The Ultimate Guide to Netflix Original Movies

What started as a subscription-based DVD rental model about two decades ago has seeped so deeply into our lives that today the name moonlights as a verb: “Netflix and chill.”

If your credit card is on auto-payment on the Netflix app, you do not have a cable connection on your TV (no, honestly, TV channels still exist), and hate leaving your house on the weekends, you probably know most of the following movies, because clearly you’re a binge-watcher, and these are some of the finest productions from Netflix.

But, if you’re always left doom-scrolling on the app, unable to decide on a film, this list is going to be a game-changer.

Either way, talking about great movies has never been dull.

So let’s begin, without further ado!

11 Best Netflix Original Movies

1. Roma (2018)

Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma really brought Netflix into the radar of film critics and film buffs.

Roma is a black-and-white film that captures the life of a live-in maid serving an upper-middle-class family in 1970s Mexico City. The narrative is heavily influenced by Cuarón’s own life; think of it as a semi-autobiographical account of the filmmaker’s youth.

Sprawling wide shots, emotional moments that imprint you with sweet melancholy, and frames that make you stop and look—Cuarón’s collaboration with Netflix raked in 10 Oscar nominations, the first ever for Netflix. Although it didn’t win, it has our heart.

2. May December (2023)

Todd Haynes’ May December explores the complexities of an illicit relationship between a minor student and his teacher, decades after the dust has settled. The couple in question, now married, Gracie and her husband, whose affair made headlines back in the day, are visited by actress Elizabeth, who is supposed to play Gracie in a TV movie about the couple.

The problem arises when Elizabeth’s diligent research into the couple, in her attempt to portray them for the silver screen, uncovers dark secrets and memories from the past.

May December is almost a confrontation between reality and pretense.

3. Society of Snow (2023)

One of Netflix's best survival stories, Society of Snow follows a team of Uruguayan rugby players stranded in the snow-covered Andes after a plane crash.

The survivors resort to cannibalism as the weeks pass and starvation sets in. The story is narrated through the perspective of one of the victims who couldn’t make it, Numa Turcatti.

4. The Irishman (2019)

Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman is a slow-burning tale of a World War II veteran. Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran is a truck driver who encounters the mob through Russell Bufalino and becomes a hitman. The Irishman is presented as an introspection of his life, his victims, and his betrayal of his lifelong friend, Jimmy Hoffa, whom he assassinated.

If you liked Goodfellas, you’ll love this Netflix original, too!

5. Dick Johnson Is Dead (2020)

Kirsten Johnson’s Dick Johnson is Dead is an unusual documentary, and also one of the best in the category produced by Netflix. The narrative is focused on a father/daughter duo, the two Johnsons, who are hell-bent on making the most of the time that they have together, after Kirsten, the daughter, realizes that her father is suffering from dementia.

Dick Johnson Is Dead is one such narrative that will make you value life even more, including the messy parts that come with it.

6. Marriage Story (2019)

Scarlett Johansson as Nicole and Adam Driver as Charlie are the two beating hearts of this film, as it is one of those narratives that relies heavily on its actors for its success. The movie also features one of the most devastating onscreen breakups in recent years.

Marriage Story follows the slow, steady disintegration of a once picture-perfect relationship as the two people in it lose their ability to communicate.

7. The Lost Daughter (2021)

Adapted from Elena Ferrante’s 2006 novel of the same name, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut explores the difficulties of motherhood and the guilt women feel as they constantly question their competence and commitment to their children.

The film stars Olivia Colman as Leda, a middle-aged professor on a solo beach vacation whose peace is disrupted when she becomes fixated on Nina, a young mother she observes on the shore. However, their friendship only scratches old wounds deep inside Leda, whose relationship with her two daughters is strained.

8. Mudbound (2017)

Two men—both have fought for their country, yet only one is a hero. What’s the difference between them? Their skin color.

Dee Rees’ Mudbound is a poignant exploration of the evils of racism, and a must-watch for anybody who loves a thought-provoking narrative.

9. Okja (2017)

Before Parasite, Bong Joon Ho’s collaboration with Netflix resulted in a cinematic masterpiece that encapsulates the enchanting relationship between a little girl and her pet pig.

After Okja, the pig, is snatched away from Mija and sent to the slaughterhouse following her crowning as the winner of an agrochemical company’s competition, Mija sets out from South Korea for New York City to save her friend.

Okja blends multiple genres to give you a movie that leaves you overwhelmed with emotions.

10. Private Life (2018)

Becoming a parent is already one of the hardest jobs. It becomes a total nightmare when conceiving a baby becomes as challenging as raising one.

Tamara Jenkins’ Private Life is a comedy/drama that explores the struggles of infertility through a middle-aged couple who are eager to have a baby but are unable to conceive naturally.

The beauty of Jenkins’ treatment is that while the movie gives us enough laughs, it never does so at the expense of misfortune.

11. They Cloned Tyrone

Juel Taylor’s They Cloned Tyrone will leave you guessing until the very end. The narrative follows a drug lord who is shot dead by a rival but then wakes up in his bed the next morning, unharmed. Shocked by the turn of events, the man decides to investigate the incident, only to stumble upon a dark government secret.

They Cloned Tyrone is a witty exploration of racism set in a sci-fi fantasy thriller premise.

Did your favorite Netflix original movies make it to this list? Let us know which is your favorite movie on the list.