Although the days of Netflix having just about every movie title under the sun are gone with the rise of proprietary streaming services, that doesn’t mean it isn’t still one of the best stops to get your film fix. Netflix excels at consistently putting out new quality content, making it the streamer for you if you prefer fresh new movies to older films. It’s also great at providing content the whole family can enjoy together, making it a favorite of cord-cutters with kids.
We’ve chosen this list from critically acclaimed and popular films as well as our personal favorites. You’ll see plenty of Netflix’s best films of the past few years, as well as a good mix of beloved classics. Netflix puts out new original films every month, so we’ll be updating this list regularly to include the best new releases.
‘Maestro’ (2023) — Editor’s Top Pick
Rated: R | Genre: Romantic Biography | Run Time: 2 hours, 9 minutes | Director: Bradley Cooper
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10 | Metacritic Rating: 77
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Bradley Cooper, Matt Bomer
Watch the trailer for “Maestro”
Bradley Cooper’s passion project, “Maestro,” starring himself as legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, has already garnered him several Best Director nods this year. The film focuses on Bernstein’s rise to fame, his significant impact on the world of classical music, and his tumultuous personal life, especially his complicated marriage to Costa Rican-American actress, Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). As a major fan of Mulligan’s work in “An Education” and Cooper’s in “Silver Lining’s Playbook,” I knew this was a film not to miss, tremendously showcasing the two actors’ powerful and nuanced work. Cooper intricately captures Bernstein’s charisma, musical genius, struggles with his family life and sexuality, and his relentless pursuit of artistic perfection, while Mulligan brings a relatable emotional lens to the pain and excitement of loving a genius.
The satisfyingly authentic mid-20th century period detail, as well as the film’s naturally brilliant score including Bernstein’s most famous compositions, are also highlights. Beautiful cinematography, direction, performances, music, and detail have earned this emotional and thought-provoking biopic a slew of nominations in this year’s awards season.
'Orion and The Dark’ (2024)
Rated: PG | Genre: Animated Adventure | Run Time: 1 hour and 33 minutes | Director: Sean Charmatz
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10 | Metacritic Rating: 72
Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Colin Hanks
Watch the trailer for “Orion and The Dark”
Netflix has released fantastic animated films in recent years. Their best animated work of 2024 (so far) is “Orion and the Dark.” Orion (Jacob Tremblay) is a boy with an imagination so vivid that it often conjures up anxieties, especially about the dark. Every night in Orion’s mind, shadows morph into monsters. Creaks become ghosts. One evening, everything changes and the darkness becomes something else. Dark (Paul Walter Hauser), a tall, shadowy creature, with a surprisingly friendly smile, is the personification of darkness. Despite Orion’s initial fear, Dark sets out to teach him about the beauty and wonder hidden in darkness. Soaring over the town through the night sky, twinkling stars and friendly owls quell Orion’s fears about the dark and he begins to enjoy the night.
This simple story about the power of imagination and perspective may be for kids, but adults may like it too. “Orion and The Dark” will also resonate with adult’s who fear the unknown. The film holds a welcome discovery that what scares us may not be as bad as we make it out to be.
'Damsel’ (2024)
Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Fantasy Adventure | Run Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes | Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
IMDb Rating: 6.1/10 | Metacritic Rating: 46
Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Ray Winstone, Angela Bassett
Watch the trailer for “Damsel”
Damsel-in-distress stories don’t stand a chance in the face of this spunky inverted fairytale. Elodie (Millie Bobby Brown) lives a sheltered life with her future all laid out for her. She always believed she’d marry a handsome prince, and it seems her day has finally come. But her happily ever after is flipped upside down. Upon saying “I do,” she realizes the royal family hasn’t chosen her for love but as a sacrifice to a dragon in appeasement for an ancient debt. Following a twisted wedding ceremony, Elodie is thrown into a fiery chasm. Now relying on only her own wits and determination, Elodie must scavenge for resources, avoid the dragon’s attacks, and plan her escape.
In this story, the princess becomes her own knight in shining armor. Millie Bobby Brown’s impressive performance highlights women’s strength and resourcefulness as she matures into more adult roles.
‘The Killer’ (2023)
Rated: R | Genre: Crime Thriller | Run Time: 1 hour and 58 minutes | Director: David Fincher
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10 | Metacritic Rating: 73
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell
Watch the trailer for “The Killer”
The iconic director of “The Social Network” and “Fight Club,” David Fincher, lends his signature cinematography and choreography style to the story of an unnamed Killer (Michael Fassbender). Solitary and cold, methodical and unencumbered by scruples or regrets, the Killer dedicates himself to building the skills and meditative calm needed to make him succeed at his craft. While away on a job, his girlfriend Magdala (Sophie Charlotte) is targeted by thugs of a powerful employer. With the careful lines he’s drawn between his dangerous work and his personal life beginning to crumble, the Killer finds it harder than ever to keep his cool as he hunts down Magdala’s attackers.
This brutal and stylish noir exploring detached professionalism in a world without a moral compass is guaranteed to be a hit with fans of Fincher’s previous work.
‘May December’ (2023)
Rated: R | Genre: Drama | Run Time: 1 hours and 57 minutes | Director: Todd Haynes
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10 | Metacritic Rating: 83
Cast: Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, Charles Melton
Watch the trailer for “May December”
“May December” unites Academy Award winners Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman in a dark, uncomfortable, and provocative story that gets at the heart of our moral ambiguities. Portman portrays an actress who, while studying for a role, lives with a married couple whose notoriously inappropriate age-gap romance gripped tabloids across the nation. The enigmatic Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Moore), who began her relationship with her younger husband when he was in seventh grade, is tested by the actress’ constant questioning of her choices. As old wounds are dragged to the surface, Joe Yoo (Charles Melton) is made to reexamine his relationship, taking a hard look at what love is. A seductively disquieting thought experiment, “May December” is one of the most critically acclaimed Netflix films of 2023.
‘They Cloned Tyrone’ (2023)
Rated: R | Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy Mystery | Run Time: 2 hours and 2 minutes | Director: Juel Taylor
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10 | Metacritic Rating: 74
Cast: John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, Jamie Foxx
Watch the trailer for “They Cloned Tyrone”
If you love films like “Pulp Fiction,” you’ll love this wickedly cool tribute to Blaxploitation crime films of the ’70s. Join an unlikely trio as they’re thrown together to save their neighborhood from a conspiracy. When local drug dealer Fontaine (John Boyega) wakes up unharmed after being shot and killed, it tips him off that something strange is going on in his neighborhood. With the help of a pimp named Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx) and a streetwalker called Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris), he sets out to investigate the strange occurrences and ends up discovering a conspiracy deeper and darker than he could have imagined.
With the U.S. government running experiments on the local Black population, Fontaine decides he can’t stand back and watch. Things get even more complicated, however, when he realizes he’s not the real Fontaine but a government-controlled clone. “They Cloned Tyrone” is a witty, clever, and stylish social satire that’s one of the best woke films you will ever see.
‘Nimona’ (2023)
Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Animated Sci-Fi Fantasy Comedy | Run Time: 1 hour and 39 minutes | Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10 | Metacritic Rating: 75
Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy
Watch the trailer for “Nimona”
“Nimona” is a spunky and unconventional 2D animated anti-hero story that masterfully subverts and pokes fun at traditional fairy tale tropes. Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a teen shape-shifter with a nefarious streak, wreaks havoc across her medieval futuristic kingdom. During a ceremony where a commoner is about to be knighted, the queen is murdered under suspicious circumstances. This leaves new knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) on the run from the authorities. Nimona, who agrees to partner up with him, is the only person who can prove his innocence. Unfortunately, she’s the monster he has sworn to destroy.
Between its lively action scenes and quirky style, “Nimona” is an instant family classic that speaks to universal themes of individuality, identity, and acceptance.
‘Living’ (2022)
Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Drama | Run Time: 1 hour and 42 minutes | Director: Oliver Hermanus
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10 | Metacritic Rating: 81
Cast: Bill Nighy, Aimee Lou Wood, Alex Sharp, Adrian Rawlins
Watch the trailer for “Living”
Mr. Williams (Bill Nighy) is a senior bureaucrat whose dedication to the daily grind has sucked all the joy out of his life and drained his empathy for the citizens he serves. Lonely and purposeless, Williams receives a medical diagnosis that guarantees his time is short. Unable to end his own life, he decides to start living it while he still can. With the help of a deviant writer and a vibrant young woman, he lets his hair down and even learns to do some good for others.
“Living” is Nighy’s magnum opus, earning him a Best Actor nomination. It’s a beautiful exploration of mortality, legacy, empathy, and purpose.
‘The Power of the Dog’ (2021)
Rated: R | Genre: Western | Run Time: 2 hours, 6 minutes | Director: Jane Campion
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 89
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons
Watch the trailer for “The Power of the Dog”
Western psychological drama, “The Power of the Dog,” made a splash in 2021 when it earned 12 Oscar nominations and brought home a Best Director trophy for Jane Campion. In 1920s Montana, Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch), a brutal, charismatic, and influential rancher, exerts his power over everyone around him. When his sensitive brother George (Jesse Plemons) brings his new wife Rose (Kirsten Dunst) and her teenage son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) to live on the ranch, the family becomes the target of Phil’s cruel machinations. The heightened emotional situation grows even more tense when Peter forms an unlikely bond with Phil, learning ranching from him while also discovering some of the intimidating man’s dark secrets.
“The Power of the Dog” is a captivating slow burn, building tension and psychological complexity in its characters to a powerful and thought-provoking climax. The brooding American West provides a rich setting to explore identity, loneliness, and the destructive nature of unrealized masculinity, creating a pensive and haunting character study that will leave you pondering days later.
‘Ma Rainey's Black Bottom’ (2020)
Rated: R | Genre: Music Drama | Run Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes | Director: George C. Wolfe
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10 | Metacritic Rating: 87
Cast: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman
Watch the trailer for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
Producer Denzel Washington brings us a vivid film adaptation of August Wilson’s renowned play, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” part of a 10-film deal to adapt the playwright’s works. In 1920s Chicago, a jazz band arrives at a recording studio, anxiously awaiting the arrival of “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey (Viola Davis), who arrives late making unreasonable demands. Ma Rainey’s force-of-nature presence elevates tensions during the recording session, especially irking Levee (Chadwick Boseman), whose experiences with racial prejudice have long hindered his ambitions as a trumpeter and composer. Despite shared experiences of race, art, and exploitation, the musicians’ wildly different perspectives prevent them from being able to see eye-to-eye, with the session becoming ever more emotionally tense.
The film is true to Wilson’s play, with evocative cinematography, Oscar-winning costumes and makeup, a killer soundtrack, and a powerhouse performance from Davis as the unapologetically brash Rainey. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” gets to the heart of differing Black experiences, exploring ambition and the system of exploitation that long plagued the roots of American music.
‘Enola Holmes’ (2020)
Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Mystery Adventure | Run Time: 2 hours and 3 minutes | Director: Harry Bradbeer
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10 | Metacritic Rating: 68
Cast: Henry Cavill, Millie Bobby Brown, Sam Claflin, Helena Bonham Carter
Watch the trailer for “Enola Holmes”
This spirited and adventurous modern overhaul of the iconic tales of Sherlock Holmes focuses on Sherlock’s curious and rebellious teenage sister, Enola (Millie Bobby Brown). Clever, tough, and independent, Enola sets out to unravel the mystery behind her mother’s disappearance. Along the way, she becomes embroiled in a larger conspiracy that challenges her own detective skills while forcing her to face the frustrating societal norms for women in Victorian England.
The ensemble cast includes Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes and Helena Bonham Carter as their unconventional mother. “Enola Holmes” is a family-friendly adventure that offers a charming and delightful mix of mystery, humor, and female empowerment.
‘The Social Dilemma’ (2020)
Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Docudrama | Run Time: 1 hour and 34 minutes | Director: Jeff Orlowski
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10 | Metacritic Rating: 78
Cast: Tristan Harris, Jeff Seibert, Bailey Richardson, Joe Toscano
Watch the trailer for “The Social Dilemma”
For viewers who aren’t even big fans of documentaries, the docudrama, “The Social Dilemma,” is one of the most powerful pieces of work you can watch on Netflix. Through dramatic reenactments and discussions with tech industry insiders, the film looks at the hidden consequences of social media and the tech industry’s influence on our lives. It explores how social media platforms are designed to capture our attention and manipulate our behavior for profit and raises important questions about the impact of technology on mental health, democracy, and the fabric of society.
“The Social Dilemma” serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the urgent need for ethical tech practices and the importance of being aware of the digital forces that shape our daily lives, making it a compelling and relevant documentary for anyone living in the digital age.
‘Knives Out’ (2019)
Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Mystery | Run Time: 2 hours 10 minutes | Director: Rian Johnson
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10 | Metacritic Rating: 82
Cast: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas
Watch the trailer for “Knives Out”
Rian Johnson, now known as the visionary director behind “Poker Face,” had his major breakthrough in 2019 with “Knives Out,” an inventively modern twist on the classic whodunnit. Wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) has long supported his freeloading family, providing a beautiful home for them at his eccentric Victorian estate. When Harlan dies on the night of his 85th birthday, it is ruled a suicide, but Detective Blanc (Daniel Craig) isn’t convinced. His interviews with the residents reveal the web of secrets and lies spun by the dysfunctional family, portrayed by a brilliant ensemble cast including Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collete, Chris Evans, and Ana de Armas in her breakout Hollywood role.
Layers of anti-elitist satire add depth to the clever mystery full of unexpected twists, witty dialogue, dark comedy, and a thoughtful study of family dynamics. Johnson’s direction is a reinvention of the murder mystery that became an instant staple of the genre, taking audiences by storm and inviting multiple sequels including “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” and another entry currently in development.
‘The Florida Project’ (2017)
Rated: R | Genre: Drama | Run Time: 1 hour and 51 minutes | Director: Sean Baker
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10 | Metacritic Rating: 92
Cast: Brooklynn Prince, Bria Vinaite, Willem Dafoe
Watch the trailer for “The Florida Project”
A few miles down the road from the pastel facade of Orlando’s Disney World is a run-down motel called “The Magic Kingdom” that’s plenty of adventure for 6-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) who lives there. With her motel friends and troubled young mother, Halley (Bria Vinaite), she explores abandoned buildings, annoys the staff, and learns to take what she needs. The world through her innocent eyes is far removed from her mother’s drug habit, violent crowd, and the tricks she turns from out of their motel-room home.
A raw portrait of poverty and inequality amidst neon-lit tourist-trap glamor, “The Florida Project” features phenomenal performances, including a heart-wrenching one from child actress Prince. The performances drive home the uncomfortable truths about social inequality masked by sunshine and empty promises.
‘Call Me By Your Name’ (2017)
Rated: R | Genre: Coming-of-Age Romantic Drama | Run Time: 2 hours and 12 minutes | Director: Luca Guadagnino
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 94
Cast: Michael Stuhlbarg, Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer, Amira Casar
Watch the trailer for “Call Me by Your Name”
Nestled within the sun-drenched embrace of 1983’s Northern Italy, the intoxicating coming-of-age romance “Call Me by Your Name” unfolds as a symphony of sensuality and deep emotion. With an idyllic backdrop, a fiery connection ignites between Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), a precocious 17-year-old, and the magnetic Oliver (Armie Hammer), a graduate student collaborating with Elio’s archaeologist father. As their entwined hearts journey ever deeper, they traverse the terrain of desire, embarking on profound voyages of self-discovery and surrendering to the intricate melodies of first love.
Lush cinematography paints the canvas, evocative storytelling weaves the tapestry, potent performances breathe life into the characters, and profound wisdom whispers between every frame. “Call Me by Your Name” stands as a poignant testament to a summer romance that captures the hearts of both its protagonists and its enraptured audience.
‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ (2016)
Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Adventure Comedy-Drama | Run Time: 1 hour and 41 minutes | Director: Taika Waititi
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 81
Cast: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata
Watch the trailer for “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”
“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is a rollicking roller coaster of laughs and adventure as we follow Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison), a foster child with more quirks than you can shake a stick at, and his stern foster guardian, Hec (Sam Neill). When Ricky decides to pull the ultimate disappearing act after his foster mom’s passing and stages his own death, the last person you’d expect, Hec, embarks on a wild goose chase through the wilderness. Little did they know, they’d soon become the hottest items on New Zealand’s national wanted list.
A madcap dash through the bush, this oddball duo finds themselves dodging the long arm of the law, traversing treacherous terrain, meeting a motley crew of characters, and pulling off some wild stunts to stay incognito. With offbeat humor, heartfelt storytelling, and charming performances from Dennison and Neill, “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” guarantees a wild, wacky, and unforgettable escapade that celebrates the chaos of makeshift families and New Zealand’s untouched, untamed wonders.
‘Carol’ (2015)
Rated: R | Genre: Romantic Drama | Run Time:1 hour, 58 minutes | Director: Todd Haynes
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10 | Metacritic Rating: 94
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson
A perfect choice for a stylish and serious watch this holiday season, “Carol” is a masterful film by director Todd Haynes and based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 romance novel, “The Price of Salt.” Set in New York in the ‘50s, the film follows the forbidden love story between two women from starkly different backgrounds. Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) is a young department store clerk who dreams of a more fulfilling life as a photographer. While working, she meets the elegant and sophisticated Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), who’s trapped in a loveless marriage. The tender but forbidden romance that grows between them defies the conservative norms of the time and puts both women at risk, testing their love for each other. “Carol” has exquisite cinematography, compelling performances, and emotional sensitivity that make it one of the most critically acclaimed films on Netflix.
‘The Imitation Game’ (2014)
Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Biographical Thriller | Run Time: 1 hour and 54 minutes | Director: Morten Tyldum
IMDb Rating: 8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 71
Cast: Keira Knightley, Benedict Cumberbatch, Matthew Goode, Charles Dance
Watch the trailer for “The Imitation Game”
The life of brilliant and historically under-recognized British mathematician Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), the father of computer science and artificial intelligence, is beautifully portrayed in “The Imitation Game.” The film looks at Turing’s pivotal role during World War II in breaking the German Enigma code, a feat that greatly contributed to the Allied victory. It also follows Turing’s personal struggles as a gay man in the 1950s, an offense for which he was arrested and chemically castrated, leading to his eventual suicide.
Combining historical drama, espionage, and Turing’s tragic personal journey, the film highlights the under-recognized legacy of a genius taken too soon and what it can teach us about the devastating losses wrought by intolerance. The film is elevated by Cumberbatch’s exceptional performance, a thought-provoking and emotional exploration of identity, power, love, prejudice, and the greater good.
‘Bridesmaids’ (2011)
Rated: R | Genre: Comedy | Run Time: 2 hours and 5 minutes | Director: Paul Feig
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 75
Cast: Rose Byrne, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Ellie Kemper
Watch the trailer for “Bridesmaids”
Annie Walker (Kristen Wiig) isn’t exactly racking up gold stars in the life department — her bakery’s a flop, her boyfriend’s bailed, and her self-confidence has taken a nosedive. Just when you think things couldn’t get messier, her bestie, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), ropes her into the ultimate role of maid of honor at her wedding. With her life in shambles, Annie isn’t feeling very confident among Lillian’s competitive group of bridesmaids, especially the gorgeous, snobby, and perfectly coiffed trophy wife, Helen (Rose Byrne). As Annie attempts to outshine Helen’s seemingly flawless existence, let’s just say it’s a recipe for hilarious disaster, involving some epic fails and cringeworthy moments that’d make anyone break into a sweat.
“Bridesmaids” is a roller coaster of friendship, rivalry, privilege, and the quest for self-acceptance — all served up with a side of uproarious female camaraderie.
‘Spider-Man’ (2002)
Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Superhero | Run Time: 2 hours and 1 minute | Director: Sam Raimi
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10 | Metacritic Rating: 73
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe, James Franco
Watch the trailer for “Spider-Man”
“Spider-Man,” a trailblazing blockbuster that influenced the fevered resurgence of the superhero genre, is an adrenaline-charged classic that set hearts racing and ignited the imaginations of a whole generation of superhero aficionados. Meet Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), your average high schooler, until a bite from a genetically altered spider propels him into an extraordinary world of superhuman abilities. From that moment on, Peter transforms into the iconic, wall-crawling vigilante Spider-Man, determined to harness his newfound strength, agility, and gravity-defying arachnid powers to safeguard the bustling streets of New York City. Lurking in the shadows is the menacing Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), and Peter’s best friend, Harry Osborn (James Franco), becomes an unexpected adversary.
Juggling the high-flying feats of a superhero with the everyday challenges of his personal life, not to mention his blossoming love for Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), “Spider-Man” hurtles headlong into a whirlwind of action, humor, and heartwarming storytelling. This web-slinging adventure looks at duty, the quest for paternal guidance, self-discovery, and the eternal battle between the forces of right and wrong.
‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998)
Rated: R | Genre: Crime Comedy | Run Time: 1 hour and 57 minutes | Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10 | Metacritic Rating: 71
Cast: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Watch the trailer for “The Big Lebowski”
Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) is a lovable Los Angeles slacker who’s got a busy schedule of bowling, smoking reefer, and drinking white Russians in his bathrobe. When sharing the same name with a millionaire leads to thugs peeing on his favorite rug, he asks the other Jeffrey Lebowski for some compensation, man. But, when the millionaire Lebowski’s trophy wife is kidnapped, The Dude and his comically unhinged bowling buddies, Walter (John Goodman) and Donny (Steve Buscemi), are pulled into a criminal plot they never asked for. With his unwavering nonchalant attitude, The Dude offers a valuable lesson in how to deal with life’s curveballs. “The Dude abides” is his mantra and has become a pop culture legend, reminding us to stay true to who we are regardless of how ridiculous of a situation we may find ourselves in. Multilayered, clever, memorable, and one of the funniest movies ever made, “The Big Lebowski” is a must-watch for movie buffs.
‘Groundhog Day’ (1993)
Rated: PG | Genre: Fantasy Comedy | Run Time: 1 hour and 41 minutes | Director: Harold Ramis
IMDb Rating: 8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 72
Cast: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott
Watch the trailer for “Groundhog Day”
In the charming town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Phil Connors (Bill Murray), a cynical and self-absorbed weatherman, embarks on an assignment that will forever alter the course of his life. Tasked with covering the annual Groundhog Day event, he finds himself inexplicably ensnared in a relentless time loop, the hands of the clock forever frozen on a single day. As the cycle endlessly repeats, Phil’s journey unfolds in a kaleidoscope of self-discovery and redemption, each repeated sunrise a canvas for his personal evolution and his impact on those who cross his path.
Seamlessly blending humor with a profound exploration of human growth and connection, “Groundhog Day” unearths the inexhaustible value of embracing each day to its fullest potential. Bill Murray anchors the film’s clever premise in a symphony of laughter and poignant revelations that have solidified its status as an enduring classic.
‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)
Rated: R | Genre: Coming-of-Age Comedy-Drama | Run Time: 1 hour and 37 minutes | Director: John Hughes
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10 | Metacritic Rating: 66
Cast: Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy
Watch the trailer for “The Breakfast Club”
“The Breakfast Club,” an emblem of the ’80s, etched the names of director John Hughes and the Brat Pack into cinematic history. This iconic coming-of-age masterpiece sees an unlikely alliance form among five high school students. Hailing from disparate social spheres, the brainy nerd (Anthony Michael Hall), the rebellious delinquent (Judd Nelson), the popular princess (Molly Ringwald), the jock (Emilio Estevez), and the enigmatic outcast (Ally Sheedy) are brought together by the shared burden of a Saturday spent locked in the library for detention. Despite their initial disdain, their facade of stereotypes shatters, and teenage tumult gives way to the raw intricacies of adolescence.
The film evokes the quintessence of ’80s teenage life while bridging the generational gap to offer lessons in friendship, open-mindedness, and the impact of genuine connection.
‘Rocky’ (1976)
Rated: PG | Genre: Sports Drama | Run Time: 2 hours | Director: John G. Avildsen
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10 | Metacritic Rating: 70
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, Burt Young
One of film history’s most iconic sports dramas, “Rocky” tells the story of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), a small-time fighter from the gritty streets of Philadelphia clawing his way out of the shadows of obscurity. When destiny offers him a single, electrifying chance to square off against heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), a fire kindles deep within him. He transforms from an underestimated underdog to a relentless force, pushing himself to the limit in an exhilarating crescendo of physical and emotional growth.
With a training montage that has become the stuff of legend, a soundtrack that reverberates in your bones, and Stallone’s Oscar-nominated performance, “Rocky” is an unforgettable ode to the indomitable spirit of the underdog. Since the first film’s release and through its many sequels, the character of Rocky Balboa has been beloved as a symbol of hope in the face of adversity, the antithesis of arrogant pride, and a reminder of the fruits of hard work and perseverance.
‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ (1975)
Rated: PG | Genre: Comedy | Run Time: 1 hour and 31 minutes | Director: Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10 | Metacritic Rating: 91
Cast: Michael Palin, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle
Watch the trailer for “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” is a zany romp that’s not just funny — it’s a contender for the funniest flick ever to grace the screen. This wild farce has the Monty Python crew, including the likes of Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Micheal Palin, and Terry Jones, donning the regal robes of King Arthur’s court. In this madcap masterpiece, they’ve taken the Arthurian legend and cranked the absurdity up to 11. King Arthur and his hilariously inept knights embark on a quest for the Holy Grail, stumbling upon a parade of bizarre challenges and surreal hurdles that’ll have you in stitches.
Expect slapstick antics, whip-smart wordplay, iconic one-liners, and surreal sight gags that showcase the team’s signature comedic genius.