once. The streaming service is home to Academy Award contenders, blockbusters, and hidden gems.
With such an extensive catalog of original films, narrowing it down to the must-see ones on Netflix can be difficult. Thankfully, it’s a bit easier when considering the movies that were met with the most critical acclaim, feature the best performances, and were Netflix’s biggest hits.
May December (2023)
May December is one of those movies that felt like a must-see even if you didn’t know the premise, purely based on the talent involved. Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore combine for a powerhouse duo that you need to watch regardless of what the story is.
That said, it’s the plot of May December that makes it special. The film follows an actress (Portman) who meets with a sex offender (Moore) to study her life to portray her in a movie, since the sex offender is famous for having a child with a 13-year-old (whom she is now married to) over a decade prior.
The film is a captivating look into the seemingly happy life of a couple that started under illegal circumstances. The performances are gripping, with Charles Melton nearly stealing the show despite standing alongside established stars.
May December earned a Best Original Screenplay nomination at the Oscars, while Portman, Moore, and Melton found themselves up for Golden Globe Awards.
Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)
The story of Pinocchio has been told over and over throughout the years. Disney had the most famous adaptation back in the 1940s and they actually put out a live-action remake starring Tom Hanks in 2022. However, it wasn’t the best take on the tale released that year.
Instead, it was Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio that stands out as possibly the greatest version of the story ever told. As is often the case with del Toro’s work, this was a dark fantasy with creatures, monsters, and more, which was somehow a perfect fit.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio utilized stop-motion animation and made sure that the titular character never looked anything like a real boy. The film was met with widespread acclaim, including a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars.
The movie was a passion project for del Toro, as it was initially announced way back in 2008. The project went into developmental hell for years but once Netflix acquired the rights, it became a reality.
Marriage Story (2019)
2019 was a strong year in terms of Netflix original movies. Among the hits was Marriage Story, an emotional drama from acclaimed filmmaker Noah Baumbach, who both wrote and directed this. It tells the story of a married couple going through a divorce and custody battle.
Marriage Story jumps back and forth to show the highs and lows of the relationship at the center. It’s a realistic depiction of the unfortunate events that could occur in a marriage for a multitude of reasons and it resonated with so many audience members.
On top of its appeal, Marriage Story was a huge success from a critical standpoint. The film was lauded for its screenplay, performances, and emotionally heavy scenes. It sits at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and was a hit come awards season.
Marriage Story landed six nominations at the Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Original Score. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver both got nods for their lead roles, while Laura Dern won Best Supporting Actress.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
Based on the 1982 stage play of the same name, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom immediately stood out to Netflix subscribers because of the sheer talent involved. Viola Davis is as good as it gets when it comes to actors and the late Chadwick Boseman as her co-star made for an incredible duo.
Add in the likes of Colman Domingo and Glynn Turman, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom featured a tremendous ensemble. Inspired by the titular real blues singer, the story centers on a chaotic recording session that the performers go through one day in Chicago in the 1920s.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom landed five Oscar nominations, winning for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Costume Design. Davis and Bosewick were both nominated as well, with many believing Boseman should’ve won posthumously.
The true aspect that makes Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom such a great Netflix original is its ending. The film concludes with a moment that everyone should’ve seen coming, yet still hits incredibly hard and is pretty crushing.
Klaus (2019)
As noted, Netflix had a very impressive year in 2019. Along with the aforementioned Marriage Story, the streaming service put out a legitimate animated classic in Klaus. It flew under the radar compared to bigger Netflix hits but is something everyone should watch.
Klaus might not seem like it at first, but it’s actually an origin story for Santa Claus. The film focuses on a postal worker who is sent to work at a small town of angry people, only to befriend a reclusive toymaker, setting him up on the road to becoming Santa.
Critical reception for Klaus was incredible and it holds a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. On top of that, Klaus landed an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature but lost to Toy Story 4. Despite all this, the film remains something of a hidden gem.
Not enough people bring up Klaus when discussing the best animated films on Netflix or of the 2010s when it deserves that kind of appreciation. With a stellar voice cast and an impressive animation style, Klaus is as good as it gets.
The Harder They Fall (2021)
The Western genre might not be in its heyday any longer, but it still remains as popular as ever, with classics getting rewatched over and over to this day. So when a modern Western arrives and is legitimately great, it becomes a must-see.
That’s the case with The Harder They Fall, which also features an all-Black cast, allowing it to stand out from the pack even more. Musician Jeymes Samuel made his directorial debut with this film and the talent involved is almost unmatched.
The ridiculously good cast of The Harder They Fall features Idris Elda, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, LaKeith Stanfield, Delroy Lindo, and several other iconic Black actors. Although being different within the genre is good, this film works for so many other reasons.
The Harder They Fall sees everyone put in quality performances, the music is electric, and the action sequences are among the best in any Western, regardless of decade. Although it was snubbed at the biggest award shows, anyone who watches The Harder They Fall will understand its greatness.
20th Century Girl (2022)
Another hidden gem Netflix original movie that’s actually fantastic is 20th Century Girl. This South Korean film has a relatively simple premise on the surface, focusing on the bond between a group of friends in high school in 1999.
Na Bo-ra is tasked by her best friend with keeping an eye on the boy she likes before she heads out to the United States for surgery. While she does this, Na Bo-ra ultimately falls for the guy, causing complications in the relationships of everyone involved.
The romance is heartwarming and the film grabs you like the best teen romance stories can, but what sets 20th Century Girl apart is the ending. This film hits like a ton of bricks as the third act arrives and nobody is really prepared for what happens.
Although a lot of people have overlooked 20th Century Girl because they don’t want to read subtitles, the film did become a hit globally. Anyone who has seen it can attest to how special it is and it’s one of the best Netflix movies that people don’t talk about.
Nimona (2023)
The process of getting Nimona made was messy. The film was originally a Blue Sky Studios project in 2020 but when the Walt Disney Company acquired 20th Century Fox (and Blue Sky Studios), it was shelved until Annapurna Pictures picked it up.
Netflix is grateful they did because Nimona is one of their best original movies. Based on a graphic novel of the same name, the film is set in a futuristic yet medieval kingdom and sees a wrongfully accused knight partner up with a shapeshifter to take down a corrupt leader.
The animation style of Nimona is stunning and it stands as one of the more unique-looking films of the 2020s, which is saying something. There’s also an emotionally heartfelt story in the middle, both of found friendship and of an LGBTQ+ romance.
Nimona was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, the Critics’ Choice Awards, and the Annie Awards. It likely would’ve won if it came out in a different year, given 2023’s stiff competition like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and The Boy and the Heron.
Tick, Tick…Boom! (2021)
Tick, Tick…Boom! had a lot going for it from the start. The film tells the unbelievable true story of Jonathan Larson, the man who created Rent, one of the most successful stage plays to ever hit Broadway. It’s then boosted by a fantastic cast, great first-time director, and more.
Lin-Manuel Miranda was an inspired choice to direct this film given that he, like Larson, created an iconic Broadway play. Miranda makes sure there’s so much style in this movie and the musical numbers in Tick, Tick…Boom! are filled with a ton of energy.
Tick, Tick…Boom! sees Andrew Garfield in the lead role as Larson and he delivers the greatest performance of his storied career. A lot of people believed he should’ve won the Oscar for Best Actor, though he lost to Will Smith.
Garfield is joined by Robin de Jesús, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Shipp, Judith Light, and more. There are also lovable cameos by Broadway legends as the film works as a love letter to the theater. It’s an absolute must-see.
KPop Demon Hunters (2025)
While everyone should indeed watch KPop Demon Hunters at least once, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t seen it already. The film quickly rose up the ranks to become the most-watched movie in Netflix history.
KPop Demon Hunters also shows no signs of slowing down, still ranking at the top of Netflix’s movie rankings months after its debut. That means people are either discovering it for the first time or, more likely, are rewatching it consistently.
That makes sense because KPop Demon Hunters is perfect for multiple viewings. The musical numbers, likable characters, emotional story beats, and action sequences, along with the gorgeous animation style, make this a fantastic movie.
The story centers on a popular musical trio that also moonlight as demon hunters. KPop Demon Hunters sits at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and will likely be a major contender come awards season. It’s so popular that spin-offs, a live-action adaptation, and more are on the way.
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