THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES – (L-R) Maya Rudolph as “Linda Mitchell”, Abbi Jacobson as “Katie Mitchell”, Doug the Pug as “Monchi”, Mike Rianda as “Aaron Mitchell” and Danny McBride as “Rick Mitchell”. Cr: ©2021 SPAI. All Rights Reserved.
Best Netflix movies to watch in 2021
Welcome to May 2021! There are some good Netflix movies on the way this month, including Monster, The Woman in the Window, Army of the Dead, and more. You can guarantee those movies will make the list of the best Netflix movies.
Netflix added a bunch of good movies last month, including Concrete Cowboy, Thunder Force, The Mitchells vs. The Machines, and so many more.
Until you can watch some of those upcoming titles, there are so many good Netflix movies available to stream right now. The problem is finding the perfect Netflix movie for you to watch, and that’s where we can help.
Rather than scrolling through movie after movie on the Netflix homepage, all you have to is check out our list of the best Netflix movies to watch right now and find something to watch.
We update the list weekly and as new Netflix movies are added or released on the streaming service.
Let’s get the list started with one of the most popular Netflix movies to watch right now, Concrete Cowboy!
*UPDATED on May 1, 2021*
Best Netflix movies: The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Release Year: 2021
Directed by Mike Rianda and Jeff Rowe
Starring Danny McBride, Abbi Jacobson, Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre, Fred Armisen, Beck Bennett, Conan O’Brien, Charlyne Yi, Sasheer Zamata, Mike Rianda, and Olivia Colman
The Mitchells vs. The Machines just premiered on Netflix on April 30, 2021. It’s one of the best animated comedies on the streaming service, and I would even go as far to say this is Netflix’s best animated comedy yet. This movie is so funny and so good. You’re going to fall in love with it if you give it a chance.
The Netflix movie is produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, two of the best storytellers in the industry, let alone the animated genre.
The film tells the story of the Mitchell family, who decided to take their daughter, Katie, to college across the country. Things get wild when an army of robots built by a too ambitious Silicon Valley media corporation takes over the world. The Mitchells try to do everything they can to save the world from a robot takeover.
Now, I just need a sequel to this great Netflix movie. Hopefully, that will happen in the not-too-distant future.
Flip the page for more good Netflix movies to watch right now!
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More good Netflix movies to watch
CONCRETE COWBOY – (L-R) Ivannah-Mercedes as Esha, Lorraine Toussaint as Nessi, Idris Elba as Harp, Caleb McLaughlin as Cole, Jamil “Mil” Prattis as Paris and Cliff “Method Man” Smith as Leroy. Cr: Jessica Kourkounis / Netflix © 2021
Best Netflix movies: Concrete Cowboy
Release Year: 2021
Directed by Ricky Staub
Starring Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome, Idris Elba, Byron Bowers, Lorraine Toussaint, and Clifford “Method Man” Smith, Ivannah Mercedes, and Devenie Young
Concrete Cowboy premiered on Netflix on Friday, April 2, 2021, and it’s easily one of the best Netflix movies of the year.
The film was supposed to be released in theaters, but it moved to Netflix as a Netflix original because of the pandemic.
Concrete Cowboy is based on the book Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri. The book and movie tell the story of Cole, a teenager played by Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin, who moves to Philadelphia to live with his father. There, Cole gets involved in an urban horse-riding community at the Fletcher Street Stables.
This movie has the potential to be nominated for a bunch of awards. The cast is incredible. I was especially impressed with McLaughlin and Jerome, who starred in the Netflix original series When They See Us.
If you need a great movie to watch on Netflix tonight and enjoy incredible performances and just all-around movie magic, Concrete Cowboy is the Netflix movie for you!
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More good Netflix movies to watch
BAD TRIP(2021)
Eric AndrŽ as Chris Carey and Lil Rel Howery as Bud Malone.
NETFLIX
Best Netflix movies: Bad Trip
Release Year: 2021
Directed by Kitao Sakurai
Starring Eric Andre, Lil Rel Howery, and Tiffany Haddish
Bad Trip is the most popular movie of March 2021 on Netflix. The new Netflix movie premiered on the streaming service on March 26, 2021. It’s truly one of the best and funniest movies on Netflix.
The film is an extension of sorts of The Eric Andre Show. In the film, Andre stars as Chris alongside Howery, who plays his best friend, Bud. The friends head out on a cross-country road trip so Chris can tell his childhood crush that he is still in love with her. The only problem is that they steal the car for the road trip from Bud’s sister, Trina, played by Tiffany Haddish. Trina tracks them across the country.
That’s more or less what the movie is about, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a big prank movie that plays lots of jokes on unsuspecting people.
This movie is not for kids, though. If you need a new hilarious, raunchy, and ridiculous movie to watch on Netflix tonight, check out Bad Trip!
I think Bad Trip 2 needs to happen at Netflix!
TO ALL THE BOYS IVE LOVED BEFORE 3. Lana Condor as Lara Jean Covey, Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky, in TO ALL THE BOYS IVE LOVED BEFORE 3. Cr. Katie Yu / Netflix © 2020
Best Netflix movies: To All The Boys: Always and Forever
Release year: 2021
Directed by Michael Fimognari
Starring Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Ross Butler, Madeleine Arthur, Emilija Baranac, Trezzo Mahoro, Kelcey Mawema, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Henry Thomas, Sarayu Blue, and John Corbett
To All The Boys: Always and Forever is the new Netflix original movie that premiered on Feb. 12, 2021. It is the final film of the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before film series at Netflix. It’s based on the third book of the series by Jenny Han, and it’s oh, so good.
Always and Forever catches up with Lara Jean, played by Lana Condor, and Peter Kavinsky, played by Noah Centineo, after the events of the second movie, To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. Peter and Lara Jean are fully committed to one another and ready to go to college together.
When Peter gets into Stanford and Lara Jean doesn’t, the couple are forced to figure out what’s next for their relationship. After their school trip to New York City, Lara Jean starts to feel like New York might be the place for her.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming story about a teen couple taking on the world, this is the movie for you. It’s one of the best movies on Netflix this year. It totally sticks the landing set up by the first two movies.
I want to see To All The Boys 4 on Netflix, but I know it’s probably not going to happen.
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Best Netflix Movies to watch right now
Moxie. Hadley Robinson as Vivian in Moxie. Cr /NETFLIX © 2020
Best Netflix movies: Moxie
Release Year: 2021
Directed by Amy Poehler
Starring Hadley Robinson, Lauren Tsai, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Nico Hiraga, Sydney Park, Josephine Langford, Clark Gregg, Ike Barinholtz, Amy Poehler, and Marcia Gay Harden
Moxie premiered on Netflix on March 3, 2021, and it’s clearly one of the best Netflix movies of the year so far.
The Netflix original movie is based on the book of the same name by Jennifer Mathieu. It tells the story of Vivian (Hadley Robinson), a teenager who starts a zine called Moxie that sparks a modern revolution at her high school. She’s inspired by her mother’s Riot grrrl past to start the zine. This is the second Netflix original movie directed by Poehler. Wine Country, which Poehler also starred in, was also directed by the former Parks and Recreation and Saturday Night Live star.
If you like teen movies on Netflix, of which there are a lot, you should definitely watch Moxie on Netflix. It’s well worth a couple of hours of your time!
We haven’t heard if Moxie 2 is happening at Netflix. I think there’s definitely room for a sequel on the streaming service. We’ve seen a lot of these teen movies get the sequel treatment at Netflix, including To All The Boys, The Kissing Booth, Tall Girl, and more.
I CARE A LOT (2021)
Peter Dinklage as Rukov and Rosamund Pike as Marla.
Cr: Seacia Pavao/NETFLIX
Best Netflix movies: I Care A Lot
Release Year: 2021
Directed by J Blakeson
Starring Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, and Dianne Wiest
I Care A Lot is another new Netflix movie. It premiered on the streaming service at the end of February 2020, and it was an instant hit on Netflix.
The film is inspired by all the people and legal loopholes that enable others to prey on older Americans, get them committed to assisted living facilities, and then take over their bank accounts and assets.
I Care A Lot tells the story of Marla, played by Rosamund Pike, who is a con woman and a court-appointed guardian for many older people. She gets them removed from their homes and rakes in all their cash over time. It’s awful!
Her latest ruse doesn’t last long, though, when she pulls a fast one on the mother of a mob boss. When the mob boss finds out what happens, he isn’t exactly excited that his mother has been taken for a ride by Marla. Things don’t go so well after that.
I Care A Lot is getting a ton of buzz right now. It’s been on the Netflix Top 10 for weeks after its premiere.
For her role in the film, Rosamund Pike won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama.
FINDING ‘OHANA (L to R) OWEN VACCARO as CASPER, KEA PEAHU as PILI, ALEX AIONO as E, LINDSAY WATSON as HANA in FINDING ‘OHANA. Cr. JENNIFER ROSE CLASEN/NETFLIX © 2021
Best Netflix movies: Finding ‘Ohana
Release Year: 2021
Directed by Christina Strain
Starring Kea Peahu, Alex Aiono, Lindsay Watson, Owen Vaccaro, Kelly Hu, Branscombe Richmond, Chris Parnell, Marc Evan Jackson, Ke Huy Quan, and Ricky Garcia
Finding ‘Ohana premiered on Netflix at the end of January 2021, and it’s one of the best kids movies on the streaming network right now.
Finding ‘Ohana tells the story of Pili, a youngster from New York who travels to Hawaii with her family to visit her sick grandfather. There, she finds out about treasure deep in the Hawaiian mountains. With the help of her friends and brother, Pili ventures into the heart of the mountain to find this long-lost treasure.
I love treasure-hunting movies and shows, and this is perfect. There’s even a Goonies tie-in to this movie with Ke Huy Quan in the cast. It’s perfect, and I really liked it.
I’m really, really hoping that Netflix brings back Finding ‘Ohana for a sequel. These characters are so likable and there’s definitely more to this story. Netflix is always looking for franchise/tentpole opportunities, and I think Finding ‘Ohana could be that franchise.
We’ll just have to wait and see what Netflix decides to do.
Space Sweepers – Credit: Netflix
Best Netflix movies: Space Sweepers
Release year: 2021
Directed by Jo Sung-hee
Starring Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu, and Yoo Hae-jin
Space Sweepers is one of the best international Netflix original movies to date. It premiered on Netflix in early February 2021.
The movie tells the story of, you guessed it, space sweepers who clean up space debris and all sorts of things in a futuristic society outside of a new planet that is like earth but not actually earth. When these space sweepers come in contact with a weapon, they are forced to keep it safe and out of the hands of those who wish to do harm.
There’s so much to love about this movie. It’s like all of your favorite sci-fi/adventure movies rolled into one. If you like Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy and others, this is the movie for you on Netflix.
We’re still holding out hope for Space Sweepers 2. The potential is there for Netflix to continue making these movies, so hopefully, we’ll get to see it in the future.
We’ll let you know more about Space Sweepers 2 when we find out. For now, enjoy Space Sweepers on Netflix!
MALCOLM & MARIE (L-R): JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON as MALCOLM, ZENDAYA as MARIE. DOMINIC MILLER/NETFLIX © 2021
Best Netflix movies: Malcolm and Marie
Release year: 2021
Directed by Sam Levinson
Starring Zendaya and John David Washington
Malcolm and Marie is one of the best Netflix movies of 2021 so far, and when it’s all said and done, it’ll be one of the best movies from the streaming network this year.
Euphoria creator Sam Levinson wrote and directed the new Netflix movie. It’s the first movie to be written and filmed and released during the pandemic. And, that’s quite the accomplishment in and of itself.
The film revolves around a couple, Malcolm and Marie, obviously, played by Ballers and Tenet star John David Washington and Euphoria and Spider-Man star Zendaya. After Malcolm’s movie premiere, Malcolm and Marie return home and the night turns into a massive roller coaster ride of emotions for the couple who have invested so much time into each other but clearly have some issues. (That’s an understatement, by the way!)
Malcolm and Marie seems like it’s in the conversation for some awards seasons wins. It wasn’t nominated for the Golden Globes, but with all the star power, the Oscars seem like a no-brainer for this movie. We’ll have to wait and see!
BERLIN – JUNE 15: (L to R) Actor Christian Bale, actor Michael Caine, director Christopher Nolan, producer Emma Thomas, actress Katie Holmes and actor Morgan Freeman arrive for the German premiere of ‘Batman Begins’ at the Cinestar June 15, 2005 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Best Netflix movies: Batman Begins
Release Year: 2005
Written by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson
Batman Begins is the first film of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. The film stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne, also known as the Batman.
In Batman Begins, Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham after training with a mentor abroad and begins trying to make Gotham a better place by ridding the city of the crime that killed his parents when he was a child.
The film really set the tone for Nolan’s Batman trilogy and gave viewers a fresh take on Batman’s story that had been butchered a few times on the silver screen throughout history. Batman Begins was nominated for an Oscar at the 2006 Academy Awards for Best Achievement in Cinematography. Currently, the film has an 85 percent critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
You can also watch the second movie of the Nolan-Batman trilogy on Netflix. The Dark Knight was added to Netflix on the same day as Batman Begins. Unfortunately, you’ll have to look elsewhere to watch Batman and Bane go at it in The Dark Knight Rises.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 07: (L-R) Actor Aaron Eckhart, producers, Director Christopher Nolan and actor Christian Bale accept multiple awards (Favorite On-Screen Match-Up, Action Movie, Cast and Superhero) for The Dark Knight during the 35th Annual People’s Choice Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for PCA)
Best Netflix movies: The Dark Knight
Release Year: 2008
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, and Gary Oldman
The Dark Knight is the second film in The Dark Knight trilogy. It followed Batman Begins, which premiered in 2005 and is also on Netflix right now, and it was just before The Dark Knight Rises. Unfortunately, the third film is not on Netflix.
In The Dark Knight, Bruce Wayne faces his toughest test yet. After clearing the streets and reducing crime, Batman has a good grip over Gotham until the Joker arrives out of nowhere. Hired by the gangs and mobs to help bring crime back, the Joker goes rogue. Batman tries to stop him.
The Dark Knight is widely considered to be one of the best superhero movies of all time. I don’t know if I like it as much as some of the Marvel movies, but it’s an incredible accomplishment in this genre.
Ledger was incredible as the Joker, and I’m confident there will be another one like him no matter how many times Warner Bros. tries to find one.
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 19: Marisa Tomei, Julianne Moore, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone attend the “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” World Premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater on July 19, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Best Netflix movies: Crazy, Stupid, Love
Release Year: 2011
Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa
Starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, John Carroll Lynch, Marisa Tomei, and Kevin Bacon
Crazy, Stupid, Love is one of my all-time favorite romantic comedies. It’s so, so, so good.
In the movie, Steve Carell’s character, Cal Weaver, jumps out of a moving car after his wife, Emily, played Julianne Moore, tells him that she wants a divorce and that she cheated on him. His life spirals out of control, and luckily, he meets Jacob, played by Ryan Gosling, a playboy-type, who helps Cal get out of the rut he’s stuck in.
Meanwhile, Jacob starts seeing Hannah, played by Emma Stone, who has Jacob ready to settle down.
This movie is so good. It was added to Netflix after Valentine’s Day 2021. If it was available for Valentine’s Day 2021, it would have been the most-watched movie on Netflix.
If you like romantic movies, this is the movie for you on Netflix right now. We just don’t see romantic comedies like this anymore. The cast is spectacular. The movie is so funny and fresh even if it’s already 10 years old!
THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 (L-R) YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN II as BOBBY SEALE, BEN SHENKMAN as LEONARD WEINGLASS, MARK RYLANCE as WILLIAM KUNTSLER, EDDIE REDMAYNE as TOM HAYDEN, ALEX SHARP as RENNIE DAVIS. NICO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX © 2020.
Best Netflix movies: The Trial of the Chicago 7
Release Year: 2020
Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin
Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Daniel Flaherty, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Keaton, Frank Langella, John Carroll Lynch, Eddie Redmayne, Noah Robbins, Mark Rylance, Alex Sharp, and Jeremy Strong
The Trial of the Chicago 7 is easily one of the best Netflix movies of 2020. The movie premiered on Netflix in November 2020, and it looks like an awards season favorite heading into the Oscars and more.
The film tells the story of the Trial of the Chicago 7, a group of individuals who were charged with trying to start a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
As we have come to expect from Sorkin movies, the dialogue between characters is excellent. The cast is incredible. There are few movies from 2020 that have this many big actors and actresses involved.
If you haven’t seen the Netflix original movie yet, you should check it out as soon you can. It’s definitely worth a watch on Netflix. Aaron Sorkin won the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay at the 2021 Golden Globes. That sets up this story nicely for an Oscar win later this year!
MANK (2020)
Gary Oldman as Herman Mankiewicz and Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies.
NETFLIX
Best Netflix movies: Mank
Release Year: 2020
Written by Jack Fincher
Directed by David Fincher
Starring Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Arliss Howard, Tom Pelphrey, and Charles Dance
Mank is probably the best Netflix movie of the year. It was released in select theaters in November 2020 and later on Netflix in December 2020.
David Fincher, who also created Mindhunter, has been trying to make Mank for years. Fincher’s father, Jack, wrote the screenplay for the movie. Netflix finally made it happen, and it’s really good.
The movie tells the story of Herman J. Mankiewicz and his time writing the screenplay for Citizen Kane, which was directed by Orson Welles. It’s considered one of the best movies of all time.
Mank is not about the making of Citizen Kane, and that’s probably a good thing. Film Twitter couldn’t handle it.
The performances in Mank are the best part of the movie. Oldman is ridiculously good, as is Amanda Seyfried. I was really impressed with Tom Pelphrey’s performance. You just have to watch this movie. It’s like a time machine back to the 1930s and 40s.
Over the Moon – Credit: Netflix
Best Netflix movies: Over the Moon
Release Year: 2020
Written by Audrey Wells
Directed by Glen Keane
Starring Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Ruthie Ann Miles, Margaret Cho, and Sandra Oh
Over the Moon is one of my favorite Netflix movies of the year. There’s no doubt it’s the best Netflix animated movie released to date.
The movie tells the story of Fei Fei (Cathy Ang), a little girl who is trying to move on after losing her mother. She builds a rocket and travels to the moon to meet the Moon Goddess.
It’ll be interesting to see if Over the Moon will win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2021 Oscars. I think it has a really good chance, but there is some steep competition with Onward and Soul, which were released on Disney Plus. Soul is probably the favorite, but Over the Moon is so good, too.
If you’re a fan of animated movies, Over the Moon is the movie for you on Netflix!
THE PROM (L to R) MERYL STREEP as DEE DEE ALLEN, JAMES CORDEN as BARRY GLICKMAN in THE PROM. Cr. MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX © 2020
Best Netflix movies: The Prom
Release Year: 2020
Written by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin
Directed by Ryan Murphy
Starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells, Ariana DeBose, Kerry Washington, and Jo Ellen Pellman
The Prom is one of the biggest Netflix productions to date. There are so many big names involved with this project. The cast is easily the best element of the movie, and the performances are excellent.
If you like musicals, The Prom is the movie for you on Netflix. The film, directed by Ryan Murphy, is based on the play of the same name by Bob Martin, Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar.
The film tells the story of a group of several broadway stars who travel to a small town in Indiana to host a prom for a high school after the prom was canceled because two girls wanted to go to the dance with each other. The former stars also hope their good deed will reignite their careers.
There are a ton of Ryan Murphy projects in the works at Netflix right now. If you’re a fan of the Glee and American Horror Story creator, you should probably give this movie a watch on Netflix.
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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020): (L to R)
Glynn Turman as Toldeo, Chadwick Boseman as Levee, Michael Potts as Slow Drag, and Colman Domingo as Cutler.
Cr. David Lee / Netflix
Best Netflix movies: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Release Year: 2020
Written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Directed by George C. Wolfe
Starring Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, and Michael Potts
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was added to Netflix in December 2020 after a short release in theaters. The film is based on the play of the same name by August Wilson. Denzel Washington produced the film.
The movie tells the story of Ma Rainey and her band.
This movie is a tough watch for me. I’m a huge fan of Chadwick Boseman. I love, basically, all of his movies, so seeing him on screen in this role was tough. He’s so good in this movie, though. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t win the Oscar for this performance. Boseman won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in Motion Picture – Drama at the 2021 Golden Globes.
Speaking of good performances, I think Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom could sweep both leading actor categories at the Oscars. Viola Davis is amazing in this movie. She’s so good. I really like Colman Domingo’s performance in the film, too.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is one of the best movies of the year, for sure.
Natalia Dyer in Yes, God, Yes film, photo courtesy Vertical Entertainment
Best Netflix movies: Yes, God, Yes
Release Year: 2019
Written and directed by Karen Maine
Starring Natalia Dyer, Timothy Simons, Wolfgang Novogratz, Francesca Reale, Susan Blackwell, Parker Wierling, Alisha Boe, and Donna Lynne Champlin
Yes, God, Yes is one of the best coming-of-age movies on Netflix. It was added to the streaming in 2020 after premiering at SXWS in 2019.
The movie stars Stranger Things star Natalia Dyer as Alice, a teenager who attends a Catholic school. It’s set in the early 2000s and follows Alice’s journey through dating, relationships, and all that comes with it.
I highly recommend Stranger Things fans watch this movie. Dyer is excellent in the film, and she plays a very different character than we are used to seeing in Stranger Things. Fans of the series will also recognize Francesca Reale in the movie. Reale appeared in Stranger Things season 3 as Heather, the lifeguard who Billy kidnaps and brings to the Mind Flayer.
Netflix viewers will also recognize Alisha Boe from 13 Reasons Why and Wolfgang Novogratz from a bunch of Netflix movies.
Enola Holmes. Image Courtesy Netflix, Legendary
Best Netflix movies: Enola Holmes
Release Year: 2020
Directed by Harry Bradbeer
Starring Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Helena Bonham Carter, Louis Partridge, Adeel Akhtar, Fiona Shaw, Frances de la Tour, Burn Gorman, and Susie Wokoma
Enola Holmes is the most lovely movie on this list. If you need a feel-good mystery to watch, this is the movie for you. The movie is based on the book series of the same name by Nancy Springer. There are six books in the series, and hopefully more in the works!
Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown stars as Enola Holmes, the sister of famous detective Sherlock Holmes. When Enola’s mother goes missing, Enola sets out on a mission to find her mother. She gets caught up in another mystery and a case that she must solve.
Brown is so good in this movie. Her performance is excellent, and it’s what holds this whole movie together.
Enola Holmes is definitely going to be the next big Netflix franchise. We haven’t heard anything official yet, but there are more books to adapt. It appears that Brown and everyone else involved with production is ready to make more movies, too, and that’s a very good sign.
Stay tuned for more news about Enola Holmes 2!
The Kissing Booth – Netflix movies – Credit: Marcos Cruz
Best Netflix movies: The Kissing Booth 2
Release Year: 2020
Directed by Vince Marcello
Starring Joey King, Jacob Elordi, Joel Courtney, Meganne Young, Taylor Zakhar Perez, Maisie Richardson-Sellars, and Molly Ringwald
The Kissing Booth 2 is based on the book, The Kissing Booth 2: Going The Distance by Beth Reekles, who also wrote the first book that the first movie was based on. The sequel premiered on Netflix in July 2020.
The movie picks up a few months after the first movie left off. Elle and Noah had a great summer as a couple, but now, Noah has to leave for college at Harvard while Elle stays behind. The new couple finds the distance to be a major challenge for their relationship, especially when Marco, played by Taylor Zakhar Perez, starts to develop feelings for Elle.
The Kissing Booth 3 is officially happening at Netflix, as well. The movie was filmed in secret back-to-back with The Kissing Booth 2. The third movie of the series, which we’re expecting to be the final movie, will be released on Netflix sometime in 2021. We don’t know the official release date for The Kissing Booth 3 yet. Stay tuned for more news about the upcoming Netflix movie. We’ll let you know as soon as we find out anything.
PROJECT POWER (L to R) JAMIE FOXX as ART in PROJECT POWER Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2020
Best Netflix movies: Project Power
Release Year: 2020
Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman
Starring Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dominique Fishback, Rodrigo Santoro, Colson Baker, Allen Maldonado, Amy Landecker, and Courtney B. Vance
Project Power premiered on Netflix in August 2020, and it’s the second-best action movie of the summer of 2020. Obviously, there weren’t many new movies this summer, but even if there were, I think Project Power would hold its own.
The Netflix movie has an incredible cast with Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Dominique Fishback.
In the movie, there are pills that gives its user five minutes of superpowers, or it kills them. The pills are being tested in New Orleans before they get sold and distributed all over the world. The people who are making these pills are holding the daughter of Jamie Foxx’s character, Art, hostage. Art, joined by Frank (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Robin (Dominique Fishback), tries to rescue his daughter.
If you like high-octane action or superhero movies, Project Power is a must-watch on Netflix.
After that ending to Project Power, fans all over the world are hoping to see a Netflix movie sequel. Project Power 2 is possible, according to writer Mattson Tomlin.
We’ll let you know if Netflix orders a sequel to Project Power. For now, we can only hope!
THE OLD GUARD – Charlize Theron as ÓAndy”
Photo credit: Aimee Spinks/NETFLIX ©2020
Best Netflix movies: The Old Guard
Release Year: 2020
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood
Starring Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Harry Melling, Veronica Ngo, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Chiwetel Ejiofor
The Old Guard is the best action movie of the summer of 2020. The movie premiered in early July 2020, and it was a huge hit for Netflix. It was the No. 1 movie for a bit of time this summer.
The Netflix movie is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Greg Rucka. It tells the story of a group of immortal mercenaries with a unique set of skills and healing powers who are seeking revenge. They are led by Andy, played by Charlize Theron.
The Old Guard is clearly one of the best Netflix movies of the year so far, and it’s one of my favorite Netflix original movies so far. I’m really hoping we get to see The Old Guard 2. The ending definitely sets up a sequel, if Netflix wants to make it.
If that happens, Theron has to return, and I would best extremely disappointed if Gina Prince-Bythewood doesn’t direct the sequel. Stay tuned for more news about The Old Guard 2 coming to Netflix.
EXTRACTION – Credit: Jasin Boland/NETFLIX
Best Netflix movies: Extraction
Release Year: 2020
Directed by Sam Hargrave
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Rudhraksh Jaiswal, Randeep Hooda, Golshifteh Farahani, Pankaj Tripathi, and David Harbour
Extraction is officially the biggest Netflix movie of all time. It has more views in its first month than any other Netflix movie to date. The film premiered on Netflix in April during the many government shutdowns around the world because of the pandemic.
Extraction is Sam Hargrave’s directorial debut. Hargrave worked as a stunt man and coordinator for a bunch of Marvel movies. Joe and Anthony Russo, who directed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, produced Extraction.
In the movie, Chris Hemsworth, who also stars as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, plays Tyler Drake, a mercenary who tries to save the son of a drug lord after the child is abducted.
Extraction 2 is already in the works at Netflix! Joe Russo is writing the script for the sequel. It’s one of a few Netflix movie sequels in the works right now. We’re hoping Hargrave will be back to direct and Hemsworth will star in the sequel.
If you’re a fan of action movies, you need to watch this movie on Netflix as soon as possible.
The Silver Linings Playbook (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Best Netflix movies: Silver Linings Playbook
Release year: 2012
Written and Directed by David O. Russell (Based on the novel by Matthew Quick)
Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher
Silver Linings Playbook is based on the book of the same name written by Matthew Quick.
In the film, Bradley Cooper plays Pat Solitano, a man with bipolar disorder from Philadelphia who just finished a stay in an institution for beating up the man his wife was having an affair with. Pat returns home to his parents’ house to start to rebuild his life, which, to him, means getting his wife back. However, Pat’s plan is thrown off course a bit when he meets Tiffany, a young woman who catches Pat’s eye.
Silver Linings Playbook was quite possibly the movie the year in 2012, despite falling short at the Academy Awards for Best Picture. David O. Russell’s film was nominated for eight Oscars back at the 2013 Academy Awards, including nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress (Cooper and Lawrence), and more!
While the whole cast was great in the movie, Jennifer Lawrence stole the show for Silver Linings Playbook with her win for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She totally deserved it, though! Well done, J-Law!
Spotlight (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images)
Best Netflix movies: Spotlight
Release Year: 2015
Directed by Tom McCarthy
Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Brian d’Arcy James, and Stanley Tucci
Spotlight is based on The Boston Globe’s team of reporters who, together, wrote a series of news stories about the coverup of many Catholic priests in the Boston area by the Catholic Church.
The movie is not always easy to watch, but it’s definitely necessary to see the value in journalism, and investigative journalism in particular, in stopping corruption and covering up abuse by powerful institutions like the Catholic Church, police, government and more.
Spotlight features in an incredible cast. Mark Ruffalo was nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards, and Rachel McAdams was nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Spotlight was nominated for six Academy Awards at the 2016 Oscars. The film also won the Academy Award for Best Picture. It’s one of the few Best Picture winners available to stream on Netflix.
DA 5 BLOODS – Cr. DAVID LEE/NETFLIX © 2020
Best Netflix movies: Da 5 Bloods
Release Year: 2020
Directed by Spike Lee
Starring Delroy Lindo, Chadwick Boseman, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Mélanie Thierry, Paul Walter Hauser, Jasper Pääkkönen, and Jean Reno
Da 5 Bloods is the most recently released Netflix original movie to make the list of the best movies on Netflix, and it definitely deserves a spot on the list. Overall, this is one of my favorite Netflix movies yet. It’s a difficult watch at certain points in the film, but it’s another masterpiece from Spike Lee.
The film follows a group of Black Vietnam veterans who return to the country to recover the remains of their fallen squad leader and also retrieve treasure they stashed in the country during their service time.
Lee wrote the screenplay for the film, along with Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo, Kevin Willmott, and Lee also directed the movie.
I was most impressed with two aspects of this movie. First of all, the performances are outstanding. The entire cast is really good, but the core six actors, Lindo, Boseman, Majors, Peters, Whitlock Jr., and Lewis are phenomenal.
Second, Lee plays weaves history and current events and issues so smoothly and in a way that few filmmakers can do.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Da 5 Bloods popping up on Oscars watchlists before the awards ceremony next spring. The screenplay has a chance to win an Oscar, and I think Lindo’s performance could earn consideration.
Uncut Gems – Adam Sandler
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Best Netflix movies: Uncut Gems
Release Year: 2019
Directed by Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie
Starring Adam Sandler, Lakeith Stanfield, Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, Julia Fox, and Eric Bogosian
Uncut Gems is one of the best movies of 2019, and unfortunately, it was snubbed for the Oscars. It was added to Netflix at the end of May 2020.
The film tells the story of Howard Ratner, a jeweler, trying to pull off the biggest score of this life. Unfortunately, his actions have him in deep with the sharks, and he’s trying to claw his way out.
Sandler stars in the film as Howard, and it’s the performance of his career, in my opinion. Sandler has so many iconic movie characters, but almost all of those are, sort of, less well-rounded.
And, I don’t mean that as a way of shaming Sandler’s comedic brilliance. He’s one of the best comedy actors of all time. The box office numbers prove that. But, in those comedies, his characters feel like Adam Sandler playing a character. In Uncut Gems, it feels like Sandler is the character, and I think that makes all the difference.
This movie is a wild ride! It’s anxiety-inducing to say the least. There’s so much drama, so much going on, and it’s difficult to keep track of what exactly Howard’s end game is. When it’s all revealed, it all makes so much sense.
If you are up for a high-stakes, gambling thriller, Uncut Gems is the movie for you to watch on Netflix.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Best Netflix movies: Lady Bird
Release Year: 2017
Directed by Greta Gerwig
Starring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Lois Smith, and Stephen McKinley Henderson
Lady Bird was just added to Netflix, and it’s must-watch for those who haven’t seen it. The film has an excellent cast, and it’s my favorite of Greta Gerwig’s movies yet. Lady Bird is Gerwig’s directorial debut, and she’s gone on to direct Little Women, which was also nominated for an Oscar this year.
The movie is set in California in the early 2000s and follows Christine, played by Ronan, who is a teenager trying to find herself and dealing with a mother who doesn’t support her. Christine goes by the name “Lady Bird.”
The movie has an incredible cast led by Ronan. Beanie Feldstein, who also starred in Booksmart, is really good, too.
Lady Bird was one of the best movies of 2017, and it was nominated for five Oscars at the 2018 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Ronan), Best Director (Gerwig), Best Supporting Actress (Metcalf), and Best Original Screenplay.
If you haven’t seen Lady Bird yet, check it out on Netflix now!
The Half Of It – Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer – Photo Credit: Netflix / KC Bailey
Best Netflix movies: The Half of It
Release Year: 2020
Directed by Alice Wu
Starring Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire
The Half of It is a new Netflix original movie. It premiered on the streaming service on May 1, 2020. It’s easily one of the best new Netflix movies of the year so far.
The film was written and directed by Alice Wu, and it tells the story of a friendship between Ellie (Lewis) and Paul (Diemer). Paul has a crush on Aster (Lemire), and Paul pays Ellie to help him start a relationship with her. As it turns out, Ellie also has feelings for Aster, as well.
Overall, the movie was quite popular when it was released on Netflix, but it hasn’t had the staying power that we’ve seen some of the other popular Netflix movies have in recent years. Hopefully, this movie will have a little resurgence this summer as more viewers tune in.
The Half of It is a must-watch on Netflix if you’re a fan of teen movies. Netflix has another teen movie hit on their hands with The Half of It, as well.
If you like The Kissing Booth, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before and others, you have to check out this movie.
Issa Rae as Leilani, Kumail Nanjiana as Jibran of “The Lovebirds”
