20 Essential Movies on Netflix Every Film Lover Should See

Netflix. The world’s biggest streaming service, with hundred of millions of subscribers.

It doesn’t offer a vast library of movies – not even close to hundreds of thousands, or even thousands, really.

One of the strange things about this incredibly popular streaming service is that the total number of movies and shows available changes constantly. Unlike a traditional video store, where you could easily see how many titles they had, it’s impossible to know exactly what’s on offer at any given moment. However, unlike those old stores, you’ll never have to worry about a title being out of stock.

It’s easy to get lost in Netflix’s huge library of movies and shows. Even though they have a lot of subscribers, it can be surprisingly difficult to find what you actually want beyond the new releases the app suggests.

As a total movie buff, I recently took on a seriously painstaking task: I scrolled through every single film on Netflix. It took forever, but here’s how I did it: I went to ‘Browse,’ then ‘Movies,’ picked a genre, and changed the view to show titles sorted by release year, alphabetically, or reverse alphabetically. That revealed all the movies in that genre, and after repeating that for every genre, I finally had a complete list. From that huge collection, I’ve curated what I think are 20 essential films every serious cinema lover should see. If you’ve managed to watch all 20, congratulations! I’ve also included another 20 recommendations below. But if you’ve already conquered all 40? Honestly, you might as well revisit a classic like Timecop.

This list includes movies currently streaming on Netflix, with a focus on essential titles. Some are Netflix originals, meaning they’ll likely stay available indefinitely. Others are licensed, so they might eventually be removed – I’ll try to keep this list updated as that happens. To ensure accuracy, I’ve excluded any films marked as ‘Leaving Soon.’

Essential Movies on Netflix Every Film Lover Should See

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

While Netflix has a lot of content, it doesn’t have many classic or historically important films. One notable exception is George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, a hugely influential horror movie about a zombie outbreak. Beyond the zombies themselves, the film is important because Romero made it independently, and it went on to become both a critical and commercial success – a true milestone in filmmaking history.

The Sting (1973)

Often considered even better than Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting is a captivating and surprisingly sad film about two con artists – a rookie (Redford) and a pro (Newman) – who team up to avenge the murder of a friend. The acting from Redford, Newman, and Robert Shaw is superb, and the movie is full of clever twists and turns, balanced with a poignant look at life during the Great Depression. The Sting won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1973 and remains a classic of 1970s Hollywood.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

The 1974 horror film that started a long-running series was recently added to the Library of Congress for being culturally, historically, and artistically significant. (A documentary about the film, called Chain Reactions, was also released this year.) If you only know the sequels or reboots – many of which aren’t very good – now is the time to watch the original, which is currently available on Netflix. It’s a bloody, brutal, and surprisingly beautiful film.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

While Pulp Fiction might not be the most copied film of the ’90s today, it was heavily imitated for a time. The poor quality of those imitations actually highlights just how talented Quentin Tarantino is, both back then and now.

Pulp Fiction is a surprising mix of things that shouldn’t really fit together. It’s a large-scale crime story set in Los Angeles, but also a deep look at its characters. It’s both extreme – with mysterious objects and hidden locations – and surprisingly ordinary, featuring everyday conversations about simple things like foot massages and fast food. It’s grand and intimate, funny and sad, violent and cartoonish. Ultimately, it’s uniquely Pulp Fiction.

Titanic (1997)

James Cameron’s most famous movies consistently blend several key ingredients: a love story, large-scale action, exciting pursuits, and a complex relationship with technology—both admiring and questioning it. While Titanic isn’t as outwardly explosive as films like The Terminator or Avatar, it still embodies these themes. It was a remarkably ambitious and ultimately incredibly successful film for its time, and it’s clear why. Cameron excels at keeping the story grounded in relatable characters, even when surrounded by massive, spectacular scenes.

Election (1999)

I first really noticed Reese Witherspoon in the 1999 comedy Election. She plays Tracy Flick, this incredibly driven high school student who really gets under the skin of her history teacher, played by Matthew Broderick – and honestly, his whole ‘Ferris Bueller’ vibe adds a lot to the movie’s meaning. The film centers around Tracy’s run for student council president, and a funny, but kind of dark, rivalry develops between her and the teacher. It’s a really sharp and honest movie, and I think it’s a big reason why people remember 1999 as such a fantastic year for film. I’ve always loved the title too – just Election, not The Election. It feels fitting because the movie isn’t just about the election itself, but about the difficult process of making choices in life, period.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Netflix isn’t the best place to find truly unique or classic cult films, especially if you’re looking for older titles. They have plenty of their own, newer movies, but when it comes to established midnight movie favorites, your choices are limited. One standout example is Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko, which launched Jake Gyllenhaal’s career. The film centers on a teenager who survives a strange accident and believes he’s the only one who can prevent a global catastrophe. With its haunting visuals, dark mood, and unforgettable ending, Donnie Darko remains a beloved independent film from the early 2000s.

The Squid and the Whale (2005)

Noah Baumbach really established himself as a talented filmmaker with a deeply personal movie about a young man (played by Jesse Eisenberg, who also benefited from the film’s success) navigating his parents’ divorce. The movie received many award nominations and launched Baumbach into a new and ongoing period of his career, as seen in films like the Netflix hit Marriage Story and Jay Kelly.

Zodiac (2007)

David Fincher is known for directing films about serial killers, but Zodiac is more than just a thriller. It’s a journey through San Francisco’s history, seen through the eyes of three men obsessed with solving the Zodiac Killer case. We follow a police inspector (Mark Ruffalo), who is said to have inspired the film Bullitt, a crime reporter (Robert Downey Jr.) whose coverage of the case made him a target, and an amateur detective named Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), who remains fixated on the case even after the killings stop. What sets Zodiac apart is its ability to show how all-consuming an obsession can be. Fincher immerses the audience in a complex web of clues and false leads using masterful camera work and editing. By the film’s ending—which cleverly circles back to the beginning after a tense two and a half hours—viewers truly understand Robert Graysmith’s relentless drive.

Boyhood (2014)

For twelve years, director Richard Linklater secretly filmed scenes with the same actors – a boy (Ellar Coltrane), his mother (Patricia Arquette), and his sister (Lorelei Linklater) – to document their lives. While some might see this as a stylistic experiment, the result is a fascinating snapshot of American life in the early 2000s, and a deeply personal story about the love, struggles, and compromises within one family. Unlike most films, Boyhood has a truly unique connection to time. Seeing the actors genuinely age on screen adds a special emotional weight to many scenes, making moments of joy sweeter and moments of hardship more impactful. When Patricia Arquette reflects on her life at the film’s end, it’s informed by twelve years of real experiences. As the late Roger Ebert eloquently put it, “Movies are windows into the walls of our existence.” And Boyhood feels like a film that throws those windows wide open.

Whiplash (2014)

Whiplash is a fantastic film that explores the intense dedication and sacrifices artists make for their craft. The movie follows Miles Teller as a driven young jazz drummer at a top music school, and his challenging, often abusive, relationship with his demanding teacher. While pushing him to excel, this relationship raises the question of how much is too much. Writer and director Damien Chazelle masterfully balances the film’s thrilling energy with a hint of darkness, culminating in a truly unforgettable final scene – an epic showdown between student and teacher. Surprisingly, Whiplash also works as a horror film; the calmly delivered criticism of the instructor is far more chilling than anything found in typical scary movies.

Sing Street (2016)

Just how good is Sing Street? I actually cried while watching it… on a plane! Even on a small airplane screen at 35,000 feet, the movie’s inspiring story of two Irish teens chasing musical dreams really resonated. It’s filled with witty dialogue, fantastic performances, and honestly, the music is even better than in La La Land. Sing Street is a truly feel-good movie, and we could all use one of those right now. Be warned though, it might make you tear up – or maybe even sob. (No shame in my game!)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

While bigger isn’t always better, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse remains a standout and arguably the best Spider-Man movie. It features a large team of Spider-People, including the new hero Miles Morales, the determined Gwen Stacy, and a downhearted Peter B. Parker. The film powerfully emphasizes the selfless heroism championed by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, beautifully illustrating their belief that anyone can be a hero.

Roma (2018)

2018 marked a turning point for Netflix’s original films, with standout movies like Alfonso Cuaron’s deeply personal film, Roma, which tells the story of a Mexican family and their housekeeper, Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio). When it was first released, many people argued that Roma deserved to be seen in a movie theater to fully appreciate its beauty—and it’s true that Cuaron’s stunning black-and-white visuals looked best on a big screen. However, watching it at home had its perks—you could cry as much as you needed without worrying about other people seeing! This highlights the benefits of Netflix’s streaming approach.

The Irishman (2019)

Frank Sheeran truly supported Jimmy Hoffa – and ultimately, that’s where he ended up. This subtle hint early on is just one example of the incredible detail and care Martin Scorsese put into The Irishman, a film that feels like the culmination of his entire career. The most powerful moments happen toward the end, as Robert De Niro’s character, Sheeran, faces the consequences of his life choices. He appears to take pride in much of what he’s done, especially his close relationship with Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). However, he also seems to realize, perhaps for the first time, that any status, admiration, or wealth his work brought him couldn’t prevent him from dying alone in a nursing home. A priest offers forgiveness, but it remains to be seen if it will be enough.

Cats (2019)

Let’s be honest, Cats doesn’t compare to the other films on this list. However, to truly understand what makes something great, it’s helpful to look at its opposite, and Cats certainly provides that. Even years after it came out, the movie is still full of baffling moments and unanswered questions. Why do the cats have human hands? Where are all the people? What is “hot milk soup”? Why is Jennifer Hudson always sniffling? Why does Idris Elba seem half-undressed? And why is Taylor Swift wearing heels while everyone else is barefoot? These mysteries will likely stay with us forever, and that’s part of what makes the movie so strangely wonderful.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog is a slow-burn film that reveals its story through small, meaningful moments. It demands your full attention – you’ll miss crucial details if you’re distracted. The film offers a compelling look at masculinity in the Old West, focusing on Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch), a tough cowboy who struggles when his brother (Jesse Plemons) introduces his new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and her son, Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee), to life on their ranch. Peter doesn’t seem suited to ranch work, and Phil misjudges him – and we, as the audience, misjudge Phil as well. These misunderstandings lead to a surprising and quietly powerful conclusion. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another 12 years for Campion’s next film.

RRR (2022)

This exciting Indian film delivers three hours of non-stop entertainment with its blend of action, romance, and energetic musical numbers. It’s similar to a classic John Woo action movie, but set in South Asia and featuring two powerful men – Bheem, a warrior from the Gond tribe, and Rama, a British soldier – who find themselves on opposing sides of the law. They unexpectedly team up when Bheem travels to Delhi to rescue a kidnapped girl, and Rama is tasked with finding whoever is looking for her. What starts as a potential rivalry quickly blossoms into an unlikely friendship. Throughout the film, RRR keeps you guessing as you wonder when each man will discover the other’s true identity, all while witnessing incredible feats like rescuing children from a burning river – with Bheem and Rama symbolically representing water and fire – and challenging the prejudiced British ruling class through spectacular dance sequences.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Most prequels don’t really add anything, but Godzilla Minus One is a fantastic exception. By setting the story in post-World War II Japan, the film powerfully revives Godzilla’s original impact as a symbol of the horrors of atomic warfare and the lasting trauma of war. And this Godzilla is truly frightening – he’s massive, unsettling to look at, and his atomic breath is genuinely scary.

But Godzilla Minus One isn’t just a visual spectacle. It features a compelling, flawed protagonist (Ryunosuke Kamiki) and explores complex themes related to kamikaze pilots, culminating in a deeply emotional moment. There’s even a section that feels like a classic Howard Hawks film, focusing on a determined crew of sailors battling a gigantic, nuclear-powered dinosaur – and it’s as amazing as it sounds.

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2023)

While Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret didn’t make a splash at the box office, it feels destined to become a defining movie for today’s young people, much like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was for my generation. This excellent adaptation of the classic Judy Blume novel comes from writer and director Kelly Fremon Craig and boasts a fantastic cast, including Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates. Abby Ryder Fortson, who was great in the Ant-Man movies, is also wonderful as Margaret. As a father of two daughters, I’m not looking forward to navigating these same issues with them in a few years, but I’m glad this movie will be here to help them – and me – through it.

Here are 20 more movies we recommend watching on Netflix: Boyz N the Hood, Brightburn, Da 5 Bloods, District 9, Ford v Ferrari, Green Room, The Harder They Fall, His Three Daughters, The Hurt Locker, I’m Still Here, A League of Their Own, Marriage Story, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Moonrise Kingdom, Pig, Pineapple Express, Rebel Ridge, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Y Tu Mama Tambien.

The Most Underrated Movies of 2025

Ballerina

It’s a bit ironic that a movie called Ballerina doesn’t actually feature much ballet. But with as many action-packed flamethrower battles as this film has, graceful dancing feels almost beside the point. Despite rumors of extensive reshoots and a plot that feels somewhat disjointed, this John Wick spin-off delivers incredible action – including what might be the most literal shootout ever filmed. And the quirky European ski resort setting of the final act is a fun nod to the cult classic Gymkata.

Caught Stealing

Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing was a surprisingly enjoyable film. Released late in August – often a dumping ground for bad movies – it’s a darkly funny thriller that really captures the feel of old New York City. The story is reminiscent of After Hours, and keeps throwing in unexpected turns. What stood out most was the nostalgia: seeing Shea Stadium, the old Kim’s Video, or even just the fact that a major studio made a smart, adult drama like this.

Good Fortune

It’s wild to think that a movie with such a fantastic cast – Seth Rogen, Keanu Reeves, and Keke Palmer – and directed by and starring Aziz Ansari, only made $16 million in the US. Things are tough for big movies in theaters right now, but comedies seem to be getting hit the hardest, even a genuinely sweet and funny one like Good Fortune. Keanu Reeves is honestly incredible in this – it might be one of his best performances ever.

The movie is about Aziz and Seth’s characters swapping lives after a bit of a mix-up caused by Keanu’s character, who’s basically a slightly clumsy guardian angel. Keanu always shines in roles with a supernatural element – he just feels like he’s from another world! Seeing him experience something as simple as a cheeseburger and actually feel the sensation of eating for the first time… it’s just a beautiful, funny moment.

Highest 2 Lowest

If I had to choose the best supporting actor or actress of 2025, it would be A$AP Rocky in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest. The film isn’t Lee’s best work – it starts slowly as Denzel Washington’s character enjoys his success. However, the movie truly comes alive when A$AP Rocky appears as a mysterious figure who inadvertently kidnaps the driver’s son, disrupting everything. The scenes between these two actors are fantastic, and their confrontation in a recording studio is one of the most powerful moments in any film this year.

It’s surprising that A$AP Rocky hasn’t received more awards attention – so far, he only received a nomination for a Breakthrough Performer Gotham Award, which he didn’t win. Perhaps people simply haven’t seen Highest 2 Lowest yet. If you haven’t, I highly recommend watching that recording studio scene – it perfectly showcases his talent.

Mickey 17

Robert Pattinson’s character in Mickey 17, much like his Batman, is a man of many versions. He works as a disposable operative, completing dangerous missions vital for establishing space colonies. Whenever he dies during a mission, a new body is created for him – he’s currently on his 17th iteration. A glitch causes an 18th version of Mickey to appear as well. While Mickey 17 isn’t as consistently strong as Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite – which may explain its mixed reviews and moderate box office performance – its unevenness could be intentional. A film featuring 18 almost-identical characters, each with slight personality differences, might naturally have some shifts in mood and tone.

The Naked Gun

While critics generally liked The Naked Gun and it performed decently in cinemas, its box office results weren’t spectacular considering the buzz. It earned around $50 million domestically and another $50 million internationally. Given that it was touted as the comeback of big-screen comedy – and seen by many as a test of whether comedies still had a place in theaters – those numbers are a bit disappointing. That’s especially true for a movie as consistently funny as this Naked Gun reboot, which delivers 85 minutes of non-stop laughs with clever visual gags, silly wordplay, and smart, over-the-top humor. It’s one of the best updates of a classic franchise we’ve seen in recent years.

Nouvelle Vague

Critics loved both of director Richard Linklater’s 2025 films, giving both Nouvelle Vague and Blue Moon a Rotten Tomatoes score of 90. However, while Blue Moon had a traditional theatrical release and generated Oscar buzz with stars Ethan Hawke and Andrew Scott, Nouvelle Vague premiered on Netflix and seems to have quickly been lost among other streaming content.

This is unfortunate, as both films are excellent and complement each other nicely, telling mirrored stories about influential artists. Blue Moon focuses on a great artist in decline, while Nouvelle Vague portrays a genius finding his voice. One could hope a film about a groundbreaking director like Godard would inspire an equally innovative making-of movie, but Nouvelle Vague is surprisingly conventional. In fact, it’s a more straightforward biography than Blue Moon, which tells the story of lyricist Lorenz Hart through a single, difficult night.

Still, a black-and-white, French-language film released on Netflix that makes the French New Wave seem incredibly cool – and might introduce a new generation to classic cinema – feels like a worthwhile effort. Just be aware that if you’re inspired to watch the original Breathless, you’ll need a separate subscription to HBO Max.

One of Them Days

The comedy The Naked Gun earned around $100 million worldwide, while One of Them Days brought in $51.8 million. The new film follows roommates Keke Palmer and SZA, whose rent money is lost by SZA’s irresponsible boyfriend. They’re then in a frantic race against time to replace it before facing eviction. The urgency creates a lot of tension and keeps the story moving, and the clever writing by Syreeta Singleton delivers joke after joke. If things were fair, this would be the start of a series of fun buddy comedies starring Palmer and SZA – they have fantastic chemistry together.

Tron: Ares

Jared Leto is perfectly cast as a self-aware app trying to figure out people – he’s certainly unique enough for the role. While he stars in the new Tron, the real highlights are the film’s stunning visuals and the incredible soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails. The music gives even the most outlandish plot points – yes, involving magical 3D printers – a sense of epic scale. This isn’t high art, but if you’re looking for dazzling Tron vehicles, lightcycles speeding through a city, and a stylish warrior played by Jodie Turner-Smith, all set to a pounding Nine Inch Nails score, you’ll enjoy this movie.

You’re Cordially Invited

I was genuinely shocked by the negative reaction to “You’re Cordially Invited.” It’s a funny and charming romantic comedy directed by the creator of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” starring Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell – a pairing we hadn’t seen before. The movie has a fun storyline – two weddings accidentally double-booked at the same small location – and some really well-done comedic scenes with great chemistry between the leads. Yet, it received poor reviews and even worse audience scores, at least according to Rotten Tomatoes (it currently has a 33% rating, even lower than the new “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey”!). This year, I’ve occasionally felt disconnected from popular culture when seeing solid films met with indifference or negativity, but the response to this movie was the most baffling. I simply don’t understand it.

2026-01-19 23:04