Mayukh Saha
Mayukh Saha
August 10, 2024 ·  10 min read

35+ Netflix Originals That Are Actually Worth Your Time

Netflix has a lot of shows and films. Everyone knows that the streaming giant can be hard to use when you’re not sure what you want to watch. Different types of material cause the endless scrolling that we all experience. There is a lot of great stuff out there, but we have to sit through a lot of average to bad films and TV shows to find the ones that are worth watching. Let’s not waste time looking for a movie when you could be watching one instead. Here is a list of the best Netflix original movies.

1. You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023)

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

Adam Sandler and his family star in this funny coming-of-age comedy about a girl who wants to have the best bat mitzvah ever but gets into a fight with her best friend when she finds out they both want the same boy.

2. The Good Nurse (2022)

The Good Nurse
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

The Good Nurse is based on a true crime story and is about a nurse who thinks her coworker Charlie Cullen is a serial killer. As the police start to look into the deaths that happened at the hospital, the nurse offers to help them catch her coworker.

3. The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)

The Fundamentals of Caring
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This comedy is about a caretaker who takes the kid he’s watching on a road trip to see the world’s deepest pit stars Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, and Selena Gomez. They pick up a hitchhiker along the way, and the three of them become close as the trip goes on.

4. Beasts of No Nation (2015)

The beasts of no nation (2015)
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This harrowing movie stars Idris Elba, and follows a child soldier who has to stay alive during a civil war in his country.

5. El Conde (2013)

El Conde (2015)
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

The film’s main character, Augusto Pinochet (the former Chilean Dictator), is a vampire who has lived for 250 years. His children hire a nun to kill him, but the vampire fights back against them. It is a black comedy.

6. The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

The trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This historical drama is directed by Aaron Sorkin and is about a group of anti-Vietnam protesters who were charged with starting fights at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

7. Mudbound (2017)

Mudbound
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

Based on the same-named 2008 book, Mudbound is about two veteran soldiers of World War II, one black and one white, who go back to rural Mississippi.

8. Set It Up (2018)

Set it Up
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This romantic comedy from 2018 also stars Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu, as well as Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch. The movie is about two assistants who try to set up a date for their bosses who are too busy to do anything else.

9. The King (2019)

The King
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This historical movie is based on real events and works by William Shakespeare. It’s about a young man named Henry V who has to become king after his father dies and deal with politics, war, and his personal life.

10. I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore (2017)

I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This funny movie stars Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood as two neighbors who work together to get back the woman’s stolen things after her house is broken into.

Read More: Can We Please Stop Hating On Classic Movies

11. Tramps (2016)

Tramps
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

Tramps is a 2017 Netflix original movie about a man who has to deliver a mystery package and a woman who drives him. It’s a really sweet love story. They work together to get the package back when they lose it.

12. Gerald’s Game (2017)

Gerald's Game
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This story is based on a book by Stephen King with the same name. Mike Flanagan directs and edits it. In the movie, Carla Gugino plays a woman whose husband dies while they are on a love trip. With her hands cuffed to the bed, she has to figure out how to stay alive while also battling her delusions.

13. The Two Popes (2019)

The Two Popes
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

In this bibliographical drama based on real events, Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins play two religious characters. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI tries to talk an archbishop out of resigning while he himself is thinking about stepping down as papĭ.

14. Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Always Be My Maybe
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

There are a lot of problems that come up when dating as an adult, and Ali Wong and Randall Park play childhood friends who try to make their relationship work.

15. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

The movie, which stars Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, is based on August Wilson’s 1982 play of the same name. The real-life famous singer Ma Rainey (known for the original “Hound Dog”) is the subject of the story, which is about a difficult recording session she has with her band.

16. The Old Guard (2020)

The Old Guard
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This action-thriller movie stars Charlize Theron as a warrior from hundreds of years ago who can heal himself. After an ex-CIA agent stops her and her team, they go on a mission to get back at the person who stopped them.

17. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This musical comedy is about two best friends from Iceland who are eager to win the Eurovision song contest. Rachel McAdams and Will Ferrell play them. It received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, so you’ll probably remember a few songs from it.

18. The Swimmers (2022)

Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This biopic movie follows the lives of two sisters who were displaced Syrian refugees. One of whom swims in the 2016 Olympics and the other of whom works as a lifeguard and humanitarian campaigner. If you want to cry, watch this movie.

19. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

The second movie in Rian Johnson’s famous mystery series is now available exclusively on Netflix. A mysterious person invites Daniel Craig’s character, private detective Benoit Blanc, to a billionaire’s private island.

Read More: People Are Saying This Netflix Movie Has The ‘Greatest Plot Twist in the History of Cinema’

20. What Happened to Monday? (2017)

What Happened To Monday?
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This dystopian movie stars Noomi Rapace, Glenn Close, and Willem Dafoe as a group of septuplets who have to hide because the government has a one-child policy because of too many people. The girls are named after days of the week when they are little, and they only leave the house on the days they are supposed to. They have to work together to find Monday when she goes missing.

21. Extraction (2020)

Extraction
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

Based on a graphic novel, Extraction stars Chris Hemsworth as a hired gun from Australia whose job it is to find the son of an Indian crime lord. The plan is put at risk, though, when he gets betrayed. According to Netflix’s statistics, Extraction was their most-watched original film of all time when it came out.

22. The Gray Man (2022)

Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This movie follows a CIA agent and a hired gun who sets a bounty on the agent’s head to kill him and get back an important drive. Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans play the lead roles.

23. Do Revenge (2022)

Do Revenge
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

Teen comedy films are something that modern media don’t have enough of. It’s one of the best teen movies in a long time, and people of all ages should watch it. The movie stars Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke, and Austin Abrams. Drea, a famous student whose boyfriend leaks her nudes, vows to get back at him no matter what. That’s when she makes friends with a new girl at school.

24. Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

Pinocchio (2022)
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

In his great movie, Del Toro gives the classic fantasy figure a new look. The story of Pinocchio takes place in fascist Italy between World Wars I and II. It stars Ewan McGregor, Tim Blake Nelson, Tilda Swinton, and others. The movie was nominated for the 95th Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature after it came out.

25. The Power of the Dog (2021)

The Power of the Dog
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This Western Drama is about two brothers who are always fighting with each other. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst, and Kodi Smit-McPhee. There were several Oscar nominees for the movie, and Jane Campion won for Best Director.

26. Tick, Tick…Boom!

Tick, tick...boom!
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

The movie is based on Jonathan Larsen’s biographical musical film about his journey to write a musical and get into the theatre business. Andrew Garfield plays Larsen in the movie. This Oscar-nominated movie is great for musical fans who want to watch one at home.

27. Passing (2021)

Passing
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

It’s based on a book by Nella Larsen with the same name and stars Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson. It’s about a bond between two Black women, one of whom pretends to be white and hides her own race.

28. The Harder They Fall (2021)

The Harder They Fall
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This movie, which is partly based on a true story, stars Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, and LaKeith Stanfield as Black cowboys who get involved with a heist.

29. Army of the Dead (2021)

Army of the Dead
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

Zack Snyder directs this zombie heist movie, which stars Dave Bautista. As the zombie apocalypse approaches Las Vegas, a wealthy businessman hires a group of soldiers to open a safe and take the money inside.

Read More: This Netflix Horror Movie Is So Twisted It Has People Gasping For Air

30. Mank (2020)

Mank
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

Based on a screenplay by his late father, David Fincher directed this movie. The movie is about the author Herman J. Mankiewicz and how the script for Citizen Kane came to be.

31. I’m Thinking Of Ending Things (2020)

I'm Thinking of Ending Things
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Charlie Kaufman is a story that will blow your mind. The movie shows a young woman and her boyfriend meeting his parents. You should see the movie to have what amounts to a very long w** moment.

32. Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Da 5 bloods
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

Spike Lee directed this movie about old Vietnam veterans who go back to the country to find the body of their fallen squad leader and get back some treasure they buried there years ago.

33. The Irishman (2019)

The Irishman
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

It’s based on a 2004 nonfiction book and stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino. The Martin Scorese-directed movie is about a truck driver who works as a hitman for a gangster and also for the famous teamster Jimmy Hoffa.

34. Marriage Story (2019)

Marriage Story
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

Noah Baumbach wrote and directed this drama about a pair who are no longer together. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver play the lead roles. Nicole tells her husband she is divorcing him and goes to Los Angeles to live with her mother. She brings her son with her. After that, she goes through a painful divorce process with her ex-husband, who lives in New York.

35. Okja (2017)

Okja
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

For Parasite, Bong Joon-Ho will later win several Academy Awards. He co-wrote and directed this movie about a girl who grows up with a genetically modified pig. She has to protect it from harm once she goes to the United States, though. This is a sci-fi story with stars like Tilda Swinton, Steven Yeun, Paul Dano, and more.

36. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This Western anthology film is  written, produced, and directed by the Coen brothers, starring Tim Blake Nelson and other actors. The movie was up for three awards at the 91st Academy Awards: Best Original Song, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Costume Design.

37. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

To all the boys I've Loved Before
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is one of the best young adult book adaptations of the last few years, and it’s great for fans of coming-of-age stories. Lana Condor plays shy high school student Lara Jean Covey, who writes letters to guys she likes. The trouble starts for Lara when her little sister sends out all the letters.

38. Bird Box (2018)

The Bird Box
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This movie, which is not the same as A Quiet Place, stars Sandra Bullock as a woman who has to keep two kids safe in a world full of monsters that make people kill themselves if they see them.

39. Roma (2018)

Roma
Image Credits: Netflix/Youtube

This movie, which got great reviews, is about a Mexican housekeeper and is also based on the life of director Alfonso Cuarón. People say that Roma is one of the best films of the last ten years, so anyone who wants to see the best films on Netflix should watch it.

Read More: 12 of the Most Shocking Movies of All Time

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