It is going to be quite a while before we can enter cinema halls to relish the movie-going experience like we used to before the coronavirus hit our lives. The global pandemic has forced cinemas to shut down all over the world and while a few of them have resumed services, they are unlikely to be anywhere close to normal capacity anytime soon.
This isn’t an ideal scenario for movie lovers, obviously. In times like these, though, Netflix is a real boon, as it offers a plethora of choices in its catalog, teeming with original productions along with a number of recent and old movies. While a lot of you have a Netflix account, you might often find yourself confused about what movie to choose. This is where our list will help. Here, we have selected ten of the best movies from the streaming platform that should cater to different tastes and should certainly leave the movie buff in you satiated.
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Genre: Family, Adventure, Sci-Fi
This beloved and timeless classic has enamored kids and adults alike for decades and now you can watch it with your family on Netflix! 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' was truly a groundbreaking sci-fi masterpiece that paved the way for many such stories the world over in the decades to follow. Steven Spielberg’s story of a lonely boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas) who lives with his single mother (Dee Wallace), his older brother (Robert MacNaughton), and his younger sister (Drew Barrymore) and how he ends up befriending a lost alien might sound outdated on paper today but it was so lovingly told that it will fill your heart with joy every time you watch it.
The film is packed with wonder, imagination, adventure, and has a lot of heart. The pure bond between the boy and his alien friend is the heart and soul of the film and makes you root for them to succeed against all odds. The mix of magic and true emotions has been captured beautifully and this is what makes E.T. such a perfect family film.
Genre: Drama, Romance
While 'Marriage Story' is essentially a story of divorce, it is still an enjoyable and moving story. This Netflix original focuses on a relationship that is falling apart and all the emotions that come with that. The couple here is a playwright Charlie Barber (Adam Driver) and his actress wife Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) who eventually realize that the futures they want are incompatible.
However, the complex process of how and where they go from there is handled with great subtlety and tenderness. Their journey, albeit sad at times, will make you laugh and cry and is sure to connect with countless married couples.
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama
This is the thrilling true story of American figure skater Tonya Harding. This biographical sports black comedy-drama film shows how Tonya’s talent was overshadowed by her association after they launched an attack on rival athlete Nancy Kerrigan. While it’s a sports biopic, the film moves at a smooth pace and is laced with several humorous moments.
In particular, the way it pokes fun at the opposing accounts given by each of the people involved is great fun to watch. Most importantly, though, Tonya Harding’s tumultuous journey has been brilliantly portrayed by Margot Robbie and her relationship with her cold mother (the terrific Allison Janney) is another highlight of the film.
Genre: Drama, Thriller
'Uncut Gems' is a must-see thriller that features a career-best performance by funnyman Adam Sandler. The Safdie Brothers’ drama is about a Jewish jeweler and gambling addict in New York City’s Diamond District who risks everything to get rid of his debts and escape the collectors after him. We see his dramatic journey played out most intensely and masterfully.
In fact, this is such a tense and fast-paced thriller you won’t have the time to blink. Furthermore, Uncut Gems demands your attention, makes you nervous, and even tickles your brain with its riveting plot.
Genre: Drama, Western
If you’ve grown up loving classic Western flicks then you simply cannot miss 'Django Unchained'. This 2012 film is Quentin Tarantino’s most successful film to date and features a wide array of super talented actors like Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Samuel L. Jackson, among a host of others. Set in the year 1858, the plot of the film focuses on a slave named Django (Jamie Foxx) who is set free by a bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz). The two then team up to rescue Django’s wife from a notorious plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio). What follows is a fierce ride with several intriguing twists and turns that will keep you hooked.
The setting and the cinematography captures the Western essence magnificently well and the emotional story further ensures that you are completely immersed in the narrative of this epic.
Genre: Drama
Written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón (winner of three Oscars), 'Roma' is a semi-autobiographical tale about a maid working for an upper-middle-class family in Mexico City in the 1970s. It’s a visually spectacular and deeply moving film that presents an unusual yet beautiful story.
As we follow the housekeeper Cleo, we get to see how she handles the societal and political issues she faces and are slowly seeped into her struggles. Shot in stark black and white, Roma is a beautiful and delicately composed picture that was touted as one of the best movies of 2018. The film ended up clinching two Golden Globes, for best director and best foreign-language film.
Genre: Action, Comedy
Looking for a rib-tickling action thriller? Look no further than 'Spy' starring Melissa McCarthy. This is the story of a middle-aged desk-bound CIA employee named Susan Cooper (McCarthy) who, when her partner is killed, takes on the dangerous fieldwork.
What follows is an absolutely hilarious and action-packed journey of dynamic spy missions and outrageous situations that will leave you chuckling. It also features action star Jason Statham in a brilliant supporting role as a bumbling overconfident spy who is always at loggerheads with McCarthy’s character. Spy is a must-watch comedy film that will take you on a relentlessly thrilling and fun ride.
Genre: Adventure, Comedy
This highly underrated animation film is a pleasant delight from the Disney Animation vault. The Princess and the Frog is a beautiful, fun, and charming movie filled with brilliant animation along with delightful music. The story is about a waitress named Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) in the 1920s New Orleans who dreams of opening her own restaurant.
One day, she comes across a frog prince who is desperate to be turned back into a human and needs a kiss from Tiana. However, in an interesting turn of events, Tiana ends up becoming the frog after planting that generous kiss. The rest of the story focuses on her attempts to return to her human form. It is a wonderfully emotional tale with plenty of laughs and heart-warming moments that you will certainly enjoy watching, especially with young children.
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Genre: Documentary
This splendid feature-length documentary highlights the precarious existence of the endangered Scottish wildcats and the efforts to prevent their extinction. Narrated in the soothing voice of Iain Glen, 'The Tigers of Scotland' offers an in-depth view into the world of these rare and magnificent cats.
While they might resemble a large tabby, they are a different and special species and the only wildcat left in Scotland. You will get to witness the nature of these curious wildcats along with spectacular views of the beautiful highland region of Scotland. It is a thought-provoking and educational documentary film that animal lovers and wildlife enthusiasts are sure to appreciate and learn a lot from.
Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
One of the biggest surprise hits of 2018, 'A Quiet Place' is a gem of a horror-thriller that shocked audiences with its unusual, gripping and captivating story. Writer/director John Krasinski stars in the film alongside his real-life wife Emily Blunt that is set in a post-apocalyptic future infested with monsters with super-sensitive hearing. Most of humanity has been wiped out by these dangerous creatures and the focus is on Krasinski’s family and how the couple and their two kids struggle to survive in this world. Throughout the film, the characters whisper and use sign language to communicate as the monsters hunt them down solely on the noises they make.
There is so much tension and drama in the film that you are guaranteed to be at the edge of your seats throughout its runtime. The emotional core of the film, however, is the family’s strong love for each other and that’s what makes A Quiet Place such an unmissable thriller.
