As a cinephile who’s spent countless hours immersed in the silver screen, I must say these Netflix offerings have truly captured my attention!
Netflix has solidified its place as one of the top-tier streaming platforms available, boasting a diverse collection of original films and TV shows featuring some of the finest talent in Hollywood. Over time, these productions have garnered numerous Academy Awards. Here’s a list of 32 highly-acclaimed Netflix originals that you might want to explore.
Damsel
In the action-packed movie “Damsel,” directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Millie Bobby Brown takes on the role of Elodie, a young woman with a chance at a royal marriage. Yet, she soon discovers that this arrangement serves an ancient agreement among the royals, thrusting her into a struggle for survival against a vengeful dragon.
The Mother
Jennifer Lopez attracted numerous Netflix viewers with her action-packed thriller titled The Mother. In this film, JLo portrays the main character, a former military operative who seeks justice against the criminals who kidnapped her 12-year-old daughter Zoe (Lucy Paez). This daughter was given up for adoption at birth to ensure her safety.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Among the outstanding films released in 2022, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” was an original production by Netflix. Featuring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc and a stellar ensemble cast including Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, it swiftly outperformed its 2019 predecessor to rank among Netflix’s most-viewed movies ever. The intricate mystery surrounding Norton’s character, Miles Bron, a billionaire hosting his guests on a lavish private island, seems to have sparked multiple rewatchings from the audience, as they sought to unravel all the hidden clues.
Extraction
2020, in some aspects, could be praised for the significant increase in movie streaming. One highly favored film was “Extraction,” an action/thriller featuring Chris Hemsworth. This movie stood out due to its compelling narrative, which is loosely based on graphic novels, revolving around a black ops mercenary who embarks on a mission to rescue the kidnapped son of a drug lord.
Red Notice
When a talented ensemble featuring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot join forces, coupled with a thrilling storyline where an FBI agent joins forces with a master art thief to capture a grander art thief, it’s hard not to be smitten! Add their charisma (or mischievous wit) and a delightful screenplay, and Red Notice quickly ascends as one of, if not THE, most beloved Netflix originals.
Don’t Look Up
Adam McKay’s film Don’t Look Up featured several Oscar-winning stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Mark Rylance, and Meryl Streep, and people flocked to see the apocalyptic political satire. The plot revolves around two astronomers who strive to alert the world about an incoming comet that threatens to wipe out Earth, but their warnings are mostly disregarded as people seem unconcerned.
The Adam Project
In “The Adam Project,” the character Adam Reed, a time-traveling air force pilot portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, experiences a crash landing in the year 2022. There, he encounters his 12-year-old self, played by Walker Scobell. This young Adam is grappling with the grief of losing his father and school bullying, creating a mix of humor, emotional depth, and a glimpse into what a precocious Ryan Reynolds might have been like as a teenager.
Bird Box
2018 saw the incredible success of “Bird Box,” a movie starring Sandra Bullock as Malorie Hayes, a woman on a mission to safeguard herself and two kids in a world devastated by entities that cause death upon being seen. This film quickly became Netflix’s most-watched movie ever within just 28 days of its premiere, and it continues to be one of the platform’s most-loved films today.
Leave The World Behind
2023 saw Netflix viewers once again gravitating towards apocalyptic thrillers, as exemplified by “Leave the World Behind”. This movie featured Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke as the Sandfords, who found themselves at a vacation rental belonging to Mahershala Ali’s character, G.H. Scott, just as the world was on the brink of collapse. Sam Esmail’s film delivers a gripping commentary on race, class discrimination, and surprisingly, our enduring fascination with “Friends” reruns.
The Gray Man
In “The Gray Man,” directed by the Russo Brothers, Ryan Gosling takes on the role of Sierra Six, a CIA operative who discovers disturbing truths about his superiors, leading him to be pursued by a previous coworker and a league of global assassins. The movie has been praised as one of the top action films of 2022, with Chris Evans delivering an outstanding performance as the sinister Lloyd Hansen.
We Can Be Heroes
The film titled “We Can Be Heroes” resonated with viewers across various age groups on Netflix, as it combined elements of a self-contained superhero movie while also serving as a quasi-sequel to the 2005 film “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl“. The movie proved to be a massive success for Netflix, with the offspring of renowned superheroes banding together to rescue their parents, who had been abducted by extraterrestrials.
Purple Hearts
Warning to all streamers! The heart-wrenching drama “Purple Hearts” on Netflix left viewers in tatters. Nicholas Galitzine plays Luke Morrow, a Marine and recovering addict about to be deployed to Iraq, while Sofia Carson portrays Cassie Salazar, a type 1 diabetic juggling multiple jobs to cover her insulin costs. In an unexpected turn of events, Cassie and Luke decide to marry for benefits, but I’d hate to ruin the emotional journey that unfolds by revealing any more details.
The Unforgivable
In the Netflix streaming world, Sandra Bullock has seen her fair share of triumphs. In the 2021 film “The Unforgivable,” she took on the role of Ruth Slater, a woman fresh out of prison after serving a 20-year sentence for a tragic event – the death of a sheriff who was trying to evict her and her young sister Katie from their home. Upon her release, her primary mission becomes reconnecting with her sister Katie.
The Irishman
Martin Scorsese joined Netflix in releasing his 2019 gangster movie titled “The Irishman“, featuring stars like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and Harvey Keitel, among others. With a running time of 209 minutes, it has accumulated significant viewing time. Moreover, its 10 Academy Award nominations have certainly contributed to its popularity.
The Kissing Booth 2
In the unusual case of a sequel outshining the first film, “The Kissing Booth 2” managed to exceed its initial success when it was released in Summer 2020. Just like before, Joey King reprised her role as Elle Evans, and both Joel Courtney and Jacob Elordi made their comeback as Lee and Noah Flynn respectively. In this installment, Elle and Noah were dealing with a long-distance relationship while Elle grappled with deciding where her future would lead her.
6 Underground
6 Underground, the Michael Bay action thriller starring Ryan Reynolds, is not only one of Netflix’s most popular movies but also one of its costliest productions, with an estimated budget of $150 million. The film follows a group of vigilantes, including Reynolds, who stage their own deaths to bring down a cruel dictator. Although it was successful on the streaming platform, plans for a sequel were ultimately abandoned due to less-than-favorable reviews.
Spenser Confidential
As a gamer, I’d say “Spenser Confidential” was your typical cop buddy flick, but Mark Wahlberg and Winston Duke brought their characters, Spenser (an ex-Boston cop) and Duke (a rising MMA fighter), to life in an engaging way. The story unfolds as Spenser recruits Duke to dig into the murders of two of his former colleagues, with a twist: one of them was suspected of being killed by none other than our protagonist himself.
Enola Holmes
In the film titled “Enola Holmes“, Millie Bobby Brown takes on the role of the younger sibling of the renowned detective Sherlock Holmes. Brown’s performance in this thrilling movie is both captivating and humorous, which resonated strongly with viewers, leading Netflix to commission additional installments.
Roma
Alfonso Cuarón’s 2018 drama Roma, which was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won three, has certainly found favor with viewers. Filmed in black and white, the Netflix original explores challenging themes as it tells the story of a Mexico City housekeeper during the 1970s. The acting is exceptional, particularly that of Marina de Tavira and Yalitza Aparicio.
Army Of The Dead
Army of the Dead is the result of combining Zack Snyder’s unique style, blending it with elements similar to Ocean’s Eleven , and adding a generous serving of zombies. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by that mix? Why would anyone pass up on such an exciting combination?
The Old Guard
A movie that probably gained a surge in streaming views during the pandemic period was “The Old Guard”. This film, based on a comic book, features Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne among its star-studded cast. It garnered positive reviews for its abundant action sequences and representation of LGBTQ+ characters.
Murder Mystery
In the comedy “Murder Mystery,” Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler portray a married couple who become entangled in a real-life murder mystery when they get invited to a party on a wealthy individual’s yacht. As events unfold, the couple finds themselves navigating through a complex family situation that becomes even more intricate as the host of the yacht party turns up dead.
Troll
Approximately two years following its 2022 debut, the Norwegian Netflix original film titled Troll claimed the highest number of views among all non-English originals. This movie revolves around a diverse group of individuals who band together to combat an ancient troll that has been inadvertently awakened within the mountains.
Blood Red Sky
In the exhilarating world of action, crime, horror, and vampire thrillers, I found myself immersed in “Blood Red Sky” – a unique blend where bloodthirsty creatures meet high-flying plane heists! I was the one onboard an overnight flight, battling against a ruthless group of hijackers. This movie, released in 2021, quickly became the streamer’s most triumphant German production, amassing a staggering 50 million views within its first month.
Society Of The Snow
For enthusiasts of survival-themed movies, “Society of the Snow” recounts the real-life ordeal of a rugby team from Uruguay whose Air Force Flight 571 met with a crash in the Andes mountains back in 1972. This film was recognized with Oscar nominations in the categories of Best International Feature Film and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
The Platform
In the dystopian thriller The Platform, a man chooses to enter a prison where the inmates are stacked vertically in cells, and their sustenance comes from a single platform that carries food from top to bottom daily. The amount of food decreases as it moves downwards, creating a harsh class system among the prisoners.
All Quiet On The Western Front
Back in 2022, I found myself deeply immersed in the gripping war epic, “All Quiet on the Western Front,” which was a fresh take on the 1929 novel of the same name – a story I’ve always held close to my gaming heart. This Netflix original stood out as it garnered an impressive haul of awards, including seven British Academy Film Awards from 14 nominations and four Academy Awards from nine nods. Needless to say, it was one heck of a successful adaptation, leaving me spellbound with its powerful portrayal of war on the Western Front.
Hustle
As a gaming enthusiast, I’m not just about the laughs with Adam Sandler – his dramatic roles on Netflix are definitely worth staying up for! In the gripping film, Hustle, I step into the shoes of Stanley Sugerman, an NBA scout who’s seen better days but dreams of coaching glory. Stanley spots a potential game-changer in Spain, Bo Cruz, played by Juancho Hernangómez, a real-life pro basketball player. However, getting Bo ready for the NBA draft proves to be a tougher challenge than I ever imagined.
Extraction 2
In Chris Hemsworth’s debut as Tyler Rake, Netflix scored a major success, so it’s no surprise that fans were ecstatic to learn that Extraction 2 would be even more exhilarating. The black ops mercenary is back for another high-stakes mission, and this time, the action never lets up – from start to finish! A standout scene is a memorable prison break, expertly edited into a gripping 21-minute, non-stop action sequence.
The Man From Toronto
The movie titled “The Man from Toronto“, featuring Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson, didn’t receive the best critiques, but still managed to attract Netflix viewers who wanted to laugh along as an assassin and a bungler were unintentionally mixed up at a holiday home rental.
The Tinder Swindler
There’s no denying the appeal of captivating true crime narratives, and when “The Tinder Swindler” debuted on Netflix, it quickly became a sensation. This documentary delved into the intriguing tale of Simon Leviev, an individual who used Tinder to deceive people by claiming he needed money to evade his pursuers.
Luther: The Fallen Sun
It’s clear why the movie “Luther: The Fallen Sun” resonated with Netflix viewers, given that Idris Elba reappeared in his character from the beloved series “Luther“. In this Netflix film continuation, he was joined by Cynthia Erivo and Andy Serkis. The plot follows Luther as he tries to halt a wealthy serial killer.
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2024-08-14 21:38