The weather is getting colder, which means more and more people are staying inside, curling up under a blanket, and looking for something to watch. The good news? Netflix is ready to deliver whatever you’re in the mood for. From romantic comedies like Set It Up to family favorites like Paddington, dramatic classics like The Deer Hunter to foreign masterpieces like Burning, there are a plethora of incredible films on Netflix.
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It can be difficult to choose, but this article will help you find just what you’re looking for, whether it be a comedy that’ll have you laughing so hard you cry (hello, Monty Python and the Holy Grail) or a heartbreaking drama that’ll have the tears flowing for a different reason (Tick, Tick…Boom! will require a whole box of tissues).
Rest assured, this list has been carefully considered and curated by seasoned Collider editors with decades of combined experience — not to mention a passion and enthusiasm for the medium. Only the crème de la crème has made the cut. Read on to discover the best movies to watch on Netflix right now.
For even more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Netflix, best comedies on Netflix, and best dramas on Netflix.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.
Set It Up
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Set It Up
Editor’s Choice
Release Date June 15, 2018
Director Claire Scanlon
Runtime 105 minutes
Read Our Review Anyone who knows me knows I’m a rom-com junkie — obsessed to the point of running a podcast on it, actually. So it’s no surprise that Set It Up, Netflix’s 2018 original film starring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell, is easily my favorite movie the streamer has on offer, even five years after its premiere. While they’ve made plenty of other rom-coms since the film was released, the story of two down-on-their-luck executive assistants who attempt to set their bosses up with each other for a little free time is easily still their best.
While it’s not the first time Powell and Deutch starred together — that award goes to Richard Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some!! — and both have gone onto much bigger projects, it’s a sweet and heartwarming film that’s easy to get into, even if the comedy’s a bit cringe-worthy. It’s rare to find rom-coms made after 2005 whose leads have such immediate, entertaining, and believable chemistry and even rarer to find a cast filled with heavyweights who are just as much fun — can you believe this film also boasts the likes of Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, and Pete Davidson? Not to mention it’s an easy hour and forty-five minutes, perfect for watching (and rewatching, as I do) whenever you want a little fun in your life. —Maggie Boccella, News Editor
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It Follows
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 6.8/10
It Follows
Release Date March 15, 2015
Director David Robert Mitchell
Cast Bailey Spry , Carollette Phillips , Loren Bass , Keir Gilchrist , Maika Monroe , Lili Sepe
Runtime 100 minutes
Read Our ReviewIn a world filled with remakes and reboots, It Follows defied the norm by finding an original way to tell a mysterious horror story. The story follows Jay (Maika Monroe), a teenager who has sex with a guy named Hugh (Jake Weary), whom she doesn’t know very well. Afterward, Hugh tells her that she’s inherited a curse that he’s now free of. Jay starts to be followed by a phantom who wishes her dead, and the only way Jay can get rid of the curse is if she sleeps with someone else, passing it along to them.
It Follows premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014, where it was then a part of a limited theatrical release before moving to a nationwide release in 2015. Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell (Under the Silver Lake), audiences raved about the movie not just for its originality but also for their different interpretations of the meaning behind the plot. Throughout its time in theaters, the film continually received great reviews for its terrifying scares and for its deeper meaning. As of October 2023, a sequel is in the works entitled They Follow. – Emily Cappello
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Up in the Air
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.4/10
Up In The Air
Release Date September 5, 2009
Director Jason Reitman
Runtime 109
Genres Drama , Documentary , Romance
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While the last thing anyone wants to do is spend more time on an airplane, 2009’s Up in the Air let us take that trip with George Clooney (The Ides of March), so, of course, we gladly went along. Based on the novel by Walter Kirn and written for the screen by Jason Reitman (Juno) and Sheldon Turner (The Longest Yard), the story follows Ryan Bingham (Clooney) as he goes through his daily routine of living out of a suitcase for work, traveling to different parts of the country to fire people. Ryan never stays in one area for too long and has no connections other than the ones he makes on his way to a different place. While Ryan loves his way of life, new video-conferencing technology threatens to take away the travel portion of his job that he lives for. When he is forced to spend time with new hire Natalie (Anna Kendrick), he attempts to show her that it is necessary to fire people in person. While Natalie sees the harsh reality of their jobs, Ryan sees that maybe his nomad way of life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Considered by many critics to be one of the best films of 2009, Up In The Air was nominated for six Academy Awards and six Golden Globes, one of which the film won for Best Screenplay by Reitman and Turner. The all-star cast also includes Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring), Jason Bateman (Ozark), Danny McBride (The Righteous Gemstones), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), Zack Galifianakis (The Hangover), and Sam Elliot (Road House). The film grossed an impressive $166 million against its $25 million budget, making it not just a critical success but a box office smash. – Emily Cappello
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Heat
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 8.3/10 Heat
Release Date December 15, 1995
Director Michael Mann
Runtime 170 minutes
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Talk about an all-star cast. 1995’s Heat stars Al Pacino (The Godfather), Robert De Niro (Raging Bull), Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan), Jon Voight (Deliverance), Val Kilmer (The Doors), and Ashley Judd (Double Jeopardy) in a crime drama about career criminal Neil (De Niro) and LAPD detective Vincent Hanna (Pacino). Neil and his crew are used to pulling off big heists involving stealing from armored cars, banks, and vaults, but after a heist goes wrong, the LAPD and Detective Hanna start to cave in on Neil and his team. The film also dives into the personal lives of both the “good guys” and the “bad guys,” paralleling the interpersonal conflicts that they have in common.
Written and directed by Michael Mann (Collateral), the film is considered a staple within the American crime drama genre and is said to have had a heavy influence on similar films that followed it. Upon its 1995 release, the film grossed over $187 million worldwide, making it an absolute hit in theaters and solidifying it as one of the most successful films of the year. With classic action moments, great catchphrases, and terrific acting performances by its ensemble, re-watching Heat packs a major hit of nostalgia for 90’s crime dramas. – Emily Cappello
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The Karate Kid
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.3/10 The Karate Kid
Release Date June 22, 1984
Director John G. Avildsen
Runtime 126
Genres Action , Documentary , Drama , Family , sport
The definition of a classic, The Karate Kid premiered in 1984 and still continues to breathe new life into its franchise in 2023. Written by Robert Mark Kamen (Taken) and directed by John G. Avildsen (Rocky), the film tells the story of martial arts master Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), who teaches bullied teen Daniel (Ralph Macchio) karate in order to defend himself. Because Daniel is new in town, he isn’t only struggling to fit into his new California school but also to defend himself against his bullies, who also happen to know karate, as they attend the Cobra Kai Dojo. With a karate tournament approaching, can Daniel learn to master the art of karate while also finding a way to fit into his new life?
The Karate Kid is the gift that never stops giving. Not only was the film nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Pat Morita, but there is now an entire Karate Kid world for fans to explore. If the Cobra Kai Dojo sounds familiar to you, it’s because Netflix created a spinoff series of the same name in 2018, which has had five successful seasons and is currently heading for its sixth. Not only did The Karate Kid have three sequels — The Karate Kid Part II, The Karate Kid Part III, and The Next Karate Kid —but it also had an animated series in 1989 and two remakes: The Karate Kid and The Karate Kid 2. But wait, there’s more, as the film also generated four video games as well. The good news is, if you love the original, you have more options than ever to enjoy the world of the film. – Emily Cappello
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Field of Dreams
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 7.5/10 Field of Dreams
Release Date April 21, 1989
Director Phil Alden Robinson
Runtime 107
Genres Drama , Documentary , Family , Fantasy , sport
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With one of the most iconic lines in film history, Field of Dreams has people everywhere saying, “If you build it, he will come,” about random events in their everyday lives. Labeled a “fantasy sports drama,” the 1989 classic was based on the novel “Shoeless Joe” by W. P. Kinsella and written for the screen and directed by Phil Alden Robinson. Starring Kevin Costner as Ray, a farmer who builds a baseball field on his farm in response to hearing “if you build it, he will come” and envisioning that to mean a baseball field, while “he” is baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson. As the voice continues to instruct Ray, his wife Annie (Amy Madigan) is by his side, encouraging him and helping him save the farm from being taken from them. The film is seen by many as one of the most inspiring films of all time due both to its writing and Costner’s performance as Ray.
Field of Dreams was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Original Score by James Horner (who was also nominated for a Grammy for his work on the film), Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film was largely praised for its writing, earning several Best Screenplay and Best Writing nominations, including one from the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA). More recently, in 2017, the film was added to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress for its historical significance in American film history. – Emily Cappello
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Burning
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.5/10 Burning
Release Date May 17, 2018
Director Chang-dong Lee
Cast Ah In Yoo , Steven Yeun , Jong-seo Jeon , Soo-Kyung Kim , Seung-ho Choi , Seong-kun Mun
Runtime 148 minutes
Genres Drama , Mystery
Based on the short story “Barn Burning” by Haruki Murakami, Burning is a South Korean-Japanese thriller written and directed by Lee Chang-dong in his first film after an eight-year hiatus. The film focuses on Lee Jong-su (Yoo Ah-in) after he runs into an old classmate named Shin Hae-mi (Jeon Jong-seo), who asks him to feed her cat while she’s away. Jong-su obliges, but upon Hae-mi’s return with a mysterious man named Ben (Steven Yeun), things take an odd turn. When Ben admits his illegal and dangerous hobby to Jong-su, Jong-su becomes worried for Hae-mi’s safety. It’s a story that knows how to heighten the tension little by little and, by the end, has viewers’ hearts racing.
Burning premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018, where it won the International Critics’ Prize and was then released in South Korea and later in the United States. Perhaps more impressive, the film was voted as the best Korean film of all time on Korean Screen. Burning appeared on many critics’ “Top 10” lists for 2018, with critics at The A.V. Club and The Los Angeles Times rating it number one. The film also made some “Best Films of the Decade” Lists, proving the power of the writing, directing, and the three lead actors’ performances. – Emily Cappello
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The Deer Hunter
Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 8.1/10 The Deer Hunter
An in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War impacts and disrupts the lives of several friends in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania.
Release Date December 8, 1978
Director Michael Cimino
Runtime 183 minutes
Genres Drama , War
A stunning before-and-after portrait of how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) impacts the lives of soldiers, the 1978 epic war drama The Deer Hunter tells the story of American steelworkers who can’t return to their normal lives after the Vietnam War. Co-written and directed by Michael Cimino, the film stars Robert De Niro (Cape Fear) as Michael, John Savage (Hair) as Steven, and Christopher Walken (Catch Me If You Can) as Nick, three friends who leave their hometown in Pennsylvania to fight in Vietnam only to return different people than when they left. The film explores PTSD in a way that wasn’t talked about at the time, displaying its effects not just through the relationships between Michael, Steven, and Nick but also the ones they have with their loved ones, like Nick’s girlfriend Linda, played by Meryl Streep (Out of Africa), and Steven’s wife Angela, played by Rutanya Alda (Mommie Dearest).
Although the film went over its budget and schedule, it was a hit upon its release, grossing $49 million and earning nine Academy Award nominations, including the first nomination of Streep’s career, as she was recognized in the Best Supporting Actress category. The Deer Hunter was added to the US National Film Registry in 1996 and was named the 53rd greatest American film by the American Film Institute (AFI). It is often included on lists rounding up the greatest films of all time. – Emily Cappello
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Mobile Suit Gundam I
IMDb: 7.9/10 Mobile Suit Gundam I
Release Date January 1, 1981
Runtime 2 hr 17 min
In outer space, an interplanetary war is raging. This is the story of Mobile Suit Gundam I, a Japanese animated action and adventure movie based on an animated series of the same name. While the battle rages on in the Solar System, there is hope in the form of a mobile battle suit named the “Gundam,” but there’s one problem: the only person able to pilot the massive machinery is a boy named Amuro Ray (Toru Furuya). Now, Amuro must fight alongside other kids to save themselves and their families as the war rages on. The film also stars Hirotaka Suzuoki, Toshio Furukawa, Kiyonobu Suzuki, and Shôzô îzuka.
The film, directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Ryoji Fujiwara, premiered in Japan in 1981 and acted as a compilation of episodes 1-13 of the popular Animated series Mobile Suit Gundam. Later dubbed in English and released on VHS tape in the United States in 1999, both the film and its original show material were suddenly popular worldwide, finding a completely new fanbase with English-speaking audiences. – Emily Cappello
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Miss Juneteenth
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 6.6/10 Miss Juneteenth
Release Date June 19, 2020
Cast Nichole Beharie , Kendrick Sampson
Runtime 1 hr 43 min
Genres Drama
Miss Juneteenth follows the story of single mother Turquoise (Nicole Beharie, who won a Gotham award for Best Actress for the role) as she enters her fifteen-year-old daughter Kai (Alexis Chikaeze) into the Miss Juneteenth Pageant. Kai is rebellious and doesn’t follow the path her mother has laid out for her willingly, but she ends up making Turquoise proud nonetheless.
When Miss Juneteenth premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020, it received critical praise and a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize in the “Dramatic” category. The film continued its victory lap with wins at the SXSW Film Festival, where it won the Louis Black/Lone Star Award, as well as numerous other honors from different festivals across the US. The film had a prominent release date to video-on-demand: June 19, 2020: the 155th anniversary of the holiday Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The film tackles the significance of the holiday while also bringing in other themes within the characters’ lives. In January 2021, it was announced that Miss Juneteenth would be adapted into a television series with NBCUniversal, but it is still listed as “in development.” – Emily Cappello
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Paddington
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.3/10 Paddington
Release Date November 24, 2014
Director Paul King
Cast Tim Downie , Madeleine Worrall , Lottie Steer , Geoffrey Palmer , Theresa Watson , Imelda Staunton
Runtime 95
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The filmmakers of 2014’s Paddington had big, fuzzy shoes to fill. Based on the beloved children’s books by Michael Bond that premiered in 1958, Paddington Bear was already known worldwide when he hit the big screen, putting a lot of pressure on the film’s creators to get him right. The story follows a computer-animated Paddington, voiced by Ben Whishaw, as he travels from Peru to London to find a home under the advice of his uncle (the late, great Michael Gambon) and aunt (Imelda Staunton, another Harry Potter alum). There, Paddington meets the Brown family, played by Hugh Bonneville (Notting Hill), Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water), Madeleine Harris (Man Down), and Samuel Joslin (The Impossible), who take Paddington home with them. All is going swell until Paddington catches the interest of a taxidermist.
The film was widely critically praised, earning $282 million at the box office and generating a sequel that is regarded by some to be one of the best films ever made. The film is fun and light and also has a surprising amount of depth for what might be viewed as a “kid’s movie.” It contains an all-star cast, with additional stars like Julie Walters (Billy Elliot), Nicole Kidman (The Hours), and Matt Lucas (Bridesmaids), and an excellent score by Nick Urata. The film won awards from the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain and a British Screenwriters’ Award for Best Screenplay by Paul King. It was also nominated for two BAFTA Awards. No matter your age, Paddington is sure to put a smile on your face. – Emily Cappello
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Jaws
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDB: 8.1/10 Jaws
Release Date June 20, 1975
Runtime 124 minutes
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With one of the most recognizable film scores of all time (if not the most well-known), Jaws swam onto the scene in 1975 and not only delivered us Steven Spielberg but also the phrase “Summer Blockbuster,” as it was the first real example of a film reviving the box office during a generally quiet summer period. The film follows the new Sheriff Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) as he begins his summer working in the small town of Amity Island and immediately discovers the body of a shark attack victim. This unleashes a battle not only between the shark and the beachgoers but also between Sheriff Brody and Amity’s mayor, Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton), who doesn’t like the idea of closing a big revenue stream during the busiest time of the year. What ensues is a terrifying battle between man and beast in an attempt to save the lives of hundreds of people.
While viewers were intrigued by the storyline, which was based on the 1974 novel of the same name by Peter Benchley, they undoubtedly stayed for what was an incredibly innovative filmmaking style that continues to stand the test of time. While there are many fun stories that surround the filming of Jaws, perhaps the most infamous is the malfunctioning robotic shark made for the production. Because it sank almost immediately, Spielberg used this opportunity to create an even scarier movie, as he realized that nothing he could show on screen would be scarier than his audiences’ own imagination. This technique has been utilized in countless horror films since, with some of the most brutal killings happening off-screen. Against a $7 million budget, the film brought in an astounding $476 million worldwide. No matter who you ask, Jaws will always be listed as a horror classic. – Emily Cappello
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The Social Network
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.8/10 The Social Network
As Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking site that would become known as Facebook, he is sued by the twins who claimed he stole their idea and by the co-founder who was later squeezed out of the business.
Release Date October 1, 2010
Runtime 120
Genres Biography , Documentary , Drama
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Based on the non-fiction book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich, The Social Network primarily tells the story of the founding and early development of the social media platform Facebook. It focuses on the life of Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), who co-founded Facebook while he was a student at Harvard University. The movie also delves into how the platform was made, the legal battles and clashes that happened as Facebook grew fast, and the intricate relationships among the co-founders, including Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) and the Winklevoss twins (both played by Armie Hammer).
The Social Network is captivating because it explores themes of friendship and loyalty in a world of petty politics. It’s brought to life by the combined talents of two exceptional filmmakers, David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin, who use their shared dedication to perfection and attention to detail to craft an incredibly engaging story. Moreover, the cast of this film is exceptional, with Eisenberg delivering a superb performance as the emotionally distant genius, and Andrew Garfield shines as the loyal but wounded friend. In just two engaging hours of cinema, The Social Network skillfully maintains both entertainment and thought-provoking elements despite its subject matter. – Jessie Nguyen
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Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 8.2/10 Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Release Date May 25, 1975
Director Terry Gilliam , Terry Jones
Runtime 91 minutes
Monty Python and the Holy Grail follows the exploits of King Arthur of the Britains (Graham Chapman) as he tries to recruit knights to join his court at Camelot. He faces many obstacles in this journey, such as anarcho-syndicalist peasants and a stubborn Black Knight, but eventually, he recruits Sir Bedevere (Terry Jones), Sir Lancelot (John Cleese), Sir Robin (Eric Idle), Sir Galahad (Michael Palin) and Sir Not Appearing In This Film. They are then tasked by God (Graham Chapman) with retrieving the Holy Grail, an arduous task filled with perils they cannot imagine.
Though incredibly stressful on the cast and crew due to behind-the-scenes troubles, Holy Grail has become one of the most beloved comedies of all time. The Pythons already enjoyed a lot of success thanks to their unique brand of surrealism mixed with biting British whit, but Holy Grail adds a dash of antiquity by using Arthurian legend as its setting. In fact, there’s little action in the film: everything is carried by the camaraderie of the Pythons and the hilarity of their situations. Many of its jokes have become cemented in popular culture, ensuring that, even if audiences haven’t experienced Monty Python before, they’ll be familiar with its comedy. – Tyler B. Searle
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Lost in Translation
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.7/10 Lost in Translation
A faded movie star and a neglected young woman form an unlikely bond after crossing paths in Tokyo.
Release Date October 3, 2003
Runtime 102 minutes
Genres Drama , Comedy
Lost in Translation is a 2003 film directed by Sofia Coppola that follows two characters: Bob Harris (Bill Murray), an aging American movie star traveling to Tokyo for a whiskey commercial who’s experiencing a midlife crisis, and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a young college graduate accompanying her photographer husband on a business trip. Both of them are experiencing emotional detachment and a sense of disconnection.
Lost in Translation is believed to be somewhat based on Coppola’s previous relationship with Spike Jonze, her then-partner. It is another examination of sensitive relationships and unspoken disappointments set in a tastefully isolated environment. Similar to her debut feature film, The Virgin Suicides, Coppola crafts a stunning film both in cinematography and narration, as well as a few standout performances from its leading ladies. Murray, in particular, plays an extension of himself and effortlessly inhabits the part, while Johansson matches him step for step. Furthermore, the two actors skillfully reconcile the characters’ disparate ages by gradually demonstrating to the audience that their emotional mutuality is considerably more significant and accessible than their age difference. Coppola skillfully captures the sumptuous yet remote Tokyo in her film, making audiences a part of the film with a universal sense of isolation. – Jessie Nguyen
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Carol
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDB: 7.2/10 Carol
Release Date November 20, 2015
Runtime 118
Genres Drama , Documentary , Romance
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Carol is a dramatic romance film starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as Carol and Therese, two women living in the 1950s who have a chance encounter that leads to a passionate relationship. Based on the novel The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, the film explores what it meant to go against conventional norms during a time when same-sex relationships were widely shunned. Further complicating the matter is Carol’s estranged husband, Harge (Kyle Chandler), who finds out about her relationship with Therese and uses it as a tactic to gain full custody of their children. The film also stars Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story), Jake Lacy (Obvious Child), and John Magaro (The Big Short).
When Carol premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015, it was widely celebrated for the direction of Todd Haynes and for the performances of Blanchett and Mara. After being released in theaters, it became the best-reviewed film of the year, earning six Oscar nominations and five Golden Globe nominations. If that’s not enough reason to admire the film, the BBC ranked Carol as one of the best films of the 21st century, with the British Film Institute (BFI) naming it one of the best LGBT films of all time. – Emily Cappello
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Saving Private Ryan
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 8.6/10 Saving Private Ryan
Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.
Release Date July 24, 1998
Runtime 169
There’s something about a war epic that never fails to inspire audiences around the world. That’s exactly what happened with 1998’s Steven Spielberg-directed Saving Private Ryan, which tells the story of Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) as he attempts to lead his soldiers on a mission to find Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), whose brothers in battle have all been killed. Written by Robert Rodat and based on the books of author Stephen Ambrose, the film’s all-star cast also included Tom Sizemore (Black Hawk Down), Edward Burns (She’s the One), Barry Pepper (The Green Mile), Adam Goldberg (A Beautiful Mind), Giovanni Ribisi (Avatar), and Vin Diesel (Guardians of the Galaxy).
The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Director for Steven Spielberg, for which he also won a Golden Globe. It was important to Spielberg that the film was “ugly” and depicted the reality of war, and was initially worried it would be too violent and earn an NC-17 rating. His fears were diminished when the film was given an “R” rating, meaning it would reach a wide audience who would be able to view its historical significance. With an epic score by John Williams, the film is incredibly inspiring, albeit heartbreaking, and is a masterclass in acting. – Emily Cappello
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Stand By Me
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.1/10 Stand By Me
Release Date August 8, 1986
Runtime 89
Genres Adventure , Crime , Documentary , Drama
Based on Stephen King’s novella The Body, Stand By Me is a 1986 coming-of-age film directed by Rob Reiner that is set in the 1950s and follows the journey of four young boys on a quest to find the body of a missing teenager through the narrator of the protagonist, Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), who is now in his adulthood. Their journey leads them through Oregon’s scenic landscapes, where they face physical and emotional trials. Along the way, they share hopes, fears, and personal stories, deepening their friendship and facing life’s harsh truths.
Stand By Me is a thoughtful and nostalgic film with an intriguing touch that captures the essence of Stephen King’s storytelling and the challenges of adolescence. The boys’ bickering and personal discoveries unfold in a believable and humor-filled manner, encapsulating that uncertain phase between childhood and adolescence. Furthermore, it explores a writer’s transformation, his connections with his three closest childhood friends, and an event that shaped his talent and morbid intrigue. The youthful ensemble, including Wheaton, Corey Feldman, River Phoenix, and Jerry O’Connell,gives outstanding performances with incredible chemistry that truly brings their characters and the story to life. – Jessie Nguyen
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Phantom Thread
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 7.4/10 Phantom Thread
Release Date December 25, 2017
Director Paul Thomas Anderson
Runtime 130
Genres Drama , Documentary , Romance
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In the 1950s setting of Phantom Thread, Daniel Day Lewis’s character, Reynolds, does everything by the book. He lives his life as structured and measured as he tailors clothing with great care and concentration. That is, until he meets Alma (Vicky Krieps), a woman who completely disrupts the order of his life. Complicating matters is Reynolds’s sister, Cyril (Lesley Manville), who runs the business side of Reynolds’s life. The introduction of Alma creates a ripple effect as Reynolds hires her to be his assistant while also making her his lover and muse. Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood), Phantom Thread explores both familial and romantic relationships while delivering powerhouse acting performances from its leading trio of actors.
The film opened in 2018 to rave reviews despite its lackluster box office performance. It received five Oscar nominations and secured one win for Best Achievement in Costume Design by Mark Bridges. Bridges won this same award at the BAFTA Awards as well as the Critics’ Choice Awards. Also highlighted was the film’s hauntingly beautiful score by Jonny Greenwood, whose previous work with writer-director Anderson has proven they are a winning pair. – Emily Cappello
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Get Out
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.8/10 Get Out
Release Date February 24, 2017
Runtime 103
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When I walked into the theater to see Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, Get Out, I didn’t know what I was going to see, both literally and figuratively. My aunt had bought movie tickets to something she’d heard was good, and so I met her there and took my seat. What I didn’t expect was how scared and intrigued yet moved I was going to be over the next 104 minutes. Get Out, which was also written by Peele, tells the story of Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) as he goes to visit his girlfriend Rose’s (Allison Williams) family. From the moment Chris arrives at Rose’s parents, Missy (Catherine Keener) and Dean’s (Bradley Whitford) home, things seem off, from housekeepers Georgina (Betty Gabriel) and Walter (Marcus Henderson) to the strange group of people invited to the home. Chris must rely on his instinct and his hilarious best friend Rod Williams (Lil Rel Howery) to get him out.
The film was a massive success upon its release in 2017, grossing over $255 million at the box office and winning an Academy Award for Peele’s screenplay. Academy Awards are rare for horror films, and seeing as the project was such a giant pivot from Peele’s comedy show Key and Peele, it solidified him as a force to be reckoned with, not just in television but in a film genre no one saw coming. From Get Out’s success, Peele created Us, followed by the sci-fi thriller Nope. All have done very well at the box office, but neither successor has yet to beat the power of Get Out. – Emily Cappello
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