With Netflix’s shift to producing more original content, and competing studio-owned streaming services making their marquee titles exclusive to their platforms, many of the greatest films ever made are no longer available on Netflix. That doesn’t mean there aren’t fantastic films on the streamer to enjoy; on the contrary, there are plenty of classic films, Oscar winners, and crowd-leasing blockbusters available to watch right now. We’ve ranked a few of the best films currently available on Netflix below. We’ve included selections from most genres, as well as some hidden gems and Netflix Original films.
Updated on May 23rd, 2024, by Soniya Hinduja:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
34Society of the Snow (2023)
Society of the Snow
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An Oscar-nominated Spanish-language survival drama,Society of the Snowtells the shocking true story of a Uruguayan rugby team that was traveling from their home to Santiago, Chile, for a game when Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed into a glacier in the heart of the Andes mountains. Over the course of several weeks, the survivors (played by Uruguayan and Argentine actors) try to get through hunger, disease, and repeated avalanches with an undying hope of being rescued.
Survival Against the Greatest Odds
Told with immense care and empathy, the movie is a measured and intimate drama that unfolds through the eyes of several individuals. Director J. A. Bayona focuses on both the grand scale of action andthe psychological nuances of the survivors. The snow also acts like another character; its quiet beauty masks grave dangers. Without ever sensationalizing their successful attempt at getting out, Bayona’s touch turns the tear-jerking tragedy into a masterpiece of sorts.
33Three of Us (2023)
An underrated Hindi-language drama that fans of Celine Song’sPast Liveswill definitely adore,Three of Usfollows Shailaja Desai, a middle-aged woman who has recently been diagnosed with dementia. After resigning from her job as an associate in the divorce department, Shailaja expressed her wish to travel to the town she grew up in to her husband. There, she reunites with her childhood sweetheart, who is also married, and rediscovers the lost joys of youth, forgiveness, and liberation.
A Heartwarming and Nostalgic Indie
Directed by Avinash Arun,Three of Usis a tender and oddly moving film that thrives because of a stellar script and richly layered performances from Shefali Shah, Swanand Kirkire, and Jaideep Ahlawat. Despite their differences and broken pasts, they share a bond so honest, meditative, and healthy that it’s almost unbelievable. Praised by critics for its “unhurried and intimate” narrative,this indie gemsurely deserves more recognition.
32The Judge (2014)
Starring Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall in the lead roles,The Judgeis a legal drama that follows a remarkable lawyer, Hank Palmer, who returns to his childhood home after the death of his mother only to discover that his estranged father, the town’s adjudicator, is suspected of murder. Tensions escalate between Palmer and his stubborn father, and the former is forced to put aside all his resentment and differences to defend the man who never really knew him well.
Father-Son Courtroom Drama with Twists
Courtroom dramas are especially compelling when they involve an examination of family, moral duties, past trauma, and the nature of truth.The Judgehas it all, and the conflict between Downey Jr. and Duvall’s character moves at a deft and dramatic pace. Both actors appear as if they were tailor-made for the roles, one complimenting the archetype of the other as the father-son angst bubbles up in the most unpredictable fashion. David Dobkin’s director is worth praising too as it keeps legal twists and turns suspenseful and emotional throughout.
31Baby Driver (2017)
Baby Driver
InBaby Driver, Ansel Elgort plays the role of the titular “Baby,” a highly talented getaway driver who relies on a constant soundtrack of songs to time his expert moves behind the wheel. When he falls in love with a young woman who wants him out of Atlanta’s criminal underworld, Baby is willing to give it all up. But he gets coerced into participating in one final heist by his crime boss to pay off some debts and get a clean sheet.
When Motion Meets Music
This Edgar Wright-directed action flick is a love letter to the rhythmic catharsis that is music. By seamlessly interweaving songs and beats into the storyline, Wright propels pulse-pounding car chases and shootouts to unforgettable levels. Butbeyond the popping soundtrack, the movie derives real traction from the bond shared between Baby and his girlfriend, played radiantly by Lily James. Charged with equal amounts of emotion and exhilaration,Baby Driveris perhaps Elgort’s best performance to date.
30Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2022)
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Directed on a shoestring budget by Dean Fleischer Camp in his feature directorial debut,Marcel the Shell with ShoesOnis a live-action/stop-motion animation that follows the titular one-inch-tall shell, who lives in a small town with his grandmother, Connie, and some other pals. Dean, a documentary filmmaker fascinated and inspired by Marcel, uploads a video of him online and there’s an influx of fans, supporters, and communities, all of whom want to help the town’s most endearing occupant find his family.
Miniature Action and Maximum Heart
If we were to describe the movie in three words, they would be: sweet, quirky, and hilarious. A stop-motion charmer,Marcel the Shell with Shoeson is a movie that delicately brings to life a miniature hero and his outsized personality. Marcel has a deadpan humor, but his insights are always philosophical. The movie matches his button-eyed scale with everyday human scenarios,which is phenomenal to watch. Lastly, the emotion and poignancy of the movie prove it’s an important addition to the live-action/animation landscape.
29Amadeus (1984)
Set in the 18th century,Amadeusprovides a fictional account of the rivalry between Mozart and Italian composer Antonio Salieri. The latter is a genius but believes himself mediocre against the musical talents of the former. But when he learns that Mozart received divine assistance for his composition, he grows envious and murderous. His obsession leads him to destroy the prodigy, then he recounts Moxart’s final days and his own complicity in them at the court of Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor.
An Exploration of Human Frailty
Amadeus, directed by Miloš Forman in collaboration with Peter Shaffer from the latter’s 1979 stage play of the same name, is a period drama and a psychological symphony merged into one. Its production detail is so meticulous that from the opulent costumes to the flickering candles, everything envelops the viewer in the decadence of Mozart’s Vienna. Speaking of performances, F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce are absolutely electrifying as rivals. Dark, funny, tragic, and brilliant,Amadeusis a magnificent adaptation.
28Maestro (2023)
Directed by and starring Bradley Cooper from a screenplay he co-wrote with Josh Singer,Maestrochronicles the life of late conductor Leonard Bernstein. Told in a series of flashbacks as he’s interviewed at the age of 70, the movie follows him as a 25-year-old assistant conductor trying to make it big. From his esteemed work with the New York Philharmonic to the complicated 25-year marriage he shared with Felicia Montealegre, as well as a passionate love affair with a younger man, the movie explores his career’s trajectory as well as how his music exudes emotion and experience.
An Outstanding Biopic
Much like what he did inA Star Is Born, Cooper dives deep into Bernstein and brings him to life with sheer authenticity. From his electrifying presence on screen to his tender private moments, he appreciates a legend and his complex psyche. Carey Mulligan is equally mesmerizing as Felicia, providing the perfect support as she overcomes obstacles and finds a voice of her own. Through Cooper’s direction and a gloriously resonant score,Maestroemergesas an unconventional biopic.
27Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Everything Everywhere All at Once
An Oscar-winning movie that juxtaposes a range of genres like science-fiction, comedy, action, and fantasy,Everything Everywhere All at Onceis an insanely terrific adventure. It centers around Evelyn, an aging Chinese immigrant who runs a laundromat with her husband, Waymond. In between the IRS audits and trying to understand her teenage daughter, Joy, Evelyn finds herself swept up in an epic game of wits where she alone can save the world by exploring the multiverse and the bizarre elements it holds.
Delivers Action and Absurdist Joy
The Daniels’ absurdist martial arts epic packs poignant and thought-provoking allegories about family, life’s randomness,existentialism, depression, and generational trauma. While one would expect such a diversely-themed movie to be heavy,Everything Everywhere All at Oncebalances the emotion and the laughter with skill. Unpacking the multiverse is perhaps the most pivotal sequence; it made the sci-fi gem more precious and inspirational. Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis lift the narrative to greater heights with their award-winning performances.
26Oldboy (2003)
Oldboyis the second installment inPark Chan-wook’sThe Vengeance Trilogy. It follows advertising executive Oh Dae-Su being mysteriously kidnapped and imprisoned for no reason for fifteen years. With no explanation, he is suddenly released. Dae-Su is driven by revenge and the desperate need to find the truth. When his search leads to bizarre discoveries and violent encounters, he realizes there are people who know more about his past than he does himself.
Unveils a Mystery at a Harrowing Pace
A loose adaptation of the Japanese manga of the same name,Oldboyis a vengeful thriller that wraps a meticulous and haunting mystery in its narrative. The careful pace allows the viewers to properly indulge in the protagonist’s psychological turmoil. Brought to life in brilliant fashion by Choi Min-sik, the main character is both violent and complex, furious and reserved. According to Roger Ebert, the movie is a “powerful film not because of what it depicts, but because of the depths of the human heart which it strips bare.”
25Insidious (2011)
InInsidious, we follow the Lambert family – Josh and Renai, their two sons, Dalton and Foster, and little Cali – moving into a new home, when their son mysteriously falls into a deep coma. Three months later, he still hasn’t recovered, so they bring him back home. Dalton experiences increasingly abnormal things and a strange entity begins showing up around the house. Director James Wan plays with the haunted house trope well, turning Insidious into an amazing thriller.
An All-Time Great Horror Flick
TheInsidiousfranchise packs a lot of influence fromforeign language horror moviesto make the Americanized boogeyman villain more unsettling and terrifying than ever. The clever scares paired with emotional gravity help anchor its ingeniously creepy vibe. Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne give their best, while Lin Shaye brings comedic relief amid the atmosphere of dread. Critically praised for its ability to create suspense,Insidiousis a movie you’d want to watch with the lights on.
